New Kish Kid

This is Audrey (Little Pippi by Helen Kish, about 8" tall, jointed). The pattern for the dress is from Rosemary Ionker's pattern book Fashions for Small Dolls and the embroidery is my own freehanded design.

A Perfect Afternoon

Today is 70 degrees, beautifully sunny, and there's a nice breeze swooshing in the trees. As it's Thursday, it's my day off, and I made my first bento lunch in the box I ordered a few months ago. There are slices of rolled up egg pancake with a tasty sauce, cheese cut into heart shapes, carrots and cucumbers, and the bottom layer has rice and some cherries. It was most delicious!


After lunch, I took advantage of the sun on the back deck to embroider for a while. I worked on the embroidery for my new nephew's quilt. He's due to arrive in a few weeks, so I need to get it done SOON! One more block left (the rocking horse).


While I was embroidering, I noticed a bandito sneaking up in the bushes to see if he could find something tasty beneath the bird feeder. Sorry about the blurred photo--he was far away. I scared him off after the picture--he's not supposed to be out at 1:30 in the afternoon!

Cute Babies

A few weeks ago, I noticed that Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal were very busy entering and exiting a bush at the corner of the house by the living room window. When they were on the other side of the house at the bird feeder, I took a peek and saw three brown-speckled creamy-colored eggs. I was careful not to open that window or disturb them, and today I heard a tremendous amount of peeping and tweeting from that area, so I looked out the window and this is what I saw! Two chicks, fluttering awkwardly from bush to bush, with two frantic parents trying to get them to behave. The parents are feeding them as they bumble about, and I got this rather blurry shot through the window screen. It's cold and raining today, but they don't seem to mind at all.

Last week, I noticed something in the grass behind the deck. It was this tiny baby bunny with two adult bunnies eating grass. He (or his friends) keep coming out every night after 5 or 6 PM and munching the grass by my kitchen window. It's hard to get a photo of him because he won't hold still, but he's too cute for words.








This is either his Mama or Papa; I'm not sure, but she or he sometimes is out with the baby, although I think Baby is pretty much on his own now.

These are just a few of the reasons that I love living where I do.

My little sister...

My little sister, Becky, is graduating from college on Saturday, set to enter one of the most admirable of professions. She'll be a wonderful teacher. She has that kind of patient, open manner that appeals to children, but has the spirit and discipline to guide them well. Best of all, she's one of the smartest people I know and guided herself through a home-schooled high school curriculum and got herself into college and on the right path in life. She's a wonderful mother to Alexis, who's growing into a beautiful young girl. Becky is thoughtful and giving, and I'm honored that she's my sister.

Gift Making

My little niece Alexis turns six in a few days. It's hard to believe that it was that long ago that she was born! I don't get to see her as often as I like because we live too far apart, but I was able to make her a gift for her special day. The bag is blue because her mom says that's her current favorite color, and I made the lions because they are her current favorite animal. Hopefully she has fun with my gift!




I used one of Floresita's Vintage Transfers for the flower sprig on the right of Alexis' name. The little wool felt lion is from a Japanese craft book pattern, and the amigurumi lion is from Ana Rimoli's pattern book.

Margot's News

Miss Margot would like to introduce you to someone.





This is Ringo, Margot's little sister.