A Little Alpaca Love

I drive past a field of Alpacas every time I go into town. As I drive by, I always think to myself how much I love, love, love seeing them. So yesterday, I decided to stop and say hello.

They were happy to see me.


They made me laugh.


They had beautiful deep brown eyes.


Some folks will tell you that they're apt to spit, but not him, he just wanted...


...a kiss.

A Blossoming Valley

The valley is in full blossom. Everywhere you look, you see cherry blossoms, pear blossoms, peach blossoms and apple blossoms.

It's an exciting time of the year here in orchard country. The earth has been stirring from its winter slumber for weeks now, slowly awakening into the bright-eyed and bushy tailed blossoms that is spring. The sense of renewal is palpable.

There's also a tantalizing anticipation for summer to come and an eagerness to watch all the various trees go from delicate spring blossoms, to voluptuous summer fruits. And the fruit is sweet.

Last summer I remember stopping in at the Organic Grower's Association down the road to see if I could buy a few peaches. I asked him if they were super sweet and juicy and he got out his knife and sliced me a taste. They were. They only sold them by the case so of course, I bought the case.

We ate fresh organic peaches morning, noon and night. We'd even have them for dessert. You'd think one would tire of the same fruit day in and day out for weeks on end but we never did. I made a couple of peach pies with them but other than that, they were eaten as they came, plucked fresh from the tree they grew on.

Happy glorious spring and summer to come...

Bag Tag, Ornament, and Picture Holder - Oh My!

This project is so versatile. Attach it to your purse to display a picture, to your gym bag for id or to your holiday tree as an ornament.

Materials List:
Four 4 1/2 " squares cotton fabric
Two 4" squares heavyweight double-sided fusible interfacing

One 4" square light weight clear vinyl with tissue paper
Fabric glue
Two 1/4" grommets and tool
Ribbon
Coordinating thread

Trace a 3 1/2" circle onto both pieces of interfacing. Turn one piece of interfacing into a "donut" by drawing and cutting a 1 3/4" circle in the center. Cut out other circle. (Hint: I used Microsoft Publisher for my circle templates.)

Trace a 3 1/2" circle on the wrong side of two pieces of 4 1/2" square of fabric. Turn one of these pieces into a "donut" using the same technique as above.

Lay one 4 1/2" fabric square wrong side up. Place interfacing donut on top in center of fabric, then fabric donut - right side up - on top of interfacing. Use your iron to fuse. This forms the tag's front. Repeat with one 4 1/2" fabric square, interfacing circle and fabric circle. This forms the tag's back.

Trim extra fabric into a circle around donut and circle, leaving a 1/2" all the way around. Using fabric glue, fold and glue excess fabric around interfacing edges on both the circle and the donut. Let dry. (Hint: Fabric glue dries quick. Hold the pieces in place you move around the circle until they are dry.)

Section the fabric in the center of the donut into triangles by making several diagonal cuts (like a pizza). Cut up close to the edge of the interfacing trying not to cut the interfacing. Fold back your triangles to the wrong side of tag and secure with fabric glue. (Hint: Smaller triangles will make a more perfect circle.) Let dry.

Cut a 3 1/2" circle from vinyl. (Hint: Cut tissue paper in a circle also to help vinyl slide easily under your sewing machine foot.) Pin vinyl circle with tissue paper on back to wrong side of donut. Sew around inner donut circle using a 1/4" seam allowance. Remove tissue paper. Trim vinyl to 1/4" seam allowance. Sew around outer edge of donut using a 1/4" seam allowance.

Attach grommet to tag front and back following manufacturer's instructions. Top of grommet should be approximately 1/4" from edge of tag front and back.

Pin tag front and back together lining up grommets. Sew together along 1/4" seam allowance, leaving approximately 1 1/2" inches on both sides of grommet. (Hint: This is the opening for the picture, label, etc.)

Insert picture or label. Thread ribbon through both eyelets/grommets. Attach to your favorite bag!

Earth Day

...to find the universal elements
enough; to find the air and the water
exhilarating; to be refreshed by a
morning walk or an evening saunter...to
be thrilled by the stars at night; to be
elated over a bird's nest or a wild flower
in spring - these are some of the rewards
of the simple life.

John Burroughs


AND...


I only went out for a walk, and finally
concluded to stay out till sundown, for
going out, I found, was really
going in.

John Muir

Disclosure Policy

This policy is valid from 21 April 2009

This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. Contact SgRedDoor@aol.com for questions.

By reading this blog, you acknowledge you are doing so of your own free will and you are taking and following the information provided at your own risk.

Unless otherwise noted, I am the legal copyright holder of the material and pictures posted on my blog. My material may be used by peer blogs, if it is linked to my blog and I am given credit for my pictures and ideas. It may not be published, copied, or reprinted without my consent.

The information I provide on my blog is based on my own experience and is my own opinion. You are reading and following my advice at your own risk. Please always use safety precautions when performing a DIY project and always read and follow manufacturer’s directions for the products and tools you use.

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Red Door Home in the News!

Be sure to pick up the spring edition of Women's Day Budget Decorating, available on news stands now.

Inside you will see the story/pictures below featuring several rooms in my house.

My Living Room

My Kitchen

The Master Bathroom

The Master Bedroom

Resources

All pictures:

Women's Day Budget Decorating / Photographer - Michael Partenio

Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

In the Garden

Despite owning our house for over two years now, this will be the first summer that I will have a flower garden. I did do a few window boxes one summer but other than that, our focus has been entirely on our house. Also, the yard has been a construction zone filled with lumber, gravel and mud.

For the past few months I have begun researching and planning for our flower garden, and I can't tell you how very happy it's made me. I can't wait to watch the yard blossom! Also, having always been someone who loves to adorn her house with fresh cut flowers, I absolutely cannot wait to make beautiful bouquets from the garden.

So far I've brought home the following:


Nikko Blue Hydrangea


English Boxwood


Limelight Hydrangea


David Austin, Heritage


David Austin, Glamis Castle

David Austin himself.

Well, no I haven't brought home David Austin (the handsome man that he is) - but I have absolutely fallen head over heels in love with his roses - as so many do. Curious to know what brilliant, genius of a man created such magnificent old-fashioned roses, I decided to learn a little more about him. Go here to read more about him. What a beautiful man - in - every - single - way. ; )

Happy Growing!

Note: Only top image is mine. All other images were obtained online.

Meet Riley

We walked down to see the horses tonight. This is beautiful Riley. Before we were formally introduced, we use to call him Summer. His light coat, blond mane and sunny disposition just made him the perfect Summer.

One thing I just love about Riley is his comfort with being close. He'll rest his chin on your shoulder and just stand with you, taking in the scenery, breathing you in, rearranging your hair if need be.



Here he is breathing in hubby. Hubby is determined to keep his mouth closed while Riley is searching, searching, searching for just the right spot.



I'm not as cautious as you can see. He loves to make me laugh and tickle me with his warm summer breath.

Work Day

After our glorious day at the beach, we approached Sunday with house-chore vigor.



First, we finally got to paint the porch fascia thanks to the warm temperatures and sunny skies!

Between coats, we mapped out our outdoor dining patio. We'll have to build a retaining wall, stairs up to french doors and lay the patio floor. To save money, this is a job we'll be tackling ourselves. I can't wait to get started!

To the Ocean

Sometimes one needs to take in the vastness of the ocean air and feel sand between their freshly thawed winter toes. Hubby and I did just that over the weekend (although Lucy dog was the only one who felt the sand between her toes).

Bundled up for a spring day at the coast, we walked the beach, hiked along the coastline, took in the scenery and ate. We always eat.