Playing~

Read about this fun swap and what a treat to play and 'pay it forward'. Everyone can always use some fun mail for a little encouragement.

Want to play? Rules are simple and time frame is just my speed. No guilt involved. :) Here's the promise:

I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I don't know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week... ... but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog

So if you are one of the first three to request to play along , and agree to post the same promise on your blog, then I will make sure a small surprise will show up

Weekend Relaxing~

- Sunshine's back

- Summer salad

- Bar-b-queing

- Eating dinner on the back porch

- Have a great weekend!

Say Hello to my little Friend~

Meet Marisa. Daughter of our neighbor, sister of Maya's good friend Leticia. She was born on Easter this year. Isn't she a peach? It's just the threee girls in the household and they're all girly girls.

Look at these cute toes.

Swap Received~

Here's my 'Bits and Pieces' collage made by Stefanie from Avondale, AZ. I love the turquoise polka dots and the over color combination.

Now I just have to find a place to hang it.

STOP~

Don't go into the dark.


I was trying to take a picture of this stop sign because it's in front of a huge rock cliff and it looked like the oddest place to have a stop sign because duh... who's going to drive into a rock cliff but it was too dark to shoot without a flash and this is what a flash gave me. A stop sign to nowhere. I liked this better.

Fifth grade Memories~

Remember having this assignment in fifth grade? What a fun job to have!

Check her out!!

Three fabric ATC's for a garden themed swap.

Been wanting to put this clothes line up since I picked it up for free and looking forward to using it. Finally did it last weekend and I cannot express how much I LUV hanging up clothes to dry. My first load was two down comforters on July 4th. My day off. I woke up early to do the two comforters and was able to put them out in the hot morning sun. It ended up being 92 degrees that day.

There is so much peace in doing this simple task. When you get between the lines and you're surrounded by clothes hanging, it is so quiet as if you're in another world. Time slows way down and the silence surrounds you. My senses come alive and I'm mindful of the moment. I'm a simple girl and I appreciate these simple pleasures.

I read where it is good if there's a breeze in the area of the clothes line. Relieved to report I have said breeze. I'm so excited to enjoy this summer pleasure. Looks like Juju thinks it's a pretty swell place to hang out too.

Blogspot won't let me give this post a title. Why not?
Friday-Blue/Purple~

It's a good thing Itook this picture when I first brought home these plums because by the time I came home from work the next day there was only one left. Fruit monsters must have munched them during the day.






I collect pitchers. Here are a few blue and purple ones.

Thursday-Orange~

I thought this would be a hard color to find around this household but I had bits of it. Bits that I really love.

Some husbands bring home flowers to their wives... my man brings me bouncy balls. I gathered all the orange ones in an orangish bowl.

Keens. These are the only shoes, at this point in my life, that don't cause my right heel to hurt. What's up with that? It's summer, finally, and now I can't wear any of my sandals or flips unless I'm willing to put up with some pain. I may have buy another pair. These are THE.MOST. comfortable shoes I have ever owned. I love these babies.

Three Japanese plates that are hand painted with these sweet, simple, serene settings. Thrifted from Goodwill for 2.99.

I usually have a glass of ice in hand at any given time of day. I just love to eat it all day long. Today's ice is in an orange cup in honor of Thursday's color.

Happy 4th & Yellow~

I should just rename my blog: "Ode to Elaine". The woman is amazing in so many ways. She is gifted in thrift store shopping, she recycles/reuses faithfully and inspires others to do so, she is kind to animals and only adopts animals from shelters, she loves animals so much that she is Vegan, she crafts the most amazing art and stays true to her style, she has a sense of home decor that has been published and ALWAYS sends the most amazing mail. Not only is the contents fun, unique and beautiful but the way she packages it makes it fun to open the mailbox & and I'm always delighted. Here is her latest- a 4th of July greeting. Do you see what I mean? She used a seal-a-meal bag as the envelope, enclosed holiday confetti and put a stamp on it. I bet the mailman gets a kick out of her stuff and it makes him smile. I know he's thankful for my friend as much as I am. Thanks Elaine!!! I absolutely love it~

Wednesday - Yellow

-Elaine's 4th of July greeting is most appropriate for the day and for my day of yellow for the 'color week challenge' I'm participating in.

-My favorite yellow bowl that I got free at a garage sale.

-Figurine that was my Nana's. She lived until she was in her 80's. I receive my love for crafting from her, my curly hair from her and I cherish my memories of her.

-And this hand painted egg that I bought at an estate sale. The yellow is more mustardy than the picture shows. Amazing painting.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY EVERYONE~~

Tuesday~ Green

The promise of things to come.

Blooming color~

I'm taking part in a 'color week' challenge. Posting colors according to schedule but I'm starting one day late since I just found out about it today. Love the idea of searching the outdoors for the days color. It's a great time of year to find color. Wanna join me?

Monday- Red

Bits & Pieces~

A recent swap called 'Bits & Pieces" hosted by Jenny of Everyday is a Holiday. My swap partner was Stefanie of Avondale, AZ. I have a cousin who lives in Avondale. Swap required a 9" x 12" canvas separated into 3" squares then decorated individually.

Some swappers merged their art into a couple or a few squares. You should go check out everyone's work. They're really cool. Stefanie requested pastel pink, blue and green with chocolate brown thrown in. I think I went a little heavy on the browns but I liked the way it turned out. I'll post the one I receive once it arrives.