Night Walking PART TWO~READ PRIOR POST FIRST

Last night, I decided to be brave and go out again. I carefully avoided that particular storm drain and had a wonderful walk. It was 80 degrees with a nice strong breeze. I reminded myself that there may not be many more nights as perfect as this one! As I am finishing my walk, I look down to the street corner under the lamp and what do you know! There are TWO raccoons sitting on the corner! He has friends! Bold as you please, sitting there, waiting for ME to saunter past their "home". No thanks! You can have your corner and your little underground home. I will not be walking by you anytime in the near future! You still are very cute, but I will give you some space! So, what do you think? Am I brave or a big scaredy cat?LOL

Night Walking

This summer I have been enjoying walking around my neighborhood at dusk or shortly after dark. I find this clears my mind, gives me opportunity to pray for my friends and family and burns off some extra calories. I enjoy listening to the night sounds and seeing the cozy lights in my neighbor's windows as they are settling down for the night. I live in a very safe little town and I have no fear of walking. I grew up in NY so I still have my street smarts about me and I do carry my cell phone. Once in awhile, I will text my dear daughter a loving thought as she is beginning her night shift as a nurse in a big city hospital. I enjoy seeing the houses that might be FOR SALE, having a few friendly pups yip at me from their post on their porch,and pass a few other night walkers like myself. All was well, until one night last week when IT happened. I was just about to turn a corner and head for home when I see something out of the corner of my eye. Under a street lamp, I see a furry, ringed tail scuttle down into a storm drain. Growing up in the country, I say to myself,"Oh, a cute little masked fellow."I have always defended raccoons as being cute and cat-like with their little masked faces. I know they can be pests but I have always thought them endearing. No problem, I think to myself. But, I decide,well maybe, I will walk another block and not get too near him. The thought of rabies doesn't really set well with me. As I pass quietly by the storm drain, I get the feeling I am being watched. So I slowly turn around,and there he is! Mr. Masked-Man is in his little drain, but he is watching me VERY closely. I walk a little faster and keep looking over my shoulder. He continues to watch me with his little face sticking out of the drain and his chin resting on his little paws. "Well, he is cute. I will give hime that." I say to myself. I might have said it out loud, just to comfort myself. So I walk for another block and turn towards home. I look from a distance and can now see him clearly under the street lamp. He is sitting outside of his storm drain, looking down the street at me. I'm sure he is! I wish I knew what he is thinking!

Beatrix Potter~Enjoy with a cup of tea

Crabapples

Fall has definitely arrived in the Midwest! Crisp nights with temps down into the 50's and sunny days in the low 70's. It is my favorite time of year. I find it comforting to wear jeans again and cardigan sweaters. The only part I dislike about the season is knowing what season comes next!
I have a crabapple tree in my backyard. The woodpeckers have drilled it's bark and it's not the healthiest tree but it's beautiful for about a week or so in the spring with soft pink blossoms. But right now, it has dying leaves and little red apples that are very hard. I have made crabapple jelly before from these little apples and it is very good. I have included a recipe with elaborate directions for you to give it a try too. It tastes especially good on toast with a cup of hot tea! Enjoy!
http://fall-recipes.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_make_crab_apple_jelly

Vintage Wedding Greeting Cards Have Arrived

They're finished! My sweet bride and groom photos are now mounted on Wedding greeting cards. They turned out so lovely! The cards are a heavy card stock in a soft french vanilla. They have deckle edges on the card and envelope. I just love the antique feel that this gives the cards. I lightly "kissed" the edges with a rich antique gold ink. I added a rich twine that is cream and gold. These just fill me with joy! I hope you love them as much as I do. Actual photographs mounted on these high-quality cards come with matching envelopes and are packaged individually in a clear glassine sleeve. Shipping for the first card is $1.50 and each additional card is only an additional $.50.  The newlyweds will love these unique cards! They were so fun to create. I hope you love them! HUGS.
You can find them in my etsy shop!

Time Keeps Flying

Time doesn't stand still! When I was younger it seemed like summer was never-ending. Because my birthday is in August, right before school would start, the approach of fall was always exciting for me. I would have new birthday clothes to wear to school!

Now that I am the mom and my kids are the ones returning to school, I have mixed feelings. Where did the summer go? Did I play enough? Will my kids have fond memories of this summer? You cannot go back and have a re-do but you can always begin creating new memories.

 I was at my parent's home this summer, and I was visiting my dad in his garage. Many wonderful things are created there! To say it's cluttered is an understatement but my dad knows where everything is, and I can honestly say, I have inherited some of his pack rat personality. I discovered a treasure in my father's garage! A BEAUTIFUL OLD CLOCK! There it was, sitting amidst the tools of his trade. I admired it and he told me the story of how he came to be the owner. To make a long story short, it's been in the family many years and now he possessed it. I loved the patina and the color of it and the graphic details. I am very sentimental and my dad knows this. He said, "you can have it." I was stunned and I said, "No, Dad. It's yours and you should keep it." He proceeded to insist on giving it to me and I almost cried. It's so beautiful and I will treasure it. It was given in love because he knew I would treasure it. It is a fitting reminder today to me of how time flies! Whenever I look at this clock, I think of my parents and the special moments I spent with them this summer. I also think of my children and how my time with them is flying by! They are my life and I love each one of them for their uniqueness and because God gave them to me as precious gifts from His hand!

The Perfect Marriage

When I found this sweet pair at my favorite shop, I just had to take them home. Many years ago, I'm sure they sat atop a sweet wedding cake. Sadly, over the years, the groom lost his head, quite literally, for his bride. He was lovingly repaired and looks nearly perfect. I really enjoyed photographing them. I turned them this way and that way and snapped so many pictures. They seemd to enjoy the attention after all these years of sitting in a dusty china cabinet. They filled my heart with joy as I looked upon their round little faces. I wonder what the original bride and groom are doing today. I like to think that they are holding hands still and have weathered life's storms together. I'm sure that these two little cuties have some stories to share. Don't you wish they could talk! I am in the process of creating some greeting cards using photos of this adorable bride and groom. Be watching my etsy shop!