Sewing . . . .

. . .   at the Midnight Sew!  Yeah!  Fun, always inspirational (mostly quilters) and productive.  I worked on a project for my daughter.  A request for a wall hanging out of denim and pockets for her sewing room ( I made one years ago).  The the panel is done with the backing and 3/4's of the pockets are sewn on.  A decorative piece across the top made from the back yoke of the jeans, a hanging sleeve and binding, it will be done.

I had a great time, as always!

While the Girls are Away . . . .

for the weekend.  My sister in law and some friends stayed at a cabin on Hoods Canal (Tahuya).  We took long walks on the beach, sat on the deck in the morning with coffee (or tea), and played cards on the deck into the night. NO tv, yeah!  Cooking good food, conversation and beautiful days!

Sunset

Low tide, this is the Tahuya river that meets the canal during high tide

I am getting a lot of sewing done lately!  Yeah!  The last two fridays I went to E's house to hang out and sew, her friend also comes.  And guess what?  yes, I am starting gifts for Christmas 2012.  This year will be quilted  demin hot pad holders (decision made), something I made about 5 years ago, but noticed my bother in laws are wearing out and he loves them (to the point of requesting some for his sons last year).  They are a little time consuming but worth it, I have finished 5 so far.  Ornaments are still on the thinking about what to make list.

I finished a third square for my crazy quilt and now have 16 squares.  After laying them out on my bed yesterday, it looks like 4 more are needed.  I don't want it to hang over the side, just to lay on the top.  It will be for decor, either folded at the foot of the bed or spread out.  I am not going to go to nuts and embroider every seam, but yo yo's might show up.

I had a great time with the girls and am glad they include this "old" lady!

I think the February can be a beautiful month, with 3 days now of warm sun, cold air and frosty nights so far. The mountains have been at their best, so clear you can see the valleys and the sun glints off the snow on the peaks like diamonds.  I wish the camera could capture the beauty I see!  I hear opinions that it feels like spring.  To me it's a promise of spring to come, that here in the PNW after days and weeks of rain and gloom the days are longer and it's time to plan for the garden!

I bottled my kombucha yesterday in to three jars and drank the fourth one right away, very good andwith no added flavor or juice!  It's was mild, I only brewed it 12 days and my house is cold.  So now it's the 3 - 5 day wait for fizz to build up.  Keeping up with brewing will take some juggling because it's so good and buying it is a little expensive ($3.50 for 16oz).  This is one of my  goals  (to learn new skills this year).

I had a great weekend starting with a quiet visit with E and the grandgirls, playing games and watching a movie.  My sister in law called me for an overnight, we had a ball. Lot's of laughs, wine and helping a little with putting her house in order after they put down new floors.  Then back to E's house to watch the girls while she went to an appointment.  We spent a couple hours outside gardening, pulling new weeds from the vegie beds and pulling compost from the bottom of the pile to the top.  I guess V. fell asleep on the floor (she is 3) after a very busy day.  She is the one who stuck with me thru all the weeding.  J helped thru half which is still pretty good.While locking up the chickens, J pointed out the full moon coming up behind the bare trees, another beautiful picture! At 7 yrs, she takes on the responsiblity of the chickens and goats like I haven't seen in a girls new to animals. She is amazing! I was holding V. and noticed the sunkissed cheeks, what a good day! And to my darling daughter, you're smile today is beautiful!

Ladie's Weekend

 I left last friday to spend the weekend with 4 other lovely ladies!  Good food, being goofy, hot tubbing and walking.  Our walk on the beach produced pictures, rocks and shells AND oysters that went right on the barbecue with a drizzle of butter.  Oh yeah, heavenly!   The small bay we were at was just around the corner from Tahuya, WA. A blink and you will miss it place with a post office and fire department.  We walked the road to Tahuya, peaceful and beautiful, about 2 miles one way.  I brought a project with me, yoyo's that will be stacked to resemble christmas trees (I think that this would also be a good project for J, she is 6).  Sunday afternoon we were on the deck, the sun was warm, birds calling (no car or people noises).  It soaks in, rejuvinating!
 

It was very hard to leave on Sunday, we were all feeling so good and carefree.

The local saying is "What's it Tahuya"