Cyanotype II

I had a lot of cyanotype paper prepped and the directions say not to leave it for more than two weeks. Well it's been over two months. I decided it was time to see if it really made a different. 

I took picture with the stencils and leaves before exposure and then the results. I don't see any difference but I'm a newbie so what do I know. :)  My next step is to move up to fabric. I have a bunch of canvas tote bags washed and waiting. With the bright California sun it only takes a few minutes to get it to change. 
 

Sashiko Stitch on Cross Stitch Fabric - Does It Really Work?

I've been in a crafting mood and now have the time to dive into my very long list of projects. I've had all the parts to do Sashiko stitching including a cut up pair of jeans. After seeing some different ways to do it, I thought why not try the more interesting ones. Someone posted for the more complicated stitches you can use cross stitch fabric to keep track of your pattern's stitch lines. After you finish, you pull the threads out from the cross stitch canvas. I decided I wanted to see how easy it really was to pull those threads out. This will be one of my night owl projects!

New iris folding pattern

My first attempts at doing a new to me iris folding pattern. Since I don't have a printer, I had to free hand the pattern. After doing it, I know now how to space out the section and make it more uniform. I also have watched some video on how to make a pattern and that was super helpful too. 

Tonight (Sunday, May 31) I'm getting ready for  all the blue moon rituals. Writing down what I want to let go of, making moon water etc... I took a long nap so I would be wake when the moon comes out!

 

Life of a reseller

 I went in on Sunday to make an offer on some recliners my son wants. When I walked in the winner of this lot was picking up. I asked if he would sell me the persimmon bowl. This is a super big no no at the auction house. You're not suppose to buy or sell from other people while your in the building. He asked if I was bidding against him because the lot went for $300. I told him I wasn't there on Saturday and I would have tapped out at $60 anyways. I offered $20 but he turned it down. I'm sure he Googled it while I was at the front counter. :) Unless I missed something in that lot, he's profit margin will be pretty low. 

Paper Crafter's Logic - saving on gas

If you know me, I don't like paying full retail for anything. In the paper crafting world I have almost everything you would need. Being an iris folding fan when I saw this pattern by "Bergkaarten" on Pinterest I knew it had to try it. You would think with the hundreds of dies I own I would have a triangle! It's the one shape I don't have. I have Christmas tree shapes but I like to clean look of this one. So on my way back from the auction house I stopped at Michael's. I really didn't want to pay full retail but I wanted to try making it today. I had to pass by Savers on my way home so I popped into there too. Sunday isn't a good day to shop because no new carts come out. I thought these NIB Polar Pops were just too funny, the feet really crack me up. I also grab a Lane pine box to hold some of the matchbox car prizes I got for the boys. Make it into a little treasure box. I plan to paint over the Christmas goose. Do I really need another art project? :) Savers is next to a Grocery Outlet so I went to pick up some corn chips as all my Costco avocados are now ripe. My impulse buy for today was these mini pies. It's a throw back to the days of 7/11 pies. Thinking about how much gas I saved! :) 

 

In The Garden

Runner Beans

I didn't go to the auction and once I made that decision it was easy to look at the numbers. Take the emotion out of it and it was easy to see I wouldn't be able to flip anything fast enough to justify the money spent. Instead I stocked my booth at Cottage Crafts with my puzzle haul. That took some time tagging everything and getting them on the shelf. Then I did what I call the "buzz fly" technique of getting everything else done. Start with cleaning up one area but when you walk into another room to put something away, start organizing something there. Not the most efficient way to get things done for sure. Last month I found a whole bunch of seed packets and decided it was time to see if these seeds would sprout. These are Scarlett runner beans. I just like that they trellis up the bamboo poles I have all over the yard. The birds especially like them for the leaves and the grubs in the soil. The sunflowers seeds haven't sprouted yet but I've never had any luck with those. During my buzz fly moments a lot of creative ideas popped up. Going to spend this afternoon giving some of them a try. :) 

 

Auction Maybes?

I went to the auction preview on Friday and there were some interesting things. I have to be mindful that I went over budget last month. Having to decide is it worth sitting through an auction all day in hopes of getting a few lots cheap enough that I could flip fast. There are some pieces I know will take awhile to sell but would be cool to add to my inventory. That will tie up even more of my money for months. While debating with myself I'm out in my garden with my coffee enjoying all the bird activity. I'm surprised how close the birds are getting to me. 

There is a junk lot that has a lacquered persimmon bowl I've never seen before. That would make a nice addition to my collection. Is it worth the time?

 

Should I or Shouln't I Day

I'm debating if I should add this giant shell to the top of my botch flower press cover. That was my failed attempt to mod podge a cute napkin on to the cover. The only down side to using the shell is if I need or want to add more weight to the press. 

I checked out this book from the library to see if it would inspires me into doing something with the two flower presses I own.  The debate is do I really need a press if a heavy book will do the same thing. Then I went down rabbit hole researching if blotting paper is really worth the expense. I'm happy using coffee filters. 

It's auction week and I really, really shouldn't go. There's only one thing that my son wants so I at least have to check it out. Since my weekends are now free I may sit through the whole auction and see if I can score some super deals. No, I really shouldn't do that as last month I over spent. 

Where to find creative inspiration

 When I'm in a creative slump I go to the library. There's always a local artist's exhibit which is inspiring. This month (May) at the Saratoga library this artist show cased a few watercolors using home made pigments. Sorry I didn't note her name. I was wondering if the paint was light fast = will fade over time. Which at my age isn't really that important anymore. :) Making my own paint is on my list of things I want to try. Wondering if there will be workshop at Craftcation? 

I picked up several books on quilling hoping it would inspire me to get out all my quilling tools. As any paper crafter, I have all the supplies to make a ton!

In my yard I get a lot of birds in the morning. Not being able to have a bird feeder because it attracts rats, it nice to open my front door and hear all the chirping. There are several nests and I hear the babies chirping all day. The birds like chewing on my plants leaves like they did back at my old place up in hills in Cupertino. Posey doesn't care about them flying around, just like Annie. Brings back a lot of happy memories. 

Lonely Road - Feng Shui

I was listening to a Feng Shui  You Tuber and she said not to have artwork of a lonely road in your house. Guess it manifest a lot of negative things especially in the bedroom. I really like this 1964 photo of a road down in Pebble Beach. Would I love to walk down that road and imagining how quiet and peaceful it would be. I could see Annie walking along checking everything out and hearing the ocean waves. I had it right next to a pen ink drawing from an artist from Monterey so it made a nice sentimental grouping.

I picked up this painting of oranges at the estate sale I did this past weekend. It was dusty and has some damage so that was the reason everyone passed on it. I dragged it home, cleaned it and touched up the missing paint. It's not an original so I wasn't worried about ruining it. I love the pop of color in my otherwise very dark room but still not sure it's the right vibe. Of course the clock doesn't work at all now so the hunt for something to replace it or I go back to my black and white photo. 
 

Dowdle Puzzle Haul 2026

I like doing puzzles and the Dowdle brand is a favorite. I prefer the 500 piece puzzles because I can get them done in one day. It's something I take when I dog sit. Can't take them when I cats sit as the cats like to "help". Once I've done the puzzles I sell it off at CCB. It's not a money spinners but I at least get my money back. This was another cross town pick up I did on Sunday. I no sooner got home when these got posted. I hopped back into my car and made the drive. Paid about $3.25 for 36 puzzles. 12 are new in the box, which doesn't really mean anything to me as I'll be opening them but I did pay more for them. I now have a nice back stock when I babysit the Frenchies. 

Claw Machine Found

$15.00

For months I've been looking for a claw machine. I thought it would be fun for the boys during their visit this summer. As much as they love the gnome house, it's time to up grade. Of course thrifting this was a challenge. Many were either over priced or played with a little to much. Everyday I searched Facebook market place and finally found one! Took me a week before I could pick it up as it was across town. I did a lot of cross town driving on Sunday, more on that later.  When I showed the boys via a video call, they were thrilled. Mees gets the whole reward system because he is a rule follower. Henkie thinks he can do it but we'll find out. I did make sure it was ok with upper management as I'm not up to date with the latest parenting trends. The plan is to fill it with candy and tickets for toys that don't fit into the unit. I thought easter eggs would work but it's a little hard me to make it work. Now I'm in search of those little plastic balls you can fill. 

Estate Sale

I helped out at an estate sale on Friday. It wasn't a big one and there wasn't a whole lot there. If I had to guess this was a second home just close enough to the big city. What was left was really good stuff and the artwork was impressive. Guess there was some original artwork that was suppose to be at the estate sale but the family removed them. That was sad not to be able to see it all but even worse for the estate person as it didn't leave a lot to sell. She takes a % of the sale and if there's not a lot to sell it's really not worth her time. 

One of perks of helping out is that we can pick before the doors open. Most of the nice stuff was way over my price range to resell so I went for the basic household stuff like dish soap.  I would normally not pick up bags of dirt but I've been thinking about getting some perlite for my violets. I'm boycotting HomeDepot so I would have to make a special trip so a local nursery. That also means I would be paying top dollar for something I really don't need. I did pick up this pan rack for my son's condo. He's kitchen is tiny and doesn't have a lot of storage space. We had talked about getting one of these so it's perfect. Hand foraged with a narrow profile. Took a lot of running up and down the stairs with a ladder to get it down. Now the challenge is getting up to Tahoe!

ATC cards in the making

Messy Desk Is A Happy Desk

I have a stack of test sun printing samples and I just hate to throw them out. The watercolor paper I used is expensive. 

I decided I would make ATC cards for Craftcation 2027. 

I think I'm the last person to still use twinkling H2O watercolors!  After many, many years I'm finally use up some of my favorite colors. It's still my go to watercolors when I'm in a creative rut. The plan is I'll add my contact information on the back. Sort of an over the top business card.  The other design I plan to do is a mini iris folding circle. Still working on how to get the pattern that small and still be able to see the folds. 

 

Blue Cheese Guacamole 2026

 I've never been one to toss out food just because. With food prices going through the roof, I'm even more mindful what I buy at the store. I go in with a list and I now rarely impulse buy anything. Having a Costco size bag of avocados and having them getting ripe at the same time  requires planning. 

Seeing recipes for guacamole where you don't smash them up but keep them in chunks. I thought why not? I added salsa sauce and blue cheese to go with the corn chips I picked up. I know adding blue cheese to the guacamole is weird but it worked! :)

Most Important Man in My Life

I've said for many years the most important man in my life is my car mechanic, Marco. I know nothing about cars other than how to drive. I use my car everyday or at least like the idea I can. Because of my lack of knowledge and mistrust of local oil changing places, I'm very bad about getting my car serviced. Plus having to find someone to pick me up when I drop off my car. 

Earlier this week my car AC was making my whole car shake. Which was scary. It was way passed needing an oil change too. So I made the call to Marco to set up an appointment. He knew it was the AC fan that was the problem when I dropped off  my car. I get a call later in the afternoon and Marco said to replace the fan box unit, the part alone was $3,000! He knew I wouldn't be happy about that so he took the whole thing apart. He found what he thinks was a lizard stuck on the fan blades causing an imbalance, which was causing the whole car to shake. I'm sure if I had taken it anywhere else I would have gotten huge repair bill. I'm still without a car today as one more part is still on order but it's not mission critical.  I elected to keep my car there and hopefully it will get replaced today. 

While stuck at home I made a very long to do list. One thing I wanted to do was trim back the lemon grass and rosemary plants I planted last year.  Also to make cuttings as I slowly turn the old lawn area (Posey potty area) into a more drought tolerant landscape. Took some mint cuttings just because I could, they don't really need help spreading. :)

Last of my death pile.

Used up the last of the tomato sauce I made last week. I added what I had in my refrigerator (zucchini and spinach) and I think that helped. The plan is to make it again today with hot Italian sausage. My car has to go into the shop for a long over due check up. So getting stuck at home, I have a mile long to do list. 

I'm going thorough my death pile in the garage (things that didn't sell) and packing it all up. I'm donating it all to another reseller who sells at the local flea market. I think it's good stuff  but for some reason didn't sell.  Sam doesn't have to think about his profit margin because it's all profit for him.  I'm down to the last box! Yes, I could donate to the store but we get so much that I would rather help out another reseller. I also drop at the local Salvation Army truck that's behind Cottage Crafts. Again I could take it to the store but I would have to handle it again so it's much easier for me to drop it off at the truck . The Salvation Army for all it's faults does have programs that really help those in need. It's sometimes is the last safety net for those on the streets or dealing addiction.

Craftcation 2027 Anyone?

 

When you're practicing sun printing or watercoloring you should use the best paper you have. It's really important in sun printing because everything gets dunked in water multiple times. I have all these samples stacked up on my table. I just hate throwing them out so there they sit. 

After watching "The Stitchery" you tube about her review on "Craftcation" in Ventura, I checked it out. Sounded interesting and her positive reviews made me sign up. Well after another friend said she would go with me sealed the deal. Right after that Sandy Allnock (another online artist I follow) talked about handing out mini zine books with her business cards at a watercolor conference she attended in Italy for Daniel Smith watercolors. I thought why don't I try and make those little books with my watercolor papers. I knew it would be too thick but I gave it a try anyways. It didn't work but the folded pages are the size of business cards. So maybe I'll cut them up and embellish them a little more for ATC / business cards. 

Anyone else interesting in going to Craftcation in 2027? We can plan an informal get together and trade ATC cards!

Fig Tree 2026

One of the few things I miss about my studio in Cupertino (there aren't many things) was the little fig tree. It was tiny and should have died years ago. It was my first time having one and I didn't know how easy they are to grow. That little tree produced a dozen figs on it's tiny little branch. Yes it only had one branch. This past weekend a volunteer brought in some fig saplings. I was so thrilled to finally be able to plant one in my yard! Prepping the spot in the yard and trying to figure out how to keep Posey from digging it up. 

My potato plants are doing great. A few months ago they started to sprout so I planted them. I just like having green things in my garden so even if the potatoes don't turn out well, they look lushy green!

 

Amazing Gold Cigarette Case

On Friday I met the gold and silver guys at the store. We had a shoebox of broken silver that we were willing to sell for scrap. Long story of drama about being able to to that. 

These guys pay 85% of whatever spot price is that day. That is the highest amount of anyone who's willing to come to you will pay. I set up an appointment because there are a few other volunteers who want to sell off silver and feel safer doing it at the store. That morning the guys got a call  from an estate clean out person that they had a lot of gold. This vintage cigarette case (it was tested via a scanning machine) is gold. About $18k worth of gold! Best guess it's Russian. It's was pandemonium at the store. The guys wanting to keep our appointment but also having to go to the bank to make the wire transfer and dealing with all the random questions the ladies kept asking them.  A lot of wheels spinning for everyone involved! Still very cool find for the guys!

 

To sell or not to sell - cast iron 101

I had one of those reseller moments of indecision with some Wagner cast iron pans I picked up at the auction house. I actually got a high end kitchen lot for the $$$$ metal Atlas pepper grinder. I just wanted to see what the hype was all about and why someone would pay $200 for pepper grinder. The pans just happen to be in that lot. The plan was always to sell them to cover the $65 auction bid. I don't think there's a lot difference in vintage cast iron pans so long as they were taken care of. Now with the new imports, the surface does make a difference.

I sold the #8 pan (10" surface) for $40, which is at the low end for a Wagner. I debated for awhile if I should hold out or just take the offer. It was marked as the other ones in the lot aren't but I know are Wagner. The pan didn't pass the spin test so it wasn't perfect. I should have tested it at the auction house but I was more interested in the pepper grinder. 

Spin Test - A cast iron pan should not spin, wiggle or move when on a flat surface. If it does, it's warped and will cause hot spots. Even the smallest movement it would get rejected to those serious about their pans. 
 

Tea Leaf Salad

My tea leaf salad recipe is coming along very well. I'm tweaking it to fit my taste pallet so it's still a work in progress. Taking the best parts of several recipes and seeing if they work together. 

It is something you have to plan ahead as the dressing has to ferment for two days. I know that sounds weird but it does mellow out all the strong tasting ingredients. 

I didn't have any tomatoes this time but I did add some chicken just because. The tomatoes do add to the salad but vine ripe is the only way to go. 

I'll be eating this salad for the next few days which is fine with me!

 

Mod Podge Fail

Not all my creative projects turn out the way I think they will. I picked up this home made flower press for the boys. At some point another child had scribbled on it and not in a cute way. So in my mind I thought I would Mod Podge this napkin over the top of it. I've not used Mod Podge before but how hard could it be? 

About 5 seconds into the project I knew it wasn't going to turn out well. So now do I sand it all down, leave it as is or keep adding to it hoping to make it more artistic. :)
 

Tomat Sauce with Butter & Onion by Marcella Hazan

Finally made the famous Marcella Hazan recipe"Tomato Sauce with Butter & Onion" in the Food52 cookbook "Genius Recipes". 

 The onion is suppose to be thrown out but I just couldn't do that. Not really sure what the onion did for the sauce but with the first go around I follow the recipe. I put it over rice because I was to lazy to make the gluten free pasta. Working with limited number of burners, things have to be done in stages. Long gone are the days I had massive six burner Wolf range. The recipe is a good base to add the other things. I know next time I'll add sausage and garlic to the finish sauce. The next day I made fried rice with the leftover onion and rice. 

Staffordshire Spill Holders

I'm a night owl by nature so my most productive time is when most people are asleep. I've been cat sitting for the last two weeks and still have one more week to go. Haven't gotten a whole lot done around the house and things are starting to pile up! Had to force myself to clean off my desk and get it organized. 

I picked up these Staffordshire "spill holder" on MaxSold this weekend. Back in the day these would be on your fireplace mantel holding scraps of rolled up paper to help start your fire. I thought they were interesting enough to place a low bid. Was a little surprised I got them for $7.00. Getting tagged today and boxed up to go to the Cottage Crafts. 

Santa in May 2026

This Santa plant holder was in the lot of metal fish sculptures I picked up at the auction house last week. Being a Santa fan, this just had my name all over it! Now I have to decide do I go with poinsettias or green pine. Real (yes, I have real ones) or fake?

It will go on sale during the holiday season but for now he's out in my garden.
 

Mochi Pancakes for Posey

Gluten Free Pancake Mix

Today is Posey's 10th birthday so I made her very favorite snack - mochi pancakes. 

This mix is from Costco and I've had it for awhile now. It calls for milk which I don't normally have in the house. In my failed attempt to use almond milk in my coffee, I still have a whole carton in my refrigerator. Not wanting to waste it and thinking Posey wouldn't really care, I gave it a try. Turned out pretty good and so much better than the breadfruit one. Posey beelined it to my door when she came home from her morning walk. Didn't even say good-bye to her dog walker. :) 

Booth Make Over 2026

I always forget to take a before shot but here's the finally make over of my booth. Doesn't look like five hours worth of work but it did take that long. I did try three times to get the display cabinet I picked up at auction to work but it just wasn't working. Moving all those smalls takes a lot of time. I still have to go in to marked down several things that will go into my sale booth. Things I pull from my sale booth I will donate to another reseller. Nice guys who is always happy to help with the heavy lifting or cleaning out the spider infested sheds at my estate clean outs.  

All of the metal artwork I picked up is getting used in the store so that should help cover costs of my last auction adventure, at least I hope it will. :)

 

Upcycle Display Piece

Before

That's my one and only coffee mug that I've had for over 20 years. It's a big mug but fits nicely in the cubbies. I think it's funny that I drink coffee every morning but only have one mug and I don't even use it for coffee. :)

I'm sure this cabinet was used for CDs back in the day as those fit it as well. I've had cabinets like this before and they do make nice storage displays. I paid up for it, $100 so I won't ever get my money back. Those extra auction fees really add up! Going to use it in my booth. 

At the end of the auction I started chatting with another reseller. She and I were both looking for display pieces. She is getting ready for a street fair in Watsonville. I could tell we had the same taste in the "look" we wanted for a booths. It was very nice that we could chat and not get upset that we out bid each other. Now that I know her, I'll go over my list with her before the next auction. We can sort out what really is important to us. This is a big no no at auctions and I've only done it one other time many years ago for something I personally wanted. 

Update: Spent five hours redoing my booth and after trying three different ways, it just wasn't working. So it was used in another part of the store. Tami (store owner) was a good sport handling all the auction stuff I dragged in and finding places for everything. 

After

Howard Kron - MCM Siamese Cat Lamp

Total lot was $226.80

This is what put me over budget at the auction house this weekend. I didn't put my bidder number down fast enough. From what I was told there was a lot interest in these lamps. 

These are TV lamps from the 1950's and 1960's. Back when TVs where in big boxy cabinets. These would help diffuse the light and glare in the room. They are fun pieces but not big money makers. Hopefully I'll be able to get my money back on them. The auction premiums really add up fast!

 

Another Auction Score - Wooden Jewelry Box

Handmade Jewelry Box $31.50

This little box was the reason I went to local auction house this past weekend. It was in jewelry section and what was in it was trash. I can't even say junky, it was that bad. I can only guess it went up for auction before and the good stuff was taken out. Then it was consigned it back to the auction house. Yes, dealers do that all the time. Either way it was a good deal for me because it didn't get a lot of attention. I'm always in search of handmade boxes to add to my collection. Fits nicely on the very top!

As always the art has to speak to me and of course be in my price range. :) There were three piece of sterling silver in the box but still not worth a whole lot.

Inside the box 

 

Another Auction Day

I went to DGW auction this weekend not expecting to find anything. It's always hit or miss with them.

I'll do better photos once I get everything home. The check out line was too long so I'll go back on Sunday to pick up everything. 

The cats are TV lamps. Back in the day they sat on your TV for backing lighting. I went a little over my budget (well a lot over my budget) but they are super cool. I won't make a lot on them and I know that. $180.00 

The little cubby shelf, I plan to use as a display piece in my booth. I would use it to display coffee mugs, but I don't own that many. :) $80.00

The wooden jewelry box was what I really wanted and it went under budget. It is filled with junk and I mean toss it in the trash stuff. The box is cool and handmade. $25.00

After getting a short lesson on cast iron pans from someone who refinishes them, I know what to look for. One of the pans is a Wagner #8.  I use a 10" cast iron pan everyday and my daughter wanted one.  Smaller  cast iron pans are much easier to use. There really isn't a big cooking difference in old cast iron pans so long as you take care of them. Your just paying for the name. In the lot was a metal pepper/coffee grinder that Alton Brown (big fan) uses. Can't see in the photo. I want to give that a try before selling it off. $45.00

I'm planning a doing a display of "heavy metal" items and was just talking about it with Tami (CCB store owner) the day before. Then I saw this lot and it just was meant to be. Can't wait to put this display together. $60.00

Union Antiques - New Kid In Town

This week on Maxsold I bid on 4 frames. There's no resell value at all in them but it was the cheapest thing I could bid on that I could do something with. This seller was posting a lot so guessing it was another reseller, I wanted to check them it out. To my surprised it's a new antique store I knew nothing about. Tiny store but they do have very nice things.  I didn't even look at the prices, knowing there was nothing there I could flip. They are doing a friend a favor by posting on Maxsold and having the pick up at the store. The best part is people are finding out about the place, like I did.  

I bid on the frames (paid $4) thinking I could use them as displays to highlight my jewelry. I used tin snips to cut the metal, which was a hot mess. In the end it worked out but it was messy. Now just have to get it into my booth. 

Banana Pudding Cookies

Banana Cookies In The Making

There is a volunteer at the HD that brings in homemade bake goods every Saturday. That's her thing and she's really really good at it! Because of my gluten issue, I have to prep days ahead of time, knowing that I'm going to eating something I shouldn't on Saturday.

When I babysit the frenchies, they ask (the owners not the dogs) what snacks I would like in the house. Normally I don't ask for anything because the kids have the best snack drawer. This time I asked for some banana pudding cookies from Magnolia bakery. I didn't know that the ones I scarfed down last time came from New York and are pretty pricey! The reason I wanted one was to have M try it and see if she could duplicate the recipe. Well M loved them, looked up the recipe and made a batch dough that same day. It's waiting to be baked up fresh for Saturday. Happy dance! Hopefully I will be able to get M to make a batch when the boys come out this summer. Banana bread is their favorite so I know they will love these!
 

Breadfruit Pancake Mix - Pass

I finally got around to making this pancake mix one of my cousins gave me. It calls for milk which I never have in my house unless the boys are here. So it's been several months.

I'm cat sitting for the next 3 weeks but I go home every morning to shower and make breakfast. It's much easier and faster. I drive by a Trader Joes on my way home. My daughter is asking for me to stock up on the small trader joe bags. It's still a hot item in Europe so reselling them is her side hustle. I've had the best luck in finding them when the store opens at 8:00 am. I really didn't need anything today but I didn't want to waste a visit when there was no bags. So I picked up some real whole milk and bananas. TJ bananas are better than Costco for ripening. 

This mix wasn't all that good but Posey really liked it. She's a chocolate lab and she just likes eating so she can't give an honest review. :) Next up is the Costco mochi pancake mix which also calls for milk. 

 

Harry Potter Audio Book Score

I'm a big fan of the Harry Potter audio books read by Jim Dale. The earlier books are hard to find on CDs as they were all done on cassette tape. Most of the time when they do come up for auction or at the thrift stores they are priced way too high, almost full retail. 

Thinking I was going to get out bid on MaxSold, as the last ones went for big bucks. I bid $4 and then totally forgot about it. Well got the notice my $4.00 bid won! Happy to add to my collection and someday I'll get all of them. :) 

It's rose season

Yellow roses are my favorite rose. It was a nice surprise when I went out to the backyard at the frenchies house. Not a lot of green landscaping but there is a very tall yellow rose bush in full bloom. 

Taking the dogs for a walk twice a day in a very old neighborhood with well established and maintained landscaping is a treat. All the roses are in full bloom.