Birthday at a Funeral

Today is Jim's birthday! He's 29 years old, kinda.



I bought a cake for him at Konditeri because we needed to go to a funeral in Portland, and I knew I wouldn't have much time for baking.











Lori's grandmother had passed away. We all went to her graveside service, then met at Mary Ann's for lunch and memory sharing.

It was great to see Josh and Mia there.













Lori's grandmother had given me some fabric pieces, so I made a quilt for her daughter (Mary Ann) using some of them, and some fabric of my own.

Hopefully, Mary Ann will be able to snuggle up in it during those inevitable times that she wishes she still had her mommy.

The pink cat was in the box of her mother's scraps. Mary Ann made it!

Rockin' Rocker

My week old birthday continued yesterday, thanks to my son Josh, his lovely wife Lori, and their bundle of cuteness Mia.

Josh gave me two incredible black and white photos of Mia that he shot, processed, matted and framed. Both of them are wonderful, artistic, and treasures I will enjoy forever.







Mia found a basket that usually holds booklets and magazines. She thought it was just perfect for sitting in.

























Mia can say "rocky rocky" and then her grandpa picks her up and does some rocky rocky in the rocking chair.

Fun in the Sun

Today, Jim and I went with some friends to Corvallis to take advantage of a spectacularly beautiful day.

We started at Nearly Normals Gonzo Cuisine, where I had huevos rancheros. It was so so yummy, and way too much to finish.









Gentleman that he is, David waited patiently for everyone to be served.







It took us awhile, but we finally found the place that makes what Melinda said were the famous Goji Bars. Their claim to fame is that Barrack Obama found them somewhere in Chicago, and loved them. When he couldn't find them one day at his usual dealer's, he complained.

Anyway, Goji berries are supposed to be yummy tasting, and full of good stuff that fills you with energy. I bought two of them to try when I quit feeling so full.
During our walk, we found this beautiful art piece by the riverfront.




Oregon State University still looks like it did when my daughter Kelly graduated from there about sixteen years ago.









We went into the art building where I photographed the painting studio where Kelly spent so much time.

The resulting memories jolted all my senses.

Spring is Sprung

Today was a much needed stay-at-home day. No sewing, no grocery shopping, no general gadding about.

In the morning, I baked some Cinnamon Almond Coffee Cake. We both loved it and it was simple to make.

Here's how:

Preheat oven to 350.

In a small bowl, mix 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup chopped almonds and 2 teaspoons cinnamon.

In another bowl mix 3 cups flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt.

In a mixing bowl, cream 3/4 cup butter. Add to that 1 cup sugar, 1 cup brown sugar, and 3 eggs, and beat until light and fluffy. Then add 1 1/2 cups buttermilk alternately with the flour mixture and blend gently until smooth. Mix in 2 teaspoons of vanilla.

Pour half of the batter into about a 9" x 9" pan, top with 1/3 of the almond mixture, and swirl with a fork. Pour the other half of the batter, top with another 1/3 of the almond mixture, and swirl again.

Bake for about an hour, cool a few minutes, then top with the remaining almond mixture.

It's addictively yummy.




Then Phoebe and I sat in the breakfast nook. I read and she gazed at the river.

Ahhh. Spring must be coming!

It's Finally Done!

Here's my latest creation. The fan shapes are made from a box of antique fabrics I bought several months ago.










And here are a couple of detail shots.

(Remember that you can click on any photo on this blog to get a larger version.)