Fussy Old People

Fussy old people. You know the ones. "Where is my cup? Not that one, I like the one with the thick edge. I like that one."  "Did anyone see where I put my glasses? Oh, I have them on? Hmm?"  "Do you have a fan? It seems like I'm hot in here." And on and on.

We just returned from visiting our children in Texas. I must tell you that they were very long-suffering with us. We were treated like royalty. "Let 'Honey' have the front seat so she can get in and out better". "Dad, would you like something to eat to hold you over before dinner?" "Papa likes this kind", and on and on. We were made to feel so welcome.

The two girls and our son planned a day of fun for the guys and the same time a day of shopping for the girls. Not to forget the son-in-laws and daughter-in-law, they accommodated our every whim.  My poor granddaughter had to listen to stories from long ago til her eyes glazed over. She told her mother later, "'Honey just told me her life story". Hmm, I will have to make it shorter next time! (and she didn't hear all of it!)

Schedules were changed, beds were given up. Menus planned just for us. We were together nearly every day with frequent phone calls and texts in between.

A family whiffle ball game had us all cheering. It didn't matter who was hitting (or not hitting), we just all wanted to "let the kid out".

New sunglasses

Taking a rest

Styling

Family whiffle ball

Our normal heavy hitter couldn't get a hit. She blamed it on a need for glasses.

Some enjoyed watching.

One granddaughter just redid her room

And, made this picture for it, don't you just love the spelling?

Many poses were taken with this poor rabbit who died making a little boy happy.

Boy cousins.

I finished another rug for a 40th birthday coming up.

We had a wonderful time and look forward to returning. 

A Break in the Land of the Alamo

Mr and I have been visiting some of our children that live in the state of Texas. So far we have spent more time with our girls. Saturday evening we will get together with my son and the girls and all the families for dinner. Can't wait to see the other grandchildren.

Wow. It has been far too long to see the grandchildren and catch up with their growth.

I spent a day with a dear friend that used to live near us. We hit some fantastic fabric and quilt stores and drooled over many bolts of fabric and surreptitiously took pictures of quilts that we admired for future reference. I bought a pattern book because I didn't want to fill up my suitcase with fabric when I needed it for "finds".


My Grandson, "The Silver Craftsman", participated in a show called "Funky Finds" in the Fort Worth Convention Center (yeah, a big 2 day event). We just heard that he won the "Best Booth" Award! I know a lot of hard work went into his displays, his products and just loosing sleep wondering if you had it all together. You can read more about the show and see photos here.

Here is his Facebook page


I wish I could figure out how to post a picture of him at the show with his parents... It is in the second set of pictures on the Funky Finds facebook page (starts with a lovely large dog)  ninth row, on the right side... isn't this crazy! ? I should just learn how to do this... duh, if you go to Sheldon's page, it is right there!

I am currently learning about Instagram, I have a total of 2 pictures! wow! don't want to overwhelm you all. I am always trying to figure out ways to keep in touch with my kids.

We have a few more days of lazing around here before we head back home and get back to work. I think we want to hit a few collectible/antique stores today. I always get a few ideas on display and sometimes I get some really good deals.

Hey You Texans

Just wanted to share a little of my pride and joy

My grandson has an etsy shop

The Silver Craftsman

He's 15 -- years old!

and will be a vendor at the Funky Finds show

at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth

on November 10th

Booth 418

Free admission

and raffle prizes.

You can see more of him here

and... there is a discount if you mention his face book account...

These are his creations,

his work,

his little business.

How's that for a grandson?

no flies landing on this one.

So, if you are in the area, be sure to visit

this two day event in Fort Worth.

Projects in the Making

I really have been busy...

Well, I am calling it busy anyway.

With the fall weather, it makes me want to do hand-work. Longer evenings, sitting in my favorite chair...

I saw these cute little crocheted pumpkins over at hip2thrift and just had to try them.

They were so easy, that I showed my 10 year old granddaughter how to make them and since she has made a few, they are currently selling in their parent's store. My daughter tells me they can't keep them in stock... how's that?

You still have time to make your own and get the pattern here.

At first I made a few.

Then a few more

Then I rummaged around in my stash and found a few more colors to try out, more gourd type.

Before I knew it I had almost a whole pumpkin/gourd patch

So, then I found some red yarn. The color here is not real...

When I showed my granddaughter, her comment was - "Tomatoes"!

I was making red apples, sigh.

On another front, I saw some fabric and started tearing it up for a rug

I have no idea where this is going and the color really looks washed out... wait, I'll take an indoor photo and see...

Well, that is a little better, not quite to washed out.

After I get a double row, like the part on the left, I don't really know where to go,

I usually steal from my stash and nothing is really "speaking" to me right now.

perhaps something dark? The middle part is kinda a salmon color...

When I first saw the fabric that is in the center and started knotting it together,

all I could think about was "Folk Art". It just seemed to have that flavor,

now, since I added the light blue, I am thinking "crazy quilt" or something along that lines.

Maybe "crazy lady".

Long way to go before it will be of any use, but a start.

You can get instructions for making your own creation of a rug from

a tutorial I did a while back. And, second part is here

It truly is a no sew rug. This one is rather tight, but it will wear well. Washable and all.

AND, if you do decide to make one, please share a picture or link back for me to see. I love to see what others are doing.

******

I also have a piece of burlap from a 50 pound sack that I am thinking about making into table runners.

I have so many ideas running around in my head and not enough energy to complete them.

Homemade Corn Tortillas

A stack of freshly made tortillas.

Made with this.

No, it is not a torture device, but a tortilla press. You have probably seen one of these sometime in your life at a yard sale, thrift store, etc.

(Because I have used it once this year, it has survived the yearly clean-out drill)

My husband has Mexican heritage and I'm sure that his grandmothers, hey even his mother would have love to have one of these. I can picture them kneeling by their fire (not his mother) and patting out the corn masa with their hands and then cooking it on the hot stones. And this was after they ground the corn into flour. 

And, all before lunch !

I, however, bought my corn masa straight from the grocery store.

I am so spoiled.

All you do is add water! and a little salt.

I mixed it up and used a cookie scoop to make it into little balls. (Note to self, they came out pretty small, so next time, use a larger scoop)

The directions told me to use plastic wrap to keep it from sticking .

( I just had to try one without the wrap - and sure enough, it sticks)

Put the top down and smash the handle down too,

and you have a perfectly shaped tortilla.

It comes out so round, even when the balls are not shaped so round.

See how thin? Maybe 1/16th of an inch?

Cook it up on a hot skillet/griddle

turn it over to cook both sides.

Stack them up and cover to keep them from drying out.

Tonight, at our Friday evening gathering, I am taking these little gems,

some black beans, salsa and cheese.

They will be transformed (I hope) into Quesedillas.

One of these times I want to take the makings and let the kids make/smash

their own. After all, the grandkids have Latin blood in them too.

Apple Night

About a week back you heard me whining about all the apples we had here.

Well, Mr and I, with help from some of the grandkids, gathered up a bunch and took them down to our friend's home one evening. The young people, along with their mothers' supervision, with a grandmother thrown in here and there, peeled probably well over a bushel. If you don't know how much a bushel is, well, to tell you the truth, I don't either.

There were some guests from out-of-town that graciously allowed us to put them to work.

The boys were moving so fast, that at times they were a blur ...

that, and my poor picture taking skills.

The older boys gave advice to the younger ones on the best way to make the peeler work.

 He finally got to work that mechanical machine...

Meanwhile, some of the mothers and a few older girls spiced up the peeled apples in preparation for putting them into zip-lock bags.

There was a line-up for picture taking from one of the dads.

Some fathers discussed "world events", solved "world hunger", the economy and the like.

A large pot of applesauce was also cooked and enjoyed that evening. I think around 16 to 20 gallon bags were prepared for freezing.

And, we all had a good time.