Look what was waiting for me in the bathtub last night. Ginormous wolf spider. It was a fight to the death and I won't go into details but it involved roach spray and a tank full of hot water before I finally got him down the drain. Zoiks, those things freak me out.

I was wanting a bath after a long day at the 2012 Spring into Summer Shop Hop. But I digress . . . cue swirly music that means we're going back in time . . .

The Lady Slippers are in bloom by the thousands - literally.

So Friday, I did my volunteer gig at the Maine Coastal Botanical Gardens, driving the shuttle, which I love. And, you must go because it is more gorgeous than ever this year. Just fabulous. However, on this particular day, there were about 6 trillion second graders at the gardens. See this smile pasted on my face? My cheeks hurt when my shift was over. I am saying under my breath through gritted teeth, get in the freaking cart and shut it!. Just kidding hahaha  ha

When I was done, off I went to King Eider for a celebratory glass of champagne and half dozen oysters. Yes! I'd been planning this for ages to celebrate my website and store launch. Damariscotta has the BEST OYSTERS EVER. And, if you are ever in town, give me a call and I will meet you at the Pub for oysters. yum

Ok, so the Shop Hop. Oh, did we have fun! It was a yucky rainy day but that did not deter us. Sue showed up at my cottage at 9am on the dot and off we went.

Our route

We put 150 miles on the Prius and visited six quilt shops. You buy your passport at the first shop you visit and then you have it stamped at each shop. When you have all of your stamps, you turn in your passport and sit back and wait to  be called and told about all the wonderful prizes you have won. (still waiting . . . )  The hop lasts three days but since I had the Gardens on Friday and I'm off to work today, we packed it all into eight hours yesterday. I drooled over the batiks that Sue bought but -- well, you'd better sit down for this -- I did not buy any fabric!  You need smelling salts now, don't you? Yes, I managed to restrain myself. Bali sustains me. Anyhoo, we were back by 5pm so made an efficient use of our time.
And, let me tell you, the girls were Not Happy. Miss Sophie paid me back by digging a hole in the driveway and tearing up the welcome mat. I suspect she tried to get into the dogfood too but so far, she is denying it.

DRUM ROLL PLEASE . . .

I have BIG NEWS. It's taken a year but finally my website is LIVE:  Lizziealone.com

Woohoo!  Yes! All you have to do it click on LizzieAlone.com in the upper left hand corner of my blog (what, you never noticed that before?) or just click on the figure to your right. I am super excited to finally be up and running and maybe I will make a little money too. (btw, I didn't have a proofreader so let me know . . . ) My affirmation for today, and I swear I am not making this up, is "I now do work I love, and I am paid well for it." How amazing is that? And, while I'm at it, here is what Louise Hay says for June:


This is a good month to give to others. I offer patience, encouragement, support, a cheerful word, the gift of a smile, forgiveness, and most of all, appreciation. Whatever I put out always comes back to me. I have the opportunity to bless those around me every day. 


Words to live by.



Today would have been my 27th wedding anniversary. So, I'm up in the wee hours and wrote this long diatribe against that psychopath I was married to, and how I realize that I am better off now without him and how some day soon I will go more than 24 hours without thinking about him . . . and be able to (choke) forgive him . . . yadda yadda yadda  Seriously, it was like three pages long. So, instead, I'm making today about ME: LizzieAlone. 

Marilyn's Quilt

I think I told you about this consignment quilt I've been working on. It is for a woman who lost her husband about 10 years ago (to death, not madness). I've used his shirts for this quilt. She wanted something "swirly" so I hope this will fit the bill. I just need to finish up the binding and complete four pillow covers. 

We've been having days of rain here in Maine so the girls have been a bit stir crazy lately. Then, yesterday I worked all day, so they were ready to GO when I got home. I love this first picture - all four front legs are off the ground.

Miss Lucy is still a speed freak, even in her dotage. She's running so fast, her ears are blowing back. 

 Unlike, slowpoke Sophie, having a little salad here before her entree.

A few of my favorite things this morning (other than quilting and the girls):
-Listening to Pavorotti singing the aria, None Shall Sleep, by Puccini
-Using the rose soap my mom gave me; smells so good
-A second cup of rain forest nut coffee-yum
-Email from two of my bestest friends, Glo and Lu
-The wind ruffling the lake as the fog burns off
My affirmation today says, I am at home in the universe.  Indeed.

My friend Sue came over for a sewing day and lunch. We both needed to get some bindings on and it is nice to have a diversion, this so not being my favorite quilting activity.

smiling or gritting her teeth? you be the judge-ha

I spotted this little family paddling past

And, let me tell you, it was AGONY cutting in to my first batik from Bali! Oh, I didn't want to do it. Just four strips for binding but I'm telling you, it hurt! I hope I don't have this much trouble with every one of the 171 meters (!) I brought home. Zoiks! Sue even said, Don't Do It! Big help she is.

So awesome to look at the pattern and know how it was done.

Memorial Day

So, remember how I told you what a great kid my nephew is? Well, check this out. Will (age 13) decided he wanted to sew a vest for himself and, except for a little help from Auntie with the shoulders and the buttons, ta da!

 Kind of a perfect day today because I spent the morning sewing with Will, then took my mower in to be sharpened and the man said, well before you spend the money, why don't you go home and tighten this screw and loosen this one, and see how it goes. So I took it home and found a giant screwdriver and did as he advised and it worked! It's the little things, you know?

So, I spent the afternoon outside, got the lawn mowed and the beds cleaned up. Moved the woodpile and threw down some grass seed. My shady perennials are all coming in nicely as you can see.

 Chris is working on my new dock - so excited about that.

 Life is beautiful, n'est pas?

My sister and her husband and my beloved newphew, Will, are visiting me from Massachusetts. I met them at the Damariscotta Mills Fish Ladder where the alewives are running. Such an amazing sight always. (Track star Will is on crutches with a fractured tibia.)

climbing up the fish ladder

Happy gulls dining on sushi

 I used my new Fiore sesame oil and honey-ginger balsamic to make a fabulous (if I do say so myself) chicken and veggie stir-fry for dinner. It's nice to cook for more than just me for a change.

I gave Will his udeng brought back from Bali - he looks the part, doesn't he? (well, except for the braces) He is such a great kid.

And, not to bore you but I have to show you my newest oil cloth - came in the mail yesterday. Can't wait to get busy with it. oooooh, loving the color.