The waters recede

The floodwaters are slowly receding. Trees down, still many roads closed or only one lane open. I did get one errand done, to the local CVS which actually had the things I needed. 

I didn't try for the library, since too many roads either partly or totally under water. My needs can wait a day or two. People are trying to get to work.

This morning as I was making tea I glanced out of the kitchen window and there was a hummingbird busy in the Russian sage. It didn't have a twig in its beak, but it still seemed quite biblical and cheering. Closest hummingbird sighting I've ever had.

And the robe is done. I will gradually do seam finishing on the inside, probably flat hemming  lace, since the terry is too thick for felling or French seaming.

Anyway here she is! See how the pockets work. So it's ready in case the weather ever gets cool. This is a much better use of the fabric than a quilt backing that might never happen.

And the beaded figure almost has a completed head, 

seen here in the workbox. The facial expression looks different depending on what angle you see it from. 

Then I needed a bite for supper and haven't had pasta in a while. Didn't feel like a red sauce, so I thought something along the lines of an alfredo white sauce might be good.

Many subs of course. I fancied blue cheese rather than parmesan, didn't have cream, used whole milk, but I did have garlic and Irish butter and parsley. No fettuccine, but I fancied farfalle anyway, butterflies. Or bowties. These are the real Italian ones from Misfits. 

It turned out well. This pasta needs 14 minutes' boiling, they weren't kidding. The sauce is lovely, garlicky, pungently blue cheesey. Thick enough to cling.

Didn't last long. This used all the sauce, and there's another bowl of cooked pasta ready for a different sauce on a different day.

Here's what's accompanying my beading and cooking, audiobook

And my Austen festival is still going, on Kindle, Lucy Worsley

Stacey Abrams finally arrived on the Kindle

Waiting pick-up at the library are the Sonya Philips sewing book, and DVDs of  Grace and Frankie, 

only just heard of the series, yes, not quick on these things, thought I'd try. Because Lily Tomlin, you know. I can't bear her co-star, so we'll see. But there's also Sam Waterston, so there's that.

I think we're all set here.

Updates on beaded figure and other exciting things

Last night we were visited by the edges of Hurricane Henri, many lightning bursts and thunder very close overhead, torrential rain. Cable signals knocked out earlier. A heroic soaked cable guy came out there in the rain  and the signal is restored. 

Handsome Son has a day off, unusual for a Sunday. As he says, just as well. Because this

Power restored in time to see this. 

Meanwhile, I read one of those very brief, beautifully photographed ebooks which would be very short indeed in paper form. Still nice though, very wabi sabi.

I like the philosophy of shopping in the closet for something to alter if you're ready for a new thing to wear. And of making repairs decorative instead of assuming they must be invisible.

Meanwhile I did get the Useful Robe pockets installed. Little notches echoing the neckline

It took a bit of adjusting to get them low enough to put my hands in without shrugging my shoulders. Patch pockets need to be lower than inseam ones because of the angle of your arms as you slip your hands in. They look floppy because it's terry. Floppy fabric.

I think I might add a strip to lengthen the hem, too. After I try on again I'll decide. It's been so hot that trying on a warm cloaky kind of robe is a bit uncomfortable. It's certainly going to be ready when the weather's cool enough to wear it.

Meanwhile here's a guided tour round the almost completed beaded figure head.

A bit more beading or couching, and I can get on to the body.

Robe updates and surprise, Misfits box

The main seams stitched, I tried the robe and it felt too snug for a casual item. Sooooo I opened the seams back up on both sides and inserted panels under the arms, wrist to hem, which gave a much better drape. 

As you see

Now to create a neck facing and cut it so the neck is a t shape. Then hem the cuffs, then attach patch pockets, finally finish the hem. It's below knee length, not too long, to avoid tripping on the stairs. After it's all done I'll decide if I want a belt. Plenty of fabric available. Possibly a hood, too. We'll see.

Then I will have a cosy robe for winter reading and whatever else takes place.  And big pockets to house whatever I need to lug about. This is particularly important for stairs, the fewer things in my hands the better.

And I know it's not Friday but Misfits appears to have changed my delivery day to Wednesday. I checked and they say I might lose my slot if I change it back. 

I think they're growing rapidly and organizing customers without mentioning it. This doesn't really matter. I can just change the frantic prep time.

And since this is how it is here

Notice the "feels like" bit. Guaranteed to make a person feel worse.

So here's my response 

Mid afternoon break, Misfits apricot with the last of the birthday cake, suntea. Lovely color and flavor combo as well as cool. Supper of Misfits salad in the background. 

It's good.