I have some of the best blog readers/friends.
I’ve given The Ranch Wife such a hard time about her blog name, dirt road scrapper, because somehow I thought it said stripper and I wasn’t even thinking about a “take your clothes off” stripper . . I was thinking about quilting with strips but we’ve had a few good laughs. Stephanie McPhee is a famous knitter known as “The Yarn Harlot”. When The Ranch Wife saw this book, she said she had to get it for me . . a book by the harlot purchased for me by the stripper!
Free Range Knitter
I have read Stephanie’s blog for a while and never even realized she has funny books. I’ve ordered her other books. She’s hilarious!
And then my friend, Susan, who I just mentioned this morning . . she’s the one who sent me the sock yarn kit . . she had written for my address because she had something to send me. It arrived today and this is what it is!
Smocked Bishop
I couldn’t get a picture that does it justice but it is a gorgeous hand smocked little bishop dress. Before Chad, I did a lot of smocking and kept thinking I should do more now that I have a granddaughter but my pleater needs needles. I think Susan may have just awakened my smocking desire and I may have to find somewhere in Abilene or Austin where I can get back up to speed on my smocking. I saved most of my plates but will have to find them.
This little dress is just so precious. I will take it to MO when I go . . soon . . and get a picture of Addie wearing it. I’m so lucky that Nicole appreciates this kind of thing and that she takes such good care of quilts, handmade socks and now hand smocked dresses.
And, my dear friend, Sheryl, who started out as an internet friend and is now a real life friend because we’ve spent time together several times, sent me this:
Meyer Lemons
A box full of Meyer lemons. Besides missing my family and friends in southwest Louisiana, and besides missing crawfish, I miss getting citrus right off the trees — as much as you want during the fall/winter. Dad always had persimmons, satsumas, kumquats, naval oranges and I can’t remember what else but it was one of those things I just never thought that the rest of the world didn’t have — citrus trees in your back yard! My sister has some big Meyer lemon trees and I so miss getting that stuff so not only did Sheryl send me a “taste of home” but she sent me something I can’t even buy locally.
Thank you, friends, for the wonderful blessings you’ve sent my way!
Judy, next time you’re in Home Depot check the nursery. I bought a Meyer lemon tree a few years ago and, while I don’t get an unending supply, I still get a dozen to 18 lemons each season. Just have to bring the tree in when it gets near freezing.
Those lemons look delicious! And the dress is just precious! I saw a license plate a while back that read “Yarn Ho”, Made me smile.
What a delightful smocked dress! I still have the little baby dress that I and my 3 sisters had that mum smocked by hand. Mum used to win prizes for her smocking
I’m pleased to announnce that I have my second grand baby due mid July 
What an adorable little dress. Addie will be so precious in it. Of course, she’s precious no matter what she wears, isn’t she?
Oh I can’t wait to see a picture of Addie in that pretty smocked dress!
That book looks great! I will have to check it out! Lemons are great! Very nice to have wonderful friends!
You do have good friends. That little dress is adorable! She will look so cute wearing it.
Let me join you in amazement at things: Stephanie is a funny writer, but her blog (new to me as of today) is just full of wit and wisdom as well. Your friend sent you a lovely smocked garment. I had smocked “little things” I just loved for my baby boys in size preemie. Had photographed those garments recently to show my 6″ tall men just how little their beginning garments were. And Lord, who knew citrus fruits grew in states other than CA and FL. I left behind the orange groves that were shrinking quickly in CA to move to just-now freezing TX a while ago. Just didn’t know citrus grew in your hometown. I must get further south one of these days. Thanks for a fun blog.
PS: Your grand daughter will be just lovely in her little smocked dress. Take a photo or two for us.
You are blessed with good internet and real friends.. The dress is beautiful and I hope it will fit her for a long time. I was hoping you were one of the people in Texas to get some of those lemons, as I know you will do something wonderful with them in your “spare” time.
Despite all your lovely gifts, I did not feel that you were blessed when I arrived to read your blog and that ugly cockroach was dashing around in your left sidebar (adv.)!
Ugh!
Friends and family are the true treasures of life. Yes indeed, you are blessed!!
Here is the deal, Miss Judy… People “follow” you because you’re funny, you’re creative and inspiring, and you just seem to be a genuinely neat person. You give us so many ideas, so many things to laugh and smile about… You do so much for all of us through our “virtual world,” that people want to return the favor and do good for you!
I LOVE the little dress!! I’ve wanted to learn how to smock, but with no kids to smock for….. I’ll just enjoy looking at this one.
BLM
The dress is gorgeous! I used to do smocking and I know how much time went into it.
u deserve good friends…
Good friends – priceless!
I just got a goodie package from a friend this week too – packages like that sure do brighten your day! When we were little my Mom would buy us Polly Flanders smocked dresses at an outlet. One dress, my older sister, me and one of my younger nieces ALL had our third grade school photo taken in – too funny! It finally, finally wore out. We loved those dresses! I am sure that Addie will look just precious in that sweet dress. Enjoy your other goodies too! Cheers! Evelyn