The relatives came...

We've been hosting family (Dave's) from Albuquerque the past week. If any of you enjoy children's books, as I do, see if you can find The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant. It is one of my all-time favorites. Both children and adults find it hilarious (and very close to the truth, too).

So...it's been non-stop here for the past seven or eight days (I've lost count). We've experienced the good, the bad and the ugly. I need to get back to the sanity of my crafting - help!

My reward comes on Friday (when some of the relatives actually leave) and my Daughter and Granddaughter fly in from Illinois to join the remaining crew. I can't wait to see the smiling face of eighteen month old Lindsay...

...to be continued

Hugs,
Ilene

Ferndale Rummage Sale - OH MY!

On Fridays, I do a Baby Storytime at the Eureka Library - ages newborn to two (roughly). But I did have time to check out the Rummage Sale that the Ferndale Assumption Church puts on each July. The prices are always good, there's a wide variety of items, and it's well organized and of course, FUN! I convinced Dave to come with me, as he is learning how I manage to find such great bargains and entertain myself at the same time. So we crossed over the river with the idea we would come across a high chair for our soon-to-be-visiting granddaughter.

Anyway, I digress. After whizzing through the main room and through the hallway of clothes, I found myself going outside a back door to a melange (do you like that word???) of miscellaneous things on the ground. Mostly furniture - Dave found a lamp for $5 - I came across an old cardboard box. My curiosity over came me and I opened it. My heart started pounding as I saw the black case inside. I instantly knew what it was. I unlatched it, and yes indeedy, inside was an old Singer Featherweight sewing machine. I closed the latches, l lifted it out of the box and looked for a price tag. Nothing in sight. I carried it inside that door and asked the cashier there what the price was. She said, "Oh, that's one of those little mini machines. How about $20?" SOLD!!!

Now, what I didn't tell you, is that a woman I know from many, many garage sale sites was watching the whole time. She is part owner of an antique store in town, and I knew if I even set this gem down, she'd scoop it up. These treasures sell for $450-$650 - IF you can find them.
The color absolutely drained from her face when she heard the asking price. I would have thought she would congratulate me or something - but no - she did a little whirl around and walked off.

I'm in love with my new baby!

p.s. Dave had me go back for the box. It turns out that it is the original Singer Sewing Machine Company box that it was shipped in - to an address in Eureka. Oh, my - what can I do with this? I have to do something with it. Any ideas out there?

Saturday

songbirds in my garden

I've spent the past three days immersed in my garden. When we stopped at Sequim, Washington last week (the lavender capital of North America), I visited two lavender gardens. This was a life-changing experience for me (hence the blogspot name) - even though that sounds rather a little over the top. In one of the gardens, the owners had set out several finch feeders and many of these little creatures were clustered around them - eating the thistle seed. Now, mind you, I've lived here for 30 years and never thought to put out a feeder for them. So - I bought two mesh bags full of seed five days ago and hung them over the entrance to our small grape arbor. The first day - not one bird came. The second day there were two. And, THEN - an EXPLOSION (the word must have spread) - each day an exponential growth of birds! I walk outside to songs which lift my spirit and fill my soul. They've repaid me much more than the cost of seed (though, I need to find a bulk package somewhere!)...

A Very Sunny 5th to You and Yours!

Greetings from very sunny Fortuna, Ca. this morning. I hope everyone had a happy and safe 4th of July, yesterday. So - good news with the "deer problem". The lavendar I planted around the birdbath is healthy and thriving. The snapdragons I planted on the deck are also blooming and colorful. However...the rest of the flowers and fruits (petunias, violas, tomatoes, strawberries) were gobbled up overnight - dang! Since our border collie, Rocky, died at the end of March, all kinds of wildlife have made themselves at home on our property. The neighbors chickens, ducks, wild turkeys as well as THE DEER have roamed freely. Now, I don't mind the birds/fowl as they eat pesty slugs and such. But oh, those deer. Today we are installing a motion light, and I plan to spray a homemade mixture of garlic and egg whites around my babies. If all else fails, the entire yard will be awash in lavendar blue and colorful snapdragons. Any other ideas out there, will be greatly appreciated. I know, I know - a ten foot fence would help keep those mammals out - but, hey - we want to look at nature, not fence it all in...

I did a little "saling" this morning and came home with a few choice items: two cosmetic suitcases for $1 and 50 cents respectively (I use them to store a variety of crafting items), and a cute cabbage patch doll for $1. I'm a happy camper.

Enjoy the sunshine today - and do a little crafting, too!

no deer, no deer!

Living on 8 acres for 30 years has been both bliss and torment. Now that I'm retired, I really want some garden space with veggies and flowers. However, the deer who frequent the yard sneak around and eat many things! Who knew that lavendar is one of the items they (supposedly dislike). So...today I planted four lavendar plants surrounding the birdbath. At dinner, looking out the window into the backyard, I caught sight of two dear deer, munching on grass and some of the apple leaves (they had to stand on tiptoe). I held my breath as they passed by the birdbath...

...to be continued