Happy hour

Here's my kinda cocktail. Essence of Bloody Mary without the pesky hangover.

So I got an email from my neighbor--the one with the green thumbs. Don't ya love this updated version of chatting over the fence? She wondered if we would like a few fresh veggies from her garden, or if we were already in downsizing-the-fridge mode in preparation for our upcoming trip. I sent an email reply that, yes, we would love some cherry tomatoes because I knew they would get gobbled up post-haste. Those home-grown ones are almost as sweet and delicious as candy. Well, maybe not chocolate....but whatever.
Then, since I had some laundry to do, I thought I'd throw in this crocheted rose I whipped up yesterday....with the hope that it would felt nicely, and look just like the one pictured with the pattern (Better Homes and Gardens 2008 Holiday Crafts). It didn't quite happen. Maybe because I used the yarn from the red pest, and it's insistent on continuing the pestering. It's 100% wool....which makes it well-qualified for felting...or so I thought. I may have to enlist the help of my fiber mentor.

So Mr. Gadget and I have shifted into high gear on our trip preparations. We leave on Thursday for Copenhagen and that little boat trip around the Baltic Sea. Today I washed his clothes and ironed a few shirts while he carefully, and quite methodically, packed his suitcase. I'm sure tomorrow he'll do the same for me.......

Blog fog

What's a blogger to do when she's not in the mood to blog even though there's blog fodder? Slog on I say. So here's what I've been up.

A trip to Yarn Heaven with other Marcia and new friend Karen, where I purchased this cute pattern, but NO yarn. Yes, that is correct.....NO yarn. I couldn't decide on just the right yarn, and it's not like I need a project or anything. Yarn Heaven is a place of infinite choices, and sometimes, though rarely, it just boggles my mind.

Other Marcia gifted me with this sock yarn she dyed herself. Something about winning a contest on her blog a while back. I just love it and can hardly wait to start some socks.

Here's a fun thing I treated myself to.....a new mouse pad, purchased at a gift shop in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts. If you haven't been to this cute little town, it's worth a trip. Lots of interesting things to see including the bridge of flowers, the glacial potholes, and a new yarn shop called Metaphor Yarns.

And here's an impulse purchase if ever there was one. I'm not a clothes shopper. I'd just rather not. But this suede-cloth jacket reached out and grabbed me. I guess I must have walked too close to the store. On my third trip by, I finally gave in and fished out my credit card.

The Noro scarf (formerly known as the Noro sock) is coming along nicely and should be showing more colors soon. It's lightweight and I'm hoping it will be long enough to wrap several times around my turkey neck.

And in other news, here is Ferna, my Boston fern (named after my grandmother) that has been wonderfully rehabilitated by my neighbor with two green thumbs. You may remember I left it in Tech Guy's care once when we were out of town and apparently lots of tech things got in the way of his plant-tending duties. I've officially given up custody of Ferna....and I'm sleeping better at night knowing she's in capable hands and that there will be no calls from Plant Protective Services....

They've been eyeballed

Yesterday Mr. Gadget and I met up with Tech Guy and Big City Girl for lunch in TG's neighborhood.

We hadn't seen either of them since Father's Day, and I needed to give them the eyeball test. After two hours of looking at them, taking note of their body language, and checking behind their ears to make sure they're washing regularly, I was able to go home feeling confident that they are succeeding at independent living. Not only that, it's good to know they still appreciate a good plate of chocolate swimming in ice cream, especially if someone else is paying....

After lunch we had fun checking out some statues that are scattered around town (Stamford, Connecticut) on temporary display. I just love this kind of whimsy, and I can only wonder how someone convinced city hall to let this fly.

If only I'd had half a day to walk around with my camera to capture all 50.

So I've been going through my laundry basket o' scraps in the treehouse closet. Over the years I've thrown my leftovers into this basket with the idea that maybe one day I'd make a few more scrap garlands or even a quilt with teeny tiny pieces.

But a friend recently emailed to say that she and her team of quilt makers are in need of more fabric for childrens' charity quilts and it seemed like a good idea to send these scraps on to a higher purpose. Now that I'm approaching the bottom of the basket, I'm having fun harking back to some of my earlier dolls.

Two of my favorites were a snowman I made out of the eye charts for my friend, Arizona Barbara, who worked for an optometrist.....and the cow doll out of green fabric with hearts and milk cartons.

My fabric-shopping expeditions are kinda like Forrest Gump's box of chocolates. I never know if it'll be a day for caramel centers or chocolate nougats......or just a day for eyeballing.....

50,000 mile check-up

So today I went in for my annual physical, and I left the doctor's office with a stack of prescriptions for the usual medications plus an array of scans. I know that as I age there's bound to be some wear and tear on various parts, not to mention a bit of rusting and corroding, and maybe even a little erosion. Scans reveal all of this without the need for bothersome probes plugged into my dashboard. So now I'm all set for entertainment once the Olympics are over....

Thank goodness I got an A+ on my blood test....after all that sweating and cringing and grimmacing I endured during the blood-letting process. And I have a nice cruise to look forward to before I have to submit to more of same.....and the scanning events. Maybe Bob Costas or Rowdy Gaines can narrate.

And here's my little container garden. You can see it's starting to flower nicely.

It's a slow-growing variety. You may remember how I decided, a few months ago, to use this silly drawing, I mean clever visual aid, to show my weight-loss progress. Spread sheets and pie charts are just so boring......well, unless they are lemon meringue pie charts....

Oh, and grab a tissue. I've frogged the Noro sock.

I'm going to knit a scarf instead. I think it makes much more sense to wear those lovely blended colors at eye level rather than stuffed in a shoe out of sight. I'm only sorry I stayed with it so long. I really knew it was all wrong, but I ignored my instincts and kept thinking it would change. Kinda like a few of those bad boys I used to date.

Well, gotta run. I think my radiator is about to spring a leak......

Closet-Cleaning 101

I know it's summer, but that's not stopping me from doing a little spring cleaning. Mr. Gadget and I have a trip coming up and I needed to assess my wearables. This is a process during which I try on articles of clothing.....well, maybe mostly pants......to see what fits among the various sizes I have crammed in my closet in no logical order. Maybe I need a spread sheet....
Way back in the deepest recesses of my closet I found this piece of craftiness. I made this shirt a few years ago and did some floral fabric painting on the front. I was trying for a pen and ink effect, with color applied without paying close attention to the lines. I've always liked this look even though, as a child, I tried valiantly to keep my crayon coloring within the lines to please whoever the heck made up that rule. I've become a little rebellious in my old age. I haven't actually worn this shirt yet, but maybe I will before this decade is over. I'm not sure about the buttons though.

I think those have to go. I may have to visit a fabric store or three, or maybe even make a trip down to the big city garment district for just the right ones.

So here's my entire tutorial on closet-cleaning. Do it fast. Don't over-think . Just toss stuff real quick-like. As soon as you start to cogitate over each dress or skirt or pair of pants, you'll more than likely decide you need to keep it for some future occasion. Especially if you're a pack rat like me. After two weeks or so, I don't expect to be pining away for any of the stuff I've tossed or having regrets of any kind. That's because I've got elder-memory syndrome. It comes in handy sometimes.....

Sufficiently scary?

I hope this trio is scary enough to rattle a few bones on Halloween. Well, maybe not that middle guy.

It's a yin and yang thing. I'm striving for balance in my universe.....especially the small universe that is the treehouse.

I've been working on a few dolls....with the Columbus Day craft fair in mind. I've decided to see how much progress I can make by the end of this week, and then I'll send in my application if it seems do-able....you know, without late night crafting frenzies, bitten fingernails, and brownie binges.

Mr. Gadget and I have been very busy on a new project which will have to remain a mystery for another week or so. Yeah, I'm into teasers.....just like those big name TV networks and a few internet service providers.

Then there's been all that Phelps-itis, and the gymnastics hoopla. How can anyone hope to get anything done? At least I'm an expert at prioritizing. The dollmaking and the knitting must proceed; anything of a housework nature can be safely placed on hold.

Crab fest

I'm feeling crabby today. It all started this morning when I had to leave my warm, comfy bed-- after a late night of Olympics viewing--for a blood test appointment. This is always anything-but-a-pleasant experience, since I'm pretty sure I don't actually have veins in my arms.

After one practice stick and then a for-real stick, in my hand at my request, the nurse (who required an assistant, by the way) giggled and said, "Wow, we practically did surgery on you."

"Yes, and without anesthesia," I said. "Now may I please go to the recovery room?"

And if all that wasn't enough, some jerk pulled out in front of me on the way home, and then I got stuck behind a tractor going 20 mph...that pulled into the 7-11. I figured coffee or lotto.....or both. I was sure a few minutes in the treehouse would soothe my soul, but I was wrong.Here's what happens when you try to draw facial features using a gel pen instead of a permanent marker and then try to seal it with some sparkly Mod Podge.

In the great scheme of things, I know these are just small potatoes. It's important to keep things in perspective. After all, if Alicia Sacramone can get over it and move on, so can I.

So today, in addition to crabbing, I've been doing some chipmunking. In yesterday's mail I received a special invitation to a craft show scheduled for Columbus Day weekend. Now I'm trying to decide if the effort of going into high gear on doll production, and the schlepping necessary to get all my characters to the show, will be worthwhile. There's no way to know; it's always a gamble.
Then again, it'll be witch season and I do like to make witches.

I love making their faces and embroidering the spiders.

And rummaging through my bag of wool, I mean roving, I mean locks, for just the right hair.

On the plus side, someone else will do the selling. All I have to do is deliver the goods and then go fetch the ones that don't sell.....but of course that won't happen...heh...heh... On the minus side, I won't be there to pose them with just the right body language. Will they all be thrown together on one table--where there are bound to be some disagreements and maybe even a cat fight? Or will there be someone who recognizes their uniqueness and takes the time to seek out just the right spot to suit each one's personality?

What's a chipmunk to do?

Kitty on caffeine

At the moment I'm sitting in the treehouse listening to thunder boomers loud enough to raise me out of my sewing-slash-computer chair, and thinking about a new paper mache project. In fact, I've sketched up an idea.

The blue line shows the general shape of the base (my brew of choice):

This should be a less challenging project than the pig, since there will be less contouring required, and no gluing on of appendages using creative gadgetry. Also, there will be no need for Mr. Gadget to buy a new electronic toy, I mean device, with packing materials to satisfy my construction needs.

So I've noticed recently that a few bloggers have been interviewing their husbands about various subjects. Other Marcia, for instance, asked hers what he thought of her knitting hobby. This prompted me to ask Mr. G. if he would willingly submit to this kind of fun. Without much hesitation, he said no. But he did say he had no objection to me doing the interview and putting words in his mouth .....since that's pretty much what I usually do anyway.

Mr. Gadget has a fairly high craft IQ-- a real plus in our marriage. He recognizes knitting, crochet, embroidery, sewing and paper mache. Many years ago, before we met, I went through a crafty phase called latch hooking. This involved using a special hook to pull small bits of colored yarn through a heavy canvas backing and ending up with a shag-like rug, with some sort of a design on it, suitable for hanging on the wall.

It was during this phase that a young man came over to my apartment to pick me up for a date and, upon seeing the very colorful, just-completed latch-hooked rooster hanging in my dining room, asked, "Did you knit that chicken?" Heh...heh.... Right away I knew he wasn't husband material......

The Macaroni Olympics

Mr. Gadget and I arrived back at the Connecticut homestead last night around 10:00, after a quick stop at our local McDonald's because, to the best of my recollection, our cupboards were bare. But somehow I had forgotten to empty out the cold cuts drawer in the fridge seven weeks ago, and we actually had some cheese and bacon.....

The unpacking competition began as soon as Mr. G. carried both suitcases over the starting line--the threshold between the family room and the garage. He was clearly the Olympic favorite to win gold and once again he didn't disappoint. I graciously accepted the silver.

Our trip was uneventful, which is just how we like it.

Here is Mr. Gadget checking items off of his "Leaving the Condo" check list.

He's successfully loaded the trunk of our rental car with both suitcases, thereby avoiding the need to put the convertible top down.

We approach the entrance to Long Beach Airport--such a pleasant alternative to LAX. Shhhh! Don't tell anyone.
No line at the curbside check-in....probably because they now charge $2 a bag to use this service. But who likes to wait inside in a long line?

Here's a view of Los Angeles harbor from my usual seat--17-A. That round white building is the world cruise headquarters. It used to house the Spruce Goose, but now it's the collection area for passengers waiting to board cruise ships. That empty dock just above the building is where Mr. G and I boarded our party cruise. To the left is the Queen Mary.

Here's a view of our SoCal stomping ground shortly after take-off. The condo is in there somewhere.

And here's a view of the big city. I'm guessing Big City Girl is down there somewhere....probably doing her laundry.

What's this? Cruise ships leaving without us?

How could they? They probably didn't have our email addresses.....

So today the Macaroni Olympics continue with exciting events like hedge trimming, grocery shopping, cobweb removal, spider spotting, and hummingbird-feeder replenishing. It'll all be on the evening news, but don't expect any podium appearances......

A squirrely adventure

I had a friend once whose husband used to dress up every day in a suit and tie and go to work at his high-powered job in one of those executive offices with the mahogany door like the ones I used to visit during my working days. But every now and then he'd get a hankerin' to go squirrel hunting.
This morning I woke up, had my coffee, and quickly realized I had a hankerin' to go fabric hunting. Mr. Gadget read my mind.
"Since we'll be leaving soon, do you have any fabric needs?" he asked.

"Maybe," I said. "But I threw out my 40% coupon and it's in that really stinky bag of garbage you took out this morning."

"No problem," he assured me. "We can walk out to the dumpster together and I'll point out which bag it is."

Good thing I didn't decide on a dumpster dive, because I would have had to shower for nothing.

Turned out my trip to Joann's was just target practice. After I got to the cutting table with my 3 bolts of fabric, I noticed 2 slow cutters, one of whom was on the phone with an obvious problem, and a lady ahead of me in line with at least 25 bolts in her shopping cart. So I left my fabric right there on the table and bolted for the door. But you know what they say. A bad day of hunting is better than a good day of housework......which is what I had planned for the rest of the day.

But really, there's no sense in dusting. It'll just get dusty while we're gone. No sense vacuuming either. No one will be here, so who's to know? There's not even any reason to get the mop damp. Come to think of it, I've got a hankerin' to breathe in a little salty air and feel a little sand between my toes. Maybe I'll go down to the beach where there aren't any of those take-a-number thingies. Maybe I'll get me some sushi too.......

Leftovers

I promise I'll never mention the ant word again......but just give me a minute to brush off this one that's crawling up my arm....

So Mr. Gadget and I are getting ready for our return to Connecticut on Saturday, and that means it's time to clear out the leftovers.

Besides the meatloaf and the three hot dogs, I had just enough paper mache left over from my pig project to make a snowman ornament. Waffles, who you might remember, started out as a maple syrup jug.

But the ornie just required 1/4 of a newspaper page crinkled up and held together with masking tape. I'm hoping it'll be completely dry by Friday so I can pack it in my suitcase without worrying about le molde.

It must be slightly entertaining, or maybe somewhat puzzling, to anticipate what sorts of whimsical transformations I'll come up with next. I have plans, after I've perfected my style, to transform myself into a 30-year-old woman.....

So I went to Target today to see about some plastic storage boxes for keeping my condo craft supplies organized and dust-free and out of the reach of those pesky little.....well, I promised not to go there. And I was reminded of the days just before TG and BCG went off to college each September. We'd traipse off to Target to buy plastic containers for dorm-room storage. Under-the-bed boxes were a smart idea--if only we'd known exactly how many inches that translated to. But each dorm was different as was the storage space. We discovered a solution fairly quickly. Bed risers.

Then May rolled around and the college children returned home for the summer--with lots of stuff packed in those same boxes--stuff they didn't want to part with and which required storage in the parent basement. And as the parents helped the college children carry the heavy containers to the basement, the children would always say, "It's just temporary. I'll get it out of your way real soon."

Years later, at a time when the duped parents might be giving thought to downsizing, there would be a real dilemma. Do they continue telling the kids they really don't mind storing their stuff for free until whenever? Or do they have a secret garage sale--on a weekday so there's no chance the children will stop by to do their laundry? Then, in 10 or 15 years, after the parents have moved into smaller digs and the children start inquiring about their stuff, they do one of those V-8 taps to the forehead and tell the kiddies it must have been inadvertently left at the old place.....

Big city biz trip

Pardon the cliche, but it seems like only yesterday that I was sending Big City Girl off to college with a few mom-words-of-wisdom about life. Now she's out in the big work-a-day world taking business trips. And good thing she thought enough of her dear ol' mom to send a text message, "I'm off the train, out of the taxi, and at my hotel." Moms never outgrow their need to worry.....

I never traveled on business when I was working, before my marriage to Mr. Gadget. Well, unless walking important documents from one building to another qualifies. I worked for the guy who negotiated our airline's fuel contracts. That was back in the day when fuel was hard to get. I'm sure he's happily retired now and relieved that he doesn't have to handle the paying-for-it part. But anyway, we had to keep the company president and his underlings informed of fuel issues and often that required me to hand-carry important stuff over to those plushly-carpeted, nicely-upholstered offices with the mahogany doors......through airplane hangars where mechanics, many hanging like monkeys from wings and struts and cargo holds, entertained themselves by making zoo-like sounds when a female in any kind of low-cut or short-skirted attire had to pass through.

Mr. Gadget, who's taken many business trips over the years, has vowed to hold off spilling the beans to BCG that eventually business trips get to be a pain in the butt. I guess it's a lot like snow.....

So the big wedding on Saturday was very nice, and my handiwork was festively displayed and much appreciated by the bridal party.

The flowers and ladybugs and dragonflies all went home with the wedding guests. Now, if I could only find a nice home for these lingering ants......

And if I did actually have a garden......

Today Mr. Gadget and I met some Palm Springs friends for lunch in Long Beach, and after we were done we took a walk through Belmont Shores--an exclusive area nearby that's built on canals. It was fun to see it up close rather than from my usual vantage point--a Jet Blue window seat on final approach. I couldn't help but notice the huge, multi-million buckaroo homes, but what really caught my eye was the garden art.

If I did actually have a garden, I'd get one of these guys to hold my hose.

And one of these nautical planters......to remind me of my youthful summers at the beach.

A pelican pair would make good front-door monitors.....you know, to keep out the riff-raff.And I'd need one of these cute pigs because, well, he's just so darned cute. Maybe I'd hide a few truffles in the dirt.

And speaking of pigs.......

I finished Priscilla. Priscilla is the name of an apple variety, and since she started life as an old apple juice jug I thought it was fitting to honor her ancestry.

Priscilla apples are known for their very good dessert quality.....and you gotta admit, she's a sweetie!

But most importantly, Priscillas are resistant to a fungus called blackspot.

You may remember this nasty little pig-construction issue. I can only hope that when I see her again....probably some time in January.....she will not have caved in like one of my homemade apple pies, or worse.....an April jack-o-lantern......