HI! AND 'BYE!

I've spent a lot of time in the studio since I last wrote...I had TWO "wadders"! Actually, only one was a wadder...a skirt that was a big fail. It went in the trash along with the pattern! The other one is more painful...a vest in a favorite fabric which suffered from sewer's error...I have put it in time out to see if I can come up with a way to save it.

The third try was a success...I have had this interesting fabric for a couple of months and have spent a lot of time coming up with a pattern to use it with.

It's my "Hol(e)y Vest"...The fabric is from Marcy Tilton...

Shams bought some, too, and blogged about it here. I decided to use a 

Cutting Line Design pattern, Artist in Motion. The fabric was difficult to sew, due to the big holes, but I was helped by Sham's post, Marcy's tips, above, and a review of the pattern by Terri K, wherein she added 6 inches to the length. After holding up the pattern to my body, I decided to do the same thing. 

It's a fun piece, and perfect to jazz up an all black outfit.

One of the most exciting things to happen lately was THIS:

After 20 years of sweltering in the summer, and freezing in the winter in my studio,  I now have heat AND AC! I wish I'd done it years ago. Oh, how luxurious!

We are off on Wednesday for 10 days in Costa Rica, to celebrate 40 years

of marriage...we are returning to the wonderful Bosque del Cabo where we took our children and grandchildren for my 70th birthday. Just the two of us...and how lucky we are to have found each other! I decided not to sew anything for the trip, as the ambiance is very casual. Having cleaned my closets a lot in the last year, I was short on linen, etc., so I bought some simple pants and tops

from Tender Treasures.

Of course, I have a few culinary triumphs to post about...still loving my Instant Pot!

This is Pork Carnitas, which provided two dinners, with leftovers to freeze for another night...served with warm tortillas, guacamole and salsa...yum!

This is Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken which we had last night and will have tonight, too as we watch Downton Abbey...

and last, but not least, an old favorite which I cooked on the stove/in the oven,

Braised Lamb Shanks with Gremolata and Baked Polenta

We're eating well!

We probably won't have internet in BdC, so I'll be back after our return!

I'm heading over to Visible Monday on Patti's blog...come visit the other Visibles, too! Thanks for hosting us, Patti. 

TTYL

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy New Year to everyone...I hope your holidays were joyous.

In my last post, I made mention of having an occasion to wear my Mother-of-the-Bride outfit again. It's been more than 2 years since the wedding and I was delighted to have an opportunity to don it once more.

Here I am with my friend Joan

And here's a closer view of the top (V2607), now finally OOP. I loved wearing it again; I don't have many chances to get this dressed up!

Christmas was a mellow time for us; Maggie and David came up on Wednesday and stayed till Monday morning. We did a lot of cooking, as always. I made
Shrimp and Asparagus Risotto with Mushrooms in my Instant Pot

It was very good...and I had an ulterior motive, as there was an Instant Pot waiting under the tree for Maggie and David.

On Christmas Eve, which is when we have our special dinner, I made (again in
the Instant Pot!) this beautiful vegetable salad, from Rancho Gordo's website

The recipe uses wild rice and "Eye of the Goat" heirloom beans, both from RG.
Yes, I'm a bean freak!

To go with the salad, I made Roasted Halibut with Furikake and Capers...

It was very tasty!

Christmas morning was beautiful and calm, just as I like it!

Maggie took this for a photography workshop she is taking...and it won first place in a peer student group!

My one foray into sewing for Christmas is this shirt I made for Dave, M4079, my TNT (tried 'n true) which is OOP. (Out of Print)

The fabric is a lovely quality cotton flannel from Mood Fabrics. Those who sew will understand that stripe-matching BOTH horizontally and vertically is a challenge! Dave is appreciative, as always.

We had left-overs for dinner, and David made a wonderful apple pie...

It's so nice when EVERYBODY cooks!

Saturday morning, Dave had to practice for a music event at his church, so I took Maggie and David out for brunch...we began with Champagne Cocktails

and sat in front of the fire, lovely on a chilly morning.

As is obvious, I have been using my Instant Pot regularly...I made this for New Years Day...

It's Black-Eyed Pea Chili with Quinoa and Corn. Very good! It's one of Sham's
favorites, too. For New Year's Eve in front of the fireplace, we had seared
scallops and garlicky potatoes and broccoli.

I think maybe that's enough about food...I may have to change the name of this blog to A Fool for Food...

The exciting news around here is that I am going to Paris in October with Marcy and Katherine Tilton...And Shams, and, maybe, my friend Joan are going too! I hope Paris is ready for the three of us....

On a final note, I bought an interesting ombre vest by Stella Carakaski...

and use my shawl-turned-poncho when it's cold...

Thanks for your patience in reading this...I had a lot to show and tell!

TTYL