Runaway Squash Plant

My garden is pretty much finished for the year. I really need to get in there and pull all the dead stuff out, but I wanted to share my crazy squash story with you first. You may or may not remember from past years that I have been totally unsuccessful growing squash here in Louisville. For 3 summers I tried and was always so disappointed. The plants would grow and produce tons of flowers, but some mystery something or other would eat the flowers before they could actually make squash. I  tried every spray, powder, suggestion to no avail. So, this year I decided not to bother. I did not plant a single squash seed or plant. Imagine my surprise when out of the far corner of my little raised bed, up popped a squash plant. Crazy. I decided to just let it do it's thing and boy did it. I don't think you can really tell from the pictures, but it has pretty much taken over the left half of the garden. Did I get any squash from it? you might be asking. No. not a one. I thought I might get a couple. They were there one day and then totally gone the next. I wish I knew who or what seems to like squash as much as I do. Alan says it's the dog, but I'm pretty sure it's squirrels or chipmunks, I just haven't been able to catch them in the act. .Next year no squash will be allowed to invade. I think I will make room for blueberries and strawberries.
Sally

Tis the Season

 Oh my goodness! Fall has now officially arrived in Louisville. Trader Joe's if full of all things PUMPKIN. I didn't even buy one of everything, because I thought the cashier might make fun of me. I don't know how they keep coming up with new ideas. For breakfast this morning I enjoyed a pumpkin bagel with a cup of pumpkin spice coffee. What a way to start the day. I can't wait to try the pumpkin croissants this weekend. If you could only see the smile on my face. I've held off bringing all of my fall decorations up from the basement, but I did buy the FALL pillow in the first picture and unpacked my fall quilts to give Alan a little hint of what's to come. Hopefully the weather stays cool. and crisp and perfect. Hope you are enjoying September as much as I am.
Sally

Spinning Summer Into Fall

Way back in May when summer was just getting started, I purchased this fiber. The pencil roving interested me because it looked like it might be easy to spin and because I loved the colors. The golds, browns and greens reminded me of fall leaves. I put the fiber aside and spun more "summer" like things until about 3 weeks ago. We had a bit of a "cold" snap here and out came the "fall" fiber. Since then Mother Nature decided that maybe summer wasn't quite over and the 90's returned to Louisville. Really? But, fall is back and my fiber is now yarn and I'm ready to start knitting something beautiful.
Sally

Can You Believe That It's Already September?

Hope you had a wonderful Labor Day weekend. We drove down to Tennessee with my Dad to visit with family. We had a great time in Memphis, well actually Colierville with Alan's Mom, his brother Paul, his wife Lisa and our nieces Jessica and Rachel. Mary Ann has recently moved into a retirement home there and after visiting, I kinda wish that I could move in with her. It's a beautiful facility with lots fun things going on all the time. Of course I forgot to take any pictures. Thank goodness Lisa is a stickler for that and kindly sent us a few. My Dad stayed in Trenton with my Uncle Henry and Aunt Trudy and from the sound of it they had a wonderful time too. Alan and I spent one night with my cousin Charles and his wife Robin. There was a big family get together at their house and we talked our selves silly. The weather could have been  better, but a little rain and heat didn't stop us from having a great time. Now we are home and fall is just starting to kick in. I had my first Pumpkin Spice Latte the other day and really enjoyed it until Alan told me that it contained 4 days worth of sugar. Does he know how to spoil a good thing or what? The leaves are starting to fall off the trees as well as those stupid acorns that give me fits every year. Football is on the TV and I'm thinking about making a pot of chili so you know it must be autumn. I sure enjoyed the summer, but fall is my favorite season and I plan on enjoying it even more.
Sally

The Craft Room

I'm sorry if this post doesn't interest you at all. It's been a pretty time consuming project and I just couldn't be happier with the outcome. As I mentioned the other day there are still a few things to tweak, including the closet... but that will just have to wait for now. I think what makes me happiest about this room is just finally having a place to put things that haven't had a home since we moved into the house over 4 years ago. I love looking at all of the pictures on the walls and just knowing that every thing has a place. The photos are pretty self explanatory,   We removed the bed and added inexpensive shelving from Target. We brought up an unused chair from downstairs and that's about it. I'm using Graces desk to sew on for the time being. She kindly left her TV and spinning wheel for me to borrow. We did remove the mirror that was attached to the dresser so that my cutting mat could fit and not hang off in the front. My ironing board hangs on the back of the door. The lights are also Grace's. She had them in her apartment but since we've been storing them in the basement I figured they were fair game. I have to say that I was not thrilled when she asked if I'd take care of her fish, but he adds a little something to the room. I wish that I had more time to spend crafting away in there, but I know the time will come and I am ready.
Sally

Transformation Sneak Peek

 Alan and I have spent the past few weeks transforming Grace's bedroom into a sewing/craft room. There are a few more finishing touches I'd like to add, but I thought I'd give you a quick sneak peek with before and after pictures. It felt very strange taking the bed out, but it's in the basement just in case we need it again. Packing Grace's stuff up also felt a bit odd. Who knows what she will be doing or where she might be in two years? In the mean time, David's coming to live with us for a month while he does an emergency room rotation at University of Louisville hospital. He will be taking over the guest room and I need a place to sew. If we only had a bigger house... Any way, I'm very pleased with how things are turning out. I'll show you more of it the next time I post.

Sally

My New Best Friend

 Do you have one of these things? Do your love it? Alan has had one for a while now and he totally loves it. He's been trying to convince me to get one and I have been very reluctant. Do I really need to know for sure that I don't get enough exercise or sleep? Well, apparently I do. My fitbit arrived last week and it hasn't left my side, well actually my chest, because I got the kind that hooks on the front of my bra. I had a hard time choosing, but I knew I wouldn't be happy wearing the bracelet type. I hate to admit it, but I find myself checking my step and stair climbing count and getting up off the couch so that I can meet my daily goals. How long will this last? Who knows? Accountability is a good thing, right?
Sally