Laundry Day Hand-Appliqued Quilt

Laundry Day Hand-Appliqued Quilt, originally uploaded by confections.

One of my favorite late August activities in San Diego County is going to the Outdoor Quilt Show at the Country Loft in La Mesa, California.

The Country Loft is a quaint white cottage with a picket fence entwined with Cecile Brunner roses. Inside is a wonderland of quilt fabrics and primitive antiques. In late August each year, the front yard is filled with donated quilts which are sold in support of Quilt for a Cure.

The backyard features quilts and other fiber arts projects completed by students who have taken classes at the Country Loft during the last year. What a joyful way to spend an afternoon!

My sister and I ran into a long-time quilting friend and her daughter and sister-in-law during our visit on Saturday--fellow kindred creative spirits.

The much larger San Diego Quilt Show happens in about three weeks. That one signals the last bit of official summer and the beginning of fall quilting season for me. Happy Quilting!

My Mom (on the right) and Her Childhood Friend Dorothy

My Mom (on the right) and Her Childhood Friend Dorothy, originally uploaded by confections.

Today is my Mom's 83rd birthday. I'm popping the cork by sharing these photos of her and her childhood friend Dorothy. The first photo found its way to us through a contact on ancestry.com. Amazing serendipity. Thank you, Libby!

Her friend Dorothy is still alive and kickin' and a few years ago shared a photo of the two of them as high-schoolers ice-skating on Bull Creek in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. My Mom, on the left in the photo below, made her green corduroy skating skirt. It had a gold satin lining.

My Mom exudes the Venusian energy which is a hallmark of her Libra sun sign. She is a social creature and loves beauty in her surroundings. She is witty, loves a good joke, and has an infectious laugh. She'll beat you at any card game, but especially at pinochle.

She is an excellent cook and baker (oh, I'd love a home-cooked meal and a slice of her apple pie right now!) and reveled in the joys of marriage and raising a family of seven children. I developed my appreciation for the charms of tea and conversation over the kitchen table with my Mom.

Happy Birthday, Mutti!

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) Calendar

nano-cal11.jpg, originally uploaded by Gun-gun.

I found this inspiring calendar page by fellow flickreeno Gun-gun while surfing flickr a bit ago. It will be essential to refer to it as I write my novel this month. The target word count in a cumulative sequence is given at the top of each date, with the goal of 50,000 words by November 30th in bright red. I can contemplate the beauty of these blooms as I meet my goals each day.

I'm trying to maintain a balanced schedule as I undertake this task, taking time to exercise and eat good meals, make sure I have my daily ritual of tea, spin some of my Ragamuffin yarn, keep in touch with friends and writing buddies, talk to my mother every day--she is a great source of storylines--and not overwhelm myself in the process. On with the novel writing!

Autumn Tableau

Autumn Tableau, originally uploaded by confections.

I've put together a seasonal table to celebrate autumn and to give thanks that I am currently safe in the face of the horrible wildfires raging throughout San Diego County, California. One of my good friends has been evacuated from her home; she is safe and sound with her parents at the moment, and we hope she and her husband will be able to go back to their home in the next few days. Many have not been so lucky and my heart goes out to them. Blessed be!

In the little hand-thrown bowl here (a thrift shop find) are lady apples, tiny little specimens that my husband calls "one-bite apples". I love anything in miniature, even fruit! The mini-pumpkin and the lady apples came from my local food co-op. The fall leaves, the acorn, and the buckeye arrived lovingly hand-packed with some treasures from my sister in Pennsylvania. She knows that I get homesick for the maple-covered hills of my home state and the essence of autumn at this time of year. Grazie, Cinzia!

Miniature Tea Set

Miniature Tea Set (Two), originally uploaded by confections.

The other day we went to tea to celebrate a friend's birthday and to wish her Bon Voyage! She's moving away to New Hampshire from California--our tea was bittersweet--but we know she'll be coming back to visit soon.

Her dear friend's daughter brought along her favorite cloth doll, Kaley, and her miniature handpainted pink tea set. What a delightful addition to our table! The whole day was magical. We cried and laughed, exchanged gifts and cards, and vowed to meet again in a few months.

To Life and Our Next Tea Party! Cheers!

Be Happy

Be Happy, originally uploaded by confections.

On an evening walk to the beach with my sister, we came upon this uplifting message on the deck of a little bungalow. It was the close of a busy weekend we had spent with a good friend, and happiness surrounded us.

The Buddha statue below graces the dining room of one of our favorite vegetarian restaurants, Cilantro Live!. I'm re-reading the Tao Te Ching and making a conscious effort to incorporate its principles into my life. The serenity of Buddha inspires me to keep on the path.