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Archive for the ‘M & M’ Category

Tuesday Fun

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

My daughter, Steph, is working on a very important new project and needed some alone time. Mia and Miles came and spent the day with us. They spent a lot of time playing Poptropica. It is a computer game that is a virtual world for kids to travel and play games. They have a great time finding clues and figuring out the mysteries together.

I made them a nice lunch of special order sandwiches, chips, fresh fruit and lemonade.

They didn’t eat every thing so I told Mr C to leave their plates on the counter in case they got hungry. I walked by the plates later and there were only a few chips on one plate. Hmmm. They told me they had not had eaten the food. I think I know who helped himself. This is the look he gave me when I asked – Who me?

I finally pried them off the computer and we headed down to my studio. Mia asked to use the computer stitches on my Janome. She made a little sampler on felt.

I worked on my fiber sketch. I grabbed an ugly piece of silk that I had printed in a workshop.

I cut out a slice that was not too bad.

I cut some silk fabric  in little strips and made some X’s to create a compositon.

I also managed to get in two nice long walks with Scooter. The weather was perfect for brisk walking around the neighborhood. Tonight, I got some stitching done on my newly painted silk. I am tired, but it is a good tired. It is a nice cool evening — perfect for sleeping.

Keeping Our Cool

Thursday, July 8th, 2010

It was supposed to get up to 100° by 5 pm tonight, but it only registered 94° on our outdoor thermometer on the deck. But it was definitely not a good day for outdoor activity.We keep the shades down and turn on fans, and it is tolerable. M & M are here and spending the night. We had dinner at Burgerville and enjoyed the air conditioning.

This morning, Reva and I drove to Beth’s for STASH and found out that Terry has the crud – lost her voice, etc. – and was not coming.  I always miss having Terry at our gatherings. Gale brought her sister, Judy, who is visiting from Las Vegas. It was nice to see her again. We shared some of our work and caught up on our stuff. We had lunch at a wonderful local Italian restaurant. I had a grilled eggplant sandwich on focaccia with pesto aioli. It was delish.

I had to get home to be there when Steph brought M & M to spend the night. I haven’t done much today. Too hot. I did the chilly fiber sketch. Oh, I had  a problem tonight when I was ironing my latest batch of organza pojagi pockets. They melted!! Shoot! I didn’t know that I had any synthetic organza in my stash. I think I can still use it, but  when I put it next to the silk, you can see the difference. Sooo, I might have to do some more painting.

I got the results of the CT Scan of my sinuses today. I have a clogged Sphenoid Sinus which is way back behind the eye. I have had this problem in the past, but it was treated with very strong antibiotics, but I don’t think it has ever been totally clear.

The ENT Doc is recommending surgery, but I will not meet with him until after the 15th because he is on vacation. Something daunting to think about.

The Long Week-end

Monday, July 5th, 2010

Since I am retired,  I sometimes lose track of what day it is. This past week-end intensified that. It has been too long. I managed to get some studio work done. I painted more organza and some silk for a background.

I wasn’t sure what to do for a background for this next piece, but I auditioned the painted silk and I quite like it.

I stitched up some more pojagi pockets from the newly painted organza. I used a bit more red.

I also did a little landscape for my sketchbook.

On the home front, we had a nice meal with the family last night. Mia and Miles had some sparkling fun on the deck.

Today, I decided to salvage 6 very ripe apricots and made some jam. I used a recipe with just apricots, sugar and lemon juice. It is a refrigerator jam.

Hot weather is acomin’! It is going to be in the 90s by the end of the week. I plan to do some marathon dyeing and maybe some discharging.

A Busy Week-end

Sunday, June 27th, 2010

We have had a plethora of sun. It is there when we wake up, and it doesn’t set until 9 pm. The temperatures have been mostly in the 70s — just perfect. For today’s sketch. I attempted a city sunset – where you get that rosy glow off in the distance.

We had such a good time with M & M on Friday. We all love Toy Story 3 and then we went out for sushi (after a side trip to REI to buy Grandma a new pair of Teva’s)

Here we are at the sushi bar.

I loved the soy sauce container.

Here is Mia enjoying her California roll.

On Saturday morning, the parents came to retrieve them and we all spent the morning tromping around the neighborhood giant garage sale. I bought a bunch of National Geographic for 10 cents each. Mia is always looking for something to read. I also bought a small indigo batik piece. I am not sure what it is. It has pockets. It could be an apron, but there are no ties. I will try to post a photo tomorrow.

Today, after church, I got a lot of work done in the garden. I planted some zinnias, marigolds, an eggplant and a couple of cucumbers. We also got the drip irrigation system going. Our raspberry plants are finally bearing fruit.

Can’t wait for breakfast tomorrow.

After the gardening, I de-cluttered the house. I knew I would be stalled tomorrow if I had to face a messy house. Now I am ready to face a busy week of appointments and time in the studio.

Hope you had a great week-end, too!


A Circus Date with M & M

Friday, April 16th, 2010

We took M & M to the Cirque du Soleil traveling show, Kooza. We picked them up after school and got to our seats just in time for the pre-show clowning around. I think the clowns are my favorite part of the show. Mia would get bored during the clown segments and preferred the wild acrobatics.

They got very excited as we approached the venue and they could see the tents.

Unfortunately, photography is not allowed during the show. I did get photos of the kids, munching on their treats during intermission.

While Mia was totally engaged in the whole scene, Miles was completely stoic. I was concerned that the loud sounds and flashing lights would be  a problem because of his autism, but he was totally engage, even if he showed no emotions.

We stopped at Burgerville to pick up supper for them. I was anxious to get home and ice my shoulder. The Dr. is pretty sure it is a torn rotator cuff so I am doing ice and heat, alternately, wearing a sling and taking Aleve. Hoping this works. Oh, and I am not to lift any thing heavier than a coffee cup for two weeks.

I hope my new camera is not heavier than a coffee cup because I am enjoying it, very much.

These are photos of the Hawthorne Bridge, taken from the car.

An iris in the yard at dusk.

I need to get back in the studio tomorrow.