Get in the Box, Ann!

 Hi Everyone!  I worked on Ann and her wardrobe yesterday.  I made felt boots with ladybug buttons and they fit!  Hooray!  I used the apron fabric for her bloomers.  They fit, too!  Miraculous!  Her pinafore is made from the fabric I used to make a skirt for my desk at school.  She's a bit mismatched but aren't rag dolls supposed to be a bit hap hazard? 

 When I went back to college ten years ago, I had this Raggedy Ann patch on my backpack.  Now Ann will wear it on her journey to Spokane, Washington. 

 She will need a good stretch when she finally arrives.  I'm always so proud of myself when I mail packages.  I procrastinate and procrastinate.  I'm not sure why.  After mailing this box and two other packages for friends, I thought to myself, "Self, you need to have more giveaways."  I love it when things are in the mail, traveling off to people that matter to me.  So, I'm thinking of a fun giveaway.  Stay tuned.

 Yesterday at dinnertime I was sitting at the kitchen table, drinking tea for my sore throat (still very OUCH!) and looking out at the bird feeder and then back at the pasta cooking on the stove.  I'm so thankful for my stove.  Again, a sturdy and functional little workhorse. 

Aren't these pretty? They are a cross between plums and apricots.  They are very red in the middle and extra tasty.  Summer fruits bless our taste buds, don't they? I might have a melon for breakfast. 

 I drew a summer bug for you.  Look quickly!  She's walking off the page!

 When I hunt around the "Interwebs" for more information about Gladys Taber, I find her Friends website.  I had been considering joining.  Twenty dollars per year buys fantastic newsletters featuring old articles Gladys wrote, recipes, and pictures.  After sending off my check, I heard back within a week.  I received three lovely photographs of Gladys and Stillmeadow first and then yesterday two copies of back newsletters arrived.  Delicious!  Susan Branch blogged about this and she is the one who got me curious about Gladys Taber quite some time ago.  You may want to become a Friend of Gladys Taber, too.  I wish there was a Gladys Taber around today.

Here is a flower for you.  This day lily is robust and bright.  She is pure sunshine in our July garden.  I have a fun idea for a "creative make" today and I will show you tomorrow.  Have a calm and happy day, please.  I am going to think about free stuff like bird song and fresh air.  I find contentment one of the most satisfying feelings.  When I look at my old stuff and still like it, I feel relieved and grateful.  I'm thankful for the ribs we'll have for dinner and the possibility of banana bread baking.  Summer is humming a very kind song to me.