wrapping up august

August is winding down. Here are some highlights.

As always, click each to see a larger image.

everyday object - coffee cup

Here’s another drawing of an everyday object. I love this little cup. It’s pretty and bright. It belongs to a set of four with matching bowls and plates.

I have to tell you a story about it…and why I like it so much.

Once upon a time, about a million years ago, I got married and acquired a set of dishes like every young bride of my generation. The dishes were blue and very ordinary looking. Then one day, the man left and the dishes stayed. I used the dishes for about 20 years. Then one day…seriously…one day I just got tired of looking at them. I don’t know what took me so long.

So I went to Penney’s and found these pretty and bright little dishes. On sale. The blue ordinary dishes were packed away. Since it was only my daughter and myself, a set of 4 dishes were plenty for us.

Then one by one I added a few more here and there. A new mug or bowl from a flea market. Some new bowls to use for pasta. Plates with fish on them…for fishy dinners. And I acquired a new husband who is handsome and likes my mismatched dishes.

Now I have place settings for about 10 people…not more than 4 match. It’s not like the Queen or the Pope ever drop by for dinner so I don’t really need fancy schmancy place settings.

I like my mismatched dishes. And that is the story of my little coffee cup. The end.

weekend memories

I had a crazy, busy weekend (well, it’s actually been a few crazy busy months). My daughter got married last weekend. Everything turned out perfect! The weather was cool, the rain came and went, the cake, the food, the dress. Perfect! My little corsage bracelet is fading but it was so pretty last Saturday.

I was so looking forward to winding down on Sunday and took off work on Monday to catch up on stuff…then I came down with some sort of crud. I think it’s just allergies. But still I feel pretty awful.

That’s one of the downsides to working from home…I tend not to call in sick. Ever. There’s no one here to infect so it’s doesn’t matter if I’m sneezing and coughing. I do like that I can take a nap during my lunch hour though. That’s nice. Plus I can sleep in the morning until it’s time to work. Who cares if I have bed head? The cat never seems to notice.

another everyday object

A little creamer I keep in the kitchen. It doesn’t actually hold cream though. I keep Splenda packets in it.

I do have a matching sugar bowl. And I keep sugar in that…the real stuff. For sugar emergencies.

leftover vacation pics

Went through my sketchbook and found a few pics to share from my trip last month to North Carolina.

I LOVE pecan pie. But like any dessert, I can’t make it at home because I would have to eat the WHOLE darn thing myself. My husband does not have a sweet tooth like I do. So I always order dessert when we go out.

Our workshop group met up for dinner one night (along with our guests/spouses). The tables were set up with lemon slices on a wine glass like this. I thought it was a pretty way to serve the lemon.

This pic was a house I saw. I just loved the angel statue on the tree stump.

On a side note, yesterday was my cat’s 17th birthday. Happy birthday, Abby!!

crayons

To all of you out there with kiddos going back to school this week…here’s to you…woohooo…yay!!

And to all you kiddos going back to school….boo hoo…groan!!

The only good thing I remember about going back to school was buying supplies. Specifically….crayons! I love the smell of crayons. The beauty of brand spanking new, never before used crayons. Sweet!

I’ve been busy this weekend in the studio. (I opted NOT to do household chores this weekend.) I’ll scan more stuff over the next few days to share.

moo

Here’s another roadside attraction. Cows in the shade. I love cows…from a distance. 

Up close, they are big and scary. And smelly.

I had an uncle who used to haul cattle. I once turned up my nose at the smell of his truck. He said, “That doesn’t stink. That smells like money.”

I guess it’s about perspective, huh?

road trip

71 Highway. I could drive this route in my sleep. I’ve been making this road trip once a month for the last 7+ years to visit my grandson (and daughter) in Kansas City.

Every season has its own beauty in the landscape. And every trip I notice something new or different. A farmhouse I hadn’t noticed before. Or a big heap of something turning to rust.

The landfill “mountain” outside of Lamar, MO has grown to two “mountains” over the years.

Pecans for Sale. Tomatoes. Watermelon. Corn. Peaches. Whatever the season, there is someone on the roadside selling from the back of a pickup truck.

This time of year, the fields are mowed or dried up from the heat. But still beautiful.

I think so anyway.

room with a view

Looking out the kitchen door. One of my favorite views.

everyday objects

This month’s theme over at the Sketchbook Challenge is one I’m excited about. “Everyday Objects”...well, that should be easy enough. Right?

For starters, here are everyday objects that I carry around in my purse. Well, some of the things I tote around anyway. My purse style preference is a monk bag style or something large enough to hold pretty near everything I need to survive a weekend away from home. I like to be prepared.

Wallet…must have. Phone…ditto. Sketchbook + pen…to relieve boredom and/or long waits. Tea wallet…emergency tea bags and lemonade drink mixes. Lipstick and Blistex…no chapped lips here. Googly eyes…not really sure why those were in my purse or where they came from. But I have some in case of emergency.