Butterflies, Butterflies, Butterflies

A recent walk in my backyard, brought about these pictures.

All the butterflies seem to be very busy this time of year...

guessing it's their last "hurrah" of the season.

As I sit in my yard and look out across the field, I feel

as though I am attending a Butterfly Ballet. 

Sometimes they dance solo and other times in pairs.

In any case it creates the most beautiful, colorful, graceful picture.

Hope you enjoyed the visit today.  I plan to spend my weekend sewing.

I have a couple Dear Jane blocks I need to finish by tomorrow, and I really

need to start working on Christmas gifts.  Have a blessed weekend, and

take time to look around and enjoy God's gifts, they are so

plentiful and beautiful.

Hugs & Blessings,

Terry

Thought for the Day:

 "What you are is God's gift to you...

         what you make of yourself is your gift to God."

Thanksgiving Cards

As many of you know I love to make cards, that would be my second crafting passion, quilting is my first :)  Sometimes I make cards for myself, sometimes for card swaps, and sometimes others ask me to make cards for them to give.  Recently my Mother ask me to make a set of Thanksgiving cards for her.  So I thought I would share them with my wonderful blog followers.

I really enjoyed making these cards, brought to mind the things I am thankful for and the thought of cooler weather. 

Don't forget, you can click on the pictures to get a better view:)

Hugs & Blessings,

Terry

Be thankful in all circumstances,  for this is God's will for you who belong to Jesus Christ.

                                                                                       1 Thessalonians 5:18

Saturday's Adventures

Saturday was to be the day that dear husband and I were going to Freedom, Indiana to an Amish owned general store.  They sell many food items in bulk, and I was out of some spices and noodles.  So we set off at 12:30p.m. on what was to be a 2 hour trip???????    Thought I would share my Saturday with you:)

This old iron bridge is somewhere between Freedom and Washington, which will be our next stop.  The bridge is under construction, probably means it will be dismantled and replaced with concrete :(  There really isn't much character in concrete, just my humble opinion.

After stopping at the general store (sorry no pics, Amish owned), we went on to Washington, seeking out the Stitching Post.  I had found this store on line, and I am sooooo very happy that I found this store.  In case you haven't guessed already, The Stitching Post, is an AWESOME quilt/fabric store.  They have 10,000 bolts of fabric in the store, as well as all kinds of patterns, kits, notions, giftees....ahhh heaven!  Oh and she also offers an on-line store, with unbelievably low shipping prices!!!!  (http://www.stitchingpostquilts.com/)

And of course I did buy a thing or two :)

Fell in love with these pinks and browns,
and it's a Civil War pattern...
need not say any more.

Also picked up these patterns.  Thought the Nine Patch Bouquet would be a good way to use up some of my scraps.  And the Basket Quilt just might become a table runner:)

OOOPS, another Civil War item,
This one is a Schnibbles, yep I have a
Schnibbles, too!

Just south of Washington, we came across this wonderful old round barn.  Built in 1908, and still

being used today. 

Hoping that our next outing I will find some more

old barns and churches to take pictures of, before they are all gone.  But on with this trip.  Somewhere along the line we decided to go on down to Winslow to visit our daughter and her family.  Actually that was dear husband's plan all along :)

Here we got to see the grandkids and their new toys in action.  We had a very very nice, long over due, visit. 

From here we went to Ireland for dinner, yes I said Ireland...don't believe me, well

here's the sign to prove it....

 

Had a yummy dinner of fried chicken and German fries, don't quite understand German fries in Ireland, but what the hey, they were delicious!!!  The name of the restaurant,

"The Chicken Place".

From here, I'm not sure where I was!  My dear husband is a Harley rider, and he decided to take me to some places he had been on the bike.  Some of these roads weren't really roads...I'm sure they were covered wagon trails that had petrified (LOL).

But I did see what was at one time the world's longest train trusses.  Yep more pics:

This thing is 100 feet in the air and I don't have a clue how long.

 But what I do know is, you couldn't pay enough to cross it.  I was just very thankful that no train went across it while I was under it :)

All of this for a couple of bags of noodles and a few spices.

It was wonderful!!!!

So 9 hours later we finally found our driveway.

Sunday was a little less eventful, just took about an hour ride on the Harley with dear husband.  That was great too:)

Hugs & Blessings,

Terry

Missy, Our Resident Racoon :)

Missy has once again enlarged her family.

This year she has brought 3 babies to our yard.

I have seen Mama Missy and all 3 babies at once, but didn't have the camera with me

In this picture you can see one of the babies peeking from behind Mama.

And here Mama Missy is taking some "Me Time"  Just sitting around and chillin'.  Something which every Mom needs now and then:)

Thanks for stopping by:)

Hugs, Terry

Visit To My Yard

We have been under heat index warnings more days than not since the beginning of July, but the heat hasn't stunted the growth of flowers in my yard:)  I think this is called a "Surprise Lily".  My dear sister-in-law gave me several bulbs for these last year, and low and behold they grew..I didn't kill them!!!!! (LOL)

I looked out at our driveway the other day and it was covered in butterflies?????  Those little yellow specs are all butterflies.  They were everywhere, don't know why, but there were all kinds of beautiful butterflies!

Some of the little fluttering wonders took time to land on some of my flowers, too

I thought they were gorgeous.  There were a couple other varieties, but they were camera shy :)

 

And this little beauty is a sunflower, Can't remember the specific type.  I received these seeds earlier this year from my Secret Pal:)  The flowers aren't huge like a traditional sunflower, but they definitely are pretty. 

Hope you enjoyed the visit to my yard.  Don't forget, you should be able to click on the pictures and enlarge them, for better veiwing:)

Love & Hugs,

Terry

Cards Received

I never thought about sharing pics of the cards I receive, until today...dah!!!!
So here are some I have received recently.  There were a few more, but I didn't save the pics.  I will try to do better in the future:)

These beautiful cards are from my dear sister-in-law:)

We swap, monthly with each other.  Helps to build up our card stash.

Never know when you might need a card...FAST!!!

This lovely Fall ATC is from Consuella.  She is a member of one of the groups to which I belong.

And this very pretty Oriental card is from Ruth.  A member of another card swap group to which I belong.  She used pearl watercolors on this card.  The picture just does not show the true beauty.

If you have ever thought about scrapbooking or card-making, but haven't

taken the plunge...Go For It, it's too much FUN!!!!!  And there are lots of great card swapping groups out there to join :)

Hugs & Blessings,

Terry

Newest Card Making :)

Here are the cards I have made recently.  Most are for card swap groups.  Had a lot of fun working on them:) 

This first 2 sets are for a One Sheet Wonder swap.  I used 1 sheet of 12"x12" floral paper

which was cut into various shapes and sizes and used on each card.

This card was my Artist Choice, got to do whatever

I wanted :)  I felt like music that day...maybe because I was listening to some old Beatles & Beach Boys songs

This swap was titled "Butterfly Kisses".  It opens in the center.  Haven't done a center open for awhile.  Added some sparkle to the butterfly wings.  Also made one of these for my sister's Birthday, only hers was in yellow and green:)

This swap was called "Keeping Cool".  I love this stamp set.  Brings back childhood memories.

Oriental swap.  This was just a fun card, fun colors, fun image, fun  to make and look at:)

This card was to be made using pink & white, and was suppose to make the recipient feel peaceful & calm.

And of course I had to make some ATCs.  Fall themed, which was really nice, since it is sooooo hot here! They made me think of the cool crisp Fall weather, that is hopefully right around the corner.

Think I will work on some Winter or Christmas cards next...

with lots of snow on them :)   

Hugs & Blessings,

Terry