From last year.

Wishing all of you a wonderful and 

Happy New Year!

an Iowa vacation

Plantoir Sculpture

 I was so excited to see this- a giant garden trowel sculpture, located on the grounds of the Meredith Corp. offices. Of the many magazines they publish, Country Gardens is my favorite and I was leafing through a previous issue- and there it was! You can read all about it here.

Off to the Prairie Pedlar at Odebolt, which was also featured in Country Gardens magazine many years ago. I'll share some photos from here later.

Living History Farms-  "Living History Farms is an interactive outdoor museum which educates, entertains and connects people of all ages to Midwestern rural life experiences." I don't have any photos from here, but if you enjoy American history, you'll have so much fun!

Historic Valley Junction in West Des Moines 

is home to some great bead shops.

 Vacation should also include some relaxing and a bit of needlework...

And last but not least, lots of visiting and catching up!

Love you both!

How are spending your summer vacation?

On my way here tomorrow...

photo courtesy: University of Texas

Tomorrow at precisely 6:25 am (provided the plane leaves on time) I'm on my way to Ft. Dodge, IA to visit Ashley and Seth. I'll be flying into Des Moines and heading up from there. I haven't seen them since Christmas... thank goodness for telephones! We have lots of fun stuff planned, starting with a couple of bead shops and a trip to the mall. While I'm there, Ashley will be hosting a jewelry party for me.

I have my Bead Soup Blog Party jewelry finished and it's coming with me since I'll be blogging from Iowa the week of the reveal. I'm anxiously awaiting for my reveal day of the 23rd! I made two pieces- hope you like them Stacy and I'm looking forward to seeing what you have made.

I also have my Artbeads Summertime Blogging Fun jewelry made! I'll be posting about that ASAP!

Westward ho!

Patti