This is the project I was sewing on this past weekend - a Bailey's Island Hobo Bag using the pre-cut strip colors my shop will sell during Quilter's Quest next month. On the whole, I was pretty happy with how the bag made up - the instructions were -VERY- well written (with color photos!). Was a different kind of construction than the bags I've made before - each strip was sewn into a tube with batting inside, then the tubes were sewn together to make both the outside and the inside of the bag at the same time. It makes a nice sturdy purse. Might have to do one for myself. :)
I have settled into a routine with Tuesday and Wednesday as my days off - I work all weekend at my shop. So, as has become normal in my life, my time line is opposite most people's. :) Yesterday I spent the day in my nightgown and robe - was pretty chilly in the house and gray outside. Mostly I read books (I'm reading four of Kathy Reich's 'Bones' novels right now) ... and did some knitting on my sister's shawl. Oh, I did get to text with my niece Kimmie and see loads of photos of her little boy (Isiah, born 8/26/12:). So, so cute!
Today I had my second week's weigh-in at Medifast. I lost two pounds this week - added to the five I dropped last week, that's 7 pounds down. :) Not a huge portion of the 120 pounds I need to lose, but a start. :) So far the diet works well - my only trouble is being mindful of what I eat. :P Eating every 2.5 hours is a good thing, when I remember to do it ... awful if I don't as I get shaky and head-achey rather quickly. I did learn that I can't cook when I'm hungry (uh, this is NOT news to me - but a lesson I have to re-learn from time to time). (sigh!) Gotta stick to those quick-to-eat meals.
After I weighed in (I was pleased with the loss - I am by no means convinced that this diet (or any diet) is going to work for me:), I decided to treat myself to a trip to Centennial Park. This is one of my favorite places in the area and one I don't get to very often. Can't stand to go in the summer time so I am usually visiting in spring or fall.
Early fall has set in here in Maryland and the leaves are just beginning to color. The wind this week has been nippy, the daytime high temperatures are in the 60's, and it smells of 'fall' - a mixture of leaf mold, wood smoke, and drier air. :)
I experience going to the park the way devout people experience going to church/temple/mosque. I can hear the voice of the infinite best in the out-of-doors myself. :) Today was a wonderful mixture of close attention to details - chiefly assorted flowers and berries doing the late summer/early fall ripening 'thing' - and end-of-season omens.
Here is an assortment of photos I took during my visit (I walked down to the boat house and sat on the concessions pier with my sketchbook for about an hour). :)
Just beginning to see color.
1987 - my children were very small (early grade school and nursery school).
Serviceberry tree? covered with fruit
A boat house wall - becoming more settled in the environment.
Pontoon (pedal) boats, parked for the weekends (only available Sat & Sun in autumn and spring). The land beyond the boats is an island in the middle of Centennial Lake.
Milkweed pods and goldenrod flowers.
This tree's leaves were beginning to turn red in a speckledy way - I thought it had red berries from a distance, but they were red leaves.
Kyaks, canoes and rowboats docked for the week.
One lone Canadian goose - once or twice a minute the breeze sounds were punctuated by goose honking. I managed to catch one of them paddling by (the others tend to linger beside the island, out of sight).
A tall type of goldenrod, standing about my height behind a fence on the verge.
A ground covering vine with blue berries that I don't recognize.
Blue and orange berries make a pretty color set.
Asters and goldenrod growing amuk. :)
I don't know how long this concert shell has been standing by the lake front - last time I was at the park, there was only a concrete pad there. I thought it's canvas had pretty arcs.
I am not surprised to discover that I am really an 'Ent' versus an 'Entwife' in my tastes. I much prefer wild growth to gardened order! What a pleasant time I had - and came back home feeling refreshed. :)
Managed to balance my checkbook and now I'm going to excavate and see if my computer desk still has a real surface under all the deitrus. LOL! Here, I will leave you with some pretty leaf wrack to contemplate - evidently it was windy in the park last night.
:) Linda