Congrats on all this fabulous news!! I'm really excited for you and can't wait to see the fabric line and hear more about the book. My absolute favorite fabric from my stash is a bit of vintage cotton that I've been holding onto for over 4 years. I used most of it up on little projects here and there so it's been spread out wide, but the last bit remains for a someday project that is just fitting. It's a blue/green/aqua print with a bit of a paisley feel, but mostly just floral. It's charming and perfect in every way.

Was just thinking about you the other day and missing hearing about the hens. Health issues are never fun. I'm glad to hear that things are looking up though!!

Beautiful tulips! Mine are about to burst open... almost a full month earlier than last year. I hope they hold on a little longer as I was planning to cut most of them for the wedding. This year it has been all about the grass. The perennials are in just the right spots so my attention is swayed to the patchy grass spots and bits that need fixing. I did the ping-pong dance yesterday between rainfalls. It was so relaxing to just be outside.

Great Photos. Pan pizza sounds wonderful.

What a beautiful idea. I'm in.

I had no idea making vanilla extract was so simple. Any tips for finding cute bottles to put it in?

What a *thoughtful* and *practical* gift!! LOVE IT.

"you go to bed in one kind of a world and wake up in another quite different" Now THAT is exactly the phrase I've been looking for to describe my love for the first snowfall. It truly is magical and I'm in love with cold Minnesota winters once again. If only that feeling would last longer!!

I love your suitcase. As a child I would have been so mesmerized by a collection like that. In the past years I haven't been into Christmas music much, but your suitcase makes me want to download a whole play list full.

You're not alone in the "worlds slowest painter" category. John painted circles around me when we were painting my studio. And the sad part is that he makes less of a mess than I do too. Haven't seen that movie yet, but we did treat ourselves to Couples Retreat this weekend. It wasn't as funny as the previews made it look and really turned out to be cheesy. Wasn't bad, but I wouldn't recommend spending money on it.

Congrats Deb! Isn't it wonderful to have chronicled that year? Now you'll have it to remember for all time. Thanks for sharing your time with us... it's fun to know that there are others who share in lifes simple delights. Cheers!!

Thanks so much for not taking my comment the wrong way... I was a little worried to even post it as I didn't want you or anyone else to take offense. I have to agree that stevia probably isn't the perfect answer... it's new and not a ton is known about it. And of course once those soda companies get their hands in the process it will be a whole new thing completely. I guess this is just a reminder that nature is always best.

Please don't hate me, but I have to share. Splenda (also known as sucralose) is actually much more dangerous than raw sugar. Many people are misinformed because marketing companies do a good job of pushing that it's a healthy alternative. The truth is that it is toxic to the body. I'd recommend stevia if you are opposed to sugar. It's a new product, but is a natural sweetener. Each family has the right to choose for themselves, but I hope that they are also fully informed. Again sorry to rain on your post!!

Count me in. Great fabrics!

I'd love to win... so cute!

LOVE all the color. Great photo... thanks for sharing!