Lavender in Twilight

One of the fun things about returning home after an extended vacation is seeing what has changed in the flower beds and vegetable garden. Despite an overgrowth of weeds, my English Lavender is blooming ever so pretty.

I cut 15 stems and stuck them in a glass bottle that I picked up at an antique store.

We just might need a few more of those about our abode to freshen and calm the air as we unpack and settle back into normal, everyday life. If you'd like, I can post a few pictures from our trip. Since they do take awhile to upload, I won't unless they are requested.

And also, if you placed an order from my etsy shop while I was away, I will be taking a trip to the Post Office tomorrow to mail those out.

Fabric from Paradise

No joke, ladies! Just the other day I was in a quaint little fabric shop full of high-quality cottons, quilting accessories, and notions. There were a couple "left over" bolts on sale, and so I grabbed the little amounts to make two to three aprons when I get home.

The location? Paradise, Michigan.

Checking in...

We are up in the beautiful city of Mackinaw and are enjoying ourselves immensly. Walks along wooded and tick-infested paths, feeding thousands of mosquitoes, kite flying along the shores of Lake Huron, making smores over an evening campfire, and we'll be over on Mackinac Island in a day or two. Happy bliss.

No Sewing Machines Allowed

" 'Well, I'm nearly ready now,' answered Mrs. Beaver at last allowing her husband to help her into her snow boots. 'I suppose the sewing machine's too heavy to bring?

''Yes. It is,' said Mr. Beaver. 'A great deal too heavy.'

--C. S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

In just a few days I'll be leaving with my family to make a near-three week trip over to Michigan to spend time in Mackinaw; our favorite vacation spot, as well as visiting family. I will have a laptop with me, so if I can get it to work (it's an oldie) you just might hear from me, even if it's just through pictures.

Plum Puffs with Tea

Plum puffs...

Lavender splashes...

Black and green teas...


That is to say: a bunch of aprons are in the shop this morning!

A Gift of Roses

This is our second year of enjoying free roses. About five years ago, a complete stranger came up to me and asked if I would like a rose bush. "I found 14 of them in the garbage" said she, and because of my love for flowers, and gardening, I thought, "Sure! Why not?"

I planted what there was of the roots, but all you could see were dead thorny stems above the soil. Not a very pretty sight. That first year I watered it with some special plant food for roses, the second year I totally forgot about it, and the third year I discovered that the plant had some very minimal greenish tints. Last year it grew (with no care) and we enjoyed one or two blooms from it. This year we will be in store for dozens of mediums-sized blooms. They aren't miniature, but neither are they regular sized.

I think they're perfect.

A Meadow full of Poppies

This morning I discovered a most beautiful patch of colorful poppies nestled in a green meadow full of hills and curvy green lanes.
And I even found two vintage Ferris Wheels smack dab in the center. Must have been from those old country fairs they used to have back in the Depression era...

Take a look for yourself!

Candy Pink Confections

So. Several weeks ago I bought many yards of Candy Pink and White (cotton) shirting fabric just because it was SUCH a steal to buy it. And I have several ideas, thanks to the dresses that Pleasant Company, aka, American Girl used to sell in their catalog.

I just love Kirstens's pinafore and Samantha's lacey apron. Realizing that I still haven't made up my mind with what to do with my white linen, I think it would make a great apron or pinafore. Now which of the dresses do I try to recreate?