July is Here

Like everyone else, I'm wondering how June passed by so quickly.  We're trying to enjoy the last few days of our staycation.  We had a lovely breakfast out Friday with daughter Elaine and our grandsons and I remembered to take pictures.  

 Elaine and Cove (3).

 Hunter (16 months) cleaned his plate. Good boy!

He burned it off running outside on the "tarmac" play area of this restaurant at the airport. You can see his grin as he was running away from Mimi.  Always so fun to be with these darling grandsons.  I'll have a full day with them this week as their daycare is closed for vacation  and Mama's hours altered by the holiday.

Cross Reference blocks are just about done.  I limited the rust blocks to 8 and that means I'll need 5 more of the blues.  Must decide if I will repeat a couple prints or try to make them all different.  There are about three more choices in the stash and I can live with a couple of repeats :)   Meanwhile a trip to Superbuzzy for the solid fabric for the "B" blocks was successful.  I cut the cream and Kona Prussian Blue pieces today. 

This pretty blue color always draws me in.  I got stitching right away and have the pieced small squares all done in their rows.  Only 11 pieces in these blocks so they will sew up much faster than the 31 pieced ones.

Also in the sewing room today I hemmed some pants for my Dad.  The fabric was a heavier brushed twill so I decided to use my zipper foot to make it easier to get close to the folded edge, which I'd never thought of trying before.  

It was very effective and I will remember that for future machine stitched hems.  My Dad has a small blue companion, Bear, who often has adventures of his own, which I've chronicled from time to time.  I got this picture from Dad the other day:

It was titled "Bear looking for leftovers in the Chick-fil-A bag".  So silly :)  

Our staycation will be over tomorrow but we have had some nice times and got things done around here--not as much as our ambitious list but enough to make continuing tasks tolerable.  Mail sorting, paper purging, filing, and paring down "stuff" will always be on the list! 

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Bear* in Paris, admiring 

*Bear is my dad's small blue companion. Right now they're in Glasgow. Bear may or may not have been kilted. 

Tuesday's Orts on Wednesday

Bad blogger!  Sorry so long between posts, but I hope you enjoy these.  Orts--bits and scraps of thoughts and events that land here semi-regularly. 

• Daughter Erica was here for a week from Arizona, had a job interview, and got the job.  As she was running up the stairs again after forgetting something, I mentioned how handy teleportation would be to avoid the climb.  She agreed, wishing there was such a thing because then she also wouldn't have to deal with moving back home for the new job (with her two cats!)
• A co-worker who is pregnant was sitting at the break room table, leaning forward working on some papers, when suddenly she groaned and had to sit back, clutching her ribs where a well-aimed kick was paining her.  She tried to lean forward again with the same result.  "Nope", she said as she sat back again, "She's hungry and wants to eat".  We chatted about baby weight gain and then I quoted her my favorite line in a Dave Barry book about pregnancy and eating for two.  He wrote, "Some women act like the other person they are eating for is Orson Welles".  She laughed, but the two early-20-somethings at the table had no clue who that was.
• Some of you may recall Bear, my dad's small blue companion.  I received a text from my mom last weekend wherein she told my dad she needed Bear's help, but Dad replied that Bear couldn't help her right then because he had a migraine.  Daughter Elaine's comment:  Bear needs some Excedrin.  Oh, brother!
•  Our aging backyard fence has so far kept out dogs from neighboring yards, but we did have something that got through: 

Pretty healthy looking nectarine, wouldn't you say?

• Remember the gate I spied on my morning constitutional, the one with the rubber duckies?  Well, now it has red potatoes on the spikes.

 I'm betting this will be a rather temporary effort!

Tuesday's Orts--Dec 4, 2012

Another edition of the orts, those scraps and bits of thoughts and happenings that land here semi-regularly...this one is a holiday edition, it seems.

• Younger Daughter Erica texted me on Saturday:  "It's December,  you can get a Christmas tree now.  8 feet please."  I texted back, "Okay, we'll put in your room."  She responded, "Okay, that's perfect."  I said, "Ha ha", to which she replied, "Like that would have deterred me!  You're funny."    That girl loves her Christmas tree big!
• Older Daughter Elaine texted me yesterday asking for help putting up her Christmas decorations.  Of course I agreed, but when we opened her ONE box of every-holiday-there-is, there was only a sad little pile of ornaments, a bare wreath, and a couple of decorations for the mantel.  Well, a trip to Michael's and then Target fixed that up inexpensively!  A garland for the mantel, some sprays and wired pine cones for the wreath, stockings, a tree skirt, and some laser cut wooden trees, and suddenly it looked like the season had arrived.  And her husband liked it too!
• Traffic Rant:  We all know that the mall is doubly crowded at holiday time.  So why did the mall's managers allow a Christmas tree lot to be placed right next to one of the main entrances instead of a less used one?  By December 20th there will be a few ratty trees left but the fenced lot will still be taking up a lot of prime last-minute-shopper parking places.  Uh, I'm one of those people.
• My mom has a way with plants and flowers and at Christmas time always has paperwhites (Narcissus) among her holiday decor.  I was admiring her back porch display when I spotted something unusual among the items there with the creche.

 Do you see him?

 Bear, my dad's small blue companion, was happily watching something outside the window. 

 I crept behind him for a Bear's-eye view.  Oh, he was catching the hummingbird feeder action!  Good one, Bear!

Thursday quote

...who, like Bear, just wants to turn over and go back to sleep in the morning!

Back Home

My mom returned on Thursday from her trip to London and Paris with my brother's family.   She was just in time to see the backyard transformed.  I stopped by Friday night to get updated photos.

All the boards were attached using a hidden fastener system so there are no nails or screws in the top of the beautiful redwood.  This deck is BIG, 18 x 30 feet.  There will be a built in bench across the far end, and some steps leading off the sides to walkways close to the house.

Bear watched all the progress as intently as he always does, with a smile on his face. 

There were presents from overseas for me to open!  Some Fauchon tea from my sister in law Laura, and the Earl Grey from Harrod's from my mom.   Thanks, Mom and Laura!   I plan to savor both.  I hope to have some photos from London and Paris to share in a few days, but it may be ATW (after the wedding).

Friday evening and a number of hours today have been spent on the wedding outfit.  More on that tomorrow...

London Bear

Bear, the intrepid traveler, was spotted in London.  He has been accompanying my mom, who is on vacation with my brother Ted and his family.  Apparently, without the calming influence of his master, my dad, Bear's been living it up.

My brother wrote that Bear almost got them kicked out of the St. Pancras Hotel because he was sliding down the banister without any choners on! (shorts) 

The whole group is now in Paris for about a week.  I can't wait to see what Bear gets up to there.

Bear goes back in time

Bear* took a trip...

...all the way back to the Jurassic era, and there he found some dinosaur tracks.  You can tell he was pretty impressed with the size of those footprints.  Bear found them on Navajo land near Cameron, Arizona.  Bear got admitted for free, but his driver and two other companions were charged $15 apiece to look for dinosaur tracks on the Navajo land.  That was pretty impressive too!

*Bear is my dad's small blue companion who is ever ready for an outing and is always smiling.

Tuesday's Orts on Thursday

Since Tuesday was taken over by the 400th post giveaway, orts have moved to Thursday this week.  As noted in my header, an ort is defined as a bit, a scrap.  I commandeered this definition to reflect my love of scrappy quilts and to categorize my random thoughts once a week!

• On our way out to breakfast Sunday, we were talking about dogs.  We passed a very large man walking a very small Chihuahua--which looked hilarious to us--and I commented that I heard they were hard to potty train.  DH Grant joked that that will be our next dog.  I said if we were ever to get another dog, for a small dog I would pick a Pomeranian.  Son Nick said, "You would officially be old people if you got a Pomeranian!"  Gee, thanks, son.
• Last Friday Bride to Be, Son in Law to Be and his mom and I went to meet a caterer and have taste testing of appetizers and dinner foods.  Future SIL loves to eat and his grin kept getting bigger each plate that came out.  Early on he said, "The problem here is going to be pacing myself".  That didn't seem to end up much of a problem!
• Over the weekend, in doing my medical transcription job a doctor who has a very heavy accent said a word I didn't know.  I could not tell if she mispronounced it nor tell just what she was trying to say.  I looked in my reference books, all of which are over 15 years old, and found nothing.  My co-worker later listened to the dictation and said the word was what I thought it sounded like--patulous--but she found it in a newer radiology reference book.  Guess I need to update!
• Baby names these days are getting pretty varied.  I mentioned Mariah Carey's twins names, Morocco and Monroe and said that if she liked Marilyn Monroe, why didn't she just call the baby girl Marilyn, because Monroe is a boy's name?  DD Elaine said that she knows several Monroes and none are boys.  I told that story at work and someone said Mariah and Nick were going for "Roc and Roe" (i.e, rock n'roll).  Oh, brother!
• I have not yet seen the fabulous scenery photos my mom and dad took on their recent Yellowstone vacation. But I did receive one in an email from my dad titled "Why Ma was safe in the forest":

She was protected by a small blue bear.  See how alert and ready for action he is?  Cousin Florence was kept safe too.

There is still time to enter my 400th post giveaway, here.  I have had a couple of no-reply comments so far so please make sure there is an email address where I can contact you, either in your comment or tied to a profile.  I am really enjoying reading everyone's three non-quilting essentials (personally, I consider chocolate to be a quilting accessory so that's why I didn't include it in my listing of non-quilting needs, LOL).

Tommy's Kitchen Sink and a Bear

A finished quilt is a great feeling, and I put the last stitch in Tommy's Kitchen Sink this afternoon. He had to throw everything and the kitchen sink at his illness and I hope this quilt brings some smiles. 

I took this photo at my mom and dad's.  Luckily I did not have to pay a location fee for the photo shoot. 

However, a small blue Bear wanted to be in the photo.  (My dad says *Bear is a camera hog.)

*Bear is my dad's companion.

The backing is two colors of gingham flannel in wide horizontal bands.  (In this photo doesn't it look like the quilt is crossing its legs?)

My visit to my parents' house was twofold: taking pics of Tommy's quilt and also getting some measurements.  Apparently my brother Ted felt Bear needed a pair of choners (shorts) for modesty while riding prone on the dashboard during a recent trip Ted and Dad took (his crack was showing!).  I was telephoned from the road and asked to provide the clothing, since I live in the same town as Bear.

I think this recycled shirt is a good choice.  Iron crosses are pretty manly, right?

Dad said posting Bear's measurements online would be rude, so they are a secret.  Let's just say that Bear is apple-shaped and has healthy thighs. 

Tuesday's Orts

This week sure flew by, and here I am posting another late edition of Orts.

• Last Friday I took my quilt top and tools to my mom and dad's after work but never ended up putting the sandwich together.  It was nice just to hang out with the folks for awhile and have uninterrupted conversation!   
• Why is it is so much easier to sleep in on a weekday than a weekend?  Bing! My eyes opened at quarter to seven on Saturday and I got up. 
• DD Elaine is my hairstylist (well, the whole family's!).  She always does a great job.  You should see her "hairdryer arm".  Very impressive.  She has to work those muscles a lot when drying my long and thick hair. 
• After my hair appointment I stopped at the local nursery and ran into my sister in law pulling a wagon with some roses.  We chatted for awhile but it was windy and cold so I left without buying a thing.  But that happens to me no matter what the weather--I look at everything blooming or growing but can't decide what to buy so I just go home and look at my poor neglected garden.
• Traffic rant:  Drivers who park in spots not marked for cars, like against the curbing at the ends of rows, crowding the entrance to the lot, because they are too L-A-Z-Y to drive to the additional parking 100 feet away and walk back to the store entrance. 
• Saturday and Sunday it absolutely poured down rain in CA.  We got over 3 inches from this storm at the coast and up to 6 inches in the mountains.  Naturally, some idiots decide to go hiking or off-roading at these times, necessitating multiple rescue efforts by sheriffs and volunteer units. 
• This morning marked a big day for the Casa de Orts clan.  It meant me writing a big fat check but our girl Elaine and her fiance are now officially booked for a wedding site in October.  Elaine told her man, "Now on to the next thing we have to pay for!"
• Buying ink for a color printer requires as much $$ as filling a gas tank.  However, I finally printed out current photos of the family to replace the extremely outdated ones on the fridge.
• One of my favorite photos features a small blue bear who was recently an overnight guest...

"Papa" introducing Bear to his youngest granddaughter, Lauren, then about 1-1/2.  Lauren has Down syndrome but is extremely active, vocal, and loves to help.  She'll be having a 4th birthday next month.

A Bear's Sleepover

This is a Bear-centric post featuring a small blue fellow.  Bear is my dad's companion.  With my dad he has enjoyed many a geocaching and cross-country driving trip, gone fishing on the Colorado a number of times, and seen a lot of Fox News from his perch atop the den's couch.  Mom helps keep bear clean and often narrates for him.  I invited Bear for a sleepover and here are some of his activities at Casa de Orts:

Meeting Mini.  Bear wasn't afraid at all.  See his face?  He also met Russell the dog, who wouldn't stay still long enough to be photographed with the visitor.

Enjoying the view from the cutting table.  Bear very politely ignored the old laundry hamper in his view of the side yard.

Watching the Academy Awards from a perch on the piano.  He rooted for The King's Speech and liked Colin Firth's acceptance speech, especially the part about having some feelings around his abdominals that threatened to become dance moves.  Bear feels like that sometimes too.

Bear lives with retired people so is not used to morning alarms.  He turned over for a little more shut eye the next morning.

But was soon awake and his usual smiling self.

After breakfast Bear accompanied me to Job #1, just up the stairs in the office.  He listened to a little dictation from Dr. Mitchell, one of my favorite cardiologists.

...and held my reference materials for the pulmonary tests while I transcribed.  I knew it wouldn't be a violation of patient privacy rules to let Bear watch since he knows how to keep a confidence.

After the work was finished we went downstairs and Bear took a gander out the front window.

He sat a while waiting for a bird to come by (but they didn't, because of Mini).

Bear admired the flowers Grant gave me for our anniversary.  He liked the lilies best.

He kicked back on his quilt as we watched TV while I finished the binding on the Bear's Paw Quilt.  Bear loves his own quilt and uses it every night.  His favorite part is the salmon stitched onto the front and also all the different fish on the backing.

We took a tour of the backyard after he modeled on the Bear's Paw Quilt and Bear spotted this baby Hass avocado on our tree.  I told him it wasn't ready to eat yet and we shared some popcorn instead.

Yikes!  This grass is deep!

Checking out Russell's room.  Bear likes his handmade quilt better than this old and worn out storebought one of Russell's, but he didn't want to hurt Russell's feelings so didn't mention it.

A healthy dose of exercise climbing a tree finished off the afternoon.  Bear was a great visitor and gave Grant and Nick paw-bumps as he left.  He had to sit in the front seat of my car, but usually he has a car seat when he drives with Dad. 

Bear can see straight out the window in his car seat and always has a smile when he rides!  I hope Bear comes back for another visit soon.

Another UFO Challenge finish

The Bear's Paw Quilt did get finished to meet the deadline for Judy's UFO Challenge!  I'm two for two and that's a very good thing.  I must thank my overnight visitor, Bear, for his assistance.

He helped me snip the last thread on the binding.

And he was the perfect model for the Bear's Paw Quilt!  Click on my UFO Challenge tab to view another photo and my entire list of entries.



The next number Judy has drawn is #1.  Another easy quilt for me--my Rick Rack Road.  It has a completed top, back, and binding, and just needs layering, quilting, and labeling.  I'm determined to get this next quilt finished earlier in the month. 

Design Wall Monday--2/28/2011

There's nothing on my design wall, but I've been checking off steps for various other projects.  Yesterday I made piping for some pillows I'm making my DD Erica. I had a special helper.

This is Bear, who assisted me with the miles of piping.  He of course favors blue of all shades.  Bear belongs to my dad but I requested a sleepover so Dad drove him over.  More about Bear's activities at Casa de Orts later...

The Bear's Paw mini quilt got its binding and will be completed today, just under the wire for Judy's UFO Challenge.  It looks really wonky here, having been thrown over the bedcover!  See more Design Walls at Judy's Patchwork Times.