Flashdance being Home!

Completely enjoying the past couple weeks still at home without work travel :)



Nursing and treating 2 cats: one with 7 teeth extracted (Ditto). No wonder she behaves as though she was abused. She had 2 teeth extracted before. Now I understand why the owner gave her up - gave her the wrong diet then couldn't afford the outcome. Poor baby can only eat soft foods. So much for leaving large quantities of dried food out when I travel.


Freckles only has one ear with mites to treat. She is in heaven being home and follows me around throughout the house like an escort. Happy cat crosses her paws resting on the cold ceramic floor.



Last weekend us knit sisters visited Julie's house in Santa Paula. It was the first time I visited her home which reminds me of being in a museum with a beautiful view over the orange groves and Islands in the distance. She gave us floral teas where the bud opens up in water. Home made coffee cake and goat cheese quesadillas - YUM! Apparently I missed out on the home made apple sauce that everyone raved about after I left. Otherwise - I had a wonderful day as usual.







Tuesday evening at Sandy's warranted the presentation of Sophia's red squared afghan put together by Nancie. Beautiful! I am in the process of understanding which squares Flo and Beatriz knitted so I can send the e-image to Sophia with the names of folks on the sqares they knitted.



Yesterday, I joined Becky, Terry and Sharon on a walking hike through Satiwiwa National Park in Camarillo. After taking the rough "Hidden Pond" trail, we forged back after panting and sweating taking a break with knitting on the bridge. We encountered 4 fat and happy coyotes as part of the bonus of sweating; 2 crossed our paths. Becky took a photo of one crossing. This is the time where I regret not having my camera with me (photo from Becky).

Today (Sunday) I cleaned my house after waking up stiff. Moving around does help so I must get back in the regime of walking daily. I also want to walk in that National park again next weekend but in more moderate and shady trails :)

Poppies will Make Them Sleep!

I can't believe it's been 4 years since I have been to the poppy fields in Lancaster/Palmdale area. Here are photos for those who love sunshine and wildflowers.







And when the wind blows, the petals will shine!

Travel and Conquor!

Yesterday was a wonderful day! Nancie drove Lisa, Preita and myself to N.Hollywood to visit Flo in her original hometown. We picked up Flo first at her house to see her craft room. I already picked out the pattern I want for her to make me a quilt. She was wearing her Blossom pullover that I knit for her. She has a closet full of fabric pieces ready for quilting, sewing machine, working table (ones that architectures use), enlarged ironing board and a wonderful sideboard with many compartments and rollout drawers. Met Bob her husband for the first time. He showed us his Salsa outfits where he hand painted his wardrobe - beautiful and creative! I didn't have my camera with me while in there so bummer!


Off we went to Stitch Cafe http://www.stitchcafe.com All 5 of us walked in the backside and literally "took over the place". The only space to sit down together was at the table, there were couch potato knitters sitting in the cushioned furniture in front bay window section. Immediate purchases were to be had - then another round before we left. I told the shop employees that we were farmers visiting the city from Ventura county. We were the only ones conversing and I think the couch potatoes were probably listening in. We even included a couple of girls sitting at our table. One of them (forgot her name) is an art instructor for a grade school in Koreatown and was making her first garment. I can relate to that amibtion for just learning how to knit. Her project is in the forground of the photo; we didn't mean to kick her out of the photo so she took the photo. Ann was the other person who was making a scarf; visiting her parents or in-laws in the area.



Here is a photo of Flo in action; you can see the Blossom looks great on her!


After 5 hours at the shop with our flying fibers tickling our noses, it was time to eat. Went to Art's Delicattessen http://www.artsdeli.com: OMG - the best pickles and corn beef for Rueben sandwiches! Flo said they cator to filming sets.

It was all in a good day's conquor. Our next trip in the planning - Poppies in the high desert for picnic lunch end of March or very early April. It's like walking on sunshine. "Poppies - poppies will make them sleep!"

Current Ravelry Projects

Mulberry Isa: Back and one sleeve is complete...now working on the front piece. This will end up being below my hips.




Savoy Fern: Wicked awesome cable pattern! This is the front section; will have to redo the back in the correct size for me.

Transition Kitties

Freckles and Ditto are getting used to "home". They haven't taken over yet but you can see from photos that they are working on it (with me)



Freckles likes to perch herself on an edge and overlook activities. She is here perched to look outside. (Egg crate cushion and towel to protect my upholstery.)




Ditto is in an unusual stance; she is usually curled up on a couch or on the bed. The cat profile claims her as a couch potato. She is commonly in that position. I think she is checking my profile out staring at me here.



You know what a 'cat walk' is; this photo is my cat throne. Ditto (in cat bed) kneeding the fake sheepskin for happiness.

Surrounded by Living Creatures

Today marks the first day that I have adopted 2 tortoise shell colored female adult cats from the Humane Society. They both came to me when I called for them and remembered me the next day in the place so they were the winners to come home with me. Freckles (larger one) actually stretched up on my leg to greet me when she saw me come into the pen to visit today. Ditto has a knickname "little shit" already. She demonstrates her timid and loving behavior at the place but did the following coming home: soiled herself (#2) in the cat carrier, started scratching my couch, snarled at Freckles when she came near and ate the majority of the food I poured out in 2 bowls. Ditto is supposed to be 15 months old while Freckles is 3-4 years. Maturity has certainly been noticed but bottom line they are both very sweet and enjoy attention like any cat that wants human contact. They look like bookends in this photo; waited for them to settle down after trolling my home for > 4 hours.




They definately have made themselves at home; they came from someone else's before so I guess they remember what it's like. It's good to have furry shadows following me around the house again :)



Here is another living creature that I am amazed. A Trader Joe's bought orchid that can produce such a beautiful bloom. Looks obscene but I love the crystal-like elements on the petals.