One of several old blue canning jars I picked up recently stuffed with a few hydrangea from my garden. The sustained heat in this region fried a lot of my moppy head friends and cut short their season of gracefully showing off their beautiful colors.

 Some little creepy bug has invaded my being and I'm not enjoying its presence one little bit. Can't decide if it's a sinus infection or one of those viruses that have been going around. All I know, is that it is winning...

 
It chooses to visit me right in the middle of my "busy-as-a-bee" season....! Have lots of irons in the fire, many that are time sensitive so resting yesterday was not an option. Spent hours on the phone coordinating utility hook-ups for daughter's new rental. Seems they like to have parents on the hook for those bills instead of college-aged students. Hmmm...wonder why?

And while I was tucked away handling all those calls...

 ...this little family member with the white fur coat was busy in the kitchen eating the leftover pizza oldest son forgot to put away. Naturally, it was one of those mega-sized take and bake pizzas. And even more naturally, oldest son ate only a few slices so Miss Sophie (the one in the white fur coat) had herself quite a feast! But the revenge of such an over-indulgence was swift and severe...and was all mine to handle, each episode... for several hours.

All other family members were out and about...DH had a business dinner, the boys had soccer and what-not...just us two sick girls left to man the fort. One rested, and the other did not.

The one who didn't rest was originally planning to share some recent finds on her blog.

 DH and I have decided that we will plow ahead with having the house spruced up a bit and I've got a budget to work with for decorating and such. To that end, I've been hitting lots of antique shops...made some really fun scores at fabulous prices. The photo above is one of MANY of these late 1800's lithographs I made an offer on to a dealer and he accepted my offer. They are each 11 x 14...this larger format is harder to find and even more difficult to find at the bargain price for which I obtained them.

Hopefully this cruddy crud cold/virus will decide to release its grip on me and I'll have a chance to soon show you some other fun stuff in their "potential" state and what I hope to do with them...

Meanwhile, here's a scan from my personal collection you digital manipulators might enjoy having in your stash for your personal use...

In "real life" this is a four page, handwritten  French deed on that old yummy cotton type paper I just adore.

Hope everyone had a safe and memory-filled long weekend!

Xo, Sue

Comments

[Mrs. Magpie]

First of all, Sue, I'm SO sorry you have the crud. Hope you and your furry friend are both feeling much better today.

Second, I adore your photographs. How do you do it? They are just FABULOUS. They have such a painterly quality. Love the colors, too.

Okay, I'm off to attempt to accomplish something today. I've been lazy this morning and blogging, but I'm out the door in a few...

XO,

Sheila :-)

[Terri@PringleHill]

Your picture of those gorgeous hydrangeas took my breath away, Sue! And thank you you for the digital ephemera - it's fabulous!

Soooooo sorry to hear that you've been violated by an unseen 'bug'. Hope that you're feeling better soon. Sorry to hear about the pizza glutton too. Having owned a dog for 35 years, I can sympathize/empathize. Try to rest. Am sending healing vibes your way. Hugs, Terri xoxo

[~*~Patty]

Oh no fair being under the weather anytime is no fun ... Mom's are much to busy to get sick!
Take good care, hoping you get some time to rest...rest...rest :)

Love the way you write and of course how you illustrate your stories is always most special...your echinacea with three beezy weesies is wonderful!

And your doggie looks so cute and innocent LOL
Take care my friend! I'd tell you to have some chicken soup, but that would be insane ... it's too hot!
oxo

[Cherie Wilson]

aWWWWW CRUD! Feel better fast Sue! I enjoyed your post and I am suddenly thankful:) Needed that this morning! Funny thing~ My big boy Trueman got into our fresh baked batch or cupcakes for a birthday party last week..........24 gone in a flash, wrappers and all! Thankfully it came back up in the garage in one big dough ball..........looked like it just came out of the mixing bowl! I know~gross.....but hopefully the visual made you smile. Have fun dreaming and planning your fun new decorating:) Happy heart to you today, even if you feel yuck! Hugs!

[Shelley in SC]

Hope you're feeling better VERY soon!! Summer is NOT the time for sickness. Your first picture of the hydrangeas in the blue jar . . . ::sigh:: . . . just gorgeous. You put 2 of my favorite things together. Mmmm, I love summer!

[lisa]

Wow, your pictures are amazing Sue! How do you get them so vibrant? The hydrangea in that wonderful blue canning jar look like that Jeanne d'arc mag! I love your story of the pup binging & purging. Poor thing. Hope your feeling better soon. Lisa

[Autumn Clark]

Oh so sorry that nasty bug has caught you! Feel better soon.
xxx,
Autumn Clark