I'm Still Here

I have not been a very faithful blogger lately due to other pressing matters requiring my attention. Here is an update on what's happening at our end of the pond:

1. The Big Kitchen Dig at O'Brien Manor is over. Thank goodness! Dear Husband could not be happier. He did a fantastic job designing the space. Taking down the elevated breakfast bar was a fantastic idea; it really opened up the room tremendously (see picture above). Everything is so beautiful and functional too.

2. Quilting continues. I now have a number of projects going at the same time. After teaching myself how to hand applique by watching a YouTube video, I am so enjoying spending time with my needle and thread tacking down the pieces I applique via fusible web (love this method). I am working on a quilt top (it will be called "Seasons of Sicily") for a class, am making a t-shirt quilt for a friend's daughter, and am hard at work on a Christmas quilt for our living room. Then there is the dog-theme quilt I am making for the SPCA benefit in October. 

3. Toying with learning to make jewelry. I am dabbling in jewelry making, with the ultimate objective to make vintage-style jewelry for gifts. Just getting started with this so it is too soon to tell whether I will like this hobby and stick with it, as I have quilting.

4. The "skate" goes on. Still preparing for the October competition and working on Free Dance 5 test. I am not skating nearly as much as I 'should' but life gets in the way and the schedules for ice time at the rink have been changed numerous time due to summer camps for kids. That said, I had a good run through of my "Fallen Embers" (Bronze Open) program last week. Coach even looked happy with it and that's saying something!

5. Doggies are hot. While it is true that our dogs are primarily indoor pups, they like to go outside and also have to. It's too darn hot for Collies right now. We got DeeDee an adorable little summer cut (not shaved; just trimmed her skirt, tummy and feathers) so she is no longer dragging in entire rose bushes when she comes in from the backyard. She seems to be happy with her new "do" and we think she looks cute as can be. Definitely planning on leaving her this way. Our old boy, Merlin, is hanging in, but continues to slow down. Can't write about that now. Just makes me too sad. We love them both very much and are honored to give them their forever home.

6. Migraines are . . . well, still migraines. I've been to the UCSF Headache Clinic and will be starting a new treatment regimen there on August 19th. After a few weeks relative peace, I'm back in a bad patch getting four major migraines in the last 9 days. Such a drag!

Onward with hope, optimism and a wish that the heat would end soon. But then again, I say this every summer, so what else is new?