It remains pretty quiet around the ol’ homestead. We’ve been enjoying a very pleasant, peaceful summer with only one day (thus far) when the daytime temperature broke the century mark. We’ve had plenty of rain so the trees are happy and everything is green. We’re barely able to maintain mowing the tall grass/weeds around the house and have quit mowing the meadow. It’s simply too much to maintain. There is plenty of hay in the area fields so ranchers are happy and their cows are fat.
Last week, brother Jim and I once again visited the casinos and restaurants around Lake Charles/Kinder, LA. We thoroughly enjoyed eating fried oysters and shrimp etouffee at Steamboat Bill’s. On this trip, we visited Coushatta Casino twice to ‘double-down’ on complimentary Slot Play money. It’s so much more fun to lose ‘free’ money than our own. We also enjoyed complimentary play at L’Auberge. Wish I could report we came home big winners but I will say we had a terrific time!! Can hardly wait to go again!
1951 Singer 403a
On the sewing/quilting front this month, I purchased still another vintage sewing machine. This time, I bought a Singer 403a manufactured in 1951. This is a straight stitch machine but when cams are inserted, it does decorative stitches. The machine came with 12 cams. I’ve since purchased additional cams for more stitch options.
I had not planned to purchase this machine and was satisfied with the 5 vintage models I already own. I was simply window shopping on eBay® when I spotted it listed for $100 or make an offer. Just for grins, I decided to make a stupidly low offer… and to my complete disbelief, the seller accepted it! (I’m not a bit sorry.)
The machine is in pristine condition requiring only a wipe down to remove a little grime and some fresh oil. She runs fast and smooth and if I didn’t already love her, I know she could easily be resold at a handsome profit. I plan to keep her for now. Her name is Lola Latté and looks lovely sitting next to my Singer 301a named Mocha Mona. They are both mocha colored. An ensemble?
Well, that’s about it for news on this end. I continue to hand quilt the Split-16 quilt and hand piece Tumbling Stars. I suspect I will finish them both at nearly the same time if work continues at the current pace. It would be perfect to remove one finished quilt from the frame and immediately load a new one.
Life is good on the hill!
Shirl