In which I use up bits of colored thread...

Continuing with my 99 Little Doilies project...

Doily #10

Doily #11

Doily #12

(I decided to use up a bit of silver metallic thread on this one, and make it in my daughter's graduation colors. The pattern had picots all around the edge, but because I ran short on silver thread I had to skip the picots.)

Doily #13

Which one is your favorite of this batch? I think I like #10. (You can't tell it from the pictures but these are a wide range of sizes. #10 is a tiny coaster-size doily. I just think it's cute!)

North Idaho Backcountry

 Sunday was a gorgeous day for a backcountry drive and a little Geocaching. The temp was in the high-60s/low-70s all day and it was sunny with pretty puffy clouds. Lyle planned a route taking us down along the St. Joe River and then up over Moon Pass back to I-90 and then home again.

We found 5 Geocaches and were turned back from 3 others we intended to look for. That was all part of the adventure! Can you spot the cache in this picture?

 Being the intrepid explorers we are, we didn't let a little thing like a Road Closed sign turn us back. The road looked perfectly fine to us, so we decided to keep going (realizing, of course, that we would likely have to turn around).

 And several miles on down the road we found out what Road Closed meant. Maybe "Road Gone" would have been more accurate? Lyle considered the situation and thought he might be able to get past the ravine by driving up on the bank just a little bit. Needless to say, I convinced him otherwise, so we logged that cache as a Did Not Find.

 Later in the day we were turned back on another road by downed trees and snow. We really hadn't expected snow to be an issue this late in the season, but Lyle and Becky walked ahead and said there was snow over the road just around the curve.

The caches we did find were:

• A Little Bit of Texas
• St. Joe City
• Dustin's Cache
• Lone Rock Overview
• Quad Tree

We also stopped by our own cache, Silver Valley View, which we originally placed in 2002. It's still active, so we checked to make sure it was still in good condition and restocked it with some fresh trade items.

 

 We enjoyed the beautiful scenery all day long. 

Summer Saturdays

The past 2 or 3 summers I have managed to convince the Man of the Place that a fun "date" is to take me garage-saling on Saturday mornings. We pick out the "Saturday only" garage sales listed in the Nickel's Worth, he programs Rhoda (our GPS), we stop at the ATM and then our favorite coffee kiosk, and we're off. Some weeks we find very little. Other weeks we spend our full "allowance" (usually $40-$60). It doesn't really matter. It's just fun.

Yesterday was our first garage sale expedition for this summer. As we waited for our coffee, he asked me, "What are we looking for?" Umm... well... I'm not really sure. I'll know it when I see it. But... umm... clothes, if we can find any that fit... and umm... well, you know, pretty vintage dishes and stuff. Can't you imagine how excited the man is to set off on a shopping trip with such a vague list? He kinda smirked at me, but good-naturedly followed Rhoda to our first "destination" (that's what she calls Garage Sales).

It turned out to be a good day for bargains. We got a nice 2-person swing for the backyard (like a porch swing, only on a stand), a vintage floor lamp for the family room, some books, games, and puzzles for Becky, some jeans, hand-towels, and a nice purse-- all for less than $50.

But my favorite find?

This sweet vintage plate and three pretty hankies for a grand total of $1.25!

This is what I'm really looking for at garage sales. Just a wee bit of vintage loveliness to add to my "parlor" decor. I love finding just a bit at a time like this, because then it doesn't cost very much, plus I don't end up with more stuff than I know what to do with.

Want to read about more garage sale finds? Visit the Garage Sale Treasures meme @ My Life on a Taffy Pull.

Recycled Apron

My mother made this cute apron for Becky out of an old pair of jeans. I don't really have a story to tell about it. I just thought you'd like to see it!

Animal Collectibles

A couple of years ago for Christmas my parents started a collection of Schleich animals for Becky. She really enjoys her collection and would add to it with every bit of pocket money she ever received if we would just let her! We think it makes it more special for her to just get a few occasionally, so we told her she can't buy them for herself. My parents bring her one or two every time they come, and she usually gets a few for Christmas and her birthday. She treasures each of them.

A few weeks ago, I happened across a giveaway of Schleich animals on Have Sippy Will Travel. It was a collection of 7 animals that Becky didn't already have. Samantha offered several ways to enter and I think I did them all! I knew Becky would be thrilled if I won. I didn't tell her I had entered, though, until I got the notification a few days later that I had actually won! (Thank you, Samantha, for the great giveaway and for making the extra effort to get in touch with me.)

Becky was very excited to add to her collection the Water Buffalo daddy and Calf, the Warthog Family (complete with both parents), and the Lion daddy and Cub.

When my parents came this time they brought her the Kangaroo. And then she used some money PaPa gave her to get the Lipizzaner stallion. (We let her get just one since the money was a gift.) She loves to pore over the catalog to think about what animal she might get next. Her collection is steadily growing.

How Huge the Night - giveaway

I accidentally got signed up twice to review How Huge the Night by Heather and Lydia Munn. Consequently, I received two copies of it. I thought it was a wonderful book and I am really looking forward to the sequel. You can read my full review here.

Since I have 2 copies I am going to offer my extra copy as a giveaway. If you would like to be entered in the drawing for this inspiring novel about World War II please leave a comment on this post. Mention that you're a follower of my blog for an extra entry. I will select a winner on July 1. (US addresses only please.)

Tag!

 One of my daughter's classmates, Mandy @ Eternity is Closer Than You Think, tagged me on this fun little meme. It's been awhile since I've done one, and this one is different than others I've done, so I thought it would be fun to play along!

What is happening... Becky and I enjoyed some light "summer school" this morning. Now she's doing a few chores and I'm getting some office work done before time to start work. (Hey, blogging counts as office work, doesn't it?)

How I'm doing... Pretty well, thank you. I'm glad to have the stress of the past month or so behind me, and I'm enjoying getting into a more "normal" summer routine.

Quote... "I do like a road, because you can be always wondering what is at the end of it." L.M. Montgomery, The Story Girl

How God feels about me right now... He loves me. Now and always. I'm so glad that never changes.

I see... sunshine streaming in my window. It's still early enough in the summer that I am really enjoying the sunshine.

I hear... Becky talking to the dog... or maybe the refrigerator. I'm never quite sure who it is she's talking to when no one else is around. Probably the dog.

I smell... lilacs. (Last night the Man of the Place asked me if I was "attached to that big ol' bush out by the truck." Umm... you mean the lilac bush? Well, yeah! Please don't take it out!)

I taste... cantaloupe. Just cut up one for lunch, and of course I snitched a piece. Mmm... summertime fruit!

I feel... rested and relaxed. Finally!

I think... I should scan some more vintage Workbasket ads and articles to share before long.

I'm curious... about what we'll get to review for the upcoming TOS Homeschool Crew year.

I'm praying... that Laura has a good summer, that she learns a lot and is stretched, inspired, and encouraged.

I'm thinking... about writing-- blog posts and letters and a novel some day.

When I was little... I would get bored in the summer with "nothing to do." It's hard to imagine such a thing these days! My to-do list is way longer than the summer.

I want to go... on vacation! But that's not in our plans this year. We enjoy our convention trips and camping on weekends, so at least that's something. Maybe we can take a mini-vacation in the fall.

I love... spending time with my husband.

I despise... snakes.


Scripture... "But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold." --Job 23:10

I'm thankful for... family and friends and a comfortable home.

I just learned... that Singapore has 4 official languages. I had thought that the language of Singapore was English until I had an email yesterday from a Singaporean lady who said Chinese was her mother tongue. One of my co-workers looked it up on Wikipedia, and shared that there are 4 official languages. Malay and Tamil are the other two.

If you enjoy doing tags and this one appeals to you, please consider yourself tagged! Be sure to leave a comment for me so I can come read your answers.

Double Take - review

Double Take by Melody Carlson has the same premise as Mark Twain's The Prince and the Pauper, only with a modern, chick-lit twist. Madison is an uber-wealthy city girl who goes for a drive through an Amish community and just happens to meet up with Anna, an Amish girl who looks just like her. They are, of course, startled by the resemblance. Both girls are going through a time of dissatisfaction with their lives, so--I bet you couldn't predict this--they decide to switch places. Improbable as that seems, it actually does work for this story. It was interesting to see the lifestyles of both girls from fresh eyes, and I appreciated the lessons they both learned. It's a fun twist on a classic plot. Available June 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Road Trip Geocaching

 We enjoyed finding a few Geocaches on our recent trips to homeschool conventions. On our way to the Idaho convention in Nampa on June 2, we found:

• Roadkill Cafe - Cow
• Junction U.S. Route 395 and Highway 17
• Flag View South Bound
• Oregon Trail Adventure

On our way home, on June 5, we found:

• A Cache Unparalleled
• Last Chance

This past weekend, on our way to Puyallup for the Washington homeschool convention, we got off the interstate and took an old highway over Snoqualmie Pass. On this route we found:

• Ticket to Ride
• Snoqualmie Pass Travelers #6
• Snoqualmie Pass Travelers #5
• Snoqualmie Pass Travelers #4
• Snoqualmie Pass Travelers #3
• Snoqualmie Pass Travelers #2

Then, on our way home, we found the following at east bound rest areas along I-90:

• Stewart View Stash
• Winchester Wasteway Rest Area East
• Wi-Fi Drop By
• Leg Stretch at Sprague Lake

Geocaching is an interesting and fun way to stretch your legs for a bit when traveling... not to mention getting off the beaten path if you're so inclined.

Happy Father's Day!

I am so grateful for the Godly heritage my parents have given their children to pass along to the next generation. It was very special to have my dad come and speak at my daughter's homeschool graduation last week. Thank you, Dad, for your example and encouragement!

Washington Homeschool Convention

This weekend I will be hosting the Sonlight booth at the Washington Homeschool Organization convention in Puyallup, Washington. It starts Friday at 9:00 a.m. and you can register at the door. I will also be speaking on Friday at 11:00 on Raising Kids Who Love to Learn. 

As a special "thank you" to conference attendees, Sonlight is allowing me to offer a $15 coupon to each family who stops by my booth! Also, if you bring a friend who is new to Sonlight, I will have an extra small gift for you. Or mention that you read about this conference on my blog. These gifts will be available while supplies last, so be sure to stop by early. You will also have a chance to win my drawing for a special prize!

If you homeschool in Washington, I hope to see you there!

A Beginning

Graduation was beautiful. It was a fun day full of many special moments.

However, I don't think it's hit me yet that Laura has graduated. My parents are visiting us this week, and I have another homeschool convention to get ready for this weekend. Laura will be going home with my parents for the summer.

I bet reality will set in next week.

In Grandma's Attic - review

The Grandma's Attic series of books by Arleta Richardson first came out in the 1970s. The title pretty much explains the premise... a little girl discovers interesting and unique things in her grandmother's attic and asks about them. Grandma always has a story to tell about the items she has carefully saved... and other little incidents remind her of stories as well. These sweet, old-fashioned books don't have much of a plot. Instead, they are just short anecdotes about a long-ago little girl with timeless lessons that are just as relevant today as ever.

There are 10 books in the series. I received the first two to review: In Grandma's Attic and More Stories from Grandma's Attic. They have recently been re-released with new covers and illustrations, as well as easier-to-read page formatting. (More space between the lines which makes them more appealing to younger readers.) I love soft, whimsical style of the new illustrations.

My Foolish Heart - review

My Foolish Heart by Susan May Warren is a love story. However, it is not your typical, formulaic romance novel. I loved the "flawed," believable characters. The heroine is the host of a syndicated "advice for the lovelorn" radio talk show, "Miss Foolish Heart," which is interesting enough, but then we find out that she suffers from agoraphobia (fear of leaving home) due to traumatic events in her past. The new high school football coach moves in next door. Turns out he lost a leg while in the military in Iraq, but he tries to hide this from his new acquaintances to avoid their pity. I don't think it would be much of a spoiler to acknowledge that yes, these two get together, but the story of how they overcome their individual insecurities makes for a compelling read that's a notch above your average romance novel. Great summer read! You can read an excerpt here.

Susan May Warren is thrilled to announce the release of her latest Deep Haven book, My Foolish Heart!

Read what the reviewers are saying here.

To celebrate this charming novel about a dating expert who's never had a date, Susan has put together a romantic night on the town for one lucky couple. One grand prize winner will receive a Miss Foolish Heart prize package worth over $200!

The winner of the Romantic Night on the Town Prize Pack will receive:

* A $100 Visa Gift Card (For Dinner)

* A $100 Gift Certificate to a Hyatt/Marriott Hotel

* The entire Deep Haven series

To enter just click one of the icons below. But, hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on June 16th. The winner will be announced that evening during Susan’s Miss Foolish Heart Party on Facebook! Susan will be chatting with guests, hosting a book club chat about My Foolish Heart, testing your Deep Haven trivia skills, and giving away tons of great stuff! (Gift certificates, books, donuts, and more!) Don't miss the fun and BRING YOUR FRIENDS! 

Idaho Homeschool Convention

This weekend I will be hosting the Sonlight booth at the Christian Homeschoolers of Idaho State convention. It starts on Friday at 8:00 a.m. and you can register at the door. As a special "thank you" to conference attendees, Sonlight is allowing me to offer a $15 coupon to each family who stops by my booth! You will also have a chance to win my drawing for a tote bag full of books! If you homeschool in Idaho, I hope to see you there!