Bloom Moonchldren

Birthday Gifties

My cousins, Amie and Barbara and I are all Moonchildren. Our birthdays range from June 30th to July 20th. When we're in Los Angeles at the same time, we like to celebrate.

Fancy Tea Party!

Last Sunday we went over to Aunt Frances' and Uncle Mort's house at the beach for a Sunday afternoon tea party. Barbara prepared a lovely feast of little sandwiches, cakes, cookies, fresh fruit, champagne and of course, tea!

Barbara

Larry, MaHong, Rob

I made some cotton spa cloths for Barbara and grouped that with fancy bath stuff and a large oilcloth zippered pouch.

MaHong's birthday was last month, but since she and Barbara live in New York and I rarely get to see them, I brought MaHong a belated gift of a small oilcloth pouch and some Russian nesting dolls....Matroushka.

Amie

This was a special birthday for Amie, so I crocheted the Sea Shell Wrap for her. I used some cotton crepe yarn I had in my stash. You can see the Ravelry details here. I also gifted her with a darling little oilcloth backpack!

We all had a grand time!

Improvement

Widen That Driveway!!!

We've done a lot of work on our little house in the past two years. Now it's time to beautify the front a bit. We poured a new driveway last summer. The new driveway is level with the sidewalk. It seems that over the years our front lawn had built up into a little hill. So now, when you step out of the car on the driveway, there is this ledge of dirt/lawn beside it. This will become a river of mud during the rainy season.
I've always been bothered that the driveway was the walkway to the front door. Larry and I decided that a dedicated walkway, exclusively leading to the front door would be better. We're finally laying a walkway level and next to the driveway, with a few more steps up to the existing front stairs. Eventually, I'd like to add some guide lights along the walkway and maybe some decorative plants too. Home improvements are ongoing.Next up: Paint that peeling window trim!!!

Oilcloth

Early Saturday morning I set out for Highland Park (between Chinatown and Pasadena) to the Oilcloth International warehouse sale. Cathy of California tipped me off to the sale. I LOVE oilcoth. The bright prints and colors just knock me out. It's so practical too. We have an oilcloth print on our kitchen table. I've long been a consumer of oilcloth totes and handbags. They make exceptional gift items too.

Apparently, I didn't get to the sale early enough. The driveway in front of the warehouse was packed with people buying huge rolls of oilcloth, remants, totebags, aprons, zippered bags, placemats and more. I managed to snag some items, but not half as many little totes or pouches that I anticipated. Sigh.

I'm on the mailing list now, so I'll know when their next sale is planned. You just cannot own enough vinyl totebags!

Vintage Photo Friday

"Thousands Flock to Southland Beaches," Herald Examiner, 1963

Summertime! The weather has been great at the beach in Santa Monica....not too hot....not too cold. It's just right!

Santa Monica Beach, Herald Examiner, 1951

'Mr. Muscle Beach' contest thrills thousands at Santa Monica Beach, 1948

Have a great weekend and don't forget your sunscreen!

All photos courtesy of Los Angeles Public Library Archives

Hangin' with my Homies Tonight

I'll be at the Original Farmers Market tonight at the West Hollywood Stitch 'n Bitch. It's one of my favorite events of the week.

It's so nice to just sit, eat a little dinner, knit and/or crochet with like-minded people. We'll be there from 7-9, upstairs dining area. Please join us!

California Plates

Seen at Bergamot Station, Santa Monica, CA

A few license plates seen around SoCal. Not sure what some of them mean, but, I love L.A.

Syd's vintage Chrysler Imperial. Seen in Norwalk, CA

Mirna's Car. Seen in Santa Barbara, CA

Seen at Bergamot Station, Santa Monica, CA

Have you seen any vanity license plates around town?

McPhabulous!

Granny McPhabulous in Progress

I've completed my assignment of crocheting 100 granny squares and sending them out to my Ravelry group for the Granny McPhee project. Phew! I wanted to get this over quickly so I could enjoy RECEIVING squares from everyone else! The squares are rollin' in. I love getting those puffy envelopes in the mail. Some of the packages received include recipes, tea, candy and more.

Squares Received with Extra Gifties

I started out joining four squares together then crocheting a few rounds as a border for each section. I like this version of a granny afghan.

I have progressed steadily over the past month. I think three more sections for the length will complete this afghan. Now I have to decide on a border for the entire piece. Shall it be lacy like this one? Shall it be simple like this one? Should I create something entirely new? Decisions!

I'm thinkin' that I might have more squares than I'll need for this afghan. Maybe I'll work on a project like the one below. You just can't have too many granny squares in one room....or can you?

Granny Square Lampshade by Sarah London

Grad Night - 1984

King Putt @ Golf n' Stuff, Norwalk, CA

Our beloved Chris Nichols always has unusual birthday parties. One year he rented a club car, circa 1940, situated on a track at Union Station. We all dressed in the 1940's style and Philippe's French dipped sandwiches were served. Another year he had a party in a Victorian mansion in Glendale where we were all supposed to dress in Kentucky Derby style, late 1800's. There was a horse and buggy, steampunk ghostbusters, live music of the era and a delicious Southern buffet. The best part of these parties is checking out everyone's get-up.

Chris Nichols as King Putt

This year's theme centered on the original "Karate Kid" (1984) movie where the main character, played by Ralph Macchio takes his date, played by Elizabeth Shue to an amusement park on a date. Mr. Nichols fashioned his party into 1984 Grad Night at the original movie location, Golf n' Stuff in Norwalk. We all dressed in 80's garb, ate "pizza n' stuff," danced to 80's tunes, drove 80's cars and generally had a fantastic time.

Acid Washed Jeans Ensemble with sparklies!
Larry found his eyeglasses from the '80's

Jim remembered L.A.'s Olympic Summer of '84

Mark Rocked the Preppy Look

The Punk Look was represented

Chris Green's vintage Honda with Mondale & KROQ stickers!

I gave it my best to affect a Madonna/Material Girl look with big earrings, teased hair, lots of make-up, unstructured blazer, tight jeans, pearls, etc., but that's how I still look today...no photo!

Chris Green poses with the Trans Am!

Interior, Pizza n' Stuff. Denny's color theme!

Thanks to Chris and Charlene for throwing an OUTSTANDING party!!

Vintage Photo Friday

Roz & George, Chinatown, L.A. - Early 1980's

Above is a photo of my Mom and Dad in Chinatown, Los Angeles, sometime in the 1980's. We had just had a Sunday dim sum brunch at the Golden Dragon Restaurant on Broadway. The Golden Pagoda, pictured above is now called Hop Louie. I never ate at the Golden Pagoda or it's successor, Hop Louie. I've heard that I'm not really missing anything! We always liked having dim sum at the Golden Dragon. Years later, the Empress Pavillion came along and took the crowds away from the Golden Dragon.

This is the second version of Chinatown located in downtown Los Angeles. It was built in 1938. The earlier Chinatown, a few blocks south, was torn down to make way for the construction of Union Station. The area where our current Chinatown resides was once the Italian and French area of Los Angeles....hence, Little Joe's Restaurant, the St. Peter's Italian Church and more. I do remember the old French Hospital too.

I love visiting our Chinatown. It's kind of a fantasy version of what Americans think China must be like. Forget about the long drive to Disneyland and the expensive ticket! Just take a trip downtown and check out Chinatown and it's neighbor, Olvera Street! In fact, the Metro goes directly to the neighborhood! Perfect! Have a wonderful weekend and a happy Father's Day!

Gates to Chinatown, L.A.

In the Stash

Lion Brand Homespun Yarn, "Harvest"

I have LOTS of yarn in my stash. There's an excellent reason for this. Paraphrasing yarny writer, Stephanie Pearl McPhee....."While I have a full-time job, I'm acquiring yarn. Once I retire, I will not have as much disposable income. So, I'm stashing yarn now for my retirement years."

This makes perfect sense to me. Thank you Stephanie.

I came across this interesting pattern. The cardigan consists of two hexagons sewn together (with a few adjustments). There are a couple of different versions of this pattern on Ravelry. Since I have lots of stash yarn, I decided to give this pattern a try. I've finished half of the cardigan and I really like it! Of course, the yarn that I'm using is in fall colors, so I can't really wear this piece for a few months, unless it gets unseasonably cold this summer in Los Angeles. More photos to come.

Monogramed Eggs

How cool! I have eggs with my initials monogrammed on them!

I hard-boiled a bunch of EB eggs this weekend for a divine chicken salad that I shared with the girls on Sunday.

Here's the easy recipe:

Ellen's Chicken Salad

2 bags of Trader Joe's "Just Chicken" strips, defrosted and diced
2 stalks celery, diced
Handful of green grapes, washed and halved
4 green onion stalks, chopped
1/4 head of cabbage, diced
4 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
1/2 cup Mayonnaise
2 tablespoons prepared pickle relish
1/4 cup Trader Joe's Yellow Curry Sauce
dash pepper
dash paprika

Chop and mix all of the above ingredients. Chill and serve.

Gatherings

Carla and Natalie

In addition to World Wide Stitch in Public Day, I had MANY gatherings to attend this weekend!

Natalie's Husband, Joe (resembling an Italian Movie Producer)

On Saturday night, we celebrated Natalie's advanced degree in Anthropology from UCLA. Just call her Doctor Yamashita from now on! The party was given by Natalie's husband, Joe and Joe's sister, Rose....at Rose's house. The party was a stand-out! The food was catered by Bite Bar and Bakery of Santa Monica (excellent). There was music, dancing and much frivolity, all in Rose's gorgeous Hollywood backyard!

Larry A. and Beth

Back Row: Beth, Jenna, Brit

Front Row: Ellen, Carla, Mary Jo

photo, courtesy of Beth

On Sunday we zoomed out to Mary Jo's palatial backyard in lovely, hot Pasadena for a belated birthday celebration for Mary Jo and Darcy. It was a potluck...we all brought delicious food and lots of gifties.

Alyson, Mary Jo, Natalie

Lori S., Darcy

Lunch!

Natalie, Carla

Birthday Cake!

Later in the day we had a mini-Welcome Back from Paris gathering for Carol at Chez Eschler-Frystack. Carol had lots of gorgeous jewelry purchases to show us AND she brought all of us Parisian yarn!!!!

Julie, Carol (wearing a faboo French necklace)

Lori F.

Beth

Phew! I'm exhausted. I need to rest up for a few days.