Sunday Sevens – Week 64

Hi all, welcome to this week’s edition of Sunday Sevens, started by Natalie over at Threads and Bobbins. This weekly post is devoted to those bits and bobs of everyday life that may not merit their own posts. Stop on in to her site to read more about it, and think about joining us; it’s fun and anyone can play!

 

What’s Going On

The short description of my last couple of weeks: my mom was hospitalized with a broken hip, so I flew back to Sacramento to help out. She was released from hospital to rehabilitation facility, and then finally back home. Sis and I share caretaking duties. Working on alternative arrangements.

Meanwhile….

Autumn on the “left coast”

I get to experience my second fall season of the year – on the West Coast. It’s a whole different kind of wonderful.

Missing my kitties

California cat

Miss Molly gives me my cat fix. She found the choicest bit of warm sunlight streaming in through a bedroom window.

What? I can’t hear you!

Poor little weenie….

So who might be responsible for the sad state of this little guy?

Sweet, funny fellow

Certainly it couldn’t be this sweet boy……or could it?

Thanksgiving

Cheers!

Picked up mom from rehab for Thanksgiving dinner. Not a traditional big family meal this time, it was just the three of us. Mom, sister, me. No, lovely dog did not join us, he had his own holiday meal outside. One pooped mama went back to rehab after dinner.

Finally Home

Orchids upon arrival

At last mom is home. Picked her up early and after a day of rest, we will begin the therapist-recommended exercise regimen at home.

By request

hmmmmm

Ok ladies, here is the full pic of the skirt. This is certainly a rough-and-tumble sweater and not the pretty blouse it needs, and I was sans shoes – so short of photoshopping in some footwear, this is it! Eeeek!

Hope your upcoming week is just marvelous.

Stitch on, everyone!

Sunday Sevens – Week 61

Hello everyone! Today’s Sunday Sevens, created by Natalie of Threads and Bobbins, offers a few glimpses of my last week. These are bits of random fun that are not quite ready for their own post. Why not pop on over to Natalie’s site to see what Sunday Sevens is all about; it’s fun and anyone can join in.

 

Back at home for mama

My mom’s visit wrapped up with me spending a week with her in Sacramento, CA. We enjoyed lovely weather, including a very rainy day and night. Due to a long drought, Californians welcome any and all precipitation! My sister and many of her neighbors have converted their water guzzling lawns into drought resistant sanctuaries for birds, butterflies and bees.

The new California yard

Back at home for me

While the peak color show for fall foliage is waning, there are still many bright yellow leaves around the neighborhood. The sun shines through the tree outside my living room window bathing the entire room in gold, like a brilliant jeweled diorama created just for me.

Glowing

Back at my sewing machine

Tried on my WIP again, and even with all the nice meals and treats of late, my skirt slides on (and immediately slides right off) even with the zipper closed. That’s a good thing, but necessitated two extra darts. I basted them in and voila – skirt stays up! Will just take a few minutes to sew the darts, then the waistband and hem are all that remain. Skirt is due for completion tonight! Finally.

Five darts!

Back to the blogs

No new books for me just at the moment, I have blogs to read! Spent a good deal of time reading the blogs I’ve missed over the past month. And Sheila of Sewchet has sent me a wonderful Secret Santa partner; the ideas are rolling…

Can you keep a secret?

Back to my mailbox

Barbara, of Zibergirl Sews had a giveaway…..and I was one of the recipients! What she calls a “token” arrived in my mailbox while I was away. I opened up the envelope to find an inner (very fancy) envelope, and this! An adorable little business card wallet. Black floral print on the outside, two different polka dots inside, lime green button loop, and a snazzy black button with green tint positioned right next to a big green flower. So cleverly done. Thank you, Barbara!

Sweet little purse

Back to the music stand

Some time back (probably a year or more) I mentioned to Mr. LTSB that I love the cello (I once was a flutist) and if I were to learn a new instrument, a cello it would be. Upon my return from CA, he ushered me into the living room where my birthday gift was waiting! What a thoughtful husband. My first lesson is tomorrow. Watch out YoYo Ma, here I come!

Yo Yo Jen?

Back to the fabric store

We wandered into Joanne Fabrics and discovered a sale in progress…..Simplicity Patterns for $1.00; these were each originally $17.00! How could I pass it up? Found three that offered some possibilities…

Super sales are good….

So that was my week. Hope your last week was lovely and the next one will be even better!

Stitch on, everyone!

Sunday Sevens – Week 60

Hello lovelies! Today’s Sunday Sevens offers a few glimpses of my last two weeks. Why not pop on in to Natalie’s site, Threads and Bobbins, to see what Sunday Sevens is all about; it’s fun and anyone can join in.

Just a Nature Study

Glorious autumn is still evident with foliage in transition. A
“girls’ day out” was in order for Mom’s last week here; the two of us visited Letchworth State Park where we had reservations at the Glen Iris Inn for a lovely light lunch. The location is idyllic, steps away from the falls in this gorge.

Letchworth State Park

A Tiny Bit of Shopping

After lunch, we stopped into the inn’s tiny gift shop. Mom officially started her Christmas shopping with this adorable little purse for teenage girl who is “nearly” family.

Sweet little blue leather purse

And Church Bells Ring

We wanted to show Mom Christ Church, an Episcopal church downtown, before she went home. It’s old, beautiful, historic, and has the most enormous, incredible pipe organ I could ever imagine. This picture doesn’t begin to do it justice.

The pipes

All Along the Lakeside

We made a tour of the local shoreline, driving through neighborhoods both exclusive and humble, an amusement park, apple orchards. This is a tiny part of the Lake Ontario shoreline. (Lake Ontario is the smallest in surface area and second smallest in volume of the Great Lakes)

Apples and Vino

Back in California now, wrapping up our time together by spending the week with Mom and sister. We visited Apple Hill, where we had hot apple cider donuts with fresh apple cider, and bought some apples to take home.

Apples galore

Heading back down the road we came upon Boeger Winery, nestled in the beautiful California oak and pine trees – ah, i do miss them. We indulged in a wee bit of wine tasting and took in the fabulous scenery. There are lots of delightful little outdoor nooks such as this one, as well as expansive winery vistas.

A quiet resting spot

Sewing and Joining In

I’ll be returning home in a few days and will be back at my sewing machine. My long neglected skirt (and sewing challenges) will be finished and blogged, and oh yes, I’ve joined in Sewchet’s stitchingsanta! The deadline was Oct 31 and I squeaked in on the very last day. Whew. Now the pressure is on; a secret Santa can’t just throw any old thing together, you know….

What About Me?

Well????

Is this an accusing face or what? Perhaps Frieda gets more air time, but Jasmine is pretty cute, too, and seems to have something to say. So, just because it has been a while since she has been included, here she is.

That’s it for now, but I promise to be back soon with finished project, and upcoming projects. And no more trees…..well, maybe.

Stitch on, everyone!