Back in service

I'm still battling bronchitis, but I'm generally feeling better now. Those summer colds are killer!

These blocks are destined to be a wall hanging for my 'dining room' (now serving as a sewing/crafts room.) The pattern was in the latest issue of McCall's Quilting.


The green and red quilt is now at the quilters' and hopefully will be done in a month or two. She has quite a backlog to get to. I'm just glad to get it to her and know she will get to it eventually.

DH has planted some new plants in my flowerbeds. The one on the left is a coleus, variety unknown. On the right is a Maui Ixora.


This bed has different Croton varieties in it. The center one is actually bright purple with twisted leaves on it. The sun was so bright it is hard to see the color.

Isn't this yellow and green one gorgeous?


Here are the caladiums and the hibiscus, which has seen better days.


Today I went to lunch at the Olive Garden with two different Red Hat groups, the Red Hat Rascals (my group) and our guests, the Texas Cowbelles. We had a great time. Everyone talked about something they collect. I showed some of the fabric postcards I have received in the mail. People are always so surprised that they can be mailed.


DH got his first SS check today, and we've already spent it catching up on the bills. We should be in good shape now.

Sick

Sorry I haven't posted recently--I have had a bad summer cold for the last two weeks and am still coughing badly. I haven't had the energy to do much, although I have painted some more pages of my board book, and am re-thinking the theme for it. I am now considering doing a book on my ancestors, with photos of some of them and something about each one's life. We'll see how that goes.

I am also tasked with planning a Halloween party for my Red Hat Society group. At least I have plenty of time to think about that one.

More later when I'm feeling a little better.

Jury duty

I have actually made a little progress in my artistic endeavors- I have painted out about half the pages in my board book with two coats of white acrylic paint. I have also gotten a good start on my Buddha piece, as you can see in the photo. I need to print the Buddha figure onto fabric, then I can start sewing things down.

I have also started making postcards again, and signed up for a swap with two other people, "Painted Postcards." I painted some white cotton fabric with blue Jacquard paint, painted the main design, and added rubber stamped words, some fibers, and some little embellishments. I'll take a photo when they are ready to be mailed. I'm easing back into it, but I decided it was a good opportunity to try some new techniques. I had never used fabric paints before, and was pleased at the results. My efforts may not be up to the standards of the others, I don't know. I have spent several hours on each card, but they are more 'cute' than 'artistic.' I need to work on coming up with new and more sophisticated ideas.

This will be a busy week. Sunday was my MIL's 88th birthday. She has asked us not to give her any gifts, so we took her out to eat at her favorite restaurant. Tomorrow (Tuesday) I have to set up the Lodge for Eastern Star in the afternoon, go grocery shopping at the base commissary, then attend the Eastern Star meeting, with dinner at IHOP afterward.

My DH has a jury summons for Federal Court tomorrow, so he won't be available to help. Then on Thursday I have a jury summons for Municipal Court. I have no idea how long that will take--we have been called to jury duty on the county level at least once a year for many years, but neither of us has ever been called to either Federal or Municipal Court. It might be an interesting experience. I don't mind jury duty, I just resent the fact that the county calls us so often while other people never get called at all. I have told DH that if we ever move out to the country, we have to move to a different county!