Fall is Here!!!!

Finally a bit cooler weather, trees are turning, air is crisp!!!  It's been busy as usual around here.  In September we road tripped to Hot Springs for the neighbors daughters wedding and had a fabulous weekend with all the festivities.  We stayed in another neighbors 1950's summer lake house and it was a hoot!!!  All original, turquoise, paint by number artwork, just darling!!!  Mom and I got shoes off the super sale rack for $15. a pair at Munro Shoes, one of the last shoe brands actually made here in the USA, manufactured right in Hot Springs, AR.

Then a week later I went to Aurora, IL. to see my friend Carolyn and we hooted around and found some neat shops and chatted up a storm.  She and her husband have moved to a lovely over 55 subdivision with a brand new house and all the fixins'.  Then I went to Middleton to visit some friends, had Chinese with Linda, dropped in on Brit, Terri and the Manors and off to the Dells to see the Hendersons and Cranberry Fest with Linda.  I was so sorry to miss Jo and Bob but the Bobber was sick and no, I did not need to take that home!!!???!!!  Another night in the Dells with the Henderson's and fun to be with their family, really appreciated that visit, had been a long time!!!!  Cranberry Fest was the best, very nice weather and lots of good stuff!!!  Linda and I have done this 15 years or more, it's always great!!!  Then back on the road again for White Bear Lake, MN. to see Lynne and hoot around her neck of the woods.  Made a trip to see Dennis and some other folks, much fun!!!  Tuesday I fired up the HHR and headed south at 5:30 am to miss the Cities traffic, made that just hunky dory and then proceeded to get lost 3 times, beautiful day and lots of great Iowa scenery (and I really mean that, hilly, colors etc).  And I made it to the Lake in 9 hours and 45 minutes despite all the wrong turns, almost 600 miles!!!

Back to the grind here!!!  While I was gone a cat arrives, orange and white cutie pie, I'm not a cat fan but he/she was really cute and super friendly, lost or dropped off????  So we fed it and took it to the shelter and he bolted could not find him.  The next night after a wild night of storms he was in front of the shelter and they got him.  He got neutered on Monday, actually I thought he was a girl???  I know zero about cats!!!!  So hopefully someone will adopt him!!!!

I have been walking and washing dogs at the shelter and took a liking to Shelly, a rather fat dog who really needs a diet!!!  She is sweet as can be and so friendly.  I thought I'd just foster her but you know how that goes!!???  Shelly was found at the Shell gas station in Lake Ozark 2 years ago, she has been passed over repeatedly because of her weight.  So she is home with us, Abbey isn't charmed but they are getting along and I believe they will be fast friends soon!!!

The folks are getting along, they are slowing down but then at 91 and 92 they are not running marathons!!!
                                Happy Fall to all!!!

           

SUMMER IS ALMOST OVER !!!!!!!!!!

It's really hard to believe that summer is nearing the end, it's dark at 8:30 and soon fall will be here!!!!  With this dry weather the leaves are already turning or dying.  There just might be some rain today!!!!

Today is my Mom's 91st birthday and the Shootout.

 The Shootout is a very fast boat race held on the Lake, the boats top 200 miles per hour.  They come from all over the states and Canada, not sure how many will race but 2 days worth and over 100,000 folks will be here for this event.  This is the 25th year so it's quite the deal.  On Wednesday night they closed off the strip in Lake Ozark and the boats and drivers etc were on display, here are some pics, it's just amazing what these boats look like and the horsepower, gad zuks!!!!  The 5 outboards are quite amazing!!!!  The trucks and the boats are really something to see!!!

For Mom's birthday we are heading out to lunch and then having some people over for dinner.  Tomorrow we'll go on a road trip to see some folks and their farm and business way out in the boonies!!!!

Now my latest project, my friend Carolyn started this ice dyeing and she sent me the best knit fabric, I made a mini skirt right away and it is soooo cool!!!!  So I had to try it out.  I did not have the right dye but it seemed to work out, may even try some old Rit dye that's been hanging around.  As you can see you need an old pan, some sort of rack, plastic would be better but this is what I had, gloves, cotton or silk, clothing/scarf/fabric, ice crushed or cubes and fabric dye.

I washed the fabric and you are suppose to use soda ash to soak your fabric, I had some powdered mordant I'd been using for the natural dyeing.  So I soaked the fabric in the mordant mixed with water, then took it out, no rinsing  and placed it on the rack in the pan, wadded it up, etc.  covered the fabric with ice, the tank top I used crushed ice, the scarves I used cubes.  Poured the liquid dye over the ice and let it set overnight.  You are suppose to use proactive dyes and powdered dye, but I was using what I had here!!!  Once the ice melts it is dyed  ,rinse the scarf till it comes clean and press.  This requires no special talent, really fun and quite cute!!!!

Life in Missouri has been great, we are settled in and enjoying!!!!

                                  Happy Fall to all!!!!

                         

Summer in Mid Mo!!!!!!!

Well, all is going well here in Mid Mo.  not as  hot as it has been and according to the computer it is hotter in the North than here, rather strange!!!!  And the drought is really getting me down, the whole place is crispy!!!!  My garden has failed part the heat part we don't know what we are doing here!!!  Something has been eating my kale and tomatoes but now all the okra tops are gone, we have been blaming the deer but now we think maybe a ground hog.  So far we are entertained by a herd of deer, maybe 10 or so and new fawns, armadillos, millions of squirrels, a few rabbits, ground hogs and the foxes!!!!  We are really taken with the foxes, there were 4 or 5 kits but we're only seeing 3 now and the mom.  They come out and play in our front yard and drink from Abbey's water bowl.  They come right near us and even Abbey doesn't bother them, she watches very carefully!!!  All the wildlife is really stressed in this weather and no food so we'll see how they fair!!!

And we had a wonderful weekend with a visit from Jo Lynn and Bob, Jo and I parasailed, what a blast!!!  I had never done this before so I pretty scared at first but then the view takes over and it's a real WOW!!!!  Highly recommend this event for everyone!!!!!  Jo had done this before so she was a pro!!!  The guys that took us up are friends with my son Brandon so we got the extra stuff like dipping us till we needed snorkles, so much for the "we dip you to your knees!!!"  What a hoot!!!

Then we hit a few shops and found this really cool clock made from silverware, just love it, a tad steep at $139.00, at least for me!!!!  This shop has the most fabulous bathroom done in tile,  it is amazing.

Life is going along quite well, I am sewing alot for Denise and she is moving right along with her consignment shop, inside Crafted Creations.  It is chock full of really nice women's clothing, accessories,shoes, etc.  Now to get the shoppers!!!  And Patti is moving along with the Upscale Creative Collections of upcycled gifts, clothing, accessories etc in the downtown area of the Lake.  And she too needs all the shoppers!!! 

 Business is not as usual in this economy!!!!

Well, time to fix some vittles and get in my chair for tonights wildlife show, beats the heck out of television!!!!!

WOW is it HOT!!!!!!

 104 on our deck, it is like an oven and this will go on for the whole week!!!!  

 No rain in sight, oh well, I always say I love the heat and I really do!!!!  

And as much as I do not like air conditioning I have to admit is is really nice!!!!

I just can't leave the scarves alone, not sure why, too hot to wear them but.....here's another fun, quick idea!!!  

Take the scarf and wet it and twist and roll it up and leave it out to dry, I just stuck it in the space on this table top, Dave thought it was a snake!!!!  Hee Hee!!!! 

 And we all know how much he loves snakes!!!!   Such a deal!!! 

 I'm sure you can do this with any cotton or silk scarf or skirt or whatever!!!

Here is a pile of t-shirts I  saved, all totaled about $3.00 also five skirts made from the pile. 

 The t-shirt skirts have been around for quite awhile, at least in the Madison area.

  I haven't seen any down here in Mid. Missouri.  These are simple, just cut up the t-shirts to show off the best print or pattern,make an a-line cut smaller waist larger hips.  Then I just serged on a piece of 1" elastic a bit smaller than the actual waist, the hem is serged or raw or cover locked, a few I used the t-shirt hem.

  This project is another one with no rules, just have fun!!!  The old t-shirts are really comfy and the skirts are really fun and cute, wash and wear just like you fav t-shirt only now it is a skirt!!!!!

And last but not least, my doggie

Dog days ???

Miss Abbey swimming at McCubbin's Point at Lake of the Ozarks.  Since we do not have a boat we are in search of fun places to hang out with our dog!!!  This is primitive camping and boat launch on the Glaize Arm of the Lake, mostly State Park and very nice, not the usual boat traffic, cleaner water and just very relaxing!!!

                                           
     
     
          Fourth of July is just around the corner, be safe!!!!
                                                       
                                                             

Who's Dog is That?????

Well, summer is in full swing here in Mid MO. and we decided to have our one dog professionally groomed.  It was a bit pricey having all three done but now we can splurge!!!  She looks so different and she must feel better getting rid of all that hair!!! Abbey has had some adjustments losing her buddies but she has taken over the bed and resumed her place in the spare room and with little to no shedding she's in good graces with Grandma!!!

This is Anniversary month for my folks, June 5 they celebrated 64 years.  Quite an accomplishment I'd say!!!!  We started with a trip to Eureka Springs, AR. , a very old town built in a very hilly area, settled around 1879, very interesting and a lovely area, beautiful!!!!!  We stayed at Basin Park Hotel, which is over 100 years old and I'd say one of the worst places I'd ever been.  The room pics online were fabulous but the one we got was the PITS!!!!  Parking is an issue here no matter where you are but this joint was just plain awful.  We ate at a wonderful Italian restaurant De Vitos, they raise their own trout and it was grand, so no complaints on the food!!  And the shopping was superb, so it's a go back to place with a new place to stay!!!  I thought it was weird not one of the hotels had over a 2.5 star rating??????

The next day we drove to Bentonville, AR. to tour the new Crystal Bridges Museum put together by Ruth Walton, daughter of Sam Walton, Wallie World!!!
A beautiful, first class situation.  she has purchased American Art from the beginning to present and the buildings and displays are top notch.  It is a free and it is wonderful.  Lovely restaurant, grounds, parking, everything the best, as it should be!!!!  We met our dear friends Mary Kay and Marilyn (my Dad's favorite girls).  After the museum we went to a hotel Mary Kay got for us an ALOFT and was it a neat place.  Just heaven after the last night!!!  We had a wonderful steak dinner and fish at Mr. B's, a great evening had by all.

The next day we drove through War Eagle and back home.  I must say there are so many beautiful highways to travel in these southern states.  We had a very fun time!!!

Then on Tuesday we had the whole family here plus some friends for the actual anniversary.  My kind neighbor from Wisconsin sent me grape leaves and we had dolmas for dinner, a real treat!!!!  Devin stole the show, she sits in her pink seat and the kids have some new deal where you put food in this mesh bag and it's attached to like a nuk and she can chew up the food and get the liquid.  What will they think of next!!!!!

I am still fooling around with the natural/rust dyeing process and will have afew thing to show next time.
                                   Now I'm off to paint the mailbox lime green and yellow!!!!

                                             

Lovin this HOT weather!!!!!

                                   Boy is it hot and not only in Mid Mo.!!!!  I really do enjoy the heat!!!

Well another month about gone and the next holiday will be 4th of July and then summer is half over, I just wish it lasted all year!!!

It's been busy here, we ares still trying to road trip every week and explore somewhere different.  This Thursday we are headed to Eureka Springs, AR for one night and spooking around town and then the next day we'll travel on to Bentonville to see the Crystal Bridges Gallery/Museum owned by one of the Walton girls, from Wallie World.  We'll meet Mary Kay and Marilyn, this will be  part of the celebration for Mom and Dad's 64th anniversary!!!!

And here are some new photos of grand daughter Devin with her Great Grandparents, she is an amazing child!!! as we all have amazing grandchildren!!!!

And last but not least.  I've been moving into a new natural dyeing phase, this is a take off on the India Flint eco dye idea.  As usual I have to do things my way or at least try.  I am still using my natural ideas but cooking in vinegar, plus I'm off on the rust dyeing.  Carolyn called to tell me to use gloves as the rust and our bodies do not mesh and it can cause serious illnesses, just what we all need!!!  These samples are old vintage linen napkins which I have been getting by the dozens for little or nothing, now what to make out of them, the wheels are turning!!!

I did a class in Warsaw and have not heard from the gals but we had a nice turn out and hopefully they got some great results.  More on the cooking method as I get more results to view.

                                          Our Holiday weekend has been going great!!!

  We went out with Brandon on his Carver last night to Shady Gators, what a hoot!!!  We  are of course some of the oldest folks there, what a zoo.  The best part is hangin over the railing watching all the boats dock, pretty funny in alot of cases, big fancy boats and very inexperienced captains!!!  Then there are the really big boats with the real captains on board, really something to view.  This is all a tad different from our Wisconsin Lakes, some of these boats are 50 to 70 feet long, with thrusters, captains and crew, 3 or more staterooms, gourmet kitchens, plasma tv's, the best of the best, costing in the millions, really something else!!!!   Tomorrow we'll fire up the smoker and do turkey, chicken and shrimp!!!!

                                                                       Have a good one!!!
                                                             

                                                             

MAY IN MISSOURI!!!!!

                                              What a wonderful May!!!

 We have all been so busy doing lots of fun things  The gardens are really growing, farmers market s full of stuff , Mother's Day was delightful, events to attend, life doesn't get much better than this!!!!

My folks are doing well, lots of resting but they get their motors running and we shop, lunch (food is always on our minds), library, etc. so we are not letting too much grass grow under our feet!!!  In a couple of weeks we are road tripping to Eureka Springs, AR and to the Walton Art Gallery Crystal Bridges in Bentonville, AR.  Home of Wal Mart, no less.  will let you know what that is all about!!!  This will be my folks 64 wedding anniversary and we are meeting their friends from Hot Springs, should be a lovely road trip!!!!

                               I have been having some more fun playing!!! 

 On Thursday I am heading to Warsaw, MO to do another Naturally Dyed scarf class at a neat shop called Saltbox Primitive Woolens. 

 They do lots of rug hooking, felting, naturally dyed woolens, applique etc.  a very fun shop, should be a fun event!!!  

Then on Friday I will volunteer at the thrift store, love that place, good deals and great folks to hang out with.  Plus all the proceeds fund our no kill shelter.

Friday night is the opening get together for the Missouri Fiber Arts annual meeting held here at the Lake.

I will have a table with some stuff on Saturday and then Sunday we'll go to the Brunch and Fashion Show...more on those events later!!!

 I have put some of my things in a new shop on the North Shore, it's a store that sells only upscale recycled creations, she has some very cool things and my stuff is working out well.  So today I have put together some more items.

I have taken a mans shirt and cut it up to be a halter and sewn ties around the bottom and collar and accented the pocket.  It's a flirty dress and I think it could be cute for winter , not halter of course!!  The table cloth dress is just that with bodice from another cloth and accents and pocket!!  All raw edges no fine tailoring here!!! All for fun,swim cover up whatever!!!

The button flowers I found in Warsaw, just floral wire run thru a couple of buttons, fill up a  vase, make a corsage, whatever, fun quick project!!!!

               And two more table linen bags made with linens and old jean legs!!!

And the sad news, we had to put two of our doggies down 2 weeks ago.  Dakota, who had developed diabetes and Cody the oldest, both were really failing so the time had come.  They are in a much better place but we are still sad and missing them.  Poor Abbey is still wondering but truly enjoying being the ONLY doggie!!!

                         Hope this finds each and everyone one of you well and happy!!!!!