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Monday, April 14, 2025

Latch Hooking and Lucky

The latch hooking part of this project is done! This is what I have been working on for the past 3-1/2 months. I fell in love with this project when I purchased a mystery box of craphts from my fav online auction site. This creation is destined for entry in the crafts category at the California State Fair. 

Next step is to trim the canvas and hand-sew it to the backing with extra-strength thread. Below is the close-up image of the pink flower while it was in process.  

Interesting that this latch hooking craft has entered my life again. It was popular back in the 1970s. I have scads of this rug yarn now.  I bought a few lots online and have found some at thrift. My next project will be colorful mushrooms in a black chiaroscora background. I have already ordered the latch hook canvas. 


#AtoZChallenge 2025 letter L

A to Z challenge letter L features Little Lucky. She is the youngest of my two cats on the ranch. 

A to Z letter M are my eBay Milestones. 

Saturday, April 12, 2025

K letter day Karma

This letter K for the A to Z Challenge was the last one drafted for this challenge. An odd letter to be stumped on. 

#AtoZChallenge 2025 letter K

An observation on page views, I was doing great on the first few letters with a few thousand visiting. Now, it has dropped to near nothing. Maybe its the weather? 

Also, none of my A to Z posts are trending on my popular posts gadget. Another oddity. 

Because I gots nothing on this one, I am going to rely on Boy George. 

Friday, April 11, 2025

Thoughts on Jell-O

I grabbed a few books for an eBay listing session and this Jell-O one fit the bill for the A to Z challenge letter J 
https://www.ebay.com/itm/187122588747

#AtoZChallenge 2025 letter J

This dessert was served to family and friends at weekly Sunday brunches held at our house. 

Cranberry Raspberry Jell-O


My favorite is sugar-free orange Jell-O with sliced bananas in it.

Thursday, April 10, 2025

A New Identity


#AtoZChallenge 2025 letter I

A to Z Challenge letter of the day is "I." For years I worked in law and management and identified as a manager or analyst. Now retired, I have formed a new identity. I am a dancer and artist. The post on tap dancing is queued up and the post on art was the "D" letter day. I went ahead and declared as an Art major. I have been a lifelong college student so that has always been part of my identity. In my drawing and composition class, we are exploring Ink Wash with India Ink. A first for me with this medium. 

For those retired, have you formed new identities? 

💃🎨

A to Z Challenge letter J is just about Jell-O. 

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

What Was Once is Now a Habit

The image is from 1970 with me in the lead horseback riding in Sun Valley, Idaho. It has been that long since I have been able to engage in that activity. 


#AtoZChallenge 2025 letter H

A to Z challenge H letter day opens with the phrase "What was once is now a habit." My newest activity I hope to make a habit is Horseback Riding. 

What has been a HOOT into retirement is returning to my childhood interests. When I was a pre-teen, I was Horse Crazy! 🐎

There was a stable within walking distance near my childhood home. At church camp, I could be found at the stables rather than sitting through a sermon. 

As a middle class family, we did not have the money for a horse. Life went on and I was horseless throughout my adult life. Until NOW. Course the Mr. has thought I've rounded the bend with this newest proposal. I just want to go horseback riding. I don't want to have a horse on the property. I have no idea how to care for a horse. 

We will see if what was once will now become a habit. 

🐴

A to Z Challenge letter "I" reflects on a new identity. 

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Greenhouse Gardening and Gratefulness


This is a volunteer that has taken over the tomato cages, for now. Getting a good look at the letter G for the A to Z Challenge. 
#AtoZChallenge 2025 letter G

Each year I engage in greenhouse gardening. Last year, so many seeds germinated that I gave away starts at work, AND put some at the end of our road with a 🆓 sign. This year, I planted the seeds in a different pattern. Corn is on the outer borders, with climbers like cantalope, nearby. I then packed it with peas, radish, kale, lettuce, tomato, and mammoth dill. Here is the image of the newly-planted seeds. 


Two carry overs are asparagus and garlic chives. All non-edible plants like flowers were removed from the greenhouse. I figure we have the structure, we should make good use of it. The next logical step will be to can the summer's bounty. I will have more to report as we move into the summer months. The image below was taken a few days ago, a bounty of seedlings in one of the beds. 

Am I worried about our food future? We have the politicos flexing their muscles and pushing into new territories. Many of America's foods come from Mexico. During lockdown we saw supply chain disruption. All of the world powers are investing in armaments. Be like a Boy Scout - Be Prepared. Fresh fruit and vegetable shortages are a possibility. 

The biggest predator to my greenhouse - raccoons.🦝Another reason why we don't have chickens, because of the raccoons. But if eggs continue to edge up in price, we might have to calculate the cost of renovating the chicken coop. 

On the subject of gratefulness - the basic theme of the A to Z Challenge. My partner and I are grateful we have made it to the age where we can enjoy our retirement. It is something we wonder at every day, that we are "comfortable." But that is not without some sacrifices made throughout our lives. 

Moving along in the challenge, the H letter day is about habits and horseback riding. 

Monday, April 7, 2025

Flowers and Friends

Pattern of the Day - 1995 Flowers of Friendship Angel.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/187098761885

My front flower garden full of spring blossoms.  


#AtoZChallenge 2025 letter F

A to Z challenge F letter day f eatures flowers and my online friends. These friends are participating in the A to Z Challenge. 

First up is an old friend Anne M. Bray. Her blog featured this year is Pattern Recognition with the specialty of Fluevogs on Repeat.

Newfound friends I have discovered through the A to Z Spreadsheet is Marina at theboxofcolors highlighting her artwork. 

And another Lissa at postcardsfromthebookstore hosting an audience-lead non-theme. 

A delightful find of Jane Turley a British gal at The Witty Ways of a Wayward Woman.

Finally, I found Rhondi at yagottalaughaboutit a good-natured Canadian. 

💮💮💮💮💮💮

G letter day for the A to Z Challenge is Greenhouse Gardening and Gratefulness.