Happy Sunflowers!

So just about all of the sunflowers opened today, and I had to take pics to show everyone. They are just so cheery and bright! I'm actually glad we planted them late... I can still enjoy a taste of summer!!
Football season is well under way at Meech's High School. Here's a pic of him doing what he loves to do best. He's #24 in the blue & white. Hmm.. the add photo link isn't working.. oh well, maybe more tomorrow!

Take a walk with me around our yard.

Well, we saved the sunflowers, and the tomatoes and peppers! Doug had taken down the tarp before I could get out there and take a picture, but that's okay, it worked!
Today, my hubby and I spent the afternoon getting the yard ready for autumn and beyond (shudder). Of course, there's more to do, and lots of raking on the horizon, but the yard looked so good, I went on a yard walk with my camera. So join me in my stroll through the photo show..

Saving the Sunflowers!!

Okay, I should have taken a pic, but now it's too dark! Try to imagine this ... in an effort to save the sunflowers from the promised frost tonite, we hung a great big blue tarp from the barn wall, draped over them. I'll take a pic tomorrow before we take it down, and after the dreaded frost, just to give you guys a good laugh. We also moved the tomato and pepper plants into the garage for the nite, as well as the hanging plants we usually have outside. We're hoping it will be enough, since it's supposed to be relatively nice for the next couple of weeks. Told you I'm not ready to say goodbye to summer yet!! I'm fighting it tooth and nail!
Czar and I went for a nice long walk today. If anyone out there is wondering if a nose lead works or not, it does. Czar weighs about 65 lbs, and is usually too excited when we go for walks for me to enjoy it. She pulls, yanks, and just doesn't know what to do with all the scents around her. I usually spend alot of time pulling back and yelling at her to knock it off. Well, no more. The nose lead doesn't look like it should be able to do anything, but since a dog's control center is pretty much their nose, it works like a charm, without any pain. It's awesome being able to walk around our pretty little village with her behaving like a properly trained dog should!
Well, pray for Kisha and her exam tonite. That girl has moxy!! And way more energy and drive than I ever had!!
Nuff for now... back tomorrow!

Sunflower for my Sunflower Gal

This is our first sunflower bloom of the season, (and with the frost warning for tomorrow nite, it might be the only one we get). I am so not ready to let go of summer!!! It's the smallest of the row Doug planted, knowing they're Kisha's favorite, and this morning, he suggested I put it on the blog. Of course, great minds think alike!

Anyway, this one's for my Sunflower gal. Know that I am always thinking of you and pray for you daily.

Czar got zapped by the invisible fence again today, but at least I didn't have to spend hours driving around looking for her! Poor thing was huddled up by the back door, desperate to get into the safety of the house. With the training though, you have to keep them outside for a bit after being zapped, so they don't become fearful of the yard altogether. Bet she won't try to go wandering again for awhile!! I'm off to more sewing and crafting and boxing! Sure wish someone would let me know what they think!!

Update on the fence

Well, there's good news and bad news. The good news is the fence works. I watched Czar chase down a squirrel the other day and rounded off when the squirrel went up a tree past the fence. The bad news is, she actually had to get zapped a couple of times first. Poor thing, almost broke my heart. But, she can go outside without being tied up now, and actually stays out without us being right there with her. She still prefers our company, but can't say I blame her on that one. After all, dogs are pack animals, and we're her pack! All in all, I think the investment was well worth it.

Now, on to new stuff. I must confide, after checking all you scrappers' pages, I felt left out! I am not a scrapper, or a stamper, but I do have some talents in the craft area. I love sewing and knitting, and have a really bad habit of saving all my material and yarn scraps... for like 20 years now. But... lo and behold, I have finally found a purpose for them and am in crafting heaven!

When we went to Ohio, my sister gave me a book called Two - Hour Scrap Crafts by Anita Louise Crane, published in 2000. Lots of stuff in there that I will never use, just because it's not my cup of tea, but for others it's a gem. There's napkins and placemats, lamp shades and framed lace, pillows and drapes, covers for toasters and even dishwashers. The thing that got my attention is the fabric covered boxes. You can make keepsake boxes, and button boxes, personalize your photo boxes, anything you use a box for, you can jazz it up. They are sooo easy, and for me, the best part is you can complete one in literally just a couple of hours. I've made 3 already, and here's a couple of pics of my most favorite... so far! Please, please, please, let me know what you think! I know this is not a new concept or anything, but I am just having so much fun with it! Not to mention it keeps me out of my hubby's hair during the football games!