Pretty Fall Sunday

[Shirlv]

Good Morning All, I am really enjoying the nice weather with no humidity. Ocean City traffic is over for the year but repairs will start on the Chesapeake Bay bridge so traffic will be a bear. Hopefully everyone will have a peaceful day. Tina, thinking about you. Safe travels

[BarbaraRose]

Good morning gals!

Sheila, my mom used to make an awesome Swiss Steak for us every Christmas! We all looked so forward to it every year!

I tried to post on here yesterday from my phone but it didn't work. Never had a problem before. Oh well...

I was woken up at 1:30 am the night before last by a firetruck outside my bedroom window (the one that is now open with a new screen). Saw them go to the house across the street. There is a sweet elderly woman who lives there. Then an ambulance showed up. Couldn't go back to sleep with all the lights and the loud engine running, so just watched. They eventually left without her, so I figured that was a good sign. I went over in the morning to check on her and she said her pacemaker had stopped working and she was having heart palpitations so she called 911. They didn't think it was bad enough for an ER trip. She was just gonna take it easy this weekend until she can get to her doctor on Monday (she did call him tho). Glad it wasn't something worse!

Off to church here soon and then maybe bum around downtown Palm Springs for awhile before heading home and cleaning.

Weather is getting gradually cooler here. They are saying the highs next week might only be in the low 80's!!! That would be awesome! Need to get my living room windows unstuck so I can air out that area of the house!.

Lola is doing better again. Soft formed stools now instead of the runs. She is more willing to cover up her stuff now too, so not smelling up the house so much. I cover up the stuff when she doesn't unless I am not home of course. I also clean the box out at least once a day to keep the smell down. (sorry if you are still eating breakfast!! ). Am keeping a log of what I am feeding her and what the litter box results are and when. She is eating a lot again now which is good since she lost weight again over the past few weeks. I think I will subQ her again today.

I better get ready for church...have a good day!

[Cudedog]

Morning, Shirl, and all who follow!

It has been unseasonably cool the last week or so, but I'll take it! I love cool weather. There was some talk about Pacific Gas and Electric shutting off power to a few specific areas around me, but (at least so far!) it hasn't happened at my house.

As some of you know, I have made hand-made jewelry for the last several years, specifically stone-pendent jewelry. What is stone pendant jewelry, you might ask? Basically, I wrap some random bits of wire around a piece of rock, and call it a necklace!

A few weeks back I entered a couple of my pieces in a local art show. Anyone that was a member of the organization (as I am) could enter any type of art work they might wish. There were sculptures, nice watercolors, digital paintings, oil paintings, jewelry and photography. There were about 45 pieces of artwork entered, from about 25 different artists (one could enter a maximum of two pieces). They had an art professor from the San Francisco bay area to come and do the judging.

I was completely and totally astonished to have been awarded Second Place, which included a small cash prize. My "art" will be hanging in the gallery until the end of the month, when the show ends.

I had never in my life before ever entered an art show, never before ever won any kind of prize for my work, never before ever had anything of mine hang in an art gallery. It was pretty astounding, actually!

Anyway, I am feeling inspired! Getting ready now for a two-day craft fair in November at my local fairgrounds. The "theme" of my booth (and, actually the theme of my website)? LOL. Take a guess. . . You got it!! Volcanoes, of course.

I'll post some photos when I get a preliminary booth design put together.

Fun!!

Anne

[BirdbyBird]

Anne, I wold love to see pictures of your work. My daughter is also an artist and works with rocks and copper and silver. She told me long ago she didn't like symmetrical stones. She has done many pieces with river rock. The mentioned that she really doesn't care if she sells any of her jewelry because they are all one of a kind and feel like a part of her but she said even if she never sold anything she has to create them.....

Shirlv, my plane doesn't lift out of Cincinnati until October 1. I will be sure to check in and let you know when to start channeling. My inspiration on pictures has always been what would Liz do.
I talked myself in to carrying the big camera. I would rather regret toting the weight around than regret not getting the photos that I know I can with it.

Am spending parts of my days collecting clothes and accessories that need to fit in the luggage. Upgraded my backpack to an Osprey. I didn't want to like it but I went to REI to check them out on the recommendation of a friend from the dog world. As soon as I put it on my back, my back thanked me and started "singing" a happy tune. The clerk measured my back for proper fit and used 5 pound weights in several pack to that I could walk around the store and compare. I also got the mini inservice of how to adjust a backpack to fit. I had never worn a pack with a good waist belt. I immediately felt the difference in both my shoulders and my back. I got one small enough to fit/squeeze under the seat as my personal item but I will be able to use it for hiking later (other than the current need for tourist hiking) because the bladder that came with it holds up to 2 litters if needed. I am going the more sedate water bottle route on this trip. I think my days for backpacking into the wilderness for over nights is over but now have a greater appreciation for the gear.

I have spent a chunk of today in trying to organize the photos of the past two years into albums that might help me locate something. It is slow work. Deciding what to just delete. Pausing over memories of people and places.... and in the back of my mind knowing that there is an 80% off deal for canvas wrapped prints on Photobucket.......

I can't promise on taking pictures as nice as Liz's..... And well you know that I will have less birds and flowers and more trees and rocks.....

From our trip up the Blue Ridge Parkway. (One of my other favorites of her, other than the numerous kayak pictures, are those were she points the camera behind her back while riding the horse in front of you. )

[Bethers]

Morning everyone. Anne that is super exciting. I'd like to see pics also. Barbie, thanks for checking on your neighbor. Tina, I think many of us are as excited about your trip as you are. Your pictures will be fabulous, I'm sure. And that backpack sounds like a very smart purchase.

Light rains here this morning. Store is too quiet. Ty and I are lounging on the couch now. The sub seems to be attempting to come out so even though temps are cooler, it could turn into a nice afternoon.

And if anyone talks to Carolb, please wish her a happy birthday and let her know we miss her here.

[OregonLuvr]

Good morning (still here in the west). Rain is falling on the roof so good excuse not to have to go work outside. Now when I say work it involves trimming some bushes, cleaning out the raised beds, some sweeping. Then there is removing all the leftover flowers from the summer that I still have to conquer. I like to clarify this as opposed to what Sue does outside LOL LOL

Haven't got much motivation today so going to run the vacuum and settle in on the couch with my fleece blanket and the dog and find something good to watch on tv. I have quite a few things saved in my Amazon video watchlist so I should start watching them. All the new fall shows start this week. I follow several of the old shows and then I like to check out the new ones ya know, just in case they have a good one. I dont like reality tv shows but I like Dancing with the Stars on occasion I gave up American Idol years ago even tho I did like it at the time. Now I am more into the drama series. I did find a silly show I like to watch, mainly because it is easy to follow and a no brainer. "God Friended Me"....LOL

On the weather front looks like awesome weather for our PowWow GTG. Should be lots of fun.

[Rufflesgurl]

Good morning all - actually, it's early afternoon herein the West. It is very warm here and just now
started to get a little breeze.

Karen, I love that pic of Emma. She looks so sweet crossing here paws like that!

Linda

[Bethers]

Karen, I've liked "God Friended Me" on three occasions I saw it. I'll have to make a note of when it's on for when I have over the air channels.

And did you all know you can make hard-boiled eggs in an air fryer? I did this afternoon.

[OregonLuvr]

Linda, I like that pic too. She does that often.....such a princessa ha ha

I have done eggs in the air fryer, I have also scrambled them and cooked them in a ramekin.....added some bacon, cheese, pepper and green onion...........super good.

True to my word I havent got anything done today. OK by me. Now I am turning on a Hallmark movie LOL no brainer.

Edited to add: Beth it is on 9/29 Season 2 Episode 1

[MandysMom]

I’m home safe and son helped unload what I’m not leaving for PowWow trip. Had a marvelous time. Caught up with people I hadn’t seen since HS. I’m tired. Will try to show photo tomorrow.
Velda

[snowball]

Anne you would totally enjoy Q rocks and gems all over the place!!! and people wire wrapping even tried that but I think although I enjoyed it I prefer other craft areas... although I had this dream of a necklace I wanted to make still want to... have some of the stuff but not all of it.. it's like all the yarn I have to make poncho's for the girls one even to the point of putting it together but can't remember how
I really like God befriended me or whatever it's name is. Beth it's on on Sunday night's want to check out the new lawyer show think it is All Rise think is the operative word.. the ads remind me of Judge can't remember the name was on a few years back really liked it ...
the Swiss steak turned out well I think Barbie how did your mom make it?..
the baby has been turning over from back to tummy she did it tonight we had not seen her before so this was a cool thing for us...
hmm I go goofed yesterday my dd said something about my eldest and a secret visitor so I said how did she find out? they said find out what anyway as it turned out the marine granddaughter is coming home to surprise her sister one birthday is on the 6th of Oct the other is on the 8th of Oct or is it the 9th there are so many that week that I simply forget which day they are on so it came out the my sister in law (my husband's sister) and her husband are coming out at that time it was a perhaps and today I got a text from them saying that they will be here tomorrow around 2 or so... yikes dd was not happy you've know how long they maybe coming I could have put in new flooring ... she was venting to her sister and sent it to me actually I totally understand and I totally laughed at the text I answered back who did you want to send this too? she came out rather sheepish...
came down to the trailer shortly after 8 went to the bathroom was one of those long visits came out and took Shadow out to pee walked down to the front of the house and could see lights up in the pen and bleating of very young kids two of them guess twins are the norm... it will be fun seeing them...
you all have a good day guess I will be getting up and cleaning house instead of going and quilting
sheila

[BarbaraRose]

Anne, congrats on your win with your jewelry!! That is exciting! Can't wait to hear how the craft fair goes! I am hoping to get started with my gourd art sometime this fall (once I get the basic tools and supplies I need) and see how that goes. I have quite a few design ideas already in my head. Might show/sell them eventually if they turn out OK. I did some floral arrangements years ago for an "Art In Bloom" show at the Minneapolis Art Institute which was very fun! We (various floral designers who participated) each picked out a piece of artwork on display there a couple months before the show and then designed a floral arrangement (all fresh and organic materials) that was our interpretation of that piece. During the 4 day show, they placed our arrangements next to the artwork with a description, and our name with it. It was so fun! I did that for 3 years. I was going to do that for the San Diego County Fair that had something similar but on a much smaller scale after seeing the mediocre ones done last year. But now I am living in Riverside County so will see if they have something like that out here.

Sheila, my mom showed me several times how she made the Swiss steak but I don't remember too much other than she insisted that it had to be browned first in a pan on the stove before putting it in a roasting pan in the oven with carrots, potatoes, onions, etc. I just remember it being so tender and full of flavor! I think I have her recipe somewhere for it.

I went to church and it was great. I really like this church! The sound guy there is also a musician and singer so he performed today and he was awesome! Such a great voice and sang a bluesy Bob Dylan song, (he said we have probably never heard a Bob Dylan song sang in church before! ). I love blues music!

From there, I drove to Palm Springs and walked around town, ate lunch (BBQ'd pork sliders with cole slaw! Yum!), did a little shopping and eventually made my way home. There are such interesting and unique shops there and some have really good deals. I went into a new age shop that I like and had a free 15 minute session with a popular psychic medium. I wasn't too impressed. I asked about my dad but he said he couldn't bring him thru without seeing a photo of him first which I didn't have. Then I asked about spirit guides and he said he doesn't believe in them or angels, etc. I have never heard a psychic or medium say that before. So we ended up doing tarot cards, which I am not a big believer in. Most of what he said was pretty generic and he seemed to be fishing for information. Sure didn't inspire me to go back to see him again and I am glad it was free.

Off to bed...

[BarbaraRose]

True to my word I haven't got anything done today.

I can totally relate!!

[Cudedog]

Thanks to all for asking about a photo! Thanks Sheila about the Quartzsite info. I think about attending every year, but it is quite a drive for me. Maybe this year!

Here is the winner of the 2nd. place award. I call this one "Victorian Lace". The stone is a natural (unpolished) quartz crystal, wire wrapped with a blend of straight copper wire and hammered copper wire, on a hand-beaded chain:



This is the other one that I entered in the show, "Warrior Princess". It has sold out of the gallery, so I won't be bringing this one back home! I haven't heard from the gallery whether "Victorian Lace" has sold or not. Keeping my fingers crossed!

This one also is a blend of straight copper wire and hammered copper wire. The stone is a red jasper, tumble-polished:



If anyone would like to see photos of my other "makings" here is my website (unfortunately, I like to make pendants better than I like to photograph them, so I have a lot of new stuff made that hasn't been posted to my website):

http://www.delafournaise.com

Again, thanks for asking! If anyone has any questions, please ask.

Anne

[BarbaraRose]

Anne, those pieces are beautiful! I went to your webpage. I love the "Gold Rush" piece! All of them are very pretty and ornate!