Happy Easter

This Easter was special.  There was laughter, chocolate, happy moments shared with family.

Lots of eggs to hunt for and surprises inside.  For the boys it was more about finding eggs than actually eating chocolate...

Nate was quite happy to take care of the Easter bags too.  It was 'most important' to make sure everything was coming home.

Capelet 2 done and received.   This time a lighter weight yarn perfect for spring.

Lots of love.

 

Happy Easter 2018!

rain drops, puddles ...oh it's Spring

Spring is here ....but someone forgot to mention this to Mother Nature.  It continues cool, windy, a bit of sunshine, snow, hail ...  well you get the picture, a bit of everything going on.  Wacky weather.

A bit of spring colors to brighten the patio.

These days watching the ever changing cloud formations is amazing.  Here and then gone.

Sunshine after a snow, this little fellow must have been cold.  The Anna's hummingbirds have managed another winter.

While trying to take a photo  I was being watched from above.  All this as I was too close to the feeder.

And the non feathered flyers...the drone on the left came from somewhere in the complex.  

I have been doing something other than taking pictures.  A  knit capelet for my daughter.   The rib pattern is an easy repeat, just wide as it's knit flat and then joined.    A second capelet is well underway too.

Yesterday I finally made it to my sewing room and made these.  Easter bags for our grandsons.  The best part was working from stash.  

Sully






seriously, you're going to take my picture?

then you're going to get a good licking

Wishing everyone a Happy Easter!

till next time.

Spring forward

Is anyone else ready for Spring???  It feels like it's been a long winter.  Maybe its due to a lack of outdoor time, patio time ...and warmth. 

Shaking off that sluggish feeling started with moving flower pots/tubs on the patio and pondering this year's garden  .....  Finding ladybugs in residence, pure bliss.

Indoors, a much needed purge in my closet.  The items removed were bundled up and delivered to the thrift store.  Extra space in the closet, priceless.

Since my last post there have been finishes....

off the qsnap, now to decide on a finish either a pillow or frame

  
eco dyed fabric with applique pieces and hand stitches

a gift stitched for a friend, remembering a parent.

Monday was sunny and warm and yes real patio time.   A pair of eagles stayed in view.  Smaller birds flitted about.  The hummers still hold court on 'their' patio.  And then there was a ladybug on the trellis...... I watched as it walked up, down and around a spindle, sometimes twice.  There didn't seem to be a sense of reaching the end of the line with no where to go, simply adjusting the route and carry on.
Maybe this applies to us 'simply adjust the route and carry on'.

think Spring!!

makes a day worthwhile

Our winter skyline tends to be blahs of grey, monochrome and 'nothing to report here'  but every once in a while we are blessed with color and light

and  this .........

definitely makes a day worth while.

two years gone

Today marks the second anniversary of my Dad's passing.  I've sat quietly this afternoon to reread my journal entries from those days.  I'm so glad that I put pen to paper.

What started unexpectedly on the morning of December 26th, 2015 concluded on January 5, 2016.  It was a very long eleven days and nights.  And then he was gone.  Gone to join Mom, his wife of 64 years.  Their last chapter's written and their life book completed.  Lives well lived.

And for us left behind, our lives go on and we move forward.  This Christmas was easier.  We adapt, make new memories and hold close treasured memories of Christmas's past. 
And we remember, with love..........

On a lighter note, Christmas decorations are safely stowed away now.  The first round of cleaning is done but glitter still glitters.....darn stuff!   The days are getting a bit longer (slowly).  The West Coast is back to 'normal' weather,  rain and somewhat mild temperatures.  For the folks getting the brunt of winter, stay safe and warm. 

2018 is off to a good start.  I've dipped into my pile of wips, and it's pick one and finish it.  Two done so far.   My gifts to give drawer is in need of restocking  so this is a good place to start.

till next time....

farewell 2017 and welcome to the New Year

Why is it that December becomes a blur no matter how much planning we do? 

I'm very pleased with what I did of home made gifts.  I truly enjoy the making, maybe sometimes creative opportunities and the true pleasure is  the sharing.  This I hope to continue through 2018.

On this last day of 2017 we have sunshine, blue skies with a light cloud cover and frosty rooftops that are slowly warming up.   Thankfully we have missed the worst of storms/winter weather thus far.  The freezing rain  and snow caused havoc on nearby cities.    And that's only locally.  Wishing all those elsewhere dealing with winter, stay warm and stay safe.

With heart felt appreciation, thank you's to amazing friends for gifts received. 

With love, our daughter Vanessa and grandsons Nate and Noah.

 

And looking ahead to 2018 ......

12 new chapters, 365 chances

Happy New Year!

till next time.....

Christmas is calling

Yes it's been a while since I last blogged.   It's those good intentions....the sewing, knitting and crafting have taken up my time.  It has been fun.  Gnomes are new to me.  There are so many options, knitted, crochet and sewn.   As I didn't have faux fur I tried the chenille and yes green noses as the bauble trim was just the right size.


Simply lights on the patio this year.  It brightens the evening.

Recent outdoor visitors.

Our new Christmas tree.   

Festive bauble wreath, a gift from our daughter.

This December there are still blooms to be found.

Early November there was a bit of snow.  It was almost like someone had painted the snow on the tree limbs.

A rare moment to catch a photo of Sully.

December seems to sneak up too quickly and now the countdown is on. 

From our house to yours,

wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

another one bites the dust

I'm speaking of cameras.  My favorite compact Sony has for some time been doing it's own thing.  The final straw yesterday when I turned in on was the message read that the card was not recognized, really because it's the same card that worked the day before.   The card has been removed and all photos copied to the computer.  As for the camera, banished to the closet.   It's bigger camera cousin is on the way out as well due to the sensor doing the "oh, the light it's too bright" and takes a semi dark photo.  Sure with auto adjust colors it's a reasonable shot but the frustration in between time.  This was the case during our travels back in May.   Off to the closet it goes.  And from the back of the closet an older camera that does work.  Not all the bells and whistles and that is just fine by me.
Enough of  my rant.

Welcome October.   Sunny days continue but boy does it cool down overnight.  Again this morning turning on the compact space heater  provided welcome warmth to the family room.  Starting out the morning with 5 C    brrr.

Here is what  has been keeping me busy:

 


fabric pockets, knit pockets
placemats

When an idea comes together, a photo cropped and photoshop  image idea and finally a quilted hanging made.  And the finished piece mailed to Wendy.

all for now.

seven to seven

Sunrise at 7 and sunset at 7, it is that time of year.    There is the crispness in the air. The displays of color are almost painted on trees.........Fall has arrived!

While the squirrels gather their nuts, in this household it's leaf gathering , drying and sorting in preparation for fall eco dyeing projects.  Akin to  yarn/fabric stash, one can never have enough.

My stitched piece hanging near my computer desk has the following:

the way to happiness

keep your heart free from hate,

your mind from worry

live simply

expect little

give much

scatter sunshine

forget self

think of others

till next time......

September and fall is coming

Once again I've dusted off the cobwebs on my keyboard....my mojo has returned.

It's been a summer, hot, dry, with smoke filled skies and the eclipse in late August.  The rains have come, along with cooler temperatures.    For most of the summer it seemed even the birds were missing.  Whether it was the heat or the smoky skies sightings were few.   Now in the early mornings it is a pleasure to hear their songs.

Space on our patio is getting crowded.   Sully knows it is his domain.   The hummers have a different view.  And the squirrel looking for places to stash a peanut isn't thrilled by the hummers or Sully.   As for the people of the house, you take your chances and find a chair and enjoy the outdoors.

for now......Happy Fall!