Rainy Days and Sundays....

This past weekend there was a very big event that occurred in the Phoenix area.....
It rained.

No, I am not kidding about this. 
It is a big event in these parts.
Especially after 90 days of no rain.  Or even clouds. 
So what do people do when it rains in Arizona? 
Well, we all grab our cameras to document this rarest of events.  Note:  See above ;-)
And in this day of modern technology the entire evening news broadcast was comprised almost entirely of photos submitted by viewers. 
I. kid. you. not. 
There were several pictures of hail....from several different viewpoints. 
Pictures of clouds.  Pictures of snow from the north country. 
Seriously. 
I'm relatively certain that people from the Midwest (you know....tornado alley) would have rolled their eyes at our freakish fascination with rain. 
In fact, there were probably a few of them in town for Spring Training. 
Anyways, I think you get the picture.  Rain is a big deal here. 
So, aside from taking the about photo I found other ways to occupy my rainy day. 
I just expanded on my collection of crocheted squares....

It was a good day for it. 
Because I knew from experience that a good rainy day is not going to come along again for a while...
In fact, today it was sunny and 83. 
And 100+ is just around the corner.....

A New Project

Yes!  There is a new crochet project. 
I don't know why I don't just gravitate to one of the five projects that I've already started.
But when I get my mind set on something, I just go for it. 
So, here are the beginnings, loose ends and all, of the next great crochet afghan (insert eye roll!). 

In between calculus homework and spring training there have been squares. 
I don't know what it is but I am so drawn to squares.....
And obviously my cat is too, because if you look closely at the the right side of the photo
you will see the kitty dutifully guarding the squares.  
The squares will turn into a big ole afghan. 
I hope it will look just as beautiful as it has appeared in my head. 
We'll see....... :-)   

Sunday Mornings

This is what Sunday mornings look like in our neck of the woods. 

Yummy waffles,

Starbucks Coffee, 
and a pathetic attempt at the NY Times Crossword. 

Nice, quiet, and relaxing. 
Easily my most favorite day of the week. 

Hope everyone is having a relaxing Sunday out there in blogland. 

Dreaming of the Simple Life.....

This morning I came to the realization that the letters H, R, and T are most likely a part of my very near future.  And I actually started a blog post detailing all the sad reasons why I came to this conclusion. 
And then I chucked it. 
Because I also came to the realization.....
That if people I knew actually read my blog I would get more phone calls than I would like
asking me if I was okay. 
I am.  Okay, that is. 
But for now I'm going to spend some time daydreaming.
That my life could be more like his......

So simple that all I thought about was fighting for a squeaky toy,
having my humans pat me on the head, and cuddling up on a nice
warm afghan sleeping the day away.  That is until the magical treat
hour arrives and I suddenly come to life.
Oh My!  If only life could be that simple......

My Long Forgotten Other Hobby

I still scrapbook.  Sometimes. 
Lately, however, I just have not been able to find the time. 
I know.  I'm retired I have all the time in the world. 
But I am working on being "unretired" and that is taking up a good portion of my time. 
I have a subscription to Studio Calico.  Last months subscription is still in the box. 
And this month's subscription is due to arrive today. 
Oh, and all my Project Life stuff?  Yes, still in the box. 
I'm hoping to rectify this situation this weekend with a little time set aside to let the paper creativity flow. 

In the meantime, let me share my last page completed. 
I'm always self conscious about sharing because I see so much great stuff out there.
And I just don't have that great eye for color and decorating....(hanging my head in shame)
So, I decided to just keep it simple and look to get my point across. 
It may not be a "Louvre-Ready"  piece of art....
But it works for me.

And besides, she is one of my favorite scrapbook subjects.....
Soon I will have another favorite scrapbook subject.   I can't wait! 

Hope everyone has a fabulous Thursday! 
Thanks for stopping by!

Let There Be Crochet!!

I guess I have dropped the ball on crochet projects so far this year.  Actually, in between school assignments, I have been working on a few projects.
It's just that the projects have been on the down-low so to speak. 
They were special surprises for a very special girl. 
And I didn't want to ruin the surprise, so I waited to post the finished products here. 
Well, they are surprises no more.
So without further ado....
May I present my only the second and third baby blankets I have ever completed!  (yeah! you read right) 

The pattern for this blanket came from the book A Year of Afghans, 1997.  I loved it because the blanket looks so detailed but it was actually a very easy pattern.  The yarn I used was Red Heart Soft Baby Steps.  I liked using this yarn because it is a little thicker than most baby yarn and it is very, very soft. 

Here is the other blanket: 

Just a simple granny square.  The yarn I used was Vanna's Baby Yarn. 
Yep, I'm a big fan of the thicker yarns.  I just find the baby yarn too thin.  At least for blankets. 
Now I know that the blankets don't really give a clue about the gender of my first grandbaby but
I'm pretty sure my next project will......

Yeah.....I don't see a baby boy wearing this....Lol! 
So, yes, it is a girl! 
And I had the extra added pleasure of saying "I knew it"!  The phrase every daughter loves to hear.
What can I say.  She was thinking "boy".  I was thinking (and hoping) "girl". 
I win.  Well, I guess it wasn't really a contest.....
Anyways, I spied these cute little diapers covers on pinterest and I knew I had to get my hands on this pattern.  The pattern is by Little Abbee.  Her etsy shop can be found here. 
I think the pattern was like $3.99.  Not bad at all.
I made a few of these and it took me only an hour to an hour and a half to whip one up. 
And they are just so stinking cute!  

Anyways, that is all the crochet that I have finished. 
Of course, I still have all those works in progress lying around.  Go figure! 

Hope you all have a marvelous Wednesday!

OH MY!

A few days ago......
Jon Bon Jovi turned 50 years old....



Call me silly, but I'm going to say that 50 never looked so good....
Hmmmmm......heavy sigh....