~~MARY MARY, QUITE CONTRARY, HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW~~

It's February, sunny and warm, so I decided yesterday to grab my camera and see what was going on in my garden.
I was shocked to see the Texas Laurel was in full bloom. If you have never seen this beautiful tree, the blooms smell just like grape soda....yummy to look at too.

so pretty, very slow growing, so I never expected to see this!!

Tangelos, (a cross between an orange and tangerine) the longer they remain on the tree, the sweeter they get.

beautiful, deep orange color and so delicious.

ruby red grapefruit

Valencia oranges. These make great oranges for juicing, but are hard to peel and eat. You can peel them, but they take some effort. The skins are thin and I think that is the problem, great flavor though.

Do you like Meyer lemons?

my Camila is starting to bloom

such a lovely flower, it's a shame there is no scent.

I also have some roses blooming:

I hope you have enjoyed your walk with me. Come again soon and we will see together what is blooming in my garden.

~~~HAPPY PINK SATURDAY TO ALL~~~

HAPPY PINK SATURDAY

I am so excited to be able to participate in Pink Saturday this week. I have been so very busy and have missed my bloggie pink friends.

I am a soap a holic, yes, I confess, soap has been my obsession for many years now. I took a class years ago on making soap, but was a complete and utter failure.

I combined lemon grass and lavender into the soap thinking these scents would go so well together.

They did not. After letting the mixture set up for weeks, the final product smelled so bad, that I had to throw it all out.

Making soap has been in my blood ever since and I am planning on giving it another try.

Until then, I came up with an idea of soap pockets, and the above photo is an example of my first one.

This is just the sweetest idea for gift giving. This pretty pocket holds a beautiful bar of soap. What could be a nicer gift?  Gesh, I love this idea.

A little bit of vintage linen and some vintage buttons are icing on the cake to me. I plan on creating many more of these, soap included.

This pocket houses a bar of Italian soap, yes, made in Italy and has a scent of lemon.....Oh, I love that.

Fully lined too. I think I know what I will be giving my mom for Mother's Day this year. Why not pamper the ones you love?

Thank you Beverly for yet again all your hard work each week. If you would like to visit all the pinkies and see what they have been up to, please go to Beverly's blog, How Sweet The Sound for the links.

Have a great weekend, and be safe.

~~~Ahh, Winter In Arizona~~~

Oh yes, life is rough in AZ in January. These are roses from my garden. I cut them and placed them on my kitchen sil.

My roses bloom best this time of year, because some summer, they get fried. I hope you enjoy.

~~~THE ROMANCE OF CABO~~~

We have been very lucky the past four years. My hubbie's company has given us the gift of a villa in Cabo for a week. This year we had some surprises that I thought I would share with you.

One day after the housekeepers left, we discovered this on our bed. The heart was made using white towels that had been rolled and shaped into the heart.

The large flowers at the base and on the top are hibiscus flowers. The other flowers look like some type of vinca to me but I am not sure.

I think maybe I should do this for any company that comes to stay. What do you think?

These swans were in our bath. Again, rolled up white towels and flowers. Just too lovely for words......

Love that they are kissing.

If you don't care for hearts, swans and flowers, how about a large bow on your bed with swans? Not bad huh?

I think this is a beautiful way to welcome guests into your home. Of course, I will have to practice a lot to get this done.

Maybe I can start by mastering the bow.....looks easy enough. The center is a large white towel.

If that doesn't suit you, how about a butterfly made using the sheers on the window. I was not only grateful that someone took the time to create this, but humbled that someone would do this for us.

Not too sure how this was done, but I like it.

I may need help, I think I am a Caboholic!!

Ah, life on the beach with family. Nothing is better than this, well, almost nothing. HA!

Don't like the beach? We had our own heated, private pool......

Hot tub anyone?

Beach sunsets anyone.....

If you have ever wanted to visit Cabo San Lucas, go, go and have fun, relax and enjoy yourself. It's so worth it.

I am linking up to Pink Saturday with Beverly of How Sweet The Sound. Please go on over and see what all the pinkies have been up too. HAPPY PINK SATURDAY

~~AFTER ALMOST THREE YEARS, I HAVE FINALLY FINISHED~~

After our son was born, 36 years ago (was it really THAT long ago??!!) I decided to make him a special stocking using a kit from Bucilla. All these years later, I still have it.
I can remember thinking it was a lot of work and worth every minute, every stitch, sequin, bead and thread.

The same can be said for our daughter when she was born. Looking back, lots of love went into creating these beautiful stockings, keeping them all these years and loving them as I do.
I think maybe it's time to finally pass them on to their rightful owners.

While shopping in Hobby Lobby about three years ago, YIKES! I am almost embarrassed to admit that it has taken me this long to complete something so dear for someone I treasure so much, but that is the sad fact. I came across Bucilla pattern stocking kits. Having four grandchildren to love and adore, the idea hit me hard to buy them, make them and pass them on.
I thought, no trouble, I will start with the oldest grandchild and work my way down.
I had no idea it would take me years to finish my first one. I know I have to do much better on the rest, or they will never be finished while my treasures are young.
Allie, who was four at the time was the first stocking I worked on.
This is the pattern I choose for her:

I saw all the sweetness, cupcakes, goodies, pies and cakes and just knew it was her. Little did I know or realize at the time, all the work that would be involved. Being ever the optimist, I really thought, "what a breeze!" WHAAAAT????

This is the placement directions, the actual word directions were too small to share with you. I usually mark the directions with a yellow marker once I have completed the work, so it's very hard to photograph.

This is the finished stocking, full of so much love, and certainly living up to the name sweet.

So many tiny pieces, sequins, beads and handwork. If given the choice, I would certainly do it all over again.
It was worth every minute, hour, day, or should I say year? HA

What little girl wouldn't love candy canes and gingerbread men?

I used a little wooden gingerbread man for Allie's name tag on this stocking. I also placed the year on the back.

Since making this little goodie and purchasing the four, I now have been blessed with a new grandson. Life is so good.
I think I had better get busy, I have lots of sewing to do.

Allie on the left, Jenna and baby Reid. I do have to admit, Reid is now 8 months old. Where or where does my time go??!!

~~~HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL~~~

I would love to take a moment to wish all of my readers, the most peaceful of Thanksgivings. I hope that you will have full tummies, lots of friendship and love in your hearts. Enjoy and be safe.
I am showing you my Simpich collection of a Thanksgiving family. I hope you enjoy.

We have mother with her bounty of fruits and veggies.

Father with his turkey.....

Their young daughter with the Lord's book.

A young son with a beautiful pumpkin, and of course,

America's Native Americans.
These Simpich dolls are vintage, given to me by my mother in law years ago. They are handmade from the very beginning to the very end.
Wishing you the most glorious day filled with love and gratitude.