don't let the lights go out

many latkes later we sat with the cohen's in the den getting to know them, talking about places we had lived and families and work and values and it's delicious when you click with people like this right away. Jim met the husband playing tennis- he is a psychiatrist and so we invited the man and his wife to celebrate chanukah with us. and it could not have been better.

 

and they responded today with a christmas afternoon invitation- three kids a dog brothers granndmothers. and a pool table in the kitchen .  It's an honor to know that the immediate affection we felt for them is reciprocated.  

 

I went to my first ASG meeting where the slate of officers was unamimously elected ( i think they have to beg to get people on the board)   anf the meeting took place in this fabric wharehouse that was 1l5 acres of everything textile. so what if it felt like I wa straveling to the farterest ends of east portland ( I was) and I tend to stay in the hilly little funky west side where we live- but what a bonanza. and every month they have a 40% sale so I have real incentive to watch my sewing budget so I can buy amazing fabric cheaply.

 

I have warped some wild colored threads for a purple shawl and maybe tomorrow I will dress the loom and get going. teh red table runner i was going to weave turned into an amazing sweater instead and I purchased some deep red damask to make a table ruinner andplacemenats for the newly painted dining room.

 

I really love making my own table linens and before long I may start making my own sheets - I have been doing pillow cases, duvet covers and bolsters forever--- but it might be fun to o it all myself. why buy a sheet for over $50 when one can buy very wide fabric in a yummy percale and maybe add trims and monogramming?

 

Yes home sewing and art sewing is my favorite as things do not have to fit- but I do have that kilt I disassembled last year because it ws a size 4 - did i ever have hips that narrow?- and i am reworking  the fabric into a darted wrap around skirt- like the flannel one I just finished but this is a real tartan plaid.

 

at any rate I am back on the horse and doing well and  my latkes were not like bricks but not the best on earth either. The roast chicken stuffed with fennel however was amazingly moist. Thank you Fisher & Paykel. I just shove the probe in the leg, connect it to the socket inside the oven ,  turn the probe temperature to 185 and it tells me when the bird is done.  worls for any roast. Perfection is just a prick away.