If I had more imagination (and a few more cups of coffee), I might try to play some prank on you. Instead, you'll just have to settle for this image. It's shaping up to be a slow day. We had a lovely day of sunshine yesterday, but we're back to the gloom today. Mike is under the impression that tomorrow will be nice. We're both itching to get out and clean the greenhouse. The tomatoes aren't quite big enough to be out on there yet, but it would be nice to have the space ready for them.
This being April, it's the month Mike retires! Yay! It's getting closer and closer. Last night, I reminded Mike that we are taking a trip in about six weeks. We're going down to Pahrump, Nevada. For his retirement not-a-party, we're celebrating with him taking a 3-day course at the Spring Mountain Driving School.
It's something he's wanted to do since he was a teenager, and so it seems like a good way to celebrate his retirement from 39 years of engineering. We visited the last time we were in Death Valley. If you're interested, you can read about it at this blog post from last year. When we visited, there were RV spots available for our use. Now they've done some construction and taken out some of the spots. The remainder are already spoken for. Instead, they'll give us a place where we can park and plug-in. The kitties will be with us, and so we'll need to be able to use our RV. Since it won't be a designated spot, they're also giving us the use of one of their condos. Very accommodating, I'd say.
As for yesterday's sewing, I finished up the 6th block for It's Raining Cats and Dogs.
When I work on this again, I'll be doing this block for the Kitty Hotel.
The afternoon was so nice yesterday, and Smitty was chomping at the bit to get outside. With the bobcat hanging around, he's only allowed out with us these days. I noticed the flowers on the daphne are opening.
These red and yellow tulips are looking so pretty right now. There are a few other colors coming up, but these are the only ones that have opened.
Today I want to catch up on the Solstice Challenge. I'll be doing a block for the vernal equinox this time around. Also, the next clue for the Welcome Home small quilt challenge is out, and so I might get to work on that too...it's 12 little 9-patch blocks. Don't know if I'll do them all at once, but I'd like to get them started. Also, I'll start working on the next five hobo quilt blocks.
What's on your agenda for this Saturday?
14 comments:
I'm glad there are no pranksters around here. We are snowy again today, so an indoor day. The kitties have planned a napping party and I will clean bedrooms and later dedicate some serious hand stitching time - no machines humming today.
No quilting here yet, though I hope to get in some hand quilting this evening. Raining here again and in the 30s so no yard work for awhile. We ordered a new dishwasher and did some reconnaissance for a replacement stove. The appliances here are very old and on their last legs. So much for Saturday!
Our Kirby cat played an April Fools on us. My husband discovered the garage door open at 3 AM and Max had a stray cornered! So My Husband started looking for all the cats! Angel was on the bed and Max was in the Kitchen. We searched every room three times. Then we got dressed and walked the neighborhood calling him. An hour later, we gave up and came home. There sat Kirby in the living room looking all innocent! It was a joy to see him but we still do not know where he was hiding!
Saturday was a busy day. The first half of the day was spent with a few guild mates judging a 4-H club's Fashion Revue. Those kids are a,axing at their sewing and fitting skills! There were even 3 boys who sewed their own garments including a high school freshman who sewed a tailored jacked and vest with linings, the trousers and the dress shirt! There were godet she, pleats, piping and all sorts of embellishment. Several worked with plaids and stripes and everything was done perfectly! I can't say enough about the serious skills these people have.
After that it was home to start putting the MBR items back in. We have new flooring and paint on the walls. Everything that goes back must earn its spot. That means it must bring joy to be displayed and if it hasn't been used in years it is on the chopping block. It is more than time for us to be letting go of our lifetime accumulations. It will be easier to lovingly care for what is left and leave our daughter with less of a burden when our home needs to be cleaned out.
Sunday is more of the same goal on the bedroom as well as continue the work on the alterations on the wedding dress. I've finished the machine sewing and am on the re-beading where the alterations were done. The final bit will be bustling the gown. That willl take about another week.
Enjoy!
When in Pahrump, make sure to visit the vineyards there. They have a really nice tasting room great wines and a wonderful restaurant. They also have a nice but fast visit through their winery. Just something nice to do when your husband has a few minutes when he isn't in school.
This weekend is our group's quilt show, so I was there part of the day on Saturday. I hope to go out today as well (Sunday), but I have a busy day with church activities this morning. I might need a nap later. Not sure any sewing is going to happen this weekend, but you never know!
The driving school sounds fun for him....cross it off the Bucket List. This month will fly by:)
I saw a sign that said "with everything going on in the world, everyday it April Fool's Day", lol.
I remember reading about the driving school, I'm so glad Mike is going to do it, he'll have so much fun.
Sounds like you had a pretty good start to the weekend. Hope you got in some good stitching time along with Smitty's walk.
Gorgeous tulips - Maaaybe we might see some of ours if the deer don't eat them all before they open. The leaves are about halfway out so far, so no buds, even, yet. I'm going to plant a ton of daffodils this fall - folks tell me the deer don't like to eat those. I always love seeing your blocks, and that driving school looks FUN!
That mountain sure doesn't look very 'springy' at all, does it? Glad that they are being accommodating for your accommodations! I'm sure Mike will have a blast in the driving class.
Beautiful tulips!
I can't believe it's already retirement month! The driving school sounds like fun...for Mike. Is there a quilt store nearby for you? LOL
Oh do I LOVE LOVE LOVE those blocks! I just love houses on quilts I will certainly be watching this one progress!
I can't believe I haven't read your blog through the whole of April! No wonder I thought I'd been missing something. The driving school sounds fun and a great way to celebrate retirement. I love the blocks you've been working on.
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