Ramblings...

Yes, it is time for some ramblings, since I don't have much sane stuff to mention...  <wink>

It is raining, quite a bit. Great for the garden, not good for my running. While my dad was here I only squeezed in one run (a good one though!), but now I really need to get back on a better schedule...

New table covering (vinyl) found at Joann's...

I've had lots of creative ideas, but feel that I need to clean up all those messy areas everywhere first. You know; those funky drawers and cabinets with lots of random stuff in them. 

And then there is my sewing area. In my mind I know where everything is (most of the time), but it all just looks so messy. I have these cheap cabinets form Target to store things in but they are black. Black, what was I thinking??? So I took out a small paint can that I had standing around, dusted the cabinets and rolled on the paint. No sanding, no priming no nothing. This is what happened:

Sea foam green...

Miss M. thought it was artsy looking, I am just hoping that once I put the storage containers back in you won't notice the effect so much. I'll keep you posted...

Last Sunday, after we dropped of my dad at the airport, we stopped by Ikea. I found such a fun fabric there for a very reasonable price, that I bought 3 yards of it. I've sewn it into a duvet cover (used old sheets for the backing and the side panels) and am now making some fun matching pillow cases to go with it. It certainly cheers me up every time I enter the bedroom!  {smile}

One big panel in the middle (the Ikea fabric),
two white panels on each side...

Already used pillow case...

My (secretly) favorite part: a pink pillow case!  <wink>

They had several good pattern sales at Joann's the last couple of weeks so I'm set for some summer sewing. First some more cleaning up and organizing though! What are you guys up to???

PS Monica, if you read this, could you please send me your email address (if you don't mind?) My reactions to your posts keep on disappearing!

Vaderdag...

Happy Father's Day to my dad! Today was the first time in at least 25 years that we have been able to celebrate it together...  {smile}

I made him a beautiful canvas with lots of our memories together, old & new, three generations!

Rattlesnake Lake...

Yesterday, after all the clouds cleared, we arrived at Rattlesnake Lake, just south of I-90 towards the mountains. Only a 35 minute drive from our home...

There was a slight breeze, the sun came out, it was gorgeous. Just look at the color of the lake!

Below you see Rattlesnake Ledge. I only brought one lens so I had to make the picture in three's to fit in all its height and splendor.

Old tree stumps litter this lake. Unfortunately the water level was really high so we could only see a few, but the whole lake has lots of them just below the water line.

And so many geese, with babies!  {smile}

And a pretty duck... (who was very nosy)

And this interesting insect...

On our way back we stopped by the Snoqualmie Falls. Always splendid!

We ended the day with an extraordinary dinner at Fall City Bistro: Yum!   {smile again!}

A New Macro Lens!

Yesterday, my new macro lens (Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM) arrived! At first I couldn't get any good shots at all, but now, after a little bit of practicing (and re-reading the instruction manual over and over again) some descent shots are starting to emerge...

For more macro photography have a look at my sister's blog. She obviously has had a lot more practice and has even taken quite a few photography classes, which is something I probably should do too some time in the future... <wink>

PS I will try not to inundate you with tons of macro photography, but I cannot promise a thing!

Along The Puget Sound...

Only 10 minutes on the beach, gave me the most beautiful pictures...

And then the skies changed and changed...

Until the day ended with this...

Click! on the pictures to enlarge...

This is what summer days are made off...

A Grand Day Out!

Master C., me and my dad...

This is how we spent the day after the big Graduation: on a speedboat flying across Lake Washington and Lake Union, right into the heart of Seattle. It was marvelous. I even spotted several places I could live!  <wink>

And this is how we ended the day...

Not bad at all...

Such A Perfect Day!

One short sentence sums it all up: such a perfect day!

The weather was perfect, the guests were perfect, the graduation itself was perfect and of course Master C. was perfect!  <wink>

with dad...

"Perfic!" as pop would say from The Darling Buds of May...   {smile}

Final Days...

Today is the last official day of Master C.'s High School Career. In two days he will Graduate! Wow!

A couple of days ago he made his Senior Presentation Speech (about the three weeks he had shadowed several businessmen in their fields) in front of a panel of teachers, parents and classmates and I was so impressed. Master C. is usually rather quiet and reserved, but out there on the stage he was relaxed, he was funny , he was actually enjoying himself! Another 'proud mama'  moment...  {smile}

At home the graduation gown is hanging (to get the creases lessened)  and the decorations are up: let the celebrations begin!

Little Bit...

Yesterday was one of my regular days at Little Bit and this time Miss M. came with me since she was done early with her finals that day. Look at all the beautiful pictures she took while I was shoveling the unmentionables!  <wink>

Click! to enlarge

But here was my favorite part: as soon as I had delivered the latest little apron, it was used immediately! Just look at this lovely little man brushing his horse!  {smile}

Click! to enlarge

Thanks for having your picture taken Sir A.!

More Creative Creations...

Last week (and the week before) the weather wasn't the greatest, so a good time to do some more sewing.

After the grey chevron apron for Little Bit I made another one, a bit smaller this time. Since I took that picture I've added a parachute buckle to the neck band to facilitate the over-the- helmet- putting-on of the apron. (every rider has to wear a helmet at all times while in the barn and in the arena)

I also started sewing on a new dress that I would like to wear for this weekend's Graduation. All it needs are some fun embellishments which I will show you later this week...

And of course I've made some more zippered pouches. These make great gifts and this cute little pair will go to Miss M.'s homeroom teacher who will be retiring this year. I also made two more French themed ones for  Master C.'s homeroom teacher last weekend. 

Busy, busy, busy. I'm just checking things of my long to-do list day by day until we get to this Saturday: the day my dad arrives! Tatatadaa!  {smile}

What A View!

Yesterday we had a special Senior Brunch event. (i.e. we had a brunch with all the senior students and their parents and homeroom teachers) It was at the Newcastle Golf Club and just look at these views!

Click to enlarge a lot!

Fabulous June weather has arrived, just in time for the next week's Graduation and the arrival of my dad!  {smile}