Where in the world am I? It all started a week ago with a road trip to Cal Berkley to drop Kyle off for rugby camp. After getting him checked in we headed back south a bit to the Montery Bay area to stay with my cousin, but not before we ate the best ice cream ever at a little shop in Berkley called Ici. As we were walking down the sidewalk I noticed a woman with a stroller waiting outside the shop. When I asked her about the shop, she told me to get in line even if I hadn't had lunch yet. So of course I got in line and read the chalkboard menu while we waited for the shop to open. I tasted the apricot which was a bit tart, so opted for gingersnap. Oh, my goodness, it was divine. It was a candied ginger flavor in vanilla ice cream with cruahed up gingersnaps in a homemade cone. Heaven!

We stayed a few days with my cousin and had a wonderful visit. We ate at the wharf twice, shopped at our favorite craft store and thrift shop, canned 24 jars of apricot jam from her tree, stamped a pile of cards, went to a craft show, joined the inlaws and outlaws for a rocking barbecue, enjoyed the sea lions, and ate at the Giant Artichoke where we feasted on fried artichoke hearts, steamed artichokes, artichoke bread, and artichoke soup. It was a ton of fun and we're still on the road. More on our travels coming in the next post. Any guesses where we went next or where we are now?

Have you seen these yet?  I stumbled on them at a convenience mart on our road trip home this weekend.  I've been obsessed with coconut lately and these seemed like a good car snack.  Oh my goodness.  They're thicker than a regular m & m and so unbelievably yummy.  I looked online to get this photo to share with you and found out that they're a limited edition only in stores for a short time.  I think I need to get a case or two while the getting's good. There are so few coconut candies out there; Almond Joy, Mounds, and See's are the only ones I know about.  Maybe we should start a campaign to keep them around indefinitely. If you need me tomorrow I'll be out buying up as many bags of these as I can find before we go on vacation again.  I've got room in the freezer just waiting to be filled up.

School's out for summer! I love summer vacation.  We took off as soon as Kyle finished his last final of Thursday for a nice long weekend in the Eastern Sierras. Mom and Dad joined us again this year for what is now a tradition since this makes two years in a row.  We even stayed in the same condo.  I was surprised that there was still snow on the ground up at Lake George.  I read a whole book while we were there, Water for Elephants.  It was a great read and a highly entertaining account of a 90 year old man looking back on his life focusing on his time working at the circus.  Of course we did some sightseeing, hiking, shopping, and lots of eating out and visiting.  It was a great getaway.  We're home just long enough to do the laundry and pack the bags again.  Next stop- rugby camp for Kyle at Cal Berkley.  I hope you're having a great start to the summer.  Thanks for stopping by today.

Just Peachy Supplies Cardstock: Die Cuts With A View; Tag: Avery; Stamp: PSX; Ink: Tsukineko; Markers: Copic; Pencils: Prisma; Punch: Fiskars; Other: Lace

"Genevieve" Supplies Cardstock: Stampin Up; Rubons: Fiskars; Pearl: Kaiser Craft; Stamp: Buzz n Bloom; Ink: Ranger; Markers: Tombow; Vintage Pattern: Vogue; Other: Dictionary definition, vintage button.


Here's a little ATC for you on this fine Sunday.  I used a couple of vintage pattern images and a button from our dear neighbor's estate. Genevieve was my parent's neighbor for more years than I care to count.  I say she was my neighbor, because she was my neighbor while I still lived at home as a teen and young adult.  She was a fine seamstress and grew beautiful flowers and vegetables in her yard and always had a smile on her sweet face.  It feels odd to eat dinner at my parents and not take a plate of food next door to her now.  She was such a kind soul, and shared her kindness with my son, too.  In fact he's the age now that I was when I first met her.  So, this little ATC is sitting in my display board to remind me to smile often and offer a kind word to my neighbors.  


Thanks for stopping by today.

The cutest orange shoes ever!  I've been running all over the net and to bunches of stores searching for orange things to wear for my new gig as a Lead Fiskateer.  I've got orange eagle eyes now and can spot it quickly when I walk into a place.  Hubby spied these at the outlet mall this weekend.  They were the only pair in the store and my size and on clearance.  It was meant to be.  They're so comfortable, too.  Just in case you get to an outlet mall that has a Clark's store, these are from the Privo line and are not this year's style.  I was meant to have orange shoes and let me tell you there are lots of orange shoes out there, but these are by far the most comfortable ones I put on my feet.

If you wonder where I am these days just imagine me shopping for all things orange.  Only just a bit over 3 weeks until I start wearing all orange all the time.  I can hardly wait. Thanks for stopping by today.

Supplies Cardstock: Stampin Up; Patterned Paper: Graphic 45; Tag: Avery; Stamp: Serendipity Stamps; Ink: Tsukineko, Ranger; Other: Seam Binding.

Hey everyone.  I'm still here, just not spending much time in the fun room or at the computer these days. The weather is gorgeous and the blue skies keep calling me.  I'm still subbing bunches; every day this week.  Only two more weeks until school's out for summer!

Our class is scheduled for the CHA Super Show on Friday, July 30th.  Here's a link to all the Super Show classes.  We'll make 4 different pendants using 4 different Fiskars tools with a whole bunch of fun along the way. If you're in Chicago, you don't want to miss it.  I've already heard from a few friends who are signed up.  I can hardly wait.  

Thanks for stopping by today.