Mt. Rainier and Lenticular Clouds - Dec. 2008 copyright: JMM

August 31, 2015

Summer Draws to a Close

While fall doesn't technically start for another 23 days, the end of August is pretty much the end of summer with all the kids going back to school and the traffic loosening up just a little.  Pretty soon I can resume my beach combing endeavors without having to share the beach with a ton of people or paying to park.  

This summer went by just way, way too fast.  I can't think of anything I did at all either, except for a few things.  Life & humidity really got in the way of all the stuff I intended to do.  So I stayed in and cross stitched.  Last summer, 2014, seemed to go by really slowly.  For one thing, the weather was perfect last year.  That enabled me to get out of the house almost daily for walks and day trips.  I've found that time slows down when you are doing stuff but goes by wicked fast when you are doing nothing. 

Finished wine project for Mary's housewarming gift.  This took less than a week to do.  I could've done it in a day or two tops but I kept getting interrupted.


Still working on the shells.  Both the instructions/pattern and the photo on the package show the word 'sundial' off center.  I stitched it that way but it's reeeeeeeally messing with my OCD.  I will probably go back and center it.

Here's another simple craft project that serves no real purpose except look really pretty when you shake it up.  It's just water & glycerin with glitter.  I used a small Sutter Homes wine bottle.  I still need to do something for the cap.  I've noticed that the water has turned pink over the past few days too (these were taken the day after I made it).

If you are going to do this project, put the glitter and stuff in the bottle first.  Mix the water and glycerin in a measuring cup and then pour it in.  If you try putting the water/glycerin in first the glitter will never sink to the bottom when you add it in.  


My sweetie and I were out and about doing some errands and stopped in Benny's.  They have the best craft kits and stuff.  I spied this kit and had to have it.  Russell was over in the automotive department and I met up with him there with a big grin on my face.  He saw the box and started to laugh, and he bought it for me.  

I just finished reading my friend Robyn's book, Woman on the Verge of Paradise.  It's an excellent read, very funny and poignant at the same time.  I highly recommend it....it's a great read.  Please visit her blog too, Life by Chocolate.  Tell her JoJo sent ya.  

The fuzzies on National Dog Day (August 26th).  Of course every day is 'National Dog Day' in this house.


Maxfield Parrish skies.


Pretty clouds.






Unusual clouds


I shot this with my zoom lens, from my chair on the deck.  That's why you can't see my reflection.  

I really enjoy autumn, but I am in no hurry for the winter months.  I am in denial about the Farmer's Almanac prediction that the northeast is going to have an even worse winter than last, which is really hard to imagine.  I hope that it's not true and the El Nino building in the Pacific gives us a milder and rainier winter.  

16 comments:

  1. We didn't have much of a summer this year. Not a lot of humidity I'm pleased to say. This next week is supposed to be pretty warm though. Love the clouds.

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    1. Thanks! Today was brutal. I took a walk. I was soaked by the time I got back to the car. I really hope for cooler weather soon.

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  2. Every day is national doggie day at my house. If you don't believe me, ask Millie. :)

    Love your crafts. The wine a little is so cute.

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    1. Thanks! Yeah, the furkids are pretty spoiled here. They always come first. lol

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  3. You are right. Summer flew by way to fast. The kids went back to school August 12 and it has been a flurry of activity since. And now August is over!! ugh. I love the glitter bottle! Thanks for the tips. I may have to attempt this one. It is so pretty!!!!

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    1. I think your kids win the prize for earliest start date! I'm not sure they started that early out west either.

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  4. Here I sit, scrolling through your crafts, thinking about how much you inspire me to recycle and make art of bottles or other miscellaneous, and there I am. My book, that is. Thank you, kind friend! I'm laughing. It was a happy surprise. Looks like I might also have not one but two more sales among your friends/family. =) xo

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    1. That's so great! I am sure my friend Lynda will also get it at some point but she hasn't been able to access FB on her phone lately so she hasn't seen the post. I will let her know as soon as she's back on. She's a voracious reader as well.

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    2. Thank you for spreading the word, JoJo! It's the best way I can work up to big sales, doing the indie thing. You're appreciated!

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    3. Well in the immortal words of Red Green, "I'm pullin' for ya. We're all in this together." (please say you know who Red Green is...lol)

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  5. Anonymous3:23 PM

    I agree JoJo, this summer went by way too fast but I'm not overly sad about it, it was hot and after I got my tan I had no use for the heat. Hahahaha! Shallow that I am.. Your cross stitching is wonderful and now I must dig mine out! Damn it! I used to cross stitch all the time. It will be nice to revisit it, along with my sewing... :) Happy September!

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    1. Happy September to you too!!! I would like some cooler temps, yes, but it only means we're getting close to winter. Thank you for your kind words on my stitching. I'm obsessed this year. I have some patterns that I must stitch soon, but one of the projects is going to require mathematical calculations that I'm not 100% sure I can do. lol I'm going to have to set aside a block of time to figure it out.

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  6. Anonymous11:23 PM

    Bye Bye August Welcome to September. Routine work starts as school started for kids. You have done a very good job. Your stitching looks beautiful...

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    1. Thank you! Yes I saw the kids all waiting for their buses this morning when I went to the grocery store. Boy I don't miss those days at all. Homework, projects, tests, navigating the complex social caste system....

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  7. Anonymous3:45 PM

    Man, I'm so sorry you didn't get out too much this summer. It has been terribly humid here too, but then again, it usually is. My daughter is in denial that school starts next week haha. I love the Wine cross-stitch it came out great. And, yes, Robyn's book rocked!!

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    1. Yeah it sucked to be honest. I only remember doing the July 4th parade, Barnstable County Fair and mini golf. Maybe it'll cool off this fall and I can take in some sights.

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