Frank Sinatra Jr - New York, New York

Last week, David and I went to a dear ladies 81st birthday party!  Had an amazing time dancing with my wonderful husband.  The entertainment was provided by none other than Frank Sinatra, Jr.  He was actually pretty good.  I didn't even know there was a Jr.  If you have nothing else to do, take a look at this video (taken from youtube, not from our party)

Ugly Old Breadbox

About a month ago, Mackenzie decided she wanted to Mod-Podge her door with leopard print (we have never done any decoupaging before so I told her I would have to practice on something much smaller and easily replaceable).  I started with paper mache letters and scrapbook paper.  Didn't turn out too bad, huh?  I did 2 of these... one for Sarah and one for her friend, Bella and Mackenzie did an M for herself.

I'm still not ready for a door, so I looked around the house to see what else I could do.  David and I bought this wooden bread box back in 1992.  It was great then- with the country blue and mauve hearts painted on it.  I have been wanting to buy a new one for years, but haven't found one that I really like that is also functional.  I decided to Mod-Podge it... couldn't look worse than it already did, I figured.  It turned out pretty good.  I learned a few things along the way with both projects.

I'm still not ready to commit to possibly destroying a perfectly good bedroom door, so I have one more project to do first.  We bought a wall shelf and bench set from JC Penny to go in the entry way.  It is really nice, except that it comes with white canvas storage baskets to go in the cubby holes and a white cushion for the bench.  The white looks really out of place up against the wood.  I figured I could get some fabric to Mod-Podge onto the baskets and make a cover for the cushion.  I'll post pictures once it gets done.  Wish me luck!

end of summer is finally here

The end of summer is officially here, but the weatherman must not have gotten the memo.  It was a very cool summer (only got above 100 once).... until now!  We had over 100 yesterday and will again today.  I will not complain, though because my friends in TX had MANY days over 100 with the humidity.  Man, I love living in N. CA!

Since it is the end of summer, it's time to do some canning.  Oh, wait... I don't can!  Instead, I love freezer bags and the freezer.  Much easier!  Night before last, I roasted the remainder of my bell peppers and froze them.  I just cut them in half and sprayed a little olive oil on them then popped them into the oven for about an hour or so... then put them in a covered bowl... peeled them and froze them.

This is the final harvest from the summer garden (except for a few beans, okra and tomatoes still holding on)

Ready to go in the oven

YUM!

Yesterday, I did the same with my tomatoes.  I cut them into quarters, added crushed garlic, fresh rosemary sprigs, thyme sprigs, oregano and basil, onion and olive oil.  Roasted them at 375 for about an hour and a half.  Peeled and pureed them then cooked on the stove top for a few hours to thicken it up some.  After it cooled I froze them in quart bags.  I didn't add any of the spices when I pureed it and cooked it, so it is a very basic tomato puree that I will pull from the freezer then I need it.  I may have to go to the farmers market this weekend and see if there are any good tomatoes left and do some diced and whole tomatoes.  I must say, my house smelled like Italian heaven all day yesterday.  Can't wait for winter when I can pull one out and have a taste of summer!

Most of these tomatoes came from a friend (mine are the smaller ones with stems still on them)

Ready to go into the oven.

Hot out of the oven.

HOURS later.... viola... puree.

Better Day

Yesterday was definitely a better day!  We got up early and worked in the garden getting it ready for fall.  We planted peas, broccoli, two kinds of lettuce and brussel sprouts.  I'm not sure what we will do with the brussel sprouts.  I don't think anyone will eat them, but I've heard that they taste different fresh from a garden, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I will like them.  I got my first small batch of compost from my new composter (a mothers day present this past mothers day).  It's amazing that you can throw a bunch of garbage in there and 3 months later get something wonderful for the garden.  Accomplishment feels good!

Green beans still producing so we left them alone.  In the very back is my  tomato plant that has almost had it and a couple of pepper plants that had a few peppers left that weren't quite ripe.

Our orange/lemon/grapefruit tree.  It has one lemon that is starting to turn yellow, one grapefruit and several oranges.

Last night we went to a friends house and had a cookout.  The kids ran around like crazy and swam.  We had a fantastic time.  Good food.  Good drink.  Good conversation.  Great friends.

Crazy girls having a great time!

Warming up by the fire pit (we've got to get one of these!)

Could the day get worse??

 A bad week is ending with a worse than ever day.  Could it be worse?   I think not!  Yesterday, I lost my car key and had to walk my 8 year old to school (no big deal, but I didn't realize key was missing until 5 minutes before she was supposed to be there and it's a 15 minute walk for a kid)...  She was late.  My husband told me to order a new key so I would have a spare.  I didn't.  I should have.  So, I have an electronic key.  Today, I washed it.  My washing machine is next to my garage door.  Key washed.  Washing machine caused car door to lock.  Key fried.  Purse, kids backpacks, everything... in the car.  UGGG!  I called the car dealership to see what to do.  They said, no problem... all we need to order you a new key is $200, your driver license and registration.... where is my driver license and registration???  In the car... locked.  Mr. Dealerman says, "No Problem, there is a valet key inside of the electronic key, all you have to do is flip the little tab"... next problem.  I took that off yesterday and put it, still attached to my key chain and all my other keys,  in my car door (don't ask why... just did).   Good thing is that I have had my car serviced there before, so they have a record of me and the car and were kind enough to order me a key without seeing my registration and license.  Should be here Tuesday or Wednesday.... so I will have to take David to work and pick him up until then.  I parked my car in the middle of the garage because I was leaving to take Mackenzie to work before David got home.  Now, David can't pull his car in the garage until I get the new key.  What a lovely end to the day.... David feels sorry for me and takes me out to eat dinner.  I order a giant beer, and guess what the lady at the bar wanted??  My ID!  Seriously??  Thankfully, she took a better look at me and gave me that beer!  The day is almost over.  What will tomorrow bring?

Pictures of quilt blocks

Here is the first full block I made.  It is a disappearing 9 patch.  

  This was the 2nd block I attempted to make.  NOT so good!

Surely it had nothing to do with the beer???!!  (by the way... the Sam Adams Cherry Wheat beer is the BEST)

Here it that block after I sorta fixed it up a little!  Still a little off, but it'll work.

beginning quilt!

Now, several days later, I have gotten a few quilt blocks done.  I guess I didn't cut my strips as accurately as I thought, cause some of my blocks ended up REALLY bad.  I did get them trimmed down and looking pretty good.  I've taken pictures, but the camera is up stairs and I'm too tired (lazy) to go up and get it.  I'll try to get pictures loaded tomorrow.

New Blog

Hey... just setting up a blog to share what's going on out here in Cali with y'all.  I have been doing lots of research on line about quilting and quilt patterns and have come across many blogs that are really cool where people are sharing their ideas and accomplishments.  That's it for my first post.  I know, not much of a blogger, am I?  I will post more later.