May Porch Parties

NOTHING pleases me more than being able to GET OUT ON OUR PORCH..!! For me, it marks the new season... SPRING. Time to put the winter coats away, fill the bird feeders, plant some flowers, invite some people over...

This year, I was in Maryland when the weather got nice. Carrie comes to clean every Monday, but, frankly, when I'm not home, the house isn't that messy. So, after all these years, we have established a rhythm.

Spring means time to BRING THE PORCH SOFA CUSHIONS UP FROM THEIR WINTER STORAGE SPOT IN THE BASEMENT.  So it was a delightful surprise, when I came home from that trip -- and THE PORCH HAD BEEN MADE READY...!! 

Good job, Carrie!!

I love everything about this porch

Especially the SOFA..!!

My first porch party was a birthday breakfast for my sister Ronda. I didn't take any pictures -- but I invited Kim, and the three of us enjoyed the 2018 inaugural porch party.

The porch is also where the kids do a lot of their summer Grandma Camp activities.

Gee...they're growing up so fast!

My friend Bert retired in May -- so I invited her and her friend, Orris, over for a breakfast party.

Lilly made cinnamon rolls out of refrigerated dough...

I was showing off my NEW SPOONER...

Lilly LOVES TO BAKE and make things

She was making a dessert for our Mother's Day Party on the porch...

John smoked ribs ALL DAY LONG...

Speaking of Mother's Day -- I HAVE THAT SUCKER ALL FIGURED OUT..!! IT'S ABOUT TIME..!!

Hey, Mom -- could you sew me a...??

I'm taking a brief DVM in NYC break to get back to sewing...well, kinda.  To be honest,  my life is all about the FRANKENsewing...

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Since Ross bought his house last fall, we rarely see him.

So I was delighted when he called recently and said, "I'm coming out tonight if you're going to be home..."

I should have been suspicious, eh??

Ross brought me a big pile of his old jeans.  He purchased most of them when he was in high school -- and paid $58 a pair at Younkers. (nowadays, he buys his jeans for $28 at Kohl's)

Ross wanted me to make "shop aprons" from his old jeans.

See -- he has taken up wood-working as a hobby. And a decent shop apron costs about $34.

My heart sank a little bit...because IT IS SO DIFFICULT TO SEW ON OLD DENIM JEANS. All those welted seams and metal rivets...ugh...

Although, after looking at about a dozen examples of SHOP APRONS on the internet...I decided the important thing was to TAKE MAXIMUM ADVANTAGE OF THE GOOD WORK MR. LEVI already did.

I cut away the parts that would be impossible to sew over (those inside welted seams)

The zipper...

Then, I cut around one back pocket, leaving enough extra fabric to topstitch it, and fold a pencil holder...

The bib of the apron is the bottom of one leg.  I stitched around the pocket, and then, stitched it to the second pair of pants...(I basically just cut out the zipper, and the front pockets become the back pockets -- get it?

Humm...this sturdy buttonhole might come in handy later on...

The biggest challenge for me was to make this heavy-duty apron, and make sure it did NOT tie at the back of his neck. I find that style so uncomfortable -- I won't even buy a swimsuit of that style.

THEN -- IT CAME TO ME...I asked my brother-in-law Ned, to model for me...

I used a long piece of recycled t-shirt fabric to create the "apron string". I had two long pieces. I tied them into the buttonhole on each corner of the big...then, the ties crossed over in the back (creating an X)...

And here's the magic -- then, the loops went through the EXISTING BELT LOOP on each side...

So, they come over the shoulder, cross to the opposite side, go through a loop, then -- THE APRON TIES IN FRONT...

I could hardly wait to give Ross his new shop apron.  THIS IS GENIUS.  There is NO WAY I'M GETTING ENOUGH MOTHER/SEWS/POINTS FOR THIS...

NYC: DVM: Monday afternoon: Part 3

So -- What's next? Holy Cow -- AREN'T YOU EXHAUSTED?? Really...I'm getting tired just reliving this trip!!

Looking back, I CANNOT BELIEVE WE DID EVERYTHING WE DID...it really was a jam-packed time...and sooo many things went just right!!

After we left the Plaza Hotel, we walked down 5th Avenue towards one of my favorite attractions in New York City..!!

ROCKEFELLER CENTER..!!

We walked down to Rockefeller Center -- they had taken down the ice skating rink...

I took a "shoe shot" where the Christmas Tree stands every year.

It is SUCH AN AMAZING PLACE.

Last year, Lilly and I LOVED the behind-the-scenes tour -- we got to meet an actual Rockette.

So, that's where DVM are headed (see it in the distance).

BUT, now that the DVM is completely comfortable walking around New York City without an escort (me) -- I HAVE OTHER PLANS...

First order of business -- meet up with my friend Jeff (who lives in Chicago now, but came to NYC to celebrate his birthday)

I dragged him to the Downton Abbey Exhibit. YES, YES, YES...

Oh, dear.  I LOVED THIS SHOW SO MUCH...

Mrs. Hughes WAS A HOLOGRAM...!!  Can you believe it??

The exhibit was very well done.

Wow.  Their meal prep -- and then the presentation -- SO MANY PEOPLE WORKING SO HARD...RIGHT??

Mary's bedroom...

Of course, for me -- the outfits were the highlight of the exhibit.

Remember Sybil's harem outfit?

I mean -- HONESTLY -- IT JUST CAN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS!!

NYC: DVM: Monday Part 2

When we came out of the ABC television studios, I realized we were only a block away from the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Hey -- WE CAN DO THIS..!!

When we walked into the building, there was a hostess -- who greeted us and told us where we were free to go...and -- hey -- THERE'S FREE COFFEE for visitors up on the second floor.

OF COURSE THERE IS..!!

I was only in this building once in my life...but I remember the chandelier

And we all wanted to get a picture.

I forgot how many there were!

And she wasn't kidding about the coffee...

It was such an unexpected, generous thing to encounter. WHO COULD RESIST?

There is a wonderful gift shop.

I was delighted that DVM got to visit this iconic place.

As we were leaving, a student orchestra was setting up for an outdoor concert.

We took a cab to our next destination...HEY -- ONLY IN NEW YORK CITY!!

Now -- on to THE PLAZA HOTEL..!!

We couldn't afford to eat lunch at the Palm Court -- so our plan was to go downstairs, to "The Shops"...where they have a beautiful food court.  A GREAT PLAN...

Another place in New York City with a handsome young doorman!! (who has been on the job for 3 weeks. He came from Virginia -- to sing on Broadway, of course!)

Deena probably got a better picture of Maddie, standing in front of the Eloise picture.

It's the same spot Lilly stood in last year.

So far, New York City has been an extremely entertaining, cordial hostess.

I LOVE THIS CITY!!

Gheesh...I COULD DO THIS FOR A LIVING!!