Too busy to write??

In case you're thinking I've lost my writing mojo, you would be partially right.  While I haven't been inspired to blog for the last few weeks, the "rest of the story" is that I've been busy. And it's Fall, and all I really want to do is walk in the country, smell the dead leaves and earth, go to the pumpkin patch...

But I'm busy. My brain is consumed these days by dressmaking...

I am making the mother of the groom's ensemble...I had to bring back the fine art of basting for this fabric: the sheerest silk organza...butter soft...slippery as *(!&^#%!

Rolled hems by hand...another lost art.

I must admit that the task has been daunting...but you know I am a Project Runway fanatic, and when I watch those would be designers with their sloppy sewing skills (the Russian guy says "I AM NOT A SEAMSTRESS...I AM A DESIGNER!!) I just keep repeating to myself as the fabric slides around on my machine "I AM Project Runway!"

And I have been my usual Fall "social" self...more lunches and dinners...spent an entire day with girlfriends celebrating her birthday. We started with brunch in the country...

And then there's boating, of course...there's nothing like an evening on the lake, putting around with "Mini Kota", the electric trolling motor...so quiet...so peaceful

And watching this giant weed grow in my garden...WHAT IS THIS THING????

And wishing I was back here on a vacation...

Alas, alas. Someday.

 

 Laurel. I can be all things to all people...Yea, right.

 

Sharing on This or That Thursday, Rural Journal

Photo shoot...

My granddaughter is going to be a senior this year, and with that excitement comes Senior portraits. A grandmother's bias not withstanding, she is a beautiful and photogenic young woman, so I have always wanted to have a photo session with her as the star. Though she will have a studio take her official portrait, I thought it might be fun to experiment.

In addition, I had an ulterior motive - I wanted a photo of the red necklace that I just finished a week or so ago, and I have always envisioned my jewelry on a pretty model. And lastly, I have had so much fun using PicMonkey lately to add special effects and "high drama" to my photos.  Put all three factors together and voila!, you have a photo shoot.

My artistic stylings...don't even THINK about using them without my permission!!

A couple of these takes (minus the necklace) might even be a great Senior portrait.  I did do some retouching and editing just to play with PicMonkey, but she really is a beauty without my help...not too prejudiced, do ya think???!!!

Unretouched, and with her little brother.

We may try it again later on, sans necklace and perhaps a little less makeup!

Sharing today with This or That Thursday, Photo Showoff and Sweet Shot

Laurel.  Genes are everything! LOL!



The Fine Art of Bee Keeping...

I applaud our kids who like to give their kids every opportunity to learn, grow, and experience all that life has to offer.  Our son decided that learning about bees and how they make honey might be a fun family project for two of our grandchildren. They live down the street a few blocks on a large parcel, so having a beehive is a doable outdoor activity/learning experience for the kids.

He invited his Dad to come down last Sunday and "work" the bees, something that the hubby had never done.  I grew up on a farm and my Dad had some hives, and though I never worked them, I was at least semi-familiar with some aspects of the process. I don't think Dad ever really did anything to tend to his bees either...perhaps that's why my siblings and I were all amazed when he actually brought home honey.

In the heat of the Sunday sun, my hubby donned his bee outfit to prevent the little "workers" from "working" on him while I just sat nearby to watch...fly swatter in hand. (just kidding!)

I must admit it was fascinating...after you drugged the hive with smoke, the bees are rather docile...

Evidently when they smell the smoke they panic and think "FIRE!" so they jump on the comb and start working furiously to preserve the hive...

The start of something yummy...

Remember that I mentioned that this beekeeping activity was a learning experience for the grandkids?  Despite all the little bees flying around the Sunday hive check, here stands my youngest grandchild...watching the process with Dad and Grandpa (all suited up)...

He needed a closer look...those of us on the sidelines laughed our heads off...brave little man.

Like I said, fascinating.  My son tells me that bees have a four mile radius from their hive, so his bees occasionally drop in to visit our flower gardens and even though I hate bees (wasps in particular), we let them buzz around, knowing they are keeping the hive down the street in working order.

Coincidentally, the grandkids came down the other night for a swim, and the brave little man above and his sister, both got stung from the honey bees taking drinks from our pool.  Evidently they lose their stingers and die, so two less bees for the honey factory down the road.

I wonder if sweet little Owen will get so close next time after having been stung?

Laurel. I'm thinkin' some rich goat cheese with honey comb on the side:)

Sharing today with This or That Thursday and Rural Thursday Blog Hop

Holiday requiem

It was an All-American Day, spent with family and friends...

Phase one: How many things can you get done before everyone arrives??

Hubby whipped out this fence in the morning to hide the garbage cans....

Phase two: It's all about Fourth of July type food!







Holly's "pinterest" appetizer



A beautiful concoction by Amy...Sangria!

Who could resist voting for this entry in our Annual Ice Cream Making Contest?

And the winner is...Carmel Toffee Swirl. YUM!

Aah, the quietness of July 5th...



The ribs cooked on The Green Egg were awesome...

goggles, toys and towels everywhere...



get out the Chlorine, hon...





The scene of many sparkles, bangs and fizzes last night...isn't it lucky the garbage man comes today???

The pets, surviving the commotion, await their morning feeding.

And Me??? it's another morning in retirement...

Post to the Blog, pay some bills, think about dinner menu...

Ripped out that "Sister Wife" shawl yesterday...start something else with this yarn..

With the rumble of the garbage trucks in the background,

I need to go warm up my coffee and get dressed...maybe.

Laurel. Loving holidays with the family, but exhausted!!

All my photos were treated this morning to PicMonkey's "cross process" effect. 

Today I'm sharing with This or That Thursday.



Missing France

This or That Thursday

Felt like writing a poem today to go with my photos taken at Versailles, France

 

***

Whose gilded hand

Has touched your life

And spun your world around

Whose fingers wrought

Your everyday

With tales imagination found

Whose mouth wide open

unleashed wisdom

For you to glory in

Whose thirst is quenched

by water flowing

To save you from your sin

***

 

 See other inspired offerings on Deb's This or That Thursday

Laurel. Missing France.

Grand Canyon Splendor

This or That Thursdays

Our recent road trip through the Southwest yielded a veritable treasure of stunning scenery to photograph. I remember my first trip to the Grand Canyon with our kids.  I was totally taken back and filled with emotion as I caught my first glimpse of her spectacular beauty.  Some places on this earth defy words, and surely this canyon is one.

Who can really capture the beauty of the Grand Canyon...I tried...

And tried...

But Dave won the contest...

 

See other photographs by my friends at This or That Thursdays.

Laurel. Blessed to travel.

Fickle Spring

You left me again

You teased me with your sunshine

lulled softly in green 

See other fine offerings on This or That Thursday.

Laurel. Haiku-ing in the rain.

Drop by my other blog to post your photos - It's a link-up place for those days when you just want to post a picture: Photo Not Included