Patti Beck's place

As you know, My Shug has been off of work since May 6.  Achilles Tendon surgery takes quite a while to heal.  (or should I say heel-snort snort-sorry)  It's been nice having him home, although my entire 'schedule' has changed.  And really, I don't even have a schedule.  I've tried.  I can't seem to stick with a schedule for anything because, well, stuff happens!   Anyway, I'll be getting up very early again, and that's when I usually get on my computer.  So I do hope to get back to blogging and reading blogs.  I have a lot of catching up to do! And I'll probably be playing catch up for a few weeks.  Including on the house blog.

Last month, the day after our family reunion, my cousin Gloria (middle) came over with her daughter-in-law (left) and her daughter-in-laws friend, who both drove up from Tennessee to attend the reunion and visit with family.  We had a nice day visiting.  There were a few items in the room (that we live in) that they asked about and I told them Patti Beck is the artist, and she just happens to be having an open house on Saturday.  I told them if they want to go, to text me. 

 They did!  We went.  And just a few days ago, I went back with some friends to do a little more shopping, and picture taking, and garden touring!

 This chicken coop with the cupola reminds me of something you would see on Susan Branch's property or blog.  It's adorable.

 You know what else is adorable?  Three little kittens that were dumped made their home with the chickens and are living in the coop all nice-like!  Adorbs I tell ya!

 See this flower?  It's verbena.  It's one of my favorites.  Not because it's so beautiful, although I do love the way it is very tall and sway-ee, but because the first time I ever saw it was on Mackinac Island on a very romantic vacay with My Shug.

 Now here are a few pics for you garden loving peeps.

 

 This is my cousin-in-law and she was showing all of the cute stuff she bought for her fairy garden.

 Look at all the pottery for sale behind her!

 Gloria, Me, Akemi and her cute stuff!  I couldn't decide what pic I liked best.  My blog, I'm posting both!

 Group pic...Treva, Patti, Me, Gloria, oh shoot....I forget her name (Rene maybe?),....Akemi

 Look how cute...a miniature bottle tree...kind of!

 Look at this big bird!

 Break time!

You can't take a bad picture at this place

  Akemi and me and my little Dixie Doodle Dog...saying bye :-( at our house

When I go to Patti Becks I always get inspired to garden.  We have the land, we do not have the time right now, with house-building. 

 But I did see this and thought it was so cute.

 See the little boy fairy inside.

 I stopped at a garage sale on my way into town one day and they had this bee skep for $1.00!  I was thrilled.  I filled it up with a couple of plants and a girl fairy I had at home.  She loves her new hive-home!

Cindy Bee

Some Crafty Stuff

I thought I'd take a break from family and friend stuff for awhile, to show you some crafty stuff I have done this summer.  I am still crocheting when I don't fall asleep in the chair at night!

But this is something I was trying to do on my way home from Florida over spring break.  My crochet group was making baskets.  The only yarn I had with me was from my blanket I was making, so I tried to make a basket, but it wasn't working out with this type of yarn.  It was too flimsy.

I was at a rummage sale this summer, and I saw this basket.

My idea worked perfectly.  I haven't put anything in it yet though.  Trying to decide between stuff such as pens and pencils, or a plant.  I'm thinking a plant.

I bought several of these baskets at a sale this summer too. 

I painted them white.

And I did put plants in them.  They are outside on the patio and won't hold up forever,

but they were cheap enough and I like them outside.  They add some brightness to the patio.

I paid $5.00 for this toy box at a sale this summer.

I spray painted the box creamy white.

My Shug sanded the top down.  I tried painting it without sanding it and it didn't work out so well.

I put some chalkboard paint on top and voila'.....a Crafty Stuff box instead of a toy box!

Cindy Bee

July 4 weekend party

First of all, let me say I think I have made it so anonymous people cannot comment on my blog anymore.  I hate it, but I am getting TONS of SPAM every day from anonymous users.  I clicked on the choice, "only registered users" can comment.  Not sure what that means, but I hope it just excludes anonymous users and not everyone.  If anyone has an idea of what I can do about this SPAM, let me know.  I don't want to use the word verification.  That's such a pain.

So anyway, I haven't posted our July 4 party, which was actually on July 5.

 I HAD to show you this watermelon grill.  The celery was too weak to hold it all night, so Ashley (the person that made it) suggests using a smaller watermelon.  I thought maybe a cantaloupe.  But isn't it adorable!

 You want to know how you have a party for around 30 people when you are living in one room?

 You pray for nice weather and have it outside!  The weather was perfect!

 This is Ty, the newest member of our family.  9 weeks old.

 This is groovy child Dylan, Ty's sister!

 Great Grandpa and Great Grandma holding Ty.  And Anh, the mother of the boys I used to watch.  My brother in the background.

 Uh oh...which one is sleeping?  Actually, I just caught her when she blinked.

 Trent and Ryan

 We remembered to have everyone come upstairs and write on our kitchen walls! 

 Ty and his Daddy

 Adrienne and Andrew (my niece and nephew) checking out  my FIAT.  I guess it wouldn't be comfy for really tall people!

 Dad, Mom, Duke (my brother) Adrienne (Duke's daughter) Andrew (Duke's son) Ty (Duke's grandson - Adrienne's son)

 Happy Birthday to me!  Dairy Queen ice cream cake.  YUM!  I am not telling anyone that there were four little pieces left of it and I ate one that night....later....after everyone left.  And two the next day.  Voila'!  No cake to store!  (I did let my Shug have a piece)

 Time for fireworks.

 The kids played with sparklers....

 and with adult supervision they did these lantern thingy's that float in the sky.

 Which was very cool....

 But then the big kids (adult men) got this idea

 to take fireworks that shoot off fireballs and try to shoot the balloons down.

 They all missed...but I'm sure this "game" will be remembered next year!

And I'm pretty sure Vickie wanted me to post this picture of her since there were about five of them on my camera!!!!

 I think from now on we are going to call this gathering the Redneck Hoot-N-Nanny!  Thank you Trent for the name!!!!

Peace,

Cindy Bee