So Close!

Driveway test today

Just a few more curtains to finish

"The Rug"

Drove through the State Park and found our "spot" along a creek!  Weather is starting to improve.  Good temps this week.  Just have to finish curtains, pick up the other seat cushion, add throw pillows and bedding, get the title transferred and license plate and stock the cupboards, nooks and crannies!  So damn excited!

Senior Prom

My nephew, Erik from Orlando attended the prom this weekend!

Oh to be young and happy in love!

Next up, his graduation.  We'll be heading to Orlando for the ceremony next month!  See you soon, Erik!

A Good Read

I believe I have mentioned this previously.  I have a dear friend suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. She was diagnosed as early onset Alzheimer's. Mari was about 60 years old when she was diagnosed. It is a very sad disease process.

,

 I just finished the book, Still Alice by Lisa Genova. The author does an excellent job of describing the onset symptoms and follows the Alzheimer's progression.  The book was very moving and I felt it was very realistic. It makes you think about how you would deal with this diagnosis.   It helped me understand my friend Mari 's journey. A very good, quick read.   It provided me with a good insight as to what is going on in "their minds" and demonstrates how Alzheimer patients literally lose their mind! 

Great Thrift Find

Look at these cute plates I found at a local thrift shop.  They will be perfect for sending a plate of cookies or  muffins to a friend.

A real buy at 49 cents each!  Now I need to bake something, right?

Look what I ordered today!

So excited....just a little something for the camper

Dash and Albert rug!  Can't wait for its arrival!  I think it will look great.  What do you think?

Pretty in Pink

I spotted these lovely flowers at my local supermarket this weekend and couldn't pass them up.




These were posted on a blog I follow....aren't they the sweetest?

Razmatazblog.blogspot.com

And she was so kind as to include the recipe. You can bet these are on my must do soon list.




Have a great week!

Guest Posting

My friend, Lynne, from Irish Garden House. invited me to do a guest post on her blog.  What a thrill and honor.  So visit over there this weekend to see what I have to say!  Take time to browse her blog while you are there, she does a lovely job of blogging.

Have a great weekend!

Third Attempt to Post Today

I was out in the camper posting from my iPad and Blogpress was having trouble uploading my photos.

I painted the interior of Lila Jane today.  All the walls, closet and cupboard and trim is done.  Dove White.  It really looks good.  Took a break, had a large iced coffee in the camper and then scrubbed the floor.

Richie hung the towel rack and a curtain rod.  Things are really taking shape.  Time to complete the curtain making.  Twas a great day today....lots of accomplishments on Lila!

 More later!

Vintage Linens for Camper

My friend, Kathy, called me on Saturday to let me know there was a Vintage Linen Sale in Grand Haven. One day only.  Jackie and I head over there.  What a lovely sale.  The lady had the nicest, cleanest linens.  Everything was displayed so nicely.  She had a lovely home and such nice touches.  I purchased a few things for the outside tables when we take Lila Jane on the road.


and



They will look so cute on a picnic table.  Getting closer each day!

Sleeping Babes

So Precious!

The Weekend

The weekend was great. Mike was here from Florida; Jackie and Joslyn from Chicago. We had a great visit Saturday and Sunday.

Dinner Saturday night




Uncle Mike guiding the women in lively discussions





He took special time out for his great niece, JoJo





Mike and Richie checking out Grandma's backyard and doing a slight repair.








Brunch this morning




Nap time




Snack time




We all loved being together again.

Camper Accessorie

The other day when I was at Anthropologie, I picked up this cute cloth napkin. I really liked the colors. Fast forward, last night I turned the napkin into a pillow for the camper.






Please exscuse the background . It was late.
I began the interior painting yesterday and am so happy with the look. She's getting a coat of Alabaster by Bemjamin Moore. She is really starting to come together now. The kitchen cupboard goes in, the bedframe. And next is all my touches.!!!! So excited.

Busy weekend ahead. Chicago Jo arrives tomorrow, Mike here!!! Have to get busy NOW! Beds to freshen, cooking, baking, etc.

I'll have pictures!
Babs.

Great Day

I went to Grand Rapids today and ran a few errands. Went to the "new" Anthropology store. It's so awesome! Bought a few things for the camper.



Went to Macy's for a new summer fragrance.


Then the hightlight was zipping over to Gerald Ford Airport to pick up my brother Mike arriving from Orlando. It is always so wonderful to see him.



He came up for a long weekend to do some fly fishing and to visit with our mother.

Looking forward to a few days to get some things accomplished while the boys are fishing. Then, this weekend we will have a house full. Our little JoJo is coming to visit Uncle Mike.


Busy times ahead!

Anthropologie....

Gotta have!



So adorable...off to find tomorrow!

Cherish

I was dusting today and picked up this picture. I truly cherish this photograph of my Mom and all of her children, my siblings that is.

It was taken a few years ago at my niece's wedding. I believe my Dad had passed away a year earlier.

Our family is precious to me. We love my Mom and we all hold her close to our hearts. Every day she is still with us is cherished.   She is the neatest lady ever. This particular evening, she was out on the dance floor with her grandchildren living it up. What a sweet memory!




Left to right: Ginny, Maggie, Mother, me, Mike and Phil.  Seeing this picture today just warmed my heart!

By the way, talking about warm....just the opposite is happening outside as I type.  It's snowing!  Sorry Mike.
Mike arrives here tomorrow from Orlando for a long weekend!
Babs~

Family Time

Maggie hosted Easter dinner. It was really nice, quiet, and relaxing.



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Phil made the traditional lamb cake this year. It was delicious.



What would Easter be without the Easter Bunny?






Our tummies are all full! I brought home the ham bone...pea soup this week!
Hope you had a great Easter!

Easter Treats

Homemade cardamom bread for coffee. Yum....swedish tradition.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Vintage Camper Update

She's adorable.










Remember she was a little homely.










We gave her some fresh paint, new sidelights, freshened aluminum around windows, etc.

I'm onto the window treatments now. Here is a sneak peek.





We pulled her outside yesterday and I sat inside and did some computing and knitting. It was great taking in the sunshine and spending time with my LilaJane!





I'll keep you posted on more progress.  Won't be long and she'll be going out for a trial outing.
Babs~

Working on a Market Bag

Scrapped the first one for now...had a mistake in the bottom. Here is my next attempt...going so much better. I like this a lot...mindless knitting!




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

DIY Iced Coffee

It's that time of year!  Iced Coffee.  I purchased one last week from The CoffeeHouse.....$4.51 please!  Over the summer, that will add up to lots of bucks!  Solution!  Make your own!

It's so very easy.  And it yields a lot of iced coffee's, trust me!

I bought from Sam's Club this two pound bag of dark roast coffee...$10.50.  DaVinci Irish Cream is about $5 bucks there also.

All you do is pour one pound of ground coffee into a very large container (I used a soup pot) and add 8 quarts of cold water.  Let it set overnight.  In the morning, strain the coffee solution into containers.  Use a  mesh strainer with cheesecloth to keep coffee grounds separated from liquid. Keep solution refrigerated.  It keeps a long time.

Discard coffee grounds into the garden - plants love them.

Fill your glass with ice, add an ounce or so of flavoring, pour coffee extract to 3/4 full, stir.  Add milk, stir again and ENJOY!  I know this one doesn't cost you $4.50.

If you really want to be over the top, make coffee ice cubes.  Pour your leftover coffee each morning into ice cube trays.  When hardened, transfer to ziploc bag.  Use for your coffee drinks.  When ice melts it won't water down your yummy drink so much!  Genius!

Life is so good!