A Week from Now...

A week from now, the hoopla will be over (for the most part).

I have always left my patriotic up until Labor Day anyway but, this year especially, I think the celebration should continue all year long.

(I won't keep my decor out that long because...well, you know, Halloween!)

I said I might try to post more photos of Americana decor and, since it's hotter than blazes outside, I'm wasting time inside and decided to share more.

There are a LOT of photos here so be forewarned. I'll keep the commentary minimal...with just a brief description under the photo if I think it helpful. If you have questions on anything, let me know. I'll be happy to try to respond if not in a direct email or in a reply comment, in a follow-up post.

Not all are the best as the windows and design of my home make photographing entire rooms/areas difficult.  

First off, Janice (Prims By The Water) mentioned she thought she saw a "Chessie and Me" cross stitch pattern. Yes, Janice you did.

It was done several years back and is called 1864 House Sampler.

Back to "other photos" - in no particular order.

{Vintage blue and red transferware nestled among excavated English meat pots and lids}

{"Centennial Eagles" - a design by Tina Woltman - also stitched years ago}

{Old chicken cage hung on my entry wall. I have a very large, funky, folk art Uncle Sam that I replace the Red Robin Farm barn with and sports and add a red, white and blue bunting or banner along the top, but I didn't make that far this year.}

The next two photos are close-ups from the cage:

{My vintage sparkler collection}

{Sculpted clay Uncle Sam on stretcher board with flag (by Folk For All Seasons), Vintage cross-stitched flag in the background and antique betty lamp on the side}

{Saltglaze Uncle Sam in a little niche of my kitchen counter...and, yes, I know the word "coffee" is upside down on the little canister. You know I love misfits.}

{More misfits: Excavated broken bisque dolls and figurines from Germany...well, I added the hat and flag...}

{Another of my folkart Santo-type angels...this one wearing a vintage (WWII era) "We Support Our Sailors" sash}

{Little wagon filled with vintage ammunition caps, poppers, tops, etc.}

{Vintage eagle snow catcher - used to catch snow from falling off roofs - on top of my mom's kraut cutter}

{Vintage Turtle Creek Pottery Plate}

{One of my only two patriotic hooked pieces...so as to not disappoint Saundra}

I'm leaving it at that.

I promise.

Going In Circles And Seeing Stars

Really and truly.

I decided some of the stars were too wonky...even for me.

Soooo, after I finished hooking it, I started reverse hooking a "few" stars.

I thought if I fixed one or two, I'd be happy. (You should be laughing right about now.)

Yet every time I redid one (which is no easy task because it requires reverse hooking the background surrounding the star and "refitting" it around the "new" star), I was dissatisfied with the adjacent star....

So, around in a circle I went...until I realized that this little endeavor had no end.

(And I honestly didn't know where I had started anymore or whether I was redoing stars I had already redone.)

Fortunately, I had a brief moment of lucidness and stopped the madness.

{"13 Stars" by The Tattered Flag)

It still needs to be bound, but it will have to wait until I get the binding material.

(Note to self:  You dislike hooking stars as much as you dislike hooking symmetrical scroll designs....and please don't ever hook in a circle in the middle of design.  And, NO, DON'T redo that too.)

I am not sure what's next.  I'm still frogging the dang eagle, but when that's done, decisions will need to be made.  (Is it just me, or do I sense a theme here??)

*******

There is not much else (good) news here to share, and looking at my camera roll, I see I have taken few photos...so no inspiration there either.

The weather has been fickle.  We had almost a week of freezing temps at night and even snow on Thursday, but there have been a few pleasant days as well.

{Kitties on humming bird watch - I won't show you what happened next LOL}

*******

I won't fumble around any longer searching for something to say, but did want to check in and wish everyone a memorable Memorial Day weekend...full of reflection and a heart filled with gratitude for all who have served and sacrificed and their families who bear/bore much of the pain as well.

Our family has always "expanded" on the traditional Memorial Day observance by treating it as a day to remember all those loved by us who have passed.  Accordingly, the holiday always meant visits to the cemeteries.

Perhaps that's where I will go tomorrow.

*******

One last thing:

If you find it in your heart, I would appreciate prayers for my beloved Snowdog.