Have You Been Sucked In To The Pandora Craze?

I Have! These are my 3 latest additions to my Pandora Bracelet ~ purchased this week with Christmas and Birthday $ I received from Grama (the green bead), Aunt Sally (the silver and green bead) and Brenda ( the pink butterfly). Thank you SO much!!!!!

I love the idea of being able to create my own special look and have mementos from my loved ones right on my wrist.

Check out the web site ~ http://www.pandora-jewelry.com/

Sea Glass From My Boy

Look at these wonderful treasures my son Franky has collected for me just this summer! I have always had a love affair with Sea Glass but had just a few pieces from a whole lifetime of searching. This summer my son has worked off and on at a home on a private beach in New York. He combs the beach when he arrives in the morning and during his lunch break. There seems to be an endless supply! My heart melts when I look at it ~ each piece carries his touch.

Sea Glass has become the "theme" of my summer!

Notice the red piece on top of the milk jar on my window ~ that is very rare. The lavender colors just blow me away!

If you are on the East Coast of the U.S. ~ there is a Sea Glass Festival in Lewes, Delaware October 11 & 12.

For more information on Sea Glass check out this cool site ~ http://seaglassassociation.org/

I MISS YOU!

I've missed YOU something awful!!!!!
This time in my life has kept me from doing some of the things I love the very most such as blogging, sewing, fussing over my home and spending mindless days in my garden. It has also carried with it many treasures that would have been left undiscovered otherwise.
In the midst of chaos ~ I feel such amazing Peace in the deepest parts of my heart ~ and such joy.
I wish this same Peace and Joy to you my Dear Friends ~ a free gift to all who ask.

"My own Peace I give to you."
John 14:27

"For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction."
Genesis 41:52

"As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing"
2 Corinthians 6:10

"He delivered me, because He delighted in me."
Psalm 18:19

"Be still and know that I am God."
Psalm 46:10

The Legenary DEAN'S

The Mayors Car Show

One of the fun things about working for the Mayor is you get to wear a STAFF shirt at our annual Car Show!

Look at the way my dogs Teddi and Jake are looking at me ~ they just crack me up! Daisy ~ my sons beagle ~ seems to be chuckling at how silly it is for Pappy to be taking a picture of his Nannies backside! (that's what Daisys "calls" us )

I didn't get too many pics as we were so busy with almost 200 cars and over 1000 people in attendance! A GREAT turn out for our small town.

The last photo is the winner of the trophy donated by "Franks Heating and AC" ~ my husbands business.

It is an AWESOME Javelin owned by Victor & Barbara Nave. CONGRATULATION'S!!!!

Making Progress on My Fabric Book

Seems like I have no more than a few stolen moments to work on this fabric memory book for stitchinfingers.ning.com. I'm calling it "My Grandfathers Wallet" as it is the contents of his wallet at the time of his death in 1965. I've included some of the pictures he had as well as mementos from his time in WW2 and some poems I have written for him through the years. It has been a very healing project so I am not rushing it. I have been using some of Pat Winters lovely hand dyed ribbon as well as Pam Kelloggs beautiful hand dyed vintage lace.

In Memory of My Beautiful Cousin Kris

Kristen Jeanne Trader, 44, a lifelong resident of Severna Park, MD, died suddenly at her home Friday morning, July 11, 2008.
My beautiful, witty, fun loving cuz ~ what will life be like without you? Word's are hard to find now.

I am picturing you laughing and rejoicing blissfully in heaven with Uncle Buzz, John, Laura, Paul and Pixie.

Keep a spot warm for me ~ I'll bring the wine :)

http://videos.phototributes.com/barrancofh/Kristen%20Trader_files/Kristen%20Trader.html

Family Adventure in Stonington, Ct.

The whole fam together ~ this doesn't happen to often!

Ashley ~ trust me ~ she was being a wise guy!

Approaching all these BIG black birds standing at attention was a little scary!

He was ready to POUNCE! I backed off!

Frank trying to keep up !

This looks like a dinosaur head to me ~ what do you think?

My handsome boy Franky.

It felt like our heads were gonna hit going under!

Me and Frank : )

It was so exciting to be so close to this bird ~ he was HUGE!

Our Sweet Duo Tony and Cher Bear

My Beauty Jaci Sue ~ hey are those my earrings????

Aren't they adorable !

HEY! I didn't know they made battery's too! And below ~ a self portrait of Frank's mouth ~ tee hee!

Such perfection can't be planned! All 4 of my kids ~ Frank and myself ~ and the love of Cheri's life Tony ~ (7 altogether) decided to have a day together to celebrate Frank's 47th birthday. We drove 90 minutes north to Stonington, Ct. to go kayaking. The starting point is a saltwater channel and ends up on the Narragansett Bay. We traveled through a bird sanctuary and amazing views. We went under bridges including the a train bridge. We had the boats for 4 hours so towards the end ~ we got silly and tryed to match all the points of the kayak's like a star. Then we went under the tiny private piers the homeowners had for their boats. You had to flatten yourself out flat so your head wouldn't hit the pier!

See the island with the black birds on it? I was approaching this far ahead of the others. The birds all started to stretch out their wings as I got closer. It was scary but I haven't felt such excitement rise up inside of me in a long time.

It was so satisfying to try something new! I have been in a real funk and this was JUST what the doctor ordered!

Not since I tryed crazy quilting for the first time have I encountered something I KNEW had to be a part of my life forever!

I see a kayak with my name on it in my future : )

By the way ~ what NEW thing might you try this summer?

What's Happening In My Garden This Week

The Garden Ferries are finding wonderful places to hide is the garden this week. Lilly Pads, hollyhock, daisy's, cone flower, hydrangea, lupines, and butterfly bush are all in bloom. The green tomatoes and funky looking mushrooms are delightful places for them to sit a spell on a steamy summer night. The butterflies can't hide their excitement as they travel from blossom to blossom. Heaven has arrived in my garden!