Grandpa up at Tahoe (more grandkids in background)
with a grandson, and our 34th wedding anniversary!

Blessed!

I have been going to Mt Diablo almost weekly, and
running to the summit- over 3,800 feet - a good
hill workout and incredibly beautiful. So blessed
to be able to do this! The views are incredible. Saw
deer, birds, lizards, bunnies, snakes!

I used to make these stuffed dolls for our kids to sleep with
when they were babies. Made this one from
upcycled shorts I got at the thrift store, linen
(for the face) and stuffed with bamboo stuffing.
It is listed in my Etsy store.

Watching 4 grandkids for a few days, while parents are away. Love
our home, being here with the kids,
and grandpa.
Reminds me of this stitchery I
made (for sale on Etsy right now- in my shop)

For about the past month, I have been going down to Mt. Diablo
for the day, while Dwight works. I drop him off, he works
nearby, then go to the mountain for a run to the summit.
It has been so lovely, so peaceful. I am so thankful that
such a lovely mountain and wild area is so close to us, and is still untouched.
I see very few people when I am there. But I do see
beautiful wildflowers, incredible views.
Have seen quail, deer, many birds, butterflies,
lots of bugs, rabbits, squirrels, and rattlesnakes a few times.
This one was on the fire road I ran up last week.

Had a lovely Easter- more photos will come....hope to keep up with this
blog better.
Here is a photo of granddaughter Joy going VERY fast
down the slide, with no fear!

I made this little quilt- it is in my Etsy shop now...

I created this little quilt - it reminds me of the
Marin Headlands- layers and layers of
green hills, wildflowers and the ocean....far away...!
It is completely handmade, except for sewing the strips
on my sewing machine- hand embroidered, hand quilted.
In soft greens. Two wildflowers that do grow in the
Headlands are embroidered on in little squares-
suncups and blue-eyed grass. I also added little
patches here and there of embroidered grass.
100% cotton, hand washable, line dry.
Natural cotton batting used inside for batting layer.

Quilt is about 27" wide, but 29" inches long.
would make a lovely wall-hanging, or look
nice on the back of a sofa or chair or in a baby nursery.

I am now an Etsy seller- on www.etsy.com- look up my shop-
retronona. I just listed this very cool
book from the 1970's-
Woodstock craft book.
Here is my description-

A straight ahead guide to Weaving,
Pottery, macrame, Beads, leather, tie dye and
batik, embroidery, silkscreen,
home recording, candles, crochet....and more-
Provoked by Jean Young.
Hardbound copy from 1973-
in very good condition- very cool 70's looking book-
sure to be a treasure for those of us
who came out of this era. Dustjacket still on book.
253 groovy pages.

In our front hall, I framed some very old baby things, that we think belonged
to my husband's father, as a baby in Cuba.
This old piece of lace was some kind of collar they put on the babies,
even boys.

The little garland below it is something I made with vintage children's
mittens and buttons.

Enjoying our new grandson, Jeshua!