Circles

This is Aldred, cousin to Alice.

You saw Alice last week as part of the CAL at Meme Rose.

I stuffed Al with a pillow form -- soft and cuddly.

Finding the right name for him really didn't take too long.

When I discovered that Aldred meant old, wise counsel I knew I had the right name.

Perfect for an Owl.

I'm using Al's eyes as the circle prompt for August Break.

Good Morning!

Index Card A Day Finale

Today marks the end of the Index Card A Day Challenge.

This was the third year that I participated and the second year that I completed all 61 cards.

I found that I've become a better creator ... not ready to use the term artist!

When I compare this year's cards with the cards from last year, well, I've come a long way baby.

Here are a few of the 61 cards.

There were botanicals.

Cats

Birds

Fun

Finally, the last card of the challenge.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Potpourri

Friday means a few Random Things ...

a little This and That.

Thank you Nancy for hosting.

*

I just finished reading BRING UP THE BODIES by Hilary Mantel.

BRING UP THE BODIES follows Mantel's Booker Prize winning novel, WOLF HALL and continues the story of Henry VIII seen through the eyes of Thomas Cromwell. Katherine, Henry's first wife has died and Anne becomes the center of attention. Henry wonders that he has spent the best part of his life with Anne and only has one child and that child, a daughter. No one likes Anne. She is the focus of gossip and malice. Henry wants her brought down and he has already chosen her successor.

Perhaps I am now used to Mantel's writing style as I found BRING UP THE BODIES much easier to read. Seeing the story unfold from Cromwell's side is very different from the usual novel of the period. Mantel suggests that several of the men executed as lovers of Anne may have been selected as victims because of their part in the downfall of Cardinal Wolsey. Who knows? Being an advisor to Henry definitely takes a man of great skill and courage.

I'm looking forward to part 3 of the tale of Thomas Cromwell.


**

This is Alice Owl.

Isn't she cute?!

Love her eyelashes.

Meme Rose is having a CAL (Crochet-A-Long)

I've gone through my stash and picked out my yarn.

I'll report next week on how my Alice is coming along.

***

The plumeria are starting to bloom in the garden.
When they were first planted I had three different colors.
Then came a couple of bad freezes and Hurricane Ike.
I've pampered and babied them and thankfully, they don't mind the drought.

These are the first hints of what is to come.

YeeHaw!

****

I've been going to the gym with a good friend at 5 in the morning for our morning stroll

on the treadmill.

It is just too blooming hot to walk outside. 

UGH

But it is good for me/us. 

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

August Break

Back in August 2010, the lovely Susannah Conway decided to give herself a break from writing blog posts and instead shared a photo or two each day without the pressure of finding words. She blogged about it (of course), invited everyone to join her and that is how The August Break was born. This year she is doing things a little bit different and supplying suggested prompts for the day. This is especially handy for folks like me who live where August becomes UGHust because of the heat and our brains turn to mush! The point is to give yourself a break. Take a photo and share it -- with or without words. I participated last year and I'm going to try it again this year. Tally Ho on August 1!
Care to join us? Check out all the information here.

Wishing you well and much joy.