End of the Trip

This is the window mostly done - my brother-in-law and I finished it about 10 minutes before I had to get on the train and head for San Diego...I left him with the cleaning task.

My sweet and handsome son, Jonathon flew in from Seattle. I can't tell you how good it was to see him!

My three children {step and regular} at my sister's house. The best part of the trip was seeing my family....sisters, brother-in-laws, nieces and nephews and potential relatives.

On Sunday, Sister Bonnie and I drove to Temecula to La Maison Rustique. It was 175 degrees there, but Linda managed to stay cool looking. Oh? Can't see her? That's because SB took a picture of Linda and me in front of the barn, or so she said... The point is, if you have a chance to visit the barn. Do! It's great fun. We bought a few things - would have bought more, but my suitcases were full of tools.

Window Progress

...the reason I'm in Anaheim is to build a window for the new Lutheran Center {it is beautiful}. I just ran out of solder and so thought I would post a pic of what it looks like so far. We used all clear glass - seven different textures - the cross will be 'stacked' - one layer on top of another for added dimension. I promise the numbers won't show when the piece is complete.

There is a glass store here called Beveldine. I felt like I was in a candy store except for that you can't really lick the pieces and it doesn't smell like sugar....Anyway - it's a great shop with the friendliest most knowledgeable staff. They teach classes too, so if you live in the area and want to learn anything about glass - go there.

San Diego

My sister Bonnie and I were dinking around in San Diego on Friday and found Joy's space {Vintage Rabbit} at Vignettes....

"look at those cool necklaces" says I. "hey - I made those!" Thanks Joy - they look great and you have a great space there!

Next - Bloody Mary's and Sweet Potato fries for lunch...

"Sweet Potato Fries headin' for her Sweet Potato Thighs"

Welcome Rumple

Farley went to "a better place" about a month ago after a brief fight with a rough illness...we'll miss him - he was a great dog.

Today we added Rumple to our family. We're Two Dog Pond again. He's the sweetest little puppy ever. Part Brittany, part Springer Spaniel, part Lab...

Reese knows he's going to have his hands full training this one, but he's the right dog for the job.

Eliot {handsome stepson} with Rumple - did I mention he has one blue eye and one brown eye? {the dog, not Eliot}

STAMPEDE

I was getting my second cup of coffee and looked out the window to see the neighbors Longhorns trotting down the road. A few of them came through our yard {they are not so gentle when they step on daylilies}. The rest of the family was still sleeping, so I grabbed my camera and went outside to prove that I wasn't "making up stories again". Farmer Freddy happened to stop by too, so if they would have aimed those horns at me, I could have jumped behind him...

Chicken House Is Done! {mostly}

The chicken house is done...{except for the nests - which they won't use for a few months; and a scratch pen - which they will need soon}. The chicas seem happy and content and quite creative. Kira {the beautiful stepdaughter} loves the chickens and spends much time trying to choreograph them to spread their wings and cheep "TA DA". We've only named a few chicas so far - the whitest one of the Red Stars is quite aggressive and a bit assertive so she's been named "Crazy White Chick".

Daisies.

This perfectly beautiful daisy is in my garden. Another reason to be thankful. Tornadoes and storms were all over the place last night, but my man and I stood out on the deck with a cocktail in our hands and didn't see a one.

My World...

Guess I haven't posted for a while, so thought I would do a little "show and tell"....
Years ago I bought a small stash of old stamps and every once in a while get them out and stick them on things - this week it's on cards:


The envelopes are all made from old atlases and maps...I love old maps!
Below is a close up of one of a very cool old stamp - the stamps are from all over the world and were fairly old when I bought them years and years ago -

...and since I've been spending so much time with the chicas - we decided {me and the chicas} that since they have so much energy and spend so much time acting like little princesses that they needed their own line of merchandise to sell. They get the cards. And maybe t-shirts....

...and a line of crowns. This is one of the many crowns I made for my Mother's Birthday party:

On another note, I've been doing some collages - this one for Joy in California....

otherwise I spend my time pulling weeds out of the garden; pulling ticks off Reese; pulling cookies out of the oven; and having an emergency visit to the doctor to have part of a Q-Tip pulled out of my ear....did you know the cotton heads of the plastic handled ones tend to snap easier than the paper ones? Me either!! and no, I won't post a picture of that...

Windy But Wonderful

The Art Festival at Geo Spencer Vineyard on Saturday was great. I met tons of wonderful new people. Once they started wine tasting, the fun really started! The ideas for new charms were just pouring out of their mouths {in vino veratus} and I was laughing my head off!! ha ha plop. Anyway - Miss Leah of Moxie Photo was kitty-corner from me and in a much warmer and windier location... She is shown above with some of her new customers who were admiring her sassy cards, clocks, and other great stuff.

Thanks again to everyone who stopped by my booth and chatted, shopped and amazed me. I will be back for the fall event on September 21 - maybe even to stomp some grapes.

Speaking of grapes....look at ours go! Last year I bought my husband a vineyard for his 50th birthday. {Some assembly required: digging post holes, planting vines, etc...} but sooner or later we'll have some Two Dog Pond wine to share - and this time the grapes will come from our own vineyard!

It's been the perfect weather to do some outside work - I just came in from painting the floor on the chicken casa - it's almost time to paint the outside...Yeah - my man did all the work! Speaking of chicas - here's my friend's daughter meeting one of the chicas - she wanted to squeeze her tight and love her! She was actually very gentle and sweet {even if she didn't like it when the chick was wearing a crown}. You can almost hear the sound effects! eeeeeeeee

More Fused Goodies!

Ooooohhh...I love glass!!

Fused Glass Pendants

I've been fusing glass and having a blast! I'm working on some new jewelry items to take to Geo Spencer Vineyard for the Art Festival this weekend - {Please, come join us!!}.

Third Window is DONE!

Finally finished the third window and Tim just installed it in the Chica Casa. {See the Updated Chicken House pic, please}. It's almost time to start painting....