The dandelion is not typically a plant one looks forward to seeing in his yard. Before ridding the premises of said growth, however, take a moment, albeit brief, to get up close and personal with this multi-dimensional herb. It is delicate, it is spindly, it is wispy, it is stalwart, it is showy.
This little fellow reminds me of a blackberry. Oh. No, no. Not that blackberry.
This past Sunday afternoon marked the first time Deutsch and Scout went to a beach. No, it wasn't exactly the Atlantic Ocean; rather, it was the Chesapeake Bay. And the great thing is that those two boys took to it like ducks to water. They got all wet and sandy while exploring everything in their path, like seashells, driftwood, seaweed, and little sea critters. I think they would have stayed longer than this, our first visit, had our schedule permitted.
We had about a ten to twelve minute walk from where we parked our vehicle to the actual beach. We enjoyed the extra exercise as we made our way along this "tree tunneled road."
Scout moves so quickly along the water's edge that his right paw catches the leash. Once his paw is freed, it's back to beach business.
dachshund beach autograph
Squidley and the boys leave a trio of prints in the sand.
This is the way back to the vehicle, and though Deutsch and Scout enjoy the walk, they happily enjoy some r and r on the way home.
Despite the off and on rainfall we've experienced, the outdoors continually grows prettier. Hey, for that matter, the rain is kinda neat, too.
Tonight's dinner was wonderful.It's been a good day, but a terrible headache is sending me to beddy bye early.
Prior to this morning, I had been highly concerned about the situation pictured in yesterday's post: a broken limb situated on a stable limb, very high up and most definitely not reachable without an exceedingly tall ladder or some sort of special equipment. The limb possibly could cause serious injury to Squidley or me or Deutsch or Scout.
I will always be fascinated that one need only step through one's doorway to thrill at the awesomeness of God's artistry. Many spots around the world boast of bigger and better, but don't overlook those smaller, unadvertised specials.
The subjects of these photographs are just a sampling of the many reasons to make frequent appearances outdoors these days.
Talk about relaxed and carefree! And, being able to fall asleep in just about any position!
professional snugglers
professional sleepers
Another night for curry, this time with fresh broccoli, carrots, onion, and red bell pepper. And Squidley stepped up the heat just a bit with fresh jalapeno. And of course, chicken. A delicious dish!
Today I picked up where I left off yesterday: sorting through the books in my two largest bookshelves. I finished one yesterday and finished the second one this afternoon. I really dislike parting company when it comes to my books; however, there are many I've read and don't plan on reading again. There are many that will always be "keepers." So far, I have pulled over fifty that will be shown the door. Politely, of course. And I have a third bookcase, a smaller one, whose books I will inventory for the same purpose.
It's been a busy, working afternoon, and we're pretty tired. We've accomplished much, though, so it's a good tired. And Squidley made us a nice little dinner, homemade tacos with homemade pico de gallo. It was so good that I think it doubled as a reward for all our hard work.And now it's time to put us all in the beddy bye.
Wishing everyone a very good week.
Very tired. Very sleepy. Very ready to get into the beddy bye. After I quickly read a chapter in my new book. Squidley loaded another book onto my Sony reader, and after starting it last night, I am very exciting about reading it.Nighty night, everyone.
This is a simple, rib-knit, super thin tee with three quarter length sleeves. Underneath each sleeve, just inches from the hem, is a short, narrow, cotton strip with a buttonhole on one end. The sleeve can be rolled so that the strip is exposed, thus allowing the sleeve to be buttoned for a slightly shorter length.
The button is generic at best, and, for that matter, so is the tee. However, I couldn't expect much more from a "Wally World" find that was inexpensive from the first: about six dollars. By the time I got to it, it had been marked down to three dollars. Yippee! I'll turn that car around!
After getting the fabric lined up on the cutting mat (This wasn't a piece of cake, but it wasn't too terribly difficult either.), I cut a one and a half inch strip the length of the fabric width. It is at this point that the sewing machine width should be set to a fairly wide stitch length (like a basting stitch); however, I forgot, thus using a regular stitch to sew down the middle (lengthwise) of the entire piece. That in itself wasn't a problem; gathering the length was the challenge. I did complete the task and reminded myuself not to let that happen again.
a successful gathering, nonetheless
I heart ruffles.
Next, I carefully placed the ruffle around the tee's front neck edge, then pinned it in place (using my pretty little glass head pins).
The neckline has been completed.
Next, I cut two four-inch strips, each the length of the fabric width. The I joined the two together, sewing two ends together, right sides together.
It was now time for this very long strip to be basted along the entire length, approximately five eighths of an inch from the fabric edge. And yes, this time I remembered to change the stitch setting to a long stitch length.
The fabric length, which as I've said, was quite long, gathered beautifully.
I did not pin this ruffled piece. Rather, I measured it to make sure it would cover the circumference of the tee's hem. I then carefully stitched (using a regular size stitch setting) to the hem, stitching over the basting.
I stitched around the entire ruffle one more time, this time sewing as close as possible to the ruffle's top edge. Originally, I hadn't planned on this step; however, the top edge just didn't look right. The tee's hem was visible and clashed with the ruffle. So I gambled with this second time around, and it paid off big time. It gave the ruffle a finished edge that was better than anything I could have planned. Oh, yeah. I also stitched together the beginning and and ending sides, just so there was not "parting of the Red Sea," thus exposing the white underneath.
a closer look
the finished neckline
the finished hemline
Here is the completed project, including the addition of two navy, heart-shaped buttons to replace those generics ones I mentioned earlier. The buttons, by the way, are from an assortment that Squidley picked up for me while on a business trip.
Here is one more shot of the project, just before the buttons were added. 
