My project from the Cape

We had such a busy agenda whilst at the Cape. I just now finished my "whale clutch"

This was my first attempt to make a vinyl tote.. I took photographs and re sized them for this bag, and lined it with another paper.. The papers are sandwiched between the vinyl..The sides and bottom have a nice little gusset in them.. Voila my own personalized tote! How cute is the little sailor fella peeking over the bag.... he was a very generous gift from Jody Battaglia...I love him Jody, thanks so much...

Here's the flip side of the tote....

but of course, my 2nd attempt became more elaborate..this one has gussets too with more Soapine kids and whales on the sides and bottom gussets. These are old trade card ads that I find so charming... very appropriate for Cape Cod, dont you think. I hope that Jody will finish hers soon, as she's going to Japan and her collectors will want to see her sporting her new clutch with her amazing characters on it.

Rosanne made a wallet (smart gal), as she did come a few days later in our vacation.. As for slacker Leslie, well, we're still waiting to see what she finishes.... but then, she was pretty busy making us all kinds of muffins... thanks so much Leslie... I had such a great time..

Inside is lined with the sweetest paper with scroll and birds.. I'm quite pleased with my project..

home again, and then some...

My trip to Cape Cod was beyond fantastic, and I am still processing it all...but an hour after returning home, I jumped back into the car for yet another trip to a different airport about an hour away to pick up our daughter Kindra and our 4 year old granddaughter for a very exciting visit..... That said, there's just so much I would like to share...BUT... as my last post was about this amazing Lemon Lasagna, ( which we ate it in Cape Cod ), and then again for Kindra's visit, I thought that I should share that Oscar was also just as fond of it as we all were... in fact, these are photos of the very sleepy fella just after consuming 3/4 of it off the kitchen table... I only wish that I had captured him standing on the table eating it.... not a trustworthy guy when it comes to food... but come on, off the table? So much for the Dog Whisper'er in me.

My new favorite receipe...

It's been awhile since I've posted about food, and I've tried this twice now and it's really a big hit here... What makes it so special are the lemons on the top.. You eat them along with the lasagna, and it couldn't be better... I didnt take this photo, but mine looked just like this...

Sausage, chard (or spinach), and lemon Lasagna ( A Martha receipe )
3 tbsp butter
1/4 cup flour
3 cups whole milk
1 cup grated parmesan
course ground pepper, and salt
5 cups chopped swiss chard or( I used spinach)
1 lb sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
1 lemon sliced very thin
6 no boil lasagna noodles(or you can use the reg ones, and cook them first)

1. Melt butter in saucepan. Stir in flour, cook 2 mins, wisk in milk, bring to a boil, stirring. Reduce heat, simmer 1 min. Remove from heat, whisk in 3/4 c parmesan, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper and the greens.
2Preheat oven to 350. Cook sausage in skillet breaking up into small pieces, until browned and thoroughly cooked.
3. Cover lemon slices with cold water by 3 inches in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 7 mins. That's what makes them special..Transfer to a paper towel lined plate.
4. Spread 1/4 cup sauce in an 8-inch square non-reactive baking dish. Top with 2 noodles, half the sausage, and 1 cup sauce. Repeat. Top with a layer of 2 noodles, remaining sauce and the lemons. Bake covered with parchment-lined foil for 27 mins.
5. Remove from oven. Heat broiler. Uncover lasagna, top with remaining cheese. Broil until bubbling, 2-3 mins. yum......

It's that time of year when the yard is filled with the amazing fragrance of peonies and wild phlox. I love their aroma, and smile knowing that these peonies have continued to bloom although their original home has been gone for 15 years. In making room for development, this lovely old home was torn down, and memories lost forever... but not the peonies and other spring flowers. My friend and I dug alot of flowers out of there before the bull dozer came and leveled the grounds. It was two days well spent..... If anyone would like some of these blush peonies, I will be digging them in the fall, and would gladly share...

It's that time of year again.. ahhhh, summer. For a long while, getting together in Cape Cod

seemed like so far off. But now, the time is here, and I am packing the last of my project( parts and pieces ), and off I go... Leslie McCabe has graciously extented another invite at her new abode, and I am so excited to finally see this new place. With Jody, Diana, and Roseanne, finally together in the same house, there's bound to be a grand time. There will be fun new projects, lots of laughter, lobster rolls and a daily dose of wine to mellow us all ....

So bring on the heat, I am now ready for it...

sending cool thoughts your way....

This is the picture that comes up when I turn my computer on each day... I was thinking of changing it until this week of sweltering weather... It makes me smile and I realize how the three of were so in sinc with each other... I miss you Kinny... come for a visit. I also miss that sweet little black dog, maybe that's the real reason why I still have this photo on my screen-saver...

dog days of summmer here in Michigan...

So hot and the mosquitoes were fierce... 98 degrees to be exact... time to stay inside.. no gardening today.

what's up around here...

The bluebirds are busy raising their young, after a marauder tore down their first nesting box. There's always so much to do here in the spring, before the heat of the season sets in and plants don't like to move around anymore than I. These are some of my favorite spots to sit in the early morning, and it is here that I make more mental lists of things that need moving, or little rooms that need creating.. This year, we are taking on a huge project... the fence... I have been wanting it grey for so long, and now that we actually need to replace some boards, it's a perfect excuse... Any one who would like to grab a brush and help... it will be a full spring, summer and fall project, and Oscar hasn't volunteered.

Jen Murphy's Web Update Today

Cutest Stuff ever.... check it out!!!