Getting Organized

BEFORE . . .

Just like everybody else in the New Year, I have made some resolutions.  One of which is to get organized. 

AFTER . . .

Can you tell the difference?

Garden Spoons

My garden is becoming a mini gallery, thanks to my daughter Paige.  Each Christmas, she finds me the cutest little art objects that can be displayed with my plants and flowers.  This year, I received 3 sterling spoons. Paige found them on Etsy and the artist is Allison Cecil of Monkeys Always Look.  They have been flattened and stamped with different sayings - "KEEP CALM AND GARDEN ON", "MOM'S GARDEN" AND "LIVE LOVE LAUGH".  Too cute!!!

Ellen's Village

I love collecting little houses.  Here are four of my favorites.  The two on the left, were purchased on Etsy in 2007 and I'm sorry I don't have the artist's name.  The "green plum house" in the middle is by Todd Van Duren.  I bought this in Wimberly, Texas in 2009.  The little cottage is from a shop in Old Town, San Diego. It was made by Windy Meadows Pottery, Ltd.  I'm guessing I've had this since 1978.

Ellen's peaceful little village has even shown up in my Moleskine Watercolor Notebook.

Green With Envy

Several years ago, my friend bought a kit to hand knit a scarf.  I really liked the colors but it was the only one the yarn shop had in green.  Five years later, my friend still had not knitted the scarf.  Imagine my surprise when last October, she "donated" the kit to me.  (A BIG THANK YOU!!)

 It consisted of about 14 different textures and shades of green yarn, all tied together in one continuous strand. The pattern was so different from any of the scarfs I have knitted in the past.  I cast on 224 stitches but only had to knit till the scarf was 6 inches wide. 

I love the changes in the yarns, and it was so fun to work on because I didn't know which yarn would be next.  I feel so lucky to have such giving friends. 

Walking Into 2011

For the past 10 years, our friends Patty and Richard, have organized a "Happy New Year Walk".  This year, it was held at Felicita County Park in Escondido.  Adults, children and dogs started gathering in the parking lot on a sunny but cold Sunday morning for the one hour walk.

Due to the recent heavy rains, the trail was lush with green foliage, creeks and small waterfalls. 

 In Southern California you can see live oak trees, pine trees, cactus and palm trees all mixed together in one beautiful landscape.

After the walk, we enjoyed a meal of BBQ hot dogs and beer at 11:00 in the morning!

Raspberry Parfait

My dear friend Sherry loves her colors.  Here's a 25" x 25" wall quilt I made for her as a birthday/Christmas gift this year. It is machine pieced. 

I used hand stitching and fabric paint to add to the texture on the quilt top.

Hello 2011

We enjoyed our traditional last meal of the year on Friday night. 

First, a visit to Seaforth Landing on Mission Bay to select 2 live California Spiny Lobsters.

Second, we enjoy a New Year's feast of BBQ lobster, roasted asparagus and champagne.

WISHING YOU A NEW YEAR FILLED WITH PEACE AND JOY