And the winner for Cutest Bunny is.....

Aubrey the Holland Lop!

(And it's easy to see why!)

We are currently working on the designation of "smartest bunny" as well. So far, Aubrey has mastered the command "up" and is doing very well with the command "come". She's a sucker for a piece of dried apple or a blueberry (who isn't)!

Signs that Indicate Summer is Over

I've been in serious denial that summer is really over. In fact, until just a couple of days ago, I have been driving around with my trunk full of beach gear (umbrella, chair, towels, etc). I guess I thought that as long as that stuff was in my trunk, summer wasn't actually over yet.

Anyway, I've finally had to come to terms with reality - the evidence is all around me! Here are some signs that indicate Summer is really over for this year:

1. Cardigans are making a regular appearance in my wardrobe again.
2. I switched to the fleece bathrobe.
3. The down comforter is back on the bed.
4. I've said "Brrrrr" every day for 5 days straight.
5. I've had the first fireplace fire of the season.
6. Frost on my car windows!
7. I've put away the bronzer and got out the blush. Ditto lipgloss and lipstick.
8. Use of warm bunny rabbit as hand warmer.
9. Less ice water - more hot tea!
10. Ice cream doesn't sound good anymore.
11. I'm starting to ponder my Christmas list.
12. We are deep into football season!

Bye for now summer! See you next year at the beach!

New Craft Experience

I have this long narrow window by my front door that I didn't know WHAT to do with. At night, its kind of creepy thinking that people could be peeking in through this window. So I thought blinds? - No, that would look silly. Tension curtain? - No, too old and tired. Then I thought "Hey! How about stained glass?!?!" PERFECT!!

I called my Mom who has experience with stained glass and enlisted her help. She came for the weekend and brought all her tools and expertise. We purchased the glass at a local art glass store and went to work. And.....about a week ago it was finally completed and installed.

Voila!

The colors are a little washed out in the photo but it's the best I could get. They are from top to bottom: brown, gold, blue, red, and gray. I think it turned our really well and it's a funky combo of vintage and modern because it's so graphic and simple but uses vintage style materials.

Also, the wall around this door, which is currently green, will soon be painted blue.

What do you think?

Bunny Love

Meet Aubrey, my adorable new Holland Lop bunny.

Who would have thought a fickle 5 Lb bundle of fur would totally enslave my heart?

I Am The One Who Makes A Brighter Day So Let's Start Giving (la, la, la)........

You are the World
Completion, Good Reward.
The World is the final card of the Major Arcana, and as such represents saturnian energies, time, and completion.
The World card pictures a dancer in a Yoni (sometimes made of laurel leaves). The Yoni symbolizes the great Mother, the cervix through which everything is born, and also the doorway to the next life after death. It is indicative of a complete circle. Everything is finally coming together, successfully and at last. You will get that Ph.D. you've been working for years to complete, graduate at long last, marry after a long engagement, or finish that huge project. This card is not for little ends, but for big ones, important ones, ones that come with well earned cheers and acknowledgements. Your hard work, knowledge, wisdom, patience, etc, will absolutely pay-off; you've done everything right.
What Tarot Card are You?

Take the Test to Find Out.

Stick A Fork in This Kitchen 'Cause It is DONE!

Here it is! The first completed room in the house!

I went with a red and white color scheme to showcase my vintage red & white milk glass collection. The white bead board was already up in the room which was convenient. Also, the large amount of white in the room really allowed me to go bold with this red. Beneath the custom valance is a freshly installed mini-blind for privacy.

Normally, there will be a vintage table cloth on this table (my other vintage collectable passion). However, it was either iron the cloth, or take pictures before I lost the light. The rug represents a large and angst-ridden search for the perfect floor covering to define the eating area. I was so happy with the way this sisal rug adds another natural element to the room.

Blinds on slider to the deck were just installed on Labor Day. They haven't even lost that new blind smell yet!

Afore mentioned milk glass collectables on display.

Refrigerator and pantry. OK, probably not that exciting to anyone but me.

More stainless steel appliances shown here as well as my Martha Stewart Everyday Food cookbook collection (I am a charter subscriber and these are not only useful but add a "pop" of color to this corner).

I love how these blinds carry over the pattern established by the bead board.

Well, that's the tour! Hope you enjoyed this first "reveal". More to come (hopefully soon)!

Can you tell I watch a lot of HGTV?

Random Observations

I'm happy to report that I had my review today at work and it was a good one. That's always a relief - now I'm good for another 6 months! Then, I answered a question in a training class and won chocolate. That's really all I ask out of my work day - positive feedback and chocolate. So........Check and Check!

I went for my second beach trip last weekend and had a great time. Big Red Ice Cream shop - YOU ROCK!!! The beach was windy but fabulous. My sister and I did the "mind meld" thing and beat the pants off everyone at Taboo. Guess they won't let us play together again until the memory of their humiliating defeat fades a bit. Oh well, it was TOTALLY worth it.

My sister gave me yarn and needles and I'm going to try knitting a sock. I wonder if I will also get hooked. I wonder if it will even turn out looking like a sock. Guess we will have to wait and see.

This coming labor day weekend will be spent painting the dining room and living room. I'll try to do some before and after pix to post. Also, it is Chicago Jazz Festival - YAY!!! If you go on Sunday, you just might see me.