We're here...

 So we are officially on vacation...it feels wonderful....we took off Tuesday morning...

 flew over the Rockies...headed northeast...

 But then the clouds cover was too much to see down any more...we arrived in Minneapolis after dark...tired, but excited to see our cousins and looking forward to seeing everything we could...

 Hank and Sally took us to Minneapolis...they live in a suburb outside the city...sally works for the Twins...so we headed over to Target Fiels...which is right in the middle of town...

 You can't see it here...but the wall is made of little metal rectangles that hang down and move in the breeze...which they told us is always there...it is really pretty when they move...it almost looks like clouds moving by...or a light show...see the trees are turning...actually they changed color a week or so ago...it's so darn pretty here...

 Of course I had to sit in the big mitt!! Notice all the layers of clothes...I had capris and a t shirt on when I landed the day before...not any more...it's t-shirts under sweaters under jackets...this California girl was cold! Even Don wore his jacket!

 Giving a high five fist to a great all star!

 Minneapolis is a beautiful city...I was so impressed...clean and friendly!

 We even saw Mary Tyler Moore...actually this is the exact spot where she was filmed throwing her hat up for her TV show...

 This is where Prince got his start...It is still popular...

We had a great time in Minneapolis...next stop was Duluth...I'll show you those pictures later...meanwhile Don is fast asleep and I had better get to bed myself...I am trying to used to the time change...the weather change...and sleeping in strange beds...but I am having a wonderful time...

Until next time...enjoy your day!!!

A busy weekend...

 This past Saturday we had our booth at the Piecemakers Harvest fair in Costa Mesa...we set up our booth and were ready to sell! 

 There were wagons...

 and wheelbarrows full of pumpkins everywhere...even a hay ride...

 I didn't get a chance to take many pictures...just these few early in the morning...

There were all kinds of booths and we met some very nice people there...some vendors we have been with before...and some new ones...it was Don's first time selling his woodwork...he did pretty well...he even got some orders...

This morning we took off early to go to Pasadena...we are thinking of getting a booth at the flea market at the college there...we love that flea market and I think we could do well there...we got the information...shopped a little and came home quite tired...Tomorrow we are off to San Diego to see our sons...do a little thrifting...you never know what we'll find...we got some interesting things today...I'll show you what we found later...it was too dark to take pictures of our finds...but there were deals to be had!

The more shows we go to...the more we learn...so many great people out there advising us...we have had some great experiences at these shows...I'm exhausted now...so...

Until next time...enjoy your day!!!

We're getting ready...

 Don's putting the last minute touches to his display of tote/coat racks...

 He's been working hard making all of these for our booth at the Piecemaker's Harvest Craft Show...

 I want them all...but I just don't have the wall space...

 How could anyone resist such cute little birds...

 And gorgeous reclaimed cedar...I love all the imperfections...

 I told you we've been busy...

 I finished this hipster yesterday...wouldn't it look cute on a hanger...

 I almost forgot to show you the pumpkins Don made...I have to have these...sssh...don't tell him I snuck some out...

I tied little raffia bows on them ...Don can sure make them...but he's not so good with the bows...

Anyway...if you're in the Costa Mesa area on Saturday...come see us...We'll be at Piecemakers General Store on Adams...there will be music, food, and tons of home made goodies...I will be doing a bit of Christmas shopping myself while I'm there...as my kids say...

too much good stuff!!

I guess I better get back to my sewing...I think I can get a bit more done before Saturday...at least I hope so!!

Until next time...enjoy your day!!!

Happy October...

 It's October 1...and Fall has not quite decided to come to my neck of the woods...

 We thought it was going to... at the beginning of the week...

 But the weather is fickle here...record temps are predicted for the next few days...

 So I just added Fall to the inside...and pretend...

 Just a little...to ease into it...

 I don't want to rush it...well...really I do...I love Autumn weather...its clear and bright...yet much cooler...usually...

 I even made a bag of Fall colors...to celebrate...

 This picture posted out of order...don't know how that happened...it sort of ruined my thoughts...oh well...Autumn Sedum...soon the flower will get darker and darker...

Oops...back to my bag...oh you get my jest...Fall is just a state of mind here ya know...right now...we're always a bit behind...but as I dream about the upcoming season...that's all I can do when its over 100 degrees outside...I hope you are seeing some changes in the weather where you live...in 15 days...I will get to experience 2 weeks of Autumn in Minnesota and the Dakotas...I can't wait!!

Until next time...enjoy your day!!!

Can you believe it...

 For the last couple of months it seems like Don and I have been going non-stop...preparing...well...the day finally came...and the thing is...I forgot to get out my camera once the guests started arriving...and take pictures!! I got so busy...with food, drinks, greeting everyone...I didn't even pose for one picture with the kids...oh well...it's all a blur to me now...

 We spent so long preparing...sewing, planting, gardening, cooking, cleaning, painting...I even made pretty table runners for all the surfaces inside...Selin has a good friend who took pictures...I am just waiting to see them now...and print them...I'm so glad we at least got pictures on their wedding day!

 My back yard was a sea of tables and chairs...we weren't sure how everyone was going to fit in...

 this was before all the candles got put on the tables...there were candles everywhere...in all sorts of jars and holders...it was pretty...sure hope Ann got pictures...boy am I a dope! 

 I guess sometimes these things happen...Don and I don't have a single picture of our wedding day...we eloped...went with our best friends...film didn't hook on the camera...it was blank...oh well...everyone seemed to have a great time! Wish you could see all the smiling faces!!

 I did get a picture of Lola checking things out before the guests arrived...see...even Lola was ready in her pretty white and gold ribbon...

 Lots of desserts...

 My sister, Debbie and her daughter, Chelsey helped us so much with the desserts...I did get a picture of Selin and my younger son, Stephen with Debbie before the guests started arriving...before Selin changed too...

The next morning we had a nice big breakfast with the brave ones who returned back...and Joseph and Selin opened some presents...they seemed to enjoy the ribbons just as much as the gifts...the football game was on...so I think Joseph was a bit distracted...

Things are getting back to normal around here...it took a while to get the house back together...furniture had to be moved....borrowed items returned...things boxed up...now Don and I are concentrating on our craft fair next Saturday...and our much needed vacation!!! I hope soon that I will have time to come visit you all ...and catch up on what's been happening in your lives...soon...I promise...

Until then...enjoy your day!!!

10 more days...

 We are working hard over here to get things done for the big reception...I've been planting all sorts of little containers with succulents...these are some of the buckets that Don painted white for me...these will be on the tables...

 Lots of little glass candle holders...found a lot at yard sales and also at Hobby Lobby for 50% off...which made them all about 50 cents a piece...yard sales ones were 25 cents each...these will all be filled with votives and tea lights...

 Don has been busy spraying the picture frames gold...we have a bunch more to paint...now I need to get to Target and print all the pictures ...still so much to do!

 These are going to be filled with candles as well...there will be candles everywhere...that's what they want...we aim to please! Luckily I found all these on clearance...

 This one was hard to get a picture of...it looks better live...it's gold tulle...with glitter in it...very sparkly in the  lights...it will go over the white table cloths...I haven't quite figured it out yet...just in my mind...I bought 17 yards of it though...with my 50% coupon from Joanns...It will add a bit of bling I think...I hope so anyways!!

 Other things I have been doing...besides gardening and getting things ready is sewing...I do have craft fairs coming up...gotta get that inventory ready...

So half of my days are spent sewing...its been really crazy busy...it seems like we don't have time to take a breath...I will be so ready for my vacation in October...I'm ready now!!! But just 10 days left...did I mention that Don and I have also been scrubbing walls and floors and trying to get the inside as nice as possible too...I am so thankful I have him by my side...he is such a trooper...he just basically does what I ask him to do...what a guy!! 

I haven't even mentioned the horrible weather we've been having ...not very normal for our area...the heat...yes...but humidity...no...and its been really bad. It looks like its going to rain everyday...but all we get is a drop or two...I feel sticky the whole time I'm outside gardening...it is really yucky! Even my plants aren't sure how to handle this...some of them have just given up...I lost 5 azaleas this summer...they just died...without warning...just gave up...and then there's those that are blooming at weird times...I have camellias blooming ...now that's really weird...or those that just won't bloom at all...too hot I suppose!

And its supposed to heat up 15 degrees this week...holy moly! Now Don just came home and told me the A/C in his SUV isn't working...oh well...I guess we're off to take the car in...

Until next time...enjoy your day!!!

We're getting things done...

 We have been getting up with the birds these days...trying to find time for all the things we need to do ...this is what sunrise looks like in our neck of the woods...

 Don has been so busy priming all the goodies I have found at yard sales and thrift shops...things that will decorate our yard during the upcoming reception...so right now...everything is getting sanded and primed...

 Table legs for a $3 table we found at a yard sale...it was a natural birch color...soon it will be white...

 Some of the little buckets , frames and an old tarnished sugar bowl...they are all betting primed...the containers will hold succulents...they are going to stay white I think...the frames are  just  a few of the many that will be sprayed gold and scattered across the tables with the bride and groom's pictures in them...we have so many pictures to share! while Don was painting...I have been busy gardening and sewing...

Don has managed a nap or two though...

Until next time...enjoy your day...and have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!!