A boy and his new birthday bike. Yes, bike--two wheels (plus outriggers!) cause now that he's 3, he can keep up with the big guys!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
First Pies!
My Xmas present from The Daughters was this "personal pie" baker. Cranked it up tonight and voila! Four little cranberry-apple pies. They only bake for about 8-10 minutes, and it takes just a little longer than that to prep them. Might need to do this more often.
Thinking of mini-tourtieres, for instance, since there aren't too many of us who really eat it. Or any time I have a pie craving.
The jar of TJ's apple-cranberry filling (which is VERY sweet) is probably enough to make a dozen of these little beauties. Yum!
Thinking of mini-tourtieres, for instance, since there aren't too many of us who really eat it. Or any time I have a pie craving.
The jar of TJ's apple-cranberry filling (which is VERY sweet) is probably enough to make a dozen of these little beauties. Yum!
Birthday Boy with Dinocake
People were singing to him! One thing our family is known for is the awful way we sing "Happy Birthday." This was just another outing for the Off-Key Chorale!
But he did manage to blow out his candle, so I guess he can turn 3 now!
But he did manage to blow out his candle, so I guess he can turn 3 now!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
The First 16-Patch
...is done. Just needs to be pressed. I think what will happen is t hat there will be "trails" across the top of the quilt, since the blocks will form chains in both directions.
The darker purple fabric is actually quite shaded--you can almost tell in this picture--with lighter and darker areas. It's a McKenna Ryan print, and it has a quote about faith on it. Ought to be interesting when it's a whole top!
Right now, all the pink 4-patches are sewn together. The purples are still 2-patches, but I had to put one block together just to see if it would look the way I imagined it would.
It does.
The darker purple fabric is actually quite shaded--you can almost tell in this picture--with lighter and darker areas. It's a McKenna Ryan print, and it has a quote about faith on it. Ought to be interesting when it's a whole top!
Right now, all the pink 4-patches are sewn together. The purples are still 2-patches, but I had to put one block together just to see if it would look the way I imagined it would.
It does.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Progress!
My pink and lavender quilt blocks are coming right along. The 6 "picture" blocks have been bordered on two sides, to bring them up to 12 1/2". I did two sides because they were already pretty close to the size I wanted, and putting borders on 4 sides would have made them look silly. So two it was. It will give it a bit of an "attic window" look.
They're laying across 300 2-patches, which will next get sewn into 150 4-patches, which will then become 32 16-patches. Not quite sure how many quilts this will translate to, or if they'll all be used in one quilt. That's to decide later on.
In the back you can see t he flannel squares, ready to be sewn into rag quilts. Oh yes, I do plan to stay busy at the machine! In all of my copious free time.
They're laying across 300 2-patches, which will next get sewn into 150 4-patches, which will then become 32 16-patches. Not quite sure how many quilts this will translate to, or if they'll all be used in one quilt. That's to decide later on.
In the back you can see t he flannel squares, ready to be sewn into rag quilts. Oh yes, I do plan to stay busy at the machine! In all of my copious free time.
Saturday, January 08, 2011
Birthday Cake
When it's a BIG birthday, it calls for a BIG party! I'll post more pictures (or you can check my Flickr page via that badge over there), but here's one of the cake and some yummy lemon cookies...
Dancey Dance
This is the companion print to all those 4-patches I'm making--the square can be brought up to 12 1/2"" and then it will match up. There are 6 of them, conveniently.
Also today you should check out my cyberfriend Amy's blog: http://dyedinthewool.wordpress.com/2011/01/08/birthday-contest/ just for fun, and maybe to enter her contest, too!
Also today you should check out my cyberfriend Amy's blog: http://dyedinthewool.wordpress.com/2011/01/08/birthday-contest/ just for fun, and maybe to enter her contest, too!
Friday, January 07, 2011
Playtime!
A quick shot of Abby, playing busily. She's really good at playing by herself, likes to have someone nearby but doesn't really require a lot of "attention." She does like having her picture taken! I took a short video of her and she was fascinated watching it play back inside the camera.
Thursday, January 06, 2011
What?
Who doesn't appreciate a little help of the feline persuasion? Simon thinks he needs to supervise my quilting. (He's supervising my typing right now, or at least warming my keyboard.)
These are 3 1/2" strips--25 each of a pink "dance" print, a lavender "dance" print, a cream-and-pink small floral, and a lavender print. They're going to become 6 1/2" four-patches, which will then be sewn into 12 1/2" blocks. I'm hoping I can get 25 of the large blocks out of these strips, and they'll then be added to 6 more 12 1/2" blocks--which have ballerinas printed on them--to make a 5 x 6 block quilt top. We'll see if (with Simon's help, of course) I can get that many blocks out of the strips!
These are 3 1/2" strips--25 each of a pink "dance" print, a lavender "dance" print, a cream-and-pink small floral, and a lavender print. They're going to become 6 1/2" four-patches, which will then be sewn into 12 1/2" blocks. I'm hoping I can get 25 of the large blocks out of these strips, and they'll then be added to 6 more 12 1/2" blocks--which have ballerinas printed on them--to make a 5 x 6 block quilt top. We'll see if (with Simon's help, of course) I can get that many blocks out of the strips!
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Monday, January 03, 2011
A Cutting Table!
Well, okay, so it's my kitchen island. It's a perfect height for cutting on!
Today I had a minor brainstorm and sewed together all the leftover fabric pieces from the flannel squares, and managed to get another 22 blocks out of it. Of course that meant I also had to cut 22 more squares of batting, but now it's all done and ready to sew.
Once the decorations come down from the bar--I'm thinking Wed. night might work for that--then I'll be able to cut on the bar instead of walking around to the kitchen. Looks like my "dream" of a real sewing room is inching closer and closer to reality!
Today I had a minor brainstorm and sewed together all the leftover fabric pieces from the flannel squares, and managed to get another 22 blocks out of it. Of course that meant I also had to cut 22 more squares of batting, but now it's all done and ready to sew.
Once the decorations come down from the bar--I'm thinking Wed. night might work for that--then I'll be able to cut on the bar instead of walking around to the kitchen. Looks like my "dream" of a real sewing room is inching closer and closer to reality!
Sunday, January 02, 2011
What's Under There?
Simon would like to know if I'm keeping anything interesting for cats under there. He was fascinated with the sewing machine--it's been a while since I've been able to set it up and actually sew at home, and his little cat brain doesn't remember much except his last feeding. Which he ALWAYS thinks was days or weeks ago.
So today I was able to finish clearing off the table in the back room, and set up the sewing machine. I've been cutting squares of flannel and leftover batting so I had a project ready to go. By the time I quit for the night, I had 88 squares layered and ready to lay out to piece together.
I was shocked at how my skills have deteriorated, and I'm sure hoping I can get them back up to par! It's not a question of not knowing what to do--I know how, but the muscle memory that made it so smooth and almost effortless has gone kaput.
Doesn't help when someone--even a little someone--keeps sitting on the squares!
So today I was able to finish clearing off the table in the back room, and set up the sewing machine. I've been cutting squares of flannel and leftover batting so I had a project ready to go. By the time I quit for the night, I had 88 squares layered and ready to lay out to piece together.
I was shocked at how my skills have deteriorated, and I'm sure hoping I can get them back up to par! It's not a question of not knowing what to do--I know how, but the muscle memory that made it so smooth and almost effortless has gone kaput.
Doesn't help when someone--even a little someone--keeps sitting on the squares!
Saturday, January 01, 2011
Looking through the window
...in my back door. There's the deck, and a glimpse of the camellia bush. It's been more or less happily living with a deck built around it for the last 27 years--and it still blooms.
There's a closeup of this flower on my Flickr page and on my picture blog. I was mentally composing a very thoughtful post about this tough little bush, and how I really need to learn from it. All that "bloom where you're planted" stuff--you know how it goes.
Then my internet went out, and now I've only got the "wild wifi" that the laptop can catch, at least until Tuesday when my phone company will supposedly be out to fix it. To which I will only say that spending 65 minutes on the phone either holding for tech support, or trying to talk to tech support, can sap the will to live of even the strongest of souls. And mine's already pretty beaten down.
But I'm resilient. It's a new year, and I'm getting this post in just before the end of the day, so hope springs eternal.
And my camellias are blooming, so there's that.
There's a closeup of this flower on my Flickr page and on my picture blog. I was mentally composing a very thoughtful post about this tough little bush, and how I really need to learn from it. All that "bloom where you're planted" stuff--you know how it goes.
Then my internet went out, and now I've only got the "wild wifi" that the laptop can catch, at least until Tuesday when my phone company will supposedly be out to fix it. To which I will only say that spending 65 minutes on the phone either holding for tech support, or trying to talk to tech support, can sap the will to live of even the strongest of souls. And mine's already pretty beaten down.
But I'm resilient. It's a new year, and I'm getting this post in just before the end of the day, so hope springs eternal.
And my camellias are blooming, so there's that.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Something Finished!!
Yes... it's my long-in-progress Central Park Hoodie, finally done and being worn by its intended recipient, Meg, aka D4. There's actually been a rash of finishing here so look for a couple of other pictures--two sweaters are done except for buttons!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
What? What?
Love this picture--thanks, Court! The hats are from Auntie Foosh (aka D1) and Abby is demonstrating to Audrey the "down side" of having a mobile little sister!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Determination!
Today was a play date at Grandma's, which allowed lots of room for scooting, sliding, and yes, crawling. I didn't think anything of it when she was up on all fours and actually crawling--she was so close last Friday, I just figured she'd mastered it over the weekend.
Nope. After she and mom got home, I got a text message asking what I'd done since she's now full-on crawling! One of those kind of double-edged milestones: now she's mobile, which means keep an eye on her!
There are a couple more pics on my Flickr page for today, including one that shows her sharp little teeth--yes, she bites! But she's so cute and so sweet, we can't get too upset with her!
Nope. After she and mom got home, I got a text message asking what I'd done since she's now full-on crawling! One of those kind of double-edged milestones: now she's mobile, which means keep an eye on her!
There are a couple more pics on my Flickr page for today, including one that shows her sharp little teeth--yes, she bites! But she's so cute and so sweet, we can't get too upset with her!
Saturday, October 09, 2010
Friday, October 08, 2010
Play Ball!!
Whose favorite team? Well, here's a hint: the man is riding a bicycle 200 miles on Saturday, the THIRD time he's done it this year!
He also believes in indoctrinating fans young...
He also believes in indoctrinating fans young...
Thursday, October 07, 2010
Joy!
A little bit blurry--but she's hardly ever still, and the camera is once again refusing to take pictures unless the flash is turned off. The longer exposure time means there's a split-second more for someone to move.
And move she does!
And move she does!
Monday, October 04, 2010
Tree and Arbor Wrap
This is a project for a KAL on Rav--it's a FickleKnitter design, and the yarn is Alpha B's Sexy B in Escapade. The yarn is soft and wonderful and the shaded purples are lovely.
Not that you can tell from this craptastic photo, however. Camera is giving me fits (yet again) and I think it's time to take it shopping for its replacement. When I've done that in the past, it shapes up and behaves. Let's see if that still works!
Not that you can tell from this craptastic photo, however. Camera is giving me fits (yet again) and I think it's time to take it shopping for its replacement. When I've done that in the past, it shapes up and behaves. Let's see if that still works!
Sunday, October 03, 2010
Another Day...
...another post. Don't really have a picture to post today, since today's activities were anything but photogenic. Let's just say, two women sweating and (maybe a little swearing too) moving boxes and bins and "stuff" around are not a pretty sight. Even though D5 was wearing her really nice jeans.
After the massive renovations a couple of years ago, there have been some boxes left over that were still packed--using the term loosely as the "packers" were more like "let's see how much damage we can do shoving stuff in boxes" kind of guys. So today we tackled a few of them.
I still don't have a "real" plan in mind as to what I want to do with myself, but I do know that whatever future I have, this house needs to be lightened of "stuff." So things in boxes need to go. There's going to be a yard sale--kind of a Giant Antiques, Collectibles, and Stuff Sale. As hard as it is to part with some things, it's too hard to keep on hanging on to them.
Now, please excuse me while I go read the next chapter of Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat? Gotta love Peter Walsh!
After the massive renovations a couple of years ago, there have been some boxes left over that were still packed--using the term loosely as the "packers" were more like "let's see how much damage we can do shoving stuff in boxes" kind of guys. So today we tackled a few of them.
I still don't have a "real" plan in mind as to what I want to do with myself, but I do know that whatever future I have, this house needs to be lightened of "stuff." So things in boxes need to go. There's going to be a yard sale--kind of a Giant Antiques, Collectibles, and Stuff Sale. As hard as it is to part with some things, it's too hard to keep on hanging on to them.
Now, please excuse me while I go read the next chapter of Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat? Gotta love Peter Walsh!
Saturday, October 02, 2010
Friday, October 01, 2010
Playtime!
Someone's very very close to crawling--she actually did a couple of times today. She's definitely full of beans!
I thought this would be an appropriate photo for my first "play" blog post of the month! Kind of squeaking under the wire, time-wise, but it all counts. (Right?)
I thought this would be an appropriate photo for my first "play" blog post of the month! Kind of squeaking under the wire, time-wise, but it all counts. (Right?)
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Li'l Miss Happyface
Abby loves to be talked to, and she's beginning to "talk" back. She has a habit of smiling and grinning as soon as the camera's done clicking!
Abby's Baptism
Abby with her parents and godparents--and, of course, sister Audrey! It was a lovely day and a nice ceremony to welcome her into our Catholic community!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Mad Sippycup Skillz!
Abby can hold her own sippycup, drink from it, swing it around, and have another swallow. She doesn't want help, either!
Monday, September 06, 2010
Sunday, August 08, 2010
Another Birthday
Today (8-8) would have been my dad's 94th birthday. He didn't quite make it--my father-in-law passed away on his 94th--but all he had cared about was living to be older than his mother. And that he succeeded in doing!
So, kind of a bittersweet day today, remembering the "old days" and the good past times. I sure hope he and Ma are having a good time together again!
So, kind of a bittersweet day today, remembering the "old days" and the good past times. I sure hope he and Ma are having a good time together again!
Sunday, July 04, 2010
A Last Goodbye
This was taken on my last visit with my Dad, on June 18. He passed away peacefully on June 30.
Vaya con dios, Dad. You will be missed, and long remembered.
Vaya con dios, Dad. You will be missed, and long remembered.
My Accomplishment!
From Dear Jane at Asilomar: the blue and white ones are mine. This is what I have to show for a week of concentrated effort! 6 blocks and 3 triangles--plus I have 4-5 more blocks in partial stages of completion. Jane A. Stickle was very fond of appliqueing melons, apparently!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Apple Farm
Lunch stop, on the way to Asilomar. Staying in Santa Cruz for the night, then tomorrow off to Carmel and Pacific Grove. Mass @ Holy Cross church, which is also home to Mission Santa Cruz.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Pea Pod Baby
Abby loves to be talked to! Today she was in a very mellow mood, although she didn't have much to "say."
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Family visit
Visiting with my dad at the Soldiers Home. And yes, I will be starting my diet right away!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Graduation!
Mom and kids. Brian is now a junior so in two years we'll repeat this scene! Way to go, Kristin! We're so proud and happy for you! Your dad would be thrilled and delighted too. (I'm sure he and your Grandpa Bob are up there cheering you on!)
Sunday, June 06, 2010
After a Long Night of Knitting...
... I could still manage a smile! I did it! 10 pm to 8am, knitting and rocking to raise money for a cure!
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Belle Nuit, with Fur
Had a photo shoot on some of my current WIPs tonight. Hi-Hi was helping out. The blue beads are actually part of the shawl; the green ones are stitch markers.
More pictures of yarny goodness (and catly beauty) on my Flickr page. I seem to be suffering from terminal tiredness today (for no good reason) so this is it. Hey, it's a post, right?
More pictures of yarny goodness (and catly beauty) on my Flickr page. I seem to be suffering from terminal tiredness today (for no good reason) so this is it. Hey, it's a post, right?
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Smile!
Abby's learning to smile for the camera--or for Grandma, who's behind the camera.
Yes, this blog is still alive. I'm not committing to NaBloPoMo, but I am going to try to post more regularly.
But this is all you're getting today. More Abigail cuteness on my Flickr page--linky's over there!
Yes, this blog is still alive. I'm not committing to NaBloPoMo, but I am going to try to post more regularly.
But this is all you're getting today. More Abigail cuteness on my Flickr page--linky's over there!
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Monday, March 01, 2010
Happy Birthday!
A toast to Robert on his birthday. Remembering the good times and wishing things could have been different.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
My blue suede shoes
Went on a shoe-shopping spree and this is one of the pairs I got. I also got the same style in a light beige. I haven't had new shoes, with one exception, since I got back from my trip to France--in 2007! So it was high time.
The one exception was the pair of New Balances with the oversized laces--the ones that got caught in the screen door and tripped me up! Yes, I'm still trying to recover from that fall--haven't worn those shoes since. I'm mad at them!
Anyway, I took a little trip down to the outlet mall at Lake Elsinore, and found the Naturalizer outlet. Oh my. Shoes with Dr. Scholl's gel insoles and extra heel padding! My feet are almost happy!
The one exception was the pair of New Balances with the oversized laces--the ones that got caught in the screen door and tripped me up! Yes, I'm still trying to recover from that fall--haven't worn those shoes since. I'm mad at them!
Anyway, I took a little trip down to the outlet mall at Lake Elsinore, and found the Naturalizer outlet. Oh my. Shoes with Dr. Scholl's gel insoles and extra heel padding! My feet are almost happy!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Smile!
When you can't go to the hospital to see Mom and new baby sister, at least you can check her out on line, right?
New Baby
Meet my newest granddaughter! She doesn't have a name yet, but we'll find out soon what it is. She was born on Valentine's Day, weighs 7 lbs 11 oz, and she and Mom and Dad are all doing well. We'll find out pretty soon what Li'l Missy thinks of her Li'l Sissy!
Sunday, January 03, 2010
View from Upstairs
This is a test, to see how well Flickr and Blogger talk to each other! I like the idea of being able to blog without having to upload photos from my computer (lazy much?) but I think the down side is that I can only do one per entry.
Of course, that does mean that the entry is started, and from there I can edit it to add more photos. Hmmm... Blog more often, maybe?
We'll see how it works out!
Of course, that does mean that the entry is started, and from there I can edit it to add more photos. Hmmm... Blog more often, maybe?
We'll see how it works out!
Monday, December 28, 2009
Candle glow...
...after it's all over, time at last to relax and savor the memories. I think it was a good Christmas, I hope that everyone else did too!
Now it's time to start thinking ahead for new goals and resolutions for the new year. If I've learned one thing in my (many) years on earth, it's that the best-laid plans are the ones that go the most wrong! Doesn't stop me, though.
Once I get my thoughts in order, I'll share them here. It's a good way to hold myself accountable! I've already got a couple of things percolating--Project 365, the Knitting Olympics, the 10 Shawls in 2010 project--as well as continuing to work on the house.
If I don't get back here to say it, happy New Year to you!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Deck the Halls...
...and walls, and every other surface that will allow it! Not much done so far, but here's the beginning:
The Great Wall of Rubbermaid has been reconstructed! This is 6 trips from the storage unit; doesn't include the trees, which are currently out on the front porch, or some of the Village houses, but you can get the general idea. Yes, there is such a thing as excess.
Although I don't think Susan would think I'm excessive!
Christmas mugs are fun. Yes, there are a lot of these; I probably won't be keeping every one of them, because I have others that I like better. But they will definitely have to go to good homes.
I think.
Then there's the feather-tree quilts. I made these little guys many many years ago; they are trimmed with buttons, many of which came from my mother's button box. Yes, there are two; they look very similar, but one is more muted colors and has more vintage buttons. The other has a brighter red and more of the "new" buttons I've collected over the years.
There are pictures of both of them on my Flickr page if you want to compare.
I have a couple more Christmassy quilts, which are still among the "missing." I can't tell if they are in the Great Wall or not, but it doesn't look like it. I'm sure they are here somewhere, because they were out last year.
More updates as we make more progress. The manger scene has now been set up; the Baby Jesus is hidden away (he comes out at midnight on Christmas Eve) and the Wise Guys have started their trek, although right now they are on the mantel, clear across the room. (They will arrive on Epiphany, unless we just can't stand it any longer!)
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Just a Drive-By
Or, aaahhh-chooooo! Still not sure if this is allergy or infection, or some of both, but whatever it is, it can go away already.
But it's December, and somewhere there is ice and snow and real winter weather. Here, well, we had a little rain the other day, and it left a dusting of powder on top of the mountains, and snarled traffic, and we had Severe Weather Warnings. Because, you know, we got a whole inch and a half. Yes, 1.5" of rain.
There is more due this weekend, and I think its major purpose will be to mess with my plans to get the holiday decorations out. But we'll see.
In the meantime, I am busily working on Christmas gift knitting. I have a rather ambitious project--don't tell on me, in case I don't make it, okay?--of making hats for all the grands. With the great-grand, and the grand-in-law, that's a total of 14. I'm plugging away at it, and making progress.
Look, I even did this: that's me with my knitting, in front of the MGM lion, in the lobby of the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. Who else do you know who goes to Vegas to knit?
Well, knit, and spend time with the daughters, and cuddle the great-grandbaby too. This was not my first trip to Vegas, but it was the first time I've stayed in one of the big hotels on the Strip.
It was an experience.
But I didn't gamble. Some things never change!
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