Today was my lucky day. Lucky for me, that is that I was able to experience the Lucky 15 store. Also lucky for me that everything was 50% off. Not so lucky in the sense that they are closing their storefront and only having an online store. Can you read her cute license plate in the first photo? When I drove up to Lucky 15 on 7th Avenue, I spotted a cute new romantic/garden boutique called "Rust and Roses." Loved it. I bought a few little wooden spindles and a darling pair of pink jeweled crown earrings. After a few more stops, I passed this cute ice cream parlor, that has been in business for 60 years, made a u-turn and treated my daughter to an ice-cream treat.

Yummy is how I would describe these delicious blueberry muffins that Vicki so generously shared her recipe for this week. She suggested that we make a double batch. Should have listened, I tell ya, shoulda listened. Here's her mother's recipe:
Mix together:
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup margarine
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup milk
Then stir in 2 cups blueberries
Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar
Pour into cupcake liners
Bake @375 - 25 minutes
Makes 1 dozen

A word to the wise - DOUBLE THIS RECIPE
Also I learned that 1 container of blueberries = 2 cups

Just A Spoonful of Sugar Helps The Medicine Go Down . . . was the theme of this incredible altered spoon. There were so many fun themes including bird's nests, a hand mirror, fairy wand, a couple of beautiful angels and a few crowned glories. The creativity shown in these projects was unbelievable. They were packaged beautiful as well. It was a bit overwhelming participating in both of the swaps . . . but I am so glad that I did. Now don't be jealous of my charm bracelet. Although I know I would be if it wasn't mine.

My charms include two crowns, 2 pretty bellas, a prayer box and some beautiful pink beaded dangles. I'm now scouring ebay looking for vintage watch crystals to make more soldered charms. The little bench that my charm bracelet is displayed on is one of my finds while out thrifting for spoons. It was blue but I painted it a shabby pink to match my studio. I'm off to finish up a Sparkle Bella class project and put more of my art supplies away.

This was the darling display for our Sparkle Bella event just to entice everyone at Scrapbooks Etc. It was such a delightful event. We were taught four different classes by these wonderful instructors. Everything was perfect down to the last detail. My friend, Teresa, had several copies of her wonderful new Foof-A-Life book on hand by Autumn Leaves. Lots of fun, beautiful projects in it. I sat with my two new friends, Helle and Michelle.I haven't laughed that much in years. Here are a few of the projects we worked on. All four of mine need a little more work. These are the class samples.

I swear I have some family photos from my Grandmother's old photos that look just like these two. Happy looking ladies, aren't they??? I'll be putting my old photos to good use. I can't wait to finish my Victorian banner. I've made banners for every holiday, but this one will be up year round.

This was my first time visiting Melrose Vintage. Several of us met up there Friday for an incredible morning of shopping. I can't believe that I've never been to this yummy boutique. There was shabby splendor in every corner. First of all, they carry Rachel Ashwell's shabby chic line. Beautiful. Then can you even imagine being in an incredibly beautiful home accessory store that also has a scrapbook room the size of









a scrapbook store? I was in heaven. I also have sought out Bethany Lowe's vintage line and have only found it online. They carry it. I bought a large silver star with a hanger attached and a silver "C". One last surprise - they have a Christmas section that is absolutely beautiful. I'm trying to stop myself from going back this week before they close for the





summer.


New and old friends, Michelle White, Helle Greer, Kim Kwan and Teresa Mcfayden.

What a wonderful day!

It's a small world! I have been convincing, Teresa, Miss Foof herself for the last year to sign up for Club Little House with me. She wanted to ... really bad . . . but she doesn't have a house. A dollhouse that is. She couldn't stand it one more minute and signed up. This weekend I was at her fabulous "Sparkle Bella" event in Arizona. I had met Michelle White for the first time a few weeks ago in California. We were all three shopping together this weekend when Michelle said "I'm looking for dollhouse items." My ears perked up and I said "Dollhouse?" She replied "Yes I'm in this group called "Club Little House." So there I was - with Miss Teresa from Omaha and Michelle from California with all three of us sharing the common bond of Club Little House. It is a small, small world.

Were You Born With A Silver Spoon In Your Mouth was the name of the altered silver spoon swap that Miss Teresa hosted for our Sparkle Bella event. I wanted to create sparkly bellas. Nine of my 12 spoons are fortunate enough to have an "S" engraved at the top. My sewing machine has been purring this week sewing all of these crepe paper circles. I'm taking them in this shabby container. I put together these little goodies for our wonderful instructors who I can't thank enough for offering this incredible event. It's tomorrow!

Simply charming is how I imagine my new charm bracelet will be when all of my new Sparkle Bella charms from the charm swap are added to it. If you're a Bella, don't read any further until after the big event. I love these cute little boxes I found for them. Here are my charms, all nine of them. I think I'll make a few extras tonight - just in case.
Now I'm off to finish my altered silver spoons.

The Lavender Fields were beautiful. Incredibly fragrant as you can imagine. I would only recommend this if you want a long drive out in the country in Northern San Diego County. We had stayed in nearby Escondido for years at my in laws timeshare so we were familiar with the area. There is only a 3-month window when the lavender is in bloom and this was one of the few times that we were in town during the blooming season. My family so graciously agreed to humor me with this little excursion. Everyone except our son that is. Can't blame him one bit. Not the kind of excursion a 13-year old boy wants to go on - but we Mom's need to plan some of the outings. I have some lavender drying in our butler's pantry (without a butler). Smells divine!

Monkey See - Monkey Do. I had a few giggles thinking up a title to this post. We had never taken our kids to the San Diego Zoo. Sea World and Legoland always won. We decided to spend one afternoon there primarily to see these beauties. There were two of them - both sleeping but fully in our view. They were spectacular to see. We had to be very quiet walking by them. I believe there are only two zoos in the country that have them. Washington DC and San Diego. I was so intriqued by this incredible species. We worship at all mighty God. Imagine coming up with the ideas for all of our creatures. Of course I still think these were the two cutest monkies in the zoo.

I met up with Helle, Michelle and Michelle's mother and daughter on Coronado this week. What a blast that was. Helle took us to her favorite store on the island, The Attic, which unfortunately just closed. She persuaded the owner to open it up for us on Tuesday for a private sale. Wow, was that ever fun. Look at those scrummy candle sticks. We all found some wonderful things. Here's Helle, myself and Taylor outside in the Del in front of the beautiful white sandy beach. It's so wonderful being around Helle. She's always laughing. Gotta love that in a person! Lucky me. I get to see Helle and Michelle at Sparkle Bella this week. Can't wait.

I just spent the last 3 out of our 5 days in San Diego with my eyes glued to these two boogie boarders. They are obsessed. That's all they want to do for hours. I can just hear what he is saying to his sister in this next picture. We gotta catch this next wave, it's going to be a good one. We had a blast. I think vacationing is the best thing that we do as a family. We spent one afternoon at La Jolla Shores and then ventured down to La Jolla Cove where we found these beach babes. I think they were working on their tans. I got a close up of this one swimming. I've never seen one with such a white face.

My dear friend Kim at the Diamondback's game tonight. She was in town on business and extended her trip through the weekend to stay with us. She was one of my college roommates from Iowa State University and now lives in Omaha. We've been having so much fun talking about old times and remembering whens. It's so rare for me to be around anyone who has known me longer than 20 years. Loved talking about old times and the memories of both of our sweet parents. The Diamondbacks/Red Sox game was a blast tonight. She couldn't get over the swimming pool in the stadium. We were lucky enough to have been invited to a corporate party at the pool a few years ago. Our kids had a blast swimming during the game, especially when the fountains go off during home runs. We've managed to squeeze in a few shopping trips this weekend as well. Of course!

Cole chose to have a few friends over to compete with him on his new WII to celebrate his 13th birthday and to go race cars at Fiddlesticks. Boy is that WII ever fun. We all enjoy it and it's great exercise. I played him in 3 games of bowling and the next day I felt like I had done squats. Move over Mario, here they come. Of course what's a birthday with Baskin Robbins ice cream cake? It's certainly a tradition in our family.

Relaxing, reading a book, resting my feet on our picnic basket, watching my family fish and inhaling the scent of tall pine trees is where I have been for the past two days. We took a much needed break and stayed in an Inn in Payson. I am always reminded of the movie "A River Runs Through It" when I watch my husband fly fish. It is such a talent and boy does he have it. This is the view from my spot at the lake we spent most of my time. My chair is empty for two reasons. #1. I had to take the picture. #2. A brazen squirrel wanted in my picnic basket and chased me away. Luckily another family walked by and chased him away. I wish I could bottle the pine tree scent and the 30 degree cooler temperature. Of course I needed a prime position to keep my eye on "her". I'm just now recovering from my panicked "mom" breathing! In retrospect I wish I would have been videotaping this for "America's Funniest Home Movie". She said "Look Mom", cast her line and fell into the lake off of an "rock island" that she was on with her daddy. He pulled her out of the water immediately and she was fine. The little squirt!