Finally...a finish

Pulled the last loop on "My House Sampler" this morning! She has been steamed and, fortunately, all the ripples did settle down so that she lies nice and flat. I've tucked the outer linen under for the pics if she appears bumpy.

I personalized the rug with our surname and the year we bought our home. It blends well with the grass  and doesn't pop out at you, so your eyes see the entire rug at first glance, rather than one element. 

The photos were taken with a flash so the mustard house appears a bit "electric", but in reality is more subdued. 

A bird and a house... two of my favorites!

I am so glad that I stuck with it this time and finally finished this rug...feels great! Now, to get the edges whipped! Not looking forward to this task...at thirty by forty two inches this is a heavy rug!

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

My House Sampler***by Lori Brechlin*** Spruce Ridge Studios

Land of the free...

We had a wicked storm come through here last night. It ripped my flag pole holder right off the house! The yards are a mess, with limbs down and debris all over. We were in need of the rain, but the fierceness of this storm was scary!

 I'll be buying a new flag holder this weekend so that we can fly our flag on Memorial Day. Our plans include a very long "Honey Do List". Maybe we will take a trip to the beach to view the sunset, or linger over our morning coffee while lounging in our new...very red...Adirondack chairs. Summer is upon us, and the possibilities are endless.

Thank you all around...to those who serve, those who served in days gone by...and especially to those who gave their lives so that we may live in...the land of the free...and enjoy the luxury of lazy Summer days.

Have a great weekend...stay safe!
                                        
                            
                                                                Enjoy the day,
                                                                      Robyn

Americana mood

This is where it started...my new Adirondacks...really, really red Adirondacks. Our old red chairs bit the dust and have been replaced by these...really red ones. I'm trying to get use to them. 

These really red chairs put me in a red, white and blue mood. So...I've been playing. 

...red baby shoes...

...dolly's polka dot dress...

...watermelon...

...kitchen window...

...stars and stripes...

Lots of playing going on here.

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

***Thank you for all the lovely comments about my daughter's portrait, I appreciate all your kind words. Welcome to all my new followers...I am so happy to have you along on this journey.***

...another little girl portrait...

Yesterday, I shared with you a wonderful portrait of a little girl. It is a favorite of ours...but as I passed through my dining room this morning I realized this is my most favorite "little girl portrait".

Spring cleaning begins in earnest today...dolls are finished, another trip is over, no more excuses...I'd rather be hooking!


                                                                   Enjoy the day,
                                                                         Robyn

...home again, home again...

We're home this morning. Naples was fun and always beautiful, but it is good to be home. During past trips to this old Florida town I always made a stop at The Workshops of David T. Smith. I was so disappointed to find the shop is now closed. It was a wonderful place...full of folk art, redware and beautiful tiger maple furniture. It is always sad to see a small buisness close it's doors. 

This hotel is the best part of the trip for me. It is full of old world charm and beautiful oil paintings.

This lovely painting is our all time favorite. Annie always says, "Let's go see the little girl.", as soon as we arrive.

Isn't she beautiful?

The grounds are equally beautiful.

Hope you enjoy these snapshots from Florida.

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

Traveling

We're on the road again. This week we are in Naples, Florida, at our very favorite hotel. We counted up that we have slept in over forty different hotels since we started this venture eight years ago. Some are better than others, and this is one of the best. 

Lest you think all we do is lounge around while we are at these meetings, our group usually does a service project when it can be arranged. We have painted rooms and hung blinds in a group home in Tallahassee, assembled emergency packs for the Red Cross in New Orleans, landscaped a charity thrift shop in Amelia Island and packed goodie boxes for soldiers in war zone when we were in Palm Beach. (Did you know we bought and packed boxes of tampons for soldiers...male and female...because they put them in the barrels of their rifles to keep the sand out?).

God bless our troops and keep them safe!

                          

This is the view from our balcony. The building is Gumbo Limbo...a great restaurant with a most fabulous view...the Gulf of Mexico

It's overcast today, so Little Mugwump and I are off to explore downtown Naples. I'll be back later.

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

p.s. I decided not to sell Sweet Allegiance...I just couldn't part with her. How silly am I?

Summer sheep & Halloween

I'll be primping up the homestead for Summer this week. Have you ever seen watermelon gum balls?

Gum balls in lots of happy colors.

Thank you, friends, for the lovely comments you left on my last post. Having a child with Down Syndrome is an adventure I never expected, but it's a great journey. The kiddo was thrilled to see her photos on Mommy's blog, and Mommy was thrilled to hear such kind words from all of you. I hope you enjoyed your day as much as I did mine. 

Dropped Sweet Allegiance, Sam and Honora off in Dade City on Saturday. I think I am feeling a bit of empty nest anxiety. Hope they find good homes...now for the big fun...Halloween!

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

***Antiques on Main, Dade City, Florida***

Summertime Open House

Saturday May 19th

10-4

...my favorite day

Sunday is Mother's Day...my favorite day. Motherhood has been a different journey for me, different from that of most of you reading this post. In more ways than not, it is the same...sleepless nights, visits from the Tooth Fairy, first day of school anxiety, countless boxes of crayons, homemade Halloween costumes and a couple of mortar boards...one very tiny from pre-school, one a bit larger from high school. Most of the milestones met...just later on the timeline. 

Parenting is a challenge, and the hardest job out there.. Parenting a special needs child comes with it's own set of challenges...and it's own set of gifts. 

Mother's Day is my favorite day because being a mother is the hardest job I've ever had, but it is the best job I've ever had...and I wouldn't change a day of it. Well, actually, I'd like a do-over of the day she got a giant toy mechanical mouse stuck in her hair on school picture day...but haven't we all had a few of those?

...heading for the indoor pool at Amelia Island...

Happy Mother's Day!

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

Same day...second Sam post

Thank you for your most helpful words of wisdom...Tina, Margaret and Christine. And for your kind comments...Karen and Penny. I truly appreciate your suggestions and encouragement. Great ideas!

 I think Sam is done. I had already started on his accessories , so I went ahead with the vision of Sam I had in my head.  I had considered putting a vest or jacket on Sam, but he is wearing an early baby undershirt and I did not want to cover it up. Sooo...here he is now.

He is sitting in a doll size Windsor for his formal portrait. 

...hooked boutonniere...  

...bag of flax and flags...

...red britches buttons...

Thanks again ladies! You're the best!

Again...enjoy the day,

Robyn

Sam

Working on Sam

At this point, I think he looks like he should be distilling whiskey up in the hills rather than leading a parade...a work in progress. In his defense, he is very casual. His accessories are in the works. Any thoughts? 

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

Summertime

For some of you it's barely Spring...for those who live in the South..it's here already...Summer. When we went out to look at the gorgeous Super Moon last night, we felt it in the air. The cicadas were singing and the Confederate jasmine perfumed the air. We're in for a long one this year!

Looking forward to lots of red, white and blue.

...red Adirondack chairs...

...antique indigo and homespun...

...Mugwump Woolies pillow...

Summertime...bring it!

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

Black & White

My daughter's bathroom is "girly". It is done in neutrals and lots of "stuff"...antique white baby dresses and purses hang from a peg rack behind the commode. 

...sweet dollies from long ago...

...pins and thread and wonderful wooden spools...

...silver baby cups...

...old graphics...

...lovely old print...

...and lots...

...and lots... 

...of black and white...

Have a great weekend!

Enjoy the day,

Robyn