Wicked Weather

Oh what a night...with temps above 100 yesterday, a wicked storm blew through last night. Three plus inches of rain, 80 mile an hour winds and lots of thunder and lightning. Had to do some yard clean up this morning ...something I hadn't planned on as there were broken tree branches, porch furniture and broken flower pots scattered all over the yard. Now I'm seeing there could be a repeat of last night tonight.  But we were luckier than others.  Trees fell on houses and cars and several people were killed when trees toppled on their car.  Trying to get anywhere earlier today was a nightmare. With power outages, traffic lights weren't working and many roads were blocked by downed trees. 
Our power went out at the height of the storm but came back on around 3am.  My Mom's apartment complex still doesn't have electric, so we have an overnight guest. 
Hoping any of you who were in the path of this storm are safe.

Nothing Says Party Like A Red Plastic Cup

 

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Down the Ocean, Hon!

If it's going to be so hot today...I'd rather be at the beach. Another sticky, humid, hot, hot, hot day here. It didn't quite get to 100 degrees yesterday but it sure was close. My studio is on the second floor of the shop and even with the ac on, come 3pm it is thick up there when the sun has been blazing on the roof all day and the temps are in the high 90's . So while I paint today, I'll be daydreaming about sitting on the beach with a cool breeze blowing off the ocean. As we say here in Baltimore, "I'll be down the ocean, Hon!" if only in my dreams.

Still Buddies After All These Years

 Our fuzzy daughter Lucy and grand dog Dre are still
best buddies after 8 years.  Dre is staying with us this week
while the rest of his family are at the beach and the pups are having a grand time.

 Muddy Paws Are Always Welcome Here

A Day for the Dads

We spent Father's Day with Meagan and Erik and Erik's Mom and Dad at the

 Antique Auto Museum in Hershey, PA

The two Dad's, I think, enjoyed themselves strolling through the history of the automobile.

 

The antique cars are truly works of art.

 Lou liked the early version of the Chevy Suburban
because he just loves his 1993 Suburban.

Just look at the character the front of this pickup has.

 

 Meagan spied this poster and laughed because I have always claimed that Lou only married me to get his hands on my car.  I had a '68 Camaro convertible, a 396 rs/ss
when we met.
The first thing he ever said to me was,

"Can I look under your hood?"

The car was the color of the one below Ash Gold, with cream interior and a black convertible top.  We kept that car until just a few years ago.

It was so nice to spend time with Meagan and Erik and Zoeanne and Danny.  How fortunate we are that Meagan married into such a wonderful family.

Something New

The D boy asked me, "What is that?"  when he saw corn on the cob at dinner here on Thursday evening.  My daughter told me he had eaten last year but
I guess he didn't remember.

 He picks it up, takes a bite and says, "It's not working."
He did get the hang of it however and chewed off every kernel.

 Sweetpea gave me this look as if to say, "Hey Mom Mom where's mine?"

It's another gorgeous day here.  We are actually having a spring this year.  We sometimes go from winter to a day or two of spring and then the hot, humid days Baltimore is famous for.  I have heard that folks living in hot, humid areas wrinkle less than those who live hot, dry areas.  I try to remember that on days when sweat is dripping off my nose.

Super Glue to the Rescue...

  

Poor Mickey fell and lost his ears last summer and has been sitting on a shelf in the shop, just waiting for his ears to be reattached to his little round head.  After all, who would recognize the famous mouse without his ears.  

It wasn't too long before this dear little angel came to join MM on the shelf. She has been standing guard in the garden for years and was knocked over by squirrels or maybe by Lucy.  I found her one morning in pieces. 

Unlike Humpty Dumpty, we were able to put both together again.  Mickey and the Angel will be again spending summer days in the yard.

The Bearded Lady

 

 My daughter Meagan is so clever...She went to a bachelorette party for her friend Emily who will be getting married in several weeks.  The "Circus" was the theme and Meagan went as the Bearded Lady.  She made the laced up top out of a Goodwill find and a little top hat (not in this photo).  I love the mustache and beard...I've always said she looks just like her Dad, but without the mustache. Also at the party were some of the other girls in
"The Bakers Dozen", the group who all went to high school together.  The Bride To Be was the Ring Master and the other party goers were the Lion Tamer, a Magician and various circus performers.  One by one, these wonderful young women are getting married and the first of the group is now expecting her first child. 

 The girls also gave Emily a bridal shower.  Meagan and Lenore made candles using cup and saucers found at local thrift shops as favors.

 

 My daughter asked me to make a banner with the names of the Bride and Groom and I think it looks nice hanging on the fireplace.

Looks like the girls had a wonderful time at the shower.

 

Wishing Emily and Art a beautiful life together!

 The Country Workshop

It is another gorgeous morning. Makes me want to break out in song, "Oh what a beautiful morning. Oh what a beautiful day." However, I am sure none of my neighbors would want to hear me singing any song. Wishing all a peaceful, beautiful day...

Making Memories

Had the grandbabies here on Thursday. Lou and I drove out to pick up the munchkins early, to get there before Holly and Chad needed to get off to work.  This will be the last early morning pick up however.  Today is Holly's last day at work.  The hour and a half drive each way, when you have two children at home was just too much.  She is hoping to get some consulting work that she can do can a part time basis. 

 

Dylan found a toad in our backyard.  When he said, "Look Mom Mom, a frog" I, without my glasses thought it may have been a Lucy poo.  But when it jumped, it was identified as toad. Gramps was able to nudge the little jumper into a box and Dylan and I took him to the neighbor next door to see if maybe he could take up residence in the plants, next to her backyard pond.  We released him there and hopefully he'll live happily ever after.

 

I was able to a photo of Sweetpea smiling this week. 
She really is a pleasant baby

She loves her big brother playing peek a boo...

and having her Gramps telling her stories. 

It does however take two old folks to handle two small children.

There is a reason God gives you babies when you're young.

The Country Workshop

Lovelies...

I ran out and cut several hydrangeas this morning to bring some of these lovely shades of pink, purple, blue and white into the house.  Every time I run past this jar filled with blooms, it makes me smile. 
 

I think I should probably take another jar filled with these beauties and sit them somewhere in the studio.  I've been busy with orders, working on new designs and am spending alot of time there.  The studio looks like there was an explosion... I need to take some time to reorganize how I store stencils and go through the hundreds of bottles of paints and toss the colors I never use and get the rest in some order according to colors. This needs to be done before I can even start getting ready for the Christmas season .  

This is all very hard to think about on a beautiful day like today, however bringing some lovelies into the studio might just help.

The Country Workshop

No Bite Me

Several years ago I started taking blood pressure medicine and every summer since I have had a problem with mosquitoes swarming me.  It seems certain medications for blood pressure and cholesterol change the way one smells to the little suckers...and I must smell amazing.  I can't stand still outside for even a few seconds without getting chewed on.  I am like one of those bug lights...the bugs are just drawn to me and this year they seem to be growin' bigger and are multiplying faster than ever . 

I hate having to apply bug spray everyday and have been complaining so much about the darn suckers and the size and number of the itchy welts I've been getting that the husband ordered No Bite Me soap and cream.  Well folks, it really works.  It's all natural and safe for kids and pets.

You can find it at Sally Anders Soaps

It's been a beautiful weekend in the garden. So very different than Friday. Maryland had 7 tornadoes and over 5 inches of rain in certain locations. We were in Reading, PA picking up wood for signs and drove through some wing dings of storms on the way home. I am enjoying this wonderful day!