Dance like nobody's watching~

When you are 3 years old, everything is magical. Like Christmas trees, and lights, and ornaments, and mirrors.  We took our little granddaughter to Anthropologie to see the Christmas decorations there and this is what happened~

~in her own little world

she thought no one was watching~

(if you are reading this from an Apple mobile device,

the video won't load- that's just crazy!)

and then she found the Christmas tree~

Did I tell you that she is a Princess?

Oh yes, and--- a Diva.

Her Mommy made her little rag tag tutu,

which she insisted on wearing when we left the house-

along with her new cowboy boots.  

Oh, and she wanted to wear her tiera too --

but somehow we managed to get out of the house

without it!

~there's something so very special

about watching a child discover all that is

 Christmas

it's nice to have your Papaw

help you reach the really tall ones~

xoxo

Proof that she really IS a princess.

(Keri Beth and her baby sister Kadence.)

~

ALL of our babes

are growing and changing SO fast.

This past year has been a blur for me

and I've been remiss on my

"grandma" picture postings.

So just wait!

(lots more to come!)

~

My holiday wish for you all~

As this magical new holiday season begins,

I hope that you can all enjoy these special times

through the eyes of those you love,

 and appreciate the truest beauty

of the season. 

Love,

Vicki

ps~

To all of you who so kindly emailed me to say thanks for the photographs of your pink scarves, I think I have finally answered all of your beautiful emails.  Your words and thoughtfulness have meant so very much to me.  You know, I could start to get gushy here~~

A favor for a friend~

My friend Karen whose blog is Todolwen, has asked me to share some updates for her~~ while attempting to change the URL of her blog, she accidentally deleted it!  If you were a follower of Karen's blog and have noticed that she is gone -- you can now find her here at her new blog location!

AND finally~~

if you still have Christmas shopping to do~

(or maybe something special for Yourself!)

~

My latest design in something warm and snuggly.

(I've been knitting all summer long!)

~

coming up in my next post~

xoxo

A Little Beaded Dress

Six months of knitting and when I finally slipped it over her head-- she twirled~~

 The last row had almost 1000 stitches --- it took me over 2 weeks just to knit the bottom ruffle~

Stuff you might want to know--

Tilli Thomas Salt and Pepper yarn - you can find it here.

(try not to be shocked when you see how much it cost!)  (and please don't tell the Gardener how much it cost!!)  Just kidding --- he already knows!!

Mac and me - Silk Summer Dress pattern -- you can find it here.

 ***I made this dress in a size 2.  The pattern calls for 3 skeins of yarn for this size.  3 skeins was NOT enough to finish the ruffles on the dress -- I had to go back and buy a 4th skein --- ($$$!!!)  You will probably have enough if you make a smaller size -- but I wanted to make this dress when she was big enough to TWIRL!

 ~~~~~~~~~~

 My Sacred Yarn Room looks like a Harvest nest bomb exploded inside!  The nests are going to be absolutely gorgeous!  If you are on the LIST-- you can start getting excited right about now!  

Here is your first official sneak peek of the yarns~~

 I'm over half way through this stage of the "nesting" process.  In a few more weeks -- Mary and I will begin to work our magic~~

I don't want to think it so -- but already, the summer is flying by SO quickly.  The colors of autumn will soon be here.  I hope you are all enjoying the beautiful days.  Don't mind me-- I'm just buried here in the craft room underneath all this beautiful yarn!!   

xoxo,

Vicki

Season Opener

Spring came early this year - and with it a palette of colors in hues so magnificent that we all just seem to stand in amazement and stare.  Almost a full three weeks earlier than the usual arrival of spring in "these parts" - without a doubt - it has been the MOST beautiful season opener~~

 The Lexington Cemetery and Arboretum  was established in 1849 as a place of beauty and, in part, to deal with burials from the cholera epidemic that was prevalent at that time. 

 The Cemetery comprises 170 acres and is know for its spectacular display of flowering trees in the spring.  The arboretum is reputed to have some of the oldest and largest weeping cherry trees in the nation and is also home to the most concentrated plantings of burr oak trees in the world.  (the acorns from burr oak trees are almost golf ball size!)

 The Cemetery was full of visitors who were all there to enjoy the beautiful blooms.  Professional and amateur photographers were everywhere.  This lady was nice enough to allow me to photograph her beautiful afternoon sketches. (I regret that I did not ask her name - what was I thinking!!) 

 Such a wonderful way to spend the afternoon. 

 I'd love to have talent like this!

 We couldn't resist the opportunity to take some

 photos of our Grand daughter,Keri Beth 

amongst all this gorgeous color.

 Even the ground cover was a brilliant display

 of tiny little white blooms.

She was not sure about the "sitting on the ground thing!"

Our baby girl will turn 2 years old later this month.

It seems amazing to me that she can be growing up so quick!

She was fascinated by the flowering branches

 that hung to the ground. 

When  you are 2 years old -

the world is bright and new-

so many things to touch!
  

Keri Beth loves "quack-quacks".

We enjoy taking her to the beautiful lakes

at the Arboretum.

When you take Keri Beth to feed the ducks-

you need an endless supply of bread!

 She adores her Papaw

The Arboretum is huge!  Roads branch off here and there

and it is easy to get LOST!

(When we visit here I always use the "find my car" app on my iPhone!)

 

By the lake, the tulip trees were dropping their leaves.
Another baby photo-op~

Forsythia bushes in brilliant shades of yellow.

She found a turtle~

 The Breath of Spring. . . 

(John McLeod)
 
The breath of Spring
Lifting on wings that feel
The pulse of Life
Hope that will bring
A sense of 'real'
After the shadowy, wintry days
Now gone....

The sun feels warm, I'm already mowing grass - (that crazy thing I LOVE to do)~~and I'm ready to open up the pool!  My nesting is finished!! So- coming up next is my little Celebration post - and a surprise for all of you (like you don't already know what it is!!)~

Love,

Vicki