I have made very little progress on the Halloween costumes because we have been busy painting, cleaning and moving. I have managed to pull my sewing machine out of the box it has been in the last 6-8 months. However, I don't have a table to set it up on unless I put it on the dining table. I really want to avoid that, but it may come to it if I don't find a good table at a yard sale soon.
I had started resizing a boys long sleeve shirt I got at a thrift store for T's scarecrow costume but she didn't like the color and it took so much effort to get her to try it on to size it that I gave up and scraped it. Instead I will do a dress in fall colors and forget trying to make it look like on the movie. It just isn't worth the effort to make something she doesn't want to wear anyway.
I finished dying baby M's onesie and it didn't turn out as well as I had dreamed, though it was pretty close to what I expected. I'm thinking of buying pants and a long sleeve shirt anyway since it might be chilly enough. She also yanks her lions mane off at first chance so that will be fun to deal with too.
I have bought all of the material to make D and T's dresses and have started cutting out T's. I'm hoping to start sewing them in the next couple nights. I definitely need to start by the weekend. I'll probably have to put in some late nights to get it done without interruptions.
So I am a bit sad and stressed about these costumes. At least I got a couple pumpkins and some pumpkin butter at Trader Joe's this morning, so thing aren't all that bad.
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Monday, October 6, 2014
My Father, the Published Author
My father past away a decade ago. It is strange to realize it has been that long. A decade brings so many changes: a handful of adorable grandchildren, gaining new friends while losing old, and new projects around the house that he built. It makes me sad that he is not here to experience it.
He had spent time writing a book before his death. Gun collecting was a hobby of his and he became an expert on German hunting rifles over the years.
It makes me so proud that 10 years later it is finally being published. It could not have been done without dedication on my mother's part and with the computer expertise of his good friend, Bruce Hamilton. Other gun enthusiasts that knew my father, helped my mother with content editing, for which we are all grateful.
I wish it was a more accessible price. At $75, it is a bit steep for anyone who is not a gun enthusiast or family member. Since it is a small printing on a specialized subject and has lots of color photos, I suppose the price can't be helped.
From Safari Press' website:
GERMAN HUNTING GUNS OF THE GOLDEN ERA
1840-1940
by Hans Pfingsten
2014 Long Beach, 208pp, profuse color and b&w photos, illus., 8.5x11, hardcover, dj
ISBN: 978-1-57157-443-5
In this book you will find the history of break-open shotguns, rifles, drillings, and other combination guns produced in Germany during the period of 1840-1940.
German guns built before 1939 exhibit a high level of quality and finish. Collectors marvel at the subtle lines and superb craftsmanship of a Rasch or a Springer. Others find satisfaction using a beautiful Sauer shotgun made well before World War I. Many people have had the thrill of picking up a fine old gun from Germany or Austria and are in awe of the level of engraving, fit, and finish. Hunters delight in carrying a drilling in the field, for they know that they can take any game that presents itself.
In the devastation following two world wars, the records of the origins and the production of fine German sporting arms were mostly lost, so this book documents as much as possible the existing knowledge of these guns. Research material was gathered from old catalogs and ads, factory records, books, periodicals, individuals, and, of course, surviving firearms of the period covered by this book.
The book is divided into three sections: "Hunting," "Gunmakers," and "The Gun Itself." These three sections capture the essence of the topics through the use of photos and illustrations. Long, explanatory captions make the pictures understandable even to the novice. Moreover, all the famous makers of the day are included: J. P. Sauer, Brenneke, Lindner, Sempert & Krieghoff, and others. Everything to do with break-open shotguns, rifles, drillings, and combination guns is discussed: the Frank drilling, the barrel, the action, the development and history of these guns, fences, triggers, and so on.
This must-have book for the German gun enthusiast will have you marvel at the geniuses of a bygone day that invented and built such guns.
He had spent time writing a book before his death. Gun collecting was a hobby of his and he became an expert on German hunting rifles over the years.
It makes me so proud that 10 years later it is finally being published. It could not have been done without dedication on my mother's part and with the computer expertise of his good friend, Bruce Hamilton. Other gun enthusiasts that knew my father, helped my mother with content editing, for which we are all grateful.
I wish it was a more accessible price. At $75, it is a bit steep for anyone who is not a gun enthusiast or family member. Since it is a small printing on a specialized subject and has lots of color photos, I suppose the price can't be helped.
From Safari Press' website:
GERMAN HUNTING GUNS OF THE GOLDEN ERA
1840-1940
by Hans Pfingsten
2014 Long Beach, 208pp, profuse color and b&w photos, illus., 8.5x11, hardcover, dj
ISBN: 978-1-57157-443-5
In this book you will find the history of break-open shotguns, rifles, drillings, and other combination guns produced in Germany during the period of 1840-1940.
German guns built before 1939 exhibit a high level of quality and finish. Collectors marvel at the subtle lines and superb craftsmanship of a Rasch or a Springer. Others find satisfaction using a beautiful Sauer shotgun made well before World War I. Many people have had the thrill of picking up a fine old gun from Germany or Austria and are in awe of the level of engraving, fit, and finish. Hunters delight in carrying a drilling in the field, for they know that they can take any game that presents itself.
In the devastation following two world wars, the records of the origins and the production of fine German sporting arms were mostly lost, so this book documents as much as possible the existing knowledge of these guns. Research material was gathered from old catalogs and ads, factory records, books, periodicals, individuals, and, of course, surviving firearms of the period covered by this book.
The book is divided into three sections: "Hunting," "Gunmakers," and "The Gun Itself." These three sections capture the essence of the topics through the use of photos and illustrations. Long, explanatory captions make the pictures understandable even to the novice. Moreover, all the famous makers of the day are included: J. P. Sauer, Brenneke, Lindner, Sempert & Krieghoff, and others. Everything to do with break-open shotguns, rifles, drillings, and combination guns is discussed: the Frank drilling, the barrel, the action, the development and history of these guns, fences, triggers, and so on.
This must-have book for the German gun enthusiast will have you marvel at the geniuses of a bygone day that invented and built such guns.
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Costume Ideas
It amazes me how fast October got here this year. I have not had much time to craft, except for a handful of bows and Baby M's cross stitch Christmas stocking. But now it is October and that means costume time! I am currently behind schedule in that I have thought about the costumes but haven't really done anything for them yet. Today is the day though where I get cracking.
I bought yarn to knit a lion's mane for Baby M a couple weeks ago and actually got most of it knitted today. I'm just making a headband so it is a quick knit. A few more rows and a fitting tomorrow to make sure it isn't too big and it will be finished. I also need to finish dyeing her onesie. I had a spare white one around and couldn't find a yellow/tan colored one without huge logos or prints on them. So now I'm trying out some turmeric and coffee grounds to see what color I end up with. I may throw in some onion skin too depending on what color it turns out. Baby M is going to be the Cowardly Lion, in case you didn't guess.
Miss T chose to be the Scarecrow. I'll make a tutu for her so she won't be jealous of her sister's costume. Hmm . . . I will probably have to make a tutu for Baby M as well so people realize she is a girl, now that I think of it. I don't know if it is the minimal amount of hair on her head or that seeing two girls already in the family everyone expects there to be a boy, but everyone that meets her thinks she is a boy unless she is wearing a bow. For T's outfit I will have to find blues, dark grays or browns for clothes of which we have none. I will also have to make her a cute hat that can compete with Glinda's crown.
My sister's daughter, little H, will be Dorothy. Her costume will be easy if we can find the blue and white checked material, and I already have the white top to go underneath from the twins. I found a pattern for an adorable knit wig that has pigtails like Dorothy's but I don't think I'll have time to knit it, unfortunately. Plus there is a high probability that she wouldn't keep it on anyway. It would look cute though.
Her brother, big H, will be the Tinman. We are hoping to find some shiny fabric to put on a gray shirt for him and he can wear his gray shorts. If all else fails we can utilize some tin foil. He can wear a funnel on his head that is spray painted silver. And with a little heart, he should be set.
We are dressing all of them in short sleeves because of how hot Halloween usually is out here (watch it be cold this year). I plan to buy witch hats for my sister and I so we can be the wicked witches. We will trick or treat in my sister's neighborhood and maybe we'll watch The Wizard of Oz with the kiddos before we head out.
I bought yarn to knit a lion's mane for Baby M a couple weeks ago and actually got most of it knitted today. I'm just making a headband so it is a quick knit. A few more rows and a fitting tomorrow to make sure it isn't too big and it will be finished. I also need to finish dyeing her onesie. I had a spare white one around and couldn't find a yellow/tan colored one without huge logos or prints on them. So now I'm trying out some turmeric and coffee grounds to see what color I end up with. I may throw in some onion skin too depending on what color it turns out. Baby M is going to be the Cowardly Lion, in case you didn't guess.
Finished and fitted!
Miss D, lover of pink that she is, will be Glinda the good witch. From the book, she prefers the gentle good witch of the north, who I believe is named Locasta, to Glinda of the south. Since they are condensed into one role in the movie, she gets to be Glinda of the north. It is more recognizable and she also loves pink so I'm sure she won't mind the change. I have to figure out how to make the dress and crown still. I really need to go shopping to see what materials are available that will be easy to make.Miss T chose to be the Scarecrow. I'll make a tutu for her so she won't be jealous of her sister's costume. Hmm . . . I will probably have to make a tutu for Baby M as well so people realize she is a girl, now that I think of it. I don't know if it is the minimal amount of hair on her head or that seeing two girls already in the family everyone expects there to be a boy, but everyone that meets her thinks she is a boy unless she is wearing a bow. For T's outfit I will have to find blues, dark grays or browns for clothes of which we have none. I will also have to make her a cute hat that can compete with Glinda's crown.
My sister's daughter, little H, will be Dorothy. Her costume will be easy if we can find the blue and white checked material, and I already have the white top to go underneath from the twins. I found a pattern for an adorable knit wig that has pigtails like Dorothy's but I don't think I'll have time to knit it, unfortunately. Plus there is a high probability that she wouldn't keep it on anyway. It would look cute though.
Her brother, big H, will be the Tinman. We are hoping to find some shiny fabric to put on a gray shirt for him and he can wear his gray shorts. If all else fails we can utilize some tin foil. He can wear a funnel on his head that is spray painted silver. And with a little heart, he should be set.
We are dressing all of them in short sleeves because of how hot Halloween usually is out here (watch it be cold this year). I plan to buy witch hats for my sister and I so we can be the wicked witches. We will trick or treat in my sister's neighborhood and maybe we'll watch The Wizard of Oz with the kiddos before we head out.
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Retirement Party
Last Saturday we celebrated Oma's retirement from 34 years of teaching with a family party. Oma is technically still teaching. She goes to school for one Latin class everyday. She loves not having to wake up early in the morning to get ready for school and instead does yard work. She loves not having the stress of tons of grading. She is enjoying the semi-retired life.
We already had some small celebrations at the end of the school year in June, but waited until now to have the family party because my brother and his wife are visiting from Japan. Although the focus of the party was her retirement, it also happened to fall on her birthday and there were other family birthdays around that time. So we gave a nod to all the September birthdays with some singing and a cake at the end of the day.
To celebrate her retirement, at her special request, we hired a photographer to capture our family. It was hard to do with the five kids. There were times where one or more of them were not cooperating. But I think we ended up with some really good shots of everyone. We haven't seen them yet. The photos here were taken by my father-in-law. Some of his turned out beautifully as well.
We already had some small celebrations at the end of the school year in June, but waited until now to have the family party because my brother and his wife are visiting from Japan. Although the focus of the party was her retirement, it also happened to fall on her birthday and there were other family birthdays around that time. So we gave a nod to all the September birthdays with some singing and a cake at the end of the day.
To celebrate her retirement, at her special request, we hired a photographer to capture our family. It was hard to do with the five kids. There were times where one or more of them were not cooperating. But I think we ended up with some really good shots of everyone. We haven't seen them yet. The photos here were taken by my father-in-law. Some of his turned out beautifully as well.
I love the one of the five grandchildren. I really hope that our photographer was able to get a good one with all them looking without funny faces.
The rest of the day we spent eating, swimming, and spending time with one another. The day went by quickly. The kids cooperated with the strange nap time and place. We had fun as a family, celebrating Oma.
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Gardening
The girls and I are always here, but we don't get a lot done. Most of the time the girls aren't interested in checking on it every evening. When we do go down to check on it, I am always holding Baby M, which limits what I can do. I often spend some time admonishing the girls not to step on the plants, or directing them were to plant new seeds. Sometimes the girls will dig up a weed or two. Most of the time though, we wait for the automatic sprinklers to come on so the girls can get wet. That is what gardening is with two 3 year olds and an 8 month old.
The yellow squash is doing pretty well now that the critters have started to leave them alone. No fruit is growing yet though, just flowers for now.
The tomato plants, which were looking beautiful for awhile there, were attacked by tomato bugs (tomato hornworms) while the girls and I were out of town. The picture below is of the aftermath where I found 7 fatty ones chomping away. For next year's garden, I need to plant marigolds or dill with the tomatoes and get some wasps according to the farmer's almanac.
Although not much is happening in the garden, I am still glad that we have it. It is a good activity for the girls to learn about where food comes from and for them to get dirty. Hopefully as they all grow older, we will be able to have a large and productive garden together.
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Beach Day
Last weekend we headed down to North Beach in San Clemente with all the grandparents and my sister and her son. We have never been to this beach but it is a very family friendly beach. There are swings, a slide and picnic tables all right by the bathroom. Every so often a commuter train goes by right behind the beach. The kids loved it and would wave to the travelers.
The beach is short, so we didn't feel too far from our stuff or the water depending where we were. It is pretty rocky though, so wearing sandals down to the water line made life easier.
T had so much fun playing in the surf. We were out there awhile holding hands as we ran toward the receding waves and then ran as the waves came crashing back at us. The waves were a little more powerful than I was expecting but that wasn't a worry since the kids don't actually go in the water to swim.
Baby M got all dressed for the beach in her tutu bathing suit but didn't get to play in the water or the sand. One of these days she'll have fun like her sisters.
Friday, August 22, 2014
Wine Tour
My sister-in-law is getting married next month and this past Monday we celebrated her impending nuptials with a few of her old friends and a bit of wine. Five of us and baby M met at Leoness Cellars in Temecula for a winery tour. We started out the earliest we could at 10 am, so we could beat the heat. It was sunny and warm but not too hot yet. Baby M got to check out the winery and vineyard from the comfort of her carrier. I love her little eye peaking out.
We started off with a few tastings in the tasting room to see what we liked. There were a variety of preferences among the five of us ranging from really sweet to really dry. Some preferred reds; others wanted whites. Once we found one we liked, we headed out with a glass of it to check out the view from the wedding lawn. It does have a beautiful view of the vineyards below and would be a lovely place to get married.
I forget the acreage, but there was a lot of it and it was dedicated to different varietals. We were able to sample some as we walked through the vineyard down to a golf cart. Outside the patio near where the golf cart was parked, they grow regular table grapes that you find in a store. It was interesting to compare them to the ones we had just eaten. The wine grapes are much smaller because they do not receive enough water to make them plump like store bought grapes. This concentrates their sugars for the wine.
Because of the warm winter and early harvest this year, we were able to see some of the wine production in action. But it was a welcome relief from the warm sun to step into the air conditioned barrel room. They keep a portion of their barrels in this room just for events. The rest they store at a warehouse elsewhere.
We headed back to the tasting room to round out our tastings. Leoness was nice in that it was baby friendly. I was able to nurse M on a very comfortable couch in the tasting room (most tasting rooms don't have places to sit) and their bathroom has a changing table (the rest of the day I changed M in the car). I would consider joining the wine club here.
Following our tour, we headed over to Wilson Creek Winery for lunch. The lunch was pricey but delicious. We had a cheese plate appetizer, some sangria that I wasn't impressed with, a delicious penne dish with shaved ham and we shared a couple desserts. Baby M napped for most of the lunch in her stroller so it was a nice relaxing meal.
After lunch we tasted a few of the wines. Thanks to my sister, who is a wine club member there, we had a couple free tastings. And I believe everyone was a fan of the orange mimosa champagne.
We moved on to Foot Path Winery, which is very different from the other two we had seen. Foot Path is the smallest winery and definitely no frills. It is a ramshackled property compared to the landscaped wineries. The tasting room is a shed with all sorts of odds and ends stored that reminded me of my dad's garage or my grandpa's shop. There is no air conditioning; just a powerful fan that you can sit by which really does keep you cool.
They are also a certified organic farm, although not all of their wines are organic. We got to say hello to the horses on our way in and I think they were looking for a handout from us. Foot Path only makes red wines. I unfortunately can't say anything about them since I was designated driver and had reached my limit, but their grapefruits taste so good and are great price! I only bought two and I regret that I did not buy a bunch more.
For our last stop, we went to Danze del Sol Winery. It does have a bit of an old world Spanish feel, especially with the patio. It was cool enough in the shade by that point that Baby M and I could take breaks from the tasting room and sit down out there. We had been tasting for 7-8 hours by that point and my back was so tired from carrying my little chunk around. The sales sommelier enjoyed showing off his pours and smiles for a group of attractive ladies and he made it fun for everyone.
The girls were so sweet and bought me a bottle to thank me for planning the day and driving them all around. I will split it with my mother one of these evenings, since without her babysitting the twins, this day wouldn't have happened. It was such a nice break from the usual routine and M was such a sweet, well-behaved baby the whole long day. I look forward to next time I go wine tasting.
We started off with a few tastings in the tasting room to see what we liked. There were a variety of preferences among the five of us ranging from really sweet to really dry. Some preferred reds; others wanted whites. Once we found one we liked, we headed out with a glass of it to check out the view from the wedding lawn. It does have a beautiful view of the vineyards below and would be a lovely place to get married.
Because of the warm winter and early harvest this year, we were able to see some of the wine production in action. But it was a welcome relief from the warm sun to step into the air conditioned barrel room. They keep a portion of their barrels in this room just for events. The rest they store at a warehouse elsewhere.
We headed back to the tasting room to round out our tastings. Leoness was nice in that it was baby friendly. I was able to nurse M on a very comfortable couch in the tasting room (most tasting rooms don't have places to sit) and their bathroom has a changing table (the rest of the day I changed M in the car). I would consider joining the wine club here.
Following our tour, we headed over to Wilson Creek Winery for lunch. The lunch was pricey but delicious. We had a cheese plate appetizer, some sangria that I wasn't impressed with, a delicious penne dish with shaved ham and we shared a couple desserts. Baby M napped for most of the lunch in her stroller so it was a nice relaxing meal.
After lunch we tasted a few of the wines. Thanks to my sister, who is a wine club member there, we had a couple free tastings. And I believe everyone was a fan of the orange mimosa champagne.
We moved on to Foot Path Winery, which is very different from the other two we had seen. Foot Path is the smallest winery and definitely no frills. It is a ramshackled property compared to the landscaped wineries. The tasting room is a shed with all sorts of odds and ends stored that reminded me of my dad's garage or my grandpa's shop. There is no air conditioning; just a powerful fan that you can sit by which really does keep you cool.
They are also a certified organic farm, although not all of their wines are organic. We got to say hello to the horses on our way in and I think they were looking for a handout from us. Foot Path only makes red wines. I unfortunately can't say anything about them since I was designated driver and had reached my limit, but their grapefruits taste so good and are great price! I only bought two and I regret that I did not buy a bunch more.
For our last stop, we went to Danze del Sol Winery. It does have a bit of an old world Spanish feel, especially with the patio. It was cool enough in the shade by that point that Baby M and I could take breaks from the tasting room and sit down out there. We had been tasting for 7-8 hours by that point and my back was so tired from carrying my little chunk around. The sales sommelier enjoyed showing off his pours and smiles for a group of attractive ladies and he made it fun for everyone.
The girls were so sweet and bought me a bottle to thank me for planning the day and driving them all around. I will split it with my mother one of these evenings, since without her babysitting the twins, this day wouldn't have happened. It was such a nice break from the usual routine and M was such a sweet, well-behaved baby the whole long day. I look forward to next time I go wine tasting.
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