May Snippets

Basted (see the fun back!) and... I am machine quilting it myself it is so little. Using a walking foot I did double squares inside the green and then stitch in the ditch around the pieced squares and X's through the centers. Just have to decide on what to do in the border and I can bind it!

It has been a cold week - mid 40's straight through with wind. SB and I did ride the tandem bike over to the cove one day... here he is wearing one of Nana's headbands. My Nana died 11 years ago but her headbands live in probably just about every family members jacket pockets! Anyway, I for one really treasure the headbands - they fit perfectly under the bike helmets.

And today - for some reason he needed to spray paint this tube. And then a dowel to match. And then I had to figure out how to make some sort of spy scope out of the pieces. It kept him occupied for awhile anyway. Crafts are always good just so long as there is no spray painting in the house!. As an added bonus - he spray painted a flower gold for me - he was very proud to announce that I am the only Momma with a real GOLD flower! He is sooo cute!

Even though it is cold, we are spending more time outside. At least the flowers are out (these are apple blossoms). Last year waxwings came by the 100s to the apple blossoms and I am hoping they come back again this year. But what I am really hoping for is some warm (but not hot) sunny days so I can sit out in the sun - I am so tired of the cold. Brrr, enough already!

My mixer died month before last... a new one has finally been ordered and should be here this coming week. In the meantime - my baking has to be mixed with a wooden spoon. Banana bread fit the bill this week. When the new mixer arrives I have baking plans!

Here is a photo of 1 of 2 of my stray cats - Momma kitty. She has 3 kittens - 1 is black (like the father), 1 is a very fluffy gray fur ball - and this one looks just like Momma. Wild little spit fires! The other day the father cat brought a live vole to Momma kitty - interesting present. I hear the vet will be here June 3rd so I've got to call the stray cat association to borrow their cat carriers and at least try to capture up the 2 adults for shots and to get fixed.

New Sneakers!

Asics Gel 1140's to be exact. Ahhhh. Now, I know that these sneakers haven't had stellar reviews for long distance runners, but I just knock around the block (ie - NOT long distance runner!) and love my Asics.. Narrow through the arch with wiggle room for the toes. Love them! I did try on a more popular pair, but they were cut a little higher and seemed to rub a bit on my ankle bone. No thanks!

Here is a photo of ALL my shoes. Let's see... new Asics, old Asics (2100's - now demoted), Ryka's (my favorite walking around shoes), Reef slaps (you can get these at good surf shops and believe me - they are worth every penny - excellent arch support!) and my "dress up" Champions. Winter boots are already put away for the season. The Champions have to go soon - I am looking for a more comfy pair of "dress-ups". Maybe I am turning into my mother. She only wore sneakers. Certainly I scream "American" when I am in Europe with my white running sneakers. I do have a pair of Rockports over there for dress-up, but gosh, I love my sneaks! I DID have a "real" pair of shoes for emergency use- I wore them to a funeral this week and they are now in the goodwill box - never to return to my feet. The Champions would have been just fine... people are used to me always wearing sneakers! No more emergency use shoes for me!

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I don't really buy alot of "new" clothes for myself. I love the bargains at used clothes stores... but I always buy top quality sneakers. And we wear UV blocking sunglasses. And UV beach shirts. And our winter gear has to be warm. And we need WINDPROOF windbreakers. Otherwise, I don't think I am really picky. Gosh, I've had most of my clothing for YEARS. Once I find something I love - I don't part with it easily... except sneakers which need to be replaced when worn. Although... in addition to my long awaited for new sneakers, I did treat myself to a new sunvisor hat yesterday. I like it because the underside of the brim is black to cut the glare, but the top of the hat is white to reflect the sun. My son got a drink bottle, plant for his garden and a Matchbox car. And we went out for lunch. Oh, and we had to replace his 3 year old kiddie pool as the other one just won't last another season. $16 for a summers worth of entertainment - a bargain... he just loves his little pool! A quick trip, but we did have a good time.

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Shopping - always an adventure. We live 3 hours from the store, but yesterday was a beautiful day for traveling so it wasn't that bad. Here is a photo of my son... en route. He is sitting on the upper steps playing a little penny flute. He is NEVER quiet!

Knitted Goodness

My friend Adele knit me this super fab scarf. Oh my goodness, I love it! Can you see the beautiful pattern? It is alpaca. Anyway - tonight my community chorus is having a concert. I went last year and it was so nice that I am really looking forward to tonight's performance. I should be able to get there about 15 minutes before the show, but a friend of mine is going earlier and she is buying my ticket and saving my seat because last year it was sold out. Guess what I am wearing? The perfect item because it is cold tonight but the little hall will be roasting hot.

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Oh - and just because I know someone will ask me - Adele didn't have a pattern... I wanted an open pattern with a shell on it and she worked this out.