Zippity Doo Dah!!

Ok, folks! I told you on Friday that I was going to go do something adventurous. Boy howdy, did I ever!!! Let me preface this with a little fact about me. I am not athletic. I am not adventurous. I don't camp. I don't rough it. My husband always would tell people that my idea of "roughing it" was to eat on paper plates with the screen door open. Thanks honey! But oh, so true. I'm more of a "let's do tea and go to gift shops" kinda gal.

My sister's friend was coming for a visit and we wanted to do something fun and adventurous. Like I mentioned, Janice wanted to go sky diving. That was nixed right away. So what did we do? We went ZIP LINING!!!!! Me! Miss Jean!!! Went Zip Lining!!! Yessiree Bob!!! We had a blast!!! We drove here in Angels Camp which is about an hour from my house in the Sierra foothills. Be sure to check the link as they show videos of the zip lines.

The guys that run the place are sooooooo very nice and put up with us "old ladies" without complaint! (I'm sure there was a lot of eye rolling when we weren't looking.) This picture shows where you go initially to get all geared up. One funny thing that happened. After Janice and her friend were done, the fellow working said "Who's next?" Janice said, 'my sister, Jean." "Well, come on over here, Miss Jean!" Can't get rid of the Miss Jean name no matter what. It made me feel right at home.

Here we all are: Janice, Debbie and Miss Jean, all geared up and ready to go! See the tower in the background? That's where you take off from.

They drive you to the base and then you walk the path and across the swinging bridge. The bridge was the scariest part as far as I was concerned.


Here I am getting all ready to go! Janice is waiting for her second ride. Yes, we all did it twice! At first Janice and Debbie were really scared. Once I saw how they were rigged up and how safe it looked, my nerves were calmed.

You hold on but don't have to support your weight. All the straps and gears do that for you. You will not flip back or flip upside down.

I'm off!!!!

There is the end - waaaaayyyyyy down there! The ride goes really fast. 1,500 feet at approximately 40 miles per hour. I wish it lasted a lot longer.

Miss Jean, the Zip Liner!!!! Woo Hoo!!!!

We would have gone all day long if we could have, but it's not cheap. We are planning on going back again (and again). Next time Janice wants to go head first Superman style. I haven't made up my mind if I'm that brave.

I'm really proud of myself. I conquered a fear and did something totally out of character for me. It feels really good. I wonder what I can come up with next? Hmmmmm? I think for now I'll just go have a cup of tea!

***Thanks for all of your words of encouragement and congratulations! This was one of the most fun things I have ever done. It wasn't scary at all! You have all got to try this! Trust me!!

In Memory

My sister just got back from a wonderful trip back to our home town of Battle Creek, Michigan. Yes, we're Kellogg's Kids! I think our entire family worked at the Kellogg's plant at one time or another. Janice's high school friend, Debbie, lives in Alaska. They met up in Salt Lake City and flew on to Michigan. Janice visited all the houses we grew up in, the schools we went to and even some of the restaurants we ate at. She had a wonderful time and after she had left I wondered why I hadn't gone along. She's going back next year again so this time I'll try to go with her. They got back here to California on Tuesday and they came by today to take me to lunch.

Miss Jean, Debbie, Janice

They are coming over tomorrow to pick me up and we are off on an adventure. I won't tell you what it is 'till I get back and I know I have survived! Of the three sisters (I'm the youngest) I am the least adventurous to say the least. Janice wanted to take Debbie somewhere extra fun and suggested sky diving. She had done it before and loves it. I don't like flying so why would I get in a plane that I don't like getting into just to jump out of it. Noooooo sireeeee bob! So we are doing plan "B".

"Mommy, you are doing WHAT?!" You have got to be kidding!!!!!"

"I'll be just fine, Maggie. At least I hope I will be. If not, just divide the quilting supplies and my antiques between Becky and Nikki! and take care of Daddy for me."

WISH ME LUCK!!!

In the Garden

Whew! I'm having company this week so I worked in the yard all day today. I got most everything done except fertilizing, cutting up a pile of branches and cleaning the furniture. Everything looks so nice. I told Sweety that I think that plants have feelings and know when they are cared for and appreciated. They seem to perk up when I fuss with them. He said, "you really like to do yard work, don't you?" Truth be told, for me it's a means to an end in the summer. I don't like hot weather and usually don't go outside and work as often as I should. In the spring and fall, however, you can't get me inside.

One thing that I have learned in gardening is to balance the plants with a few hard scape elements. It adds such a nice definition and contrast to the yard. Now, garden snob that I am, I am definitely not talking about plastic lawn ornaments and flamingos. I have a few nurseries in the area that always seem to have just the right treasure for me to tuck in among the flowers. I have lots of bunny statues and bird houses scattered around.

I love my Celtic Cross. Be sure to use white in the garden as it shows up so nicely in the evening.

You can use old found objects like this rusty tricycle tucked into a corner.

An iron filigree planter placed in another planter adds character and height.

Old chairs and bird houses can be re-purposed as planters.

A garden obelisk and a cat statue can give you something interesting to look at from inside the house.

When all else fails, you can get a dog to decorate the yard with!

"Stay, Maggie, Stay!!"

Gone To The Dogs

With the weather cooling down, my BFF and I decided to hit the road and go to a couple quilt shops. One of the shops, Country Sewing Center in Elk Grove, was having a Scotty Dog Quilt Show. They had lots going on, including a judged quilt show, raffles, a K9 officer with his beautiful Belgian Shepherd and a block challenge. One of the nicest things they did was collect dog food for a local pet rescue agency. If you click on their link you can read more about it. This was their first year of having the event and I hope they have it again next year. Maybe I can get Maggie to pose for a quilt that I can make and enter.

There were lots of this particular quilt pattern. The shop had offered it as a class. In case you want to make one it's from the book Feed Sacks - Beautiful Quilts from Humble Beginnings by Edie McGinnis. The pattern is called You Whistled. I checked and you can find it on-line. For some strange and unknown reason, Amazon has it listed for over $100! What's with that? I've noticed that sometimes they put books at crazy high prices. I did see it for sale on some other quilt sites at regular prices so it's out there if you want it.

After a fun day of quilt shops and time spent with my bff, I came home. What's a Saturday afternoon without family and friends stopping by!

Maggie's big brother Duhgall stopped by. While his Daddy and Sweety were sitting out front enjoying the cool weather (YAY!) the puppies played inside. "Duhgall, you can't have that. It's Mommies! Leave it alone!!!" "But it's a little Scotty!!" "I said no!!! Sheesh, boys!"

"Hey, bro, that's my chew toy!!!!"

"Chill out, sis! I'll just sit here and look handsome!"

I hope you all are having as great a weekend as Maggie and I am. Tomorrow I'm off to sew with friends. Take care!!


*I'm sorry about the quality of the indoor pictures. I either need to get a new camera or learn how to use the one I have. It seems that the pictures aren't as good as they used to be. Do you think maybe I should look at the instruction book? Tee Hee!

Chillin'

"Maggie, what would you like to do today?"

"I'm doing it, Mommy, I'm taking it easy."

"Sounds good to me, Maggie. I love you."

"I love you too, Mommy."

Maggie and I send our love out there to anyone who needs that extra hug today. We really do love and care for you all.

Ramblings

What a week it's been. First, I've been sick. I don't know if it's the flu or a reaction to some new medication I'm taking but I've felt terrible. In fact, I spent a few days in bed. I'm not a very "nice" patient, so I watch television and try not to complain. I am starting to feel better, though.

Then I arrange to have my windows washed. They are a real mess from years of water spots. I hate people to even see them and since I can't afford to replace them right now, I found someone who would come out and do them for me. He said they could be scraped and use an acid wash on them. He assured me they would give them the old college try. What do we do when we have windows washed in the morning? Get up early and move furniture and knick knacks (I have a ton). This on top of not feeling good. His employee shows up in very nice clothes (first hint something was wrong). He said he can't do all of them (there were only six windows to do for crying out loud) and that he could maybe do one. He doesn't wipe his feet when he comes in and gets dirt on my carpet. To make a long story short, I ended up yelling at the owner on the phone and sending his worker packing. So I still have messy windows and this company has lost at least three customers so far. In this economy! How stupid can he be?

Then my gardener comes. Don't get me wrong, I love this guy. He is so nice and tries to do the right thing. I see him out back pruning a miniature lilac I had in a pot. It had dried out and the leaves were crinkly, but it was still alive. If you know anything about lilacs you know you don't prune them in the middle of summer as you cut off next year's flowers. I was still upset about the window washer so I thought it best not to go out and talk to him. After he left I went to check to see how much he cut off. Dug up, gone, thrown in the garbage!!! I couldn't hardly talk for a minute there. I'm going to try to replant it but I don't hold out much hope. I guess he didn't realize that if you break a branch and there is that little circle of green (the cambium layer) IT'S STILL ALIVE PEOPLE!!!!!!

I've spent most of today putting back all my stuff I moved for the window washer. It gave me an excuse to really give the furniture a good polish with Howard's Feed and Wax - great stuff! I also washed all of my knick knacks and dishes. Not that everything isn't going to get dusty again right away. It probably already is. We live near the country and you can dust one minute, turn your back, and there it is again. But I know in my heart I tried.

I'm glad tomorrow is Friday and this week is almost over! Tell me I'm not the only person to have weeks like this.



Don't forget about our Northern California Blogger Festival. It's not too late to sign up. Click on the link HERE to go over to Dawn's blog where you can sign up. We're going to have a lot of fun and we truly want to meet you all!

I hope you all have a lovely weekend. For that matter I hope I do as well!! Tee Hee!!!

I found my camera!! Silly me. It was sitting in plain sight. After a summer of babysitting the grandsons my house is less than organized. I went in the bedroom and there it was. Sitting on a pile of "to file and put away items."

I love this time of year. As much as I love the boys, love them passionately, it feels good to think of getting back to a routine. I have plans to clean and organize, eat healthier and exercise. Relax more and spend time with family and friends. I have mountains of quilts to work, piles of books to read and events and retreats to plan. So even though I should have more time, my calendar fills up quickly. One thing I'm going to do, or attempt to do, is pencil in a "no committment - just for me" day at least once a week. I'd like to sit outside, weather permitting, and read or take myself out for a cup of tea and read a book at the local bakery (I promise I won't cheat!) or put in a movie and watch it in bed. Oh, that sounds so nice!

Although we have a pet door in the slider in our bedroom, during good weather we leave our patio slider in the dining room open so Maggie can come in and out as she pleases. It backfires sometimes though. She'll sit in front of the dining room slider if it happens to be closed for some reason and not think to go out the pet door. So I'm yelling, "little door, Maggie, little door" as we both run to the bedroom. Out she runs, door guard flapping, Mommy out of breath. See I told you I needed to exercise!

I thought I would show you something that I use to alleviate a problem from having the slider in the dining room open.



It's a doily I found at an antique store a few years back. Can you guess what it is used for?

Still guessing? Here's a clue.....

It's a doily to put on your dishes, in this instance my sugar bowl, to keep the flies out. Isn't that clever. I'm always amazed that years ago they had items for every little detail.

This is how it looks in the kitchen. Pretty and practical!

I hope you all have a refreshing weekend filled with your loved ones and good friends!!

Camera, Camera, Who's Got the Camera???

Maggie here. Mommy wanted me to let you know that she'll post again as soon as she finds her camera. She has no idea where it is. Isn't that silly? Mommy gets really wierd when she loses things, too. It drives her c-r-a-z-y!!!!!!

It's tiring me out just watching her look for it. I think I'll take a nap on her new chair! Isn't it beautiful? It was a gift from a dear friend, sort of a trade kind of thing. Best of all, it's pink and holds lots of dear memories. Oh, the pillow was a gift as well. I think I look quite comfy, don't I?

Yawn......gotta go. Maybe I'll dream about where that darn little pink camera is hiding.........zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

Happy Anniversary and a New Member of the Family

Congratulations are in order! To me. Or I should say to me and Sweety. It's our 42nd anniversary today. I cannot but be amazed at how quickly these years have gone by. It seems like yesterday that we were we set up as a blind date by my sister and his mother who worked together. Who knew?

I'm not one for gifts. If I want it, I will go buy it myself. I'm a little picky (ok ,a lot picky) and I'd rather pick things out on my own. When Sweety asked what I wanted for our anniversary (he keeps trying) I knew right away. I had taken my Singer Featherweight in to have a new cord put on. My old one was frayed and held together with elections tape. There is a great guy near here that services and sells Featherweights so we went there a couple weeks ago. We took the boys and made a fun day of it. When I mentioned that I had always wanted a white one he brought one out for me to look at. Pristine, circa 1964, never been used. I repeat, NEVER BEEN USED!!!!!! I didn't take it home that day, but again, when Sweety asked what gift I wanted I didn't hesitate. We called him up and made another trip back over.


So, without further ado, I would like to introduce you to the newest member of our family!

Yea!!!!!! Isn't she beautiful? I don't know if you know much about "white" featherweights. Some, not all, but some turn a creamy shade of the lightest green. In fact, I was going to name my new machine "Pearl" until I saw exactly how much the green shows up. It doesn't show up much in the photos but believe me, it's there.

She's not only green, but she's made in Scotland. How utterly perfect is that? If you have any ideas on what to name her, let me know. She's a fine wee bonny lass!

She came with a case, as well as lots of attachments. The case shows some wear, which is normal considering their age and the materials used. I use a little travel case when I travel with a featherweight so this case will be put on display and pampered.

I'm not one for garage sales, but when I see one I usually slow down and glance over to see if I can spot a little black or turquoise featherweight case. I'll still do it. You might want to, as well!

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Don't forget to sign up for our Northern California Bloggers Festival here. We're going to have a great time and would love to meet you all in person! There is a link at the top of my side bar as well.

Warm hugs from In the Garden......