So starting with the home front first, I've managed to squeeze in a little bit more on poor patient Frances Eden. Her final finish is within sight!
Not much left now but the bottom of the crazyhouse. I was not really looking forward to all the solid stitching when I started in on it. But, in true crazyhouse fashion, its been a hoot to see it come to life. Love how the colors are playing against each other so far....
Frances' finale is close enough now that I've really started playing with what to take up next. My head says to stick to my vow and finish Hannah Pepper, but my heart is wishing for a new start. Maybe I'll get Hannah out soon and let her speak for herself, in the hopes she'll say something profound and motivating to me.
Also on the home front, turns out the pepper plants on our patio that Jim has been coaxing along all spring have finally gone gangbusters. Honestly, how many jalapenos can one family use at a time? So early last Sunday morning, we got out our big pot, sliced those bad boys up.....
...to make jalapeno pickles. Behold the fiery result:
Thank goodness it only yielded two jars. Any more than that and we'd need life support.
But it hasn't just been fun and busy strictly at home either - our little roadster has a few more miles on it after yesterday's jaunt to St. Augustine. With an unexpected late season cool snap, we had the perfect day to enjoy one of our favorite places. Yes, the sky really was that blue!
As always, I'm charmed by the architecture of these old structures. Like the details around the lighthouse window....
....and the gingerbread on the Keeper's home.
But the best part is the reward you earn for making the climb to the top.
I could stay up there all day!
Oh yes...another reason May has been such a whirlwind. It's not very often one gets to have dinner with this lady...
What a once in a lifetime thrill to attend the HIPPY USA conference in Washington at the beginning of the month. Hilary has been a champion of the program ever since she was the first lady of Arkansas and she graciously donated her evening as the banquet speaker the first night.
The conference was full of sessions, but another important activity was the day spent visiting Capitol Hill for legislative appointments. The weather was really wet, but I did capture a bit of it.
In spite of the miserable rain and limited time, I did manage to visit a few sites on my "must see" list. It's hard to escape the Washington Monument - for anyone who visits, it's a reference point to steer by....
Any girl from Illinois has to pay tribute to its favorite son....
Any advocate promoting the purposes of our conference also has to honor Dr. King...
Anyone whose family was touched by the circumstances of the Great Depression and the events of World War II should acknowledge the greatest leader of the times...
....and any dog lover has to be charmed by Fala.
Well, now that I've written all this down, I'm suddenly realizing why it's the middle of May and how in the world that happened. Wheww!!! No regrets though, I wouldn't change a moment. Here's hoping your weeks have been full and your stitching joyful. Life is good!