Summer bounty

 I was very excited to use up six of my summer squash in a double batch of sweet relish today. The four I had left would be good grilled or as the "noodles" in lasagna but then...

...hubby and I walked down to the garden this evening and found eleven more! I will make some zucchini bread (substituting the yellow squash), and chop and freeze some for later use in bread. We also like it breaded and fried or grilled. Do any you have any really good zucchini or summer squash recipes? I want to try my friend's zucchini patty recipe but I think I will have enough squash to try any new recipe I want, lol.

Yesterday I canned the first of the green beans and I will be canning more of those on Friday. I love providing for my family in this way! My last few weeks before school, and thus work, start are going to be very busy, though.

Mini change

 Several months ago I found this half scale baby in the round robin swap box. So, of course, Ben and Ally had to have a baby. Isn't he cute? His name is Benjy - Benjamin, Jr.

 As is often the case in real life, the sewing room had to become the nursery. Ally and Ben are practical types and didn't want to go over the top with the nursery. It hasn't changed much - just a cradle and a change in the artwork. There's also a tub of baby wipes and a tube of diaper ointment on the center dresser. It is doubling as a changing table.

As I think of things I will add more baby items to the room. Even with all the storage it's looking a bit sparse.

A mini of a different sort

I haven't had much time recently for dollhouse miniatures. I did make a different kind of mini recently, though. I made a small princess dress for my great niece's third birthday. She loves Rapunzel and this dress is very loosely based on the recent movie. She looks quite adorable. :)

Artist in Residence

 On Wednesday, I was the Artist in Residence at the local library. I sat at a centrally located table and made this mini garden in a planter. Library patrons could come over to watch, ask questions, etc. It was really fun! Adults, children, families - all stopped to see what I was making. I also had several requests to show dollhouses again. I'm going to take four of my larger houses this year for National Dollhouse and Miniatures Month in October.

As a result of the AinR I will be showing our elementary school garden club, Little Sprouts, how to make a simplified version of this in a terra cotta pot. They make something each year to sell at the school carnival to raise money for the school garden. This project will be great for that.

Mini Potential

 Here's my collection of purchases with mini potential from today's garage sales. I love the Queen of Multitasking ornament. Stay tuned to find out how these items will be used. Two were fairly easy choices. I purchased them to use in the San Franciscan.

 The ornament makes a very impressive large "oil" painting in the parlor.

The tiger has been mounted on a block. Apparently, Charles did some exotic hunting on his travels.

A Very Nice Interview

 I belong to teammids - Miniatures in Dollhouse Scale. We started out as purely an etsy group. Some of us sell on other venues now but still belong to the team. My friend, Whims (Whimsy Cottage Minis), interviewed me about the library dollhouse display I did in October/November. You can read the interview on the Miniatures in Dollhouse Scale blog. Please stop by and check it out. Also stop by Whimsy Cottage Minis for a beautiful collection of handmade miniatures for your dollhouse or scene.

Can't leave well enough alone

 Since the San Fran is still sitting on the coffee table I have lots of opportunity to look at it. The study desk looked too much like two tables glued together. I wanted something that looked more impressive. I used pieces of a wooden fan and skinny sticks plus some new hardware to give me the look I wanted. Since the desk faces into the office you don't see the front but I know how good it looks now. :)

 This is the view once it's in place. The carved sides and new hardware add a lot to make it look more expensive.

 I also prepared tea for the household. Charles and Faith are enjoying scones with cream and strawberries and tea (with sugar, cream and/or lemon) in the parlor.

Matilda is supervising Noah's tea in the turret room. Noah is also having scones with cream and fruit slices. He's having lemonade rather than tea. He has a full set of silver with his tea because he's also having manners lessons.

The little details are my favorite thing to add. They give the house and its inhabitants character and personality.

We were blessed with two hours of steady rain today. We've been suffering from a moderate drought and today's rain will help with that. My vegetable garden certainly appreciated the gift. I hope you had a beautiful and blessed day!