Sassy & Sweet Notes

Happy Birthday, Alan!

Wishing my sweetie a very Happy Birthday today!

Happy Birthday to you...
Happy Biiirrrrthday to yooouuuu....
Happy BIRRRRRTHDAAAAAY Dear ALAN...
Happy BIRTHDAY, to YOU!
*Smooches*

Happy Easter!

Wishing you and your loved ones a very Happy Easter!

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

Wishing Mom and Dad a wonderful Anniversary! If I did the math right (and I've never been one for math), today they celebrate 43 years of marriage.

UPDATE:
Well, crap. *LOL* I had the year wrong AGAIN! One of these years I will remember that they were married in 1971.

So, happy 42nd Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

Wacky Weather Update

Yesterday I mentioned that our forecast for today was supposed to be 80*. Well, I take it back.

How about 85* instead.

Seriously!?

Wacky March Weather

Wow ... tomorrow's expected high is 80*. Of course, the low is expected to be 45* so it's not like it will be warm for long. But, I might be able to turn the heat lamp off of the baby chicks for a couple hours, anyway!

Wacky, wacky weather.

Happy Love Day!

To all my darling friends, I wish you love.

Go Fly a Kite!

Today, Alan and I had a bit of FUN on the farm! He pulled out a kite he's had tucked away, and we took it for a flight.

The kite is controlled by two strings, one held in each of Alan's hands.

Alan was able to control the direction of the kite by a quick change of his hand position.

He was very good at getting the kite to race back and forth between us! I made sure to keep a good distance, so I didn't risk being beaned in the head! *grin*

Here you can see the two strings that allow Alan to control the kite's direction. The line in the center is the tail that he added to the kite for drag.

It was a beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky. A light breeze made it a perfect day to go fly a kite!

Happy FRIDAY!

I can't tell you how thankful I am that today is Friday! It's been a very long week. It started out fine on Monday, but Tuesday morning at 2am I woke with a flu bug that kept me up the rest of the morning, and in bed all day and night on January 1st. Not such a fun way to start the new year. But, Wednesday rolled around and I was starting to feel better. I was still moving slow with the achy flu-body feeling, but was feeling better regardless. Alan is a good nurse when I'm sick and he made sure I was taken care of.

This morning we were supposed to get SNOW for about 8 hours, but we got NONE! I was very disappointed, as it's so pretty and quiet here when we have snow. We didn't even get any rain! Bother!

Twiggy has the right idea though ... all wrapped up in her snowflake blanket, keepin' cozy.

I have lots of crafty projects to share with you soon, so look forward to that!

Hope you have a delightful Friday, and even better weekend!!

Welcome to 2013!!

Alan and I want to wish you the very BEST in the new year! Thank you for sharing in our life on the farm adventures, and providing your friendship and encouragement. You make our day to day chores more enjoyable. Really, you do!! We're hoping 2013 is a bit gentler on us than 2012 proved to be.

Happy New Year, friends!!

 

Santa!

My brother Nathan and I were playing with the StarWalk app on my iPad. We were surprised when Nathan spotted Santa! And would you just look where I got a snapshot of him . . . Flying right past Uranus!

Who knew Santa would be out and about so soon before Christmas!

Ho ho ho!!

Give this Photo a Caption

Wintery Wonderland

In just a few hours I will be flying to Washington state to spend Christmas with my family. I always wish for a white Christmas, and it looks like this year my wish will come true! Today in Texas was 80*. Unusually warm, but 80* just the same. It's quite a bit cooler where I'll be for the next 10 days!

Wherever you find yourself this Christmas, here's to keepin' cozy!

Copic Display Case for Sale

I have 2 empty new-in-box Copic display case available for purchase, if anyone is interested. Asking $110 EACH with shipping to you included. Shipping to Continental US addresses only.

From the Copic website: Empty display case holds 288 Sketch or Ciao markers, 216 Copic markers or 144 Various Inks. Open area to hold catalogs or literature on the right.  10.5"h x 16"w x 4.25"d  (Retail price on the Copic website for this case is $199.95.)

It is the same display case that I use on my desk, as shown in this photo. Still in original box/bubble wrap from the manufacturer.

Happy Birthday to Me! *grin*

I thought this was a milestone worth celebrating with you!
And, as Gramma put it, now I'm half her age (of 80!)
Way to make me feel like a youngin', Gramma! *grin!*

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Sending BIG happy birthday wishes to my Dad! Here is a mobile phone photo I took of the two of us in July, when I was up north for a visit.

You know Dad here on the blog through his comments, posted by DK Wight. He enjoys reading the blog and ALL of the comments posted, and considers many of you, dear readers, friends. He thinks it's wonderful that there are readers from all over the world, and really enjoys what you share.

Happy Birthday, Dad!!

Hope your day is marvelous!!

Floral Nail Art (x2!)

I've got a couple new manicures to share...why?  Why not! I found an image online that I really loved, so I used her idea, but changed up the colors a bit.

Colors used on this manicure: "Bachelorette Bash", "Tart Deco", and "Fear or Desire" by ESSIE; "Snow Me White" by Sinful Colors; "Mellow Yellow" by Sally Hansen; and for the small leaves I used "Green with Envy" by Sally Hansen.

And for a change of color, using the same design...

Colors used on this manicure: "Mink Muffs" by ESSIE; "Bite the Bullet" by Wet & Wild; "Sand Tropez" by ESSIE; "Snow Me White" by Sinful Colors, and for the small leaves I used "Green with Envy" by Sally Hansen

I've been asked to share the general products I'm using for my nails, so here's a list for those of you who are interested:

• OPI Chip Skip
• Base Coat: CND Stickey
• Dotting Tools
• Dry Fast Top Coat: Seche Vite

I've found that with this combination of base coat and top coat, I can really wear any polish brand in between the two, and it lasts great! No chipping, and the polish keeps a nice shine all week. Last week I skipped the Chip Skip, and didn't have any issues with chipping, so I would say that item might just be optional.

Apply to nails in the following order:
    1: Chip Skip (a light cleanser that cleans oils off nail beds, not really a "polish")
    2: CND Stickey Base Coat (provides a nice, sticky base coat for polish to cling to)
    3: POLISH OF YOUR CHOICE!
    4: Seche Vite (a thick, quick drying, very shiny top coat -- I LOVE it!)

Tonight's Sunset ... and a drag!

We had a very pretty sunset this evening, and I got outside just in time to snap a photo of the last bit of color. Sorry, but I think I missed the most dramatic part while I was in grabbing the camera. The rays of the sun were shooting so high and were a brilliant pink color. Amazing! This photo is nice, but oooooh, what it could have been!

While we were out, Moose took Alan for a drag. *grin*

Moose is getting so BIG! And such a ham!

Cow Nail Art

Moo! It was time to redo my manicure, and when I asked Alan what I should paint on my thumb, he said 'a cow'. Ok ... I did a cow! I found a great photo online and used her design on my thumb. Very simple, and 'udderly' cute. Haaaa!

I must say that I think I've found a combination of products that provide serious polish staying power. Life on the farm isn't delicate, and yet the combination of the products I'm using really take a beating and the manicure always holds up nicely. To tame down the cow design, I chose to just use the same pink that I used on the cow's nose on all of my other nails. Maybe they're her teats?! Haaaaaaaa!

Colors used on this manicure: "Snow Me White" by Sinful Colors; "Black on Black" by Sinful Colors; and for the nice dusty-pink nose I used "Eternal Optimist" by ESSIE.

I've been asked to share the general products I'm using for my nails, so here's a list for those of you who are interested:

• OPI Chip Skip
• Base Coat: CND Stickey
• Dotting Tools
• Dry Fast Top Coat: Seche Vite

I've found that with this combination of base coat and top coat, I can really wear any polish brand in between the two, and it lasts great! No chipping, and the polish keeps a nice shine all week. Last week I skipped the Chip Skip, and didn't have any issues with chipping, so I would say that item might just be optional.

Apply to nails in the following order:
    1: Chip Skip (a light cleanser that cleans oils off nail beds, not really a "polish")
    2: CND Stickey Base Coat (provides a nice, sticky base coat for polish to cling to)
    3: POLISH OF YOUR CHOICE!
    4: Seche Vite (a thick, quick drying, very shiny top coat -- I LOVE it!)

Sweet Dreams!

You know those days you just don't have much to say? Well, I'm having one of those days. Yup... I think it's just time for bed. Sweet dreams, my dear friends! Sweet dreams!

Daisy Dog Nail Art

... Sure, why not!? ...
I'm having too much fun!

...and for those of you who may not have seen this on Facebook, here is the chicken I had on my thumb for a few days. Haa! Chicken nail art ... Hahaa! Cracks me UP!

This photo was taken after a few days of wear. There is a bit of wear on the tip where the blue coat started showing along the edge, but overall the design lasted really nicely, and would have been nice for several more days, had I not wanted to do a Daisy dog!

I think I have a new obsession! :)

Blue Bird Nail Art...

Earlier this week I pinned a photo on Pinterest of a manicure with painted Angry Bird themed images. When I saw the photo, I thought immediately how fun it would be to paint one of my chickens on my thumb nail!

Since this is really my first "nail art" attempt, I chose just to basically re-create the blue bird design from the Pinterest photo on my thumb nail. Perhaps on my next paint job, I'll get a bit more creative. Haa! My nails were already painted a nice chocolate brown, so I decided to just add the new designs to the existing color. (The white spots under the beak are just light reflections off the top coat.)

For the rest of my nails, I just added coordinating polka dots. I quite like it! Goofy as can be, and I'm good with goofy now and then! How about you!?

Polish Used:
 Bittersweet (635), by Sally Hansen (Complete Salon Manicure line): Base color
 For Audrey (625), by China Glaze: Bird, polka dots
 Navigate Her, by Essie: Green accents on bird
 Blanc, by Essie: Whites of eyes
 Licorice, by Essie: Black pupils
 Mellow Yellow (360), by Sally Hansen (Xtreme Wear line): Beak
 Yellow, by LA Colors Art Deco: Under beak
 Seche Vite: Clear Top Coat

Variety of Photos....

Thought I'd share a few mobile phone photos I've taken while visiting Mom and Dad in northeastern Washington.

Boating on Davis Lake, trees in the front yard, and last night's full moon over the Pend Oreille river.

Such a great visit, and place to be.

Greetings!

Greetings from the Pacific Northwest! I'm up north visiting Mom and Dad for a bit, and enjoying every moment! The weather is gorgeous, company is cheerful, and the resting is divine.

I only wish Alan could be here with me, enjoying the peace and quiet. Alan is home on the farm, taking care of the farm critters. (Miss you, Mister!)

Mom and Dad's cat Tippy says hello!

Happy Independence Day!

Hope you and your family enjoy this day of celebration!

Cheers!

Image: Patriotic Flowers

Happy Father's Day!

To my Dad, Alan's Dad, and your Dad, too!

The photo is of my Dad (you know him here in blog comments as DK Wight), while he and I were out fishing on Georgetown Lake, in Montana a couple summers ago. It was a wonderful time, and he even caught some fish! Fun!

Want to see other photos from that trip? Here you go!

PS: Dad, watch the mailbox!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Yup, it's true... not only Mother's Day, but today is Mom's birthday as well!!

Happy Birthday, Mom!!

Wish we could be there with you today to celebrate ... hope you had some cake for us, too!!

Hugs and KISSES,
Alan & Anna

Happy Mother's Day!

Alan and I would like to wish our mothers, as well as all the other mothers out there, a very happy Mother's Day!!

Cluck, cluck!!
*smooches!*

Happy Birthday, Alan!

Wishing my sweetie a very Happy Birthday today!

Happy Birthday to you...
Happy Biiirrrrthday to yooouuuu....
Happy BIRRRRRTHDAAAAAY Dear ALAN...
Happy BIRTHDAY, to YOU!
*Smooches*

(He's gonna be *thrilled* when he sees this photo! Haa!)

Happy Easter!

Alan and I would like to wish all of you a very happy Easter!

howdy!

Sorry for the lack of activity here on the blog this past week. Work has been rather busy, and unfortunately I've been feeling sicky this weekend. Just my luck ... busted a three day weekend feeling blah. But I've got several projects in progress, so hopefully in the next few days I can get some crafty goodness posted. Stay tuned!

In other news, the ladies have been laying pretty eggs for us. Oh, and speaking of ladies, I have a small order (10) of baby chickens arriving next week! Our neighbor and I split an order of chicks, and I can't wait for the little fluff balls to arrive! I ordered a variety of Polish chicks, and some standard sized Cochins. They're going to be so CUTE!!

Alan said he saw a bluebird outside today, and I watched a pair of them flit around in a tree just outside the living room window. Spring must be on her way!

On the Pond

I put together this card last night using a cute stamp I got for Christmas. I stamped the image in black ink and fairly quickly colored it with markers. The image is from a 1995 Current stamp of two mice enjoying a day in their boat, on a pond. Works for me! I'll be sending this off as a sweet little THANK YOU, post holidays.

What are your plans for the weekend? I have a to-do list a mile long, but can't decide what I want to do first. So I thought I'd ask you, see what you've got planned, and maybe you'll have better ideas than what's on my list!

Mom's Quilt Studio Progress

Thought I would share the progress of Mom's quilt studio, a room Dad added onto their house for Mom to use for her quilting .... nothing short of amazing. She has her pretty fabric all folded and organized on the shelves. You can see *some* of her finished quilts up on top of the shelves.

The counter, covered with the die cutting machine, dies, stacks of felt for our current holiday crafting projects, as well as other odds and ends that we drug out for crafting. There's also one of Mom's cute little Featherweight machines on the counter, begging to be used (or taken to my house - HA!).

The library, getting organized; the ironing board being used for last minute Christmas gift wrapping.

The machine, extended to the size for quilting a queen sized quilt, and extra machine parts still in boxes on the floor. Extra parts will move into storage areas. In the foreground sits the craft table, soon to be replaced by a larger handmade table that Dad is builiding. The design wall in the background, soon to have cedar wood trim borders; and all the pretty fabric stacked up on the shelves. Oooooh la la!

The loft, ready for storing batting for the centers of the quilts. I think it might make a nice bunk for sleeping visitors. Haaaaa!

*Some* of the Christmas themed quilts out on display. And a pretty wall hanging with deer and birch trees made for Mom by Aunt Patty and Aunt Judy.

Imagine the fun that is to be had in this room!

Cranberry Hootycreek Cookies

I recommend this recipe as one of your holiday treats: Cranberry Hootycreeks

Yummm...

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Alan and I want to wish you, and your family, the happiest of Thanksgivings!

Gobble gobble GOBBLE!

Happy Halloweeeeeeen!

Just a quick note to wish you all a safe, festive, happy Halloween!

We don't get trick-or-treaters out at the farm, so it will be a nice quiet evening for Alan and me... unless I decide to pull out the ol' broom and take her for a spin!

*cackle cackle cackle!!*

And I just might!

Image: Witchy Wooo

My Trip to Oregon...

I'm home again after a wonderful trip to Oregon to see my dearest friends.

I had a GREAT time, and it was hard to leave the clean, crisp air of Oregon behind. We spent Saturday at the coast, visiting favorite beaches, and just enjoying the day. The Florence bridge is such a historic place.

And the waterfront in Florence is always busy with local, and visiting, fishermen.

The weather was perfect - we were quite comfortable in just jeans and t-shirts. There were lots of amazing tide pools to explore! They were full of little fish and hermit crabs.

There's really nothing like visiting the Oregon coast. It ranks right up there as one of my favorite places to visit. In the late afternoon, a big fog bank rolled in and covered the beach with a thick, heavy mist so we headed into Yachats for dinner. I had fresh pan fried razor clams, and they were deeee-LISH!

Sunday we went to a local farm to pick up fresh produce and a few pumpkins and gourds for Halloween.

The local produce in Eugene is something to be seen... it's just phenomenal.

Pears, fresh from the trees on the farm. Delicious!

Potatoes so fresh, they still had that wonderful earthy smell to them. Mmmm!

Pumpkins, in all shapes and sizes, ready for carving!

And I couldn't believe the tomatoes. YUM!!

I wanted to take a dozen of these home and roast them right up!

How about some winter squash for long-term storage! Imagine how wonderful these will be mid-winter, when the air is cold... I'd like a dinner invitation, please!

More peppers, and lots of fresh greens...

This display of beans put my garden's bounty to shame!

They had spinach and carrots right next to each other, and they both smelled so good!

There are very large fields full of pumpkins for those who want to take a wagon ride out to the fields, but we opted to stay close to the farm stand where there were lots of pumpkins to choose from.

And where we could have THIS! It was a great ending to a wonderful day at the farm!

Every moment was spent with friends, and I had a wonderful time! I am so grateful for their friendship, and hospitality.

As for me today, I am still sick. Tonight, my temp is up nearly 3*. After literally two days of being in bed, medicated, you'd think I'd be feeling better. But I feel like I've been hit by a bus, and sound even worse! What a dreadful end to a beautiful vacation! *grin*

But we got a little rain this evening, so I can't complain.

I'm sicky...

I'm home again from my trip to Oregon, and I do have some photos I want to share ... but first, I must lay in bed being sicky. Seems a fine case of bronchitis hitched a ride with me, and I've got to be a patient for a while. Thankfully, Alan takes good care of me when I'm sick.

Stay tuned...

I'll be back to my usual self in no time!

Greetings from Oregon!

I made a quick trip out to Oregon to visit my girlfriends for the weekend. I have no doubt I will enjoy every moment! The weekend will be filled with good friends, good food, good music, good coffee, and good FUN!

What's planned?! A day at the beach, shopping at favorite retailers, a trip to our favorite pumpkin patch and local farm, wonderful meals with friends, a night of live music (with favorite local musicians) at a favorite pub, and a few days spent enjoying the lovely Oregon landscape and weather. How refreshing! I only wish Alan was able to come along. He's got life on the farm in the palms of his hands this weekend -- here's hoping all the critters mind their manners for the next couple of days!

So, here is a west coast greeting to ya'll!

And, Alan ... I'm bringing home Oregon chocolate! *grin*

Stamp Salado makes for a fun day!

I met up with a couple of friends today at Stamp Salado, in Salado, Texas. Salado is about a two hours drive south for me, and about 45 minutes north of Austin. Salado is a cute little town filled with great shops and galleries, and is a fun place for a day trip, or weekend get-away.

This was my first visit to the shop in over two years! Too long between visits, if you ask me!

The girls and I had a fun time -- we enjoyed lunch at the Stagecoach Inn, and then spent a couple of hours at Stamp Salado where we all managed to find lots of new treasures to buy. Such a great store!

Enjoy this little "video visit" I put together for you!

As always, you can find this video here on my YouTube Channel.

A Gift from Alan...

Check out the cool birthday gift I received from Alan! It arrived yesterday, and even though I don't celebrate my birthday until the 7th, he let me open the box early. What a fella! *grin* This is an old traveling paint salesman's sample storage box. It has hinges in the center so it folds up like a brief case, with a nice brass handle up top for carrying. There is a label on the bottom "Miller Brothers Tunnelton W. Va  ACME Quality Paint Enamel Stains Varnishes.

Open, it measures about 2.5' x 5', and the compartments are about 3.5" deep. I have it sitting on top of my hosier cabinet.

There are little hand written labels slipped in at the top of each of the compartments. It would seem that the case had been re-purposed by it's previous owner as a display case of sorts, as the names all reference various cities. The compartments are currently configured as 2x2, but the great thing is that they're changeable!

The little dividers slide out with ease, allowing the compartments to be made as little as 1"x2", or 2" x as tall as necessary. The dividers slide into the case at a very slight angle to keep things from rolling out.

Wow....  I think it's just so neat!! Thank you, Alan ... I LOVE it!!

What would YOU store in such a display!?

Waxahachie Texas Chemical Plant Fire

Alan and I want to say THANK YOU for all the emails and calls to see if we're OK, due to the chemical plant fire that took place today in central Texas. It was nice to hear from you all!

The fire was in Waxahachie, Texas; about 25 miles north of our farm. I was just heading out to the post office that's in our little town when I saw the huge, black plume of smoke off in the distance.

I told Alan that something was on fire up north ... a BIG something! Sure enough ... and it was serious! In my rush to get to the post office and back, I didn't even think to grab a photo of my own! So, I'm sharing these from the wfaa.com website.

The smoke blew west from Waxahachie in a massive black cloud. We live due south of the city, so we were not effected by the event, and we didn't notice any smell or smoke throughout the day. I can't even imagine the smell at the scene, the heat, and pure speed of this fire. I hope the responders were extra careful with safety regarding the air quality at the scene. What a day for the responders! One they won't soon forget, I'm sure!

Here are some photo galleries of the event that have some pretty impressive photos...

37 image photo gallery at wfaa.com

17 image photo gallery at wfaa.com

Firetruck Before and After at wfaa.com

The fire department from Ennis, Texas responded, and unfortunately lost their truck in the fire.

Thankfully, no lives were lost. That's a miracle, I think. A blessing.

Wow... what a mess.

Billy The Kid

I was working on my image of Billy the Kid this evening, and thought I'd do a comparison look of the two images ... one with no background to speak of, and one with an inked and stamped background. Pretty neat how a little ink can make such a difference! Oh, I also added a bit more shading to some areas of Billy's vest, chaps, and pant legs in the inked version...

Image colored with markers and colored pencils.

Free Scrap Magazines...

I have the following magazines to give away if anyone wants them. They are in LIKE-NEW condition. Just pay shipping, and they can be yours!

Simple Scrapbooks July/Aug 2008
Creating Keepsakes Aug 2008
Digital Scrapbooking June/July 2008
Digital Scrapbooking Aug/Sept 2008

Take one, take all four.

New Goody!

I ordered a new goody for my desk! Can you pick it out? Click on the photo for a LARGER view...

Not sure what it could be?

All that clutter got you mystified?!

Let me help you out...

I ordered a retail display rack for my markers! I had them stored in different containers previously, but due to their different sizes (some are round, some oval, and some square) and the way that the containers I was using were constructed, I wasn't able to keep the pens in the order I wanted them in.

The way this rack is built, it allows me to mix and match all the various sized pens I have, and keep them in the organized color order that I want! The other items in my area are all sorted by color too, so "order" is kind of an important part of my workflow.

I keep other markers in small drawer units at the back of my workspace, and of course my colored pencils are always front and center within easy reach. I organize most things by ROYGBIV (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet, followed by Neutrals). It works for me.

Oh, and see that cutie of a card there in the front?

I made this for a co-worker this evening. She is a dog trainer in her spare time and she asked me to draw up a graphic for her for her puppy training classes. I turned the original drawing into this little display piece for her desk.

On the back of the piece I created a make-shift easel so it can easily stand on display. For ease of mailing, the lower section of the easel has a little tab that tucks up into the shallow pocket I created at the base of the display.

Am I the first person to dream up such an idea? I hardly think so... but I'm the first one in THIS craft room who has, and that's sayin' something! *grin*

Anyone else craving Fruit Loops?

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Wish we could be with you to celebrate this year! Hope you do something FUN, and eat CAKE!

Hugs & Kisses!

Tattler Re-Usable Canning Lids WINNER!

Thank you for all of your wonderful comments on the Tattler re-usable canning lid post. And extra thanks to those of you who even shared recipes! What a treat!

I posted the salsa article and Tattler give-away info on my GRIT magazine blog as well. To combine all of the comments received in both locations, I pasted everyone's name into a spreadsheet (removed a few duplicates that were posted), and went out to random.org to generate a number.

The random number between 1-113 that was selected was #89.

And I see on my commenter spreadsheet that #89 is Carol Dee!

Carol Dee, please get in touch with me and I will assist with communications with Tattler to get some lids sent out to you.

Tired...

...slept in an extra hour this morning, even took a nap this afternoon. But boy am I TIRED.

I think it's time to call it a day.

Zzzzzz...

I'm Baaaack!

Back from my trip up to northeastern Washington, where I spent a long weekend with Mom and Dad, celebrating Mom's birthday, and helping them with a few things on the construction of the new addition Dad is adding to the house -- a beautiful quilting studio for Mom, a big new pantry, and an enclosed back porch for covered winter wood storage, boots, coats, etc.

At the back of the house you can see where they had to remove some of the ground behind the house for the new addition. The windows are in the quilt studio, the corner w/out windows is the new pantry, and the wall on the right is the now-enclosed back porch.

The concrete pad of the old back porch was the foundation for the newly enclosed back porch. This area used to be covered, but without walls, and used to be for firewood storage.

Inside the now-covered back porch, there's lots of room for wood storage, coats, boots, and even a second refrigerator or upright freezer!

Once in the house, just off of the back room to the left is the new pantry. Won't that be a great space, full of shelves for storage!

Beyond the back room is the quilt studio! With loads of room for shelves for fabric storage, a design wall, counter-top work spaces, and the center of the room reserved for Mom's long arm quilting machine.

By the time I left, we managed to get the ceiling panels in the pantry and backroom up, the walls painted with their first coat of sealant (more sealant and paint to come!)...

...and the inside walls put up in the porch.

Thanks Mom and Dad for the fun weekend! Can't wait to see the progress next time I'm up!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

I'm catching a flight this morning to Washington to spend a long weekend with Mom and Dad. I'm looking forward to it! Perhaps we'll have some BIRTHDAY CAKE!

Happy Birthday, Mom!! See you SOON!!

Happy Birthday, Alan!

Happppy Birthday to you,
Happppyyyyy Birrrthday to you,
Happy Birrrrthhhdaaaaaay, dear Alan...
Happy Birthday to YOU!

41 looks GOOD...
no, make that GREAT!
on you!