I Heart Macro

While my granddaughter was at dance class, I decided to grab the camera when I started noticing signs of fall.  The bonus was finding the lovely flowers along one side of the building.

I'll save the fall photos for another day.

I'm joining Lori at Studio Waterstone for I Heart Macro.

I hope you're having a great weekend!

Keep smiling and keep creating!

xo Annette xo

In The Mountains

Dear Friends,
I hope you aren't getting tired of hearing about and seeing pictures of our trip to Denver.  I took LOTS of pictures and hope you have enjoyed them.

The day we went to the mountains, we stopped in the gold rush town of Idaho Falls.  We didn't see the whole town due to time constraints and my walking limitations, but I was happy to watch the rushing water for a while.

There is so much more I want to do and see in the Denver area.  I can't wait to go back.

Have a fantastic Friday!

Keep smiling and keep creating!

xo Annette xo

Thankful Thursday

Dear Friends,
Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing, and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives, there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.  

Today I'm thankful for those days when you wake up and you feel rested, allergies aren't bothering you, pain is at a minimum, the sun is shining, and you just plain feel good!  Do you know what I mean?  I wish they happened more often!

I'm also thankful for
     *  pumpkin cheesecake
     *  Sean's new job
     *  kinetic tape (using it for achilles tendinitis)
     *  DWTS is back
     

What are you thankful for today?

Keep smiling and keep creating!

xo Annette xo

I Heart Macro

My sweet Annie girl after walking with her nose to the ground.

I'm joining Lori at Studio Waterstone for I Heart Macro.

I hope you're having a wonderful weekend!

xo Annette xo

Thankful Thursday

Dear Friends,
Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing, and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives, there is always something to be thankful for.  Always. 

Although the leaves haven't started changing yet, I'm so thankful the for the cooler temperatures and feeling of fall in the air.  I have said many times on this blog that I'm always sad to see fall come because it means winter is right around the corner.  I'm a spring and summer girl but this summer was brutal.  It's just so nice to walk outside or get in the car without feeling like I'm suffocating.

I'm also thankful for
     *  sleeping with the windows open
     *  happy endings
     *  storms that weren't as bad as they could have been
     *  giggles of a four year old
     *  a new make-up brush
   

What are you thankful for today?

Keep smiling and keep creating!

xo Annette xo

I Actually Made Something!

Dear Friends,

Last December was the last time I did any sewing since injuring my knee and then having surgery.  The sewing room is upstairs and I avoided going up once I had come down each morning.  That was okay for many months, as I didn't have a desire to do much of anything.  But slowly the desire was coming back.  I started buying fabric online and visiting the fabric stores.

Although I had big projects in mind, I knew I needed to start small.  I'm really glad I did, because even though my knee is doing better, it was still difficult to do the standing and getting up and down from the chair.  If I had started with a big project, it may not have gotten finished and I would have avoided the sewing room a few more months.

Last October, I was one of three lucky recipients who received some fabric from Janet at The Empty Nest.  There was a particular princess fabric that was perfect for Shylee but I had no idea what to make.  Well, Shylee will be starting dance class and needed a bag to carry her slippers and other things in.  So I made a tote bag.

The princess fabric is heavy but I still wanted to line it, and I wanted to use what I already had.  I went digging through my stash, which I forgot is taking over quite substantial!  I found this sweet kitten toile that I forgot I had and it worked perfect.

I'm so happy with how this turned out.  Maybe what I should say is that I'm happy I finally created something after so long.  It was quick and easy and I think I could tackle something bigger and more involved now.  Something like a jacket for Shylee or a quilt for the sewing room.  Stay tuned!

I'm joining JAQS Studio for Made by Me! Wednesdays.

Keep smiling and keep creating!

xo Annette xo

A City With A View

Dear Friends,

I can't believe the weekend went by so fast.  Did you have a good one?  I spent some time in the sewing room, but I'll tell you more about that tomorrow!

When we moved Sean to Denver last month, I was really looking forward to seeing the mountains and doing some sightseeing.  He talked about the mountain view after each of his visits there, so I was disappointed that it was hazy while we were there and we couldn't see the mountains at all.  We had only one day to go sightseeing because of the mishaps on the drive there {you can read about those here} and Marie suggested we go to Idaho Falls, an old gold mining town in the mountains.

We headed west and it wasn't long at all before we could see what I longed to see.

I love the mountains.  I love the ocean too, but if I could choose where to spend the rest of my life, I would choose the mountains.  I have to admit that I'm just a little bit jealous that Sean gets to live at the base of the Rocky Mountains and have that experience!   Guess I'll have to visit often!

Which do you prefer, the mountains or the ocean?

Have a great day,

I Heart Macro

Just a couple of things I can't do without in the sewing room!

What is something you can't do without when creating?

I'm joining Lori at Studio Waterstone for I Heart Macro.  

Have a wonderful day,

Thankful Thursday

Dear Friends,
Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing, and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives, there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.

I am always and forever thankful for my granddaughter, Shylee.  It had been over a month since I had seen her and last weekend she was here with her mommy and daddy.  She was modeling and trying out her new dress for dance class.  I'm thankful that she's happy, loves pre-k, and lets me hug and kiss her!

I'm also thankful for
     *  honest opinions when asked for
     *  cooler temps even though it's still hotter than normal
     *  leftovers
     *  snickerdoodle blondies
     *  candle light

What are you thankful for today?

Have a wonderful day,

What Part of No Didn't She Understand?

Dear Readers,
Have you ever shopped at Kohl's?  It's one of my favorite stores and I enjoy shopping there for clothes, housewares and accents.  I had an experience there this past weekend that had me very close to walking out in the middle of checking out and never going back.

Erin and I went shopping for Shylee's fall and winter clothes.  And because I can't go there without looking at clothes for me, there were a couple of additional tops and a sweater!  In other words, I had a HUGE stack of clothes and it was going to take a while to check out.

As I began laying the clothes on the counter, the conversation with the cashier went like this:

Cashier:  Ooh, I guess you'll be using your Kohl's charge today.
Me:  No.
Cashier:  Really?  Do you have a Kohl's charge?
Me:  No.
Cashier:  Would you like to open an account for additional savings?
Me:  No thank you.
Cashier:  You could save a lot more money with a charge card.
Me:  No, I don't want a charge card.
Cashier:  Okay, I guess you're not a saver.  I like saving money.
Me:  Silence, but thinking, 'did she really say that?'
Cashier:  Can I ask why you don't want a Kohl's charge card?
Me:  Because I don't want a credit card.
Cashier:  Says she understands but goes into how Kohl's is a company dedicated to saving customers money and if I'm going to have a credit card it should be from Kohl's.
Me:  looks at Erin and rolls eyes.
Cashier:  If you had a card, you would get additional coupons.
Me:  Oh, I have a coupon too.
Cashier:  What kind of coupon?
Me:  20% off the total purchase.
Cashier:  Implies it's probably expired.
Erin:  It's not expired.
Cashier:  Well, are you sure?  Most people don't realize...
Erin:  It expires today.
Cashier:  Okay, you don't have to get so serious with me.
Me:  Shakes head and thinks about leaving without the clothes.
Cashier:  Will you be writing a check?  (She's still ringing up items)
Me:  No, I'll use cash. But I'm thinking, 'because I don't need your cuss credit card'.

So we finish up and then it's Erin's turn.

Cashier:  Will you be using your Kohl's charge today?
Erin:  No.
Cashier:  Do you have a Kohl's charge.
Erin:  Yes but I'm not going to use it.
Cashier:  Okay, okay, I'm not trying to aggravate you ladies.

Really?  Do you think she could have realized she was aggravating us just a little sooner?

I don't have a problem with asking me if I would like to open an account.  I realize that's part of their job and they get a commission for each application they get, but I don't appreciate being badgered and talked down to.  I came so close to telling her I changed my mind about buying the clothes and walking out.  And I thought about reporting her to the manager.  I'm still thinking about reporting her.  I don't want her to lose her job, but no one needs to be subjected to that.

What would you have done?  I'm anxious to know how someone else would have handled it.

I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!

xo Annette xo

The Drought Up Close

Dear Friends,
When we drove to Denver, we went through some of the states that were suffering from the drought that we heard and read about all summer.  It was devastating to see hundreds of miles of brown dried up farmland and cornfields, and dried up streams and creeks from Indiana through Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas, and then through Oklahoma on the way home.  In Oklahoma, we came upon the remains of wild fires.  It was just heartbreaking.

The wind turbines were so incredible.  I've only seen them in pictures and on TV and they were just massive and so fascinating.

One thing I learned, is that what you see on the news, no matter how awful it is or how bad it makes you feel, just isn't the same as seeing it in person.

Speaking of that, I will take a moment today to remember 9/11 and those who experienced it firsthand.  I hope you do too, lest we forget.

xo Annette xo

A Family Weekend

Dear Friends,
Did you have a great weekend?  I sure do hope so.  We had a family get together for Michael's birthday.  Although we had a really good time, it just wasn't the same without Sean.  And would you believe I didn't get any pictures?  I can't believe it myself.  Erin  took this picture of Shylee rolling out pie crust for the birthday apple pie!

We talked, ate good food, laughed, ate more food, shopped, tried new wines, and ate some more.  It was an ideal weekend.  Just wish I had taken more pictures!

I would love to hear about your weekend!

xo Annette xo

I Heart Macro

Cherry tomatoes

Mozzarella cheese

Garlic

Basil

EVOO

Salt

Pepper

The end of summer

I'm joining Studio Waterstone for I Heart Macro

Thankful Thursday

Dear Friends,
Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing, and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives, there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.   

This is Mark.  We met him in Tennessee one morning after breakfast.  He approached us, introduced himself and shook hands with Michael.  He then proceeded to tell us how he was a Marine vet and homeless.  You know the story.  Whether it was true or not I'm not so sure, but Michael gave him money and we went on our way.  I'm thankful we're not homeless or need to panhandle for money.  I'm thankful we had money to give.  And I'm thankful that we can still feel compassion for a fellow human being.  I would rather take a chance and help someone than walk away and wonder if I could have helped and didn't.

I'm also thankful for
     *  home cooking
     *  skype
     *  baggers at the grocery store
     *  the riding lawnmower

What are you thankful for today?

xo Annette xo

It's Time To Start Sewing Again

Dear Friends,
I hope you had a great weekend and you're ready to transition into fall.  Michael is still playing catch up with the yard since our trip.  After being gone for three weeks and a week of rain, it looks like a jungle out there! I went to Jo~Ann's and I'm ready to get back into the sewing room after a nine month hiatus.  I guess it's kind of fitting since September is National Sewing Month.  I can't believe it's been that long!

I was looking for some fleece to make Shylee a jacket.  It won't be long before it's chilly enough to wear one at the bus stop.  {I may have forgot to mention she started pre-k last week and rides the bus like the big kids!}  There are so many choices of fleece that it was kind of overwhelming at first, but I settled on this bright design that I think she will like for a jacket.

I also picked up this annual Stamptington publication.  It's one of my favorites with ideas for all the holidays throughout the year.

I also picked up this publication.

I've read about it on other blogs and this is the first time I've seen it anywhere.  It's full of sewing projects and ideas and I just had to bring it home with me.  I was inspired by this gorgeous book cover on page 104.

I was tickled to find this bird pillow on page 70 made by my sweet blog friend, Maureen, from Maureen Cracknell Handmade.  Her blog is one of my favorite sewing blogs.  It's packed full of color, pattern, ideas and creative projects.  I'm always inspired by her work.

I'm ready to straighten up the sewing room and get started sewing again!  What are you looking forward to?

xo Annette xo

Labor Day 2012

Dear Friends,

I hope you have a restful and relaxing Labor Day holiday!

I won't be laboring but I do intend to take full advantage of the sale at Jo~Ann's!  

Happy Labor Day!!!

xo Annette xo