To Oceanside, and Back

SO much has happened in the past three weeks.!  I'm not even sure where to begin.  I guess the best would be at the beginning.

On July 2, I had a MOHS procedure on my face, to remove a Basal Cell tumor.  I knew the "spot" was bigger than what showed, but the resulting suturing on my face?  Sixteen stitches.  My son asks, "Knife fight?"  Friends say, "It will fade."  It's still swollen and somewhat numb.  I'm assured that when the hidden two layers of dissolvable stitches finally do, "it will be a faint line."  Oh, how I hope so.  The current disfigurement, and it is that, catches my breath every time I glance at a mirror.  oh my.

So, anyway, on the heels of the surgery, we had already reserved a week in Oceanside, right on the beach.  I thought my husband would join me, but he had to go back to work.  He stayed less than 48 hours of the week I was there.

And, since I couldn't go into the sun because of the medications, I was trapped in my room for days.  Good thing I brought my sewing machine and projects along, right?  Actually, when my husband was with me, we did venture out to the beach for an hour, and into a couple of thrift stores.

I found this great stained glass lamp for the kids for $35.  I paid more than 10 times that, for the one hanging in my house!  (I am smiling, in both pictures.  I was so swollen you can't tell.)

 Once hubby headed back to the Valley, I set up shop.  I was upstairs, with little ventilation, other than the sliding glass door.  It was in the upper 80's the entire week, which is pretty toasty, without a/c.

 Here is my sewing/pressing station, with projects scattered about the room.

 Here is the cutting table, finally organized.  By this time, it was almost time to head home!

But I did get a lot put together, inspired by the view.  I took LOTS of pictures.

 Sometimes it was hazy, sometimes smoky (fire at Camp Pendleton),

 And on the last day?  Perfection!!

These were the first two pieces that I worked on.

 The piece on the left didn't flow properly.  I folded it this way and that, to see if I could salvage it.  Once I found a proportion that worked, I cut it apart and sewed it back together again.  Much better!

 Here are two more pieces.  The one on the left is new, the one on the right is the same one from above.  I thought the pieces of Tahitian bark cloth were great, but once I tried to applique them in place?  Not so great.  I had to take them off.  They looked tacky, due to poor workmanship (from poor eyesight).

 Here are three more.  I told you I was busy!!

And then I made cards, as well.  And chose fabrics for more seascapes.  I may be addicted to this!

 These are the only two that I have finished from that week at the ocean.  I've been working on cards, and finished one this morning, but mailed it before I remembered to take a picture.  groan.  You'll have to trust me on that.

In other news, someone dumped another dog out at the walnuts.  He's about 3 months old, was skin and bones, and covered with ticks.  Now that he's cleaned up and fed, he's making himself at home with the other dogs.

 Everyone's guess is that he's a husky.  He's got crazy light blue eyes, and a sweet attitude.  Just what the doctor ordered!!

And speaking of sweet, we wouldn't want to forget about our local cutie pie.

She's eating green beans and blueberries in this pic.  And she pulls herself up to stand all the time, and crawls faster than we can keep up with her.

So.  Sorry this was such a long post, but life has been good.  Busy.  But good.
Happy Quilting!!