Crafty B*atch, July Fourth, & Introducing America's Original Top Model...Tracey Elaine Hale

Happy summer everyone! I can't believe it is already mid-July! Geesh, this summer is flying by so quickly. We have been pretty busy, with Pj traveling for work, I have had my hands FULL. With that said, I have still made time to do a little crafting on the side. My new obsession...MODGE PODGE. I love it. I told Pj the other day, that I wanted to modge podge the house. I think it reminds me of my Grandma Graves. The smell, the packaging...everything about it. (She used to Modge Podge rocks, old jars and turn them into lamps, basically anything with a hard surface was free-game.) I seem to have that same recycle-reuse approach...especially with all of the diaper boxes we have collected. They are way too nice to throw away! (Who knew I would ever consider a cardboard box a treasure.) Anyhoo, I have been modge-podging boxes with scraps of favorite fabric for our open pantry. I even created a fantastical mobile for Jasper's nursery...

Spiral Tap

(It is just the right weight, that when the ceiling fan blows, they twist and turn...quite a mesmerizing sight.)

I have also completed some simple sewing projects, some quick curtains for our guest room...

...and some pantry covers...

I hope everyone had a wonderful July Fourth vacation. We made the long overdue visit to Pj's dad's place on the Chesapeake Bay, (Reedville, VA). He has done a great job with the place. I am so jealous of his retirement spot. Pj's brother, Brian and girlfriend Cheryl made the trip from D.C. as well. We had a great time! Especially after drinking one of Cheryl's delicious mojitos. I love those drinks...maybe a bit too much! Here are some pics of our visit...

The view from Kent's retirement crib

(that is the inlet in the background)

The view to the right...

(you can spot the water in the background)

Gracie, Kent's new baby

Kent and his new grill...

(We had a scary moment the day prior. Think lit cigarette, gas leak and renegade grill...not good.)

Pops & Jasper

Jasper's first time in the kiddie pool!

The sunblock looked like clown makeup, and gave this awfully scary tint to Jasper's sweet complexion. All in the name of good skincare, I guess.

Jasper totally resembles his Daddy in this pic...

Once again, I came across some great old photos while I was living with Mom & Dad. While going thru our family albums, I realized my sister, Tracey is a complete ham. There are few "nonchalant" photos of her, she seems to be aware of the camera at all times. Here are a few that cracked me up...We will start from the beginning...

She appears to be a little startled by the flash...

Her fashion sense is developing at a young age...

Working Dixie Avenue... "Work It, work it! You are Fierce, more hip, more shoulder...."

"...actually roll around in the grass....WORK IT!"

(You may be asking yourself, Who is that adorable baby in the stroller...um, that is yours truly. I was a very cute baby, I cannot tell a lie.)

These next three photos are the sign of a real professional...Notice Tracey NEVER looses eye contact with the camera.

I am showing interest in this fun stuffed animal in the box game,

Tracey appeases me, at least for a little while...(remain eye contact.)

I get da boot and obviously start crying...Tracey maintains her composure. Anything for the shot! Tyra would be so proud.

Whoa, I have never seen anyone work a blanket and industrial park quite like this...

This look is the classic Tracey shot...there were too many photos representing the "Don't hate me because I'm beautiful" expression. A look we should all master.

I believe Mom was proud of her tulips...but Tracey noticed the prime lens opportunity.

*Professhional disclaimer* Poses and scenarios captured in these photos were done by a professional. Reinact at your own risk.

Ladies Luncheon, Happy Belated Father's Day & Cute Animal Pics...

Speaking of oooOOOOld friends (from my previous post), my oldest friend EVER came down to visit Jasper and I for a little luncheon last week. Jasper and I were soooo very excited to have her and little one, Drew stop by for a visit. Drew is Heather's three year old...but she looks exactly like her. I cracks me up everytime I see them together. They even have the same haircut. LOVE IT! Below is one of the earliest photos I have of us together...We were both at a pee-wee football game, hanging by the trash. I have no clue why we have decided to congregate in that particular location...maybe we were looking for uneaten candy bars, WHO KNOWS, we were only THREE!

Future Friends for Life ;)

(I'm on the left, Heather on the right)

On to the luncheon...Drew was thoughtful enough to give Jasper a wonderful card displaying her artistic genius, and we gave her some great dress-up clothes. Little did we know, we picked out the perfect outfit...a princess cap and glittery skirt. It was an instant hit!

Drew getting dressed...

(By the way, she wanted to take off ALL of her clothes. I guess the yellow tee didn't complete the costume to her liking. I tooooooootally understand her conundrum.)

Being a bit bashful...

...but she warmed up very quickly.

I have to give myself a pat on the back, I improvised a yummy lunch. A pizza roll with fresh spinach, mushrooms, mozzarella, basil & fancy Italian deli meat with some watermelon on the side. I'm tellin' ya, it was DELISH. Then we made sundaes with pastry cups, strawberries and chocolate syrup. Drew gave it a thumb's up!

Well, Matthew did it again...organized a wonderful steak-n-eggs celebration for Dad. We all went over to Mom & Dad's house to celebrate our wonderful father. Dad told me he suspected something was up until Matt called and led him to believe that he would be fishing that day instead. Surprise, surprise...the caravan arrived around 11am! (Except Jasper and I...it seems I am always running a bit late, catering to the little man's napping patterns.) It was a relaxing sunny day...so relaxing infact, that Dad took a little snooze outside. I guess basking in the family he had created...

Taking a snoooooozzzeeee....

So, my baby nephew (not so much a baby anymore!) is growing up before our eyes. I noticed these changes in Ryan at the family reunion a couple weekends ago. It hit me like a ton of bricks. All of a sudden, I realized that this little round baby with a huge head and big blue eyes was not that chubby bouncing boy anymore. Plus - he has proudly announced to everyone that a mustache has emerged. So, as a right of passage, Matt decided to teach Ryan how to cook steaks and work a grill. Every man should master a grill right?!

Ryan prepping the steaks...

Here are some more random shots from the get-together...

Ryan, Jasper & Brade working their GQ pose. They obviously know their angles. Well, maybe not Jasper.

A family gathering isn't complete without the essential Jasper & Rose pics in the occasional chair!

The requisite Rose fashion show...

I leave you with some funny pet photos I came across at Mom's house. We always had pets growing-up...including a guinea pig, a few dogs (Lizzie, Jangles, Jackie & Remi) and too many hamsters to count. Here are a few images of the fun we had with our furry pals...

Poor Jangles was the first, (make that Vonalee Bojangles Jarvis). He was with us during our toddler phase...which meant a lot of ear pulling & dressing up. God bless him! He put up with a lot...

Happy Birthday!

Jangles looking very stylish (notice the collar is UP, preptastic.)

Happy Birthday Murray! (Notice the tinie-tiny pancake. OMG - so adorable.)

I believe Murray is the hamster I thought I "lost" while cleaning his cage. I found out 20 years later that my Mom had accidentally snapped him with a mouse trap. I guess she didn't have the heart to tell me what really happened...probably better off, ugh. Next is Dot, the guinea pig. Oh how we loved her so. She was a wonderful guinea pig. When you sang, she would run circles in her home/box kicking her heels. She actually lived quite a long life, we ended up allowing our former kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Moreland take her...after Matt didn't care for her cage, (I opened a can of worms with THAT one, expecting a blog comment any moment now. A good lesson for disciplining children and teaching responsibility, maybe another time. Plus - I think Matthew still feels guilty.) Anyhoo! Dot lived to be like 24 yrs old! Amazing.

Myself, Matt and the amazing Dot looking stunning in her summer dress. (So, some would say I looked like the Peanuts character, Peppermint Patty. Hahahahaha. Too bad I could never get Matthew to concede to be a Yes-Man and address me as "Sir" at all times.)

Well, that concludes today's post. I will back very soon. I have been a very crafty b*atch lately. I have re-discovered my great love of Modge-Podge....more on that later...)