Home Made Jelly From Our Wild Grapes

Part of the collection of grape jelly. The jelly tastes delicious. We used 1 gallon for grape juice to have in the mornings. We have given some to our neighbors, and of course my mom wants some on a regular basis. I guess it is hard to tell how many jars. Total tally 40 (8 oz. jars) and 2 Large jelly jars. We harvest 25 lbs. of grapes.

Full Bounty of Grapes

My son and I planted tw0 California Red Grape plants in our backyard over a year ago now. This is the first time that we harvested the grapes off of the bushes. All in all, we harvested about 17 pounds of grapes. My son found 5 more pounds of grapes. Time to make jelly, since the grapes are small and have seeds.













Well, I finally was able to take a couple pictures, although it is hard to tell much there are. Lets say that I have a HUGE bowl full and a slightly smaller bowl full. I am going to work on the jelly today.

In God's Hand

My youngest son leaves for school today. If you didn't know, my youngest son was accepted at a college here in California, but one that is far enough that he needed a place to live close to school. We found a place for him to rent, which is about 3 blocks from the school. We had found another place, but this place was better.

I will no longer wait up at night when he goes out with friends before I can feel comfortable going to sleep at night. He is now in God's hands, just like he has always been.

Having A Good Laugh

Well, my husband, oldest son, and I went to our friend's house for the outside movie, etc.night out. It is honestly amazing. It is like a drive-in, although instead of using cars, we sit outside in comfy chairs. The movie screen has been replaced by a large white melamine board attached to a forklift (used in their business), and complete with surround sound. We watched a Pink Floyd Concert DVD, Jeff Bunham It is absolutely hysterical. Jeff has several characters and they each have a character of their own.
We also watched a very funny movie. I haven't had this much fun in a long time. It is good to get out with friends and just have a good laugh.

In Need Of Repair

I like my sewing machine, but I really do put it through a lot, especially with all the sewing that I do. Well, it is time for a rest and for a visit to the repairman. I was told that it may take as long as 15 days. Sigh....The repairman said that the only other repair shop in the area filed for bankruptcy and closed down. I have another machine, but it is old and I have never used it before. I think that we become comfortable with the familiar, so it is hard to use something else.

I have been away from blog land because of all the sewing lately, so if you happen to stop by, thank you for that.

Oppososte Sides Of The Wall

We live on a cul-de-sac street which has a block wall that divides us from the neighbors on the other side. Originally when they were building our homes, the contractors began tearing down the wall, but the neighbors on the other side of the wall fought it tooth and nail, and I am glad that they did. It is quiet, because the usually cars that drive on our street are visiting our neighbors or it is our neighbors.

What is odd, is that some of the people on the other side will have groceries in their hands and instead of taking the nearby street to reach their hone, they jump the wall at the end of our street.

Actually, our side of the wall is much quieter than that of the other side. It is like night and day. We have been neighbors, some of us for 26 years, while others it ranges from 10-20 plus years. While we have quiet neighbors, there is one particular neighbor on the other side (we think that there are several individuals living there), where they will rev their engines at all hours of the night.

Lately, our side has been a lot noisier than usual, but it isn't because of our neighbors, but that of the actions taken on the other side. Over the past week, we have heard helicopters searching for individuals and have learned that there were have been shootings by rival gang members. Unfortunately, the individuals have not been caught, and it seems like is an almost daily activity or weekly activity. This is disturbing to me because I like our area because it is usually so peaceful.

Creatures In Unusual Places, Etc.

Today, I found out that my husband discovered a opossum in a box on our patio. In the 26 years that we have lived in this house, the opossums have stayed in our neighbor's tree. My husband came inside the house yelling. "I banged on the screen door, but no one came out."



This isn't the actual opossum, but thought that I would add it anyways.

My youngest son was accepted to Cal State Fullerton. There are no dorms available at the college, so he needed to find a place to rent. I am glad that at least I was part of the conversation when he was contacted by a retired couple. It sounds great, but as usual, I will remain home (not of my choosing). My husband will be going with our son to check out the place. The only thing that I can think of is that it is a bonding day between father and son. My husband works too hard, so I see my sons more than he does. I am thankful that I was able to be home since they were infants. My husband didn't have that opportunity.

If they ask where is your mom, I would love to hear that response. I could just tag along, but then I feel like I am "tagging along", and disrupting whatever plans they may have. Sigh.....It will be quiet around here this year.

Winner of the Country Gift Book Give-Away

Wow! It is already to announce the winner of the terrific give-away.

The winner is Annie (njaw09)

Annie, congratulations on winning. Please e-mail me so that I can send you the book.

I hope that I can see the e-mail. I have been having trouble with my e-mail account.

Over The Rainbow & White Water Rafting

My son didn't take his camera, but his professor took the first picture. It looks like the rainbow is in the palm of my son's hand. The picture is so cool! My son also went white water rafting for the first time along the Colorado River.









A trip that will last a life time, and a trip he will always remember, including both the good and bad events.

New Found Relatives

Friends, I didn't want to post leaving on a trip, but now I am back. We were in HOT Kentucky for about 3 fun filled days, meeting relatives we only heard about a few years ago. I love the gorgeous country side in Kentucky. I can see why those who live in the country love it so much.

We had a fantastic time visiting and meeting the relatives who came to
Kentucky. It definitely was a trip of a lifetime and one that we are
glad that we are able to make. Everyone is so warm and caring and my
cousins Beth and Sandy are hysterical. Sandy could be a stand up
comedian. Everything she says is funny as the quips and words
naturally flows off her tongue. I wished though that all lived
closer, so that we could visit more often. My father was in an
orphanage. He went to the Catholic orphanage when he was around 3
years old. There were 6 other siblings. My dad, his sisters Louise
and Isabelle are the only surviving siblings. I met my Aunt Isabelle,
who also had a large family (8 children) and my Aunt Louise. The
local news station did a news story on the first reunion between my
dad and his sister Louise, and then again when the two sisters met.
My dad met his older sister Isabelle during this trip as well. I also
found out that I have 21 new cousins and counting, but only met 4 of
my cousins.



The second flight leaving from Chicago to LAX was LONG (did I say
long-lol), but we were treated to lightning shows from above and the
view was fabulous. Here are some of the pictures I took.

So Long California Redwood Tree

I am sad to say that the California Redwood tree that my oldest son nurtured since it was a little seedling seen its day. I guess that it didn't like being transplanted. We usually have success when transplanting plants, but then this tree was over 10 feet tall and was in the way of our lemon and pear tree. I hope that the little growth (new growth at the base of the tree) will take hold and survive. Time will tell.

A Once In A Lifetime Opportunity

My oldest son has been fortunate to be in the geology program at our local public college. These professors are so awesome and very encouraging. The program for biology and geology is the best. My son missed the opportunity last year to go on the trip to the Colorado Plateaus, and this year he almost missed out as well, if it had not been for a student backing out of the trip. My son gets to go on a two trip for his summer class.

I wonder if he will see any images as this:




Bryce Canyon is so beautiful, but it will be HOT!

I do know that he will be hiking in Bryce Canyon, something that my dh and I did about 26 years ago. I wished that my son would take his camera, but I understand why he doesn't.




Keep Safe and Have Fun!

P.S. It is now early Monday morning and I have had about 3 1/2 hours of sleep. I am up I guess because I don't want to over sleep. My son wants me to get him up at 5:30 am, which is very unusual. He is all packed which is also unusual. He will have a lot of memories and adventures awaiting him during these two weeks.

Vintage Smock Apron

A few years ago, I was asked by a friend if I could make his wife some new aprons using her old mother's vintage smock apron. I was up for the challenge. The aprons have since faded, from all the washing. I was told that my friend wore her aprons all the time. Well, it was time for some new aprons, so it I was again up for the challenge. I had taken notes-thank goodness and some pictures, which were not all that great, but I did finish one of the aprons. I took the apron over to my friend's house last night and she broke down in tears. She has the sweetest husband.

Anyways, my friend's mother's apron was old and worn out and it bore wood stains, since my friend wore that apron while helping her husband stain cabinets in his cabinet business. I thought that I would post the original apron, and the one that I just made. The apron looks better on my friend that it does on my dress form.

Fabric Store Is Officially Open

Well, our online fabric store has been open since Mother's Day. I have been wanting to sell my fabrics, with many of the fabrics that are out of print. I have been asked time and time again if I sell or would sell my fabrics that I used for custom aprons.

My sons gave me the best Mother's Day present ever, and this was it. Of course as my sons were growing up, they had and actually still have clashed. They have their moments when they get along, but they are complete opposites. As they were growing up, I would say that the best Mother's Day gift that they could give me was a day without them arguing. It has been a blessing for that one day a year. I had always wished that they would eventually or actually get along in a timely manner.

Just Being A Mom

A few weeks ago, we learned that our youngest son was invited to his friend's (ex-girlfriend's) birthday party in Las Vegas. Originally, the girl's parents were going to drive several young adults including my son to Las Vegas. My son had to make some arrangements with work and school, but one of his professors would not let my son take his exam early unless it was an emergency.

My son decided that he couldn't go, but that soon changed when his dad mentioned that our son could rent a car (his car wouldn't make the long drive). I being a mom was concerned about our 21 year old son driving to Las Vegas at night after his evening class. Of course, my son could tell that I would worry and assured me that he would be fine. Just to ease this old woman's mind, my son said that he would give me a call when he reached the rest stops and when he safely arrived at his destination. It is now 1:15 a.m. and I have received one call. Everything is fine. Of course, in my heart, I knew that he would be fine because there was someone far mightier than I watching over my son, but I am still a mom after all, but I should just trust that everything will work out. It is 2 am and my son is now in his hotel room. You see, I think that I know why the party is in Las Vegas. No, my son and his friends are not interested in gambling, but the parents are. Every year for as long as I can remember, they would drive to Las Vegas so that they could gamble.

My oldest son will be going on another weekend geology trip to the White Inyos. My son volunteered to go with a fellow student while the student reworks his mapping of the geology. The student lost his map during the last trip, so since a group was going to the White Inyos, the professor said that this student can get a second chance at the mapping. It was felt and I had to agree with this one, that there should be another person (like the buddy system suggested when hiking), in case something happens. It will be a night of little sleep, since the oldest wants me to help to wake him up at 5:45 am.

It will be a quiet weekend for sure around here.

Aren't These Shoes The Cutest?

I cam across this blog recently. Oh my, if only I was as talented. These shoes are the cutest. Be sure to scroll to the top of the blog page.

Question And Answer Period

A friend of mine from "Just Breathe," posted these questions, and so I decided to answer them.

1.How often do you change the sheets on your bed?
Not as often as someone I know. I knew a woman who washed her sheets every day.

2.Do you wash your hair everyday?
Sometimes twice a day during the hot weather.

3.Have you ever told a white lie to get out of doing things when people ask?
Gosh, I don't remember, but I might have at some point in my life.

4.Do you like to talk on the phone or send emails to communicate?
Actually, I do both, but I think that I send more e-mails because of my business. I do enjoy talking to the customers on the phone.

5.Matthew McConaughey or George Clooney?
That is a tough question. Both are cute.

6.I have know people who take a new towel each day after they shower. Are you one of those people?
Nope, not me.

7.Have you ever been on the news or had your picture in the newspaper?
I did have my picture in the newspaper back when I won an award in junior high school and then for my dh's and my engagement announcement and wedding.

8.Do you buy new cars or do you always buy a used car?
We only bought a new car once. Most of our cars are used.

9.Do you have a green thumb when it comes to house plants?
I thought that I did, but the way our house is, it is hard to have plants indoors.

10.Where would you like to live when you retire?
I would actually like to stay where I am.

Picturesque Clouds And Skies Above

My dh likes to take pictures of clouds and of sunsets. His memory card was full and I discovered many gorgeous pictures that he had taken. Some of the pictures were taken over a year ago and some pictures are of his mother when she was alive.


Today's pictures are two of my favorite shots taken by my husband.







The last picture, is my most favorite picture.


Well, I hope that each and everyone of you have a wonderful Tuesday.

Memories And Traditions

It has been 8 months since my mil passed away at the age of 93. Today, my dh and I went to Forest Lawn Cemetery to put flowers on his mother's and grandmother's grave. This is the first for my husband. He had accompanied his mother for years, but mostly my mil went on her own or had her helper assist her. Every Mother's Day, birthday, or Memorial Day, flowers were laid on the grave.

Today, we saw people of all different ethnic backgrounds. Some people were laying next to the site, while others were laying flowers, reminiscing, or performing religious rituals. The hillsides of this large place were filled with color. My husband carefully attended and created bouquets using the flowers from our yard and our son's native garden. I told my husband that his mom would be pleased at his creation and his attentiveness. He responded by saying, "Don't you think that she is pleased now?" Of course.

What A Predicament!

Well, I guess that this lizard wanted to be sure to get the flies. I have never seen a lizard caught between the screen and the metal security frame design on our sliding glass door.

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