Bits of the world

    Today I went to see my friend Bonny, to take her an invitation. While I was there, she gave me some sand she had collected for me while she was visiting Utah. I was thrilled to add her sand to my collection.


    I don't think I've talked about my sand collection in a long time, so here goes. When our friends travel, I ask them to bring me home some sand. Just a small amount, enough to fill two tic tac containers is plenty. I put it in a small jar and label it, then add it to my shelf.


    Over the years, I have gotten quite a collection! Sand not only from these United States, but international as well. Here is a photo of all the jars from my shelf.

    I don't think you can read the labels, but some of the countries are: Italy, Ireland, Russia and Poland. I have sand from Oregon, and California, as well as New Jersey and the southwest too. Even a couple of places in Utah, and the Grand Canyon! Some of these I've collected myself. Most are from understanding and indulgent friends.


    I think my favorite thing about looking at the sand is how different the colors are! We have red from Sedona, Az., and black volcanic sand from one of the islands, as well as white sand from the same island! As well as every shade of tan and brown, and shades of pink.


   Of all the sands I have, my very favorite one is the red from Sedona. It's the softest sand there is. It feels like baby powder. There's a funny story about the black sand. When I received it, it was very damp. I wanted it dry inside my bottle, so I laid it out carefully on a paper towel on a plate, and put it in the microwave. You can guess what happened. It actually set the paper towel on fire. In my defense, I didn't want to put it outside, I figured the wind would blow it away. I guess I should have thought a bit harder about that.


   

random thoughts after a night of little sleep

   1. We got some shopping done yesterday, two out of three of the hard gifts. Goddess bless Sam's Club.

   2. I am tired and a bit on the cranky side. I really need my coffee today, but there's no half and half left in the fridge. It just doesn't taste the same with milk.

   3. I know of some people who are big Josh Groban fans. I heard him sing this morning, and I don't get it. I'm not impressed. He was amusing on the chat portion of the show, but singing? Not so much.

    4. I'm having second thoughts about using good wool for my sweater. I'm thinking I can buy two of the one pound acrylics, and have the practice sweater done for less than $20. If that one comes out properly, then  I may invest the money in the wool. And I get two sweaters.

    5. I love hedgehogs. I have a small collection of them, always looking for more. I found a giant stuffed one, in Sam's Club yesterday! He was so cute! Of course, Hubs wouldn't buy him for me, and I didn't ask. It was soft, a pillow for kids to lay on, on the floor, and watch TV.

    6. I sort of wish someone would knit that sweater for me.

    7. Hubs and I have an anniversary coming up. This coming Monday, it will be 24 years since we got married. Where did the time go? I still feel like a newlywed. I have to say, this has been the happiest time of my life, even with the few rough patches.

Hedgehog Love!

    I have always loved hedgehogs, and have wanted one for a pet for years. Unfortunately, they are way too high maintenance for me, so it's not feasible. Instead, I have some really cute photos of hedgehogs to share, that I found online!

    From newborns, to babies, and even a hedgehog getting a bath!

    Aren't they just the cutest things ever? Since I can't have one, maybe that's why I collect them. I have some stuffed animal ones, and even one on a necklace. They are harder to find than you would think! Mostly, the ones I see are in the dog toy sections of grocery or pet stores.

    These darlings were my mother-in-laws, she gave me one, and I inherited the rest when she passed away. They are outside on my stoop, next to the step into the house.

I Collect Some Stuff.

    I collect things. It's not gotten to an extreme, yet, but I collect some pretty odd and unusual things. For starters, I collect gavels. Yup, the kind the judge uses. I don't have many, since I got them all on ebay, and I quit ebay after getting my identity stolen, TWICE. After the second time, that's when I quit. Anyway, I have a lucite gavel, an ebony gavel, and a ceramic one too. There is one that is hand painted with flowers and things that was owned by a female judge. Most of the rest are just plain wood.


    I also collect sand. I have sand from around the world, even Russia. Well, technically it's dirt, but it's from a river bank. I have sand from Ireland, Grenada, and other places that I can't recall right this minute. Here are a few photos of some of my sand.

    Right now they are all on a shelf in the den. After my craft room is finished, they will have a nice shelf, all to themselves, where everyone can see them.


    I also have a liking for gargoyles. I can only afford small ones, but someday I hope to have a big one, out by our pool. I even have one that rides with me in my Jeep.


    Then there are the hedgehogs. I like them too. I have mostly stuffed ones. Here is a photo of some of them.

    I also, as you can see, collect books. I have five bookshelves, all overflowing with books. I also have a rocking chair that no one can sit in because it's piled with books. These bookshelves will be moved into the new craft room. That way, Hubs gets his den back.


    And of course, I collect yarn. It's so bad that I have two stashes, one here at my house, and one at my friend Bonny's house. It is under control, I swear. But to go with the yarn I also have many, many crochet hooks, and knitting needles! And tiny scissors, and yarn needles, and tiny tape measures, and stitch markers, etc. etc. etc.....


   And patterns too!! I have two huge three ring binders filled with crochet patterns, and one smaller one with knitting patterns. The crochet notebooks are all divided into catagories and everything.