I spied this massive pinecone in a bookstore window in Longmont, CO. The owner of the shop had no idea where it came from but thought that her mother had probably collected it. Her mother is deceased so we couldn't ask her for details.

It was not only big, it was heavy. If any of you know where this could have come from, please share the info. I love a good pinecone!

…flowers are not the norm in Texas either. I have a hydrangea whose flowers start out white and then they turn green. Most of the summer this bush is adorned with green flowers. It's odd, but pretty.

The next photo in one that I found on Sweet Juniper a while back. The post was entitled "Feral Houses".

Mother Nature does not sit still.

…flowers are not very common in Texas which makes these morning glories even more "glorious"! That hint of purple is pretty nice too.

We've used cloth napkins for many years. They feel nice and look pretty on the table. When I was in Boulder to film my segment of The Quilt Show I got to go to dinner with with friends. We went to The Kitchen – a trendy place with good food and a nice ambiance… and cloth napkins that looked a little bit different.

Upon closer inspection I realized that they use light-weight cotton dish towels for napkins. Isn't that a good idea!

I don't want a new husband – I just want a new wedding. Dory's wedding!

Dory and I have been friends since we were freshman and suite-mates at the University of Oklahoma in 1978. She and Eric just got married and their experience makes we want a do-over.

They had a trip to Europe planned and, once they decided to get married they thought it would be fun to get married in Switzerland. Why not, right? There was a pile of paperwork and it took several weeks to get it all in order, but they did. It was just the two of them – more romance, less stress.

Cindy and Pascal Zeller own and operate the Switzerland Wedding Company (see castle-like structure above). They were the wedding planners and Dory says that they were fabulous! Cindy is the photographer and she took the next two shots. 

 They look good (especially Dory)! Notice the red shoes – that match the red flowers.

Family and friends will celebrate the wedding at a big party coming soon. I can't wait to see more photos!

Christopher, our oldest son, looking very handsome, was calm and collected throughout the entire event. He always is. This picture captures that. It wasn't staged or posed, it was a moment captured.

Things I Learned #1 – In my opinion, captured moments are better than posed moments 99% of the time.

Corollary to Things I Learned #1 – Some posed moments are good! Chris and Lorna managed to find time to enjoy the evening when they weren't chasing our grandchildren…

I somehow managed to miss seeing Jack on the dance floor. I hear he was a perpetual motion machine!

Things I Learned #2 – If you don't have a good camera, you can't capture moments like this. I know that I need a new flash attachment to make my very fine Nikon D90 even better.

Things I Learned #3 – Don't be afraid to crop.