BuTtOnS & the new Grandpuppy!

I decided to poke around at my Mother's house and found some things that my Aunt decided to get rid of...and of course, I volunteered to take them! Most were from Mom and Aunt Jeanette's maiden aunt Celia. These buttons were fun to play with and there are many that I am excited about, especially the Scotty dogs!
Then there is the new grandpuppy! he is living in California but will move in with our son and his girlfriend when they move to CA in August! I already told them that he must come visit us and meet his cousin, Bob! Half miniature poodle and half Chihuahua, 'Harley' should stay small...but we'll see. Bob may have a fun playmate!

SmileS!

Today I find I need smiles....so I played around with my things; some old, some new.

I bought the cat sculpture with cup on top last week on a shopping excursion with family. Love a certain gallery near Charlevoix, MI, housed in an old red school house (Biers Gallery). I have a collection of fun sculptures from this particular artist (Rex Benson); his characters always make me smile. I added the mouse (Wee Forest Folk) in the cup and love it!

I have been working on a cloche display for a posting for next week. I bought several (well...many) tiny cloches the last time I shopped in Geneva, IL and decided to see which miniatures would fit under the tiniest one. The house is actually only one inch tall! Love the details you get from laser cutting the miniature parts.

I also stopped at Hobby Lobby today to purchase some miniature trees for reworking. I browsed the sale aisle and found the chunky candle sticks...for less than five dollars for both! I'm sure that they will find a purpose, perhaps to display some miniatures or mice.

Last is my darling Bob. He prowls all night and sleeps most of the day but always smiles when I interrupt his nap-at times he even gives me a purr.

Dealing with aging parents is challenging. One day at a time and make sure you Smile!

Sleeping Bear Dunes

We drove to Sleeping Bear Dunes recently with family and had a terrific day. Sleeping Bear was just rated the best beach on the Great Lakes by 'Dr. Beach' and is less that an hour away from our lake house.
I must admit that none of us made the trek down to the beach...the sand dunes are a steep and hard climb, especially on a hot, sunny day.
The first picture is of the two inland lakes viewed from a turn off on the scenic drive through Sleeping Bear-Big and Little Glen Lakes.
Next is a picture of our youngest son and his girlfriend, my husband and I with those same lakes in the background. My husband and son are pictured with Lake Michigan in the background, then Lake Michigan again in the next picture. We ended the visit with a stop at the dune climb...normally a three hour trek ( three and a half miles) but those who attempted it, turned back after almost an hour. It was an especially hot day and most were hungry!
We are fortunate to live in such a beautiful state (just don't ask me about it in the middle of a harsh winter!).

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Wonderful Holiday!

We had a wonderful Independence Day filled with a parade (candy was thrown); silliness (dressed my bear and put him in in the garden so he could watch the parade); boat ride watching the sunset; and fireworks! I forgot to include a picture of family-terrific to spend time with them, too!

HuRRaY for the Red White and Blue!

Enjoy the holiday!

Patriotic Parade in Miniature!

HaPpY InDePeNdEnCe DaY!

This motorcycle didn't make it in time for the parade...he stopped at the diner for a snack.
Hope you have a terrific holiday weekend!

PS I had to cover the drum with a glass dome because Bobthecat has a tendency to rearrange the mice!

JACKPOT Finds!

Wowie Zowie, what a day!I decided to drive up to my Mom's house to pick up her mail before I went to visit her in rehab and saw a sign- Garage Sale, antiques. My car just turned every which way until we found the house, only a few blocks from Mom's. And what a bonanza of treasures! Most were antiques, some vintage but I came away with many treasures!

Luckily (or unluckily), I just went to an ATM...and ended up spending all that cash and borrowing some from my sister. And I think back to other things I saw and have regrets...but no money! LOL

These small jars turned out to be my favorites!

I can see this wooden vice in a display for my Wee Forest Folk-an instrument of torture! LOL

My biggest regret was passing up on the paper wasp nests...odd choice! maybe I can persuade my sister to make another trip there!