Yummy, Yummy, Yummy I Got Fish in My Tummy!

Yesterday was the Saturday from hell. I won't go into much detail but we broke in 'Blutto' (The Husband's 1997 Expedition)......TWICE! Once 50 miles from home and then 30 miles! Poor Louie was alone for almost 10 hrs.........his eyes were yellow by the time the neighbors dropped us off.

Today was much better. We went to the beach, to outdoor mall for coffee and people watching and home for a delicious sashimi dinner.

We started with my second infusing experiment....'The Blue Raja'.....okay, it's really kinda purple.......




This was made with the blueberry infused vodka, Pinnacle Cotton Candy vodka and lemonade. It was good, but not the flavor bomb like the the Atomic Fireball martini. It might be better with more ice served in an old-fashion glass. But it was tasty.

The The Husband made this for dinner....






Fresh sashimi! Our quest yesterday was for fish at Joe Patti's in Pensacola, which we did make in between breakdowns. This was soooooo fresh and good. I could eat it every day. We had Ahi tuna, fresh salmon and escolar........yummy!

Kickin' back the rest of the evening.

Fido Friday

Lily sleeps in.

Lily has been doing great! She will have her 4th chemo session this coming Weds.  We have found a combination of vitamins and antibiotics the week after her sessions that make her bounce back quickly from any side effects.

 

She has been playful, chewing bones and although she doesn't want to eat her KD prescription diet any longer, she will eat anything else I put in front of her with zest.  I figure at the moment it is better to just keep her eating!

 

This Thanksgiving we will morn the loss of Edgrr but be thankful for our time with him.  We will be thankful for still having Lily with us and to her Vet and medical staff for working so hard to help her and being so kind to us.  We will be thankful for all of our family and friends, local and on the internet, for their thoughts and prayers.

 

We will be thankful for our jobs and the roof over our head.   We will be thankful to be of this world and living in what is still in my eyes, the greatest country in the world.

In other words, we will be thankful for a lot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gerber in Sunlight

I wish I was a better photographer but I usually cut the heads off of my subjects.  I do seem to do okay with flowers though.   I got this Gerber the other morning just at sunrise.  The color was pretty intense.

 This was my artsy shot!

I love Gerber Daisies....they make me smile!

Sweet But Sad Story.................

Bella and Tarra (picture credit The Elephant Sanctuary)

This is one of the sweetest and saddest animal stories I have ever heard. Please stop by and read about Bella and Tarra at The Elephant Sanctuary.  Animals are amazing!

Kayaking Choctawhatchee Bay

We were able to get the yaks out for a few hours this morning.

I have matched my outfit to my yak.

 The Husband has also matched his outfit to my yak.

 Does this hat make me look....ridiculous?

Exploring the bayous and inlets is very relaxing.

Out on the open bay. The water is so shallow and clear here you can see the bottom in this picture.

 One of the nice things about kayaking around here is the wildlife.  The Husband was able to get a picture of this Osprey chick peeking over the nest.  There are actually 2 chicks in there and Mom and Dad were taking turns feeding them.

I also saw 2 pods of dolphins no more than 75ft from me.  Unfortunately The Husband missed them and I didn't have my camera with me.  They are so amazing to see up close in the wild like that, just swimming.

The mullet were also jumping like crazy too!  I was hoping one or two would jump in the yak.  For those of you who don't know what a mullet is aside from a bad haircut, it is a fish.  They are vegetarians so you can only catch them with nets.  They are very tasty.  But alas, none found their way on board.

It was nice to get out as it has been awhile since we have gone kayaking.  Even though it was already stifling hot with the sun beating down on our heads, there was an ever so slight breeze.  But just seeing the wildlife around us made it all worth it.

Enjoy the rest of your July 4th holiday.

It's Hot, Hot, Hot.........

Okay, it's only June 5th and the hot weather is already here.  It is 88 out right now.....not bad, IF THE REAL FEEL WASN'T 107!

I'm meltinggggggggggggggggg..............ugh!

Prom Date

I never went to the prom.  In my junior year of high school I didn't have senior boyfriend to go with. In my senior year I was dating an older guy and he really didn't want to go.  He offered but I could tell his heart wasn't really in the offer.

I love to go to Dillard's at prom time and look at the dresses.  They have a large selection and are very reasonably priced.  My prom was in 1973.  I don't think I would have made my dress if I had gone but if I did I may have chosen this one:

I love the little attached caplet.  Or perhaps this one:

Definitely the dress not the jumpsuit!  If I went to the prom in the 50's I may have chosen this one:

 I really like both of them, but the yellow one looks more 'prom' to me.  If I was going to the prom in the mid-60's I may have worn this:

I love the simplicity of the black and white, understated elegance for the prom! Okay, I would never pick this dress but then the 80's didn't offer much in my opinion, so here's my choice:

Okay, the cream colored one doesn't look too bad.   Here are a few modern picks I'd consider (if I was 18 and thin again!):

For that waif look.

I love the full skirt versions of this, especially the black one. A little edgy for prom, but kinda sweet looking too. Would be great with some 4" platform gladiator sandals!

The halter and double strap versions would look good on anyone.

I must still be channeling my inner teen every prom season, I can't seem to stop daydreaming about what I would wear, then or now!

Who's That Lady????

This is my first attempt at taking my own picture with my new phone.  Let me tell you it is much easier to send them to myself rather than transfer them from the camera.  It's not the best picture, but then it's not the best camera/phone......but not too bad.  Did I mention I really don't like to have my picture taken?

I made this skirt last year.  It is NL6898.  I wasn't that happy with it and was going to give it away.  It was in the Goodwill bag, all tied up and ready to go.  But something made me go back and decide to give it and another skirt a second chance.

The last ( and only) time I wore it I kept my top untucked.  This time I tucked it in, and added the cardy because it was a little cool at the beachfront.  I really liked how it looked this time.  You can't see the front pleat detail, but it's there.

I quit wearing my tops tucked in about 8 years ago when menopause started and the weight piled up in front.  I didn't want to look down and see that little potbelly, a reminder that I like food too much.......and exercise not enough!  But it didn't seem so bad this time...of course the cardi helped a bit.

Another issue with skirts and dresses has bother me personally lately.....I have some patches of spider veins on my legs.  And it bothers me.  I can't really have anything done about it right now so I've been shying away from skirts and dresses.  But they are so cute and cool in the hot summer.  Any suggestions?  Leg make-up? Bronzer? 

All in all, I am glad I saved this little skirt. I hung onto the pattern too, so maybe there's another one in my future.

You Have Entered a 'No Sew Zone'

I wish I had lots of things to show you.....I wish I had anything to show you, but I don't.  It just isn't happenin' here.

I did manage to finish my corduroy skirt that I talked about in an earlier post.  I also managed to wear it twice before Spring arrived here in full force.  I am also almost done with S4182 that I am making in black/white seersucker.  I just have to do the buttonhole and sew the facings down.....but I'm not crazy about this long sleeve version as I was about the short sleeved one. I am apathetic about finishing it.

I think I am at a crossroads here with my sewing.  I have not been happy with the finished items, I have not been happy with my fabric choices (I live in a small town...online is the choice) and I just don't seem to have the time lately to put into an item.  I see so many pretty things in the stores that I can have now and frankly, they fit better.

I  was thinking of making a dress for our anniversary dinner next month, but I saw a beautiful one in Belks that is going on sale this week for $43.00.  I like the fabric much better than any I have on hand or have seen online.  And it would only take a minute to pop over there and try it on.

I am in a slump. Or have lost my 'mojo' if I ever did have it.  Sewing at this moment just doesn't excite me.  Maybe it's 'spring fever'. Who knows?

Torn Between Two Lovers....................

I am a football fan.  Of course I would have loved for the Bears to be in the Super Bowl, but frankly, I don't think they were the best team for the job.

At the beginning of the year I said it was this team's year:

But who could have predicted all the injures, the concussions, it looked dire.  But they wanted it all and here they are....Go Pack!

This is one of my all time favorite teams:

But who could have predicted beginning the season without your star quarterback?  But they wanted it all....again for a 7th time, and here they are.....Go Steelers!

Yes, I am torn........................ but I will survive!

Today........

is my birthday!  Happy birthday to me!

Now at 55 I can get the senior day discount at Stein Mart.......somethings are worth growing old for......

Hello......Is It Me You're Looking For?

Yikes, what happened to January and where was I?  Life seems to have gotten in the way, mostly work, work and hmmm, well more work.

I haven't done much sewing. I have a black corduroy skirt I have been working on since before, yes, before Christmas. Really, how long does it take you ask to make a simple skirt?  Apparently about a month.  I just have the hem to do by hand which I am hoping to get to during one of the football games tomorrow.  Then maybe I'll get to wear it once or twice before our weather gets warmer here in Northwestern Florida, where this morning it is 35degrees. ( I know, I know....others have it worse.  Actually I am not complaining, I enjoy the colder weather.)

I have been doing a little pattern shopping since it seems like everyone has them on sale. You can never have too many patterns, well, yes I guess you can, but I am not at that point yet.

I picked up these two from Vogue:

V8649

  V8669

I am hoping to get a little better sewing with knits this year.  I've tried a couple of time to sew with ITY jersey knit with less than stellar results, that fabric is so darn slippery.  So this time I want to try my hand with matte jersey and see how that goes.

I picked up this one from Butterrick:

B5478

I really like the simple jacket and the dress is nice too.

These are all older patterns, very few of the new ones appealed to me.  Simplicity is having a great sale and I stocked up on a few there, but will save those for another post.

I'm hoping my work life will slow up a little and I'll have some time to sew soon, all these new patterns are calling out for some fabric now!

Edgrrr Update

He is doing great! We are still doing chemo treatments and getting great results.  He is gaining weight, up to 101lbs now and as happy and goofy as ever. We are still keeping our fingers crossed.

Happy New Year! Welcome 2011.............

Happy New Year to everyone!  I can't say that I will miss 2010............a lot of little things happened one right after the other that took it's toll on the The Husband and me, then there was the BP oil spill which did a number on the Gulf Coast region and last but not least there was Eddie's lymphoma.

But there were things to be thankful for in 2010.  We got a visit not once but twice from relatives up north.  I have a good part-time job that I not only kept in a down industry but got some nice bonuses during peak season, a great year-end one, and a nice raise to boot! We are selling our commercial property in a very down market, for a decent (not great) price.  The Husband and I are healthy, Lily is healthy and Eddie is doing great!  Can't beat that................

I didn't get as much sewing done this year as I would have liked but I did make a few things this year that I thought were real winners and have worn quite a bit.

Here are my 2010 winners:

McCall's 5248 bathrobe made from Michael Miller cotton.  I love this robe!

Simplicity 2917 skirt made from cotton fabric.  I wore this skirt all summer. It has so many colors in it, it goes with everything.

McCall 5882 tunic made from cotton. Just love it!

Simplicity 4182 jacket made from cotton.  When I first finished this I thought it was just okay, but I ended up loving it and wearing it alot.  I have a long sleeve version in the works.

So all in all, it wasn't a great year but it wasn't a total bust either!

May 2011 bring everyone health and happiness!

Go Bears!

Could this be the year?

Sure, it's only week 2, but the pairing of Mike Martz and Jay Cutler is the best thing I've seen in Chicago in years!

Yes, the offensive line needs to protect Cutler better and some defensive players need a  week at Tackle Camp.........but a girl can dream can't she?

The New Oldsmobiles Are in Early this Year.................

Simplicity...er, New Look came out with their new fall patterns.  And not that I really need any new patterns but these are my favorites:

NL6000

I LOVE this dress! I really like the View C sleeves and collar but prefer the long darts to the side gather.  I think this would be a great holiday dress!

NL6006

Our coat weather down here last from 9:00pm to 9:00am during December and maybe into early January.  But a girl still needs a nice coat, and I need this one, both long and short.  It's perfect, stylish but simple. Love it.

NL6011

I think this is such great work wardrobe.  I like almost every piece, almost, but I think I could learn to like the rosettes.

Three simple patterns......I'm thinking these are the only three I'll ever need.......until next season!

Frustration........

noun:  "a deep chronic sense or state of insecurity and dissatisfaction arising from unresolved problems or unfulfilled needs, often accompanied by anxiety or depression."

This kind of sums up my sewing experiences this year (and late last year, now that I think about it).  Of the few items I have managed to make the only one I am truly pleased with and wear is the bathrobe!

In January I made two pairs of pants, from  two different patterns.  On initial wearing they weren't bad, on the next go round they both seemed baggy and ill fitting, possibly due to changes in my body from daily workouts.  Sure I am happy with the fruits of my workout labor......but it is playing havoc with my sewing labor.  Both pairs  now lie waiting to be altered.  They are winter wear, they can wait.

My second attempt to make B5331 ended in a UFO.  I'm not sure why, all that work with just the buttonholes to go and I just couldn't look at it anymore.  The color just didn't seem right, it was taking to long to finish, I just didn't want it anymore.

My second attempt at the capris from B3717 hasn't gone very well.  My first pair was made from 100% cotton and even though was prewashed shrank a little, but the fit was nice.   This version was made using a stretch twill, prewashed, plus a little extra added to the sideseams.  It turned out to look like jodhpurs, pooffy in the place I least need it! So I took the side seams in at the original seam.  They looked better but not great.  I don't know maybe I'm hypercritical or maybe the fabric wasn't right, it seemed right when I started out but got stretchier and heavier as time went on.  These capris now reside with B5331, in need of a waistband and hemming and I don't know what else to make them right.

The little short sleeve jacket I am making from S4182 is almost done, just sleeves and facings.  It's okay, fit isn't too bad although I don't like the gathered bodice in back but it's not horrible.  I'm just not loving it, maybe wrong fabric again or the style is too young for me, I just don't know.

I revisited a UFO from last April, S2896 .  I needed a dress for a party and thought that since I my body has shifted fat around, it might fit.  But no, apparently that only works with the pants I made, the dress was still a little snug and this time pooffy in the stomach......another place I can ill afford any pooffiness.  I finished the dress, but still had to go out and buy a new one, which looked great and fit great and only took about 1/2 hour of my life to find.

Here is my frustration, after all the hours and money spent on these items I'm not loving any of them except as I said my bathrobe.  I am on a very limited budget and thought I could make some nice garments at reasonable prices, but it's not turning out that way.  Working 2 jobs gives me limited sewing time and the time spent sewing has not resulted in much.  I'm thinking my money and time would be more well spent at a thrift store or Target!

I don't know, maybe I'm just tired, maybe I just need a break from sewing.  Maybe I enjoy the thought of sewing all my own garments, of picking out patterns and fabric....but not the actual process of sewing them all
I don't know I'm just frustrated!

Happy Tax Day, America!

Taxation with representation ain't so hot either! .....vanya cohen

What at first was plunder assumed the softer name of revenue......Thomas Paine

Did you ever notice that when you put the words "The" and "IRS" together, it spells "THEIRS?" ......Author Unknown
 

"Nothing is so fatiguing.......................

.........as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task" - William James

 

Butterick 5331 is still not complete and my desire to finish it, even though so close,  is waning  more each day. So I am putting it aside for now.

It's a shame really. I put a lot of work into, here is the inside.

 

Every seam is bound with bias I made myself. It looks great but ...well...I just don't know.  Time to move on.

What a Difference a Day Makes

When I woke up yesterday it was 75 degrees, with humidity it felt like 80. Today when I woke up and it is 50 degrees and with the wind it feels like 45. I love the cooler weather!

This has been the warmest October since we moved here. It has been hot and humid and hopefully it is over!

I have been sick and also started a new part time job so there has been little of anything going on here.

Almost Done

New Look 6598

I am almost finished with this blouse. I made a muslin of it several months ago and it fit nicely so I thought I would try it with the short sleeves in a little nicer cotton fabric. I made it just a tich longer (5/8") but other than that nothing out of the ordinary. The sleeves are snug but I still have full range of motion. It may work better with a cotton with a little stretch to it. I have the buttonholes and back hem to finish and possibly top-stitching all around the facing to keep it in place. I plan to finish it on Monday but had my camera out so thought I'd put up a preview.


I don't think the fabric photographs well because of the tiny print on it, it is red with a tiny black/white print. Doesn't look like much on the hanger but it is a nice classically simple blouse.
Fast and easy.

Chrome Toes



I am sure most of you don't really want to see my feet, but I just thought this polish was so cool. The Husband said my toes looked like something from an alien cyborg...sigh...he is so romantic!

Late Summer Harvest


These are banana peppers. They are normally yellow when ripe, but when I brought them in the house and left them for a few days on the counter they turned these gorgeous shades of orange. They are quite tastey.