Chickens

I've been trying to post these fun photos of my mom and granddaughter but the phone has been temperamental. 

Halloween highlights

Val and Cia ready for Halloween in Encinitas!

Sammy the Squirrel in Waterville, NY.

Lily makes an adorable pumpkin.

A last fond look at Heirloom Meadows Farm

The last photos from our visit to Central NY in August. I loved this photo of Sammy holding a chicken! There is a photo of my mother holding a chicken as a girl; I will try to add it later. 

Here Sammy us modeling a dress that I made her. It's the Oliver and S Jumprope dress. Years ago I made one in size 3, and I liked it so much I made it in size 6. 

One of their beautiful chickens. I used to know the names of the varieties. 

Ducks of a feather stickin' together. 

August in central NY

Hopping a "ride" during a walkabout in Hamilton, NY. 

A visit to a very special petting zoo. This camel adored Martine. 

Lots of hungry, docile animals to feed. 

One more group of photos to share from this trip. 

Visit to North Brookfield

Just a few photos from our visit to central  NY in mid-August. 

Oyster boil. 

Hike and mushroom hunt. 

Fungus up high. 

So nice to spend time with Sammy and gang! More photos to follow. 

Farm photos

These were taken during our trip back east, which included a stay in central NY. The chickens and goats were out and about!

Sweet Sammy with daffodils from their garden. 

Ducks on their way to the pond.

Central NY - Some random shots

So nice to pay a visit to Central NY. Our adorable Sammy is in school now, but we get to see her at dinner. 

Some of her artwork on the wall:

It's huge and beautiful in person!

This was a hot ticket last night. Martine and I got to see Neil deGrasse Tyson speak at Hamilton College in Clinton. He was fantastic! Science rock star. 

Chittenango Falls, on the way to Cazenovia on a rambling drive. 

The last of Christmas photos

The last but not least of my Christmas Day photos are finally posted! There are some really good ones of both Sammy and Valentina. 

I love all these wonderful smiles!

Dave's first time holding Valentina!

I wanted a photo of the cousins together. 

I made her this dress. It looks great on her!

Cia was nice enough to take these photos of me and Val. 

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!

Circle skirt

I just made this circle skirt for my granddaughter Sammy to wear for Halloween. She is obsessed with cats, and the Simplicity pattern had a kitty version, in addition to the usual poodle. 

It comes with petticoat directions. What do you think? Do you think it is needed?

Curious Matilda had to come take a look. 

End of trip photos

A few more photos from our NY trip. 

She was so proud to finish this new puzzle we gave her. 

We spent a little time in Cooperstown at the Otesaga, a lovely resort on a lake. It drizzled most of the time, and lots of weddings were going on. We celebrated our 45th anniversary here! The next day my son texted me that he and Cia had just gotten married, so we share the same anniversary. :-)