Tuesday, June 25, 2013

I Hate Math!

6.24.13 - 25 years old - Star Wars Birthday
Brother DillyDally turned 25 years of age yesterday!  How is that possible?  Last year he had his 24th birthday ... and before that his 23rd ... prior to that he turned 22 ... yes, I understand that I am not telling you anything you don't already know... but you may not have known that I've always hated math. ;-) Math and time are intertwined ... they are very close relatives!
Once upon a time, Brother DillyDally turned 8 ... this is a picture taken at his 8th birthday party ... he is the cute, short blonde boy in the red sweatshirt!  Here is a sweet story about him when he was 8 ...

One of the cable channels was having a James Bond marathon ... Mr. DillyDally and Brother had been watching a 007 movie each evening.  One night while putting him to bed the following conversation took place between us:

Brother   "Mom, when I grow up, I want to be just like James Bond!"
Me          "Of course you do.  You and every other man on the planet."
Brother    A long pause .... "The only bad thing is that then I would have to work with all those ladies who run around in swimsuits."
Me           "Someday you'll like having ladies run around in swimsuits."

I hate math and time, they can feel unkind.  We are unable to manipulate them, they are concrete and unyielding.  Yet ... the same concepts apply to the future ... we look back, but are forced to move forward.  Ugh!  Math is hard!
High tide - 6.24.13
I love my son.  Just like I am unable to control the tide ... I cannot control time.  I miss my 8 year old ... am enjoying my 25 year old ... and look forward to his future.

Yep ... I was right!  Mothers always are!  That "someday" came...

Brother DillyDally likes having ladies run around in swimsuits!

Happy Birthday Son!
Do what you love.  Run around in your swimsuit.  Do dillydally!
Mrs. DillyDally


Monday, June 24, 2013

How to Medicate ... DillyDally Style!

It is always hard to have vacations come to an end ... especially when it is paired with saying good-bye to this smile!  From her first smile to present day ... it fills me with joy!
Distraction is the best dillydally medication for me when I miss those I love.  While in San Francisco, the packages I'd mailed during our Seattle Adventure arrived here at home.  Yep ... sort of like a dillydally version of a "self-imposed party"!  Hey ... it IS the dillydally way!
I need to keep some treasures hidden ... 007 projects ... but I'll share a little of my treasure.  Here are several sewing themed fabrics ... a hint for the QBees!  Valerie is sworn to secrecy!
Christmas fabric that is intended to be an auction item for the guild's annual tea!  Am excited to try out the new pattern I bought to use!  Will keep you posted!
I was so excited when I found this fabric line, Blushing!  And was thrilled when I found a pattern to use it with!  I plan to make the table runner pictured here ... love a project that was planned on a whim!
As hard as it is to say good-bye to my daughter, it is nice to be home.  There is comfort in normalcy.
Yep ... things are mostly normal.  Flicka has resumed her supervisory responsibilities ... even though she hinders my ability to accomplish much ... ;-) ... it is a joy to have her company!  Love my fur ball!
The best medicine is to love with all one's heart ... and when you can't be with those you love ... I highly recommend a strong dose of  dillydally distraction!
Do what to love.  Be distracted.  Do dillydally!
Mrs. DillyDally

Friday, June 21, 2013

San Francisco Fun!

Time with our children is always precious ... especially when they live far from home and usually only get to visit once a year!  I arrived in San Francisco (Sister DillyDally's new home) last Sunday and we immediately went to a street festival being held in a neighborhood that is predominantly Italian!
What fun!  Great food!  Live Italian music!  Arts and crafts!  And of course ... street performers!
Her apartment is in the Nob Hill area of San Francisco, and was originally a hotel in the 1930's.  The Hitchcock movie, Vertigo, was filmed in this building!  The shabby chic/contemporary blend of design that she enjoys is easy to accomplish in this apartment!  This is a photo of where I spent my mornings.
Sister gets homesick for her favorite comfort foods from home, so this trip she learned to make Nana's Swedish Meatballs!
We enjoyed them ... tastes from her childhood in her new California life!
We went shopping ...
... at the legendary Britex Fabrics!  Holy Moly Hot Bologna!  We fondled fabric of all kinds ... an amazing selection ... we would talk about what we would make from different fabrics we found ... such fun!
But my favorite floor was the notions!  Look at this button selection ... my knees went weak!  And the best part is ... I know I'll be returning!  Sew ... next visit I will be prepared and have an idea of what I want need! ;-)
This display was over the elevator door on the notions floor ... made entirely out of notions.  Sew creative!  I cannot begin to describe the lace, ribbon and trim selection ... over the top wonderful!  I am already looking forward to visiting again!
We went on a wine tasting tour in Sonoma Wine Country.  It was so nice to take a bus and not have to worry about driving, directions, or make decisions about which wineries to visit.  The grounds were kept so beautifully!
All of the vineyards for the Cline Cellars are surrounded by beautiful rose bushes of every color.  We learned while there that the roses actually serve a purpose.  They act as a warning system ... alerting the vineyard if they are experiencing an infestation of any kind!
We found it so interesting to learn a small amount of an agriculture faction that we know nothing about.  Of course we enjoyed tasting the different wines as well! ;-)
It was fun to get out into the countryside outside of the city!  I enjoyed all the flowers ... so beautiful!
Sister and I both love lavender ... we wanted to roll around in this beautiful patch of wonderful!
One cannot come to San Francisco with out spending a day at the infamous Fisherman's Wharf!
It was such a wonderful day!
Beautiful views!
We enjoyed a terrific seafood lunch!
We took a cruise of the Bay.
It left from Pier 39 ...
... traveled toward the Golden Gate Bridge ...
... here we are under the bridge ...
... heading back to the wharf!
We circled the island of Alcatraz ...
... such interesting history.
The cruise provided beautiful views of the city skyline ...
... and was fun to share with Sister and Boyfriend DillyDally!
Of course, I must mention Peder Glacier DillyDally (aka Mr. NaughtyPants)!  Here he is ... letting me know that he is not going to allow me to return to bed ... Peder doesn't like to share!
He seems to enjoy soaking up the California sun!  What a silly kitty!
He also tried to go shopping with us!  Such a goofy cat!  Both he and Sister seem to have adapted and are thriving in their new city.   It is wonderful to spend time with them ... I try to savor every moment of our time together ... it was hard to say good-bye this morning.  I miss them ... am already planning my next visit!
Do what you love.  Treasure time with your children.  Do dillydally!
Mrs. DillyDally

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Seattle Adventure - Final Chapter

We spent Friday night in the beautiful community of Gig Harbor!  Our lodging was at an Inn directly across from this marina ... I took this picture Saturday morning!  Gig Harbor is a beautiful place.

This was the last day of our dillydally shop hop ... we began by stopping by Harbor Quilts in Gig Harbor.  I am so sorry, but my dillydally head must have been in the clouds as I forgot to take a picture.  That is so unlike me!  But I think I know why ... ;-) ...
... with all the shopping we've done ... we just might be in need of a few free meals!  Hee-hee!
In Tacoma we stopped at Calico Threads.  And immediately found fabric we just had to have!  Always a great feeling!
They allowed us to take pictures ...
... the staff were so enjoyable ... and helpful ...
... in conversation they shared with us that they had only been open for 9 months!  Wowser!  Considering the amount of fabric ... and the selection ... we were impressed!  An amazing shop with helpful staff ... what a winning combination!  Such fun!
Our last stop on this trip was Running Stitch Fabrics in Kent, Washington.  We had discussed skipping it as we were getting pretty tired.  Gosh ... are we ever glad we stopped in ... this shop was fantastic!  We left there re-energized ... the perfect way to finish our trip!
Valerie and I had such a terrific time during our Seattle Adventure.  It truly was a trip taken on a whim with no clear agenda or plan!  Yep, it rang true to the dillydally lifestyle!  We are looking forward to reliving our memories of this time together as we create with the patterns and fabrics we've collected!

A friend + a dillydally adventure = fond memories filled with fun!  

Now that is a fantastic formula for happiness!  Have I mentioned lately ... how much I love my dillydally life?
Do what you love.  Love life.  Do dillydally!
Mrs. DillyDally