A to Z Blogging Challenge, Galveston Edition - S is for ShyKatz

Chocolate cake with vanilla, brown sugar and walnut frosting! Great and yummy combo!
ShyKatz Galveston Texas

From their $10 Blue Plate Specials (I live for their King Ranch Chicken and Fish Tacos) to their dessert table, to breakfast served all day (the pancakes! the french toast!  even the biscuit!)...you need to stop by ShyKatz located at the corner Avenue L and 16th Street.    I try to go there at least once a week, after yoga class at Yoga Haven, an acupuncture treatment Hooked on Acupuncture...I blissfully contemplate how great life feels and is and tastes stopping by here.

1528 Avenue L, Galveston, TX 77550 - (409) 770-0500

Happy Earth Day!

A serendipitous coinky-dink that these watercolors are from the Qor Earth color palette - Naples Yellow, Sap Green and Indigo. . .?

A to Z Blogging Challenge, Galveston Edition - R is for Sun Rise

Lucky and unphotoshopped snapshot!

A to Z Blogging Challenge, Galveston Edition - Q is for Quigg Cottage

I know, Q is usually one of the harder letters/words.  But how perfect is this --

Quigg Cottage!  The Quigg-Baulard Cottage, built in 1867, is located right next to the Moody Mansion - 2628 Broadway

The Quigg-Baulard Cottage has been nominated to the National Register of Historic Places as an excellent example of a traditional mid-19th century coastal residence which was modified in the late 19th century to reflect the then-popular Queen Anne style. In addition to possessing architectural features characteristic of both periods (1867-1887), it also has design features which are unique to this coastal environment.

Come out and sketch

I was so excited to meet up with the Urban Sketchers Texas Group at Hermann Park last month.

Alas, the springtime weather also met with allergies and I had to miss.

However, I am so going to this place (Hermann Park's Japanese Garden) as soon as the rain stops here,  hopefully later this week to catch some of that purple wisteria in bloom and sit and sketch a spell under the gazebo.

A to Z Blogging Challenge, Galveston Edition - P is for Palm Trees

How to Clean Your Viking Husqvarna 1100 Sewing Machine

This was originally my comment to a post I had about threading your Viking Husqvarna 1100 sewing machine.  Because of all the recent visits to my blog about this wonderful machine, I thought I would make this easier to find.  Thanks for visiting and happy sewing! ~ Peggy

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Did you just find/receive/pull out of the closet a Viking Husqvarna 1100 sewing machine?!
Hooray for you!

First of all --

I would recommend taking it to a Husqvarna Viking dealer for a thorough cleaning and tune up. It will be money well spent.

Once that is done, all you will need to do is very minor housekeeping to keep you and your machine happy.

If you find your bobbin empty indicator/beeper is not working, you may need to clean the lint from the bobbin shuttle area. That is really the only part of the machine that I clean. Or we should clean. Honestly, I have only had it professionally cleaned and tuned-up by my dealer twice maybe since I purchased it. This machine is a champ!

However, I do have some advice for cleaning the bobbin/feeddog area.

First, a magnetic screwdriver will help. Do I follow this and have one, no. It would make this all easier, however. : D

That being aside, follow along with me here!

1) disconnect the power cords, both from the machine and the outlet.

2) drop the feeddogs and wiggle the stitch plate up and back to remove.

3) look inside and exclaim your favorite four-letter word. All that lint! Bits of thread! This is what is blocking the light from above going through the stitch plate opening to the bobbin sensor.

4) I use a couple/several Q-tips to grab the lint I can see.

At this point, this is what you should try to do after each sewing project. Or even every time you change your needle. This may be enough to get your bobbin indicator working again.

However, depending how often you use your machine, you need to be able to reach a bit further to grab the other bits of fuzz.

5) Tip your machine back. I lean it against something soft so it is secure.

6) Remove the bobbin case

7) See any lint? Take a moment to Q-tip that away.

8) Take a picture of how everything looks.

9) Now remove the screws. Keep the left one left and the right one right.

10) Now remove the shuttle assembly, aha! More lint! Q-tip that away.

11) Just like the Q-tip package and your Momma says, do not blindingly jab the Q-tip around...or squirt pressurized air. That can only push it further away and end up costing you mental and fiscal anguish later.

12) Reassemble the shuttle, re-screw the screws. I suggest evenly/alternating screwing them back in -- left, right, left, right. Now if you find the screws don't sit all the way back in, loosen and start again. But perhaps jiggling the assembly a little so the screw sits straight and true into the hole. Do not over tighten. Refer back to your photo to see how far they sat in.

13) Put a little drop of oil on the bobbin pin and replace the bobbin case.

14) Right up your machine.

15) Replace your stitch plate

16) Re-engage your feeddogs.

17) Power up and sew on!

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Click here to see my additional blog posts about the Viking Husqvarna 1100 sewing machine.

Threading your Viking Husqvarna 1100 sewing machine

How to wind your Viking Husqvarna 1100 sewing machine bobbin

Sew Mama Sew Viking Sewing Machine Meme

P.S. -- Do you have another sewing machine, too?  Click here for the link to take you to the Sew Mama Sew list for more sewing machine reviews!

A to Z Blogging Challenge, Galveston Edition - O is for Oasis

Oasis Juice Bar and Market

409 25th Street -  (409) 762-8446

In addition to vegetarian and organic food and beverages, this is where you can also get the Art of Tea - hot, iced or buy the canister!  Plus, if you go to The Yoga Haven around the corner, you can use your Conscious Cash here, too.

New Summer 2015 Vera Bradley Downloads

The new Vera Bradley Summer 2015 colors are here!

Marrakesh

Pixie Blooms

Palm Fronds

Click here for the link to download these wallpapers for your computer, iPad, iPhone and mobile phone devices!

A to Z Blogging Challenge, Galveston Edition - N is for Nighttime

Galveston at night is pretty. . .

Tremont House lights up the night

This was taken at the Rooftop Bar at the Tremont House
Four floors up gives a great view of Galveston at night

Thursday Tea Time - I Heart Harney & Sons Tea!

This week - Harney & Sons Valentine's Blend

Cost:  $4.04 (Half off, plus 10% BN Membership card discount)
Number of tea bags: 20
Caffeine:  Yes
Type of tea:   Black
Ingredients:  Black tea, rose petals, natural and artificial vanilla and chocolate flavors.
Steeping time:  4 minutes
Mix ins:  A little bit of Natural Bliss
Fragrance:   Chocolate! With a slight vanilla and rose scent
Opinion:  At first I was kicking myself because I had only grabbed one tin, but as I was writing this review, I noticed IT IS STILL AVAILABLE online at their website loose in the 4 ounce size for $7.  This is super good!  It has a very pleasant chocolate flavor and aftertaste.  The rose petals just make it even better and sweeter and the vanilla flavor finishes it beautifully.
Rating: 5+ (grab if you find any more in the clearance section at Barnes & Noble)

A to Z Blogging Challenge, Galveston Edition - M is for Maceo Spice

Maceo Spice and Import Company

2706 Market Street - (409) 763-3331

If you love to cook and eat, this is the place for you!

and M for Muffaletta!

Just a few of my favorite things at Maceo Spice!
"Gravy" (sauce), mini cannoli and Italian Blend spice

Just down the street from The Yoga Haven... I must confess during yoga shavasana I am thinking of that muffaletta and cannoli.  

Om Yum!

Watercolor Wednesday - Texture Part 1

Sea salt sprinkled on while paint was still wet made this cool effect!

Playing around with texture in class this week.  I used Golden Fiber Paste.   It kind of took the watercolor paint a little, but I found it looked prettier left white - like a meringue cookie!

This also comes in a jar

Overall, an interesting effect.  Did I run right out and get my own?  No.  I probably will eventually or keep in mind for future projects.*  I'm not sure how quickly this would dry out waiting for me to remember I bought it.   But it was still fun to realize there is more to watercolor than just painting on paper.   I think it is more useful for abstracts, snow, adding dimension to roofs, etc.   

*Yeah, I can so see me getting this later for Christmas paintings and cards...  

A to Z Blogging Challenge, Galveston Edition - L is for Library

The Rosenberg Library in Galveston is the oldest public library Texas.   It is a beautiful building outside and inside - I love the shell spiral staircase and the stained glass on the upper floor.

2310 Sealy Street - (409) 763-8854

On the fourth floor of the library, there is even a museum along with the Lykes, Hutchings, and Harris galleries, and the Texas and Galveston History Center.  All free.  And I must add, this library has the most extensive watercolor and art book collection I have seen in any public library.  Shelves and shelves.  I am still working my way through all their books.

A to Z Blogging Challenge, Galveston Edition - K is for Kitchen Chick

The Kitchen Chick Store

Kitchen Chick - 528 23rd Street - (409) 497-2999

Not only a fun store to find all things cool and chick, but they also offer cooking classes, too!

Squee!  Too cute (but also so useful)

If you collect and use old cookbooks, and wonder what to measure when the recipes call for a smidge (1/32 tsp), a pinch (1/16 tsp) and a dash (1/8 tsp)?  Here's the perfect measuring spoon set (and an adorable gift wrapping decoration for your favorite cook and baker).

No peeking!  Brewing tea staying at perfect temperature

I also found these cool silicone lid covers - they come in all sizes, but how could I resist (and share with a friend) these poppy tea mug lids?!

Be sure to check the Kitchen Chick website and Facebook page for great recipes, too!

Looking rosy

Watercolor
7 1/2" x 6"

Trial run painting a rose for a friend.   Inspired by a "Fire & Ice" rose photograph, I thought it still turned out pretty.  And I had a good time being in the moment, as once I reached the point of no return, I was slapping on more paint, trying to oomp up the values and playing with the background colors and washes.   There is a certain freedom in that.  No such thing as mistakes, only detours along the way.

(And a special thank you to the patient Apple Support guy helping me figure out the new Photos app with the recent Yosemite Mac update...)

A to Z Blogging Challenge, Galveston Edition - J is for Java

Get your Fair Trade and organic java/coffee, herbal teas and baked treats at
Mod Coffeehouse - 2126 Postoffice Street - (409) 765-5659

(My current favorite right now is an iced Raspberry Mocha latte with almond milk.  Seriously good and good for you.)

They also have a coffee truck, on the move throughout Galveston.   Watch for it!
(Yes, I got my iced raspberry mocha latte fix and was able to sip and stroll along the Seawall)

A to Z Blogging Challenge, Galveston Edition - I is for Island location

Painted wall - Sherwin-Williams store
1014 61st Street
You are here

29.2222° N, 94.9089° W

Thursday Tea Time - Happy Tasting!*

This week - Lahaha South Bay Coconut Peony White Tea

Cost:  $8.99 at Central Market
Number of tea bags: 12
Caffeine:  Yes
Type of tea:   White
Steeping time:  4 minutes
Mix ins:  Nothing needed.  Perhaps ice if you want to make a terrific iced tea with this.
Fragrance:   Floral-light coconut.
Opinion:   While a little on the pricey side, the box says the tea bag can be rebrewed up to to more times.  This is a nice, not-in-your-face coconut tea.  Light but still flavorful.  I like that you don't need to add anything else to your cup, it is perfect as is.  *Lahaha means "Happy Tasting"
Rating:  4.5

A to Z Blogging Challenge, Galveston Edition - H is for Happy Coffee

Happy Coffee Shop - 5102 Broadway (at 51st Street) - (409) 974-4492

Owner Randi is always happy, and she makes great coffees and healthy sandwiches, smoothies and offers Cambodian lunch specials, too.