Saturday Morning Golf

James and I tootled up to Disney this morning so he could play a round on their 9-hole walking course.  It was a gorgeous day - hot, of course, in the sun but not unbearable when watching from the shade.  I took this picture because there was a hawk in the grass off to Jim's left, but it flew off while I was lining up my (photo) shot.  We also saw one turkey, one alligator and one deer.


I just walked the course with him because, you know, I will NEVER play golf.  And by the way, did you know that you shouldn't wear flip-flops on the course because all those teeny-tiny blades of cut grass stick to your legs and get all over your flops - yuck. 

Also, thank you Aunti Ann for identifying my spider friend as a crab spider.  I am sad to report, however, that yesterday the spider was gone and in its place on the yellow flower sat one of those Godzilla-Grasshoppers.  I know, circle of life and all that, but would grasshoppers eat spiders?  Great.  Now I have to look THAT up - more bugs.  Why can't I have cute bunnies or baby birds in my yard?  --cds

Ugh - A Bug

Yes, yes, this is a very beautiful green spider sitting atop a lovely yellow flower along my walkway.  It's been there all day - I know it's alive because it shifts position from time to time.  So I thought I'd be all brave and, you know, FACE MY FEAR, and try to identify this thing.

Sorry.  Can't do it.  I have totally creeped myself out.  Everytime I type the word spider into Google I have to clamp a hand over my eyes before I hit Search in case a really scarey picture pops up.  What is this thing?  The legs have little hairy barbs!  All I know is that it was pretty stupid of me to Google spiders right before going to bed.  I may not sleep for a month.  --cds

A New Apron

Just trying out a new apron pattern.  I like this one a lot because of the bias binding that completely encases all raw edges.  And I enclosed the seam ends at bodice-to-skirt, so no loose threads anywhere.

I'm becoming manic about loose threads and raw edges in my sewing projects lately.  I must learn to chill out a wee bit.

Perhaps a slice of pumpkin pie will help - Lo-Lo's been baking!  --cds

Giant Mutant Texas Grasshopper!

 Pretty big, huh? 

 This one has legs that look like they were connected by an erector set. 

In fact, when I shooed it away from my plant, I swear it jumped right over our house. I am not lying.  Wicked, biting fire ants have set up housekeeping in the cracks of our patio blocks, and an armadillo has been snooting around our yards, digging holes under the foundation and being a general nuisance.  Begone pests!  Tomorrow I'm digging out my haz-mat suit and going into attack mode.  --cds

Where's The Stitching?

I've been a little mad at myself because of the way I've been drifting sewing-wise - just grazing around the sewing room, starting little projects and not finishing.  Hate that.  So now I'm digging into the UFO pile and am determined to get some things done. 

Case One:  Deconstruction -

This is a linen jumper I've had forever but had to stop wearing because it just got too baggy.  Linen is  flexible fabric anyway, I think (and wrinklely), but I do love the feel and drape.  So I picked it all apart and  took it in a few inches here and there. 

The reconstruction has been kinda fun, except for when I tried it on for size with all those pins still running down the front and sides.  Ouchy-ouchy.  --cds

Grandgirls

I have lots of nicely posed shots of the all the girls, perfect smiles for the camera.  But once in a while a picture just captures their personality so well.  Here are a few of Ruthanne, age 2:  a big fan of corn-on-the-cob.

New rainboots.

On the run through the living room.  She's hard to catch.

I love this one of Isabella - I think this is her expression of awe over her wishing star - her sense of humor is maturing; it's fun to watch.

So pretty.

We scored a reservation to Cinderella's Royal Table breakfast inside the Castle - a first for us (after nine years of trying to snag this elusive reservation. 

It was great, except that poor Evie wasn't feeling well that morning; just wasn't herself and had a tummy-ache.  On the other hand, she now can lay claim to the fact that she has vomited in Cinderella's shrubberies (albeit in a very ladylike manner). Poor baby.  She perked up after that.

Some of Randi's beautiful sunset photos taken on Anna Maria Island.

I need more photos from my Vermonters.  Perhaps we'll receive a little ultrasound photo this week -- baby rumors!  --cds

Happy Special Birthday!

I know that posting this picture pretty much rules out that you will ever again bake us our favorite chocolate cookies or fix us our favorite chicken dinner, but I can't help it - this is one of my favorite pictures of you.  To me, it embodies all those characteristics you Alcott women are famous for - determination, grit, humor, inner strength - it's all there and there's no use claiming otherwise (not to mention, of course the knobby knees, Grandma Carroll hair and a flair for fashion -- hee-hee!).  'Course I wouldn't dream of posting your age today, Mums, except to remind you that you were only 20 when you had me and don't you feel awfully young to have a daughter who turns 60 this year??  Ha-ha.  Love you, Lois Louise!  And happy birthday.  I'll be over with the doughnuts in a few minutes.  xoxo-cds