Birthday week

During my birthday week I thought I would enjoy making some things for myself. So I made a car trash bag out of some Japanese inspired fabric because I have a Japanese car.

Necklace and earrings to go with an orange polka dot shirt.

Just because I liked these shell things.

Bought these silver hearts a while back with the intention of making these exact earrings.

Birthday week

Instead of begrudging my birthday, I decided to enjoy it this year with a week of pleasures. Today's indulgence was lunch with a birthday coupon up at Rubio's. I enjoyed these salmon chipotle tacos. And my book, of course.

Things I made

Knitted blanket for a little baby boy coming soon. He will be my great-great nephew. Can I be that old?

Felt slippers made from a Simplicity vintage reproduction pattern.

Slippers and blanket as a set.

Necklace for niece, Amanda.

July 4

We had friends over last night and this cheese board was our appetizer. Pam said it looked so nice that she wished she had her camera. So I grabbed mine but Pam stopped me and set up the shot first. Maybe if I had a professional photographer with me all the time I would get some fancier images. Anyhoo, the cheese was delicious. Everyone's favorite was that apricot Stilton front and center.

My little project for the day was setting up my new bistro table with chairs my friend Michaele geve me when she moved. Replaces dried out and disintegrating Mexican leather set. Like the looks of it. Too hot, of course to sit out there.

Some sewing

Sewing as a duty. Needed to make a couple of thank you gifts that I've been putting off. Butcher apron for a guy named Jeff.

Car trash bag for Melissa. Think this will look nifty in her red VW bug convertible.

Set of mother-daughter aprons. Like making aprons.

Fund raiser

I misplaced my big camera and only found it a few days ago. These photos are from a fund raising night my church women's group held in April. It was a very enjoyable night. Many of us made or contributed items for a silent auction and a Chinese auction. The evening started with a social hour with wine and appetizers.
Chinese auction items had Chinese take out containers to drop tickets in. Becky made the folk art cross and Capri Sun bag on this table.

Silent auction items were at the far end of the room.
A delicious snack table, Cindy enjoying a treat.
Our priest Susan is pleased at winning a sports package.
My food contributions to the evening, deviled eggs and chocolate covered strawberry cookies.

new signs

About a month ago, we got new street signs in the subdivision and on my way out this morning I was thinking how much I like them.

Some knitting

A hat for Becky

And a hat for Mandy. The button up hat pattern that I like to knit trimmed with novelty buttons that Linda and I found at the ribbon store down by her house.

Familiarity

Familiarity never breeds contempt for me when it comes to this soothing Sunday activity.When I first moved to Scottsdale in 1994, my mom came with us for a month or so. The first Sunday that we lived here we went to Paradise Bakery for lunch.

It has frequently been my Sunday destination after church. And I have been having this same lunch of a half chicken walnut salad on dark molasses bread and a cup of soup for always. So far I have never tired of it. A quiet solitary lunch with a good read is one of my simple pleasures.

Flagstaff getaway

Last Tuesday I had a girls getaway to Flagstaff with friends from church. Four of us traveled up north to join a 5th friend whose daughter's summer home was our destination. Upon arrival we were greeted with mimosas and snacks, then out to lunch at the golf club.
This was my cozy and charming room complete with its own adjoining bath.
On our first evening we dined on oriental chicken salad at this very inviting table.
Annie an Jennie completed a project for Judy.
We had a few conversations on this patio deck. Three stories up, wow!
The next morning Judy prepared us a delightful breakfast.
Next was a hike in the tall pines.
The air was clean and crisp.
That afternoon we had a little shopping interval in downtown Flagstaff.
Pretty patio outside a candle shop.
Back home for Annie's delicious bruschetta and a glass of tea. Lots more conversation.
Then out for dinner at a restaurant that appeared to be rather a hole in the wall.
The Tinderbox with its quite edgy menu.
Michelle our very friendly and helpful server.
Fantastic goat cheese mushroom soup.
My entree of pot roasted pork belly and pork filled dumplings.
Lunch at Rock Springs on the ride home.
Where none of us saved room for pie. Thanks for the ride, Kathy.

creating

One of the bouquets I arranged for the church altar a week ago Sunday. The dark centered lilies were gorgeous.