Obsession(s) ~

 

Last summer I must have sold at least 6-7 wooden bowls.  I loved them but they were just hidden in a cupboard.  Am I sorry I sold them?  Yes and no.  I just have too much stuff and less is more, right?  (Now that's funny!)  That did not stop me from looking at them when I would see them out and about.  I resisted . . . until yesterday.  I just could not say no to the repairs on this one.  

Hard to believe we now live in a throw away society.

And crocks?  I needed another crock like I needed another hole in my head.  Need I say more?

I also love old children's blocks and how could I resist for only $3.00?

I am finally getting a bit of yard work done.  Went to the garden center today and bought some more annuals for my pots.  Now to get them planted.  Some days condo living sounds heavenly, but most of the time not so much.  I would miss playing in the dirt.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Up next ~

 

I don't know about you, but I am feeling more patriotic than normal with our nation's upcoming 250th birthday.

I am in the process of binding that darn deer rug and thought I would go back to one of my WIPs.  I have several to choose from 😕.  But since I have all my red, white and blue wools pulled from hooking the patriotic smalls and I found this pattern in my stash, that's up next!  I haven't hooked anything for me in honor of this milestone birthday.  In a few weeks another patriotic one will be started at a three day class.  

I am not even sure when or where I got this pattern, but I am guessing I have had it for at least ten years.  About time, isn't it?

I am still in this darn brace.  Hopefully for only a week and a half more.  I have been hesitant to dig in the yard, sure don't want to mess up my healing, but have finally started planting some of my annuals in pots and edging the gardens.  They are totally out of control.

Just a few pictures . . . 

I just discovered I have baby birds in my lilac bush.  It looks like there are three, no idea what kind, and by the way they are filling the nest guess they will fledge soon.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery ~

Donna Hrkman rug
Perhaps my all time favorite hooked rug.

I have been to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia and Los Angeles National Cemetery in California, but had not been to the military cemetery located in my backyard.  Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery is about an hour from me. I had passed the sign pointing the direction there many times.  DSO and I finally made the trip and paid our respects last week.

The Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery located in the city of Rittman, in Medina County, Ohio.  Administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, it encompasses 273 acres, and as of 2024 had over 50,000 interments.

Visiting a military cemetery is so moving and having visited the gravesite of a friend's husband made it even more so.  

On this Memorial day, please remember our veterans, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may be free.  May God bless our veterans.

It is the
VETERAN,
not the campus organizer
who has given us the freedom to assemble.

It is the
VETERAN,
 not the lawyer
who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the 
VETERAN,
not the politician 
who has given us the right to vote.

If you can read this,
thank a teacher,
but thank a VETERAN
 since you are reading this in English.

Please take a moment 
to honor a VETERAN today.
Please remember . . .
FREEDOM ISN'T FREE.

May God bless this Land
that I love.

ETERNAL REST
GRANT THEM O LORD,
AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT
SHINE UPON THEM.

Lauren

At long last ~

This antique adaptation was started at rug camp in January in Florida.  Geez, it took long enough, but I did hook lots of other things in the meantime.  I just was not happy with the rug.  Sue gave me some insight as to why I didn't like it.

THIS!!!  The large deer looked like he was wearing a saddle blanket.

Off it went.

Much better!  And so close to finally being finished with it.

Sometimes a rug is just painful to finish and I will avoid working on it for weeks (or years 😁).  But finally . . .  

A good steaming will even out the loops and lumpiness.  Then on to the dreaded binding.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Patriotic hooking ~

Hooking seems to be in slow motion, but the mats I needed to hook for gifts and door prizes are almost done.  I just need to finish up this one and then hopefully I can get back to my deer rug ~ started in January ~ and finish the darn thing before a class in June.

This is actually the third flag mat I have hooked.  Such an easy hook.  

These two mats were door prizes for the Western Reserve hook in last Saturday.  I was pleased with sales so I was a happy hooker.

Had the hand re-X-rayed yesterday.  I am healing well, but though anticipated, when the ortho doctor said three more weeks in the brace, I almost cried.  It is so limiting . . . but still thankful not a hip or shoulder.  But darn!!!  It is going to be a long three weeks 😢

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Odds & ends ~

Just a few final fun pictures from my Las Vegas trip.  So many memories made with my son!

The name of this restaurant made me lol 😁

I don't remember what store this was, but look at all those vintage sewing machines.  The outfits . . . well not my style and I'm sure outrageously priced.  There were no prices in any of the store windows.  I guess if you must ask you can't afford it.

Paris Casino.

New York-New York Casino.

New Hard Rock Casino is in the shape of a guitar.

My grand kitty Marge.  Her coat is considered a diluted torti.

Yesterday's Western Reserve hook in was a class affair.  Of course only took a few pics.

My booth ~

Crows on the Ledge ~

Whiskey & Wool ~

Tomorrow I get my hand re-X-rayed.  I am so tired of the limitations of the brace, but I am guessing I will have another 2-3 weeks of wearing it.  My yard is suffering (I can mow but that is about it 😭), but I am still thankful it was not my hip or shoulder!

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Fremont Street & a Wizard ~

There didn't seem to be as many street entertainers as I have seen in the past, but you see a little bit of everything on Fremont Street, the old section of Las Vegas.

Technically not street entertainers (the "official" ones must stay in a 6 foot diameter circle), but entertaining nonetheless.  Do you think maybe alcohol was involved?  (Many different blow up animals can be found on Amazon!)

He did NOT move!

Every half hour there is a light show overhead!

The highlight of the trip (besides the ZOOX ride 😁) was the last minute decision to head to the Sphere to see an abbreviated version of the Wizard of Oz.  The Sphere measures 366' tall and 516' wide.  The exterior has has over a million LED lights.  Read more about it here.

The experience is hard to describe.  We were sitting in the nosebleed section . . . almost the last row at the top . . . but we were more than happy with our seats.  We were able to see the entire domed ceiling without having to strain our necks.  The disadvantage was that there was no chance of catching one of the coveted apples that rained down.

So . . . the tornado scene from the movie was mind boggling.  Cold, swirling air rushed thru the Sphere.  The seats shook rather violently.  Leaves were swirling.  My son caught two of them.

Just a few pictures from the movie.  (I still can't figure out how to add a movie to my blog no matter what I try 😢)

Whenever the Wicked Witch appeared the seats once again rumbled.  My son said one time I must have jumped three feet out of my seat!

It definitely was the splurge of my trip but I would do it again in a heartbeat!!!

Thanks so much for following along.

Pug hugs 😊
Lauren