Christmas Day

Once again I'm having troubles posting. So I'm using fewer photos this time. 

Westcott Family Christmas Eve 2015

 We hosted the annual Westcott Christmas Eve brunch, which has been going on in some form since we were kids, I suppose. My siblings and I meet, with our families, and the menu rarely veers too far from custard, bacon, cheese fondue casserole, and fruit salad. This year my son and fam were unable to make it - life is hectic for them, having a very young baby just getting over her first cold. But they did arrive later, thank heavens. 

When it was time to take the annual family photo, no one brought a camera! But we figured out the iPhone timer and leaned it up against a potted plant, lol. 

We also miss our late brother, and his family, who live in Roseville and Seattle. 

Late afternoon, we greeted Warren, Cia, Valentina and Lily. 

Lily and Sammy became fast friends. 

After dinner the others had retired, and a few of us stayed up for a few more photos. Notice Lily and Valentina sharing Warren's lap!

Lastly, we used our newfound skills with timer and propping of the iPhone, and managed to get all five of us in the photo.  

Christmas Day photos next post.   

Pre Christmas, artful buildup

I am drowning in photos. All I can do is take a stab at sharing them. This post is just the beginning. 

Frances Holliday Alford sent me this collage postcard, as a thank you for sending her a quilt block for her 60th birthday. 

 Santa medley, newly framed turtle mola. 

I made these for my granddaughters. Pattern by Ann Wood Handmade, Forest Folk. 

The Cooks are here. Sammy asleep by the fire. 

Sammy was a great helper for walking the dog. Christmas Eve morning: the festivities are about to begin!

Catching up

Sorry, dear readers. It's a busy time of year. Here are a few random photos that color my world. 

I participated in my friend Barbara's fun holiday boutique last week and was happy with how I did. I brought 5 dogs and sold them all! The birds did well, too.

Christmas is lots of work! It's fun to see all my old ornaments. They each tell a story. 

We like to go to Laguna Beach on the weekends. High tide at Cleo Street beach. 

And the shopping lady downtown was extra dressy. 

One of Valentina's first outings. 

Unicorn hat!

Love this contemplative pose....

"Grandpa T and his Salad" sold at auction!

I'm happy to hear from Victoria Findlay Wolf that she bought my quilt in the Quilt Alliance "Animals We Love" auction! The auction is a fundraiser for the Quilt Alliance. 

A whole new batch of animal quilts are up for auction this week. Go to the Quilt Alliance website for the link. 

Baby Love

This is Warren's baby picture, taken at the hospital when he was born.

 His daughter Valentina when she came home. 

I came and helped out for a few days. 

Lily needed extra love. 

Love this photo!

This photo and the rest were taken by Cia after I left. Two cuties!

Getting weighed at the doctor. 

What a little doll. 

Happy Diwali, etc.

I am so behind on posting! Sorry, so busy. I will try to catch up; it's not for lack of photos. 

It must be Diwali time again. 

We have some new babies at our house, too! Baby California desert tortoises, thanks to Pam Hadfield. Just to give you a sense of scale, the lid fits a Fancy Feast can, which is the smallest can you can buy. No names yet. 

We had some rain about ten days ago, and thousands of toadstools sprang up overnight! And disappeared about as fast. 

Lastly, my quilt Grandpa T and his Salad is up for auction this week along with many other fine animal quilts! Go to quilt alliance.com for the link to the auction. 

A new Cooksey in Cookseyville

Our new granddaughter arrived on Wednesday!

Valentina, child of Warren and Cia. 

6 pounds, 14 inches, 18" long. 

Now we have two grandchildren to love. 

Valentina is here

Warren and Cia's baby arrived on Wednesday about 4:00 pm. Mom and baby are healthy. Her name is Valentina, and she is 6 lbs 14 oz, 18" long. 

She has that "what just happened?" look on her tiny face. I assume that is her dad's thumb she is clutching. 

This is one of the first photos. I actually created this post before the previous one, on her birth date, but when I edited it, the date automatically changed to the current date. It didn't used to do that. Arrrgh. 

Artful Walk on the Venta Spur trail

I took a great walk today on the path right near my house. It's one of the things I like about Irvine: lots of beautiful walking trails. 

There are lots of gates along this path, but I think this is the most artful. 

Salvia, right? 

The trail ends at Jeffrey Road and is about 50 minute walk around trip from my house. It also goes in the other direction all the way to the 134. The space used to have a minor railway, when we moved here in 1978. It became this lovely, narrow park in the 90's, as I recall. 

I saw several squirrels on this walk. Not a rabbit in sight! They used to multiple like, you know what, but the coyotes have been getting them. 

One of many Irvine trails, but it is lovely, shaded, and convenient.