A nice weekend

This weekend I traveled to my parents home 2 hrs West. They are still snow-birding in Florida. But I check on the ghost and remind the house it is still loved.

This was a special weekend, my first niece was home for 48 hours from Texas. She is maid of honor in a friends wedding this May and was here for the bridal shower. I was able to see her for about 2hrs on Saturday for dinner. It was NOT long enough but it was very gracious of her to include me in her busy time home. My sister was also with us. Then, because her car is in the shop, borrowed mine until Monday.

This worked out really well for all, because my second niece had her Choral Concert on Sunday. My brother and his wife picked me up at my parents and we all went to the concert except for first niece who had to catch her flight back to Texas. She is a second grade teacher. My sister, with my wheels , was able to take her to the airport. My brother usually does the honors, but this was his youngest daughter's last concert in College. She graduates on May 16th. I am glad we all were able to go.

After the concert . the four of us went out to dinner at a chain restaurant called Bertucci's. I didn't enjoy the food much but the conversation and my niece talking about her courses was perfect. Then we dropped her back at Delaware Valley College in Doylestown, where she had a 7:30 study group meeting. She is very busy these last few weeks.

I had hoped to meet her new man friend, but he was not able to join us. He works for a zoo in the area, and gives outreach talks and lectures with his zoo animals. He also helps in raising some of the baby animals. I think he has a kangaroo now. He did have a baby bear. My second niece, who never met an animal she didn't want (and brought home lots of them -her favorite being snakes) seems to get along well this new zoo man. As long as she is happy. We talked a little bit about jobs and resumes. I would not like to be looking for a job in this economy.

I am sitting here in my parents home watching the rain and listening to Classical Music on their TV. It is weird I only get one local TV channel at home, but here they get over a hundred channels and nothing is really perking my interest, So I listen to music without commercials. Even the Sci Fi Channel is boring. Soon my sister will be here to get me and we will pick up her car. I will probably drive home tomorrow in the sun. I like the rain just not to drive in.

It was a nice visit but we all have our own lives now and it is time for me to go home.

Basket Weaving Workshop

I had the best time today -I signed up for a Basket Weaving Workshop at the Cape May County Main Library. It cost $10.00 and was taught by an ex Coast Guard Laurie Schiffelbein. It was a six hour workshop and except for a 5 min bathroom break -we worked the entire time. The workshop had 10 people sign up but eight showed up. The eight finished baskets were all amazing. Mine was the best -:))

but I liked them all -each woman picked her own colors and size of splint to weave. Yellow and white/red white and blue and yellow/purple and white/red and white/green and light purple and yellow flooded the room. It was Easter and baskets were everywhere.



Those who know me, know I have lots of baskets -all kinds -but this is the first one I ever made myself from start to finish. I think the key is same day workshops. That way I am forced to finish and don't have time to get bored. I really like baskets -I would like to learn to make them from native South Jersey materials -these are made from imported bamboo from China. Suppliers are H.H. Perkins Co. in North Haven, Conn. The problem with native plants, is I have trouble identifying poison Ivy and Sumac -and man, am I allergic! The teacher Laurie -once offered a workshop with native plants -no one wanted to use them and she got -yep-poison Ivy reaction.



Laurie is holding another workshop at the end of the month -the 'advanced basket' she is teaching is a magazine basket with a U-handle. I have already checked it out and think I can adapt it while I am making it.



My new bike needs a basket.

A New Bike for Robin?

I am checking this Craig's List Bike out tomorrow -I think it is just what I was looking for -but i have to see it in person.

Hey I buy my cars by myself and I am going to take it on the road by myself -I should be able to handle this, right?

RIGHT !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ah........................Any suggestions bike riders?

I haven't owned a bike or ridden one in 45 years!! Except at the gym and I don't think that counts? YIKES!

LOL, I know think helmet.

Katie's Most Excellent Blog

My sisters' step-daughter, Katie, -writes a blog from Argentina -where she is currently living -it is very cool and she is also taking pictures -you would all enjoy it -so I thought I would share -http://seashellsandsunflowers.blogspot.com/

Oh the latest entry gives a recipe for Cheese Bread -(Gluten Free)- so if anyone makes it in the US near me -ah -Please save me one? I would love to try it .

I sort of gave all my baking stuff to the local thrift shop, in an attempt to force me to stop eating. Ha Ha

http://seashellsandsunflowers.blogspot.com/