Contest from yesterday

Go here and look through the 8 pages of collages.

Guess which collage I am going to make for myself.

If you guess correctly, I will make a collage for you.

Your choice.

Post your guess here or on yesterday's post.

If more than one person guesses correctly, Mick will pull one name out of a hat.

Copying is the highest form of flattery....and a CONTEST

This is a common quote in clothing choices and decorating but, crafts?

I certainly hope so. I saw this and then the price tag, $140. I knew I was not going to buy it & I really loved the art. So, I went to my scrapbooking papers & put a collage together for Amie. Mine is on a stretched canvas not a piece of wood.

I don't like the green measuring tape, to late now. When I was arranging the papers I didn't like it then but went with it anyway. My thought was it would add more green. Don't know when I will learn to go with my first instinct. I am going to make another, one for myself. If you leave a comment & guess correctly what I'm going to copy, I'll make one for you, your choice. If there is more than one correct answer I'll have Mick pull a name.

It's almost the LONG weekend. I can't wait. Going to the state fair on Saturday. Debbie is going to be at Fay Ln so I get to show the fair to someone who has never been. Sunday, if Mick allows, I would love to sit on the deck. Unfortunately, we have a basement to clean out and he's done waiting. Maybe Labor Day can be our day of no Labor. May you have a labor free long weekend!!

Detective Work

After three calls to our localgoodfornothingexcepttaxes police force, with NO call backs. I decided to do some detective work on my own in the search of Agent 99. I still have her box.

I went to the station to ask what the name of the pawn shop where she was brought. Once home I called the shop and spoke with the manager. She did know that the GPS they sent to the station was not Agent 99. I'm sure that they knew that when they sent it. I gave her the serial number & she said she would track their sales. The manger got back to me & said they know who bought Agent 99 and have notified their local police to get her back. So far the police have not been able to retrieve her.

I decided this morning on my drive to work I need to just come to grips with the fact that she will not be coming back to me.

Gone to the Birds

I loved the two bird feeders that Mick built for me over the winter. The only problem is, so do the pigeons. There would be times that we would have 8 to 10 pigeons at the feeder &/or on the ground at one time and you know what you have when there are lots of pigeons around. The homemade feeders are study & strong and hold up well to the size & weight of the pigeons.

As a test, he took down one feeder and bought a finch feeder and seed. It didn't take long for the finch to show up. The other homemade feeder will soon be coming down. I miss my blue jays and cardinals so we will next have to buy a feeder for them.

We want to have everything in place for the winter feeding season.

Picnic Basket Promise

I GEL,

do hereby promise,

that I will NOT,

forever and ever,
purchase another picnic basket

or pie basket for that matter,

as long as I shall live.

I also promise, that I will never again write about or show a picture about the picnic and/or pie baskets that I purchased in the past. As you all are my witnesses. So help me.

Now, to finally get this obsession out of my system.

If you walked into our home from the deck the above is what would greet you on your left.

Four baskets sit on the floor. Even thou I broke the decorating rule of "odd numbers" I would not go any higher with the stack.

The small basket is a pie basket that I bought at the Antique's in the Park on Saturday. It was $25, right in line with what I was paying at the antique shop. It looks perfect up there.

Golfing the EASY way!

Friday evening was a beautiful night at the country club. Mick was at Fay Ln with his Dad and unable to go. Our wonderful friends insisted they pick me up and play with them anyway.

None of the girls took the game seriously. As you can tell when someone plays in sandals. Terri hadn't played since high school. About 30 plus years, I think. Maybe the boys did take the game some what seriously. Hey, remember our bowling, we are a competitive bunch.
Dayle was the best putter of the evening. She plays once every two years so she was way ahead of the rest of the girls. Unless you can get onto a course you can't appreciate the landscape. Look at the height of the green compared to the fairway.

We didn't play off the regular tees. The boys played off the 150 yard markers and the girls off the 100 yard markers. Also, did a combination of captain & crew or the entire group would play the same ball. Basically what ever allowed for the fewest strokes.

When we were teeing up for the 8th hole. I said how it would be great to see someone have to chip out of a sand trap. Prior to this hole no one had even gone into a sand trap. On this hole two players hit into the sand trap. A big thanks to Mike for hitting out of the sand. I couldn't believe the amount of sand that flies. This is my favorite picture of the night.

I hadn't played in 23 years. I would like to try and go again this season. I would definitely need some intense lessons. The club has co-ed every Friday night. We stayed for dinner after our 9 holes and talked about doing co-ed one Friday night a month next year. Yes, I need intense lessons.

Picnic Basket Tray

Two of the last picnic baskets I purchased had trays inside of them. The larger of the two I set out on the Hoosier cupboard in the living room. The other one I have on top of the pine cupboard. Once I can find another basket to buy I’ll be putting that one back into the basket it came out of. I don't like how it looks up there. I’m hoping that I can find one basket at our Antiques in the Park on Saturday. I’m also looking for flower frogs and an old typewriter that actually works. A short list, I think.

The pine cones are from South Carolina. I put in a request with Debbie & she sent Jim out on a search through their neighborhood. She brought them from SC to Atlanta & they flew home with me. They might be the most traveled pine cones around! Debbie thinks there might be even bigger ones come fall. I am hoping he can find even larger ones then. I’m putting in another request. : )

My two favorite days in town is when Antiques in the Park and Arts in the Park are held. Arts in the Park will be September 20. Tomorrow is Antiques in the Park starting at 10am, if you're around stop by. Remember there will be lots of quilts for sale this year!

Amish Farm Stand

During our fruit and vegetable growing season I stop at Amish farm stands on my drive home from work. Eric, see your car? Do you miss it?

A young boy waited on me yesterday. I asked if I could take a picture of the stand and he said it was fine. He then moved 30 feet away from the stand so he wouldn't be in the picture.

Besides produce that they grow, they purchase fruits and vegetables from non Amish farmers.

Yesterday, I bought 6 ears of corn, 4 green peppers, a quart of tomatoes & peaches and 2 bags of yellow beans. This Amish family grew everything except the peaches. All of this for $9.25. I don't think a grocery store would beat that.

They also sell bread, jams, honey and pies that they make. I will not purchase any food items that our local Amish make. There is very poor sanitary conditions in their homes. In the fall they will sell pumpkins, squash, Indian corn and gourds. I love stopping at the stands in the fall.

Welcome

Our nephew Dan has left the state of corn for the state of apples. Welcome Dan to the best of the 50 states. Please just disregard our tax situation. Thankfully, you won’t have to worry about that.
I's great to have you so close. I’m sure it will be hard for your Mom when she leaves for home on Friday. I can certainly relate. Sorry the picture I have of the two of you is not the best. I know going through a 21 family reunion buffet table is serious business. Good luck on your first day of graduate school tomorrow and remember you have an invitation for Thanksgiving break!

Photo Shoot of a different kind....

I was asked to take some pictures of our friends new cat. Below is Oliver Porter and he was very cooperative.

I am not very knowledgeable about cats but I thought they didn't like water. Oliver loves the water. Unfortunately, I had an equipment malfunction. My compact flash stopped working and I was only able to take 7 pictures. I wish I could have got some better photos of Oliver in the water.

So my friends and family, if you don't like having your picture taken I'll take some of your pets. I am in negotiations now for an idea I have for a dog photo. In fact they are neighbors of the Porters.

10th Anniversary

This is where I spend my Monday - Friday.

Ten years ago, when I first sat at this desk, I never imagined it would end up being the longest held job I've ever had.

Only downfall is my 22 mile commute. Although, even thou it's 22 miles it only takes 23 minutes, unlike commutes in city's. I've always thought I would keep working until the kids are out of college. Now that we've reached that milestone I'm not quite ready for retirement.

Having a job you enjoy is such an important part of having a good life. I hope you have a job you enjoy as much I as I do mine.

Quilts - Pieced & Tied

I’ve done lots of volunteer work in my life; Girl Scout leader, ice hockey board, high school sport booster club, public library and hospital auxiliary, nothing in the last five years. Looking back, I’m not sure why I was doing so much when the kids where young and nothing now that I have an empty nest. I have felt quilt over this. I just don’t want to commit to going out in the evenings for meetings. I’ve always had in the back of my mind I would take on something if it fit into my requirements. No meetings to attend and I’d be a committee of one. When the hospital auxiliary received an anonymous gift of quilts I asked if I could take the responsibility of selling the quilts. There are lots of quilts, actually the correct term is pieced & tied quilts, they aren’t quilted. Pictured are the quilts I just picked up today, there are more in my attic. I’ll be bagging each one into a clear bag and including the size on each bag. They will be on sale at our local antique show August 23. I’ve done research on the approximate value and I have a feeling the auxiliary is going to be disappointed on what each one will bring. This weekend I'll be bagging quilts to get ready for next weekend. I may end up having to use E-Bay if I don't have success next weekend.

Hope you have a GREAT weekend.

Falmouth Road Race

"Hello" since there is so much interest in EG Racing GEL-Oh asked me to guest blog on how my daughter did in her second race. Sunday, August 10th was the 7 mile road race held on Cape Cod in Falmouth, Mass with 10,800 participants.

Below is the escort for the wheelchair racers. This picture was taken just prior to the last stretch to the finish line. Boy, the scenery is much different than in the Boilermaker.

This was our first view of EG coming up the last hill just before the finish line.
She did a GREAT job climbing the hill.

The fans were all cheering "GO ELLIE." It was nice that her registration number also included her name.

Again, we can tell were not in Utica racing!! Such lovely views.

View of the finish line along the ocean. It was a beautiful blue sky 80 degree morning along the Atlantic.

This is Jackie, she again was our #1 competition.

The finish times were 43.04 for Jackie and EG with 44.30.

Sister Katie was so excited to be able to take the train from NYC to cheer on EG. She got quite a sunburn. Katie, you need to get out of the city more.

At the tent for the wheelchair racers.

Coach Paul, Katie and Aunt Diane are reviewing the race with EG.

This is also a good time to get some pointers from the other contestants.

Below is the EG Racing Team Cape Cod. EG was so excited to have college friend Maria along with her parents to cheer her on. Also, Uncle Donald and girlfriend Sue. Sue is taking the picture.

I am so excited to announce that EG Racing next event will be the Boston Half-Marathon to be held Columbus Day Weekend this October. Maria will also be a participant in the race. This might be the race that EG will beat out her #1 competition. Stay tuned.

Picnic Baskets vs Jugs

Remember all the great old jugs on top of the pine cupboard? Well, the jugs have been moved to the living room and the prices at the antique shop just aren't going down. Over the weekend, I got the idea of collecting more picnic baskets. I was able to find one today at the antique shop, only $30. It also had the removal tray that I love.

Depending on the size I need one or two more for the floor. There are two more left at the antique store. There is a pie basket. I liked it but its square so it wouldn't fit on the tower. The other basket is plastic. I recently read that the plastic baskets are now the rage, they're from the 50's. I just don't think it would fit with what I have. I'm staying on the hunt.

In the blogging world there is a term "Guest Blogger." It's when the author of the blog is away and another person will host the blog in his/her absence or another person has more knowledge in a particular subject that the author would like covered in his/her blog. Well, tomorrow I will be having a guest. Never thought I would host a guest on my Blog. A member of EG Racing will be giving a report on the weekend race in Cape Cod. I can't wait and I hope you are excited about seeing & reading about the race as I am!!!

Weekend

Friday after work, I looked around the garden to see what flowers I could cut for a bouquet. My only choice was gold or purple. I didn't think the color combination would work well. I ended up liking the mix and the the bouquet made me smile all weekend.

Sunday I made some chili for Mick to have for lunch during the week. Schedule permitting, he comes home for lunch. All summer I've been searching recipes to make with the herbs in my garden. Although, the chili is not a recipe I searched for, the taste is so much better with fresh herbs. If you can, grow some herbs. You would not believe how much better your food will taste!!

The deck picture I took during one of our daily rain showers. Last month we had the most rain recorded. I think this month might end up being another record.

Mick spent his weekend at Fay Ln. The bathroom project has turned into a never ending job. I am HOPING one more weekend of work will do it. Next work trip will be tied to JW and Ke's visit and I plan on going to check out the work. Maybe I will be allowed to choose the color for the walls.

Favorite Photos

Saturday night we ate at Seasons 52. Each entree has 475 calories or less. After eating so few calories we had to have dessert. Each dessert is about 250 calories and served in small glasses. I had Key Lime Pie, the very last glass with the lime wedge on top, it was delicious.

After dinner we took a few pictures in front of the restaurant. I desaturated the photo in Photoshop. I love the look.

Two office buildings in downtown. They are called the King & Queen. Steven works in one of the buildings. This is a picture of some kind of tree, I have know idea what type.
Just before we entered the bridal show we attended on Sunday.
Lastly, a picture of Leigh Leigh. It was taken on Monday morning at the end of the save the date photo shoot. There are some great pictures for the save the date card. I can't wait to see what they decided to use!
I had a great visit with a lot of wonderful memories.