Hand Delivered

A few weeks ago I heard a knock at the door.

 It was in the evening, and I was not expecting anyone. 

As I opened the door there was a woman standing there with a package. 

It was a very pretty box tied with a ribbon. 

She asked if I was Stacey and I replied yes. 

Then she told me that she was hand delivering my apron swap package from her mom. 

I was shocked but excited too!

When I finally opened the box, 

I went through all of the goodies and then opened my apron, saving the best for last.

Here is the beautiful Apron that Susan made for me. 

The theme was cocktails. 

I think this pretty much fits the theme.

 And it is so colorful and bright. 

I know this is the apron that is going to get me through the winter blah's...

It is so summery and cheerful. 

And now I am really wanting to do some baking, in this apron.  

These are the goodies that were tucked into the package. 

Crystal light Margarita flavor (really tastes like a real margarita too),

2 margarita glasses, a cute little coin purse that matches my purse, 

2 dish towels (there is nothing like having fresh new dishtowels in the kitchen), an adorable little pink flashlight with flowers, and a few drink recipes. 

Susan did and Awesome job of putting my apron package together.

 I love every last bit of it. 

And my apron is AWESOME! 

Thank you Susan!!! 

You can check out her blog at this address

http://shabbyandfrills.blogspot.com/

Hot mama Apron Swap....Cocktails edition.

My partner received her package so it is safe for me to post about the apron. 

The apron I finished in record time, and then had to wait to ship off. 

 I had a very difficult time finding any cocktail related fabric. Included in her package I sent a cocktail recipe book published in the 1955. It was blue and pink and also had cherries in the illustrations. That was my inspiration! I found some blue, ruffled, garter lace and let that be the special addition that made it just a little on the spicy side.  I made it with extra long ties to be able to tie it in front.

 I found a cute martini applique at Joann's and put it on the front pocket. 

 Then I made some cocktail glass markers/charms. 

They are pinup girls. I tried to stay with the pink and blues. 

Also because it was end of July all of the cocktail themed items were either on clearance or gone, to make room for Halloween items in the stores. So finding the perfect tuck-ins, I had in mind, ended up being a huge challenge. But in the end I was very happy with the package  I sent off. I hope she enjoys it as much as I did putting it together!  

Christensen Family Reunion 2011

This year we went to Palisade State Park,

 for the annual Christensen Family Reunion. 

Palisade Lake is a very small lake, 

but the natural beauty draws me in every time. 

This is the first place that my husband and I went camping when we first started dating. 

This is where I fell in love with the idea of camping. 

This is my favorite campground of all time!

Sadly although it was the family reunion,

 I did not get photos of many people.

But I did get lots of photos of the great outdoors. 

You can walk all the way around the lake. 

This lake is where I first realized that my baby girl was going to be a nature lover. 

She was 3 years old and she stood on the beach with a net and caught minnows for hours on end. 

She is the child who I had a very hard time trying to entertain and keep happy. 

And the minute she saw the thousands and thousands of minnows she was hooked.  

Well see for yourself, she is still at it. And the tradition continues every year.

My nephew Micah, and Grandpa. 

Elyssa and Dixie sitting in a tree. 

Blue dragonflies were everywhere! 

And apparently trying to make more...

This is the first photo I took when we arrived.  

Such a cutie for bug!

He was the brightest green grasshopper I have ever seen. 

I was very fortunate to get this shot just before we headed for home. 

We were walking the Lake Shore Trail, and he stopped for a quick photo shoot. 

Elyssa has a good eye for things in the water. 

She spotted this little water snake. 

Justin reached down and snagged it for a quick look. 

I was super impressed how he grabbed it so quickly, in one swipe, with his bare hands. 

I have better photos but I am going to spare the folks who have a phobia.  (no close-ups here)

Daddy trying to get some minnow fishing time in. 

Ashton was absent from this trip.  

It is the first trip he has missed.

 He was at youth camp in Idaho. 

They went river rafting. 

It was very strange not to have him with us.

But we all had many stories to share when he returned home.