Sunday, February 12, 2012

Birthdays and new hobbies










My computer was virus infected last week. It seems it was more of an STD than a flu though, as it apparently had claws it was digging in to unusual places, and my poor sick husband had to work extra hard to get rid the infection. Gah!
On a happier note, I had a birthday, and my lovely husband acquired a gorgeous bouquet for me. He patronized a local florist and mentioned that he had been thinking of purple roses, which she had! And she suggested Stargazers, which he knows I love. And this lovely addition of Waxflowers. I think they are quickly becoming a favorite as well; when you rub the leaves they leave a lovely citrus scent on your fingers. Well done him.
My friend Stephanie is a wonderful chef, and made me an unbelievable cake. The interior is purple marbled and lemon lavender flavored. A true masterpiece in my home.
My mother took me shopping as has become tradition for my birthday, and she purchased a length of fabric I've been coveting, along with some super cute knee high socks from Sock Dreams, here in Portland. If you like unusual socks, I highly recommend them. They even have responsible, office worthy socks if you trend toward those.
I've recently taken up crochet. The lovely Nora taught me some basics and I seem to have really taken a liking to the craft. I have skeins of crafty type yarn that is to scratchy for clothing, but perfect for things like the hot pads I've made. I think I'll hone my skills by working through the cheaper yarn, making things like this until I'm happy enough to move on to working with the more expensive, softer stuff that I had to diligently avoid looking at while in my local yarn store. You see I simply HAD to go into the shop as the cheap, plastic needle I had been using finally snapped on Friday. Woe.
Of course I must not abandon my sewing machine, and have several projects in mind that really should be completed before baby comes in May. I have some red silk to make into a Regency robe, and I now have the lovely purple stripe to make into a Regency day dress. I also need to convert some jeans I have into maternity toped jeans as I am currently working with only one pair of pants that I can wear. Oh! I passed six months last week as well. What a week!
I acquired a late birthday present for Nora, two wax sealing stamps and some flexible wax that promises to be kind to the USPS machines. We'll see. I also purchased some wax for myself, which looks lovely, I must say.
Cheers!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

A Month of Letters

Today marks day one of my particular friend Mary R Kowal's challenge to write a letter a day for every postal day in February. I am taking up that challenge, but I think I may have an edge for this particular month as my birthday and Ayyam-i-Ha both fall in February, so I'll have the pre-made excuse to write thank you cards and Happy Ayyam-i-Ha cards. Today I sent off my first letter, a thank you note to my in-laws for a lovely birthday dinner on Sunday. I've also completed a letter today to be sent tomorrow to a Regency friend, written with my calligraphy pen and dip ink. My hand writing is ok, at best, but I hope it will improve upon regular use. I've pulled out my wax and seal and will attempt to send it in such a way as to not muck up the postal system's automated machines. They apparently don't like that kind of thing.