Still waiting...for spring!

Although the weather is so much better, we still lack leaves on the trees and warm weather.  This morning the furnace clicked on. The colder weather just wants to hang around!

Despite that, we have had some nice days and nicer day trips.  This windmill is in  CT and up for sale for around 2 million dollars...two bedrooms, complete remodeled home with a magnificent view of the water.

We have had very little rain so we welcome it right now.  Without rain, the trees don't seem to bloom as quickly.  We are scheduled for possible rain this week.  This was Saturday afternoon...our first rain in weeks.

And then... there was the book I made.  It was for a swap with a friend and combined many design elements including some of Teesha Moore's techniques to make the cover.  Lots of hand-sewing, machine sewing, hand embroidery and embellishment.  It is about 6 x 8 inches with blank paper pages inside.

Front

back...

Our grand daughter is on a crew team 

so we still have been enjoying regattas 

 on the weekends.

Still drawing...

still playing with dolls...

still waiting for warm spring!  

Next time I will show you what I bought for little Edie (my 4 inch doll I made) who some of you know for years and years.

Hoping that the season 

is treating you well

and as always,

enjoy the day!

From dolls to donkeys...

Once upon a time, there was burro named Pancho in my life. He was a real burro that my family owned.  Since then, I have been smitten with burros/donkeys.

Over the years they have sneaked into my collections of stuff...

caused me to stop and photograph them....

 inspired me to make them from time to time...

 and to draw them frequently...

Needless to say, the original Eeyore from the original book was a favorite of mine back in the day... though his gloominess was not necessarily my cup of tea. (I do not like the cartoon movie version of Eeyore at all. ) 

Do you have a farm animal that you have loved since childhood?   One that has persisted into adulthood?   Those who read this blog know that I am obsessed with  the Belted Galloway cow, but that didn't happen until a few years ago.

Now that the weather is starting to get warmer here in New England, I have seen several donkeys lately...and they always make me smile. When I think of Pancho, I smile, too.   We all need something to smile about, don't we? 

As always,

smile

and enjoy the day!

Everything AND the kitchen sink...

There is a wonderful restaurant and kitchen supplies store very near us.  It has everything...and I do mean everything one could want for cooking...including the kitchen sink and occasional life sized figures.

I am not sure exactly how this burro fits into the grand scheme of things. I would imagine he would be a wonderful prop in a Mexican restaurant. I wish it could come live at my house, though!

Burros/donkeys often occupy my mind. When I was in Mexico many years ago, burros  wandered about country roads oblivious to cars going by and were just a friendly as can be, much to my delight.

When I was young, my family owned a burro... named Pancho. That is when my life time love of donkeys/burros started.

Recently, I acquired a 

little Steiff ...

And this one was made

 by a gifted artist who combined my love 

of donkeys, 

mushrooms and tea!

These sort of live together 

and keep each other company....

Little Edie has a 4 inch donkey

 made by the late Mary Vlasak 

who knew I loved Eeyore.

 Sometimes...

I even make them myself...

 Draw them...

Sometimes I collect a tiny ones...

and I often photograph them!

 

The world is full of wonderful things...that is for sure.  Donkeys and Belted Galloway cows are among my favorite animals. I recently found out that they are both also bred as miniature livestock...oh, to dream!

Imagine my delight at finding a burro in that kitchen store...as if it were there just for me to find! Serenditpity!

The weekend is around the corner...and hopefully our current heat wave will break today. Happy weekend and...

as always, 

enjoy the day!

Tiny treasures...

What sort of stories could these treasures tell?

Nancy Ann with a new friend.

The wonderful, nostalgic goodies were sent to me by "Gramma" over at Martha and Jane (which you should visit and see the murder mystery in progress!) She visited an estate sale and we think that someone must have had our kind of sense of whimsy because there were interesting collectibles galore! There is much eye candy here and tales to unfold...and everything fits in quite nicely here where dolls love to play and tells their stories.

It is raining here like a monsoon. After a terribly dry summer and fall, we are getting the rain we should have had long ago before crops and flowers perished from the high heat and dry conditions. Well, we need it badly so no complaints from me.

Any plans for your weekend? The leaves are finally peaking in color in our area so I think we need to get out there and enjoy them before the rain and wind cause them to drop.

As always,

happy weekend


and enjoy the day!

Handmade pretty inside and out...

In no particular order are some lovely handmade gifts I received recently for my birthday. Don't you love it when there is a surprise element inside?

My friend Marty hand knitted and then felted this wonderful bag! I cannot wait until it is a bit cooler so I can start using it.

Inside is a beautiful fabric lining!

You might remember some gifts that I received from April. Amongst them was this fab Julie Whitmore faience style mug...with a donkey!

Inside there is a star!

My darling grand-daughter (who is eleven) made this fantastic caterpillar mug.

Inside there is a scene!

Remember the wonderful donkey April made?

Inside there is a star
to make a wish on!

Such talented people! I am so lucky to have so many family members and friends who are talented artists. Thank you all!

Now I must remind you to visit Martha and Jane. The drawing for the needle felted birdie giveaway will happen this afternoon!

Oooh...weekend is nearly here. Better get going here and get some work done!

As always,

enjoy the day




and happy weekend!

Happy, friendly burros...

Who could resist photographing these burros on a lovely spring day?

It seems that burros, alpacas, goats and llamas are turning up everywhere we drive. This group of burros is on a lovely hill and the building you see in the background is actually a restaurant.

As you can see, the rain has turned the grass green. The leaves aren't all out yet but they soon will be.

Summer doesn't officially start until June, so we have another month of spring-like weather to enjoy. The lilacs are still blooming and the sweet fragrance still lingers in the air.

As always,

enjoy the day!