Birthday 2023 In The Can...

 

Saturday was a beautiful tribute to my sister. So many friends and family attended her funeral, and we all shared many happy memories. 

When we got home, I changed my clothes into something comfortable, and while I fed the cats, Handsome took care of airing and feeding the dogs. Just as it got dark, it began to snow. I went upstairs and took a two hour nap. I was gassed. 

By the time I woke up, the snow had stopped. Handsome and I had a bite to eat and went to bed at our usual time.

 

Handsome woke me up yesterday morning with a "Happy Birthday", and "you might not want to look out the window". He was right. Mother Nature snow bombed our area of the state - and it was still snowing. We had Birthday plans in Milwaukee, and this weather threatened to cancel everything we wanted to do.

After checking our weather apps, it appeared that most of the weather was north of us, and that we would likely drive out of it on our way south. We decided to go for it, and we're really glad we did.

 

 

Handsome had purchased tickets for us to see a screening of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 at the Riverside Theater. Just like The Prisoner of Azkaban four winters ago (I saw with our granddaughters), the Milwaukee Symphony performed the music score along with the movie. The maestro encouraged audience reactions, and they weren't disappointed.

The program began at 1 pm and ended around 4. We'd originally planned to stay in town for dinner, but we left the dogs in their crates at 10 am, and felt it was getting to be a long stretch for them, so home we went. We had a joyfully unfancy dinner of hot dogs, tater tots, and homemade applesauce. A perfect meal to end a perfect day. 

 

Of course, you know I'm still going to stretch our my celebration as long as possible, so this is just the beginning. I'm looking forward to seeing what will be next.

New Hardware...

 

I received my newest hardware order yesterday, and I'm anxious to use them in upcoming bags and other creations. I just love them! They're really high quality and heavy weight, and I love the detail.

Looking at them from top left to right: opossum, fox, mushrooms, Tree of Life, cat, treble clef. Front row:

White owl and Harry Potter's Deathly Hallows symbol. I've already got so many ideas in mind for these. I think you're going to love them!

I sewed today, but stopped before dinner time. My right index finger knuckle is killing me. It feels like a red hot poker in the joint, and even wakes me up at night. I've been taking ibuprofen, but it doesn't always help. I only tell you this so you know why you haven't seen any new finished bags yet. I have an appointment first thing this morning, but I'm hoping to actually finish the bags I started last week.

In the meantime, I'm going to plan what I'll be doing with these just as soon as those bags are finished. I promise the finished products are definitely going to be fun!

A Little Work, A Little Play...

Brynwood Needleworks - Farmhouse Applesauce

 

Handsome and I had a great weekend together. The old apple tree across the drive has been dropping a lot of apples since our windy weather last week. We decided to pick up the windfalls (1-1/2 five gallon pails-full) and make some applesauce (there's another jar in the fridge).

 

On Saturday, we put up nearly ten quarts of it, and we'll do more later in the week (having already collected another 1-1/2 buckets). It will be nice to be able to enjoy it once it gets cooler outside.

Brynwood Needleworks - Harry Potter Shop Hop Crossbody Bag

 

Before making applesauce, I created this Harry Potter-themed BW Shop Hop Crossbody bag for Granddaughter #1. It's black cork, lined with Harry Potter™ licensed fabric inside. Destiny embroidered the Deathly Hallows logo on the exterior in matching black thread for a subtle design element. 

 

I ordered special pulls for this bag, but they didn't arrive in time for me to gift it to her on Sunday, so I'll be making more like this for the shop, but with the new pulls. I'll show those to you soon. 

 

We presented it to our granddaughter last night, and she loved it! (yay) She said it would be just the size she needs when she goes back to school in September. Seeing her smile was quite heartwarming. Granddaughter #2 loved her Hands-free Hipster, too. She got hers in time for her birthday ten days ago. Two handmade gifts. Two appreciative and happy Birthday girls. One really happy grandma.

 

Tag will definitely be here to visit with you tomorrow. Believe me, I won't forget. He's been giving me grief all week over forgetting him. I'll have porch renovation progress photos on Wednesday...after Tag visits with you. I have no idea what he plans to say, but I'm going to guess it'll be good. We shall see...

A Little Potter-ing...

Brynwood Needleworks - Black Cork with Machine Embroidery, plus lining fabric

 

First, let me start by saying that the porch project did not begin today, and it's a good thing. We got some terrible storms last night. While I trust the supports they're going to be using to hold up our porch roof while they demo and rebuild, I wouldn't have wanted to put them to the test against the strong winds and possible tornadoes we faced. 

We did have a huge branch separate from our old maple tree in the front yard, and thankfully, that tree is far enough from the house that there was no concern. We happened to be at Handsome's second last summer concert when the warning sirens went off. We were in touch with our dear neighbors, and they watched over the farmhouse (and Tag and Bella inside) until we got back home. We saw the branch on the ground as we pulled into our driveway.

I'll share photos as soon as there is something going on with the porch project. I want to be sure you get to see all the exciting changes right along with us!

As for my studio work right now...I'm "potter-ing" around on a project. This will be a BW Shop Hop Bag when it's done. I would have started and finished it yesterday, but I'm hoping to receive some hardware I ordered in the mail today. If it's not here, I'll have to go ahead on this one without it. Fingers crossed.

So, the concert was great, the storms left us with little damage, the farmhouse is still standing strong, and our pups are doing just fine. All is well here and - rain or shine - I'll be back in the studio today.

 

This Week's Book Reviews...

I finished "The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein this past week. It was such a good book, but be sure to have a box of Kleenex handy because you're going to need it.

Handsome had read the book before me, but made a point of keeping it off my radar until after Taggart came into our lives. I'm so glad that he did. I think I'd still be weeping if I had read it while still raw from his loss.

I'm not going to tell you much about the book, except it involves a hard-working man, his dog, car racing and the life they share together. It's told from the dog's perspective...and you'll love reading this story.

I watched Part One of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on Pay Per View last weekend, and although I purchased the book as soon as it came out, I found that I wasn't familiar with the storyline. You know what that meant, right? I took the book off the shelf and started reading.

I don't think it read it at all after purchasing it! I have each Potter book and have read them all...well, I thought I had. This is the perfect ending to the Harry Potter series - even though there are rumblings that there may yet be more sequels. I think after reading The Deathly Hallows, I can be a content Potter fan if this is truly the end of the story.

It had everything you've come to expect from all these beloved characters. I laughed; I cried; and I was really angry with a few of the characters, only to be surprised right along with everyone else as the plot resolves.