Busy Embriodering

I basically stayed at my machine most of the day and worked on the scarves that I will be sending to Ireland. Some of them turned are really beautifully. I did some Celtic circles with varigated thread and they turned out very impressive. I have been trying to upload pictures for ages and unfortunately I just can't seem to get them loaded. I will post a picture when I can get somewhere with this stupid site.

We had quite a few cute little (and not so little) creatures at our door. We turned off the porch light at 8:00 PM and called it a night.

Later . . .

Mr. Pink Pants

Since October was Breast Cancer Awareness month, there were numerous "pink things" for sale in support of Breast Cancer. Sponge Bob "Pink Pants" was given to me by Kathy. I think he is adorable in PINK!

I worked a bit on my embriodery of Celtic designs on the fleece scarves. These are two that I completed today. I especially like the Celtic Heart. I am finding that I need to reduce the designs a bit in size to make them fit more pleasingly on the scarves. I guess I am doing a bit of experimentation on size and placement, but nonetheless I like what I am seeing (it helps to enlarge the photos to see the designs).









Later . . .

Slow Weekend

Yesterday we were up early so Max could give some fasting blood and I had x-rays on my "video thumb". I am wearing a thumb brace that seems to be helping to stabilize the joint and the movement (needless to say I have NOT been playing any video games lately). We dropped the Xterra in for brakes and an oil change (way overdue for oil and the brakes we screaming). We came home and worked a bit in the yard cleaning out the overgrowth of a dying garden. Max then messed around with her fly tying stuff and I in my sewing room.

I was very excited to give my new "fabric mover with stitch regulator" a spin. Alas, that was not to happen because it arrived broken. I tried to attach it to my machine, but it was obvious that it was not moving smoothly or correctly. Had to pack it up and send it back so they can send me a replacement. That was a big disappointment, but I did get some embriodery done. Not only did I purchase the fabric mover, but I also purchased the entire 3D Suite (which is no doubt going to take me MONTHS to figure out how to use all the gadgets and accessories). I did do a Celtic Sun on one of the scarves that I plan to send to Ireland for Christmas (turned out pretty nice). Getting set up and actually doing the embroidery takes quite some time, so I guess I better get busy if I want to have a bunch finished in time to ship to Ireland for Christmas. I have a variety of Celtic designs that I plan to use on the scarves.Today after we picked up my Xterra, we changed the oil on the Quads and got them started. Max is going to take them to work on Monday (they have a lot where people put cars and such that they are tying to sell). It was fun to ride them around the street a little - makes me wish we lived in an area where we could ride them without a gazillion other people!

Later . . .

The Fly Store

Max and Paul are planning a day on the Sacramento river with a guide, which will be happening the weekend of November 10th. Of course they had to check what people have been catching fish on so they can get busy tying flies! We made a trip to Creative Sports to pick up supplies. I personally was amazed that they did not have everything they needed (they have been buying supplies for months now). The traffic getting there was a nightmare considering we left during commute traffic, but we did get to use the "diamond" lane. After doing the guide thing on Friday, we are going to take out Paul's dad's boat and do some salmon fishing on the river. Would be really fun to catch one of those big salmon!

After the fly shop we headed to Pasta Primavera for dinner. We all had excellent pasta and VERY good desserts. Now we are stuffed and ready for a hot tub and bed.

Later . . .

Fun Weekend

We packed up and did a quick trip to visit the grandkids this last weekend (Max and I were both needing a fix). It makes for a very hurried trip leaving after work on a Friday night and dealing with the traffic that is out there, but in the long run it is always worth it. We arrived tried and went right to bed (everyone except Denise were already asleep). We headed out to the Renaissance Faire Saturday afternoon and had a good time with that. Desirae was VERY excited to met the Queen and she was very kind and gracious. Desirae was very coy and shy, but the meeting took place and Desirae was given a "gold coin" (filled with chocolate) from the Queen. The day turned out beautifully and in the shade it was very pleasant. Deanna had an opportunity to run around and explore a bit (playing in the dirt and dancing to the music seemed to be her favorites).

Everyone had their turn at chasing her around (actually more like herding her).

On Sunday before we had to head home, Duane set up his Living Room Studio and we had great fun taking a bunch of pictues. We really got some great shots and it is nice to have good pictues of Max and I. Devin was not in the picture taking mode, but Duane got some great shots of Desirae and her Nana. Check Duane's blog for a sampling of some of the pictues (my favorite is me choking him)!

Monday morning I woke up with a head cold and I felt pretty miserable all day. Today is a better day and I have been messing with the new software I purchased for my sewing machine.

Later . . .

Busy . . .

We had a busy weekend and it went by so quickly. We are trying to get the Quads sold and both the batteries were completely dead. Paul came by and he and Max went in search of batteries - ended up at Kragen after hitting all the motorcyle and motocross stores in town. After they dealt with the batteries then turned to tying flies. I worked in my sewing room doing a shirt for Paul with the Moose and Clark Fork, Idaho and a Fly and "Bite Me". Kathy came over for dinner and she worked on Max's notebook while I folded material and Paul and Max continued to tie flies.

I spent all day in my sewing room today. I purchased a 8.5 inch rotary ruler and made all my material the same size. It is much easier to see and the closet looks much neater having everything actually stacked in an orderly fashion. I am determined to get my sewing room shaped up and organized and today was a BIG start. I also started a "Goodwill Bag" and am cleaning out some things that are just not needed or necessary. Tomorrow I will tackle some boxes of things I have been saving to put on Ebay and make up my mind if they go to Goodwill or on Ebay. As soon as I get things straightened up I plan to start cutting on the jeans that I have stacked up in my closet (that job could take forever).

Later . . .

Catching up

I cannot believe that we have been home for almost a week and I have not made an entry AND that I stopped making entries while in Idaho. We had such a good time and had such full days that by the time we came in for the evening I was just too tired to mess with pictures and blog entries. I do have a bunch of good pictures, which I will try to get on the blog in the near future.

I spent the majority of the week getting ready for my knee surgery, which did NOT happen today. One more time it was rescheduled. I have decided to just put it off until December 22nd and go on with the things we have planned and not have to worry about my knee.

I am taking off tomorrow with my new friend, Lynn, and her sister to go to an International Quilters Festival. I was really disappointed when she invited me because I was having surgery and would not be able to attend, but now I can go. She said there will be hundreds of vendors and it is quite something.

I know I have been sketchy with information, but we had a GREAT time on vacation and brought back a LOT of trout. Max was soooooooo excited when she caught a trout on a fly she tired at our dining room table. I did not get a picture like the one I took of Paul because we were in our float tubes in the middle of the lake and I did not have my camera with me. She continued to catch many trout on her own tied flies and so did Paul.

Later . . .

Fun and Fish

Yesterday was a fun day at Round Lake. We took the float tubes and had some fun fishing. We did not catch a lot of fish, but Kathy did catch a nice trout. When you have a nice lake it is really great to get the float tubes out and be able to get around the lake - even though Max and I did not catch anything, we had some fun.

Today we all slept in (we seemed to all be tired) and then did some driving around trying to find a decent creek or river for Max and Paul to do some fly fishing, but all the creeks and rivers are pretty dry right now. However we went back to the bridge on the Clark Fork River and did some fishing. The REALLY cool thing was that Paul caught a fish on a fly that he tied at our living room table.How cool is that?! Paul and I both caught a fish that we did not know what it was. We had no picture and no one knew what they were - pretty gold colored fish, but we did the catch and release thing because we did not know what they were and did not want to be in possession of something that was not to be taken.

We are planning to hook up with Wanda and Don tomorrow morning for breakfast and then we are all going to Anelope Lake in hopes of catching some more fish. Time is starting to fly and Friday will be here before we know it.

Later . . .

More fun - no fish

Now here we have a couple of people who look like they are really ready to catch some fish! Max, Paul and I went out in search of fish this afternoon and ended up with some really nice pictures, some good "bites", fish stories and NO fish! We did have a good time and the Clark Fork River was moving well and gave us some beautiful scenery. The weather was very nice - not too hot and not too cold.

We were fishing just beyond the foot bridge and as the sun was going down it was really beautiful. Tomorrow we are planning a trip to one of the nearby lakes in hopes of actually getting a fish to stay on our hooks.

Later . . .

Vacation progress

We went fishing yesterday afternoon at Johnson Creek. Did not catch any fish, but threw some lures and enjoyed ourselves. The water was pretty low and not flowing – so we figured we would not catch anything, but it is always fun to throw some lures and anticipate the possibility of catching something.

Max and Paul woke early and headed down to the dock to try their luck. Paul caught a good sized perch and then our upstairs neighbor invited them to go out with him on his boat for a little fishing. Paul ended up catching some fish, but Max came back with no fish and two less lures.

When they were finished, we headed in to town to the Fly store; however we ended up at Walmart where Paul picked up a cheap pole and we bought some groceries. We had breakfast and headed back to the Condo. We are planning on trying our luck on the Clark Fork River this afternoon. Tomorrow we might try a couple of the lakes around here that stock fish (we all need to catch something).

Later …