No Idle hands here

I am so blessed to have all my kids and grandkids nearby. Really blessed, which is why I spend so much time helping them out. I have too many friends who either don’t have grandkids or they are far away and they only see them a few times a year. For years our tradition has been to go for a hike and have a picnic. The thought of a restaurant – yikes! Shivers!

Nothing better than this! We went to the Japanese Garden in the Sepulveda Dam area in the San Fernando Valley. This is right next to a very large water reclamation plant. Yes, it can have some unpleasant odors, but the garden is lovely.

With a large group, we got separated from time to time. It’s all good, this way I could look across a waterway and snap pictures.

Aytan with his uncle Yishai and a goose! He really wanted to get a picture with a goose.

Here he is with the goose.

I adore this, all five of them together.

Mother and son, always warms my heart. Btw, I only appear in the first picture. We brought a tripod, but were not allowed to bring it into the garden. So we set it up outside, set the timer and I ran into the picture.

We crossed the road to an open park and had our picnic as well as fun with the kids. Eyal loves bubbles.

Aytan was playing with an airplane, all of these items from the dollar store. I love the dollar store, it makes buying stuff so easy.

Becky bought these items. She bought some kites. There was only a slight breeze.

Aytan and Shira running with them, she actually did get it up in the air for a while.

She makes friends so easily, she gave one to another little boy. We left before his family did, we said no problem, keep the kite. Did I mention I love the dollar store?

Joel ran with the kites as well. Elk and Mandy had to leave before the picnic, having just moved into a new home, there are a lot of issues. I am so grateful they came for the walk in the garden.

So I only got family pictures of two of the families. I’m sure I’ll get pictures of the others soon.

You can see how blessed I am and I know it. I thank God every day for these blessings.

I’m just walking up and down a street in South Pasadena. This part of the LA basin looks so different from other parts of the city. The craftsman bungalow is very prominent here.

On this street, the ‘bungalows’ tend to be larger, two story homes. One thing that is very particular to San Gabriel valley is the use of local rocks. here both on the porch and the chimney.

The deep colors, greens, grays. The deep eaves. Here brick is used instead of stone, love the irregular size and shape.

With all the rains, everyones’ gardens are looking so green and lush. The Windows are divided into four sections, sometimes you’ll see three. The upper panes are also divided.

Loving these coulmns, with their shingles. Deep front porches are common, the balcony above, not so much.

OMG, this front yard! and once again, a deep front porch.

Here is what was a traditional craftsman bungalow, yet look at the new roof, it is sort of a storybook roof. I actually enjoy seeing how many of these old homes are upgraded in the fashion that the residents enjoy. These are homes, they should be changed and lived in.

Another craftsman that was somewhat changed and updated. The thick window frames are traditional. The colors are still muted, but much lighter and brighter.

I’d almost call this home a simple ranch with a few craftsman details.

And here we have a house that isn’t craftsman at all.

Or this one. This is why I have a problem with the newer tract homes that were build since the 70s. One small street and you have different styles. Something that we have lost.

Same house from another angle. I had so much fun doing this, I need to visit more streets and just give you a tour of the homes.

Iphone vs. Sony A7lll.

Iphone, very very nice, also, very close to the flower.

Sony, biggest difference, the background is blurred and the edges of the flower are somewhat blurred, I could have used a larger aperture.

Iphone, great crisp detail.

Sony, blurred background, I think the rose is just as sharp

Iphone

Sony, captured the colors a little differently.

iPhone pink rose.

Oops, My focus didn’t work too well on this image from the Sony.

I had already cut the flower and brought it inside, so second attempt in slightly different circumstances.

The verdict? That iPhone is really good! especially in great light and with close up of flowers. I will continue to use my macro lens and enjoy the SonyA7III, it’s just nice to know how good the iPhone is when I am out and about and don’t have my other camera with me.

I started working on a girl quilt. I chose a pink background.

All the parts come together.

There are a lot of irregularities, but when you look at the overall design, you just see what looks like a cross stitch pattern.

The whole quilt.

Girl and boy, side by side.

I have been organizing the sewing room. I bought some small plastic zip bags, I think I might need some more.

I should have done this years ago, a pouch for elastic, a pouch for ribbon…

I need some more pouches, the zippers are a mess…

I ended up keeping some of the plastic containers, the clothes patterns fit perfectly on top of the dressers. I still haven’t filled all the drawers but…

Sure, I could sweep the floor! But look all empty and clean!

Right now I have the ironing board in the middle of the room and I’m loving it! Soon the cutting table will be much cleaner as well, that is once I get the tables….

I have so much to say about how awful public school is when it comes to social engineering. But hey that is part of how one controls people, by determining where the kids can go to school. That was a primary reason for my son and daughter in law to move. The other reason is very clear:

When a small community has good schools and it’s a beach community!

Its hard to argue with with having this less than a mile from the house.

No, they didn’t buy a place right on the sand, but the strand it delightful, bikers, walkers and lot of kids.

There are hundreds of these seagulls, not the most pleasant neighbors, but better than the hordes of homeless that have invaded my very wealthy neighborhood.

Seeing this on the street is very nice.

There still are a handful of old beach cottages, with a back yard!

I love how this neighbor decorated their wall.

This is their view, they get to see the water every day.

They have basically moved into a construction zone, hopefully by tomorrow the railings will be in. It is way too dangerous to have the kids here now.

So these guys came back to our house for the night. Moving is very stressful, even on the kids. Right now they are parked in our driveway, sleeping.

I received the cutting table! It arrived! Fully assembled and ready to go. It will probably be another month until I see the sewing tables…. Koala has no competition, so they have no reason to treat customers right. Just goes to show that despite the fact that we think sewing and quilting is Huuuge! It really isn’t.

I put the table in the corner and immediately put the cutting mat on it. I can open the other wing, but I’ll only do that for big projects, for now, this is very fine.

I have since moved the ironing board to the middle of the room. This is the old sewing table, when the new one arrives, I will face it in a different direction. It is so easy to get stuck in the rut of – everything up against a wall, I think I’m going to be using the center of the room more.

I am now storing my featherweight and accuquilt die cutter underneath the table. There is one very long drawer, I’m putting most of my rulers there. The big square rulers are on top for now, I’ll have to figure out if they stay there. The garment sewing machine is on the table temporarily. I don’t like leaving it on the floor.

Here I am cutting. I do have the option of working on either side. I also have to get used to having so much more space to cut. As for the basket and lamp, I’m not sure they will stay there, I don’t want this table to become one big clutter.

Although I am getting tables, I need some solutions for storage. I hate all these plastic containers. They work in a garage, but this is my creative space. So off to Ikea I went with my son in law. We came back and got very busy.

Then we spent the afternoon putting two dressers and one set of drawers together. In some ways Ikea has improved their designs, they are still using pretty crappy materials though. It’s so wonderful to have a son in law the is very handy with tools. This is what Joel and Yishai were doing while we were working.

Enjoying the jacuzzi!

I forgot to take a ‘before’ picture, I had two dressers in there, but one was very narrow and the other wasn’t as high as this and the bottoms of the drawers were falling out. First we built the cabinets, then we put in the shelves.

I now have much more storage space in the closet.

The thread tower used to be on top of the dressers, now this is a nice little mess. But it won’t stay this way. One of the tables has storage for 100 spools, more than enough. I’ ve just ordered a bunch of clear zippered cubes, the kind you use for travel. I’m hoping to use them for storage, so the new drawers don’t end up looking like this basket here.

These drawers fit nicely under the table. I’ll be storing my knitting needles and tools here, as well as my embroidery floss and tools.

I bought a wool pad for ironing and have been able to try it out on a very fiddly project.

The Duckface people quilt is perfect to try out the wool pad. Yes, it really works. I feel the difference, it is easier to press and get good open seams.

The room is still a mess, I’m taking my time trying to figure out what to put where. I’m still getting rid of stuff. I’m also taking breaks and actually sewing. This is for a girl quilt. And yes, I have more pillowcases to make.

The slow transformation is giving me time to think about arrangements. One thing is for sure, I’m going to try many different options, for all I now the cutting table won’t even stay in that corner, we shall see.

I switched out the lens to the macro lens.

Omg, the detail.

I’m pretty sure this is the same bird.

The wings are moving so fast, and yet, you can see the white around the eye.

All motion.

Enjoying a meal.

This is a different one, one I don’t think I’ve captured before.

Dipping down, sometimes they eat while flying, and other times they rest and eat.

See how this one is red throated? The little gem I captured before had a grey speckled neck. Ok, I went back to look at the previous images, I may have captured this type before. I have to say, this lens in unbelievable. I can’t get over the fine detail.

Another thing, I am cropping these images way down and the clarity is still here. Can I tell you how much I am loving this camera?

There I am, captured by the camera.

Taking hikes in spring this year offers beautiful views, many flowers and hay fever if you are afflicted by that.

Looking down at the San Fernando Valley from Dirt Mulholland. There is about a 6 mile stretch that wasn’t paved and part of it is closed to vehicles. A wonderful place to walk.

Looking towards the city side. It may be that the approach to these mega homes is actually from the valley somehow. Who knows, the is quite an estate there.

Man waiting for dog, with a yellow backdrop. His dog saw an animal, maybe a rabbit and just took off. That is what that dog does, later, we saw the man with his dog, it’s just part of their weekend routine.

Indian paintbrush is starting to bloom.

A lone CA poppy among the wheat.

Orange on orange, more poppies next to fire hydrant. Btw, I’ve noticed some areas along the freeways that now have the poppies popping. Go figure, this year the season is so much longer than before.

I promised roses, so here we go, no more words, just images of roses. Enjoy.

I will probably be boring you this spring with all my pictures of flowers. I have an amazing new camera, and with all the rain we had this winter, the flowers are unbelievable. Today I’m sharing irises, none are mine, all my neighbors.

Traditional light blue purple.

A redder purple, with those hints of orange.

Three stages, about to bloom, full bloom and on it’s way out.

Very pale, almost white. I’m noticing a new flower is opening and it’s dark purple, so I wonder if the light color is simply and older flower?

Beautiful pale two tone.

Very impressive two-tone. Stark contrast between the deep purple and the white.

I used to paint flowers for textile designs. I don’t think I ever painted an iris, but boy am I tempted. Thing is, I no longer have the paints or the brushes – so I use my camera instead.

Yellow Orange!!! Yay, Yay! I drove back to this spot to get this picture.

And this one. If I see more amazing irises – I will be sharing them. Meanwhile, I have other flowers waiting in the wings.

Cameras are no longer mini computers, they are mega computers. I have been following people on You Tube. There is so much to learn! So two weeks ago there was a major program update. Thank God I had no problems with the update. Then the fun began.

Now I can take time lapse photos. This is something people have been complaining about for a while. I had to try it out, what better than finally capture those little hummingbirds that are flocking to my feeder.

I took over 600 hundred pictures. Many had nothing but the feeder, many had images that just weren’t that clear. I am sharing the best. When the focus is on the bird, look at the results!

The wings appear to be paper thin.

I will also be playing with the speed, see if I can freeze the motion of the wings. Then again, seeing them in this kind of motion is very cool.

Getting closer! I’m not sure this is the same bird. Well, maybe it is the same bird just a different session. I set up the camera many times.

Landing wheels, I mean claws at the ready.

Sometimes one is too hungry to wait to actually land.

Ok, now he can relax and eat. Yes this is a male, looks at the Jewel-tone feathers.

I am beyond amazed at this image, I can literally see the eyebrow on this tiny fellow.

There are plain brown ones, probably the females, as well as some red breasted ones. I also have to figure out how and where to set up the tripod, in some cases my images were back lit, or in these last pictures, I had to tilt the camera up. It is an unusual angle, but as I said, I need more practice.