quiet afternoon

I came home to a quiet afternoon.  We were not caring for Small Mister today.  And I came home to my early birthday present hung on the wall.  I had asked my Beloved for a print of this flower picture he took and edited.  I came home to it printed, framed, and hung.  There is also one of just the petal but the reflection was such that it would capture well.  I love these.  They are hung above my work table so I get to see them when I am working.

This quiet afternoon meant I got some time to bind quilts.  Almost halfway there!

And without Small Mister helping, I finished all the nine squares for Baby Nacho's quilt.  This pleases me.  I have started on the back squares.  There was not enough time before or after dinner to lay them out.

It was a nice afternoon.

garden mishaps

Do you like Veronica?  I have seen it called both a broccoli and a cauliflower.  It looks similar to both when I fix it to roast but I have to admit that I like the fractal pattern best.  One of the best in nature.   I am excited that I am able to grow it, because if you can find it at the grocery store or farmer's market, it is pricey.  How hard is it to grow?  I threw the seeds into the garden.  It is about as hard as broccoli.  The only difficult part is not growing enough.  Need kale?  It just keeps multiplying.  

My vegetable garden had a small problem with a truck on Saturday.  One of my most beloved family members was not paying attention and took out the most beautiful broccoli plant while backing out of the driveway.  Some kale and chard were also maimed.  In the grand scheme of things, it is not a big deal.  But I am still having some problems dealing with the cleanup.  I was devastated.  A friend who understands about gardens said betrayal would be a good word.  He is right.  It also made me realize how tired I was.  I started crying and could not stop.  I went back to bed and fell asleep.  I woke up a bit a couple times and found I was still crying.  My body finally stopped reacting like that after about five hours.  A huge hint that I need to take better care of myself.  I am not the best about slowing down and taking care.

Small Mister and I will probably get back out in the garden again tomorrow.  I will dig a bit and he will help.  We will spread a few seeds.  He shows off to everyone the areas he has helped dig.  There is always more digging to be done. And he is a great cob dancer.  Maybe some cob dancing we go on too.

fabric from Natchez

This was me preparing a salad to have with friends yesterday.  We went over to there house and had dinner.  There was much conversation and laughter and we all stayed up much too late.  It was nice to have it there because of their lovely red head little one.  

Notice those two knives in the picture?  They are both seconds so they reside in my kitchen.  My Beloved and I got into discussions about how they work, what is good, what is bad, and what my Beloved is going to design next.  It is part of my cooking anymore.  I help with the knife design.

I said I would post pictures of the fabrics I bought in Natchez, though I did think that would be yesterday.

This is a lovely embroidered silk.  I am going to make a dress of it.  Because there was a large cut out, I got three yards for the price of four.  Better yet, the price I paid was a tenth of the original price so I am very pleased.  I am going to make one of the chemise dresses I have been making recently (and in the past).

I do not remember what this was made of but it is light and shimmery.  I bought six yards for $5  a yard.  I have a few ideas but I also have a feeling it may be difficult to work with.  I will have to find out.

This is an organza with a pale gold stripe.  I bought four yards but it is 127 inches wide.  I do believe it was $6.50 a yard.  Again, I have ideas but it may be difficult.  But then some of the most interesting things in life are difficult.

And this is the picture of the grey dress on me.  Because Miss D asked.  I find it is very hard to get someone to take pictures of me modeling what I make.  Maybe someday I will actually get pictures of the Small Mister in all the pants I made him.  

travels

I went traveling with my Beloved and Small Mister this last weekend.  We went to Natchez, Mississippi.  I really enjoyed it.  The boys liked the burgers, shakes, and playing in the state park where we stayed.  I enjoyed the small town and a bit of antiquing.   I also enjoyed walking around Melrose House.  Small Mister was so fun to watch in the gardens.

I did pick up a cup and saucer for myself.  I have been keeping my eyes open for one to pamper myself with but I had not seen any.  One antique store had six sets that I liked.  It was nice to have a choice.  I got roses so I have flowers.

I also found a place that sold discount fabric.  I did not get pictures taken before it got dark.  These fabrics need natural light to show them off well.  I have ideas swirling!

life putting the computer back together

We have a computer again.  But we are rebuilding it.  The operating system has been upgraded so everything feels very different.  But I will get used to it.  I did love a few pictures so I am going to have to remake some goodies.

I bought myself these flowers on Friday.  I needed them.  Peonies and roses.  They smell good and have brightened my days since I put them on the table.  I can grow roses here but not peonies.  Hopefully, I can grow some on the mountain.

I started another afghan but this one is to be felted.  I am going to create the fabric for Small Mister's winter coat next year.  I like how the afghan turned out that the Tall Short Person felted.  This will be different because the yarn is different but I think I will be pleased.

Hopefully, there will not be anymore computer drama.  But I do have to say, today was a very Monday Monday.  I even got stepped on in the elevator by one of my bosses.  He was so apologetic!  But at that point, all I could do was laugh.