This week I finished a very fun special order that I will share soon.

Next week I plan to spend more time in my garden.

I did take time to make this teacup birdfeeder this summer...

I also plan to spend more time doing this....

I'll also be making time to pick peaches at the orchard.  This was the end of last years peaches.

I'm not taking any more orders for now.  I have one left to finish and then I'll be spending time creating new paintings for my shops. 

Paige's Pink Petal Cake

Paige is my dear friend, Linda's, granddaughter.  She's another very special (13 yrs. old) sweet young lady loaded with talent.  Paige signed up for a cake decorating class and sent me this photo of her first cake: 

I'm so amazed by the talented three young ladies that I have posted about:

Lindsay Grace, Makayla, and Paige

These three ladies have so much talent and vision in their lives!

I did a painting for Paige to honor her first creation:

Pretty Paige's Pink Petal Cake was her first cake decorating experience. What a delight to the eye and a treat for the tummy!

We are all very proud of you young lady!

This little painting is now available as a print in my Etsy and eBay stores.


  

Coffee Cake Cupcake New Print

My new print, "Coffee Cake Cupcake" in now available in my eBay store and my etsy store.

Tucked into the center of this delicious cupcake is a filling made of brown sugar, toasted pecans, and ground cinnamon. This scrumptious treat is topped with a fluffy layer of cinnamon butter cream frosting.

Compare my garden bike to last years photo in my blog header.  I think the cone flowers are about to take it over. Click on the photos for a closer view.

I'll try to get a new photo to replace the above header so you can see the difference between this year and last.

Is anyone having trouble with their Knock Out roses this year?  Mine have been in the ground around 4 years and I've lost several this year.  In the spring they all looked great and bloomed beautifully.  Then one by one they started turning brown (not due to lack of water) and dying out.  I've now dug up 4 bushes.  It's almost like someone is spraying them with Round Up. 

Two Weeks of Pure Joy!

Guess who's home?

Our son, Eric, got home July 1st from Spain.  He will be home for three months and will return there to teach for another school year.  His sister sure looks happy to see his smiling face!

I'm thinking the dogs look pretty happy too!

We've had so much fun with our niece, Makayla, too.  She spent the last two weeks with us and we definitely hope this will be an annual event. 

She made gluten free cupcakes for our "craft night".  Amber is allergic to gluten and Makayla made her a special treat.

I think she could make some money selling cupcakes!

I gave Makayla one of her great grandmother's aprons. She packed it carefully away and then chose this one to wear while she was baking.  My friend, Winnie, gave this cute polka dot number to me.  I love my aprons and wear them all the time. 

Looks like she could have her own baking show!

This is Makayla's "craft night" project.  She had never painted before and decided she wanted to paint this brick doorstop.  This gal is full of talent.  It's amazing how young people aren't afraid to jump right in and learn something new.

Pretty amazing don't you think!

We went to the Lawson Picnic which is where my hubby and I had our first date.  Makayla and Eric had a great time on the rides.

The petting zoo is always a big hit too.

and last, but not least....

she had her first motorcylce ride with her uncle Rick.

We already miss you! 

Scott Cox as Thom Pain

I'm still on my vacation, but had to stop in to let you know that if you are in the Kansas City area, come by to see my Son In Law in his one man play: