Contest Winners!

And, the winners are:

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4
3

Timestamp: 2009-07-20 01:23:38 UTC

Congrats to Maria and Leah! Ladies, email me your addresses (email addy in sidebar) and I'll get packages out to you this week.

Sunsets, Clouds and Michael Phelps

Rosy and I have made it a tradition to stop at a rest area every time we drive to Buffalo. I take a picture each time, since it is typically a different season than the time before. I like the comparison. The picture at left shows the rolling hills of NYS on a sunny day. I love the fact that the clouds on top are lighter and the clouds on the bottom on fluffy and gorgeous. It was truly an extraordinary day for a drive.

Last year, I got a Sunkist Oranges sign at the flea market. I knew immiediately upon seeing it that it fit my kitchen perfectly. And, that it would look nice with a couple of unframed flea market purchases from past years. My mom was nice enough to frame a Keuka Lake label I got a couple of years ago. She gave me it when I was there. I love how they look together! Now, I just need to get my 1954 Jello ad framed....

Oh, and I haven't told you that Michael Phelps stayed in my hotel while I was in Indianapolis for a conference. He was in town for some swim meet. I never saw him although I know a bunch of people who saw him in the mall's food court. I did kinnear his mama when she was in the hotel gift shop. (See, there she is purchasing gum or something.) She was there doing a book signing as well as attending the swim meet. Thank goodness for the iPhone camera!

And I'd be remiss for not sharing a little about my Fourth of July. I spent the entire day with Rosy and my mom. There was a great game of fetch in the backyard with a squeaky tennis ball. There was a short trip to Kohl's. There were kabobs, grilled corn and Caprese salad. And there were fireworks over the Niagara River. With ice cream! We were able to watch a lovely sunset and some quality people watching. All in all, a great day!

My contest will end tonight... I'll be back with a posting of winners later today.

Contest Update

Okay, the vacation post contest ends on Sunday. Hope you'll enter soon!

I'm Baaaaaaaaack!

Goodness, I have so much to share! My vacation was excellent - quite the rest I needed with a conference loaded with friends in the middle. However, I have to process things in order to not offer my most discombobulated post ever. So, I'm sharing this picture until I get my act together. (Yes, it's not merely a photo of my toilet!) This little blue shelf is new! It bought it at the flea market, sanded, primed and painted it to go in my bathroom. I'm loving how it added a little pop to the wall. The basket on it - made by my crafty mom!

More soon....

A Vacation Staycation at my Mom's

Right now, I'm vacationing in Buffalo, NY visiting my mother, other family and friends. It's so wonderful to come home again. I've been enjoying the things that make summer in Buffalo wonderful.... the Niagara River, the flea market, golfing on a nice but not too hot day, sponge candy, roast beef from Anderson's and quiet walks in my mom's neighborhood. Truly, it's that gloriously exhausting type of relaxation. Few things are better.

What makes a vacation wonderful, delightful and amazing for you? What vacation stands out in your mind among the best? Give me a little glimpse of why it was so outstanding.... I'll pick the best little story and award one of these prizes: 3 hanks of pink Cotton Classic or the beaded earrings for the Summer Camp posts (both seen at left). Tell me which you'd prefer. Wanna earn an extra entry? Blog about the contest and come back and let me know. Two people will win and I will ship internationally.

Can't wait to hear your stories!

Flea Market Finds #2

After a beautiful Fourth of July evening down by the Niagara River in Tonawanda, NY and a restful night of sleep, it was off to the flea market. You know how I love a good flea market. And the one by my mom's never disappoints. So much of my home has been personalized by flea market finds. Today reaffirmed my love. I found this tablecloth for a great deal. It has one small, light stain on it... otherwise, it's perfect and vintage-y.
I also found these bracelets for a dollar each. They jangle so nicely together and will be a great compliment to some outfit down the road.
I also got a cute small shelf for my bathroom. It's going to undergo a rehab so pictures will be forthcoming. It's more right for my apartment than I even imagined so that's wonderful!

I went looking for linens, a bathroom shelf and a sewing table (with specific dimensions). So, as Meatloaf said, two out of three ain't bad.... I left a happy camper!


* Excuse the photos...they are iPhone quality, not Canon. That's all I got until I get home to upload!

Fourth of July

We, the people, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our prosperity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

I love the Fourth of July. I love picnics. I love time with family and friends. I love fireworks. And, I love celebrating the fact that I live in this free nation. The United State of America has flaws, don't get me wrong. There are many things the government does (or doesn't do) that I don't agree with. But, I'm pretty proud to be an American. This country was founded out of a disagreement about fundamental rights. It was founded on liberty. On equality. On justice. Like everywhere, we've failed to live up to those values at times. But people come along and put us on a more right course. I'm proud of my country and hope I can be part of the process of making us more free, more equal, more just. Happy Independence Day!

Little Etsy Sale

I'm offering a little sale weekend over at my etsy store to celebrate Independence Day. Everything will be 10% off... make a purchase and I'll send a revised invoice. Please note, all sales will not be mailed until July 15th as I will be on vacation!

Things That Keep Me Off the Streets

And another month comes to a close... it seems as though the summer is flying by. I've been home most of the month of June and have enjoyed having the opportunity to poke around at home with not too much of a time line. July offers a few more travels, starting with an upcoming vacation to Buffalo to see my mom and some others. I can hardly wait for the friends and foods that await me. In anticipation, I whipped up these placemats for my mom's table on the porch. They are a wee wonky since I didn't use a pattern to cut the fabric or batting. But, I'm pretty sure she'll love 'em!

And, I've decided to hold a summer vacation contest. Details are upcoming. Plan on sharing a little about what constitutes your favorite summer vacation. And yes, I will ship internationally. The prizes are pictured on the left... three hanks of Cotton Classic in pink or the earrings I made for Summer Camp. Check back later this week for a contest post.

Anniversary

I realized the other day that my one year anniversary of blogging came and went without me noting it. Oops! I'm glad I've been putting my thoughts, crafts and life out there for the past year.

This weekend, I did some sewing as well as a wee bit of knitting on my lavender sweater. I also had a delightful brunch with a new friend on Saturday. Thankfully, the restaurant is a laid back place in the Chestnut Hill section of the city - we talked for three hours and never once felt they wanted us to leave. Granted there were always open tables on the outdoor patio so it was not worry about turning ours over. I had a delicious tomato, basil and Parmesan omelet with potatoes and bacon. Yum! The rest of the weekend was errands, baking and relaxing.... love my life.