Off to Play ~

Remember I mentioned I how thankful I was that I work in an office with A/C?  Well, the air was down yesterday and it wasn't until mid-morning today that they got it back on.  Oh, how spoiled I have become.  (I grew up with no A/C anywhere.) Today I left work early to go play.  As soon as I finish this quick post, I’m heading south . . . south of Columbus to visit long time friend Wink, do a little antiquing, and stop over and visit Melinda at Merry Wind Farm.  Life is good.

Last evening at hooking, I got lots done on the pumpkin.  I probably could have finished it if I hadn't taken the time to eat a ginormous cheeseburger (cooked perfectly medium rare) with bacon and blue cheese.  Oh, and did I mention the home made potato chips?  The scale hated me this morning but it was worth it : )  I'm hooking with hand torn strips . . .

. . . and the more I hook, the more I love plaids and textures!

Gotta run.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs : )

Lauren

Another Hump Day ~

Oh, the weeks are just flying by.  Already past the mid-point of July.  How did we get here already? It was another hot one on the north coast.  I am so thankful I work in an air conditioned office and now have A/C that works both in the house and the car.

Took grandson Jake swimming today.  Well, he swam, I did not.  Still haven't gotten the nerve up to look for the bathing suit and actually try it on. He had a ball.  His back flips off the side of the pool make me too nervous so I made him stop.  I tried to catch him mid-air but could not.

My new old cupboard top.  Not wild about it but it's a start.  My collection of ironstone is pretty pathetic . . . I guess I'll need to do something about that and I don't care much for the coverlets either.  A very small part of my stone fruit collection is on the third shelf next to a piece of Peaseware.

The large sampler was a gift from a former college roommate, many years ago.  She and I have not seen each other in 20 years and are planning to get together soon.  Stitched in 1984, it hung over my bed until recently when I replaced it with my Magdalena hooked rug.

Part of my collection of treenware ~ one of my favorite collections, picked up one or two pieces at a time.

Tomorrow evening is hooking with Katie at the Chairmaker in Vermilion.  My next hooking project is not ready for the frame, so I'd better go draw a pumpkin on linen so I have something to work in.  I'm not ready for fall ~ just a pumpkin is a no brainer to draw.

There's a relatively new blog in town.  If you are a mom to a son or two, or just need a laugh, stop over at Janice's blog, the Rug Hooking Store.  I'm sure she will appreciate the visit.  Stop by her website and take a peak in the the rug gallery.  I left with a serious case of rug envy!

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Christmas in July ~

Hooker friend Karin and the Dirty Martini Queen (don't you just love that name?) both told me why many single shoes are found.  (See previous post.)  It is a centuries-old English superstition that during a house construction, shoes were secreted in walls of a house for good luck.  When a shoe is found during remodeling, they are referred to as "concealed" or "concealment shoes". Thanks, ladies, for the information.

The hooking on Santa is now complete.  Even the binding is on.  (Can you believe that???)  It just needs a final steaming and a label.  It is a pattern by Ye Country Mercantile, measuring about 12 1/2" x 15".

I found a few treasures at the antiques show yesterday.  I didn't think the quality was as high as in previous years, but it was a good show nonetheless and I sure could have bought more than I did.  The tall Santa is celluloid.  He has damage to his hat and to the toy bag on his back. The small Santa is hard plastic from my youth. Another German stick leg sheep came to join my small flock.

I bought this cupboard top hoping to put it in the wool room.  Unfortunately, there was no room for it.  You know you have too much furniture when you can't find 42" of wall space.  I moved two plants and a large wooden bucket to free up space in the dining room.  I think it will look great once it's filled.  I have a couple old quilts and coverlets that will finally have a home instead of sitting in a closet or drawer.  It's not a great piece, but I am happy with it and it cost me about the same as a carton of cigarettes would have :)  (Oh, I am so happy I quit before the price went absolutely crazy {8 yrs ago} . . . but I have to admit if it wasn't so costly . . . or so bad for you . . . or made you so smelly . . . I'd still be smoking because I really did enjoy it!!!)  The top is dovetailed and square nails were used in the construction.  

Another present from me to me.  NOT by choice but by necessity.  My almost 12 year old Tracker was dying before my eyes and need costly repairs ~ way more than what it was worth, and I had already put too much in to it.  It is so nice to have A/C again in this 90+ degree weather.  We do get spoiled, don't we?

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Two Left Feet ~

Somewhere out there are two left feet.  A couple weeks ago at an antique show, I bought what I thought was a pair of button shoes.  It ends up that I have two right shoes :)  Sweet nonetheless.

I also bought brown ones, and they really are a pair.  

The samplers in the background are reproductions stitched in 1986 and 1988.  {I must have been been like the pioneer girls stitching them in my preteens . . . lol.}

Tomorrow is my all time favorite antique show in Milan, Ohio, birthplace of Thomas Alva Edison.  A high quality show held in the town square and there is no admission.  I hope I don't find too many treasures I can't live without.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

HAPPY BIRTHDAY :)

Happy Birthday to my DSO Fritz :)  He is celebrating a milestone today.  We've been "dating" for almost 18 years . . . that's longer than my marriage lasted . . . LOL!  How ironic that hooker friend Sheila's mom was born the same day.  May they both be blessed with many, many more.
Thanks for stopping by.
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Sunday Eve ~

I am coming off a four day weekend.  Heaven :)  I could get used to this!!!  Tomorrow it's back to reality.  

Today was the first day in many we got no rain. I was able to get grass mowed at the house I can't sell - UGH - and yard work done here at home.  I got in a little hooking time but of course not as much as I had planned.

This evening I had the pleasure of spending time with Laura and her daughter Sydney, the daughter and granddaughter of my dear friend Judy.  Many of you will remember that Judy was Ellie's first furever mom and after her unexpected passing, I adopted little Miss Ellie. They were visiting from California and took time from their busy days to visit with Ellie.  Ellie was lovin' all the attention and belly rubs.  They are just as sweet as my friend Judy was :)

Progress has been made on my little mat.  It's a pattern by Ye Country Mercantile.  I hope to finish the hooking in a few days.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Fungi ~

As in many parts of the country, we have had plenty of rain.  I'm not complaining because every year it seems it's either feast or famine in the rain department and since I don't depend on the weather for my livelihood, I'll take the lush green over dry brown any day.  Thankfully I have no low spots in my yard, so although it's too wet to do much yard work, I don't have standing water. Mushrooms are everywhere.  Here's a sampling in the neighborhood.

This must be an edible version since they all have a bite or two taken out of it.  Isn't it amazing that animals can recognize what is safe and what is not?

I just had to share pictures of my neighbor's hydrangea.  I've never seen so many flowers.  He said last fall he had some rotting tomatoes that he put under the plants and the acid caused the wonderful blue shades.  Every year I plan to add something acidic to the soil and never do.

Can you believe I am once again caught up on my rug binding?  Nothing short of a miracle.  I have been hooking for 8 years and this is the first time I've ever whipped a rug with yarn.  It is a great chunky yarn from Ali Strebel.  I must say it was quite easy and I do like the look.

If you need (or just want) a book on finishing techniques, Kris Miller of Spruce Ridge Studios has a good one.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Happy Saturday to you.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren