Boating the St. John's River

Cruise Ship...I Think I'll Pass

Chillin'

J

Condos on the River

Jacksonville Landing

Pirate Ship

Curls....

 What a beautiful day!

I grew up on an island, but I never really thought twice about all the water. Boating wasn't such a big deal to the inlander Islanders...a boat was never on my radar.

Apparently, it's been on my husband's for many years and we're really enjoying our boat...

Though I no longer live on an island, we do live by lots and lots of water! Our home isn't far from the St. John's River, so we're able to enjoy the water, especially now that the weather is turning very warm.

 I love being out on the boat, especially with my two guys... my husband and our son. Today, we cruised along a part of the river we've never been before.

The water was calm and the sky was a beautiful blue, with gigantic puffy clouds. Basking under the warm sun was lovely and I must say, my farmer's tan is coming along quite nicely...don't be jealous!

We're looking forward to our next outing...

Why don't you join us?

Shoe Story

I went shopping this afternoon.

I didn't find any tops that swept me off my feet.

But I did find some shoes that swept me off my feet...

Aren't they cute????

A pair in white....

And a pair in denim.

Perfect for summer...

Now I need a black pair of shoes and I'll be set for a few weeks.

Just kidding.

And I am so happy that this year, I've found my shoes early!

Espadrilles...they make me so happy!

Oh, my!

Eyelash curlers, in assorted colors!

Love them. I once had an eyelash curler that hung around for 20 years. Truth-be-told, I might still be using it! I'm frugal that way.

But THESE...these took my breath away!

I really, really think that I must buy one of these...so pretty!

And one's eyelashes can never have too much curl.

I am, afterall, an '80's girl!

Poi Meets Boy

Like all mothers, I spent many years and loads of energy teaching our son the dangers of fire....

I'd say, "Whatever you do, DON'T play with fire!"

He promised me he wouldn't!!!

I failed...my dire warnings fell on deaf ears.

My nineteen year-old baby rebelled and ordered fire poi.

 He plays with fire. With lots of fire. Hot fire.

Fire-y fire.

Yellow. Hot. Intense.

Thankfully, there's a pool a few feet away from where he spins it.

Until recently, his father and I were unaware he plays with fire.

We know now!

You're asking yourself, "How in the world can she keep herself from running over and blowing that poi out?"

I've tried, it's not a pretty site! Not to mention my hair would go up in flames...

I pray...I pray a LOT!

These are my girls...my first dolls.

I am having such a blast with these dolls! I love coordinating the fabrics, sewing the dresses, ironing the dresses...I think these are the little girls I never had!

The pattern for the dolls were purchased from Retro Mama...as was the pattern for their sweet little dresses. Which are reversible, by the way. So she really has two little dresses. There's also a pattern for a little cape, but I haven't tried that yet. Maybe soon...I want to make a few more dolls and list them on Etsy.

These girls are available for purchase, if anyone is interested. Their little faces are embroidered and their dresses are made from lovely, durable fabric. The hair and shoes are constructed of wool felt...

My favorite thing about this dolly is that she's so old-fashioned. She's a perfect, wholesome companion for a little girl.

It's going to be sad letting go of these darlings...I've so enjoyed looking at them spending time together in the family rocking chair!

bright felt love.

Surprise! I'm in a doll-making mode these days. And if dolls are to be made, then this stuff is extremely important...

Wool felt.

It's delicious! High-quality, durable and sturdy wool felt!

It's used for hair, clothing, shoes...

The possibilities are endless!

I'm putting the finishing touches on several dolls, having just finished one of their cute little reversible dresses. I'm looking forward to sharing the dollies in their pretty dresses...

But first, we await a bright and sunny Florida day. Regionally-speaking, the skies have been rather "Buffalo-ish" here in recent days.

And we can't take photos of sunny dolls on dreary Buffalo days!

If you're inclined to order some lovely felt, here's a link to where I ordered my felt...Retro Mama! She's currently having a sale on her felt and patterns, just enter LEAP15 at the checkout and you'll receive 15% off your order (it figures I just missed out on this promo!).

Go, be amazed at the colors. I highly recommend this shop!

Blogging from my phone!

Being able to blog via my iPhone is revolutionary! It has the potential of throwing my dear readers into a plethora of crazy, meaningless posts from yours truly.

As I type, you are a participant in this new adventure...how exciting for you! You're welcome! Any and all errors on my part don't count and must be forgiven, 'cause I have no idea of what I'm doing!

Fun! Don't you agree?

And this is what the hubby and I did Saturday...

While snow covered the yard up in Pennsylvania where my brother and his family lives...

Leaves cover the earth where we live. And that means raking.

And mulching.

And fertilizing.

Thank goodness it's raining today, because I need a little break from the yard work!

hooker school.

I've really, really been wanting to learn how to crochet. Like I don't have enough "stuff" (aka "projects") already in the works. Let's see...I'm currently making dolls. Prior to that, purses and prior to that, boxer shorts. Purses, wristlets, purses. A few wallets, banners, aprons, hats...

I am confident that my squeeze, Jason, is going to be thrilled with this newest endeavor. I have a sweater that fetches all kinds of compliments, but sadly, I always have to deny having anything personally to do with its marvelous construction. Just once, I'd like to say, "Why yes, I did make this, thank you!"

I really don't think it's a coincidence that I stumbled across a site dedicated to free crochet lessons. Complete with "how-to" videos. This is destiny, baby!

The link to crochet love is right here. If you're interested in attending, it's free and I'd love to have you as a classmate.

Grab your hook, some yarn and I'll see you in class!

 

weekend rays of sunlight!

 I love this time of day/year.

These are photos from the house/yard...

Happy Weekend!

pairs of spotty gams!

So I couldn't resist these sweet polka dots and Mary Jane's...these are the cutest doll legs!

~Heads/faces: check, check
~Arms: check, check, check, check
~Bodies: check, check
~Legs: check, check, check and check!

Now to assemble and stuff them. I cannot wait to share these girls with you! So cute...

I scrapped the primitive doll...she just didn't look right to me. Oh, I'll be making her again. I just don't think I'll do the coffee-wash. Or maybe I will. We'll have to wait and see.

For the time being, this little doll is sweet and she's definitely on my obsession list. I may even make her a little coat...we'll see.

Check back in a few days...I'm really hoping I can stay focused and get them completed.

Super Bowl tonight! Go NY!!!

I'm 50...Fifty years-old!

nakey-girl!

My foray into doll-making. This girl is going to be a primitive ballerina. In a few days, she'll be in her tutu and have her pretty hair in a pretty bow. Right now, she's drying out. Seems she took a bath in coffee and vanilla and now she's detoxing on a cookie sheet. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she'll turn out OK. If all goes well, there will be a troupe of ballerinas dancing around the house!

19 years of saving.

How to spend a Sunday afternoon...I wanted to watch football, but necessity brought me to my senses and I spent the entire day cleaning my our room. Starting our Sunday with mass is essential, as is the coffee and the delicious BLT sandwich I had for breakfast at the Village Bakery. Mom and Dad joined us and we had a lovely time. We always have fun with the folks, laughing and teasing each other, Jason calling my mother "Mee-Maw." She doesn't like that name, which makes Jason enjoy calling her all the more. We came home and I decided I'd iron clothes, waiting for football to come on the Telly, at which point I'd commence cleaning my our room.

A-hem. What a job! It seems Jason and I can't part with anything, especially that which our son touched, read, wrote, or played with while growing up. I have a bin of pristine childrens' books, schoolwork, artwork, etc...how does one let go of all those memories? So we didn't. We just stashed everything and creatively stored it. But enough is enough, right? After all, the one-and-only child will probably just end up chucking it all when we die, so I might as well make his future a little easier once we're gone and hopefully in heaven.

 My pillow. Covered with a luscious flannel pillowcase, which belongs to Jonathan. But I took it, as I love the playful winter creatures and it's soft and comforting. It reminds me of "home," the great, white North. It is blizzard season, after all, and I'm missing it! Did you know I survived the Blizzard of '77?

And then there's this creature. She's a good old girl. The sweetest, most docile dog I have ever known. She doesn't know she's a canine and honestly, I don't have the heart to tell her differently. She apparently had an exhausting day watching me tackle the bedroom gremlins.

I'm wrapping up my day by watching football, sitting on the couch and chatting with my best friend, Jason. Discussing stuff...it's very nice and comfortable. I can't imagine spending my free time with anyone else but him.

Tuesday, I plan on continuing my quest to purge our home of "stuff." We're not hoarders and there's plenty of room to walk around...unless you're in my sewing room. If I'm not feeling particularly proud, I'll snap a picture of that mess and share it with you. Not that I'm particularly proud of how I trashed it at Christmas, but I'm going to forgive myself and vow to get that room cleaned up and convert it back to a bedroom. We need a space for visitors...right now, the only place we have is a dog bed that has been drooled upon by that lovely beast pictured above. We shall see how this all works out...

Perhaps all this purging has something to do with getting ready to turn 50...taking stock, simplifying, de-cluttering. On to the next stage, my senior- citizen-hood!

And I'm looking forward to all those discounts! And free coffee. Saving my McDonald's cup so that I can get free refills. At least, that's what I've heard...

5 Down ~ 10 Up and Orange

My lamp. It's been in residence for many years. I love it. I just think it's so pretty...

 I want to know how a person can step on the scale with a 5-lb loss. Then step on the scale 60 seconds later to double-check the loss, only to be told that in less than 1-minute, have gained 10 - lbs? How can that be?! Very diabolical, if you ask me! What do I do with this? Stupid, stupid, stupid!  So I whipped out my credit card, headed to Amazon and ordered a new scale to replace my idiot scale!

This is my current companion. I searched the cabinets last night for thegood red stuff, Nyquil. The orange is fine for something to swill  prior going to work, but really, the red is meant for a blissful night's rest. I also found some of Jason's antibiotics in the cabinet this morning, so I took one before I went to work and another at lunchtime. I want to kick this crud right outta my head! Naturally, I have no Kleenex handy, so I'm using toilet paper and/or paper towels to mop-up me nose! Being that I didn't feel like cooking after work, I went and picked up two of those cheap-but-will-do-in-a-pinch Little Caeser's Pizzas for dinner. Not on my diet. Shhhhhhh.......just look the other way.

Here's hoping the contraband antibiotics kick in soon...

riding around in my automobile

I thought you might like to take a ride with me today.

Lucky for you, I had my camera with me. Driving and texting might be dangerous, but I've not heard a peep about driving and photographing...

My driving skills are so fantastic, I can maneuver a vehicle and snap photos at the same time!

Publix...my second home.

Save Big. Bright car...won't lose that sucker in a huge parking lot!

More palm trees. There are a lot of those suckers around here!

 Here's my turn onto I95...hope you enjoyed our ride.