Yellow swap.

This is the purse LeeAnn made for me in our yellow swap. I said I wanted some charcoal grey and yellow, I like linen, and I like bags that are feminine, yet tailored. I was so happy when I opened my package! I love the yellow velvet ribbon going round the purse. It's a fun punch of color.

Speaking of a punch of color... check out the inside! Yellow in all it's glory!

It's been rainy here, so I've been spraying Scotch Guard on the purse and waiting for nicer weather to start using it.

LeeAnn also sent me some fun yellow earrings that were the thrifted item for the swap. N. asked me why I got such large yellow earrings and, as I held them up to my ears, I told him they were to wear to an upcoming event at his school. The look of sheer horror on his face was priceless!

I'm not sure what I'll do with these, but I have some ideas floating around.

She also made me some wonderful magnets. Here they are on my refrigerator holding up a card my mom made for me.

There were a few other things in the package, including this pretty grey and yellow notebook.

I'd swap with LeeAnn again any time. It was a lot of fun and very exciting to get such a great package in the mail.

The sun is out! Looks like I can switch to my new purse.

Lincoln Park Zoo.

I've had a lot of zoo time this weekend. As you know, I went with N.'s class to Brookfield Zoo on Friday. That was a lot of fun, but quite exhausting. Yesterday we decided to go to Lincoln Park Zoo.

Our favorite exhibit this time was the River Otter.

One of the otters was particularly entertaining. He (or she) frolicked around in front of us and then ran up right in front of N. and dropped a piece of park in front of him. Then he looked at N. expectantly. It was very cute! I took pictures, but sadly none of them turned out.

In the bird area we spotted a nest with eggs.

The zoo also has an area about farms and farm animals, including a petting zoo. We saw a mama pig feeding her little piglets. We really wanted to see them milk the cows, but it was too long to wait.

The grounds of the zoo are very pretty.

We were finished at the zoo with a lot of time to spare before catching our train home, so we took a bus to the beach to walk around. This is a view of the Hancock Building from the beach. A few weeks ago I showed you a view of the beach from the Hancock.

It was quite chilly by Lake Michigan and the waves were high. N. went to check things out and got a little bit wet! He should have listened to his mother.

We decided to stop for a snack at the restaurant on the beach. It was such a pretty view and the food was good, too. I'd like to go back when it's a bit warmer.

After our snack we walked along the lake all the way to Navy Pier to catch a bus back to the train station. We did so much walking yesterday that I have a blister! Does that mean I don't have to help Mark clean the house or do laundry today?

This and that.

LeeAnn of Mint Basil and The Cherry Stem and I recently discovered that we both have a crush on yellow at the moment. Naturally the next step would be to do a swap! Since LeeAnn has received her goodies, I can show you the beaded things I sent her.

This necklace is made of oxidized sterling, yellow chalcedony, and a vintage enameled flower. I really, really wanted to keep this for myself!

As one of my "just for fun" items I made her a beaded flower and framed it.

I think those little frames are perfect for the beaded flower. I also sent LeeAnn a tea towel, a tea cup, some notecards, candy, and preserves from a local orchard. It was a lot of fun to find and make things for her!

When I was recently catching up on Melissa's blog, I discovered that I needed to add something to my Amazon wish list!

I love Cynthia's designs and her blog. I'm sure this book will be beautiful.

And now I'm off to get ready to go to the zoo with N.'s class. Should be a fun day! Well, except for the bus ride. Buses never seemed that bouncy when I was a kid.

And the unicorn love continues.

Here's something I worked on while I was away from the blog. Stitching it all one color worked out really well for bringing it with me to the hospital when I visited Mark's grandma. It's part of a French sampler pattern.

I stitched the horn with size 15 seed beads. I'll show you the framed version when it's completed.

Hello, hello!

After what seemed like the longest winter ever, things are finally blooming here.

We had a lot of rain this week. One morning we discovered some new friends.

N. was enthralled with the slugs and did not want to go to school. Once things were dry the slugs took off.

Today we are busy planting. Mark went to get more dirt. I'm supposed to be planting some vegetables right now. Sshhh! Don't tell him!

I'm happy to be back after that small break. All three of us were sick with upper respiratory infections and we are all on the mend. In other news, Mark's grandmother had a stroke while in the hospital being treated for something else. We did not think she would make it and were called to the hospital more than once to say our goodbyes. She surprised everyone by pulling through, though now she has a lot of rehabilitation to do. We are so happy she's made it this far.

And now I'd better get those vegetables planted before Mark comes home and finds me slacking off!