T'was the Night Before the Night Before.... 12-23-23

We had to do some  errands today and, so it seems, did most of the people in Orange County. The traffic was heavy and the hotshots were in a tizzy - saw two near accidents when cars  ran obvious red lights and about  half a dozen sailing through yellows.  It was a  bit of a mad house.  But PetCo had a 25% off sale and KoKo's canister is almost empty. I'd used up my gas driving to Oceanside on Thursday. And I needed some cash. So, we braved the Road Wars.  KoKo was happy to go to PetCo and get some attention from dog lovers. There are always customers who are attracted to his good looks and friendly manner.  He is hard to resist.   Kisses all around and a treat at checkout.

Here I am in  my seasonal attire. Beth took this picture when we had lunch in Oceanside on Thursday.  

The boys gave KoKo a long, skinny elephant toy with squeaker and he abandoned Froggy for the rest of the day.  Time for bed? He curls up with Froggy!

The  neighbors on the next street have again left their giant skeleton up, switching his clothes from Halloween to Thanksgiving to Christmas. 

Last year I slipped a hat on the cold bald head of the little guy and this year I found a glitzy necktie for his cold bare chest.   

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Miscellaneous 05-05-23

Had enough roses?  Just want to add this image of white landscape roses used as a sort of hedge .  There are six bushes here, all covered  with blossoms.  No fragrance. 

The oral surgery is doing just great.  No bleeding, no real pain, just a tenderness and  then you probaby understand about disciplining one's tongue to 

LEAVE IT ALONE! 

My phone would not charge last night.  It dropped to zero and stayed there even as I tried all three charger cables.  Went to Best Buy to see the Geek Squad guy.  He diagnosed it instantly, my charger cords were dead.  After buying two new cords I took a  stroll around the large store and saw things I have no knowledge of.  Perhaps I isolate myself too much.  One thing they do not have is a plain old toaster oven - might have to go to a resale shop for that.  Air fryers, air purifiers, air coolers, ... just to mention the "A"s.  Many things I have no idea what they are used for.  Do you think I should get out more?   I would like a "Ring" doorbell installed, but the choices are more than I could sort out.    I went on the gas up the car, shopped at TJoe's where there is an abundance of flowers.  Purchased some lilacs for myself - how I do love them and they do not grow locally.  And some bouquets for friends.  It is a special treat to have someone buy me flowers and I think everyone deserves that now and then. . And it is May! 

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Out in the World - Part 2 07-27-22

 I have never been much of a shopper, usually just find what I am looking for, buy it, and leave.  Even before the pandemic a trip to the mall was rare.  Of course, in my much younger days I shopped with the best of them, haunting South Coast Plaza whenever I could.  Anyway, my exposure to current retail trends is almost not existent.  Groceries, pharmacy, See's, and the Farmer's Market are about it for me.  So, going with Carol to the Brea Mall was an EXPERIENCE.  She went on to the shop she needed, leaving me in front of See's (not the one I usually visit).  When I was done there I walked along and two doors down was a shop that sells socks - ONLY socks.  I remember decades ago when I discovered shops that sold only sunglasses and I was amazed then.  But SOCKS?  Quite a small space, but they must have thousands of socks, but no plain ones. 

Pick a subject, they have a sock for it.  

Some are pretty sassy.

But I suppose children these days are exposed to just everything.  In my sheltered old age I think sass has gotten completely out of hand. 

What, I wondered, are shoe charms?  There were several tables covered with plastic bins full of little cartoon characters and different motifs.  They fit in the holes of Crocs shoes,

On the back of each charm is a raised black button to fit the holes. 

Here is a shoe showing how to use the charms.  

I suppose I may be the last person in the world to know this, but I find it fascinating to discover such a finely tuned shop selling one product. 

They do actually sell something else - strange puffy slippers that look like athletic shoes. 

And notice the display cubes made of interlocking floor tiles.  Interesting adaptation. 

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Out in the world! 07-26-22

Not much to talk about when all I do is mask up to go to the grocery, Starbuck's, or guild meeting.  Or unmasked to walk the loop with KoKo twice a day.   Fortunately I have friend Carol to tempt me out to lunch once in a while.  We went on Friday to Toast in Brea.  I have talked about this place before and this is the third time we went there.  Could not pass up the fabulous eggs benedict served with chipped French fries and/or arugula with Myer lemon drizzle.  Some day we will taste something else.  Maybe.  

This location is quite large and was at least one other restaurant.  It is cavernous and very noisy.  I find the decor strange - sort of things set out for a garage sale.  The items don't have anything in common and they are not artfully arranged.  

It was quite full on Friday morning and next to our table was an extended group of young ladies, plus one young man and an adult man.  This lady seemed to be in charge of all these young women, perhaps it was a graduation party.  I was fascinated by the clothing they were wearing.  Surely this gal was wearing palazzos from the 70s.

Unlike when I was in my early twenties and ladies mostly wore the same type of clothing, these gals were all over the place.  Jeans (faded and torn, of course), short shorts and spaghetti straps, full slacks and sleeveless top.  Note also loooong hair. 

And then there were short dresses and long, tiered dresses.  Sandals, heels, tennis shoes (or whatever they are called these days). 

They seemed like nice young ladies and they had a great time taking pictures in groups and singles.  When I stood up and hooked my long necklace on the chair back the beads when flying.  Everyone hustled to find them all and put them in a take out container for me to carefully take home.  I do have them all and will need to find someone to do the repair since my hands can no longer to that sort of thing.  

Carol needed to go to a shop in the Brea Mall so we continued our adventures and I will write about them tomorrow.  I hope I can get on line then.  

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Food Shopping 07-27-21

I know the saying, "never go grocery shopping when you are hungry."  But today I violated that and ended up with an overload of food for the next week - maybe even two!   Yesterday I shopped a little at Ralph's for things I cannot buy at Trader Joe's and today I hit Trader Joe's!  I did have a list of only five items that I really needed, but then spent about $75 total.  No going out to dinner for at least this week!

Several friends have told me how delicious the peaches have been at TJ's, so I bought a flat of 12 medium sized and offered to share with my friend Carol.   I think I will try to make a little jam with some of them, although I haven't made jam for decades.  I'll try "freezer" jam from a recipe online.  

When I stopped to drop off the peaches Carol had four lovely vine ripened tomatoes for me.  Aren't they lovely?  Since I refuse to eat store bought tomatoes each home grown one is very special.  

My dinner tonight was a slice of whole wheat toast with mayo, tomato, S&P, and romaine for a "lid".  Fabulous! 

I have cheese, chicken, pastrami, eggs, veggies, etc.  Enough already. 

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Sewing - Full Moon 06-23-21

A busy day!   I drove down to Anaheim with some books for the 2nd hand book shop - Bookman on Katella.  I already had five small boxes of books in the car and I added two more.  There are many more left in various rooms.  He only gave me credit for about half of them and said he could keep the others for his "dollar shelves", so I said "sure", because I didn't want to take them home and don't know if the library volunteer book shop is taking books now.  Trouble is, I already miss all those books I have already read, some of them twice.

Quite near the Bookman is the one remaining quilt shop in Orange County, that I know of anyway, - Orange Quilting Bee.  So, I stopped there for some batting.  I am about to quilt the little houses quilt I made last spring/summer and thought I had all the dimensions worked out.  WRONG!  The yardage for the backing is 42" and the quilt top is 45"!  I hadn't thought that I would need to add to the back, which is a directional pattern.  The best thing to do would be to construct some more house blocks and put them in a vertical row on the back.  Do I want to spend the time doing that?  Don't know.  

Also the Quilter's Dream batting I had set aside is neither long enough or wide enough!  Hence the stop at OQBee today.  They don't carry Quilter's Dream but JoAnn's does.  However, I want to support the quilt shop so I will use Warm and Natural. 

I was pleasantly surprised that the clerk put in a piece of the label - thoughtful. 

On our walk this evening about 8pm the almost full moon was so bright I had to take a picture.  It doesn't look bright here, however.  Can you even see it on the right side about a third of the way from the top?   Tomorrow night is the full moon, maybe I will try for a better image. 

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More on shopping 07-21-20

Thanks for the comments on shopping online, specifically Amazon.   With the extended limitations of the pandemic I find I need to buy things online rather than go to a shop.  I do go to the grocery store every few weeks, masked and with a detailed list so I just make a path to find the things on my list.  I don't spend very many minutes inside.  And I go to the farmer's market almost every Tuesday for veggies, fruits, eggs, and bread.  Almost everyone wears a face covering, but today there was a group of four, all without masks, standing mid aisle chattering away. But I am a bit of a coward when it comes to confronting people, so I just walked a wide swing around them. And made sure that my mask was fitting tightly.  Today I hit TJoe's because I knew I would find what I needed there and I was in and out in about ten minutes.  No more standing in line, not that I ever did.  I go to CVS for prescriptions because I am unwilling to be in their "club" to have prescriptions delivered.   I don't think I go out much at all, but am surprised that I know people who have not been out of their house/property since all this virus business started.  I am an introvert, but not that much of an INTROVERT.   And I find I need to converse with a human being more than I thought I did.   I do several ZOOM meetings which help, but are not very satisfying.  I can at least see people's faces and the emotions they express.  I do long to be out on the road seeing many different places and people.   The call of the open road!    I thought about buying a small motor home or trailer to avoid staying at motels, but thousands of other disgruntled travelers have the same idea and I understand the RV market is overrun and prices have increased.  Maybe a rental?  Even with extensive sanitizing I find that a bit intimidating.  So, I guess I will continue to stay home and try to avoid the virus, but as you all know, it is REALLY hard.  At least I have KoKo for company, but he isn't much of a conversationalist.  

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Buying on Amazon 07-20-20

I have been on Amazon for quite a long time, but I rarely buy anything except books.  Under the influence of my Friend Dick Bednar I have been looking for things in the vast resources that Amazon offers.  So, I bought a few things and they were delivered so quickly I thought there must be a mistake.   And there was, but it was mine!  I ordered two of my favorite lip balms (Evanhealy Whipped Shea Butter for Lips) because both of my current tubes are almost empty.  But I didn't read the instructions well enough and I ordered two "units" each including three tubes.  I now have enough to probably last me the rest of my life.   And I am in dire need of some Wonder Under 805, but Amazon listed 1 yard, 2 yard, 5 yard, or 35 yards.  I suspect I will be able to use up 35 yards of this product before my sewing days are over, but surely someone will be able to use my leftover.  

So, the moral of the story is to READ CAREFULLY and then read it again, befor hitting the ORDER NOW button.  

KoKo was mystified and thought this package was for Froggy.    But it must be mine since neither of them read. 

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Flowers 06-02-20

Pineapple Guava  Feijoa sellowiana

These are such pretty flowers and they are blooming now.  

A busy day today and out and about.  The Book Group met on ZOOM so now I have a new books to add to my TBR list.  It was great to see everyone, but two members were not able to join us.  Next time, eh? 

Shopping day - Farmer's Market, Albertson's, and HURRAH, Trader Joe's.  It is the first time I have been since early March because I can't stand in line very long.  Today it was about seven minutes and then I was IN.  They had everything but chutney, the shelf was bare.  So, I am a happy eater with some of my favorites from good old TJ.  

I've accidently managed to switch my computer to a different set up and this message is white letters on black background and I can hardly read it.  My eyes are just too old.  I will have to see if I can find someone to tell me how to switch back.  Before I go blind.  

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A bad case of isolationitis

Although I went out to dinner with friends this evening and greatly enjoyed the company, I am not dealing well with this isolation.   I understand why it is necessary and I will do my best to stick with it.  But the "black dog" is lurking very close. I was out this morning early for a few groceries to carry me over the next couple weeks.  And that was depressing with the empty shelves and forlorn looking shoppers.  My friend Mary was at her local neighborhood market when a lady, another shopper, told her she shouldn't be there and she should go home!  Needless to say Mary is still fuming.  How unbelievably rude!   I think I would have read her the riot act, but Mary controlled her anger.  On the other hand, my Next Door feed has people offering to help with child care, shopping, and other helpful acts.  I hope I don't need any help and do not get sick, but I know there are people who are willing to help.  And that is reassuring.  I hope this isn't too much of a downer for you, just consider the source!!  Suffering from isolationitis.   I'll try sewing tomorrow!

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New microwave 02-06-20

Don't know why my microwave stopped working, it has been fine for 30+ years.  It just wouldn't turn on anymore.  

I bought this new one because it will fit in the space of the old one, but it is just a little deeper because, apparently, every microwave has a carousel requiring the space to be square. 

I now have the box cut open and the packing stuff in the recycle bin.  I hope that tomorrow morning I can lift it and move it into the kitchen.  But I'm not sure that is possible, I may need to beg the strong back of one of my neighbors to get it in place.  I guess everything gets more difficult as one ages, but this new microwave has just been a huge project for me.  And I will still need to get rid of the old one.  Sigh.

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Spending money 02-03-20

I hope that Panasonic microwaves are long lasting.  I bought one today to replace my 30+ year old O'keefe and Merritt that died last week.  I called a friend who likes to shop and keeps up with prices and reviews.  He said when he bought the last one he bought it because it fit the space!  Which is what I was thinking I should do, but hoped he had a better idea.  

Today at Best Buy I spend some time comparing the different manufacturers models.  They all have turn tables, which makes them deeper than my space, so I settled for the closest size that has 1200 watts, which is what a lot of recipes call for.  The clerk delivered it to my car and I think if I cut open the box I can get it in the house.  I can't lift anything very heavy anymore. 

The cost with tax was $161.61.  If it lasts for 30 years (I would be 111 years old) that would run about $5.50 a year.  Not a bad deal.  But does anything last like things used to?  

I guess I do.  I have achieved a greater age than either of my parents and am only a year short of my oldest grandmother when she died at 82.  Not something I think of a lot.  I just try to make it through each day, along with KoKo who will be 6 years old on May 20th.  

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A shopping day 03-21-19

Every few months I have to go to Albertson's to stock up on things like water softener salt, bottled water, TP, detergent, etc.  Things I can't buy at Trader Joe's.  Today was the day.  It was a strange day weather wise.   Cloudy, but sunny.  Clear, but raining.  When I parked I saw this jacaranda tree in a parking lot full of very green jacarandas.  Don't know why it alone is yellow, but it is quite attractive against the grey sky.  And, like all jacarandas, it has a pleasing branching system.  Notice also the light colored cars.  I think that 80% of the cars in this area of CA are white or light grey.  I remember the 70s when there were cars of screaming orange, bilious green, hot yellow, and flashing turquoise.  We  have gotten really wimpy in this new century. . 

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Illness still dragging on 12-27-16

I'm hoping this is not going to be another of those years when I am sick all winter.  I feel better, but am still coughing and still no energy.  KoKo and I go for a walk every morning and most afternoon/evenings.  But sometimes the evening  jaunt is too much for me.  I still don't have a good jacket so I am still layering, which works pretty well except when the wind is blowing as it has been this week.  I'm going to check on some online companies, though having to return things that don't fit is on the bottom of my list of favorite things to do.  I don't want to go out into the crowds at the mall or even the big box stores because my resistance to germs might be too low to protect me.  It's miserable to have to consider every breath, isn't it?

We have had warmer weather in the 60s the last week and promises that will continue though it will rain on Thursday. 

Thanks to all who have made comments or sent e-mails.  Being confined at home can get pretty lonely, though I do check on Facebook every day to see what everyone else it doing.   I enjoyed Teresa's annual cookie delivery, she is such a good baker and friend.

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Yesterday's pictures 08-28-14

Yes, it is a repeat of yesterday's picture.  I haven't been to a Mall for years, but the other day I kept thinking about California Pizza Kitchen's Moroccan Salad.  I looked up the closest CPK on my cell phone and drove over after seeing the dental hygienist.  I wasn't sure which end of the mall it was located and I picked the wrong one.  By the time I walked in the heat from the parking lot to the A/C'd interior  and found a schematic, I decided I would just walk down to the other end rather than go back to move my car.  The display of books hanging on ropes was at one end of the mall.  It seems like a clever idea, but the volume of books was too puny to make an impact.   Whoever did the display work was not a professional book hanger and it just looked shabby.

 

 

This mall has changed since I was there maybe five or six years ago (or longer).  They have added seating areas with comfortable chairs and love seats.  Also a few with massaging chairs!   There are also little snack places in the middle of the "concourse" - used to be food was either in the food court or in a store front - like CinnaBon or Mrs. Fields, the chocolate cookie company.  There were a lot of people there (I thought) for a Monday afternoon.  They seemed to all walk abreast, no matter if there were two or half a dozen, so I had to do some New York shuffle.  I saw many tiny stores - a place that sells just ball caps, one called the "Flip Flop Shop" which sells only flip flops, and other "exclusive"  sales places.  It was interesting, but it will probably be another five or six years before I visit another mall.  The salad, by-the-way, was just as delicious as when I had it a few months ago in a stand-alone CPK in Long Beach.

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Flowers and bargain buys 03-24-12

Today was a resting day.  One I really needed, I was too tired yesterday and don't even remember everything we did!  I actually slept for nine hours, with only two short potty trips - it was wonderful.  One thing is the quiet here.  My house is in a quiet suburb, but nothing like here in the oak tree wooded hills.  This is deep silence.   Rain has been promised all day so this morning I photographed the lovely flowers Mary always has in her deck boxes when I am here in Feb/Mar.  About nine tonight it started to sprinkle.  Hope it isn't raining tomorrow when we are trying to unpack our cars at Asilomar.  Been there, done that, no fun.

 
These ranunculus with darker edges on the petals look like they have a little lamp inside to make them glow.  More flower pictures later in the week.

 
Yesterday we stopped by St. Vincent de Paul where I found these treasures.  In the back is a flat moire pillow that I hope will work on my chair at Empty Spools, the one I brought from home will be too thick, I think.  The silly bunny is, of course, an Easter decoration that will appear on some one's work table on Easter morning.  I've seen bobble head dolls, but this bunny seems to be a bobble butt bunny as she has a spring inside to make her wiggle.  Silly, but cute!  And the clock - it is a windup clock!  No battery or electricity required - what a great invention!  I could take it with me to a deserted island - it is keeping good time.  It looks like it is new, never used.  How can that be?

 
See - there is the windup key on the left and instructions molded in the plastic so I can never lose them.  A great addition to the necessary stuff I take with me when I travel. 

I wish you could all be checking in with me at Asilomar tomorrow.  I don't know who reads my Blog that might be there - except for dear Dolores who I have "known" for years, but only became acquainted with last year in Ruth McDowell's class.   So, if you are at either session one or two, do look for me.  Short, fat, wearing a hat!  Please say hello.

Mt Vernon to Hillsboro, OR 08-27-11

I'm on my way home now.  So, mostly I just have "road" pictures.

As I drove from the north into Seattle I took about eight shots trying to get the Space Needle from the moving car - this is the only decent picture.

 

The mountains here stand alone, so they pop up in the haze where I least expect them to be. 

Here is another picture of Rainier - it has somehow moved over to my left!

Just visible in the haze - the headless Mt. Saint Helens.

At lease three red vehicles!  The one 2nd in the lane ahead of me might also be dark red!

Across the mighty Columbia River.  All the bodies of water that I have seen on this trip are full to the top.

I took a swing to the east of Portland to stop at Fabric Depot looking for 100% cotton (no poly, no spandex) knit to make a few replacements for my summer nighties.  Hard to find any other place I have looked, but I was successful here.  Acid green with little flowers - Corky won't mind.   

 

This area of the store is the very least expensive fabric they (and maybe anyone else) carries. I didn't check out the "cage" this trip.  Do I need more quilt fabric?  NO.

Just so you will have the address.  They do carry everything!

I finally made it to Hillsboro, OR, to a Holiday Inn Express.  It was a late arrival after I had lallygagged along all day and I was hungry.  I found a tiny Japanese sushi bar, Yuki, and ate an "Orange Blossom" roll with a cucumber salad and a cup of tea.

 

 The "Orange Blossom" is made with tempura shrimp,cucumber and rice topped with salmon, avocado and tobiko (flying fish roe) and it was delicious.  The perfect light meal for so late in the evening.  The sushi chef used to live in Los Angeles, but feels this is a better place to raise his now five month old daughter.  Hope he is right.  

Shopping at the Dragonfly 06-28-11

I'm not much of a shopper, except for fabric, and rarely go out and just stroll through shops.  But when I go to Rutabegorz in Orange (on Glassell between the Circle and Chapman College) I cannot resist taking a stroll through The Dragonfly, which is right next door.  In an old bungalow converted to this use, it is crammed with wonderful things, both inside and out.  The inside is so packed I fear that I will collide with something every time I move, but I always have to go in to see their hats (today I bought one).  But the plants and garden items outside always tempt me and I end up with a purchase or two.

There are little islands of interest whichever way you walk.  This is in the area of tiny things to put into little dish gardens. 

There is a bowl stuffed with tiny people to accompany the little fences and miniature benches and gates.

And wee lighthouses and beach chairs.

This is the front of the house, behind the picket fence.  Barely visible are wire rings with dragonflies about fourteen inches across - they are a sort of bronze color.  Can't see them?  Click to enlarge the image or....

..look at them upside down as shadows on the sidewalk. 

This is the loveliest fairy I think I have ever seen.  She is about two feet tall. 

A rain chain made of copper umbrellas - so clever.

 

There are lots of little potted plants.  Some, like this one, have those tiny figures tucked in.  There is a fairy, a turtle and some colorful rocks tucked into the left side of this "garden".

The area for two blocks around the Orange Circle is filled with shops and antique malls and lovely little restaurants.  I have tried a number of the eating spots, but I am especially fond of Kimmie's on the south side of the Circle and Rutabegorz to the north side.  It serves the same food at the original location in Fullerton and the third location in Tustin.  I ate wonderful chicken crepes today and carried the excess home to eat for dinner tonight.  Delicious!