Mostly Rory

I can't believe it has been a month since I last posted. Time is flying by.

First it was my birthday on June 1. A quiet day since I had to work but I did celebrate with my favorite sweet treat. I am not a big fan of cake but there is a bakery near me that makes this outrageous chocolate cake with a raspberry filling and covered in a semi-hard dark chocolate. Along it is divine but top it with chocolate ice cream and you've got chocolate heaven.

Then on my Birthday I got the nicest gift. Well, not really a gift but something I had been waiting for since January. Some of you may remember when I entered Rory in a photo contest on a local pet website. With your help he won and the prize was a custom portrait. It took a while but the artist finally let me know it was finished. Well, almost. It seemed she didn't think the color of Rory's coat was correct in the photos I sent so she painted him a very light organge-ish color. Well, I brought Rory along when I picked up the painting and she was a little upset that she was so off on his color. She is taking the painting back later this summer and will correct the color. I think she did a lovely job capturing Rory's head and can't wait until it is complete. In the meantime here it is so far.

A couple of days later Rory and I were on our way to Massachusetts for a weekend of dog shows. We stayed with a dear friend and Rory had a great time playing with his setter friends. He didn't win at these shows but we both had fun anyway.

Next up was a weekend of cleaning, laundry and planning because a few days later Rory and I were heading to the Outer Banks of North Carolina for a week at the ocean with about 35 other family members. (I have 8 siblings, their spouses, 17 nieces and nephews and their spouses, fiances and SO's. Add to that the next generation-4 great nephews and 3 great-nieces!) Not the whole family but a pretty sizable noisy bunch. The weather was beautiful. And Rory had a fantastic time. All that attention. All those hugs and pats. From the littlest to the grown-ups. We had long walks and romps in the surf. Collecting shells and watching kites and pelicans. No stitching but lots of sun and sand.

Speaking of stitching. I haven't really done any. I did start a couple of things but haven't made all that much progress. I have two exchanges I must get done so I am hoping to spend most of the upcoming July 4th weekend stitching. Well, I kind of have to since one of the exchanges needs to be in the mail by the 5th. My stitching mojo seems to have flown the coop. I do miss it but can't seem to find the urge to pick up the needle. Anyone have any ideas on how to jump start my stitching mojo again?

I am overdue with a giveaway. Especially since I like to do one for my Birthday. Well, that has come and gone so I will have to think up another idea. I will too as soon as the weekend of July 8 to 10th is over. That will be the next dog show weekend and probably the last one until October. So keep your eye out for giveaway goodness soon. Just as soon as I get inspired again.

I hope I haven't bored you too much with all the photos and non-stitchy happenings. With luck I'll have something stitchy to share next time. And with even more luck some good news from the next weekend of shows with Rory.
Until next time.......................

Love and stitches

Kathy

and licks from Rory too

PS. I tried to post this yesterday but for some strange reason blogger wouln't let me publish.