Boston Spring Pignic 2017

The pignic had been postponed due to heat, and the alternate date dawned with a slight chance of rain and the prospect of being too hot as well.  But there was a breeze, bits of sunshine and the temperature hung just low enough to still be comfortable.

We had one of our smallest gathering of guinea pigs yet:  15 sows and 12 boars.  They came with lots of people.  There were several first-timers to the pignic, along with a handful of regulars.  A good time was had by all.

Blobby pig, chilling pig
Looking to bail, trying to avoid the grass, and the cutie I wanted to bring home

The First Warm Day of June

We've had our first warm weather this week - a few days in the 90s and 100s.  I turned on the fans.

This is what I got.

Melting pigs.

Oh, so hot.

So I turned on the air conditioning.  How could I not?

I Like Thursday: Sunny Times

I like the rumble of thunder.  And sun showers.  We've had plenty of rain this spring.  Thunder-bumpers are fun.  I've been surprised by two sun showers in just over a week.  I managed to photograph the latest one.  Big HUGE drops.  The way the sun was hitting it, it looked like it was raining only on one side of the deck, and tons of blue sky overhead.  What fun!

I like my hair braided in pigtails.  I get this done every time I get my hair cut.  Makes me feel like a little kid.  Whee!  This is what they looked like the next morning - still pretty good

I got these done in time for a contra dance, and had a number of people comment the braids and pigtails made me look like a kid.  Just ignore that gray - mission accomplished.

Rob liked the way it looked the next day when I pulled out the braids - lots of curly hair (I updated my avatar with that picture).

Squares and Strips

There's been a lot of distractions that kept me from starting my next projects.  I got a chance last weekend to change that.  I cleaned out my sewing machine from the Drapes of Doom (I deliver them on Thursday - yay!).  I cut strips and wonky blocks and actually sat down to sew last night.  How nice!

I'm working on a set of dark wonky block rug mugs.  They're layered up and ready to quilt.  I'm trying to figure out what thread I want to stitch with:  something that will show up, but neither leap off the fabric or get lost.  I'm still learning what works best for that.

Uphill Battle

I walked into the living room to find Boadicea perched on the ramp obviously wanting to partake of the third-level hay, but not wanting to run the gauntlet past Wedgwood.

"Would you not like to share, Wedgwood?  There's room for both of us on the third floor."

"No," says Wedgie.  "Can't you see?  I'm comfortable here and the hay is blocking your way."

"I'm sure I could squeeze by.  There's lots and lots of hay; we could both eat it."

"There's not that much.  I've nested in a bunch of it, so you can't eat that.  The rest is all mine.  I don't want you up here."

I Like Thursday: Kripalu

I spent a long weekend at Kripalu in Stockbridge, MA.  A weekend of yoga, hiking, friendship and generally chilling.  I liked that a lot... and there was a lot to like.

I like that we got a dorm room just for the eight of us that chose dorm accommodations.  One of the girls likened it to being at camp.  It made for a gab-fest up until lights out.  I liked the camaraderie.  

I like the food.  Nope.  I love the food.  We laughed that we seemed to go from one meal to another.  I ate strictly vegetarian the whole weekend; it was delicious.  I took photos of a few ingredient lists in the buffet line, hoping to make them myself.  There was chai every morning.  What a treat!

Chick Yoga Weekend XV

Fifteen years of Chick Yoga Weekend.  I don't know where the time goes.  We had a large number of gals this year, most were new to the group.  I spent time telling the story how Chick Weekend started, how we got where we are now.  I thought of those who couldn't make it - people were asking about you!  We've had some fun times.

Kripalu has been a lot of things to me over the years.  The place itself has changed a lot, too.  But it is always a haven of love and tranquility.  For that I am very grateful.  In the beginning, it was a lot about taking classes and learning about myself.  Now I tend to spend more time simply reflecting and enjoying the company of others.

I Like Thursday: Keeping Busy

It's been a busy week (and I'll be repeating some of what I've already written about).

I like the hay field across the street.  The seed heads are purple, which looks great against the green.  It was hard to capture the color, but trust me - they're purple.  There's a few purple clover blossoms in that photo, too.  The whole field is quite pretty.

I really, really like my Singer 15-91.  It handily took on the Drapes of Doom.  I had no problem sewing with heavy thread through layers of velvet, jute and denim.

I like that I have my sewing room back.  The floor is no longer covered with piles of drapes.  I'm so excited every time I walk through the room.  Ah!

I like the Molly Murphy mysteries.  I tried the Tea Shop Mysteries, and it wasn't my cup of tea.  But I've really been enjoying Molly Murphy (her Royal Spyness is pretty good, too).  I've just started Hush Now, Don't You Cry.  Thanks Lee Anna for the suggestions!