Good Timing

We are very sorry, Katrina and Joel, that we did not take you to the National Arboretum while you were here. We know it was on your list of places to visit, but as we had never gone and did not know if it was worth the trip. It is.
In the spring Dot had a class there, where she put together a bunch of plants in a small pot. (They didn't live through our dry summer.) Unfortunately, that day was bitterly cold, with ice hanging around. It was miserable weather to be outside. We planned to go back, but never made it during the summer.
We missed our desired fall activity, the Corn Maze. It just didn't work out. Not that it mattered much - the summer stayed around so long that it didn't feel or look like fall until just a week or so ago. The trees finally began their annual change of color, and we decided to really enjoy it down at the Arboretum.
Oh, and enjoy it we did. The colors were gorgeous, "Just at their peak!" according to the man at the welcome desk. The flame-like colors were amazing, tucked away here, bursting forth there. We went from one spot to another with "Oh, look at this one!" being said over and over again. It was beautiful, wonderful, awesome. (I feel as if I have overdone it with the descriptive words, but then again, check it out here to see for yourself.)

wishlist

Laura:
for real?
shelving installed throughout the house, a new van, an adjustable dressform, real jewelry, a handcrafted nativity set
more accessible?
any Burda magazine (Burda WOF in English, preferably with patterns still inside)
vintage sewing patterns
low shank rolled hem foot and invisible zipper foot for my sewing machine
gold & dark blue earrings (not crystal, preferably lapis or dark turquoise style stones, or dark sapphires)
Cooks Magazine/ Cooks Country annual recipe books
good quality stationery

Jamie:
Little Einsteins anything
Magic Schoolbus anything
Lego sets, preferable with animals or vehicles
Playmobil anything
Tool set

Dorothy:
Playmobil anything
Legos, especially characters
Books
Puzzle books
Bow and Arrow set
Cd/radio

How to play with a cat

Jamie has not had much luck playing with Norah - he is too agressive in his desire to pet, hold, and play with her. She runs away from him most of the time, and when she gets caught she will often fight to be free. Twice now he has been scratched by her. He is frustrated, and tells us that we should not have gotten a cat, but should have listened to him and gotten a dog.
Yesterday, though, he found a way to make them both happy. Norah gets to be free to sunbathe lazily, Jamie gets to spend time with her without getting scratched. It is really cute to see him "reading" a story to her.

my newest toy

Awhile ago I wrote about being a lurker on craigslist; I now wish to announce that I lurk no more (well, I still lurk, but I now have actually used the site in the manner intended.). Not too long ago I found an intriguing ad for a vintage sewing machine, only $20. Most used sewing machines will cost at least $50, vintage or not; just make sure they work. This one, a Necchi (from Italy), has metal parts, an important distinction from many newer machines, and it runs smoothly. It also has stitch options! Hooray! I can do more than the basic stright stitch and zig-zag! I need to buy a few more pressor feet, though. More new toys! The Necchi came with its manual, thankfully, which helped me figure out how to use it. After all, do you know how to interpret these signs?




Someday, when I finally take it in for its cleaning, I'll ask if this machine can do double needle stitching. The manual has a page on it...