One day it is the 4th of July and the next think you know it is Labor Day! What happend to the summer? My summer was spent reading these books along with 3 others that I have already given away. I was not familiar with this author, John Sanford, until I picked up a book my husband was reading on vacation. These are thrillers and I am hooked. As soon as I start reading, all I want to do is finish the book. The writing is especially good...always just the right word used in a description. I was looking at the latest book and discovered that John Sanford is the pseudonym of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist John Camp. No wonder the writing is so good! This author has written 25 books but I will not be reading any more for a while. Quilt Market is just around the corner and it is time to get serious about new products. Beautiful new fabrics are piling up and begging to be made into something cute and irresistable.
I couldn't resist making a patriotic cupcake today. It is supposed to look like whipped cream and a cherry on top. Thanks to those of you who have inquired about purchasing the Cupcake Pincushion pattern. I do not have a website but if you google Taylor Made Designs you will come up with a lot of on-line shops that carry my books and patterns.
Another holiday...another excuse to decorate a little. We are spending a traditional day with hamburgers, hot dogs and corn on the cob. Our neighbor is bringing Boston Creme Pie...not sure how that ties in but I know it will be delicious. Have a save and fun holiday!
I fell in love with and purchased this Hibiscus with a braided trunk at Home Depot in early April. It was blooming when I bought it and has been blooming off and on ever since. This is how it looked one morning last week. The biggest shock is that it is still alive!
Here is the back cover so you can see some other variations. The pattern also includes directions for making a flower out of a yo-yo. You can see these on the back cover. The one on the front cover is a ribbon flower I purchased.
I made the little glass stands by gluing a glass candlestick to a small plate. I purchased these at a thrift store. I will make a little tutorial on the subject.
New products are finished, Quilt Market is over and I have officially taken myself off of "blog restriction". I don't know how I got so far behind this time but it was a mad push to the finish line to get everything ready for market.
I found this cute Easter decoration at a new Home Goods store that opened in the middle of February. I, of course, had to go the first day. It was crowded but I was happy to find two of these, one for me and one for BFF Renee. The head comes off of the rabbit and the lid comes off the box. So cute!
My brother, Brad, and his wife, Teresa, were visiting us last weekend so Sunday morning I took Brad on a hike up the trail at Pinnacle Peak. It was a beautiful day...perfect weather...and everything looked so lush and green. There were lots of flowers and other blooming plants. 
I just love the contrast of the brown rocks, the green cactus and the blue sky.
So if you ever come to Arizona, be sure to take a hike. We have lots of mountains with groomed trails for every level of fitness.
Happy Valentine's Day
I love red...and hearts...so Valentine's Day is a holiday that has my name written all over it. Any excuse to decorate a little. 
I got this recipe from my friend Judy. She is a fabulous cook. She calls it Chicken Chili but I don't really like that name. I think of chili as being red and thick with red beans and lots of chili powder. So lets think of a new name for this delicious soup.
2 lb. chicken breast cooked and shreaded
