Wren's Nest

View from the desk

Truth is...sometimes, or a lot of time, when I'm supposed to be working - I sit and stare and procrastinate. The other day I was at my desk in the studio room and my camera was next to me (I'd imagine I was supposed to be loading pictures or some chore like that) so I took a couple of shots...

That's my fabric order from somewhere (don't remember the name) - now it's all off the bolt roll and REALLY a mess. The pillows are from my family room where a teenage boy sleepover was happening (anything nice gets moved).

and here's a revelation - I was taking pictures for my etsy shop (in the sidebar) and finally used a tripod we've had for YEARS! What a difference!

Have a great weekend! Stay cool - we'll be trying!

Can't Hardly Wait...

...for Fall. I'm feeling it - it's just not here yet. It's about 100 degrees today (why does that always happen the first week of school). I love Fall - it's my favorite season. I love the crisp air, the almost unbearable clear blue sky - the colors, the flowers, sweaters, boots. So, in anticipation of Fall, I bought these viburnum berries and funky cabbages at Whole Foods and have them in a couple of rooms in the house. I'd like to bring out ALL my Fall stuff, but it seems a tad premature.

And then there are the school supplies...remember getting school supplies - I LOVED it! I still love it - it seems like a fresh start with a new school year - a new beginning. I always vowed to be really organized with all my new stuff (I actually work better in chaos, so that always ended up not working within the first few weeks, but my intentions were good). My kids do the same thing and I love seeing them so excited for a new start. We actually had tons of supplies already here - like about a million #2 pencils, so I wrapped them in my new jute webbing and took a picture...remember that quote from "You've Got Mail"? When Joe Fox e-mails Kathleen Kelly "I would send you a bouquet of newly-sharpened pencils"...I always loved that line - love that movie (do you know that if my youngest had been a girl the name would have been Kathleen...love that name - not because of the movie, but I had a good childhood friend named that and a cousin in Ireland named that and I just liked it - I'm completely rambing (that's what happens on an empty stomach and a glass of wine).

No Solicitors...

We've been inundated lately with well-meaning folks coming to our door. The thing is - when you're home alone with 3 kids, opening the door to strangers is not what you want to do (or I don't, anyway). We live on a really private cul de sac, up kind of a steep driveway - so, people really need to save themselves the trouble...I appreciate that they're trying to get things done - changing the government, saving souls, except, I already know how I'm voting on things, I have my own religion that I'm not planning on leaving and no one is going to talk me into or out of things by bugging me during the day when I'm getting stuff done. (Plus, besides it not being safe for those answering the door, it may not always be safe for those ringing the bell - you never know who will answer). Now if you're a girl scout in my neighborhood...feel free to call on me (I know all of you anyway), but otherwise - steer clear. Here's my new sign:

                                              
     No

Solicitors

Sorry you walked all the way up the driveway, but please don't even THINK about ringing the bell or knocking. I know how I’m voting, I know what religion I am and I don't want to buy or receive literature on anything. Thank you!

We'll see if it works! Now if I could only hang a sign on my phone for telemarketers - caller ID doesn't work as well as it should...

Fall Outfit

I just got an e-mail from Anthro...so MANY cute things for Fall! I love Fall, it's my favorite season (as much as we actually have it in California). I'm a simple girl, though...not too demanding (ok, my husband might not agree with that) - so here are just a couple of things I NEED...

I already have these (and we all know by now how much I love them)

and now I REALLY need this jacket (no kidding, my jean jacket is falling apart)

To wear with THIS and some cute tights (and the boots, needless to say)

and I MUST have THIS to top it all off...don't ya think??

Can you stand how cute that hat is?? (if only I was brave enough to wear it...well, maybe I'll get that brave by Fall, because it's too cute not to have, really).

Have a lovely weekend!

So it's come to this...

In Battle Raccoon, sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures...

Actually, it's new sod that our landscaper so nicely gave us and covered with this good looking netting! We'll see...(I promise this is my last raccoon post - I hope to not have to think about them again!).

AND - more importantly, we have a WINNER for the 300th post give-a-way...drum roll please... using Tara Frey's random number generator - it was #37 -Irma from Irma's Rose Cottage!! Congratulations - please e-mail me your address and your prizes will be on their way!! Thanks to everyone for your lovely comments - the friendship and support are what make blogging so amazing!

A Pool and a Pond

When you  accidentally trap one of these in your humane raccoon trap...

Here's who comes to let him out...

No kidding - the guy looked and sounded just like Bill Murray in Caddyshack and I got a full lecture on how maybe I'd like to let the skunk out if we catch another one - just to save me a buck. Yeah, dude, don't worry about it!

Yep, better luck next time. The bummer is...the skunk got trapped and THEN the raccoons came and worked the lawn over. We were laughing saying - there's probably some animal hierarchy and they were all out there together and the raccoons said "hey, Stinky, check out the cat food inside that silver thing" and whammo - skunk trapped, raccoons free. Oh, the joys of country life (I actually live in the suburbs, but with the skunks, raccoons, squirrels and deer, it feels like the wild kingdom here).

Reminder - this is the last day to enter the giveaway drawing below!!

PS - The post title comes from my husband's favorite Caddyshack line where Chevy Chase says to Bill Murray when Bill Murray asks him if he has a pool "I've got a pool and a pond - pond would be good for you".

300th Post...and you know what that means...

Wow - how time has flown. This is my 300th post ~ now I've been blogging for 3 years, so there have obviously been some breaks. This sort of started out as a crafty blog and has evolved and changed through the years. I started blogging one summer kind of out of boredom and some loneliness and some curiosity about this amazing, creative world I was finding through other people's blogs. I remember doing a couple of posts - one (probably the 2nd post) was one night when John was out of town, it was late and I posted and got a comment - I about peed my pants I was so excited! I still get really excited about comments.

Anyway - I've loved blogging - sometimes it's easy and sometimes there's not a lot I have to say, but the best thing is meeting (in real life or online) so many wonderful, like-minded, creative, beautiful ladies who have become dear friends. I think people who don't blog don't get that - how you can be friends with people you've never met in person, or only met once, but it just works. I am more open here than I am with lots of people I know and you probably know the "real" me and my thoughts, dreams, joys and fears more than many of the people in my everyday life.  So for all of that, I thank you!!

Now - down to the fun part...I'm having a little give-away for this big ol' 300th post and here it is:

This beautiful tin frame, the sweet little crown necklace and a yummy "harvest" candle (yes, all this can be yours). Just leave a comment and you'll be entered to win - mention this on your blog and you get another entry (you will have to let me know, though). I also have a fabulous new button over there on the left (thank you Sara) that you can grab if you like.  I'll pick a name next Thursday, August 13th. Good luck!!

Here are close ups of the necklace and candle.

Have a great weekend!!