WAR AND PEACE

This is a letter from the civil war that my grandmother kept in her safe deposit box for years. Cyrus Lathrop was my great great great grandfather. There are more letters but this one moved me so much with the sweet things he says about his wife and children and the love of his country. His writing is sometimes eligible but the interpreter did their best. (I was relieved to know that he was a Yank!!)


Camp lamean December the 11 the year of the lord 1862

Dear Wife it tis with pleasure that I right to you to let you know that I am well at present and hope that this will find you on the same blessing I right to you this evening to let you no that I received youre letter last night dated the 5th and was glad to hear that you was well I was very sorry to hear that you are so dissatisfied you say that I am needed at home so bad to see to the
boys I want to no if there is anything peticuler the mater with them right and let me know you say that money has not come yet I am afraid that it is lost. But if is I can't help it for sent it on the 16 of December nearly a month ago but it may come yet I will send some more as soon as we We are looking for the Every day then i will send you 15 pr 10 dollars i will try to send it by
some one that is going home if that gets there that i have sent then i will send for by mail cindicy i would like to see you very much but i can't see you for it is very hard to get leave to come home but i have the pranice of geting a pass to come home me set spring whether i gottin it or not there is great talk of england and france helping the south if they go i have but little faith of this were coming to a close for several years fi they do their will be great blood shed such as never been seen in the world i am to frade that these that these united states has seen their best days nothing but the over ruling fear of god will save them from ruin i am going to extend by the flag of my county and if that star spangle baner seases to wave shall sease to live at wave sease to wave but I will die im trying to keep them uip if england does set in i don't know when i will get home for i expect that tem they will need every man at his post and my dear wife I hopt that we will see each other some time before we die but dear wife if we See each other hear on earth I hope we will meat again in heaven where parting is no more but where we shall strike glad On that suny banks of deliverence where we will be forever blessed I am determined to meet you their my dear wife i still think that i will get tp see you and the children tell that sweet little girl that i would like to see mighty well Marian I have not forgot you I remember them rosey sheeks of youres them large baling eyes of often causes me to reflect on days past. Zachry Taylor don't think that I have for got you for I often think of you I often think that I would like to be at home with you but remember dear son that our contry to being run over with rebels and tarces and your father is On the service of our country and I want you to bee good boys and help you mother she says that she is troubled so much it is not worth while for meeta right any more I lack words to esepres my feeling to you the troubles of my country and the thought of a wife and
four children that is I have left at home give my respects to all so no more at this time but remain your friend till death.

Good by wife and children for this time
Cyrus Lathrop to cindiey and children

This is a copy of a telegram sent by my uncle to my mom and grandfather. He was not yet married to my Aunt Fritz. Sierra Vista, AZ was originally named Frye.

Hamp was a paratrooper in the US Army 82nd Airborne Infantry. He didn't talk too much about the war. He was in the Battle of the Bulge in Germany and said it was so cold, the water in their canteens froze and burst.

One time when he was in France they were being fired upon and he had just moved from a window and the soldier who took his place was shot and killed. (I have a photo of this building but don't know exactly where it is.)

Mom

My father was in the Air Force and my brother in the Army. It's a wonder coming from such a military family that I came out to be such a pacifist. Not completely a pacifist, if someone punched me in the nose I'd surly punch them back!! I won't bore you with my vehement distaste for the Iraq war or my desperate desire to leave the middle east all together, I'll save that for another day. I'm proud of Cyrus and Hamp but hope that we as nations and humans can come up with better ways to deal with our problems.

THANKS EVERYONE!!

Yeah, yeah, yeah I sold jewelry this weekend but what I would really like to talk about is.....

THE KISSING BOOTH!!! For a donation you could kiss a Frenchie. There were some English bulldogs there to but you know my fascination with all things French.

This is Nika waiting patiently for her turn to give out the french kisses. I have to admit I did cheat on Miglet when I kissed Miss Nika. Someday I might come clean but not while Maggies allergies are so bad. I don't want to add insult to injury. ( I know I sound like a freak).

Friday night was the fund raiser for Juvenal Diabetes Foundation. There were so many people that came dressed up in there western best. This is my friend Debra that really scored with this number she borrowed from her daughter.

Kim came with picnic basket in tow filled with crackers, breads and cheeses and three bottles of champagne. We ate and drank illegally on the closed down street. I felt like Billy the Kid and Kim was Jesse James. Really Sheriff, you want us to pour out our hooch? Make my day!

Dan and Kristen Alber put on another fabulous event. It raised money for a good cause close to their hearts and we all had such a good time doing it. Cheers to you Dan and Kristen.

My good friend and booth partner Minnie and I shared a space again on Saturday and we sold our little hearts out. She's such good company. (you too Sharon)!!

A blessed event occurred for me on Friday night. I was able to speak to Christian and Stephanie Nielson. I was beside myself when she said she remembered me from the meetings we attended when Blissful Living was in its beginning stages. She was the yoga instructor and I the jewelry teacher. I had never met Christian but I felt like I already knew him from Stephanies blog. The two of them are so genuine and peaceful in their demeanor, I honestly believe you are born that way. One can strive to be more like that and that is admirable but to be born with the spirit these two have is truly a gift.

I want to thank Janine, Ruth, Sandy, Sue, Debra, Kim, Neve and Sharon for coming out as well. For some reason I either don't have a picture of them or they didn't turn out very well. And thanks mom for stopping by !!!!!!!!!

PLEASE COME OUT AND SEE ME

COME OUT AND HAVE SOME ROOTIN TOOTIN FUN THIS FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY FROM 10-5!! I'VE BEEN MAKING SO MUCH JEWELRY MY HANDS HURT:) CLICK THE LINK UP TO THE RIGHT AND GET ALL THE INFO. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE.

ANGELS FLYING OVER

Have you ever been somewhere with a lot of people all talking to each other and for some reason it gets quiet? Strangely everyone stops talking at the same time. I was told years ago that that meant the angels were flying over. It gave me goose bumps. I asked Marti if she wouldn't mind painting some angels and she worked her magic. I think they're beautiful and I will have these with me next Saturday at Blissfest. They would like to meet you.

Big Brother and Me

Have a fabulous Halloween! We'll be attending our fifth annual Halloween block party. I still don't know what dish to bring. Any ideas?

TELECOMMUTING

I can't believe that I forgot to show you this picture. Carter is the red evil Teletubby and Kim is the green one. I think the Teletubbies are just plain weird and I'm glad my kids got to skip this phenomenon. Kim and Carter Teleported us to the party just down the street, just over the too far to walk mark. Notice Kim trying to protect her point or whatever that thing is. Ick!!

QUITE A HALLOWEEN PARTY

I went to a Halloween party this weekend and was amazed by the amount of fun adults can still have with this holiday. The whole Flintstone family was there, the Teletubbies (creepy), Ron Jeremy and Jenna Jamison (I mean wow!) and everything in between. I went as Cleopatra.

This is me with my arm around my husband who came as the Invisible Man. He's anti-social a lot of the time but everyone's used to that.

Here's the whole gang. Everybody dressed up to the max. It was such a fun party and everyone was having a good time and I met some new very nice people. Thank you again Jodi and Eric for hosting another epic Halloween party. The photos were taken by Larry Slater.

COWGIRLS, ROSES AND WHO KNOWS

I'm really getting in to this cowgirl chic line of jewelry that I'm making for the Nov. 7th art fair.

I love horseshoes and there will be more where this came from.

I'm also excited to present the first pick of the season. I was astonished to check on my roses and see loads and loads of blooming flowers. Two of my bushes didn't not make it through the long hot summer, so sad. It reminds of a book by Aldus Huxley called " After many a summer dies the Swan". We all have our time to shine and then, well, I choose to let the mystery be.

DONT WORRY, SHE'S FINE

Maggie is sleeping off her swine flu. She hates that it's called "swine" flu because she's constantly fighting against the comparison between French Bulldogs and Pigs. Yes, Miglet is here nick name but she graciously allows me to call her that because I feed her.

FRENCHIES, POPOVERS AND SLIPCOVERS

My husband was watching Martha Stewart................wait a minute! Yes, my husband was watching Martha Stewart and he thought I would be interested in the episode so he dvr'd it for me. Isn't that the cutest thing? I'm at work and he's watching Martha and thinks "Shelly would love this" and tapes it for me.

It was the episode with the tour of her Skylands home. I sat there watching it with my mouth agape. I couldn't stop thinking about the fact that none of the Ford family wanted to keep the beautiful linens or china, not to mention the silver. So many things were left in the home. The first two pictures are of the all pink guest house on the property. Stunning isn't it?

Then came the part of the show when she bakes. She was in her Henry Ford kitchen baking popovers, a recipe that I will be making very soon, with her beloved Frenchies right up there looking on. I melted. Francesca and Sharkey were patiently waiting for a treat which I'm sure they got but it wasn't shown in the piece.

Oh Maggie look at what your going to be for holloween!!! Maggie has been throwing up today and I feel so sorry for her so I'll show her this picture of her friend Francesca later.

While Jeff and I were watching the show she pointed out her parsons chair (original to the house) and their new upholstery. Jeff loved them. I said "then why did you make fun of me when you saw the ones I bought on Craig's list (six or $100)? Jeff said "they're ugly"! I said "I'm having slip covers made for them". "Then I'll like them" Jeff said. I just happen to have a picture of one of the slipcovers that Minnie made for me. Minnie and I will finish the rest when she comes for a visit in a few days. I love it! I will be adding some embroidery to them and aging them with the technique she blogged about on her blog. Thanks Minnie, you're a peach.

My New Favorite Piece Of Furniture

Jeff and I (ok just me) bought this cabinet from Norwood furniture just after we were married. Years later my mother adopted it but after she bought a Hoosier she no longer had room for it.

So I brought it back home and let it sit and collected dust for a couple of months. I wish I had taken a before picture of it but wasn't thinking with my blog brain. I sanded it then added the flourishes on the drawers then painted it. I let it dry over night then sanded it again just in the right spots, added some cute knobs and there you have it. My new favorite piece!

An Artist Admiring an Artist Admiring an Artist

I met Kimi Kolba through my friend Kim Kolba some years back. Confused? My friend Kim married Kimi's brother thus the same names. Kimi's photography is displayed all over Kim and Carter's house and I have admired it for a long time. She just recently started her own blog and I'm so excited for her.

Kimi got the opportunity to photogragh the artwork of Heather Frazier, an artist that Kimi really admires.

These mobiles are so cool and I think Kimi's skills make them even cooler.

SIMPLICITY

I just finished these hearts using the art of Tufa casting. Native Americans have been using this method of casting for hundreds of years. I hand carved the heart in Tufa, a soft sandstone, then poured molten fine silver into the carving. For me this method of casting is so gratifying because the pieces come out so rugged and earthy. Usually only one or two castings will come out well before the mold breaks. I was able to make six of these sweet little hearts. I'll be making more in all shapes and sizes and will have them for Blissfest and in my Etsy store. I'm only asking $45 for these so getem while they're hot. (actually the molton silver has cooled:) Email me!!

BUT WAIT THERES MORE

I'm bound and determined to get everyone that can to come to Blissfest!! I hope this new additions helps. A lot of sweat went into this cuff. I polished it for four hours on and off. In the center is a fresh water pearl surrounded by pink crystals.

IT'S ON

I'm so excited about the 2009 Blissfest. I'm also excited that I'm flowing, creatively speaking.
I took a turquoise pear shaped bead, used it like a cabochon and put it in a bezel setting. A parade of color filled bezel cups creates the other side of the heart. The necklace is made with red jasper.


This necklace is looking for a hardcore cowgirl that needs a little extra help at the rodeo :)


Dreamer. That's me in a nutshell. I day dream all the day long. This charm is made from a very thick piece of silver. It heavy so I kept the necklace lite. I love these hollow silver beads and the Sleeping Beauty turquoise beads.

Just some more samples of what I will be displaying at Blissfest 2009 in down town Mesa.

ONLY LOVE WILL DO

Some of you might remember my magic drawer. It's a drawer that I put parts of necklaces, bracelets or earrings in that cease to move me. Every once in a while I go through this drawer looking for inspiration and I'll find something that I completely forgot about. I found these charms a tad bit tarnished and thought "what was my problem with these?" I polished them up and added them to a chunky chain along with some sweet bobbles and there you have it. It's perfect for Valentines Day but love is love and only love will do.

SOLD

SNOW WHITE

In honor of the Vintage Western Masquerade I will be putting a lot of turquoise and other natural stones in my up coming designs. Cowgirl Chic is the name of this line and rugged is the look. I found this white drusey at the Tucson gem show last February and was just now inspired to make it into something.

The necklace consists of turquoise, chalcedony, jade, chrysophrase, pink tourmaline, gaspeite and Mexican fire opal. It's a one of a kind for sure.

THE IVY

I knew the Ivy was where all the stars hung out and had lunch but I did not know how stinking cute the inside was. I was pleasantly surprised when we entered the cafe to see French country decor just the way I want it in my own home.

I asked our Scottish waiter if I could take some pictures and he said "no". I said "Really!!" and he said " the owners frown on that and I don't want to get in trouble". If he hadn't had such a cute accent I might have given him trouble. He said " you can take pictures of each other but just not the decor". That's why we're posing.

Oops! Some how Kim was cut out of this shot. I'm bad, I know. Isn't it just the cutest place?

The food was simple and delicious. I loved my caesar salad and my champagne with strawberry's.

Poor Kim another trip to Hollywood with no star sightings. I was waiting for my credit card at the table while everyone else went outside and Kim texted me that Rob Pattinson was to my right when I came out. The guy was beautiful but NOT Rob!! Too bad for us. I have more tales to tell of our yearly trip so stay tuned. Meanwhile I need to get ready for four trunk shows I'm doing this fall. The last one will be at my house the first week in December and I'll tell you more about that in the coming weeks.

Girls Weekend

My gal pals and I are going to Temecula to visit our favorite winery, Thornton.

There will be lots of laughs, as usual, and a lot of responsible enjoying of champagne.

Bottoms up!!!

MY NEW LOVE

Gregory Alan Isakov. I would first like to thank all the people who have complimented me on my music selection through comments and emails. I have one friend who has bought every song from itunes that is in my collection. I found this artist through my brother in law. Every time we go to Temecula I get on his computer and download new music. He was in the room when I clicked on Gregory and he said "oh you'll love him". Thanks Jeremy!!! I do love this music. I can't get it for my blog music but I wanted you to know him. If you would like to hear why I think he's so great go to his website then to music and listen to "That Moon Song". I love the line "that full bellied moon she's a shinin on me, she pulls on this heart like she pulls on the sea". This Empty Northern Hemisphere is Gregory's new album and I've heard every song and there is not one bad song. To make things even more incredible Brandi Carlile sings harmony. If you listen to my music I think you know how much I love Brandi Carlile. I've seen her twice in concert and hope she'll be back soon with Gregory. Enjoy.

What I've been up to.

It started Saturday morning when I started making more tops to deliver. My pattern for the "prairie dress" came in and I decided I was up for a challenge. I didn't know it would take me four hours to make this dress but I kept with it pausing briefly to take my daughter driving. She is eligible for her permit in two weeks so we've been prepping her. I returned home sick to my stomach because of all the quick turns she took and got back to work.

I love how it turned out and with every challenge you learn a lot so the next time I make this dress I hope to do it in half the time.

I also made more salsa. We have friends that offered this salsa every time we had dinner at their house so one day I asked for the recipe. He wouldn't give it to me sighting it's top secret nature. I begged him until he gave in. He called me about a week before Christmas maybe five years ago and told me that his present to me would be a lesson in making this salsa. I went to his house one Sunday afternoon and learned to top secret recipe. He asked me never to divulge the secrets contained in these jars. My friends were very put out that I wouldn't give them the recipe. "I took an oath" I would tell them. They all said "well then you'll just have to make it for us" so that's what I do. This batch turned out pretty hot, you never know when your going to get that super hot jalapeno. Woops, I think I've said too much. Over and out.

A WORK IN PROGRESS

There is still so much to do! I need to make the curtains, including one for the pantry door, start the back splash tile and decorate. My husband has been very nice about the amount of time that is has taken for me to finish this project. We do have one disagreement. He loves the black pantry door, I want to paint it creamy white like the bay window walls. What do you think?

You know some crown molding would sure look nice. Oh darling!!

New lamps are in order or maybe I'll just have to paint them.

I've begged to paint the cabinets white but that's just not gonna happen. I've been collecting dishes from my jaunts to the antique shops and can't wait to replace the green and red dishes even though I love those dishes. My husbands grandmothers (or great grandmother, I can't remember) dishes hang on the wall in the plate rack. I love them. Marti has been painting little paintings that are perfect for small areas. Don't forget to let me know what you think about the black door. I'll show my husband your comments.


**My favorite father in law doesn't know how to put his comments where they belong (and I mean that in the kindest way possible) so I'll put it here because it's too funny to waste.

"Its a joke,right? That black door stands out like a whore in church! It MUST go or dump the old man and git yourself someone with a few more sensibilities. The man is a cretin! Dump his ass. Then paint the damn door creamy something"

France vs. England

France vs. England
Originally uploaded by Finstr

You know my love for all things French and that includes my dog. I found this picture on flickr and couldn't resist. Come on France!!

Me and Maggie hard at work.

Have I posted this before? I don't know but I came across this photo looking for something else and it made me laugh. She tries to get up on the table, for what I don't know but she tries.

SURPRISE!!!!!!!!

We had a surprise birthday party for my mom on Saturday. I was so looking forward to this so I didn't have to lie anymore or make up stories on the fly or call my sister and warn her of a new wrinkle in the web of deceit. It was all worth it because as you can see she was shocked.

Yes, there were tears.

Here I am on the right with my sister and mom. My brother had the flu so he couldn't make it so my mom made him a sign so he could be in the photo's. One of the lies to get her to dress nicely was that my friend Larry would take pictures of all of us at my house. She normally looks very nice but I was having a pool party (lie).

We sang the happy birthday song that my sister initiated in a key that was just a little too high for my liking and just when it was time for the highest note I hear my son nailing it!! He has a really nice voice but it was just so unexpected and loud that I started laughing so hard. My mom looked over at him somewhat startled and started laughing too. My family is so funny and I feel blessed that I get to belly laugh every single day.

My mom just called and says she would like another surprise party in thirty years. Let me get out the planner.

Larry Slater took all the wonderful pictures. Thanks Larry and Sandy.

HAS ANYBODY HERE SEEN MY OLD FRIEND TED

I am a proud extra crispy bucket of progressive democrat and I'm sad today. I hope there is another generation of Kennedy's waiting in the wings that will carry on Ted's work.

I'VE HAD THE DISTINCT PLEASURE

of attending a duel birthday party at a friends house. Richard and Sisto (the bday boys) grew up with my husband in Chandler. The party was at Richards house. It was catered by El Sol and there was a DJ. It was really more like a multi year Chandler reunion. We had so much fun.

These pictures are from Richards house. He designed the house and had it built up on San Tan mountain. The first two shots are of the upper living room or theater room. With a click of the remote all the shades come down and a screen comes down far above the fire place. It's spectacular. You feel like your in an actual theater but its comfy.

This is the view from the theater room down into the main living room. All the stone that you see was quarried on the premises. The rest is made of adobe brick. The floors are dyed cement. I like the green color he picked.

This is the view looking from the theater room into the library. The doors go out to the vast expanse of porches.

The porch up stairs wraps around three quarters. I love the slate tile.

Back inside to the master bedroom. This is looking from the doorway out to the back porch. Richard is a bachelor and between you and me could use more of a feminine touch in places:)

I had to change my camera to sunset to get the glass bricks to show up. In between the adobe he slid in some thin glass block. It's all over the house.

I really love the green light that comes through.

Here is the view from the bedroom through the hall with very large closets on each side to the bathroom.

The bathroom is fabulous. The shower has a glass door that opens out to the porch. I want to call it a balcony but its just too big so I'm calling it the porch. The "water closet" also has a door that opens to the front upper porch.

All the wood in the house is mesquite including the stairs and the floor in his office. You can't see it but up to the right of the picture is a landing with a full size man of armor. Did I mention he is a bachelor?

Here is a view at the bottom of the stairs.

The kitchen is kind of small, this is the eating area. I took some pictures of the kitchen but it being a party there was a lot of stuff all over the counters so you couldn't really see it in it's full glory. Richard spared no expense on the appliances.

This is the foyer. All of the doors through out the house are heavy mesquite wood. The hardware is really great.

Down in the main living room is a fantastic fire place. The stone goes up twenty feet or higher.

This is looking up back into the theater room. Look at all the exposed adobe brick.

Out to the koi pond. Here is a little sitting area over looking the grand views.


The gates were all hand made on the premises.

The steps lead you down to the therapeutic hot tube.

The views from the negative edge pool are breath taking.

Under the Ramada was the buffet brought to you by El Sol. It was delicious.

Just a look back at the party getting underway. There' Richard on the far right.

Looking towards the koi pond.

I've been up here on very clear days and the Superstition Mountains look so close. Red mountain is so beautiful from here too.

What can I say about this picture. It's just breath taking,

There were misting systems through out the yard and we sometimes felt like we were in the tropics.

Misty. I had straightened my hair that night but came home with an afro.

My husband (middle) had such a good time getting together with his oldest friends and telling stories. We laughed all night.

If any of you think you recognize the two fellows sitting on the left, they were in TVlands "Class Reunion" reality show. They were the bad boy, trouble makers but they were good on this night.

New Tops

I was able to make a couple of new tops this week. A coworker ordered four. Love her!! Then I received an email from Daisy at daisypinkcupcake and she asked me if I was going to put these in my etsy store. I had considered that for a split second then forgot about it. Daisy has caused me to reconsider. I want to have a few to choose from so I'll need some time to make some new ones. A new adventure, just what I need.


This pink top is made out of some really cool fabric. It's linen and it has some little sparkely sequins sewn into the fabric. It's very sparkely but the picture doesn't pick it up so much. I used satin for the tie. I'd like to keep this one for myself. Do you think she would mind if I wore it to bunco tonight?

COMFORT

I'm always wishing I was independently wealthy. I could quit my job, spoil my kids, have more dogs and travel. This morning I was sitting in the kitchen eating breakfast by myself and I had my music playing. It was so peaceful and I was so in the moment and swaying a little to the music. I saw something out of the corner of my eye and it was my son and he was watching me, I just looked at him and smiled and he smiled back and shook his head like I was silly for being so happy. I love moments like that. No amount of money can buy moments like that. I don't know what I did to deserve such happiness. Every night when I go to bed I feel so lucky to have my big comfortable bed to sleep in with it's cold, soft sheets. My best friend and husband (one in the same I should say) is right next to me and the kids are home and safe and I couldn't ask for more. I wish that for everyone. Simmer in those moments and be grateful.

AGAIN MAGGIE.......REALLY?

I need a cutting table!! Not only does Maggie think it's play time when I get down on my hands and knees but it's getting very hard to get back up. Yeah, I'm that out of shape.

Just some new things.

I'll be putting these in my etsy store in the next couple of days. I had my class reunion this weekend and I'm still recovering. There is a post about that brewing in my head that I might just have to let out. In the mean time it's just jewels.

NOT SURE IF I'M GLAD TO BE HOME

We had such a great time in California. It began in Temecula about an hour and fifteen minutes from LA. There is the cutest boutique in Old Town called Serendipity and when I go back in September I'll come prepared to actually buy some things.

We then headed off to Huntington Beach. We've never stayed here before, we usually stay in Del Mar and I have to say HB is more our style. Big waves, easy going surfers and tons of shopping and restaurants.

On Tuesday Main street was closed off and an art fair/farmers market opened up. Those strawberry's are as good as they look.

The vantage point from the pier was incredible it felt like you were so far out to sea when you looked toward the shore.

The waves were the biggest in years we were told.

We ate breakfast at the Sugar Shack in the background. It's a landmark in HB that all the locals and world class surfers frequent. They serve darn good food.

Hannah and I did some back to school shopping.

We took a trip south to Newport Beach and stopped at Balboa Island. I love front porches and these home owners did not disappoint. Here are some of my favorites.




The docks were cute too. There are tomato plants out on this landing.










This is the view from our room. The ocean breeze was good for our souls and laying on the beach was good for my tan :) I didn't want to leave, I could have sat on that beach forever.

We then went back to Temecula and out to my favorite winery in the world. Thornton Winery!! My sister in law Jennefer and I did some champagne tasting and lunch eating. I bought four bottles of my favorite champagne and we were on our way. We need to do this vacation thing more often it really recharges hot, corroded Arizona batteries.

**Angela Henrie, thanks for the comment you reminded me that I meant to let you know about the blue doors!! As for where we stayed in Huntington Beach it was the Shorebreak Hotel. I highly recommend it. During the U.S. open for surfing all the surfers stayed there. The hotel restaurant had great food and the hotel had fire pits where they would supply you with smore fixings and you could make smores. The best part was the bed, I have never slept in a more comfortable bed.

GOIN TO CALIFORNIA

I'M GOING HERE......

TO DO THIS.........

CANT WAIT TO GET THERE.

* ALL PHOTOS BY KIM BESON

Hey, I got some sewing done!!!

This is what I was trying to make when Maggie interrupted me. I wore it to bunco and I think I have five or six orders now. It's really a lot of fun to make and quick.

I made this top on Sunday in just a couple of hours but that was with many interruptions. It really should only take an hour. I made the applique with some leftover fabric and some wonder under. Love that stuff!!

These tops are so comfortable and are the perfect hot weather apparel.

WHY ITS HARD FOR ME TO SEW

I remember when it was children that halted my creative juices.

Now its this munchkin.

I guess Miglet (aka Maggie) didn't want that skirt after all.

NO SMALL SURPRISE

Isn't this the sweetest thing you've ever seen? This little bundle of joy is Bonnie Blue. The proud parents are Rhett and Scarlett (who else?). My friends Sandy and Larry bought a mini horse but sadly he was gored by the bull and killed. They were devastated!! When they were ready Larry and Sandy bought two more mini horses and named them Rhett and Scarlett. Not ever owning or even coming near horses of any kind ( I mean they just got their first dog not too long ago) they weren't aware of the changes in Scarlett. One day a friend came over who is some kind of horse doctor to visit the new couple (the mini horses) and said "she's pregnant and about to drop". Before Larry and Sandy could have her seen she dropped. Larry was just going out to check on her and there she was Miss Bonnie Blue. As Sandy tells it it was love at first sight. Larry was completely smitten. He takes pictures of her every day and posts them on facebook like a proud papa and Sandy the proud grandma. I went and visited the little princess and she is the cutest little mimi horse I've ever seen. I rubbed some apple on my hand and she sucked and licked my fingers. Mama was always close by and watching, she bit Sandy already.

It's amazing how quickly they're up and running. I wonder what my friends will be like when they become real grandparents. These photo's were taken by Larry Slater and you can see his collection here.

CRAZY MARTI

This is me at Kim's Cinco de Mayo party last May. I did not come to the party with a unibrow but I came home with one. My mother in law, Marti Beson, loves Freida and she had a party at her house for Freida's birthday. Check out her blog and enjoy the festive photo's.

Easy like a Sunday morning.

Queen Creek wash is literally my front yard. I love living here but find myself taking the creek for granted. Last Sunday morning I took a brisk walk down the path then went back home and got the dogs and my camera.

We moved in one January and later that month they had let out some water from a dam east of here. The creek was turned into a raging river. I was in my closet getting something and I heard a strange sound so i flipped up the shutter and saw it! I called my husband at work and said "your not going to believe this". When he came home we got out our beach chairs and a couple of beers and sat on the bank. So white trash but hey, it's Arizona.

The water that was in the wash Sunday was run off from the corn field up the way. Of course Jeff says "and we're not supposed to let our faucets run". He's right but it made for such beauty.

Jack, Maggie and I stopped for a break at the neighborhood park and saw Jeff zooming by on his bike. Maggie can't take the heat so we had to cut the walk short.

The picture is enhanced but the contrast of the green tree and the red bush really was striking.

The sunflowers in the front went well with the 4th of July decor. I love the desert. I think I would pick Sedona over Del Mar but if I could afford to live in Sedona maybe I would have a beach house in Del Mar too. One can dream.

HOW GRAND

Jeff, myself and the kids went up to Flagstaff for the weekend to visit my favorite father in law. We also took an impromptu drive up to the Grand Canyon. It was, of course, spectacular. What was not spectacular was the fact that my camera battery died but never fear I had my cell phone on me and continued snapping away. We ended up at Hermit's Rest for the sunset and it was the most beautiful sight I've seen in some time. It had just rained and the air was clean and clear and the sound of thunder was in the background. Hannah and I had gotten behind and when we caught up with Kim and Jeff they were standing at the rail with other people silently and peacefully watching the sun set , you could here a pin drop. I asked Hannah to get a panoramic shot of the whole canyon so she quietly went up to the rail pointed my phone and when she did it said "say cheese" in a chipmunks voice. We, the four of us, started laughing so hard Hannah cried and I think I peed my pants a little. The moment was ruined for some and made for others. It was such a relaxing and rejuvenating little trip. The next morning we got up and went to Macy's for coffee, I think my barista liked or should I say loved me. What a good cup a joe.

Marie

I call this necklace Marie because I think Miss Antoinette just might like this one. (pppssttt if you enlarge this picture you can kinda see my wallpaper in the background:)

I used pink silk ribbon to thread and knot the crystals on to. I fashioned the flower out of Swarovski crystals.

The background in this photo is the bead board tile that will be going up in my kitchen as soon as we get back from Flagstaff. My mother and I put up the other roll of wallpaper I bought and ran out again. I had no idea how much wallpaper one little kitchen would take.

HAVE A SAFE AND FUN 4TH !!!