Another Sunday

We had a delightful Thanksgiving holiday with all bedrooms occupied--even the daybed in my still unfinished sewing room and the sturdy fold-out sofa bed in the sun room.

Daughter's family in for the festive Thursday meal, then a group rather noisily enjoying games after the table was cleared .

The young people were off on various exploits on Friday leaving the house suddenly quiet.

Rain began to drizzle down before noon on Saturday, becoming a steady drumming on the roof by evening.  It has rained all day, so other than a quick dash to the compost pile and a hasty trudge through the woods to empty cat litter I have occupied myself with indoor projects.

Squelching along the path into the woods I noted that the fallen leaves have lost all color, trodden down when the horses spent a week there, now pounded into sogginess by the rain.

With rainy weather predicted into Wednesday I made use of the electric dryer to tackle the mound of sheets and towels over-flowing the laundry hamper.

I made up the beds, although only one guest room is needed to welcome Jim's cousin and her husband who will spend a night here later in the week.

I enjoy making a bed, spreading the fresh sheets, smoothing and tucking, plumping pillows into their cases, adjusting the quilt or comforter to hang just so.

With the bedrooms nicely tidied I felt inspired to work on the valences for the living room curtains.

I measured and cut these months ago, then put away the fabric when so much painting 

demanded to be done.

No sooner did I bring out fabric, my tools and my sewing machine than Nellie sprawled on the table.

I removed him to spread a tablecloth.

Obviously, a tablecloth is meant to be patted, rumpled, used as a winding sheet.

The addition of a cutting mat and the sewing machine did nothing to discourage Nellie.

I needed to fill several bobbins.

Thread tangled and snarled--Nellie prodding at the spool from behind the machine.

Teasel took over my chair.

Teasel eventually settled in a chair at the other side of the table.

I resigned myself to Nellie's 'help' after removing him several times only to have him pop up again.

[Possibly in our joy at his return we have been 'spoiling' him a bit.]

I did manage to finish lined valences for the four windows in the living room.

Jim helped hang them--perhaps feeling that he was in danger of being brained with a curtain rod while I teetered behind his spot on the sofa trying to do it myself.

I'm not sure yet if I like the effect of the valences!

I will take photos tomorrow if the light is better.

Jim spent the forenoon making a rail for hanging coats.

I have been carrying those hooks around since purchasing them in Wyoming!

I like the way the rail makes use of space in the corner by the back entry door.

By evening Jim had created a 3-cornered shelf to fit above the hanging rails.

He promptly filled it with his gloves and caps.

One hook has been left empty--perhaps for my coat?

I rummaged out several hooks in another style and mentioned that a rail in the 'dressing room' off the master bath would be useful. 

With major renovation work accomplished, the 'tweekings' and embellishments happen at unpredictable times.

I felt contented pottering with my fabric through the gloomy day.

Hopefully creative energy is about to return.