"Isn't She Lovely?'

I really, really did NOT want to start another collection of anything when I discovered the Jim Shore quilting angels. However, when my family finds something that I like, they provide it for me. So, quite a few angels and two large Santa's later, I have a nice collection of Jim Shore angels. This was a Mother's Day gift from DD and her family. "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling' is the title, she holds a basket of shamrocks and has a Irish Chain quilt with applique shamrocks on the back of her skirt along with some Celtic design on the border. She is just beautiful, her face is one of the most interesting of the angels, I think. She is my first musical one, the music box plays, of course, "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling". It seemed right to get this on Mother's Day. My dad was Irish on both sides but his maternal grandmother came from Ireland as a indentured servant. His mother, my beloved Grandma, was very proud of her Irish roots. This song was one of her favorites. Grandma was a big part of my life growing up and the angel brought back good thoughts of her on Mother's Day.






What else has been happening at my house? I am up to my neck in peaches! Every year, the great white hunter and I go pick peaches at a local orchard. Every year, we pick way too many peaches. The kids took some, he took some to work and I made a cobbler and two batches of peach jam. In years past, I made four or five batches but we just don't eat as much of it anymore. When I was working, I used it for gifts as did DD, but life circumstances have changed. The refrig is full of peaches and after I do this post, I am doing a search for peach recipes. I tried canning them one year and it was such a mess that I decided that was not for me. Might just end up freezing them and I am open to any and all hints anyone might have. Best part of the peaches is slicing them on my morning cereal.......yummmmy!






The rag rug is going along wonderfully! I am sewing strips and crocheting like a good fellow. So much so that my hands are just a little sore and I might have to take a break. It measured about 21 inches in this picture but I added a couple of rows since then. Quilting is sitting waiting for me but doing what I want to do when I want to do it here. I am even planning the next one.




On a end note, the great white hunter is taking a vacation day on Friday and we are off for a three day weekend to Northern AZ. I am really looking forward to this. He has been working some wicked hours lately under a lot of stress at work and we need a break. See you soon!