Whirlwind Adventure!

 I'm back from my latest adventure and I am still tired and recovering from a super fun, super hectic ten days. We started with Olivia's graduation from FSU in Tallahassee. I actually didn't take anywhere near as many photos as I usually do...not sure why but we were just having so much fun that I didn't think of it.

We had a wonderful time celebrating Olivia and were then on our way down to St. Pete to begin the preparation for her graduation party that would be the following weekend. Let's just say that we had a very busy week and hit just about any place that carried supplies for a special occasion. Liv didn't want all the bells and whistles-she just asked for a simple dinner party with family and friends...and she got most of what she wanted- Lol It was a beautiful dinner party with family and friends but I'm not quite sure how simple it ended up being with a mom, nana and sister who are all a bit "in excess" on planning festivities. In the end-with a LOT of helping hands-it came together beautifully and she was so appreciative for every bit of it. We were missing Morgan, Harrison and Elton who all had to be out of state that weekend-what are the odds?- but the whole rest of the gang was there.

Since I am still just trying to navigate the new computer, I'm going to drop the photos I have in no particular order after the first few-you will get the idea even if we may jump from daylight to dark and back again a few times. Lol

Since we seemed to end up with a bit of a Tuscan theme, Caitlin made some homemade limoncello and then designed a lemon margarita using it as a signature cocktail.

Sorry for the huge photo drop but since this blog kind of serves as a family journal, I had to get as many pictures in as I could. This was kind of a combination of everyone's' pictures brought together. I actually have quite a few more but I took pity on you. Lol

I plan on spending the rest of the day getting caught up with my plant watering, fountain filling, etc. but I'm hoping to be back on some kind of routine before long. I think before I start my decor swap, I am going to try a new 4th of July craft...or two. I'll be sure to include you in that fun. Stay safe and stay tuned.

It Only Takes a Spark...

 It only takes a spark...to get a fire going. That is the first line of a song we used to sing in Sunday School oh so many years ago but it could definitely relate to my life these days. I love crafting...but, I have been at it for so long that there really isn't much I haven't already done and I'm not big on doing the same things over unless there is a whole new spin on it. I am always looking so, when I signed off of my last blog, I kind of had the 4th of July on my mind. I headed to Pinterest thinking I would see the same old, same old but, I happened upon an Uncle Sam "doll" that kind of looks like the two quite expensive and collectible ones that I have...that I did NOT make but bought. I'm really not much into "dolls" but this guy didn't read quite that way for me and before I knew it, I was off to see what supplies I might already have.

This guy is available on Etsy but, if I just bought him, I wouldn't have a project in store. And so, me being me...I was off to see what supplies I have and I have absolutely EVERYTHING I need to do this project-including the wool roving for his hair and beard. I have had that stuff since my girls were in elementary school and I made Santa head ornaments as teacher gifts so we're talking about 45 years ago. Someone please tell my daughters that sometimes it pays to be a hoarder saver.  The funny thing is that I knew EXACTLY where that stuff was even if it hasn't been seen or moved in FOREVER! Lol

And then I happened upon this guy. He's just a bit different but I like parts of him better.

He was just a picture so I'm not sure where he could be available but I'm thinking that I am going to take my favorite parts of each and come up with my own Uncle Sam. This won't be a simple project so I will save it until I have a few days free but I am going to enjoy it so much. Every once in awhile it feels good to dust off all of my old sewing skills and see where I end up. I'm back off to see what else I can find but it makes me happy I will have even one new thing to add to the mix this year. Pinterest seldom lets me down. 

Stay safe and stay tuned.

So that is where I left the blog thinking I would publish it this morning. But then, this happened...

One of my daughters gave me cash for my birthday in the hopes that I would use it anywhere or in any way that I wanted. I had had my eye on this sign for a bit and decided that this is what I wanted. And it actually came so much sooner than I expected. And, when I propped it behind the rest of my growing red, white and blue collection, my spark burst into a full on flame. It's really a good thing that I leave early tomorrow morning or this house would look a lot different right now! Lol

And so, with my creative juices flowing-and knowing I can't come up with any new ideas that require printing right now...like my go-to shelf sitters or signs...I not only found more Uncle Sam images on Pinterest but also think I might try a Lady Liberty. I am SO looking forward to grabbing pieces of each of these cuties and seeing what I can come up with.

And, since the sewing machine will be all warmed up, maybe I'll go here as well?

And, if I can find the paper mache' boxes, maybe some of these as well.

And, I could even do this! I could prop him up on the round boxes instead of these wooden ones.

Although, as I look at this picture, I could probably come close to duplicating it with a lot of the old wooden boxes I already have.

If you can't tell, I'm very excited to get going on these things. I'm not wishing my trip away by any means because it will be so much fun celebrating Liv and being with family but, when I get home, I actually have some new ideas to look forward to.

The rest of the day will be spent getting the house ready for my departure and suitcases packed, so I might be MIA for awhile. But, if my grand daughter can teach an old dog some new tricks, I might be able to blog from my new laptop. Time will tell. Once again, stay safe and stay tuned.

Quick Before They Start Again...LOL

 It's hard to believe but, for a very short time, there will be no sporting events in my life. All three of my grandchildren have now played their last lacrosse game of this season. Both of the high school teams did incredibly well with almost perfect seasons but fell short in the end. It's sad to say but, by that time, many of us "fans" were not necessarily rooting against our team but let's just say we weren't sad that a trip to Pensacola or wherever in two days if we won wouldn't need to be happening. Lol Is that really all that bad? And my grandson at the Coast Guard Academy had his game last game last night. They have not had as successful a season but Har is looking forward to next year when he will be playing more and already ready for football practices to start again too. I'm not sure where my grandchildren got their sports ability or competitiveness from-it sure didn't come from me! In any case, I have a few last pictures to share. And, unless things change, lacrosse camps and summer travel teams will be starting soon. Luckily, Nana isn't expected at many of those events as they last all day long usually out in the open with the Florida sun beating down hard! Sometimes it's not so bad being old and getting a pass. Lol

And, while I'm here, why don't I take you into the guest bath ready for spring. This room is really simple...and, once again, the pictures couldn't be edited so put on your strongest spectacles. Lol

In between figuring out everything I need to pack and do before I head off for 10 days, I've been thinking a bit ahead. As I was looking through last year's 4th of July pictures-which I can see but still don't know how to share with you-haha-I was trying to decide what I wanted to change this year or maybe try to make to add to the fun when I realized that everything on the couch table had a bit of grunge except the flag holder that I made years ago. You would think by now it would have picked up its own grunge just by virtue of its age but no, it was stark white and kind of stuck out like a sore thumb. So I grabbed it out and gave it a bit of a distressing. Then, while at the $Tree, I grabbed up some red, white and blue burlap pieces and some of the same colored pip berries. I have no idea what I will do with these things. I'm chomping at the bit to get crafting for the 4th but everything I see needs a printed image and my new printer isn't up and running yet. Hopefully soon I will be good to go on all fronts. Grand daughter #2-who has a degree in some form of media marketing (?)-has promised to be patient and sit with me next week to see if she can simplify the workings of my blog so I can get the show back on the road. You'll be the first to know. Lol

In any case, I'm ready to move along as soon as I return from St. Pete. It looks like I might be off to Savannah and Charleston soon also so I'm going to use any free day I have to get my red, white and blue on. Stay safe and stay tuned.