More from the Gourd Class

Here are some of the other gourd designs from Saturday's class.

 This was a burn design by one of the 'students'. It was my first time at burning. It wasn't a project I had done in 4-H many years ago. It wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. So I was very impressed with her design.

 This gal was looking at a picture in a book and painting her owl.

This woman had put an antique stain over her design and the rubbed it off.  It was just interesting to see what each of us had done with our gourds.

Gourd Class

On Saturday I had an opportunity to attend a gourd class. Linda & Jerry shared all sorts of important information about cleaning, designing, painting, decorating and preserving gourds. I had purchased several gourds three winters ago and have hauled them back and forth each spring & winter. This winter they will be decorated! I feel I got enough instruction from Linda & Jerry to tackle my projects.

Here is Saturday's project:

 

This is the gourd I chose to decorate for the class.

The glasses are to give you an idea of its size.

Jerry demonstrated the many tools one can use for 'gourding'.

The class was advertised as "making a Christmas

ornament". We could choose to decorate our gourds

however we wished, I stayed with the Christmas theme.

I saw Santa in my gourd.

And there is my finished Santa gourd, now on
display in our little winter home.

I'm ready to tackle those gourds I purchased
two years ago! Look for gourd updates this winter.

My Moment as a Queen

For the last two winters I have Acted Like a Queen.  Queen Mum Cathy of the CV Vixens Red Hat was unable to come back to CV those two winters and I did not want the group to 'fall apart' so I 'Acted Like a Queen'. But this season I have decided to pass the crown so to speak. I would like more time to do the things I come to AZ to do. This season Queen Mum Cathy has returned and she and some of our fellow Red Hatters decided I needed a coronation to recognize my two seasons as 'Acting Like a Queen'.

I came to the meeting 15 minutes early to find the room full of women in Red Hats. I suspected something was up when I saw how Cathy & Hazel were dressed. No t-shirts for them! Thus began my coronation.

My throne 

 OK, I'm ready

First, the sash, then tiara

Then the BLING

Next, the glasses & finally, the blinking, lighted scepter

Queen Mum Cathy and Hazel

Thank you for a fun afternoon!
Thank You Mary C for sharing pictures.

A Hummingbird

As I was sitting in my recliner the other day, I saw a fluttering by the patio door. A hummingbird had appeared on the deck by the Christmas tree.

I know why it stopped by the tree...the red stockings. I quickly grabbed the camera and headed down the steps to peak around the corner and look at the hummingbird feeder I had put out Monday afternoon. One of the hikers said they had hummingbirds stop by their feeder, so I bought nectar and put mine out.

But when I looked at the feeders, there wasn't any hummingbird. They say it takes a few days for the birds to find a feeder.

No hummingbird, but a sparrow had stopped by for a bit of food.

I am making another change at the feeders this weekend, so maybe there will be more bird visitors. Stay tuned...

A Bug

I found a surprise in the neighbor's yard when I returned from shopping earlier this afternoon.

Our neighbor has restored this VW beetle. A  friend towed it to AZ last weekend and moved it to their lot this morning.

There was a note on the side window requesting it be towed. I happened to pull in the driveway when the resort manager drove up with his clipboard. I asked if he needed an explanation of why a car was sitting on a lot with no RV? He said he would appreciate any information I could share. After I explained how the car got there and the owners were arriving this weekend, he removed the "request for towing" notice.

You owe me big time H & S! I saved you a $100 towing charge!

The bug looks really nice! But we are waiting for you...