Posted on by agilejack

Why Am I Not Sewing?

Just checking in to let everyone know I’m ok. I’ve been really busy. Life is good. I’m actually enjoying a bit of a break from sewing. And I’m very happy that I’m not feeling a creative dry spell. I just need a bit of a break.

Maybe it’s because this summer has been so glorious here in Portland. It was hot today, but the temps have been so lovely and the days are just one gorgeous one after another.

Our summers can be glorious, but they can also be short. I always feel like I have to take advantage of every summer minute while they’re here, because they’re gone so quickly. The days are already getting shorter and before you know it, it will be dark at 5 pm.

So I’ve been sort of obsessed with pickleball the last few weeks. I’m continuing my lessons and am LOVING them! The man who is teaching me is really a lovely man and he’s a really good teacher. He works me really hard in my lessons and I love it. I’m exhausted by the time each one is over. People at my club are commenting on how much better I’m playing! It feels really good to see things coming together. I’m not a morning person and I’m meeting my coach at 7:30 am before work and before anyone else is on the courts. And I love it!

The biggest complement my coach gave me the other day was, “you are a fighter!” He knew that I had a couple weeks of frustration when playing, and he liked the way I worked to figure out what was wrong and kept fighting, instead of just giving up. He and I are a good match for coach and student.

I’m heading up to Washington again this weekend to visit my 96 year old aunt and take a drive up to visit my cousin’s winery. My brother and his wife will join me. I’m looking forward to a nice weekend out and about. A friend of mine (the one who owns Ernie) will come and stay with my boys. I made a big pot of spaghetti sauce this weekend so my aunt won’t have to cook dinner.

Before you ask… I don’t have a recipe. I just make it up as I go! Hamburger, Italian sausage, tomato sauce and diced tomatoes, onion, garlic, herbs and lots and lots of mushrooms. Cook it for hours. Easy peasy!

To get ready for the trip I had to take my car into the shop for an oil change. While it was there they told me that one of my tires was unsafe to drive on. So I got to buy a new set of tires. The last time I bought tires was seven years ago! I drive so much less since the pandemic hit. It’s the lack of the work commute that’s making the difference.

These tires were not cheap. I wish they brought me more joy. But it is nice to know that I’m safe on the road.

I’m happy to report that I’ve been enjoying my home grown tomatoes for a couple of weeks. I only grew two varieties of cherry tomatoes, but I chose the sweetest ones — sung olds and sweet millions. They are soooo good!

I also have some wonderful blooming things on my patio. First is crocosmia.

It’s the most gorgeous color of deep orange-red.

My new hostess are also blooming… the prettiest pale purple blooms.

The apples have started falling from my tree so Bender is having a heyday. I had the sliding door open this morning as I worked and heard “crunch, crunch, crunch” and looked down to see Bender eating an apple next to me. I picked it up and threw it outside and Bender was sure we were playing fetch!

Come on… throw it!

Back to enjoying my summer!

50 Replies to “Why Am I Not Sewing?”

  1. Cant decide who is the prettier- Bender or you beautiful blue ??Hostas””. Bender is a real sweetie

    CheersPauline Chiarelli 

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    1. I was really happy to see those pale purple blooms on those hostas. The do appear to be happy in their new pots… and that’s always nice to see.

      Bender says “hi!”

      Anne

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  2. I am glad to see you are giving yourself a break from sewing, and becoming more accomplished in Pickleball is a wonderful thing! I am delighted that you mentioned your two tomato varieties. I grow both of them here every summer in Virginia. I have no fruit trees but twice this month I have picked peaches from a local orchard. Fresh produce it the best! Thanks for your update. I love reading your blog.

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    1. Good summer peaches are my favorite fruit. I’m going to see if I can find some local peaches this weekend. I also had my first dinner salad with tomatoes from my garden this evening. It was sooo good!

      Anne

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  3. I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying the summer and taking advantage of the beautiful weather. Summer will be over before we know it, and the outdoor opportunities won’t be so enjoyable. There will be plenty of time for sewing when the weather changes. I’m also happy you found a great pickleball coach. It sounds like you’re really improving your game with his help all while giving him the opportunity to practice his coaching skills. I’d say it’s a win-win for you both! I hope you enjoy the weekend trip to visit your aunt and other family.

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  4. I wish that I would get out of my sewing room! I’m obsessed with sewing right now, and my brain won’t shift gears! My new thing is sewing shirts. I practiced on ugly fabric, then nice fabric, now I’m getting out my Kaffe fabric!!!!!!!!! I’m also finishing up quilting my fourth quilt since April! And starting the 3 1/2” scrap cuties. And, and, and…..

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    1. I love the shirts I see made from Kaffe fabric. Maybe you’ll inspire me to make one some day. It will take a good dose of inspiration to make that happen!

      Anne

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  7. Congrats on your pickle ball prowess! Good way to get in your exercise too. Your spaghetti sauce looks yummy! I grew sweet 100s , about 7 of them, so, so good and sweet. Trying freezing 🥶 some this year and hopefully will be good in sauce, chili and soups later on. That’s what everyone needs, an apple ball you can eat and fetch at the same time 😻!

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  12. Sounds as if you are living the life of fun and joy , summer is a wonderful time . Leo and I had a breakthrough, he passed 4 different dogs yesterday and did not acknowledge them . I was overjoyed. What a challenge he has been . Love him so much though. Continue the fun

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  13. I’m glad you are enjoying summer. I made the decision to live in summer year round so we spend 6 months in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. I lived for 5 years in Idaho and had winter 9 months of the year and didn’t like it at all. So enjoy your time outside. Your dogs are so cute and the apple thing is what my dogs would do too.

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  14. Sounds like you’re living life large this summer and no mention of work. That’s a good thing. At some point you have to stop quilting and go get some new inspirations ac sounds like you’re doing exactly that. I bet you’ll miss the boys when you head to Washington but good to see your brother adva his wife too.

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  15. Good to hear from you! I was beginning to think I had been dropped from your emails. Air quality here has been bad so I haven’t been able to go outside.. As a result, I’ve been working on UFO ‘s and it’s a good feeling to see the completion of projects I started long ago.

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  17. I am envious of your weather! Enjoy every minute! You are hooked on pickle ball and your instructor, definitely, since you are getting up so early and hitting the courts! Way to go!!! Looks like Rico and Bender would like some pickle ball action too! Awesome your aunt is 96 and sounds like she is doing well 🥰. Enjoy her company 💕 always good to take a sewing break too. I love your beautiful flowers.

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  18. Good Morning,
    I’m happy to hear all is well. I always enjoy reading your posts and seeing your pics.
    My daughter and her family live in Tacoma Washington. Could you please tell me where is the winery you are going to?
    I’m always looking for new things to see when I visit them.

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    1. My cousin’s winery is in Hanville, WA. it’s just a vineyard now but he’s working on building a tasting room so maybe in the next few years he’ll be ready for visitors.

      Anne

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  19. So, so very glad to hear you’re enjoying the summer time. I found my trip out to Portland and Sisters (and all points in between) was so enjoyable!
    Aren’t tires one of those necessities of life? This past winter I was commuting from Johns Island to downtown Charleston, SC for four weeks and experienced not 1 but 3 nail embedded tires which required new ones….not how I’d planned on spending my ‘22 year end bonus, but ….. Have a great time with your family! Enjoy life!

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    1. I’m glad you had a good trip to Portland. It’s been a really nice summer so far. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we don’t have a terrible heat spell. I like it the way it is just fine!

      Anne

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  21. I’m a 6 year veteran of Pickleball. I learned to play in CO then came home to SC(Charlotte NC area) and found multiple places to play…indoors. After 20-30 years of competitive tennis in the sun and exhausting heat, I’ve been wonderfully happy with my friends at the local Y. It’s all about the fun and even more importantly, the camaraderie. Enjoy!

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    1. Pickleball is really a blast! I played indoors all winter but the summers here can be so nice so it’s easy to play outdoors! but my body likes the wooden gym floor better than concrete!

      Anne

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  22. I can’t tell you how much my old dogs used to LOVE a game of Apple! & Then they enjoyed bits & pieces
    Sometimes too many would make them… liquid-y D-:=

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  23. Enjoy the summer! I lived on the west coast for a while and Know how the summer is in the NW. The break is great! I am very busy in my garden beds when the weather permits. The air quality and high humidity have been a challenge for me this year. So other creative endeavors are taking somewhat of a back seat. That’s okay.

    Day lilies are blooming, Daisies, Lavender, and Asiatic lilies all have been spectacular. Veggies are coming along slowly but surely.

    The boys look perplexed, ” you threw it once so what gives?” LOL Such sweeties.

    Have a great trip!

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