Around the House

 Hello!  Do you love glads?  One of our Australian house guests is sitting in the rocking chair.  They are extremely easy guests.

 I tried to grow glads last year, but they didn't come to anything.  I probably neglected to give them extra drinks.  I found these in the floral department at the grocery store. 
It's time for strawberries.  We can buy strawberries all year round now, but June is the best REAL time for them.  They are so photogenic.

 On Saturday one of Jeff's Hawaiian friends made us a lovely plate lunch.  You know, a meat curry, rice, and macaroni salad.  Now, I must confess that I tend to think of mac salad as an old fashioned side dish, but now I have new vision for it.  They say that the key is the mayonnaise.  It MUST be Best Foods brand.  I am going to make some myself for our cookout night.  I will put in tiny diced carrot, celery, red bell pepper, and green onion.  I'm inspired to mix it up and continue to tweak my own mac salad.  Come over for a plate lunch? 

 Our guest Heather's boots.  Made in America but much cooler on Australians!  Ha ha ha!  Just kidding. 

 All of my linens are old.  I lose track of time when it comes to cloth.  I gave some sheets to the Goodwill recently because I don't need more than two sets of sheets, but I used to think I did.  My tablecloths are practically antiques.  I still like using them.  

 I went shopping for bookends.  There are not enough bookends in this house.  I found that pretty bookends are quite expensive.  I bought another set of the chairs!  They were reasonably priced and they work!  Bookends are better than all the piles that accumulate around here. 

 After cleaning like a good housemaid (I really was surprised at myself - the basement is tidy and web free!) I feel lighter.  I meandered through a few (way too many) containers in my office (all tucked under the desk - messy!) I found a sweater that I began knitting for Kelli 32 years ago!  Gasp!  In the same basket were a couple of ugly black moths.  So scary.  I threw away some of the wool, but the sweater is made of acrylic yarn so it is soaking in the bathroom sink.  I just might finish it and see if I can talk Plum Cake into wearing it.  I fear it's not pink enough for her fairy/princess/pretty pony taste. 

 I've been watching lovely UK podcasts and who knew I would find them SO inspiring as well as entertaining?  I like Sew Sweet Violet, Little Bobbins Knits, Cherry Heart, and Amy at Love Made My Home. I am thinking about what to make with the golden yarn Debbie sent me in the stationary swap that Elizabethd initiated.  The podcasters are so inspiring! 

I've been a very busy granny and house mouse, but next week is pretty free.  I want to knit and watch this. 

 Ginny from Small Things and Yarn Along recommended this book.  It's nice and fat.

 I'm still clearing a place at my desk, but this is my new treat.

 Kelli gave me gift cards, a massage, and lunch to say thank you for keeping the girls while they vacationed.  Isn't the card pretty?  I do not need gifts for taking care of our grands, but she insists.  

 Jenny gave me this for Mother's Day.  Isn't it sweet?  It makes me think of Susan Branch.  She says dreams come true.  So cute.

Tomorrow the temps are supposed to be in the 70's so I might pull some weeds and plant red petunias.  Our cucumbers are coming up.  Hooray!
Oh, and I want to make our home look more like a Brambly Hedge home so I have an idea about using tension rods and making curtains in places other than windows.  I am on the lookout for places where tension rods could tuck in.  The green gingham above is going in the dining room and if I get the jazz to pick off wallpaper borders in the family room, I shall add two flouncy curtains to that room, too.  I also want to paint the shelf over the fireplace white and make a ruffle to go around (like the mice do!).  
I did not realize how haunted house-ish our basement was and now that it is clean, I feel bouncy.
Oh, I forgot to take a picture of the square of Tickleberry cake I ate but it was scrumptious!  Happy wedding month! On to the red, white, and blue month.
Thank you for stopping in and saying hello!