It's July Already!!

First, thank you to all of you who have gone to visit the new blog. Dogs-N-More had a great first day and we're getting responses about what you like and don't like in your vehicles. Be sure to drop by and let us know what you think.

July in Missouri is hot and humid. It's a time to think about going to the beach or having cook-outs or just staying inside in the air conditioning. The flowers like the humidity in the air as long as I remember to water them daily.



This mandevilla lives in a pot on the deck. The dogs are so hard on flowering plants that I don't bother planting them in the ground. The ones in pots are the lucky ones.



These little vinca look delicate, but they are actually tough little plants that grow in poor soil and tolerate strong sun and high temperatures.


I've always though they looked like happy flowers with their little pink centers.


Woops! This is not growing in my yard. This is my newest cross stitch project fresh off the scroll. I finished it last night. It measures 12 x 12 and will eventually be a pillow for the library. There are three more patterns in the set and I plan to do them all. This one took forever to do because of the shading. Two stitches here, then change colors. I'm happy with the results, though and truthfully, I like more challenging projects. I don't get bored as easily.


Along with most of the population, I hate seeing department stores setting up Christmas trees in October and displaying isles of holiday decorations. But there is one exception. I was in Michaels and Hobby Lobby last week and both were putting out their Christmas things. In these cases I was happy to see them. Anyone who does crafts knows that if you plan to make gifts for Christmas, you must at least start getting organized by July. I used to make all my Christmas gifts, but my dogs have cut into the time I spent on them. I do plan to do a few this year and I'll let you in on some of them.


I plan to make this sweater for my Sister-In-Law. She doesn't read my blog, so I can show it. Why is it family has no interest in reading their own member's blogs? I've told them about it and sent them the info and they never bother to look at it. Hmmm. Anyway, since Michele is a blonde, I think I'll make this in either a rust color or a dusty blue. This pattern can be found in Issue 6 of The Knitter magazine.


My niece has three cats, so I want to make this for her. Aren't these the cutest things?


You know me, I can't resist cute toys. I guess that says something about my childhood, but who cares. I had to get the pattern for the dogs, too. I'll make them for ME.


While I was going thru the pattern site I found these bats. I couldn't resist, so I'll be making them up for a friend.

These cute little patterns can be found at Mochimochi along with a bunch of others. Believe me, it's tough to choose. I wanted them all.


Look at this, real Portuguese dog treats from Portugal. I'm so pleased with them that I don't want to open the package. The dogs don't agree. These were part of a prize we, actually Norma Jean received from Rufus and Indie. They had a contest for the best summertime photo. I sent one of Norma Jean splashing in her pool and she won.


Poor Norma Jean, she won the treats that I don't want to open, because I'm so in love with the package and a toy frog. A FROG. I can't give a frog to my dogs. I collect frogs. For the time being the frog is living in my collection. I may someday relent, but not now. I made out great on this, the dogs, not so great.

Now, go visit Dogs-N-More and let us know what you think.