Here's the latest pic of Gracie Mae and her "daddy"! Yes, DH has completely monopolized her. They are attached, it seems. Whenever he's home, she's right by his side. And when he talks to her, she pats the side of his face with her paw. I know.....awwww! She just loves her "daddy"!

Here's Alvin, our little ground squirrel (chipmunk) we have. He loves hanging out under the bird feeder for little seeds that drop from above! His favorite thing, though, is digging in my flower pots! As you can see, our ground feeder is in a little bit of disrepair. It's been through alot over the years. I think it's time for a new one.

We have lots of squirrels in our backyard including many new babies. We enjoy watching their antics, running, doing somersaults, chasing each other up and down and around the trees....always amusing to watch. Yesterday I treated them to cut-up apples with peanut butter and pecan pieces. They were in "squirrel heaven" to say the least. This picture below is a little fuzzy, but just look at that expression on his face. It's priceless! They were definetly happy campers!

I think he was "winking" at me!

Caught this beauty on one of my hanging baskets with lantana in it. He was going back and forth between that and the butterfly bush.

My perennial garden is pretty well spent but one of my clematis' had the strength to put out two more beautiful blooms.

Okay, the midwest isn't quite this boring, but I thought I would share a funny thing I found at the City Museum when we were there awhile back. This was in a retro cafe they had set up inside with interesting things throughout. So have you even been in a "spatula" museum? Amazing!! LOL

Had a funny experience yesterday when someone who saw my blog asked if I had horses, because of the mustang part. Her son is a "farrier" and uses the "mustang" method, she told me. Well, after laughing I explained I don't have horses but do like "horse power"! Then I explained.....so I decided to show you "Sally", so you could see why my blog is called mustangsally-Beth! Meet Sally.............

Vintage Mermaid ATC Swap

Here are my vintage mermaid ATC's I made for a swap hosted by Teri Chinen. I had so much fun with these. I can't wait to get my six in return....will post them when they come. Enjoy them.

Balloon Fest 2008 - Centralia, Illinois

We headed off yesterday evening to the 19th annual Balloon Fest in Centralia, Illinois. First time I've been around hot air balloons. They are just beautiful! We were looking forward to the "Balloon Glow" at dusk. Everyone gathers around Catfish Pond and the balloons glow all together and then at different times. The whole process went on for a hour or more. Was absolutely beautiful with the reflections in the water.

Blowing up "Lucky Charm" from Hallsville, MO.

"Stars & Bars" from Louisville, KY......."Absolute Sunshine, Noblesville, IN......and "Sunkissed", New Holland.

"Arky" from Grant's Pass, Oregon. "Stars & Bars" from Louisville, Kentucky is on the right.

Meet "Azul".

Peek-a-boo! Humpty Dumpty, St. Louis, Mo.

"Hot Flash" from Champaign, Illinois.

Behind the tree balloon glow! This balloon was named "Softness of Spirit" from Ellisville, MO.

"National Ranger" from Quincy, IL.

"Knot a Balloon" from Macomb, Illinois.

This is my favorite. They just look so beautiful with their reflections in the lake.

Each month in my Vintage Photo ATC yahoo group there's a WTA (winner takes all) contest and everyone who participates in the drawing sends an ATC to the winner! Cindy Hogland won this month and this is her card I made for her....titled "Elsie's New Hat".

Yesterday is a cancelled check; tomorrow is
a promissory note; today is
the only cash you have---so spend it wisely. ---- Kay Lyons

Datura, a beautiful flower I have growing in my garden. Sometimes you'll hear it called Angel's Trumpet....because of it's trumpet shape and the bloom is about six inches long and 5 to 6 inches wide across the top of the bloom. It also smells "heavenly"!
It was used by the Native Americans to induce visionary dreams because of it's halucinogenic alkaloids......all parts of the plant are highly toxic. We just enjoy it's beauty!

The buds are about six inches long.

Last Saturday my sister, Barbara and her boyfriend Butch and us headed off for Ste. Genevieve to the Jour de Fete. Ste. Genevieve is on the west bank of the Mississippi River, about 1 hour south of St. Louis. It was settled in the 1740's and was one of several important French communities forming a region known as the "Illinois Country", part of the vast territory held by France in North America at the time.
World events impacted the habitants of Ste. Genevieve in 1762, when France ceded all her holdings west of the Mississippi River to Spain at the close of the French and Indian War. As the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 propelled Ste. Genevieve into another chapter in history when its French-speaking residents suddenly found themselves citizens of the United States.
Today Ste. Genevieve's National Landmark District offers visitors an unparalleled glimpse into its colonial past. It's residents join together to preserve and interpret this most remarkable community.
The Jour de Fete is held the second full weekend in August every year and is one of the largest annual craft fairs with plenty of food and entertainment. They also have numerous antique shops, little boutique's and Bed & Breakfasts. It's a fun little town to visit even when there's nothing in particular going on.

Now here's an ingenious way to crank home-made ice cream. I remember when I was very young, me and my cousins would fight over who got to sit on the bucket while my Grandpa Sharp turned the handle. That was fun....and such an important job! Unfortunetly I never could develop a taste for home-made ice cream. I'll just take the old "Dairy Queen" soft serve, thank you!! I know.....I'm very unamerican. :-)

The Wild Bird Sanctuary from St. Louis were there to give out information and show some of their birds and collect donations to support their cause.

Barbara is finding some wonderul "goodies" at one of the craft street vendors.

Felix Valle' House State Historic Site.....built in 1818. This was the home of Felix and Odile Pratte Valle', members of one of Ste. Genevieve's premiere colonial families. It is a Federal-style limestone building and was the historic trading firm of Menard and Valle'.

I just loved this charming little house built in the early 1800's. It's a little worn, yes, but can't you just see charm "oosing" out all over it?

Instead of heading back toward St. Louis, that way we came, we decided to take the Modoc Fairy across the Mississippi into Modoc, Illinois. I'm not quite sure how many people live in Modoc, but there are about fifteen houses and of course, a tavern! Then we headed back up north to Belleville on the Illinois side.

Barbara, getting out of the vehicle to take a look! She wasn't too thrilled about taking the fairy across, but a little persuasion and she was on her way!

On board, looking south.

The Mighty Mississippi looking north.

WELCOME TO THE STATE FAIR

Alice Hyde hosted a swap title "State Fair" and these are the cards I received. Enjoy them.

This pink one reminds us of cotton candy....one of my favorite things to buy when we got there! Toby and Sis must have been very happy! This is done by Donna Hansen.

Isn't this just an awesome card reminding us of fun times at the fair.....the rides, the clowns, etc. This one was made by Kris Dickinson.

Heather Robinson from Ontario, Canada created this beautiful vintage image card. No fair is complete without an elephant ride!

Julie Ziemann and another wonderful vintage card. She even uses real string to connect the basket to the balloon. I've never taken a hot air balloon ride, have you?

Okay, I remember those glasses!! Neat way of doing the blue ribbon and one of our favorite things during fair time is walking through the livestock barns and looking at the animals. Made by Will Wratten

It's a blue ribbon winner by Alice Hyde. Love the way she created the blue ribbon!

This one was done by Jan Larson and titled "Too Hot For The Fair"! How right, always seems to be some of the hottest days of the year when it's fair time. Anyone remember Will Rogers?

This one was created by Carrie Rees. I just love the way she used the color pink with her vintage image. Even pink german scrap on the edge at the top. You can visit Carrie at her blog at www.pinkadoo.blogspot.com

Alice enclosed this little bag, stamped with an Iowa State Fair image and filled with tickets. Isn't it adorable? Now I have to find the time to go........!

Pam sent me a wonderful picture she took of her ATC for the summer swap that is much better than my scan. Now you can see the image much better and the beauty of her card. Thanks, Pam!