artcricket2

Well, long time -no see! I have no readers anymore but just in case…..It's been crazy year for me and I took a break from blogging to slog through it but I can't not post the byhandartists 12 Day of Christmas swap which I look forward to every year!
I scooted off to see my new granddaughter without taking a photo of the basket of gif ties so we will have to just start right in with Days 1, 2 and 3.
These fun little gifts of talent just make my Christmas every year. I'm like a child filled with anticipation to get up each morning and see what someone took time to make and send me.

Day 1- December 13th- was from Therese

Love the wrapping- more than one person sewed their envelope, which was a super cool thing.

Inside was this super cute book necklace- I love the knot that slides and want to learn how to tie this. You can make it long to slide over your head and then shorten if you like. No need for a fasten. Love, love.

A view of the pages.

Thanks so much for this super cute giftie!

Day 2- Carmen

another super cute package filled with fun!

A fantastic ornament book about the 12 Days of Christmas- especially Day 2!

And today is day 3! and a beautiful gift from Jane

These "super" magnets! I am a magnet girl and have stuff all over my refrigerator and sometimes just magnets not holding a thing. Thanks for these great additions to my daily art enjoyment in the kitchen!

And here's the gift I've been playing with the most this weekend!

Naomi Jane who's 3 weeks old.

In the 6-7 weeks since I last posted all kinds of things have been going on! Summer's here and the produce is fantastic! My family is growing and I've been on vacation-twice! So, let's get started.

Mother's Day- my sisters contributed funds and I put together a fairy garden for Jenny. She loves and and shows it off at every opportunity. It was so fun and is so much cuter than mine.

We went to Destin, FL for our annual trip together . The weather was fantastic! Here is Jim enjoying the day.

Okay- I didn't create this but isn't it cute?

View from the condo- I never tire of it or take it for granted- I soak it in every day.

My sister and her boyfriend were in Destin the same time and rented a paddle board . Jim was the most successful but I did get up on it and stand- for about 3 seconds!

How about this guy??

This is a Dewey Destin's on the bay- we love to eat here at sunset- it's always special.

I got this great shot as the bird took off.

This was the spectacular moonrise and the sun was setting at the same time.

Ahhhh

My grandchildren paid a visit to my mom while I was in FL but I got a picture!

Miss O, Baby and me

Ez and me

And now to some fresh produce!

Oh, how I love a summer market omelet-I look forward to it every week.

Here's the haul from the two weeks ago

This is the haul from Fresh Stop- a weekly locally grown bunch of stuff I pick up on Wednesdays ( I'll get another today!)

Arial view! The strawberries were awesome! I passed the collard greens and beets on to my mother..

I wash and prep everything and bought plastic bins to put things in beyond the space of the crisper which is full. Having everything prepared makes quick work for lunches and dinner for Mr. Jim. And I'm eating a whole lot healthier.

ARent' the French Breakfast Radishes amazing?? I've had them in salads and stir fry

Omelet!!

This week's farmers market Saturday haul to supplement the Wednesday haul

The blueberries are fantastic- I'll get an extra pint next week- I'm already out.

And now for the really big news!! I'm going to be a grandmother again! After many years of trying my daughter and her partner are having a baby :) I am so thrilled for them. R is the biological mom and had a rocky start but is doing stellar now and is 18 or 19 weeks. The baby is due in November.

I've been a Goodwill shopping fool getting all kinds of gender neutral items for the early months. We will know the sex next week or so. I'm rooting for a girl- and so are they I think but of course a healthy baby is our hearts' desire.

I've already knitted a sweater, hat and fingerless mittens for BABY. I hadn't knit in a million years. But, it was fun and I picked the yarn out on my most recent trip to Seattle

The buttons are initial buttons are from blazers that my parents had. So a little great grandparent love for the little one.

Here are some Seattle pictures! A and R got legally married on their 7th anniversary of their wedding here while I was in Seattle.

R, sister and mom

It was a working vacation! Including gardening, power washing, painting, cupcake baking and a whole lot of fun!

What a difference a power washer makes.

Had a morning to go to the Ballard Farmers Market - a favorite Seattle activity for me- but I must say- I had NO Cupcake Royale this trip, NO Three Girls Bakery and NO Cafe Besalu- I think that was a first.