Happy Monday!

It is a happy Monday around here because Lauren is almost back home.  She is now in  Beloit finishing up the Geology Field class papers.  She should actually be here next Sunday or Monday.  I received a text from her yesterday about 1:15 stating that they were on I80 and passing through Coralville!!!  I told her to tell them she had to use the bathroom at our house, but it was too late :'(   NUTS!!!

In the mean time, I have been knitting like crazy on a project. Its called Buttercup, a short-sleeved sweater for spring weather.  Of course, its too hot now, but maybe early fall. Any who, I finished it last night.  I made it with Berrocco Comfort DK yarn.  The pattern called for Hempathy by Elsabeth Lavold.  The instructions were easy to follow and it is top-down so I really liked that.  I would like to try it again in the Hempathy or cotton-linen blend. Here is a picture of it after I soaked it and blocked it.  Maybe some day I will actually wear it!

It is a stormy Monday here.  Since we really need the rain, I am not going to complain. Next time I will try to remember to get some pix of our 'garden'.  Its on the back porch and looks pretty good!

Blog 'Catch-Up' Time...

Its been a while since my last confession  entry.  Lauren is in Wyoming and having a wonderful time!  Who knew she would be the great outdoors person? They have been camping every night and up at the crack of dawn.  Hiking trails and 'mapping'..whatever that entails.  They have seen The Badlands, Mt Rushmore, The Black Hills, Devils Tower, northern Bighorn Mountains, Crazy Woman Canyon, Sheep Mountain, Thermopolis Hot Springs and Sinks Canyon. Saturday they will set up camp in the Seminoe Mountains and stay there a week. They return to Beloit by June 23.  AMAZING!! She will have another week at Beloit to finish up the class and should be back home on July 2.  Can't wait to see all the pictures.

She has been able to call  a couple of times, always tired from the day but exited about what they have been doing.  The weather has been quite warm the last couple of days during the day, but it cools down at night. And they don't have any humidity so I'm sure it isn't as bad as what we have had here in the last day or so!

Yesterday was my birthday...I'm trying to decide if I will officially just stop celebrating them or what.  The numbers are just too discouraging!!  Guess I should just be glad I am still celebrating them..eh?

Tomorrow, my friend Pat will be here for an overnight.  We worked together at the VA in Des Moines many moons ago.  We ALWAYS had a great time together and managed to stay out of trouble most of the time. It will be so much fun to see her!

I feel like I should have a picture here..

Still loving my kitchen counter and backsplash!!

Painting Again!

You know how you feel you have to get stuff done but you just never seem to get around to it?  And then you get all depressed because you don't get stuff done?  Well, I've been in that mind set about my painting.  Remember all my enthusiasm around Annie Sloan Chalk Paint?  And all fabulous things I was going to transform? Yeah, well....not so much.  I still love the stuff and the ease of using it.  Its just that I screwed up my shoulder a few months back and never got back 'in the groove', so to speak.  I was in the middle of painting a writing desk and  I am STILL in the middle of painting a writing desk.  Now, it just mocks me when I see it...so naturally, I avoid going in that room.

BUT NOT TODAY!! (trumpets should be blaring).  Today, I faced my 'enemy' and walked in that room. Unfortunately, I did not work on the writing desk.  But, I did make friends with it and plan to finish it soon.   I did give myself a fun little project to sort of get me back in the swing of things.  Below, is a bust that belongs to my mom.  Since all her things have ended up at my house, I put this little charmer on my baker's rack in the dining area.

She's on the shelf with the wine. Her head rests on her hand as she writes in a book.  Mom said her grandmother had one just like it and that she remembered seeing it when she was a child. Since its a replica, and since it doesn't show up very well, I decided to paint it.

I started with two coats of old white.  Then I dry brushed on old ochre. Then I took a slightly damp cloth and rubbed off some of the old ochre.  Then I applied clear wax and buffed it.  I think it turned out quite charming.  Looks like old stone to me.

So, I didn't get to the writing desk, but I feel like painting now.  So it is just a question of time, I'm sure.

By the way, here's a picture of the Bunny Tail Quilt.  The top is done. I just don't have it quilted yet.

Oh, and Lauren is on her way out West, today. Their first night is camping somewhere by Sioux Falls S. Dak. Tomorrow they will see the Badlands and camp there. Then on to the Black Hills, Mt Rushmore, and Devil's Tower.  Then further and further into Wyoming.  Hope she has a great time!!