to those who celebrate, Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day.

It is not a holiday that is celebrated around here much.  Too many retail hours.  Too many broken hearts.  But I think, if they day reminds you to be thankful for love, it is a good thing.  Love yourself.  Love others.

I was well enough to work in my garden for a bit.  I am getting to plant flower and vegetable seeds, heavy on the flowers.  I love flowers and rarely get them given to me.  So I buy and grow my own.  Occasionally a blade edge gets tested on my rose bush and the flowers come inside.  They smell lovely. 

Today, I am thankful for love.  I bought myself a little tiny gold band that I have liked in a catalog since it was introduced many, many years ago.  To remember that I love and am loved.  Not that I need to remember. I am always thankful.

macqueen for the koda bear

I am just getting around to making pajama pants for Koda Bear.  They were part of what was supposed to be done for Christmas that did not happen.  But the boy did not seem to mind waiting.

I used a pattern from a Japanese kids pattern book.  I do not know if I did not read the pattern close enough or not but I was very glad that I have put together pajama pants before and have been asked to modify pajama pants as well.  What I read and what I put together did not seem to match.

But the end product?  Koda Bear liked very much.  He did not wish a picture taken or to take them off.  So this wiggly bottom is of him hiding.

I bought a bit of extra fabric to make Koda Bear a pillowcase but he wanted a blankey.  That was an easy sew. 

But the yardage given by the pattern was so off that I actually have enough extra fabric that I am making him another pair of pajama pants.  I am making the back pockets a little bit bigger and I am cutting extra fabric for the waistband from the beginning instead of realizing half way through that I needed to cut it.  After the last year's pajamas, I am using elastic instead of draw string.  It is working well.  He likes matching his Grandpa. 

Maybe next year they will both have Darth Vader pajamas.

some printing was done

I had business cards to make for my Beloved this weekend.

Physically, I really was not up to it but I have been putting it off for awhile.  There have not been enough hours in the day or I have not had the energy.  My coughing was still coming from my toes but I got this done.  It was really the only thing productive thing I did on Sunday.  The meditative aspect of the printing once I got the setup done was nice.

It is the most business cards I have printed at once.  It was definitely an accomplishment with the way I was feeling!

a housewarming present

Friday and Saturday last week, I got a little bit of time at my sewing machine.  I went through my stash and found muslin and a blue to make a gift.  I have a friend who was having a housewarming to show off her new home.  She said not to bring gifts but I could not resist.

A pinnie was quickly stitched together and wrapped up.  Her house is lovely for her.  And now she has something to bake in or entertain in.  I find light colored pinnies do not stay nice looking very long but it is from the stash so she should not worry.

I still have not figured out how to get my sewing machine in a trailer.  May need to be my "portable" one.  I have decided my spinning wheel needs to go but it tucks up small.  The letterpress does not.

yes, yes, yes, but where . . .

Pirates of the Caribbean have been quoted a lot lately.  When anything is empty, but especially beverages.  Actually, I cannot even say that has been true.  It has been rather random. 

I had seen a recipe for cranberry margaritas recently.  Miss A said she had tried one and that it was too tart.  I just did not think it would need to be.  But then I twisted it to add a large bit of ginger.  The spice came through very subtly.  And I used the last of the tequila in the house. 

Yes.  Yes.  Yes.  But where did all the tequila go?

Served in my second hand glasses, it turned into margaritas that were quite tasty and now in the past.  I guess I will need to be less of a hermit and go shopping.  Oh well.

cranberry ginger margaritas

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

1 cup cranberries (I used frozen)

1/2 cup peeled and sliced ginger

Cointreau

Good tequila (if you do not have a budget, Don Julio 1942 is pretty yummy)

ice

In a medium saucepan, put the sugar, water, cranberries, and ginger.  Bring to a boil.  Turn down to a simmer.  Let simmer for 15 minutes.  Turn off and let the syrup cool.

Margarita proportions are:  1 part Cointreau, 2 parts tequila, 3 parts simple syrup, in this case the cranberry ginger syrup.  Mix in a jar.  Put the lid on and shake up.  Serve over ice.

Quote pirates.