Royal Escape from the Topic - for off topic chit chat Showing 1,751-1,800 of 2,839

[Karlyne]

Thank you!!!

[QNPoohBear]

Karlyne wrote: "We have Spring Break next week, and all of my fingers and toes are crossed for decent weather. Not only will we have family travelling, but if the weather's rotten, where will I put them all?!"

Here in New England the sun has finally emerged, the birds are cheeping and the bugs peeping. It's still cold but getting warmer every way. Crossing my fingers and toes winter is over and spring is here to stay! My dad is fretting because his bonsai trees are budding already-that's a no no in bonsai. That means spring is surely on the way.

[Karlyne]

QNPoohBear wrote: "Karlyne wrote: "We have Spring Break next week, and all of my fingers and toes are crossed for decent weather. Not only will we have family travelling, but if the weather's rotten, where will I put..."

I just saw the first Mountain Bluebird of the year! The meadowlarks and curlews have been singing for a couple of weeks, even through the snow, but the last couple of days really are feeling like spring is on its way. I just finished wrapping the trunks of 11 little fruit and nut trees we planted yesterday, along with dropping 11 wheelbarrows of sawdust around them. I wrapped them with tutu netting, because that's what dancing families use... Now if only I can get the fencing up before the deer show up...

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Karlyne wrote: "I just saw the first Mountain Bluebird of the year!

Lovely! We are having beautifully summery weather still.

I have just discovered what may the simplest way to make jam. Its just blitzing thawed frozen fruit, chia seeds, vanilla essence & a little sugar together.

[Karlyne]

I like to use frozen fruit for jam, but I haven't used chia seeds before. I like the idea of less sugar!

[Susan in NC]

Karlyne wrote: "QNPoohBear wrote: "Karlyne wrote: "We have Spring Break next week, and all of my fingers and toes are crossed for decent weather. Not only will we have family travelling, but if the weather's rotte..."

Good luck! Sounds like spring is finally arriving...yay!

[QNPoohBear]

Karylyne It sounds like spring is arriving. It's 50 degrees and sunny today. I went outside without my coat in the sun. It won't be full spring for awhile but it's nice enough to feel the sun again.

[Karlyne]

I feel like one of the 7 Brides - spring, spring, spring!

[Barb in Maryland]

Karlyne wrote: "I feel like one of the 7 Brides - spring, spring, spring!"

With its companion: mud, mud, mud... sigh
My jonquils and forsythia rebounded from the snow, hooray! And all the cherry trees in the neighborhood are about to bloom. My husband (who is in charge of the mowing) was muttering about how the grass is growing already. Yep, I do believe it is finally spring.

[Susan in NC]

Seven Brides, I love it! I have no forsythia in my garden, but my daffodils survived the cold and sleet and my maples are budding, while my Lenten roses still put on a show - yay!

[Susan in Perthshire]

Well we have crocuses and snowdrops and my lilac is covered in buds, but today it snowed and it’s been 1 degree centigrade. It may be Easter but it certainly is not Spring here! Heading off a cruise in a couple of days so hoping for better weather then!

[Karlyne]

I don't actually have anything blooming yet, but the buds are swelling, and there's an undercurrent of green moving up the hills as the snow is melting on the mountains! It's coming...

[Susan in NC]

🤞🏻

[QNPoohBear]

What's that bright light in the sky? Is the sky actually BLUE? This is the first weekend this month it has not snowed! I was outside at work today (with my winter coat on) because it was sunny and warmish.

Happy Easter and Passover to those who celebrate and happy spring finally to those who are recovering from winter.

[Susan in NC]

QNPoohBear wrote: "What's that bright light in the sky? Is the sky actually BLUE? This is the first weekend this month it has not snowed! I was outside at work today (with my winter coat on) because it was sunny and ..."

Thank you - hope you had a lovely sunny day!

[Critterbee❇]

Happy Spring, Happy Fall, Happy Holidays! I hope everyone is doing well, and am so thankful for this great family of readers from all over the world to discuss our favorite books and everything else.

Recently I have been busy with an (mildly but consistently) ill puppy so have not been posting much but am looking forward to April's read of Friday's Child.

[Susan in NC]

Oh, I’m sorry, I hope your pup is feeling better soon. Friday’s Child will be a light, funny break!

[QNPoohBear]

Poor puppy! I hope puppy is on the mend.

So much for spring. Snow again tomorrow. Thankfully it's warm enough not to stick.

For those in fall, you have the sympathies of all of us where it's supposed to be spring but feels more like fall.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

❇Critterbee wrote: "Happy Spring, Happy Fall, Happy Holidays! I hope everyone is doing well, and am so thankful for this great family of readers from all over the world to discuss our favorite books and everything els..."

:(

I'm back from Auckland. The Pop Up Globe had its final night & we saw The Comedy of Errors. Bit long, but I loved it. Will probably go next year.

[Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽]

Welcome back, Carol! It was a beautiful Easter weekend here in Utah ... except my husband is sad because our apricot trees have blossomed, and a freeze is predicted later this week. :'(

[Susan in NC]

Glad you had a lovely Easter, sorry about the trees! Don’t suppose you can cover them up in any way(I clearly have no idea what size apricot trees are!) they always tell us here in nc to cover frost-sensitive plants...

[Susan in Perthshire]

At Edinburgh airport ready to fly off to Miami via Paris - and embark on our transatlantic cruise. Snow is due but hopefully it won’t affect the flight. Hoping for warmer weather!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Susan in Perthshire wrote: "At Edinburgh airport ready to fly off to Miami via Paris - and embark on our transatlantic cruise. Snow is due but hopefully it won’t affect the flight. Hoping for warmer weather!"

Bon Voyage! :)

[Andrea AKA Catsos Person]

Susan in Perthshire wrote: "At Edinburgh airport ready to fly off to Miami via Paris - and embark on our transatlantic cruise. Snow is due but hopefully it won’t affect the flight. Hoping for warmer weather!"

I hope you have a nice time in the US!

[Critterbee❇]

Susan in Perthshire wrote: "At Edinburgh airport ready to fly off to Miami via Paris - and embark on our transatlantic cruise. Snow is due but hopefully it won’t affect the flight. Hoping for warmer weather!"

Sounds lovely, have a great trip, can not wait to hear all about it.

[Susan in NC]

Have a fabulous time, I hope you find some sunshine and lovely weather! Sightseeing, seeing friends or both? Enjoy!

[Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽]

It sounds like an amazing trip, Perthshire Susan! Have a wonderful time!

Susan in NC, our apricot trees at least are on the small size, so we'll probably throw a tarp or sheet over them. Doing that gives you maybe 3 degrees worth of protection against fruit trees freezing. Much colder than that and you're pretty much sunk no matter what you do. So we'll see.

[Karlyne]

Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ wrote: "It sounds like an amazing trip, Perthshire Susan! Have a wonderful time!

Susan in NC, our apricot trees at least are on the small size, so we'll probably throw a tarp or sheet over them. Doing tha..."

It's cold out there this morning, Tadiana, and the wind is blowing like crazy. I'm not sure if that means it's heading your way because it's definitely coming from the northwest, but I'm glad my fruit trees haven't budded yet! At least the sky is blue and the wind helps keep the frost from settling, right?

[Karlyne]

Carol Clouds ꧁꧂ wrote: "❇Critterbee wrote: "Happy Spring, Happy Fall, Happy Holidays! I hope everyone is doing well, and am so thankful for this great family of readers from all over the world to discuss our favorite book..."

I've been having a serious Shakespeare craving, and since one of my daughters lives close to the Ashland Shakespeare Festival venue in Oregon, I may just have to try to hit a play this summer. But then it'll be hot, and I'll be whiny...

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

I took a lot of very similar photos at the Globe, so I'll just share 2



This one is a close up of the ceiling. I went down to the standing room only area at the front of the stage to take this one

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

& I have a challenge today.

We are going to a Retro 21st on Saturday (the 21st is the big birthday over here, even though it is no longer when you come of age)

My husband's whole wardrobe is retro, so that is no problem.

I'm thinking of going as Carmen Miranda. I have bought some plastic fruit - just have to watch a You Tube video to find out how to attach it to the turban. :)

[Nick]

Awesome pics, Carol!

Good luck with the turban, I hope it's magnificent!

[Karlyne]

"My husband's whole wardrobe is retro".... Laughed out loud!

I can't really think of an easy way to attach the fruit, though.

[QNPoohBear]

Gorgeous photos Carol! To a 21 year old "retro" means 1980s. In my day retro was 1970s.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

QNPoohBear wrote: "Gorgeous photos Carol! To a 21 year old "retro" means 1980s. In my day retro was 1970s."

Ha! It's a family party & a lot of the family have left it till the last moment to get organised. They have been asking if the 70s is retro enough. Poppy is a real retro girl in dress style & I think retro to her is 1950s.

I told my son that Marty was going to wear the ancient Hawaiian shirt he bought at an op shop on Rarotonga. There was an agonised wail on the other end of the phone. Xave suggested Marty go as James Dean. Marty already had the leather jacket (1980s) jeans & dark sunglasses. We have just bought him a white t shirt. Outfit complete.

I watched a you tube video where someone used a plastic hair band & doublesided tape to attach the fruit. & I found this totally awesome one on how to do the turban. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ymzU...

[Karlyne]

QNPoohBear wrote: "Gorgeous photos Carol! To a 21 year old "retro" means 1980s. In my day retro was 1970s."

I think mine was the Regency era...🤣

[Susan in NC]

Karlyne wrote: "QNPoohBear wrote: "Gorgeous photos Carol! To a 21 year old "retro" means 1980s. In my day retro was 1970s."

I think mine was the Regency era...🤣"

Lol! I’ll take the Roaring 20s!

[Susan in NC]

Carol ꧁꧂ wrote: "QNPoohBear wrote: "Gorgeous photos Carol! To a 21 year old "retro" means 1980s. In my day retro was 1970s."

Ha! It's a family party & a lot of the family have left it till the last moment to get o..."
That was really cool, Carol- I’m not at all crafty, but I’ve heard hot glue guns can be used for attaching stuff- maybe that would work! I watched the video up to “kitten ear” turban which begs the question (in my mind), why women marchers didn’t go that route for their pink caps. Quicker, and you can reuse a pink scarf! (I knit, that’s my only “craft”.)

Sorry, I’m referring to a big Women’s March here in DC, right after Trump’s inauguration, and the women wore pink knit hats.

[Critterbee❇]

We are going to have to see photos, Carol Miranda!

Retro dressing for me would be the gorgeous fit and flair 50s dresses! Suits my body type as well - pretty flattering for everyone.

I crochet well, and am learning to knit, and want to learn how to finagle a sewing machine. Help!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

I have attached some fruit with double sided tape (another you tube video) I'm not confident it is going to hold together & may buy some super glue in town today. It only needs to work for about an hour or so - for the photos.

[Critterbee❇]

Hot glue should work, but be careful, it is, erm - hot!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

My laptop dying so photos may have to wait till I get back from holiday to show a photo. I used a plastic hairband. & a mixture of double sided tape & glue. I also ended up with glue in my hair.😐 One of the better 21sts Ive been to.
I'm off to the South Island tomorrow. If I can't get my puta working I'll see everyone when I get back

[Susan in NC]

Travel safe and have a great trip!

[Karlyne]

Ack! Not super glue, right??

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Karlyne wrote: "Ack! Not super glue, right??"

*small voice* super glue. Felt like I was being scalped when I took it off! But I looked great!

[QNPoohBear]

Carol ꧁꧂ wrote: "Karlyne wrote: "Ack! Not super glue, right??"

*small voice* super glue. Felt like I was being scalped when I took it off! But I looked great!"
OUCH! Can't wait to see pictures.

[Karlyne]

I laughed, but it was sympathetic, I swear! " Keep your hair on" now has a more personal ring to it, right?

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Karlyne wrote: "I laughed, but it was sympathetic, I swear! " Keep your hair on" now has a more personal ring to it, right?"

Hahahaha!

& I have figured out what was wrong with the computer (& this gave me a fright, so I'm dropping it in for a clean & battery replacement later.

This is the best shot of me in full costume. & my husband & I aren't short. My son is 6ft 5in.

[Karlyne]

Seriously cute!!! I have a 6'5" son, too, and a 6'4" one. And I look and feel like a dwarf next to them, since, although I say I'm 5'4", I lie...

[Critterbee❇]

Hey nice pics, hope you did not 'pull your hair out' over the turban!

My brothers are 6'2" (and still growing), 6'4" and 6'8", so even though I am 5'8" I feel like a shorty around them.