Colorado Vacay

I didn’t intend to take the week off from blogging, 

but it’s been so nice, resting, reading, 

and hanging out with the CO branch. 

The gents didn’t get a lot of rest,

at least for the first 4 days,

but both swear they enjoyed

putting up the gorgeous new kitchen backsplash. 

And while they worked, the teenager and I embroidered clocks (from Ikea),

and fish (Addy’s still working on hers);

crocheted - Addy already knew how to chain stitch but now she’s a single-crochet, color-changing wizard

who’s working on her second hat and a blanket. I’m so proud!

We pizza-partied for Addy’s 16th birthday

and for Thanksgiving, 

we collaborated to make my mom’s rolls

Doesn’t the backsplash look nice??

and chocolate chip cookies, both for the first time. 

Tomorrow we head home again. Sure wish we could be in two places at once - we’re going to miss these guys a bunch!

Flower Garden BOM

I was determined to finish November’s flower before we left on our trip (tomorrow, early).

This is “Iris Blossom” by Piece By Number Quilts on Etsy. I’m second-guessing my color choices but Reyna says it’s fine and I’m too picky. . . I think it’ll blend well with the other flowers . . . 

Since the evening was young (and the suitcase not yet packed), thought I’d push my luck and try for the monthly small critter block too . . . 

but all I managed so far is the frog’s butt. It’s going to be cute!

Out With The New . . .

Out with the new, in with the old? 

We’re a little behind in our seasonal decorating, 

but today Donovan and I took down the amazing Halloween wallhanging Aunt Teena made*

and put up the Thanksgiving turkey I made several years ago. 

After not seeing him for almost two weeks, D and I are trying to do all. the. things. before Pop and I leave for Colorado on Friday. 

Yesterday, we read 3 of his new books before my voice gave out and we had to leave the fourth one for Daddy.

Today was all about cutting and coloring and gluing (good thing my cutting mat is washable!) and watching tv together. Plus, a long discussion on “why is your glue purple??” Gonna miss this kid!

* Teena said this was a “practice” piece with her new embroidery machine. Looks pretty perfect to me! 

She also made purses for Leia and Leanne that earned the highest teen praise - they both wore them out in public! 😂

Botanical Beauties #11

My penultimate BB block is done!

It took me 3 days to finish (why yes, I am still sick ☹️) but I’m pleased with it. 

It’s supposed to be an inula (I had to look them up . . .) which to me looks like a daisy Dr. Seuss would draw. So fun. 

Looking forward to putting this all together in January!

Fun Times

 Pop gave Jackie a roll of toilet paper for her constantly runny nose . . .

Adding hair to her Person

and she made this. “It’s a person, Granma.”

Adding arms

Guess you gotta go (ha!) where the creative muse takes you. 

We made “Jackie bread” Friday afternoon, so I guess we’re both feeling better. Yummmmmmm. (Jackie bread = focaccia bread, her favorite.)

Squeaking

You know things are bad interesting when the pharmacy gives you the big bag to get all your prescriptions home. 

I apparently picked up a little souvenir 🦠 on our Cambria trip. The awful headaches and squeaky lungs finally drove me to the doctor, who diagnosed recurring sinus infection and asthmatic bronchitis (still waiting on the chest X-ray results to confirm.) At least it’s not pneumonia??

 Election Day rain

Grateful it’s good weather to stay home, all wrapped up with cats and quilts. 

Retirement Project

Doesn’t seem possible that 17 years have passed since we broke ground on hubby’s first - and biggest - retirement project.

Just a slight remodel, he said. You won’t even notice.

He did good. 

Destashment

Youngest child is staying with us temporarily and his needing room to store his stuff got me motivated to finally clear out the rest of my yarn stash. 

I had donated most a lot of my yarn back in . . . 2018? 2019? So I didn’t think I had much left. 

 
I was wrong. 12 bins worth of wrong.

And as long as I was clearing out, why not deal with the books too? I sweet talked bribed Leia, Leanne and Jaclyn into helping pack up my spinning, weaving, crochet and knitting books, then donated them - all 11 boxes worth - to the spinning/weaving guild’s annual sale. 

One bin of spinning fiber went back upstairs; not ready to let that go yet after all. Friends took another bin to share and my pal Reyna took 6 big bags of yarn to sort and share, including with her physical therapist, who is just learning to knit. So pleased this is all going to new homes where it will be used. 

Trick or Treat

Made it home in plenty of time to paint

and carve the pumpkins -

with power tools, of course -

before heading out trick-or-treating with the neighborhood kids.

We got more kids this year than the past several years

but we still have a ton of candy left over.

Jac’s school is collecting candy to send to US service members

so we’ll bag ours up and send it off with her this week. 

 Leia and Donovan 

Jac’s school parade