How about this as a visitor? I had just returned home and noticed this praying mantis atop the Mustang. I ran into the house, got the camera and shot this photo....this is the second praying mantis I have seen this year. This one was HUGE!

Late October

We have been at home for a few months. Not much riding, but then again once you've gone on a 12k mile ride the yen decreases!

We continue to wonder how we had a life when we worked. We must not have had a life!

Fell victim to the 'cash for clunkers' program and unloaded the ugly brown pickup. Yes!

Larry also found a used Smart car to fit in our enclosed trailer.

It is SO much fun to drive.

Larry was talking about having a parade of our yellow vehicles in the light parade this Christmas season....I think I have him talked out of it. I kind of like SOME degree of privacy!


The Buick I inherited from my dad is now gone. Loved that car. Thanks Dad!

The Ford Larry purchased as a commute car is also gone. I hated that car!

Lots of volunteer work, yard work, organizing and (for me) sewing have been going on for the last few months. There just aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done that I want to get done.

This is an apron made from a pair of Larry's jeans...he got battery acid on one leg but the remainder of the jeans were good...it would have been a lot less trouble to actually BUY fabric, but a good way to recycle and reuse.

This quilt is MINE...I usually make things to give away but I fell in love with the fleece fabric and just had to create something so I could enjoy it. I also love the pattern on the cotton fabric.


This quilt is made from a pattern shared with me by Judy Paris. I'll make more because the pattern makes a finished quilt in less than a day. I really like the pumpkin and spider patterns on the fabric for this quilt.









This table runner is the first pieced item I have made in 35 years. My skill level is less than beginner! I can't recall how many times I sewed pieces together - and then removed the thread and tried again! I'm happy with the result....and proud of myself because I stuck with it until it was RIGHT!











This is the latest project. Martha Stewart included the instructions for this project on her tv show. I created the bag (ha, she purchased one). I made this bag for Larry. He was the one that walked Maggie and Lucie the most during their last years with us. I know he misses them, so I thought I'd create something he could REALLY use with a tribute to his walking buddies.
The one Martha Stewart made had a nice submissive dog sitting, looking up at their master with a relaxed leash. Since neither Maggie nor Lucie were EVER submissive on a leash I made Larry's with a taut leash...kind of like they are for a show dog.



This is the back of the bag...only because when I cut out the silhouettes, one was pointed in the wrong direction and I hated to waste the ultra suede fabric!