Home Again

Hi there! We are back after a visit to my Mother in Mississippi. While we were there we made a visit to Mynelle Gardens in Jackson. I had never been before, to my shame, though I lived near enough for a long time.

It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed it tremendously. I recommend it if you're ever in the area.
The property was developed mainly by Mynelle Westbrook Hayward, who lived there with her family. She loved flowers and brought plants and garden fixtures from her travels all over the world to enhance her gardens. It was all sold to the city of Jackson in 1973, and is now open to the public.

This house was built in the 1920's around a central courtyard. Unfortunately they do not allow visitors to tour the house. It is rented out for weddings and other events though.

We did peek into the windows and we could see the hardwood floors and dark wood paneling, and through to a part of the indoor courtyard - just gorgeous!


Can't you just se yourself relaxing in one of these swings?


Or maybe having a coffee at this wrought iron grouping enjoying a view of the lake?

The children had a playhouse, but only this stone fireplace and chimney remain of it.

There are so many places to sit and just enjoy the view.

There are three bronze sculptures in perfect placement through the gardens.

And a different, beautiful view every few steps.

Hope you enjoyed taking this little tour with us!

It's good to be back home.

Hugs and kisses,

New Bird at Muddle Manor

Today I received a package in the mail all the way from across the sea. I was the fortunate purchaser of one of Charlotte's hand crocheted pigeons - Number 48 to be exact.

He emerged from his traveling packaging with lots of goodies. Isn't he handsome!

Like all good international travelers, he had his passport handy.

He also brought a chocolate egg in case he needed to bribe anyone. (Since he obviously hadn't needed that, I took possession of it and it is now only a pleasant memory.)

Can you see Bruno lurking around under there? I don't think he's thrilled.

I've decided to name Mr. Pigeon - - - - - Homer.

Homer has already taken a small tour of the back yard. He's smelled the flowers,

sunned himself on the patio,

and discovered that there are large birds held in captivity in the back yard.

Upon closer inspection Homer learns that they are indeed fierce creatures, and he is glad they are safely confined.

Safely back inside in the sewing room, Homer immediately flew up to a shelf at the window.

He and Mr. YoYo Bunny agree that it is well to keep an eye on those prisoners in the back!

Hope you've enjoyed my silliness! Sometimes I just can't resist. :)

Hugs and kisses,

I Am On A Winning Roll!

Look at the goodies I got in the mail! Susan, you really got me started on this winning roll. :)

I won a give away at Quilt Taffy from Corrie and Des. I love their blog. Lots of good information, and sometimes they just crack me up. Anyway, Thanks to Corrie and Des! You rock!

I've never even looked at one of these Somerset Studio magazines, but I see lots of inspiration here. Have you noticed that even if it's not your particular crafting niche - - - others' creative works can still inspire you? I like to be inspired. It's hard sometimes to maintain that creative flow, but that's the beauty of blogging. We all spark each other's creativity. And often that's all it takes - just a spark and you're back in your creating mode!

Look at these great paintings from Danita. She has some affordable prints of her work in her etsy shop, too, as well as original art - lots of it.

And also in the mail today - - - - from Material Girls via ebay - - - - these charm packs. I'm liking using these right now. So many possibilities!

And if you haven't visited the Moda Bake Shop yet, you surely should! There are so many good ideas there.

Hope your day has had a full measure of inspiration, too!

Hugs and kisses,

The Best Sugar Cookies in the World (and the easiest way to make them)

A friend and former neighbor gave me this recipe for sugar cookies over twenty years ago. She moved away long ago, but we still enjoy these cookies on a regular basis.




The really great thing about them is she taught me a little secret: roll cookie-size balls of dough and place them on cookie sheet. Then dip the bottom of a glass in sugar and use that to flatten the dough.


It goes really fast this way, and it sure beats rolling out all that dough.

Turns out some delicious melt-in-your-mouth cookies.

Lois' Sugar Cookies

Cream together:

1 cup butter

1 cup sugar

Add:

1 cup confectioners sugar

1 cup canola oil

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

Beat until fluffy, then beat in:

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

Beat in 5 cups all purpose flour.

Form walnut size pieces into balls and place on cookie sheet. Flatten with bottom of glass that has been dipped in sugar. Bake at 375 degrees F for 8 to 10 minutes until golden.

edited to add: Sorry, I forgot to mention that this recipe makes a LOT of cookies - about 100 - 2 inch cookies.

My little "helper" Bruno is waiting patiently for his cookie. That blur means his tail is wagging. :)

And I couldn't leave you without a tour of some of what's blooming outside today.

Pesky fire ants have been busy building their kingdoms in our garden, but soapy water will soon put them out of business.


Bruno is SURE there is something hiding in there.

And here we are back inside looking out.

Hope your day was a good one!

Hugs and kisses,