Something for Sunday

You might be getting sick of seeing these pictures, but I am just so amazed! 

I took this picture on May 15th. Pretty scraggly. Well, look at it now!

This is just 6 weeks later.

This one's my favorite--also taken on May 15th. I would have thought this one stood no chance.

See that, 6 or 7 leaves. And now this:

Unbelievable! Honestly, I don't think it can get much bigger. I did not change the soil or pot size. I did add a little fertilizer so obviously it likes that! I think being outside has more to do with it than anything. Years ago, when I couldn't afford much in the way of plants, I always put them outside. They would always revive--at least enough to get through another winter. 

I'll take it!

Scrapbook Saturday

A friend of mine, Beth Ann recently moved into a condo. I offered to help her. She suggested that we tackle her sewing/craft room. She has a really nice space with a huge closet full of shelves. I wish I'd taken a picture of the room before and then after, but I didn't think about it. 

The room was full of boxes. BA thought that would scare me. Hello, does she even know me? There's nothing I like better than making order out of chaos!

First, I need to say that BA owns a "concierge moving company." That means she will handle every aspect of your move from getting rid of what you don't want to packing, moving and unpacking while overseeing all of it. All you have to do is get out of the way. But she was lamenting to me that when it came to her own move, she was having trouble. I said it really boiled down to the fact that she was just plain tired at the end of the day to tackle her own job. Think the cobbler and his family's shoes. Same thing--except she has plenty of shoes (wink wink)!

As I was working at her house, I learned two new things about myself at 72 doing what I did with ease in my younger years:

1. Up and down, bending over, hurts my back. Not in any kind of debilitating way, but I definitely felt it. I ended up getting a chair and sitting next to a box while unpacking.

2. I was sweating bullets--as in sopping wet. The room was air-conditioned, so it wasn't hot. It was more to do with the fact that I was doing something that I hadn't done in a long time--the up and down, moving around one place to the next and then back again. It all added up to sweat--lots of it. I've said it a hundred times, I'm a "sweater"--and not the kind you wear--well actually I guess I do wear it!

I also remembered two old things about myself:

1. I still work fast.

2. I still love it!

Since I only had 2 1/2 hours to spare that day, I took ALL of her needlepoint floss, ribbons and fibers home with me to organize in front of the tv. That's my favorite way to do some things--kill two birds with one stone.

All of the fibers were haphazardly in the two big bins below and in the tote.

This is what it looked like when I finished.

Everything it sorted by colors, placed in ziplock floss bags and slipped on to giant rings--like binder rings but about 4". It's so easy to pull out the ring with whatever color you need and find something. It ended up costing her about $15.00 in supplies. I've done it this way for myself and Connie. It works. But the thing is, when I'm looking for something in particular, rarely do I have it! Oh well, at least I can tell quickly that I don't have something instead of searching for hours.

I wanted to add that project here before I got in to my scrapbooking. Actually it's a lead in to my organized scrapbook "stuff!"

It was time to put together some more scrapbook kits. So, it starts like this:

These pink binders hold photos. I call them my planning binders. Each page inside holds a set of photos along with any notes or ideas I have about them. They are labeled by: Family/Friends (that big one on the left), Barb and Misc. I pulled a bunch (17) out of the family and friends binder.

This is what that looks like. There are notes about layout ideas, titles, journaling or techniques I might want to try. 

Then the fun begins. I start pulling together papers and embellishments for each set.

When I finish, they go into plastic sleeves. I usually do it each time I finish planning one layout. But, I wanted you to see what the kits look like before I put them away.

These are the sleeves.

And this is what they look like all stacked up. 

Being organized is the only way to go for me. When my layouts are ready to go, I can do little things as I go along--like make the title or do the journaling. That makes for efficient scrapbooking. 

I started scrapbooking (which has turned into storytelling) all the way back in 1999. So, it's been 25 years and I'm not tired of it yet!

Okay, back to moving and organizing. I was supposed to help Connie. The day I planned to go over to the new house, she called and said that Jack had Covid! Since Amanda is moving in with them, that by the time I get over there, it will all be done!! I do have a date for the 7th to help with putting things on the walls. I can't wait! 

Friday Funnies

Ten Random Things on Thursday

1. Ain't this the truth?

2. This is one of those pictures were you squint your eyes and see something else. I have no idea how artists do this.

3. This is so beautiful. I know that kitchen desks are sort of out of style, but if mine had looked like this, I wouldn't have gotten rid of it.

4. I love this wallpaper--and the green wainscoting is awesome too. If my sunroom wasn't all windows, I would love to have it. Actually, this is exactly what our backyard looks like--birds, squirrels, chipmunks, and bunnies. Lots of them. There is a rabbit living under the clematis next to the house. It has destroyed 3 potted plants. I swear it must have babies in there, but Butch looked and couldn't find anything.

5. This is pretty unusual. Who thinks this stuff up? 

6. Okay, this says it ALL! Sir Paul McCartney at the Taylor Swift concert in London. If he says it's so, it's so!! Notice his gobs of friendship bracelets? For those who don't know, it's a "thing" to exchange bracelets at TS concerts. Another little fact, sales of the the bracelet making kits at Michaels increased by something like 95%. 

7. It's so hot in Nashville...I would like to try this. Really, I would! Maybe I will. 

8. Okay, the next time I'm in LA, I'll have to find their star. Yeah, I still love them too.

9. OMGosh! This makes so much sense!

10. These sisters crocheted these princess dresses. They are kind of weird and amazing at the same time. As are the sisters. Are they quintuplets, or did they all decided to have nearly the same hairstyle. Hmmm, maybe I could convince my four sisters to have the same hairstyle. Nah, never mind. I do not intend to let myself go gray. I don't think my sisters will either. 

What I Buy Wednesday

Today, you get a "two-fer"! Really it's about a couple purchases from a while ago as I haven't bought anything this week.

You might remember that I mentioned that Butch bought me (or rather my car) the unlimited carwash pass. Well, on Saturday we went out to run some errands. We stopped at the carwash on the way home. I had no idea...

...that you were supposed to dry your car? They have the dryers at the end of the carwash. I just drive away when I'm finished. But not Butch. He pulled out a towel and wiped down the whole thing.

And then there's this earlier purchase.

It's a water canna lily. Now that it's blooming, it should continue through the summer until frost. 

That's it for this week.

Tuesday Thoughts About...

...Butterflies.***

The other day this little beauty landed on my beach towel.

And it stayed and stayed. Even with me moving to grab my phone to take the picture. But, here's my question: Do you think it landed here because the blue afforded some sense of protection--blending in with its surroundings? Do butterflies do that?

It's a pretty little thing. I know just about nothing about butterflies, so I turned to the internet to try to identify it. When I was a kid---say 12 or so, a girl moved in across the street about a year older. She was a little nerdy, but then again, so am I. I befriended her. She was really into butterflies and drew me in too--at least for a little while--until sports pulled me away. 

Anyway, I could not find this little gal (I prefer to think of pretty things as girls). Maybe one of my readers has a hidden passion for butterflies and can tell me something about her.

LMK

***Update! My friend, Deb came up with the name of this little beauty--it's a "blue hackberry emperor"! I do hope I can remember that. 

Monday Mystery

I saw this on my walk the other day. I have no idea what it is.***

There was this red marker near.

And then there were two dirt patches. 

I cannot imagine what it could be. The whole thing is a mystery to me. 

Anyone??

***Update. 

My cousin, Chrissy contacted me at 5:39 this morning to tell me that it's a mole trap! Makes sense. But more importantly, why is Chrissy up this early! She's, more like an 8 a.m. riser!??? At 5:39 a.m. I was already out on my walk! Yeah, there I go, bragging again! 

Something for Sunday

I had something different planned for today but that will have to wait. I have something far more fun and interesting to report. And it couldn't be more timely!

Yesterday, my friend, Susan called. She shared with me a scrapbook mishap that she had. She was in a bit of a hurry to add a few finishing touches to an album that she wanted to show some visiting relatives. When she finished adding the additional embellishments, she "accidentally"--as in not thinking--which tends to cause ALL of our scrapbook mishaps--attached the page on the outside of the page protector! There was no getting that off! After a laugh with her, I told her that all "boo-boos" are fixable. All we---and by "we" I mean--"she"--all she has to do is to slide a new page protector over the whole works! Voila'--no one will know the difference! 

Then we proceeded to talk about other topics. When she told me about her daughter being in London, my first thought was, "OMGosh! She's going to see Taylor Swift!" I was immediately jealous---okay maybe not the green-eyed monster type, but definitely very, very envious. 

Susan quickly set me straight. Her daughter, Sarah was there for the Royal Ascot Race! What? It wasn't until about a year ago that I even learned what that was! ME! The royal--anything--lover! Not only is Sarah there, this is her second time! Okay, I'll admit, the envy is rising again! I never even knew that I might like to go, but now it seems like a bucket list item---especially since Susan shared the pictures. 

But first, let's go way back. Way.

Here in Nashville, we have our very own horse races that only happen once a year. It's called The Steeplechase. It's our version of the royal races. It's THE social event of the year. It's where people go to people watch. To see and be seen! It's all about the hats. 

Here's Susan--all gussied up!

I'm not exactly sure how many years we've been doing it---probably around 35. This was one of the early years. Here's another:

That's Susan on the right. One thing about Steeplechase, it's hot. Really hot! 

These days for us, it's a family affair. It's ALL day in that hot sun. I haven't even gone the past few years. 

Now back to the Royal Ascot. The RA is obviously 5 steps above our Steeplechase. There's much more pomp and circumstance with anything to do with the royals--exactly why I love anything royal. I love these pictures!

This is the entrance to their "royal" hotel. The Goring has been on my list to go to for tea for quite awhile now. So many awesome places for tea, so little time. By golly, The Goring has just been bumped to the top. Since I've never seen it, I had no idea--the flowers!! Swoon! And that handsome couple--meet Kendrick and Sarah. 

So fancy, champagne, top hat and tails!

I love Sarah's silk dress--what a pretty shade of green. Although I don't know for sure, I have a feeling that her hat is adorned with fresh flowers. You know how I am about flowers. The hydrangeas are incredible. 

But this is what melted my heart:

For those of you who aren't British (like I am--okay, a Brit wannabe), you will recognize the song as "My Country Tis of Thee" or simply "America". But it's actually called "God Save the Queen!" Yes, I knew that! 

Side note: I have never been able to add a video to my blog. I sure hope this works. It's only 20 seconds long, but there's a surprise at the end! Wait for it!

Yeah, the next time Sarah's in town, I need to have her and Susan over for a "proper tea." That way we can share a pot of either my Jubilee Tea or Coronation Tea--direct from London. Hmm, I'll make both. After all I have the Coronation Teapot from Fortnum & Mason AND the classic Fortnum & Mason teapot. 

Okay, now I'm just showing off! But I really would love to have Sarah over to "spill the tea" with me and her mom about the Royal Ascot and seeing the royal family!! I'm starry-eyed just thinking about it!

Scrapbook Saturday

I’m telling you, it happens EVERY time! I ALWAYS screw something up. 

So, earlier in the week, while watching tv, I designed a title in the Cricut Design Space on my computer. Simple. The next day, all I had to do was cut it. Done, no problems at all.(Side note: that tip about rolling the mat to remove the cardstock works like a charm. It just pulls away easily.) 

When I finished the cutting, of course, I immediately put everything away and cleaned up from that. I actually told myself, “maybe you should wait until you are finished with the page.” And then I told myself, “But what can go wrong at this point?” It’s not like I messed up the title with the very last bit of paper I had—that’s usually what happens. So I went ahead and shut down the Cricut and put everything away. 

Everything’s rolling along. I get out my xyron to run the letters through. Now I know from previous bad experiences that this is where things can go awry. Invariably, the xyron runs out in the middle of one of the letters. You know, causing half of it to be sticky while the other half is stuck permanently on the top of the letter. It’s happened more times than I can count. But it wasn’t going to happen this time. I pulled out the adhesive cartridge and looked to see if it looked like there was enough left on it. I was using the 500 (if you are a Xyron user you'll know what that means. If not--it's the specific machine), so I couldn’t really tell. I just crossed my fingers and went for it.

Yay! It worked! For once, I was actually able to make a title without any issues. At least that’s what thought—until I went to adhere the letters. OMGosh! I couldn’t believe it. I put one of the letters in the xyron WRONG! Now the sticky was on the top side of the letter!!

There was no way I wanted to get everything back out to cut just one letter. What to do? Well, I had no choice but to stick the letter down on top of the exact same card stock and hand cut around it. And it looks like I hand cut around it. Not perfectly smooth like it was before I messed it up. It’s going to have to do. Even that was a bit of a time-consuming extra step. 

And then, this happened:

I dropped one of the letters that had a glue dot on it.

When I pulled it off, it ripped the paper. You might think, "No big deal, it will probably be covered up." Well, no, I'm using a transparency on this, so it will stick out like a sore thumb. (What does that even mean?) 

There's always a solution, it just adds to the time factor.

I used a marker to "color" it. It's not perfect, but "good enough." At least it's not a glaring mistake.

Why me?? Every. Single. Time! And scrapbooking is my calming activity. Except when it isn't!

PS Feel free to share your scrapbooking mishaps with me and I’ll do a blog post about them. Please tell me that I'm not the only one!

Friday Funnies