I am missing my "walk by" pantry that I had in the Bandera house. I have a "walk in" pantry here. I tried to organize it this week. I bought some small white baskets to put items in. No matter what I do... it is still brain overload to look in there... always looks cluttered up. I don't care for the white wire shelves, but it is at least a place to put stuff. The good thing is that I can close the door!
I made a new taggie this week... first time to do one layer of cotton and one layer of fleece. My original taggies were two layers of fleece. It was getting difficult to find any cute fleece prints. So, I started doing them with one layer of flannel and one layer of fleece. The flannel prints are cute, but the fabric doesn't sew up as well as I would like. When I found a cute print... in cotton... that would go with my penguin and my grey wolf, I decided to give it a try. It turned out super cute. Now I have a whole new world of possibilities. I am giving up some "softness" for a cute print. 😉 I don't know if I can sell Artic Animals in Texas or not- lol.
Here is an example of grand kids growing up... fast. I don't remember getting older- lol. I found the first photo on a Facebook memory, from 8 years ago. (sorry it's not a very good photo) Then I gathered up more recent photos of the kids in the first pic. On my original Facebook post, I commented that "Jaden has his buddies, Hailey has Owen, and Weston is doing his own thing"- haha
I put the fourth of July stuff away. Remember, I can only do the "holiday decor" for about a month, then I get tired of it...especially if it seems cluttered. Doing sunflowers for August... I can't bring myself to do pumpkins and leaves yet 😉 I was hoping to get all of my cabinets painted in July. I haven't started the kitchen yet. My other two goals for July were to get a new drivers license and enroll in medicare. I got the new drivers license... only took TWO trips to the dps office in Castroville. When I went for the first appointment the computer system was down, so I had to reschedule for a few days later. Medicare is more complicated than expected. Since I don't have enough work credits to get my own social security ( I have to rely on Ron's), the only way I can enroll is with a phone appointment with Social Security. And... guess what... no phone appointments available for a couple of months. Now I have to call back every week, until I can get one.
Sunday dinner is at our house today. I wanted to try two things... a chicken marinade and a copy cat chocolate bundt cake recipe. So either Ron or Sam are grilling chicken. The cake turned out good (we tried it last night). I didn't put frosting on it... but cool whip and nuts are great on it. I also made a cucumber/tomato/onion salad. I called that an "adult salad"... I don't expect any of the kids to even try it. Not even the Pete kids and they like most things 😆 Audrey is bringing a potato casserole and Ashley is bringing fruit.
My Brown Baby Bird sales at Homestead Handcrafts for July were a net amount of $135. My rent there is $80 (plus some fees, that came out of my selling price.) I usually make about that amount or more at The Shops of Bandera and my rent there is $75. I won't know what sold there for July until next week. I plan to go to Bandera on August 5. I made a cute set for Marcela Young. A taggie, a bib, a floor blanket, and a fox.
Here are a few pics.
Hailey turned 12 on Friday, July 16. The Petes took her and three friends to Six Flags, for daytime fun. (Although it was hot and busy). Then had dinner and dessert at the house. We had a little birthday celebration on Sunday evening for her. Dinner was pasta, bread, salad, and fruit. She asked me to make a white chocolate, raspberry cheesecake. First time for me to try that 😏 It turned out "okay"... not fantastic. It had too much choc cookie crust and not enough sugar in the raspberry sauce... and not enough sauce. It baked well and cooled without cracking. The shaved white choc on the top was just sitting there and flew off when she blew the candles out. I didn't ask Ashley for gift suggestions... Hailey is pretty easy to "buy for". 😉 The lighting was bad for pictures... but it was consistent for all of them- lol. The last picture is of Ashley and Mason, hugging the fleece blanket that I gave Hailey.
Here was my project for this past week... two bathrooms with white cabinets now. I wanted to start here, before I attempt the kitchen. Good thing I did. Part of it seems super tough and part of it seems super fragile. I think I need to sand and prime and get a better paint. I love the look... just not super happy with the finish.
The Thompsons had visitors at their house too. Jon and his family came to see them for a few days. Brenda was also there. I don't know what all of the activities were, but Brenda was there to help take care of the dog ;) I grabbed one pic from FB. Everyone is growing up 😉
