I'm a little tea pot!

Okay, so I'm not...but don't they make cute planters?

bloggin' buddies!

Years ago when I started my blog, I stumbled across Tammy from T's Daily Treasures.  I started reading her blog and she started reading mine because we both crochet.    We emailed each other a bit and through that, I learned she used to live in Slidell but has been living in Kuwait for over 20 years.   We would email back and forth saying how much trouble we would get in if we lived closer.

Well....I had the honor of meeting her and spending some time with her while she was here in the states.  We met a couple different times for coffee and crochet.  She even visited the crochet group I recently became a part of.

One evening after crocheting, we had a little wine at the house....

I put together a little surprise for her but nothing could compare to what she brought me.  Look closely at the card...the lady even looks like me!  

The wall hanging matches my colors beautifully and looks beautiful.  Of course, the photo doesn't do it justice at all!

Tammy and her family left Louisiana to go visit family and friends but will be coming back through before flying home. We plan to get together one last time and I am looking forward to it.  I hate that she lives so far away but am so happy I got to finally meet her in person.

Thinking of daddy......

 Every time I see a bird, I think of daddy, hummingbirds especially.

We had a ritual.  Every spring we would call to see who had the "first" hummingbird sighting.  Whoever made the call won!  Every fall we would call to see who had the "last" hummingbird sighting.
Then we would talk about who had more hummingbirds overall. Sometimes he did, sometimes I did.  It always seemed to depend on who had more storms roll through.  

We would compare notes on feeding, on which types of hummers were visiting....on how many were present.   The conversations would then flow into all the other birds that were migrating through our respective yards.  On this, daddy ALWAYS won!   His yard is like a respite for migratory birds.  Plenty of feeders and birdbaths... and not a cat in sight.
These were conversations that I will always remember....maybe not the exact words, but the sentiment.

Friday night, Dean came home with a gift for me.  It was from a client's wife.  We had become friends during the Cancun trip.  She knew about daddy's passing and sent this to me with a note:  "Look at this bird in memory of your dear dad."

I don't know how she remembered that daddy and I shared a love for birds.  I know we talked about our families but I doubt it was our main topic of conversation.  I am truly touched by this sweet gesture.

I've been carrying this bird around the house trying to find the perfect place for it so I can see it constantly. It is the perfect reminder of something daddy used to say to me. "Be gentle with nature Valerie, it is a gift and we mustn't spoil it."

"But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

crochet play food...

 I love it when you can kill 2 birds with 1 stone!   I've been doing a bit of de-stashing while doing a bit of gift making.  

The result of little bits of yarn and stuffing.....

So what is on the menu?  
carrots, strawberries, several types of cookies and 2 different cupcakes!

Flower power.....

Amazing how fresh flowers brighten up your home......

and the best part is cutting them yourself from the yard!

Mosaic Monday!

A few weeks ago, I helped some friends to learn the very basics in mosaic.   I made a couple stepping stones while helping them work on their projects.  

The kids love this one....I just don't know where to put it yet.  The grout is actually a bright yellow but it was hard to see on such a sunny day.

this one is already in the yard being used...it is much easier to step on it than the mulch when barefoot! 

I have 2 more stepping stones to finish......better get to work!

RYLA

The last few weeks of July were busy for the kids.   
One week Matt attended RYLA and had a wonderful time!  It is a youth leadership program for upcoming seniors in high school.  Matt was given a scholarship through the Rotarian Club.    
When he came home, he said that it was the kind of place that changed your life and that he wished every kid had the chance to go.  



They interspersed fun stuff with serious business of fundraising, service projects and just talking about their future plans.

They started off with a seminar about Rachel's Challenge.  Rachel Joy Scott was the first Columbine victim all those years ago.


To learn more, visit Rachel's Challenge.


They had relays....
 
One evening, the guys had to put on a runway fashion show....all the "clothes" were made out of paper!

saying goodbye......



Before hitting the road to pick Matt up, I had to drop Kaela off for a church retreat at OWL.  



They had Bible studies, did team building and helped with massive clean up from last year's Hurricane Issac. 



Here she is in the maze...I'd recognize that hair anywhere!




She came back covered in bug bites, exhausted...and happy!