Yard Stuff ~

The yard is looking pretty good if I do say so myself, but lots of deadheading to do!  As you know, if you somehow get caught up, it is time to start over 😁

The Stella d'oros are starting to bloom.

Walking down by the lake the other morning, this great blue heron was sitting at the end of this little pier.  As I tried to get closer to get a picture, he took off.

I had my mammogram today.  Gotta take care of those tatas!  I have been going every 6 months to have a mammo plus an ultrasound of the right breast.  There was a cyst they have been watching.  Great news . . . the cyst is gone so I don't have to go back for a year.  Today's mammo though . . . OUCH!!!  Only one other time, decades ago, have I had such a painful one and I believe it was the same tech.  She has been there forever.  I swear she must have popped it!!!  Next week two doctor appointments ~ just annual checks.  I am thankful I have good insurance.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Close . . .

But as the saying goes . . . no cigar.

I had high hopes of finishing Treetop Birds in Millersburg.  Hard to believe that I hooked for two days and did not finish it.  It should not take much longer 😁  I am to the point I just want to git 'er done!!!  I just have a little of the top and bottom border to finish.

Only took a couple pictures.  Lighting was terrible.  So sorry for the washed out pictures.

Ready for the final binding step.  (Guess who, Saundra.)

Hooked in the online values class with Katie Hartner.  I have heard from several it is well worth the money, but just a little rich for my blood.  Maybe one day . . . 

Vicki is always the overachiever!  Such a fast hooker.  She hooked this in less than 3 days . . . just didn't have the wool with her to hook the sunflower center.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Crazy Busy . . . Once Again

Happy Flag Day.  God Bless America!

I never envisioned being this busy in retirement 😮  I thought I would have plenty to keep me occupied, but had no idea life could be this busy.  I was going to hook for hours a day and have plenty of free time.  HA!  I am not complaining, but I wish things would slow down a bit.  I know, I could slow them down . . . but I guess I choose not to.  Between now and July, I only have 4 days without something already on the schedule.  My niece from Chicago is stopping by today and tomorrow, Friday and Saturday it's the Twenty Dollar Hookers and Sunday will be spent in Detroit (about 2 1/2 hours away).  

I have finally been pulling a few loops!!!  Treetop Birds, an antique adaptation, has only the border left.

Little snowguy will be cut out and attached to an old pelt stretcher board.

And finally last night needed a no brainer so worked on a pumpkin with hand torn strips.

If I am going to get my walk in this morning, I'd better get my rear in gear.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

I Never Promised You a Rose Garden ~

The Rose Garden at Lakeview Park in Lorain, OH, is breathtaking.  It was originally dedicated in 1932 and was sponsored by 17 organizations, including the Lorain Rotary.  The shape of the garden is a wheel with eight spokes to match the Rotary emblem.  There are 48 beds which currently contain just over 2,000 rose bushes.

The city used to maintain the park and rose garden, but with limited resources and staff, it was in a sad state of affairs.  In 2006 an agreement was reached with the Lorain County Metropark system.  They have the Midas touch.  All the parks in the county they have taken over are incredible.

Twice monthly they have a volunteer day at the rose garden and this year I finally made it there (though I have to miss the next two).

The roses are simply beautiful.  Here is a sampling from today.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Miss Molly ~

Dear friend Laura gifted me a butterfly bush named Miss Molly.  I get all teary seeing it in the yard.  What a thoughtful gift.  Butterfly bushes are pretty finicky in northern Ohio so I hope she thrives.

I had a rose bush die over the winter so it was the perfect spot for her.

 

And here she is starting to bloom 💘   Lousy picture but beautiful color in person.  I really need to invest in some mulch!

The little stinker is never far from my mind 💔  One of my favorite pictures!  "Pug sit" always cracked me up!

And another picture.  Shortly after she adopted me.

A few more pics from around the yard.

I never planted sunpatiens before, so hopefully they will fill in nicely.

Perennial geranium is taking over but so pretty while in full bloom!

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Great Lakes Rug Hook In ~

Susanne keeps her hook in small by design.  It is the same vendors each year and pretty much the same group of hookers.  She is so gracious and considers us family.  Isn't that sweet?

Of course I failed to take pictures other than a few of my booth.

I was pleased with my sales.  I sold very few of my silverplate items, but other items that don't normally sell well did.  When you vend, you just never know what will people will be buying.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs 😊

Lauren

Iris ~

I can't ever remember the iris being so beautiful.

I could not capture the color of this iris.  It is a black-purple.

Siberian iris are one of my favorite flowers.

Friend Julia in South Carolina calls them Flying Nuns 😁

The Rogue is packed and ready for tomorrow's hook in.  It is small, maybe 35 people, but very nice.  Even if I don't sell much, it will be fun sharing the day with other hookers.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs 😊

Lauren