Today Is The End

Today is the official end of ICAD

(Index Card A Day).

Tammy started this challenge in 2011 and I've participated every year.
Some years more successfully than others.

The ICAD challenge is about doing a tiny creative project each day for 61 days (June-July). It's not an art challenge and you definitely do NOT need to be an artist to participate. Instead, it's a creative challenge. 
The project must be done on an index card.
Tammy provides prompts for each day.
Participants can follow the prompts or go their own way.
A friend of mine used the prompts and wrote a haiku each day.
I went my own way trying to do more collage.

This year I'll be playing catch up.
I've made 40 cards so far.
I hurt my hand (wrist and thumb) several weeks ago.
That slowed me down.

Here are a few of the Index Cards (all 3x5) I've made this year:

I've had people ask what I do with the cards.
Some of my favorites I have framed and they are scattered around the house.
I scan all of the cards as I finish so that I will always have a record of them.
Some have flown off to new homes because someone has done a lot of begging! 
Many just continue to live in a decorated box I have.
Looking over six years worth of cards I can can say my "art" abilities have come a long way!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Mosaic Monday

Thinking of Granny

Every now and then I get an email that makes me laugh out loud.
In fact, I almost didn't open the one with the subject:
Getting Enough Fiber?

I opened it and it was about fiber, but not the digestible kind.

It was about yarn.

I need more yarn like I need a hole in the head! 

*

Early morning over the Texas Medical Center

I walk early every morning before it gets too hot and humid.
I try to walk for 45 minutes.
My favorite day to walk is Sunday.
It is so quiet.
No cars on the street so there is no background motor noise.
It's just me, the birds, an occasional sprinkler raining on a lawn.
Last Sunday I listened to the doves cooing, 
the blue jays and the mockingbirds trying to out mock each other.
I even heard one of the local screech owls.
No cats or dogs or people.
And then, there they were -- crossing the street.
A family of seven opossums!
Led by Mom (I assume) they went two by two.


Definitely something I don't see every day.
Just one of those reminders 
that it is the little things that can make a day extra special.


Did you know a group of opossums is called a passel?
I came straight home and looked it up.
Male opossums are called jacks and females are called jills.
The young are joeys -- just like their Australian cousins.

*

I love cherry anything!
Mighty Leaf makes a wonderful cherry lemon green tea.
It tastes especially fine in my hand-thrown kitty mug with the moon and stars.
The tea bags are handcrafted silken pouches.
Delicious hot and great iced for this hot weather.

Mighty Leaf began in 1996 as Tea & Company, 
a boutique tea house in San Francisco.
They support artisan communities and 
sustainable farming practices around the globe.

Every time I see a zinnia I think of my Granny.
She always had zinnias in her garden.
All shapes and sizes.

This year, I have zinnias in my garden.
I had an empty space, had the seeds 
and decided to throw them in the space and see what happens.
Wow!
I think every seed came up.
Marvelous mix of all types of zinnia and the color.
Double wow!

I thought I'd share some of them with you.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Five On Friday

Willy Nilly Friday

Mosaic Monday

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

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There Is No Doubt That Summer Is Here

It is hot.

And it is humid.

Feels like temps (in the shade) well over 100.
There is no doubt that summer is here

and I'm already tired of it!

*

I'm still celebrating my May birthday.

This time with the Mother of my god-children 

and one of my sisters-by-choice.

We went to one of our favorite spots:

Morningside Thai.

I had garlic eggplant and she had basil-eggplant.
We were both smiling and "yumming".

*

Not only did we have a lovely lunch,
I received a lovely gift, too ...
tea pot and matching mug
by Emma Bridgewater.

I love Emma Bridgewater.
The pattern is called Wallflower and is described as a
Cheerful, purple and green floral pattern that was inspired by
Emma and Matthew's love of a flower bed that overflows with wallflowers every May 
... perfect for an "Emma lover" with a May birthday!

*

I also received a surprise in the post.
When the box arrived I wondered what I had ordered that I'd forgotten!?
No, it was a surprise from a dear friend who knows I have a thing for owls.

Aren't they great?!
I'm lucky -- good friends and more great mugs for tea drinking!

I made an early morning run to Trader Joe's
(before it got too hot for man or beast).

In addition to food, I came home with flowers ...
peonies and tulips.

So pretty!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Willy Nilly Friday

Five on Friday

Mosaic Monday

Amaze Me Monday

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Happy 4th of July!

Wishing YOU well and much joy on this 4th of July.

I Squealed With Delight!

I subscribe to two boxes.

The kitties receive the Kit Nip Box every month

and I receive the My Texas Market box. 

This month the My Texas Market box featured Bourbon and BBQ --
a kick off for the summer season. 

From No4. St. James came Chocolate Chip Bourbon Bombs.
I opened the package 
and memories took me directly to my Granny's kitchen during the holiday.
I think she put Bourbon in everything! 
(Kidding)
She did put bourbon in the sweet potatoes.
No wonder they were so good and so are (were) the Bourbon Bombs!

There was a lot more in the box 
and I squealed with delight when I saw caramels 
from the Dallas Caramel Company -- Bacon and Texas Drunken Nut.
I've had their caramels before and they are melt in the mouth delicious.

*

A dear friend of mine -- also with a May birthday -- went to lunch with me at
McHugh Tea to celebrate our birthdays -- better late than never!

We both had the sampler plate and it was delicious.
Peach iced tea.

Cream cheese and date scones for dessert.
YUM

*

The Passion Flower Vine is flowering in the garden.

I thought I should get the camera out before the squirrels eat the flower!
They really do think the very middle is a tasty treat.

This is the closest I've gotten to an image of the small dragonflies 
that visit the water garden.
They are usually moving too quickly.
I was thrilled (I might have squealed with delight)
when this little guy decided to take a time out on the water lily!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Five on Friday

Willy Nilly Friday

Mosaic Monday