Halloween . . . getting ready :O)

My family knows how much I love to decorate for the holidays, Halloween is one of my kids (big kids) favorite.  The pumpkin above has been around since my kids were little, love the smirk on his face.  Remember Mervyns, I bought it there and wished I would have bought more of them.   Have you started decorating yet for Halloween?  I've done a little bit and still need to do a little more.  We didn't get too many door knocks last year for candy.  It's a shame how much has change since my kids were little.  Well . . . time to do some more decorating around here.  Blessings!

Having some fun in Newport Beach

"Smithsonian Museum Day" was spent at Newport Beach today with my sweet friend Nancy and her little ones, the pic above is Nancy with her youngest, Gregory (only 2 months old) who is adorable. The weather couldn't have been nicer, high 70's and breezy aka "California style".  Lunch and a ride on the ferry was so much fun too.  The exhibit was small but nice, enough to keep the little ones entertained.

Thought I would post this funny pic of Buttons with her crown on . . . I think she really liked it, really didn't fuss when I took the pic.  Buttons is going to be 10 years old.  She's slowing down a little now, doesn't jump as often as she used to.  Such a sweet dog and gentle with the little ones.

 Romans 12:10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Out do one another in showing honor.

Good Read

Found this saying on Pinterest early this morning.  I actually experience this with a sweet friend yesterday and it is so true, there is something so beautiful about honesty.   Something to think about for sure.  Enjoy your day :O)

Finally Finish

I had this cross stitch project that I have been working on for a very long, long, time . . . if I mention how long again I would be so embarrassed for sure.  Anyways, love the way it turned out.  Here is some pics of it.  Anytime I turn a cross stitch project into a pillow with rick rack, my concern is I will not make it with a straight seam.  Well by the look of these photos, I think I got lucky this time.  Its a Mother and daughter theme, so wish I knew at that time when I started it that I was going to have a daughter with brunette hair.  Love it anyways.  I displayed it with some Fall decor but it actually will go in my entry on a bench for Springtime next year.  Take a peek at the pics.  Hope you are enjoying this beautiful time of the year.  Blessings :O)

Check out that straight seam . . . yes happy days for sure!

Secret to Happiness . . .

Hope it's a happy one :O) 

I Just Love Fall . . . Don't You?

Please don't be mad at me . . . I just love this time of the year, Fall's coming and I get so excited.  It's always so much fun to change out the decor of the house.  Found all these images on Pinterest.  

I love this "Jack" cross-stitch pic above . . . 

Don't you just love vintage Halloween decorations . . . 

And of course Thanksgiving  . . . ok, I know I'm moving a little too fast here, I'll stop now, while I'm ahead of the game . . . hope you are looking forward to Fall too!  Blessings :O)

Wisconsin . . . beautiful :O)

Nothing but a good time in Wisconsin . .  One of the days spent there was visiting the "House On The Rock" and Culvers for "butter burgers" and "custard ice-cream".  We ate so much through this entire trip.  But it was so much fun . . . just a good time.

The House On The Rock was built in 1945, by a man named Alex Jordan with a crazy goal to build a retreat from a rock.  There is so much to see and the tour ends with this amazing collection of stuff, everything you can think of including a full carousel.  I absolutely fell in love with the circus collection from the 1940's  and the detail of it was just crazy to see.  The circus collection filled a whole room alone.  In addition to this collection was a huge doll house collection filled with detail and furniture.  Lots of walking and the A/C was not cool enough, I'm glad I wore shorts and flip flops that day.

In this pic above I'm standing in front of a colored glass collection which is displayed in the women's bathroom wall.  Below are the pics from the circus collection, look at that detail.

Our last full day in Wisconsin was spent at EPIC where my son works.  This is a very unique company specializing in healthcare software.  This company is definitely geared towards the new business generation today.  I felt like I was at a farm with a playground.  EPIC grows there own vegetables and has there own dairy.  Check out these pics below.

We ending our evening with a nice dinner at a restaurant called, "The Old-Fashion" outside of the Capital building in Madison.  We tried out the cheese curds there.  The cheese back in California tastes bitter next to the cheese in Wisconsin, oh my gosh, the cheese curds were delicious.

As I end my postings from my vacation this year, I feel so blessed to have the most wonderful children (grown adults) they are so good to me and so compassionate, always making sure that I'm ok and having a good time.  It was never what they wanted to do, it was always what I wanted to do.  My oldest son, Davey had to work and missed out on this wonderful trip, we were really hoping he could have gotten the time off from work to join us but for sure next time he will.  As a Mom of these kids I really feel so blessed  . . . Thank you God :O)