view from a fish eye

                                                                      I know this is an unusual shot , but I just love it . It is an abandoned house on St. George Island , in dire need of paint and love . If I had lots of money in the bank I may get used to living on an island . We are headed to the regatta at the coast today and should get some good shots. I hope your day is a wonderful one and would you be happy on an island ? Let me know.xxoo Susanne
                                                                       

in the dirt

    Sorry , no pictures because a missing charger for my camera . I feel naked with out pictures, but here goes. I have been working in the garden for the past couple of weeks and am enjoying the close commune with  God's beautiful creation . I have planted 5 oakleaf hydrangeas , a bunch of impatiens , some blue eyed grass and lots of seeds . The seeds are my favorite because you have to wait , no instant gratification , just plant and see ! I hopefully will see zinnias , cosmos , nastursiams ( wow , that spelling ) and caladiums . When I'm not in the garden , I have been cutting out a new quilt , with soft bleached out beach colors . I was inspired by a recent trip to the coast via Hwy 98 . Saw the seaside towns of Gratin , Alys beach , Seaside and Watercolor . I hate all the crowds but loved the old cottages , palmettos , beach towels hanging out and flipflops everywhere I looked . So hence my seaside quilt . Well , I hope your days are beautiful and if you get a moment, go outside , breathe in deep and thank God for his artistry .xxoo, Susanne

one of my peeps

                                         I hope everyone had a great Easter . After an early Sunrise service , my family gathered around for a great dinner and visiting . I look forward to these holidays , the time spent with my family is very important to me . They are my tribe and I need face time with each of them . The older and wiser I get the more I know that belonging to a group of people who care,  falls in the same catagory as food, water and shelter, and having a faith . I am particulary fond of these folks , they make me smile ! Have a great day . xxoo Susanne

' For where I am , so you shall also be "

         
                                              I can't believe it is already spring ! It was a holiday filled with wonderment when I was growing up . Coloring eggs , Easter baskets , getting a new dress ,gloves and shoes and then the day arrived and after church the family would head to Torreya park and down by a creek the eggs would be hidden and found , a tin foil wrapped egg would be the prize egg and a picnic would ensue . They were wonderful times and I hope my daughter Lu has good memories like mine . These days I look at Easter totally different , I bask in a different light ...... it is the love of a Father who gave up his son so I may have eternal life and the precious Savior who finally whispered , " It is done " as he gave up his spirit . I am humbled and awed by this , such love ! The exhilaration of finding the tin foil wrapped egg , well .... it's nothing compared to finding the precious gift that God gave us , the gift of Jesus . May God bless your Easter and may you find your prize too! xxoo  Susanne

excuse me , is there anything by Jim Fowler or Jack Hannah ?

                                                               " Sometimes I just sits and reads, and sometimes I just sits ." I love this picture of Buddy who lives at Downtown Books in Apalachicola . He , like myself , loves to hang out in book stores . My friends tease me that when I go missing , and it is often , they know they can find me at the local bookstore here in town . My daughter , Lu , is the same , we love books !  I think it is all the possibilities and the armchair travel that reading provides that is the draw for me . I am simply amazed when people tell me they don't read for enjoyment ..... WHAT ! Anyway , it is the best get away on a cold , rainy , dreary day ...... and if you need to find me , I'll be at Books-a-million , or Barnes and Noble , or Borders or................ xxoo , Susanne

room with a view

                                              As long as I can remember, I've loved going to the beach. The smell of salty air and suntan lotion is permantley etched in my brain . I grew up going to this island , and my mom and daughter and I would make pilgrimages all summer to sit in the sand , drink ice cold lemonade , read magazines and talk about things that were on our minds . For some reason it was easier at the beach , maybe there were limited distractions , but all three generations could connect on the same level . Those were days I would not trade for the world . My mother is gone now , but my daughter still loves to go with her friends , and me......... I'm happy to sit with my coffee and watch the water sometimes from a view like this and be happy to be alive . God bless your day , xxoo Susanne

what new fabrics ?

                                                                      See this ? It keeps me up at night , it makes my blood race , it makes me spend my milk  money ....... it's beautiful fabrics . Of course working with gorgeous home dec fabrics for over 20 years has not helped , now I'm on to the quilting realm . My projects outnumber my time to spend quilting and crafting but no matter , its been the best therapy for me and I get a heirloom quilt or pot holder to boot !!! Hope your creative juices are flowing today , and the best thing about these small , colorful parcels is that my husband doesn't notice that they are stacking up , until he notices we are eating beanie weenies .....again .xxxooo  Susanne