Summer is over - back from my vacations

Are ya'll wondering like me where the summer went? Poof - gone! I have to admit that this had to be one of the best summers, weather wise, I can ever remember. For the first time in years I thought I was waking up to California sunshine everyday while living here in Massachusetts. Gorgeous sunny days... a little hot at times but hey... that's ok with me as I hate the cold!

It's been about a month since I logged in so thought I'd get caught up a bit with what I've been doing over the past 3-4 weeks. Rob and I went back up to Great East Lake (Maine) and enjoyed a beautiful week fishing and kayaking... well to be honest he did more fish than I did... I sat on the dock getting a great tan all the while dying up close to 600 new pieces of lace (most soon to be listed in my Etsy Shop - RavioLee Dreams) While there we set up our camera on a tripod and took a couple of pictures... I put on a top that I wore on one of the very first summers I spent up on the lake and he put on a shirt similar to one he had back then. We took a picture to compare how far we've come over the years... I think we both pretty much look the same.. a few more wrinkles and pounds but still the same "in love" couple" ahhhhhhhh

This picture was taken in August 1995:



and this one was taken August 2010: 15 years! Where did it go?



I no sooner got home from Maine than I was packing up my suitcases to head out to California for 2 weeks to visit my son Jason's little family. OMG! Can you say "Nana in love?!" I don't think I was in the door before my heart was won over by two of the most beautiful babies I've ever seen... it was only a matter of a couple days before I heard "hi Nana" Loved it! I've been home about a week now and already it seems like months since I held them in my arms... I can only imagine how big they will be the next time I see them - they are growing up so fast.

While In CA I did a lot of CQing. I had 3 CQ RR blocks to work on as well as a few other projects. I'll post my progress on them in a new post later this week. I also met up with my dear friend Carolyn for another one of our CQ Treasure hunts in the LA Fabric District. We had lots of fun and bought tons of goodies..... mostly I enjoyed spending the time we shared at her house chatting up a storm... oh her poor son and hubby - their ears were buzzing with all the talking.

Nan Nicki and her babies (all 3 of them)



Jason & Evy and my grand babies Evita & DeAngelo:

Gone Fishing! Yahoo!!

In just about 2 hours hubby will be waking up to finish loading the kayaks up on the truck and then we are on our way! Yahoo! Vacation time! Every year for the past 16 years we head up to Great East Lake for some kayaking and fishing and some fun in the sun. Great East is located half in NH and half in Maine so you never know which state you are in when you are paddling. I figured since it's already near 1:00 I might as well stay up and sleep in the car on the 3 hours trip north.... I'm sure Rob will like that as he won't have to listen to me yak all the way LOL!

Bags are packed and I'm ready to roll. CQ goodies packed - check, CQ Books packed - check, Dyes & Laces packed - check, Cross stitch mermaid project packed - check! Looks like I'm all set for a week of doing what I love to do most.... have to be prepared as you never know what kind of weather you might end up with. I like knowing that if I get stuck inside because it's raining I will have plenty to keep me from getting bored.