What's Happenin'?

Outside my window: It's a dreary, grey, drizzly kind of day. A great day to stay inside and scrapbook or stitch. If only I could do either...

 I am thinking: That just as soon as I can lower my foot, I'll be able to stitch.

I am thankful for: How smoothly my surgery went this time. I knew what to expect so it was a piece of cake.

From the kitchen: Butch is handling all kitchen matters. Soft-boiled eggs, juice and toast for breakfast. And, of course, my tea.

I purchased this directly from Twinings while in London in August. My friend, Missus Wookie took me there on our walking tour. I was thrilled to try something new.

Opening the tin was a surprise in itself. I've never seen loose tea quite like this.

 Upon brewing, it stays nearly clear. I tastes great, so I guess this is what white tea looks like.

 I am wearing: Lounging around the house clothes since I'm, well, lounging around the house!

I am hoping: To get get caught up on many things while laid up. I have to admit, I kind of like being forced to stay on the couch. I'm not normally lazy, but this gives me a good excuse and it's actually fun.

I am reading: The Fifth Gospel. It was recommended by a lady I play bridge with. I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I've already learned so much about the existing gospels. So many things I never knew. Like---the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke are considered eye witness testimonies. While John's gospels are written as the son of God and that perspective. The author uses many examples to explain things. Very interesting indeed.

I'm watching: Just about everything right now with all of this free time. I'm about caught up on my tv shows. I'm saving How to Get Away with Murder---my current favorite.

I am busy creating: I'm so excited about this new class. It's a 3 dimensional Halloween cat. This is the first panel of 5.

Just as soon as I can put my leg down, I"ll get back to it. I can't wait. It's so much fun to stitch. The cats are stitched with a fiber called "fuzzy stuff." Once you put the stitches in, you take the needle and scrape it back and forth to make it "hairy." The pumpkins are done all in beads---except the stems. I don't particularly like the white beads, but that's what the pattern called for. I'm not taking it out now. Way too much work since the beads around it are all attached. The funky off colored continental stick all around the outside is just for the finisher. Those stitches won't show.

I'm bummed: That I still have not been able to get my Starbucks account straightened out. I never received my new card, so I called again last week. I was told 3-5 business days and I'm still waiting. I guess I'll have to call again tomorrow.

I am hearing: Classical music on our new sound system. I like to have music in the background when I'm on my computer---especially when I need to concentrate.

How the wedding planning is coming along: Everything is under control. Here's a hint at the flowers:

Little tiny red orchids---they are so darn cute!

In other news: We made a quick trip to St. Louis over the weekend to celebrate my niece, Ranya's marriage to Marcelo. Justin was able to go with us, so it was the first time he got to meet the extended family. We all crammed (5 of us) in to my car. We won't do that again. Slightly too tight and uncomfortable. My hives have reacted to the long drive on Saturday and then, less than 24 hours later, the drive back. 

I don't have any pictures of the happy couple yet but will share one when I get one. I do have this one:

This is how little Josie was able to get through the loud music!! I was so impressed that Jackie would have even thought of putting earmuffs on her. Great idea!

One of my favorite things right now: What can you buy with 27 cents? You can scrounge up 27 cents easily from the glove compartment or the bottom of your purse. That's all I needed to pay for my latest prescription. I handed the clerk my credit card. She looked at me funny and said, "It's only 27 cents." I took the card back and fished the 27 cents out of my purse.

I appreciate: All of my family and friends. I am so blessed.

I regret: No regrets this week!

How the weekend is shaping up: It's a little early to be thinking about the weekend, but starting on Friday, Connie is coming by to visit and bring me lunch. Then, Mindy has offered come stitch and watch a movie with me on Saturday. 

More Layouts

Heading off to surgery at 5:00 a.m. Since I have 15 minutes I thought I'd do a quick post. Here are a few more of the layouts I did recently.

 "Essential Summer"

 This is the title page I created this year for AYM: "My Book of Lists"

 "When it came to sister-in-laws, I hit the Jackpot"

 "Pompeii"

 "Vatican Gardens"

 "Flowers of the UK" (from my first trip)

"The New York Botanical Garden" 

I can't believe October is nearly here! Where has the time gone? Later...

Sister's Crop

Between my sister's crop with Jeanne and Janet and trip to the lake with Karolyn, I've documented quite a few stories. I'm going to be dividing the layouts in to several posts.

 "I have a love hate relationship with the beach"

 "I can put a sewing machine to shame"

"Another competition"

 "Organized"

 "Tribute Wall"

 "Remodeling"

"There's something about Mindy"

A Few Things

This was my favorite game growing up. I didn't own it---my friend, Karen did. We played it every time I was at her house. I found this one at an antique shop a few years ago. It wasn't the shopping that I liked about the game, but the organizational nature of it. It was just the perfect game for the way I think.

 Basically, the game is based on a small town---and all the errands you have to do.

The cards are dealt out. The object is to complete all of your errands and return home first. You get a car and start by rolling two dice. Once you get to a parking lot, you walk which means you only get to roll one di. It's important to figure out the quickest route in order to run all of your errands. I'm good at that. I'm still playing the game in my real life. Yesterday, for example---I went to Starbucks, the post office, pharmacy, office supply store, bank and then ended up at Nashville Needleworks for my needlepoint class with Connie. Usually she picks me up, but this time I had all of these errands to run. I did them all in less than an hour. Efficiency at it's finest! Thanks, Park and Shop! You taught me all I know about running errands!

In August, my cousin sent me this awesome Christmas wreath. She's the wreath master! She makes the cutest wreaths for all seasons. Who doesn't love a surprise in the mail! Thanks, Cuz!

Now you may be wondering why I would post a photo of a toilet. Well, I'm glad you asked! Of the 6 toilets in this house, I've replaced 4 of them with this model. It's taller than most. The old toilets were 15.25" and the new ones are 17.5".  I love a toilet that meets me half way! It's going to come in handy when I have my surgery next Monday. My foot surgery in March was so life changing that I decided to go ahead and do the other foot while I've already met my $4000 deductible for the year! It was a piece of cake the first time, so that's what I'm expecting this time.

I finally got a new rug for the kitchen. With the pool out back---even though we have a pool bath and door on the other side of the patio, everyone uses the back door. It takes its toll on the rug. I've had the new rug since mid-summer, but decided to wait until AFTER pool season to put it down. I like how it brightens up the kitchen. Well, that and my white cabinets and wood work. I love white painted wood work. White just seems so clean to me. And I like my shiny floors. It reminds me of our floors growing up. My mom had to wax and buff them to keep them shiny. Luckily, now-a-days, all you need is a damp mop.

Lastly, Morgan sent this to her mom. Steph shared it with me. We're proud of her! After her college "false start" last fall, she's doing great! She took classes all summer to make up for the missed semester. She's all caught up and has just started her second year.

I'm looking forward to a fun day. I have an appointment with the florist about the bouquets for the wedding. Steve at Garden Delights did Sandy's wedding 21 years ago. I'm looking forward to working with him again.

Then---Connie, Nancy A. and I have theater tickets for Dirty Dancing. I've never seen it on stage. I just recently watched the movie this summer at the beach with Sandy. Victoria and Elizabeth had never seen it. Then, when we were at the lake, Jeanne, Janet and I watched Footloose. I had't seen that in years either. Then, I noticed at the end of the movie that it was the EXACT same dance sequence as Dirty Dancing. I thought that surely it had to be the same choreographer. Mindy checked it out and it wasn't I guess it was just a coincidence. Footloose came first. Possibly the choreographer for Dirty Dancing had it in the back of his mind.

You be the judge! It'll be 16 minutes of your life you'll never be able to get back---but what a way to spend it! The exact dance sequences come in towards the end, so wait for it!

Footloose---Kevin Bacon---need I say more?

Dirty Dancing---Patrick Swayze---no explanation necessary!

I dare you to watch these and then not be naturally happy ALL the rest of the day!

Family Matters

Little Josephine Marie was born on August 21st. Proud parents, Greg and Jackie and big sister, Evie (Evelyn Rose) couldn't be more excited! They plan to call her Josie. I love the old fashioned names. Refreshing. The 21st is a lucky day---as that's our anniversary! She'll probably be the only great niece whose birthday I'll remember.

Little Travis started pre-school. This is his first day of school picture. I don't think he knew what he was getting in to! If you look closely, you can see his one year old brother, Nathan photobombing his picture! So darn cute! So darn!

Isn't he about the cutest thing you've ever seen? So happy and excited---until they got to school! It didn't last long. Turns out he cried when his mom tried to leave him. I think that only lasted a couple days, but I remember the feeling. It rips your heart out---even when you know they are going to have fun. He's a little bruiser---literally! Notice those shins.

Not exactly a toddler anymore, but still my baby!! This past weekend, she was in the wedding of her good friend, Caroline. She sent me this photo of her "up" do.

 I love it! She's wanting to try different styles for her own upcoming nuptials in January. This is a good one.

Now a confession. I cannot believe, I forgot Elizabeth's birthday!! Bad Grammy! And it was a "big" one---10 years old! Another baby growing up!

There's really no excuse for having forgotten except that I was only home 3 days in 20 surrounding her birthday. AND I didn't have it on my calendar! How did that happen? Sounds like I'm making excuses. I managed to remember to send something to Mitchell at college---just because. I try to be a thoughtful grandmother! Still, I messed up! I've promised to make it up to her. She's a sweetheart and very forgiving. They are coming in to Nashville in November for Mindy's bridal shower. Since we'll have all day Friday together, I told her that it will be all about her. The day of Elizabeth. I'll take her shopping and let her buy a new outfit. Then we'll do something fun for lunch and try to work in a movie. It's the best I can come up with. Luckily, this girl likes to shop!

I love this little girl. Remember, she's the one that said her most favorite day at Disney was the day she and I spent alone together! She made me swoon over that and jumped to the top of my favorite grandchild list! Yep, I'll be making it up to her!

Geo-caching in Oregon

We did some geo-caching while we were in Oregon. There were some pretty interesting finds.

 Looks just like a random post on the side of a parking lot.

 Lo and behold---there is the cache. 1st rule of geo-caching---look for something that is out of place. Why was that random post there? Just to hide a cache!

 This one started with a clue to unlock the lock.

 This one had several trinkets for the taking. The etiquette is: if you take something, you should leave something.

Butch found this cool travel bug in one. This is meant to be taken and placed in another cache. That's how they travel around the world.

If you've never tried geo-caching, it's a lot of fun and can be quite addicting!

Check it out here:
https://www.geocaching.com/play

It's free to sign up. Of course, you can pay for a premium membership, but that is not necessary to have fun!

The Truth About My Fishing

I started thinking about why I quit fishing. It was a pretty easy choice at the time. When my third baby came along, my life really changed. There were 8 years between her and my, then, youngest. I was used to having time to do anything I wanted. Plus, we owned a lake house in the Ozarks so fishing was on the priority list. When Mindy came along, all that changed. By the time she was old enough to stay home with her sisters so that Butch and I could go fishing---I chose NOT to. I remember thinking that I would rather have that time for uninterrupted reading on the boat. That was my plan. I had no idea that reading on the boat would be nearly impossible too. About the time I was in to my book, Butch was moving the boat!! I might as well have been fishing!

That was over 30 years ago. Life just kept getting busier and busier. Now-a-days---even though we're retired, there are still not enough hours in the day! How the heck many hobbies can you have? Mine include---probably in order of importance:

1. Reading

2. Scrapbooking

3. Needlepointing

4. Blog following

So this doesn't really look like very many hobbies, but when you add hanging with friends at least twice a week (many times more), traveling and family time---it all takes up a lot of time. Now I've added fishing back to the list. How could I not after the past few days and my fishing success!

 You've already seen this photo, but it was the first and biggest fish I caught.

 I love catching little blue gills---they are all so colorful. Notice the red on the tail!

 This little guy was my favorite---turquoise and yellow. This photo doesn't do it justice.

 This little distraction caused me to get tangled up. Can you see the red-headed woodpecker. Nature---what's not to love?

This was another crappie (as was the first one I caught). I had to ask Butch---I don't really remember the different fish anymore.

This was the best of all worlds---fishing, scrapbooking---a very little reading. Never enough time for everything.

In case you are wondering, Butch and I are "catch and release" fisher-people. I bait my own hooks with real worms and remove my own fish. Not to brag or anything, but I caught the most fish---six!

I forgot that I used to be a tomboy. I also forgot how smelly fish are! So maybe I'm not quite a tomboy anymore!

And that's my truth about my fishing!

I've Still Got It!!

My first time fishing in over 30 years!!

I caught a lunker on my third cast! Okay, not exactly a lunker---I just wanted to throw around my knowledge of fishing!! Still, it was the biggest fish caught---a crappie.

But, I must confess, I got myself all tangled up several times. Story of my life!

Off Again!

For those of you that checked on me last week---thanks!! But, I just wanted to let you know that I'm going to be gone the next week too. I leave today for my sister's crop at KY Lake.

I barely get home on Sunday when we turn around for a trip to the lake with Bruce and Karolyn. I'll be scrapbooking there too. I'm also going to be fishing. I'm really excited about that. I haven't fished for over 30 years---when I had my last baby. When I had that free time on the boat, I chose reading over fishing. It will be interesting to see if I still have it in me!!

Later....

Finally---A Proper Tea

Thanks to my thoughtful husband---I finally got my proper tea! In Tullamook, Oregon, we had the best tour of our trip. It was the cheese factory. We got to see the production line---so fascinating. Afterwards, we tasted the cheese and then visited the ice cream shop. I had the local berry every chance I got---starting with a marionberry crisp---hot with ice cream at a really good restaurant---Georgies. A marionberry is a cross between a loganberry and a blackberry. I had never heard of it When I travel, I really enjoy eating local foods. I had marionberry anything when it turned up on the menu. At the ice cream shop, I got the marionberry pie. It was delicious.

The next day, we went to the La-TEA-Da tea room in the same area.

 The tablecloths were so pretty. All of the china was beautiful---each piece was different and dainty.

 The first course (after our tea pots arrived---cream Earl grey for me---Vanilla hazelnut for Chris) was strawberry sorbet in those tiny tea cups. Just a bit to cleanse our pallets.

We each got our own tiered plate. We had "high tea" which included---from the top---assorted sandwiches, egg salad, tuna, ham and turkey on peach bread, water cress and cheese, mini quiche, chicken and cheese puff and a couple others I can't remember. I had two of the little sandwiches, then moved to the scones on the middle plate---one cheese and the other was berry with Devonshire cream (just like clotted cream---kind of a rich butter). Then we moved down to the dessert portion. I couldn't eat any of these---I was already so full. I texted Butch that I was bringing him lunch. He got 5 sandwiches and All of the desserts and fruit---creme de menthe brownie, marionberry muffin with cream and a blackberry on top, poppyseed muffin, lemon something and a shortbread cookie. I had the cookie later that night.

"High Tea" is an event! It's fun and relaxing. This one rated right up there at the top at $26.95 per person. My favorite "high tea" is at the Drake Hotel in Chicago. It's probably more expensive now, but the last time I had it---it was about $25.00. I used to love the tea at The Plaza hotel in New York City, but it got way too expensive. The last time I had it, the cost was $89.00 per person. They included caviar which I'm sure made the difference in the cost.

My favorite tea had to be in The Cotswolds while visiting the UK a few years ago. Butch was a good sport and had it with me. You can't beat the atmosphere---enjoying tea that goes back 100's of years!

But, I have to say, probably the BEST tea I've ever had was the one that Diane made. She's my British friend from book club. Since I'm a tea lover (snob), she made the biggest spread! It was fabulous! I hope she does it every time it's her turn to host!!

I'm one lucky girl!