Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone is having a fantastic day.

This post is for my son-in-law, George. He reads my blog and told me he has been missing my posts.

We are visiting in La Puente with George, Joyce (our daughter) and our two precious granddaughters, Katie & Emma. We got here Tuesday afternoon and will probably head for home on Saturday. On Wednesday we drove down to Irvine (Joyce, Katie, Emma, Wendi, another daughter, Gerry and I). Gerry's sister Jeanne lives in San Marcos and her kids were visiting her for Thanksgiving. So we met them at an Elephant Bar restaurant for lunch and had a very enjoyable 2 hours visiting and catching up. George had to work so he didn't get to go with us.

Katie and Emma are our youngest grandchildren and such a delight to be around. They are sweet little girls. Gerry and I were very impressed with their behavior at the restaurant. They were so good considering we were there for such a long time. They didn't fuss in the car both driving to Irvine and coming back. Katie took a nap coming back, Emma tried...The traffic was horrible coming back, stop and go, took us twice as long to drive back.

George works at Disneyland. Joyce told us we need to come back another time so we can go to Disneyland. Gerry and I haven't been there since our 10th anniversary...that was a few years ago. Joyce teaches 3rd grade and has had this week off.

I apologize for not posting on my blog for quite some time. Its not like I haven't had anything to post...I think about doing it and then its too late in the day and then I forget about it.

I started working on my Christmas cards on Monday. I did manage to get a few done. I'm trying something different this year for cards...going to do very little stamping, using mostly designer scrapbook paper. I was quite pleased with the few I got made.

Have a wonderful day...eat lots of great food...and if you are traveling, drive safe.

My First Crochet Project

A few weeks ago I decided to teach myself to crochet. I love the crochet flowers that are used on card projects. So I decided I would learn to make them. I bought some yarn and a couple of needles and watched lots of You Tube videos. It looked easy enough and so I decided to try making one. Well, it was beyond frustration. I just couldn't do it.

Several of our family members crochet including Denise and my sister Nani. My sister told me to get Clove needles, that would be more comfortable to use. Denise told me to get 100% acrylic, worsted yarn. I had gotten a Size H Clove needle and that was ok. I decided to give up on the flowers and try making a simple dishcloth. I found a begineer video and watched it several times. It was just chaining and then single crochet.

Unfortunately, I had to take it apart twice and on my third try, it seemed to be going together a lot better.

So here is my finished project. I actually made it a little bigger than what the instructions on the YouTube said. There are still some booboos in it, however, it looks like some others that I have. I even put a border on it by single crocheting all around it. That covered up some of the rough endings on some of the rows.

I even did 3 single crochets at each corner for some extra detail.

I found a blanket tutorial on You Tube that looks easy...the demonstrator even said it was suited for a beginner project. It uses a huge needle which I got today and 2 strands of yarn. So I will give it a try and see what happens.

The dishcloth is now in the dishtowel drawer in the kitchen along with the others that I have either bought on Etsy or Denise made for me. I have 3 that Becca (my granddaughter-in-law) made and I bought from her. Now I can make my own when the others wear out.

There certainly is a nice feeling of accomplishment to try something for the first time and have it turn out. I made another placemat purse the other day. I put the other placemats away for now, I'll do them up sometime later.

My sister Nani was going to look for some Hawaiian print material that would be nice enough to make a baby quilt. She is suppose to let me know what she finds, then I will send her some money to get the material for me. I'd like to do one for Chayse...I got to thinking about the Hawaiian quilts Denise had when she was a baby and thought it would be nice for Chayse to have one. Denise's quilts were still in good shape to use when Rebekah was a baby. Denise also has a quilt that my mother handquilted for her. I asked her in June if she still had it and she said yes.

It is very warm here tonight. I turned the A/C off (9:26pm) and have the windows opened up. Thunderstorms and lightning are expected in the foothills and mountains for the next few days. We may get some of it down here in the valley. That kind of weather is a sure thing for fires.

Sewing Projects

While I was at Denise's in June, we watched numerous "YouTube" quilting videos. Denise has recently started quilting. Watching all those videos got me interested in doing some sewing again. It has been at least 25 years since I've done any sewing. I decided to start with some simple projects.

So I started with making placemat purses. I saw a "YouTube" to make clutch purses out of a placemat. This is the first one I made. I also saw a few videos to make different kinds of flowers. This blue flower was made from lace...it was so simple...like "duh" I can use these on my cards too. I put a button in the middle of this one.

I used this clutch a couple of times and it actually holds quite a bit and is comfortable to carry. I used velcro strip on the inside of the flap to keep it closed. Here's another one. I really like this one...the pattern on the placemat is kind of Asian looking. I used an ivory Chinese frog as an embellishment on the flap.

I've had this placemat for several years. I had a matching napkin too so I used it on the inside. It has black web handles. Cute story about this bag...my Hawaii blogger friend, Jalna, was crocheting a couple of baby beanies for me that I was going to send to Chayse. I emailed her pictures of what I was working on and when she saw the picture of this tote bag...she told me she wanted it...she would trade the beanies for this bag. I had plans to use it which she didn't have a problem with it so I got to use it once. It was not the neatest job...she didn't care. Jalna also wanted some cards...since I have them coming out of my ears from all the card swaps I do, I sent her a lot along with the bag. I don't know if she has gotten the bag yet...it was to arrive on Saturday.

I also had 3 pieces of fabric that I had bought before I retired. I was going to make some summer skirts with them. Well, the package got put in my closet never to be seen again until I went hunting. So I made three skirts...they are real simple with elastic waists. This one is a lavendar print.

A pink one...there are tiny white flowers woven in the fabric.

This one is a sage green with tiny flowers...different shades of pink. This was the first one I made and it is a little too full...I should have not used all the fabric. Lesson learned... Since I enjoyed making the placemat purses, I decided to make some more. This placemat is red...kind of has a shiny finish to it.

Fern and palm branches.

See how much this next one cost...$1.79...on clearance at Kohl's.

Here's the placemat...another Asian looking one.

These next 3 I got at Walmart...$3 each. I'm going to use some jumbo rickrack to embellish them.

And here's the project I made today. This fabric is a patchwork pattern...the colors are burnt orange, dusky blue, brown, orange, yellow daisies and beige. I used a different fabric for the inside and the strapes. I am so pleased at the way it came out...a simple, easy tote bag...my favorite kind of purse to use. Its pretty small...the measurements are 10" across the top, 9" tall and 8.75" across the bottom. The straps are 9". I have some fabric left if someone wants one. :)

The other side of it...

The lining...a stripe pattern with the dusky blue, burnt orange and brown. I made the straps from this fabric too.

I found these next two placemats at Penney's on clearance...they are part of the Chris Madden line. This one is a tapstery...very elegant looking....browns, black and beige...

I took these pictures on my oak dining room table and forgot I had turned off the flash. It all looks yellowish ... sorry! This one is chenelle in red with ivory and gold trim. Another elegant looking one.

The medallions in the middle of the first mat.

I am enjoying so much sewing again...even if they are simple, quick projects. I still want to attempt to make a baby quilt. I remembered that when Denise was a baby, she had 2 quilts that were from Hawaii and had an island theme.

I was talking to my older sister, Nani, the other night and mentioned to her about trying to make a quilt. She is going to look for fabric for me and let me know how much it would cost. She belongs to a craft group and they have made some simple quilts. So I'm looking forward to seeing what I can do. It will be for Chayse.

I'm trying to teach myself to crochet also...not doing too well at it so far. Except that last night I watched several videos and I think I figured out what I was doing wrong...I am doing a chain and then single crochet...so nothing complicated. I wanted to sew today so I put the crocheting aside for later.

So that's what I've been doing lately...enjoying myself so much!!

More Pictures of Chayse

I downloaded these pictures off of Facebook...

This one brought tears to my eyes...grandmother holding her granddaughter for the first time...so sweet! I wrote on Facebook..."there are no words to describe holding a grandchild for the first time"...it is pure joy!!

Meet 1st Great Grandchild/Granddaughter

Chayse Katherine

September 2, 2011

Born 1:57 pm, EDT, in Fayetteville, NC

8.6 lbs, 20 inches long

We are excited to welcome the newest member to our family. Baby Chayse was not due until Monday, September 5th. She obviously did not want to wait that long and made her appearance this afternoon in Fayetteville, NC.

She is a beautiful baby with lots of dark hair. Mom, Dad and baby are doing well.

Congratulations to Nathan and Megan...Stephen and Denise...Megan's parents...and a very special welcome to Chayse Katherine...we are all so blessed!!

Happy Birthday...to me...

This has been birthday week for Gerry and I...his was Monday and mine was yesterday...the beginning of the last year of the 6th decade of my life! Wow, that sounds strange! :)

Gerry asked me Wednesday night and again yesterday morning what I wanted to do. I had no clue other than I wanted crepes for breakfast and wanted to go to Mimi's later for dinner. Other than that, I didn't really care. So here's what we did for my birthday...

We went to Country Waffles in Citrus Heights for breakfast. They have 2 items on their menu featuring crepes...one is 2 Swedish crepes filled with a choice of apples, strawberries or blueberries. It also includes 2 eggs and bacon or sausage. The other item is just 2 crepes with choice of filling. I had the 2 crepes with blueberries. They put a small dollop of whipcreme on top. It was perfect...and some orange juice to drink. Gerry had a waffle with bananas and caramel sauce on top and coffee to drink. (I didn't take pictures...had my camera with me too).

From there we drove to Roseville to the Galleria (shopping mall). Gerry has an account at Helzberg Jewelers (he's gotten me a few things there). He had gotten a postcard in the mail from them for a "free pearl bracelet", so he wanted to go get it. The bracelet has a silver heart attached and it says "I Am Loved". :) The pearls are not real...the sales clerk recognized the necklace I was wearing and asked if we had bought it there. It was a Christmas present one year...3 diamonds set in a row (downwards) with a piece of gold down each side of the diamonds.

We walked around the mall for a little bit. Construction is still going on in the area of the mall that was burned last fall. Supposedly that portion of the mall will be open by this fall, a year later since the fire.

Since we were close to where son Jason works and the Nissan needed an oil change, we drove up there to get it done and see him. We also wanted the Nissan washed...it was in dire need of a "bath". Denise called while we were there and had a chuckle that we were getting the oil changed on my birthday. There's a bead shop next to the auto repair place and so we walked over there. Gerry is looking for some beads to make a replication of a couple of military ribbons he has. They didn't have anything that he wanted. I did get some small jewelry boxes I needed for a swap I am doing. When we got back to the auto place, Jason was ready for lunch so we walked across the street to La Bou's...he had a sandwich and Gerry and I got something to drink. I had a piece of lemon square. It was not as good as the ones Denise makes.

When we got back the van was finished. We then drove over to Joann's. For my birthday I bought myself a kit that contains a 18" x 24" self-healing cutting mat, a 6" x 24" ruler and a rotary cutter. I want to start sewing again and am thinking about learning how to quilt. I have a high school classmate friend that told me she'd help me. Denise is learning to quilt and has made a few things. We watched lots of quilting "you tubes" while I visited last month. That got me interested...besides I have always loved quilted things and wanted to learn how to do it. I need to finish up some card projects before I really get into it.

After we left Joann's, we came home. By then the temp was hitting close to 100 degrees and I was getting a horrible headache. We relaxed for awhile then went to Mimi's for dinner. I had gotten a birthday online coupon. I had their Asian Chopped Chicken salad with a carrot/raisin muffin and Gerry had Jambalaya (I think that's how you spell it). He really enjoys the dish that the Elephant Bar makes. He said Mimi's was not as good.

It was a little after 7 when we got back home. One of the neighbors, a few spaces down, was having an estate sale. She fell a while ago, cracking several ribs. Her daughter wants her to move in so she is getting rid of her stuff. There wasn't anything interesting...not that we need anything. We need to be getting rid of some of our stuff.

Gerry went for his walk...and while I was "chilling"...my sister Nani called. We have just started talking again...she has gotten into card making...it has been nice catching up and finding out where her kids and grandkids are and what they are doing. Her phone call was a very nice ending to "my day".

Oh, my phone was "dinging" all day long with Facebook notifications of someone posting to my wall. When I checked Facebook before I went to bed...there were over 60 people (family and friends) who had left a birthday greeting. I felt so blessed...

I have no idea what this next year will bring...Gerry and I were sharing the other day...we have been so fortunate to be in good health...no major problems (little annoying ones sometimes) and we are still able to do what we need to and want to do. Gerry rides his bicycle 3 days a week...50 to 60 miles each day. Not bad for being 72 years old and 69 years old...:)

Happy Birthday, Honey

Gerry is celebrating his 72nd birthday today. Since today is a ride day with his bicycle club, he decided to lead the ride and mapped out a ride that will consist of 72 miles for him...one mile for every year of his life.

He mapped out 3 options for the ride, the longest one being 58 miles. The coffee stop on the long ride was to The Flower Farm out in Loomis. I drove out and met him there. He was the last one to get there because as the ride leader, he has to sweep the route to make sure there aren't any riders that need help. Just a few riders went out to The Flower Farm. Most of the group went to Karen's, a bakery/cafe in Folsom. That was one of the short options. Here he is ready to get back on the bike. Looks pretty good for 72 years of age, huh! I think so.

Ready to hit the road again. I enjoy going out to The Flower Farm. I've blogged before about this place. It includes a nursery, a Bed & Breakfast, an event hall and a coffee shop. The coffee shop was recently sold. It was really busy in there today and it took quite a while to get an ice tea and a peach smoothie. We use to always enjoy a bagel sandwich that had smoked salmon on it. We asked the person taking our order if they still made the sandwich. She said "yes" and that they made it better than the previous owner. She started to tell us what was on it and when she mentioned "capers", that turned me off. The sandwich had smoked salmon, cucumbers, tomatoes, green pepper and this sauce that was so delicious. Maybe we will have to brave it some time and try their version of the sandwich.

It took so long getting our drinks that I went inside to find out what was happening. The smoothie was just being made and I had to get the ice tea myself. Wonder why they didn't give us a cup to get the ice tea, to begin with. Service was not what it use to be.

There were two ladies from the club that came in before Gerry got there and they insisted on waiting for him. He was okay with riding by himself....

It is a beautiful day today with a nice breeze...in the 80's...I took a jacket with me when I left home in case it was cool out there. The temps will be back up into the 90's by Thursday. That figures...it is always HOT on my birthday! :)

There is a nice covered deck on the back of the coffee shop that overlooks the garden. It is so nice to sit out there. I walked around the garden when I first got there...there were lots of dragonflies flitting among the plants and trees. A flock of geese flew by too...

I didn't ask him what he wanted for dinner...will have to see what he wants when he gets home. We are going to Reno next week...he was thinking of a birthday trip for us and then I found out that Nathanael will be in Reno from August 3rd to the 6th. We are going to drive up to see him and it will be our birthday trip. The 82nd Airborne Convention is being held then and Nathanael was picked to supervise the medical teams that will be taking care of the guys doing a jump. He only has to work on that one day so will be able to hang out with him some. I am really excited to be seeing him.

As a side note...

I know I haven't blogged since I got home from my Alabama trip. I've over-committed myself with Splitcoast Stampers card projects plus sorting out 2 swaps that I am hosting...so blogging has been the last thing on my mind. I'll get back in the swing of things...sometime soon... :)