Smells Good!

Tonight I sewed a few sachets that I filled with the lavender I purchased in Bishop Hill last weekend. This was only my second time using the sewing machine and it turned out to be a good starter project. I used some scraps of muslin fabric and lace for the sachets. I plan to put them in my car. The lavender smells wonderful and I like the idea of using natural materials for air freshener. I hate the chemical smell of most store bought air fresheners.

Not Quite Sweden

On Saturday Bob and I took a little day trip to Bishop Hill (http://www.bishophill.com/), a small community in rural Illinois settled by Swedish immigrants in the late 1800s.  The weather was absolutely beautiful.  After enjoying lunch on the patio of the Red Oak, we checked out all of the cute little shops.  

Brotherly Love

Today I caught the boys being super cute.  Ian and Dexter often cuddle in the willow branch chair, but I'd never seen Ian draped over Dexter quite like this before.  Ian weighs in at about 19 lbs., so poor Dexter is probably feeling a little squished! :)  They're on top of a little quilt that I picked up at a thrift store.   

Weekend in Dubuque

Here are some pics from our trip to Dubuque on Saturday.  We had a lovely view of the river from our table at the Star restaurant.  After dinner we went for a walk and enjoyed the perfect weather--sunny but not too hot.

Sunday Activities

Today was perfect for a drive through the beautiful Iowa countryside, on my way home from Dubuque.

This evening Bob and I went down to the QC Pride Fest in Davenport for a couple hours. 

The drag queens were great!

Welcome Back for Summer Fun

It's been about six months since I've posted and I want to get back into the habit of doing so. I dusted off my camera this morning and took it along for the day's adventures. This afternoon Mom, Dad, and I trekked out to Aledo, Illinois, for their annual Rhubarb Festival

(http://www.aledomainstreet.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=37&Itemid=30).

I don't especially like rhubarb, but I do enjoy small town summer festivals. We indulged in some fair food, but I skipped the deep fried Coca Cola that one of the stands was selling (the man working the booth explained that it is a batter made with whipped cream, Coke, and cinnamon--which sounded interesting but not too appetizing)!

No small town summer festival would be complete without a petting zoo.  This little guy was a sweetheart--he "nursed" on my finger for a few minutes.

Back at Mom and Dad's house, two baby robins are living in a nest by the back gate.  The babies' heads are sticking out of the left corner of the nest, but are a little hard to make out in this picture--I used the zoom on my camera, but didn't want to get too close and anger the mama bird, who was watching from the garage roof. 

Post-Christmas Activities

Here's a cute picture of mom and dad--taken when the whole gang came over for a pasty dinner on Saturday. 

Last night Aaron and Katie used Jamie Oliver's (The Naked Chef) recipe to make chicken korma, which was delicious.

Yesterday Bob and I hit the sales and picked up some super cheap ornaments.  The selections were pretty picked over, but we found a few things we liked. 

And I found these adorable stamps at Michael's, which I can't wait to use.

And now it's time for a cat update.  All three kitties have enjoyed the many little toys that Santa brought them and seem to be worn out.  Here's a shot of Dexter--isn't he sweet!?!?

Ian has been doing some serious cuddling--first with Dexter.....

and then with Gabby.

Merry Christmas!

By the time I complete this post it will no longer by Christmas, as it's approaching midnight.  I've had a very nice but busy couple days, spent celebrating the holiday with my family.  Here are some photos of the gang: 

Mom & Holly

Kay & Kathy showing their twin pride in matching holiday sweaters.

Bob & I

Dad tending the fire--which is officially his job.

Aaron, who appears to be making one of his witty remarks.

Between the festivities at my parents' house, Bob and I went home to see our kitties.  Of course we couldn't let a holiday pass without dressing the cats in their new Christmas costumes.  Here's Dexter in his reindeer antlers.  As you can see, he's not thrilled, but he was still cute.

And here's Ian in his Christmas bow tie.  It's hard to get great pictures of the cats dressed up, because they spend most of their time moving around trying to figure out how to get the costumes off.  Fortunately we only tormented them long enough to snap these photos.  We attempted to put the reindeer antlers on Gabby, but she put up such a fight that we quickly gave up.

Holly got the award for the most creative wrapping job with this frog (notice the bow hanging from the tounge and the green lilly pad it's sitting on).

In the left corner there's a patchwork wrapping job I did on a package--it was more funky than pretty.

More Glimpses of Holiday Decor