Connie is entertaining her grandkids at the lake. One day they made these stuffed animals called axolotls – don’t worry if you don’t know what that is, I didn’t know either. Here is Grace’s explanation:
They are creatures native to Mexico City and are only found there! I created a pattern after the Axolotls in Minecraft for Claire to use.

I told Grace I thought she had a career in design in her future.
Yesterday when it was so chilly, they went miniature golfing – too cold to swim!

Yesterday was another birthday party in the porch – Aidan is 11 years old today. I baked Emma’s homemade Angel food cake and Aidan picked Moose Tracks ice cream. Yum! next Wednesday we’ll celebrate Sam’s birthday – July is birthday month!

It’s another cloudy and chilly day here. A sewing day? What are you going to do today?
Looks like so much fun! Wish you could send some of your rain and cool weather here. Hot hot and dry!!
Sounds like a great time! You are vety creative!
There is no chilly weather here in Maryland. Yesterday’s heat index was over 100..ugh. This too is sewing weather! We all love the pictures!
2 inches of rain yesterday and 68 degrees. Chilly today too. Going to catch up on baking cookies to put in the freezer.
We have a new great grandson born on the 4 th of July.
Connie is enjoying her Grand kids. You are enjoying your special friends. Yum a homemade angel food cake
I was surprised by your Iowa weather, Mary. I thought it was always hot in July in Iowa.
We have cool high fog this morning, but the sun will soon burn it off and then we will have a normal summer day…rather mild and later, windy.
I am going to make seedless raspberry jam and then sew for a while.
The Axolotls are very cute. Grace has a winner with her design.
Sue in OR – I think we had our July weather in June this year!
Mary,
Enjoyed all the pictures…Axolotis have such cute feet! Nice to keep the young ones busy.
Our Great grandson finally arrived last night…in CA about 7:30 their time. This is our 5 th Great. Looks like his older brother.
Another fire reported a few ago! Keeping the Forest Fighters busy.
Launa – congratulations to your whole family!
Hot here in Scottsdale. Have our 9 year-old great niece here. Today we will make rainbow bracelets, French toast in mugs, and swim in the pool when my husband arrives home.
I love the axolotis. Great job on the design. I looked them up and she did a great job. And the fabric choices are perfect too. Lucky Connie to spend time with them sewing and playing.
Lots of July birthdays around. My aunt is turning 90 next weekend and has been talking about it for over a month now. My sister is planning a party for her. There are a lot of July birthdays in our family too – my uncle, aunt, dad, sister in law, mine, and several friends too. It’s a party month!
Our temps are staying in the low 90’s. Of course the temp heat index is in the high 90’s. We’ve had spotty showers the last two nights. Mosquitoes are out in force.
It’s hot here too! Around 95 today. Generally it starts raining, we’ll, pouring down, during Cheyenne Frontier Days. That starts in 2 weeks.
Today, I started out at PT. My hip bone.
Then I collect donations for the jail. If we ever get to go back.
Then measured for a cover for BLCK (formally known as Project Linus) shelves.
Car wash, that also helps with much needed rain.
Now, some lunch.
Those little toys are real cute. They look like something from Harry Potter.
I’m glad we can celebrate birthdays again. Yeah for the vaccines.
I Love those stuffed animals and especially the fabric they used. If there was a pattern for sale for those I would probably buy it. I’m getting ready to have surgery, chemo and radiation for a recurrence of stomach cancer. I’m putting all kinds of sewing projects to work on while I’m under the weather. I just want to be able to pick something up and have everything together that I need so I can sit down at the sewing machine ….my happy place.
Jean Elliott – I’m so sorry to hear you’re under the weather! Please stay in touch and let us all know how you’re doing – good thing to organize those sewing projects now!
Axolotls are new creatures to me; they look very happy with their creations, bravo! Happy birthday to your young friend, you’re certainly keeping that porch space occupied and busy with happy guests! I’m with Aiden, I’d choose Moose Tracks too! Enjoy~
I guess I never heard of “axolotis” before today. We’re never too old to learn! I have been spending my time this week helping with Vacation Bible School. I think I am too old to be jumping around with all of those little kids, so I am in charge of registration. I am also remembering years ago when my grandkids would come and spend a week with us. We live on the Des Moines river, so lots of fishing and water type activities. I miss those days! Now those “grands” are all grown up and some have little ones of their own. I enjoy your photos and stories, Mary!
I enjoyed seeing Connie’s grands’ creations, great job! Like all children, Sam’s adorable babies are growing by leaps and bounds. My Grandma Ford always made us angel food birthday cakes; they were wonderful!
We are in a northwestern Iowa campground and never dreamed we would need our sweatshirts; it is lovely. 🤗
Jeanie – long pants and a sweatshirt here, too! Oh, what a difference a week makes, huh?
I know what axolotl’s are! My granddaughter swore we had them in our pond. It turned out to be a type of salamander, they resembled a axolotl. I would love to make her the stuffed ones. How cute!