ReCovered!

 We woke up to a nasty freeze-the kind that lasted ALL night.  Bad for flowers, bad for orange blossoms.  Bill ran the sprinklers all night to help some of the plants in the front yard.

 These will bounce back after a bit of a rest.  We are hoping this was our last freeze this winter.

 This morning, Marsel and I started right in on a re-upholstery job.  Since she hasn't done this on her own, she brought the chair to her Mom for a fun lesson!  We started the job in front of the fireplace!

 In the afternoon, we went to visit at my parents and had a rousing game of Spinners with everyone!  While playing we saw this flock out the window.  The bird bath is a favorite spot for Dad and Mom's feathered friends......the bird feeder is just to the left of this so they have a front row seat to their actions.  (Yes, this was frozen solid this morning, too!)

 After dinner, we finished our sewing project!  The chair is now ready to travel back to Georgia!
We did have to re-do one cushion which turned into a good object lesson for Marsel because part of every job is the skill of fixing mistakes!  Together, every job becomes an adventure.

I am ready for my recliner and some knitting.........

Mowing , the Third Generation

 Bill supervised David as he mowed the front lawn!  They both enjoyed this arrangement!

 He does a great job.  He was spiffing up the front yard just in time for company.

 My sister and her family are here!  The enjoyed meeting Will and Ella, too!

 Will plays hard and then finally gives in to a nap.

Ella is feeling better on her meds and even enjoyed some conversation and smiles with me!  Precious grandchildren/family day today!

Loved

I have been getting a rose on Valentine's Day since 1976..........it's love!

Color Therapy

 I am enjoying my newest entrelac project.  While it isn't the fastest knitting I have ever done, it is very pleasing.  Color does something healthy to your brain, attitude and outlook!

 Our yard is just exploding with color.  The azaleas are all out-yes, it is early but still beautiful!

 My Camellias are still in full bloom, too.  I don't remember that happening since we've been here.

 Our Poinsettias are still beautiful and the bee population are pleased with a visit.

 The Mexican Daisies are enjoying a rebloom-they will do this until the full heat of summer and then they will rest.

 The Dogwood is brilliant in the front yard.

Their blooms are at peak right now.

 The Koonti fern got hit hard last year but is making a good comeback now-see all its cones?

There are lots of blooms on all of my Camellias!  I do love the splash of red all over my yard!

I also have some Georgia Peaches in my house!  They have come for a long visit.

While the kids have classes, I do a bit of my usual puttering........I made this lake stone ankle bracelet for a friend's birthday.

Visiting Oz

 Bill and I went here to visit some of his co-workers who have also retired to our fair state.  They have three zip codes to cover this community of seniors which number around 90,000 .

 We had a great time touring this mini-city, really a self-contained amusement park for seniors!

 This is the man-made lake.

 There really is a fleet of golf carts-the whole community travels in these and they outnumber the cars.  I especially enjoyed the fancy ones!

 There are lots of re-purposed architectural details throughout the down town areas.  This is a lock that doesn't open but looks like it might.  The water wheel in the back does turn and looks great.

 This is an old railroad bridge that serves its new purpose beautifully!

 There are tons of restaurants and millions of choices so you don't ever have to cook.

 Each 'little' neighborhood has their own town center and central park for gathering each night for music and gabbing and people watching!

Here are the ex-NiMo workers!

Hug in a Rug* x 2

My finished QuiltsforKids quilts.  

(*old English word for quilt)

Mondays Set the Pace

 I got the new yarn on the needles and managed a few rows!  It is a very satisfying knit this entrelac!  I am using slightly larger needles, 8's, because this yarn is worsted not dk weight.  I cast on the same number of stitches, 100, and it still takes an hour to go across a row-this is not a quick project but sure is a good knit!

 Dad is puttering in his gardening space.  This area doesn't get any rain-it has an extended eave that blocks rainfall so he has worked out a solution for now and then to pass the plants on to me to babysit until they are down her again!  It is a very welcoming sight now!

Mom and I whipped off two more quilts.  I need to get some more frame quilting time in the schedule!

Celebration

 Today is my Dad's 80th birthday.  After church, we drove to our favorite restaurant for lunch and my sons and family's met us there for a celebration!

 The four generations of men......

 Our sons and grand children!  (Who fussed just enough to get held a lot and then fell asleep so we could talk!)

 The dynasty of blessings.........four generations here!

The tradition of a family picture on the dock at Corky Bells!

Saturday's Satisfactions

 First, I finished the Tutti Fruiti socks-they are definitely a smile on your feet!

 I quilted Mom's QuiltforKids......

I used a sunburst pantograph in gold.

 I pieced the block portion of my second quilt and we will get together to sew on the borders in a few days.

 Then I loaded my first quilt on the frame so I can quilt that in time to sew on the binding on our next sewing day!  I am good about getting my homework done on time .

 I also finished my bag of mending for a friend.  I make fast work of the odd assortment she collects for me.  I find it a good challenge to fix things-purse handles, to holes in clothes or toys that
need a stitch or patch.  How do you feel about mending?  Do you let it pile up or get right at it?

I also made a purse organizer for a friend's daughter who fell in love with her mom's!

 I ended my day with a batch of lemon juice for the freezer ( I put it in baggies measured for a 2 quart pitcher of lemonade.)

And some lemonade!  Now for my recliner and some entrelac knitting!

'Wait,' you say.   'You are retired, every day is like a Saturday to you!'   Well, it is definitely a mental jump of creativity on a Saturday when I can be home and spend it in the sewing room.  Give it a try!

Threads and Metal

 I cast on a new pair of socks yesterday, as you can see it is moving along quickly when there is just straight knitting!

 Over to Mom's today, we finished our tops for the QuiltsforKids.

And we each cut out and started another top for our second quilts for them.  These fabrics are all stash busting so that is a bonus.  Now I have some work lined up for the quilting frame........

Bill and Dad emptied the old shed by the empty trailer behind their place (yes, it is ours, too!) and took the metal appliances to the scrap metal center in town.  I like getting to clean out and getting paid for it, too!

Cloaked

I just squeaked the January fiber entry in on time;  Gotland fiber. It was a first time spin for me on this particular wool.  I  combed and then spun it woolen method.  While it looks wiry, it is very soft for such an old breed (New Zealand) and since it was the fiber used to make the cloaks in the Lord of the Rings, it had an additional interest to me!  It is a very soft medium wool.