New Paint

Over the weekend, we completed a long-awaited project - we painted the back of the house, where the addition's new stucco didn't dry to match the rest of the house.

Over a few midweek evenings, Stace filled cracks in the stucco (not a problem in the new stucco, but there were some in the older sections). He then used a borrowed pressure washer to clean the surfaces. Nick and I moved everything away from the house in Friday

And on Saturday morning, Stace masked off the windows, doors and lights, and began cutting in the primer.

Melanie and Nick came over to help, as a thank you to Stace for all of his help installing shelves and curtain rods. On Saturday, we got the two sides primed. It wasn't a fun job, in the heat, trying to get the paint into the thick texture and crevices. And it took five gallons! I had to run to the paint store to buy more, midway through.

 Thankfully, it was much cooler on Sunday morning, even misty, and the color coat went on so much easier than the primer had. 

Our happy crew, nearly done!

Much better!

Meanwhile, Ellie colored, watched television, and the girls took her to the park on Sunday. Then Cora thought of introducing her to Castle Crashers on the PS4, and they had a great time playing together.

While moving things around near the house, in the mulch, we found this green lynx spider - beautiful! Never seen one of these before.

And we also found this woodlouse spider, which eats woodlice, or rolly-polly bugs! Interesting! 

So glad to have this job out of the way... so we can move onto my goal of constructing a catio outside against the dining room wall!

Chicago - Stace Blogs!

A work trip to one of Woodward's factories in Rockford took me to Illinois for a couple of days. 

I flew into Chicago airport and drove into the city, where I was met in the downtown area by Elizabeth and Emma.

 The two locals, who live in a nearby suburb, met me for a pizza dinner: deep dish, Chicago style, of course, and then took me on a walking tour.

We visited The Bean (top photo), took in the skyline, and walked along the Chicago River that meanders through the modern skyscrapers and old buildings that make up this famous city.

After a lovely couple of hours of walking and catching up, it was time to say goodbye and drive the almost two-hour drive north to Rockford.

 

Family Time and Milestone Birthdays

 My Dad is turning 70 this weekend! To celebrate, we're having a small party on Sunday, and Uncle Bill and Aunt Patty have come down to attend. With our new Murphy bed, they're staying with us! 

On Friday, we had charge of Ellie, and it was warm enough to enjoy the pool (though the water wasn't heated, so it was *very* "refreshing"). 

Here, Ellie is leading Aunt Patty in a water ballet dance. 

Stace and Cora did a bit of soccer in the yard, and then they started hitting the punching bag, with Uncle Bill. 

We bought this beautiful tomahawk steak, which Aunt Patty handled masterfully on Saturday.

Also Saturday, Liana and Sofia came over to play D&D in a campaign with Violet that Cora is DMing (being the Dungeon Master, or game leader).

THIS was a dinner worth savoring!

We enjoyed dinner and the evening outside, talking and thinking about a possible trip to the UK for Bill and Patty. They'd love to see where Stace grew up, so we told them all of our favorite places.

Stace pulled up a Martock visitor's guide on the TV.

On Sunday, it happened to be the annual Queen's English car show, so we four went together.

Once back in town, we got a coffee and walked around Newhall. We noticed an old payphone stand on Lyons - funny it's still there. No phone, though.

Later on Sunday, the big event! Dad's 70th birthday party!

We had about 17 people at my parents' house for food and fun. 

Posing with our dog, Maverick. (He insisted on being in the photo!)

Here is the photo card I made Dad. Lots of love to a wonderful father and grandfather, Dad! 

Weekend Fun

We worked in the garage Saturday, tidying it up so we can move our bedroom furniture in. After 16 years, we're replacing our carpet with the vinyl flooring we used in the addition.

After working hard, Colleen and Rigo picked us up and took us to River's End for a St. Patrick's Day event. We ate, watched live music, checked out the vendors, and walked near the river.
 

Such a lovely setting! 

Meanwhile, Liana was at our house, and Cora drove the girls to In-n-Out and Teacision.

Later, Colleen and Rigo and Stace and I enjoyed a drink in our back yard. 

On Sunday, we celebrated Melanie's birthday at a Japanese restaurant not far from their new place. 

We had some sushi rolls, but here, they cook in front of you on the big iron griddle, and that is the draw.

The chefs put on a show, and it's very entertaining (and delicious).

A fun night! And tasty leftovers!

Before and after our dinner out, we were emptying our room and painting one wall, for an accent wall. More on that later!

Tidbits

On Sunday, we watched church online at home, and then went to Mel and Nick's new apartment to help them. Stace put up lots of curtain rods, while Violet put up a stick-on tile backsplash in the kitchen, and wallpaper in the bathroom. I did lots of moving of boxes. 

Monday was Cora's 19th birthday! We decorated the house, had gifts laid out, and sent her off to college for her first day of the spring semester. 

Then, I met my Dad at Costco and was very excited to find these Heinz "British Recipe" baked beans. I've never seen these here - usually we have to buy English style Heinz beans at import stores, at import prices. These cases were $8 for six cans, a steal!

Violet and I got Teacision, and the gal behind the counter wrote a special note to Cora. Ha!! 

We got Stone Fire for dinner and she opened her gifts, and then went to college theatre rehearsal.

The American College Theatre Festival began the next day, so Cora didn't feel great on Monday, with all the nerves. We'll celebrate later, when she can relax and enjoy it more.

In the photo, she opened Violet's gift - a stained glass piece representing her character in D&D. They hugged, but I wasn't ready with the camera, and they refused to recreate the moment. Cora isn't much for hugs, so it's a real treasure to get one.

Later Monday, Violet began working on an oil pastel portrait.

I was in awe Tuesday when I saw it. 

She also has been busy on her lino cuts. Here's a javelina, and below we have a prairie chicken. Also, a desert scene in glass.

We have been on an "All Creatures Great & Small" kick since Uncle Bill and Aunt Patty introduced it to us. And, our library has it!

This little guy planted itself by the nectarine tree, and I just have to let it stay! So bright and cheeful.

Redmond, Part III

On Monday, we went out to Poulsbo to see Alison, Tyler and Lupin. 

We met them at their new house, where they moved in a few months ago, with views of a lake and room for their growing family.

We then went into town and had lunch all together at a fish place. Will and Miles met us too, as he was off for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Alison and Tyler have cats, a dog and these axolotls, an interesting sea creature I'd never heard of. 

We went back to Alison and Tyler's place and walked to the lake, where Violet got to try fishing.

They weren't biting, but she had fun casting.

The group - minus Lupin, who wasn't feeling it. I'm so pleased for Tyler and Alison - they've worked very hard and have an amazing place to live!

Their new house has several outbuildings, and this one functions as a music studio (among other things) for Tyler. 

He loved showing us around, and made a new track with Stace and Violet. And, after hearing about our recent mandolin situation, he gave Violet one of his! He had two, and generously decided that since he can only play one at a time, he was happy to give it to her. Only condition - she has to play it!

We took the ferry home - always a blast (and a blast of very cold wind, in the winter!).

What a great trip! 

Starting with an airport Costa drink, our travels home went smoothly, thankfully. We were grateful to not relive any of the horrors of our trip home exactly one year ago, when frightening winds diverted our landing to LAX (and propelled devastating wildfires).