Im so excited to see all the trees this year.    Mine is made of leather scraps Ive been piling up since I started making bags in 2005.  My bags will be in  the  Whitehaus holiday boutique that opens that same night in the same location.   Last year there was marshmellow roasting!

My mom made the most enormous cakes!  Layers of cookies and ice cream frosted with chilled whipped cream.

My welcoming view of Yosemite.   It was also a full moon that night and the enormous giant rock walls were all lit up.    My little power shot can’t quite handle those kind of night shots, so I have it recorded in my memory.   On my birthday morning ‘I was actually the first one up for a change.  This very vocal bird woke me up squawking right over our tent.  I was pretending it was singing happy birthday.

This was just before a bear came strolling through.  Julie was scared on the ground.  I felt brave because I was on the wall where it couldn’t get me.

Im smiling because we are done.

I have avoided Nutella for a long time, but Julie had some and every night of the trip we made amazing treats with it.  I seemed to be the only person who never tried this genius concoction.    A flour tortilla with nutella spread over it, a little peanut butter spread on with Cheerios on top all rolled up.  I added banana to mine on the second night for variety. Happy Birthday me!  Did I mention that John Hur is the best boyfriend ever?

I love john’s little shirt in this.  Hes so cute!  I’m sure I would of had a crush on him then too.   The funny thing is we look about the same age here, but I’m probably about 4 and hes about 8.   He said he didn’t grow much for a long time.   My mom always told me to watch out for those late bloomers.

Today I sent six bags out to new shop that seems like a perfect match!  Its called PAULA and its in Tustin, Ca.  Next week is their four year Anniversary, so the bags should get there just in time!

Ive been having fun making all kinds of new things like necklaces and earing with the smallest of leather scraps.All the holiday shows and opening are QUICKLY approaching!  I have so much to do including making an artist tree for the For-Ever-Green Artist Christmas Tree lot.  Im so excited!  I went to the show last year and wanted to make my own tree as soon as I got home.  The opening is Dec. 3rd, the same night as the opening for the Mini Angel Boutique that I will be putting bags in! Whewwwww!!!!

Squash Blossom has my bags in stock now.  Just dropped these three today.

They were unpacking some really fun vegan leather jackets when I went by there that were like $75.oo!!  My bags of course are soooooo NOT vegan, but I do what I can to get reclaimed leather.

Squash Blossom Boutique

113 E Court Square
Decatur, GA 30030-2521
(404) 373-1864

Cant wait for Saturday!!  It should be the first sunny day in like two weeks, so hopefully people will be out and about in downtown Decatur!

MY WEBSITE IS UP!!!!    Thank you! Finally!

www.amandagary.com

do you ever look at my blog anymore?  I saw these on SoulPancake today and thought of you.  The top one especially reminds me of the book that you made.  I would like to see your book again someday.  Where is it?

I love SoulPancake!  Its a much better way to use internet time than some other things I get sucked into.

I have lots to say about where I got these amazing chairs.  Im not ready to yet though.    This photo would look much better if I had a screen to filter the sun a little.   Oh yeah and a way better camera.  Thats fine though.   I am loving the summer.

Tula has always layed on whatever Im working on.