Hwy 101 North continued 12-28-07

West of Santa Barbara the highway runs along the ocean for 30 miles or so and then turns north/inland until about 60 miles further it hits the ocean again for a few miles at Pismo Beach. Then it doesn't touch the coast again until way north in San Francisco.

Along the way there are vineyards, orchards and cattle pastures. In the uncultivated areas the California Sycamore trees are bare this time of year, their ghost like bare branches writhing against the tree clad hills and blue sky.

The area around Paso Robles was once cattle country, but in the last twenty years much of it has been cultivated for vineyards and wine tasting facilities. On either side of the road there are miles of vineyards that start at the highway and roll away as far as the foothills - I can't help but wonder who drinks all that wine! After arriving in the Salinas Valley the grapevines give way to flat fields of every possible kind of produce crops. Much of what we buy in the groceries is grown in this area which stretches from the Coastal Range on the west to the Diablo Range on the east and more than a hundred miles north and south.

North of the town of Salinas the speed limit drops to 60mph due to the dangerous cross traffic along this stretch of 101. Believe the signs, the Prunedale speed traps are well know to locals and the CHP makes a lot of money off of those who ignore the law. Don't ask how I know. Just before the turnoff to San Juan Bautista the road splits an old eucalyptus grove. These groves, found all over Central California were planted at the instigation of sharp operators selling the seedlings in the second half of the 1800s when the railroads were first laid. Much to the land owners chagrin the wood is too twisted to use for RR ties or to have any commercial use. So the groves stand to shelter roadside rest stops, farm houses and resting cattle.

It was a six hour drive from Placentia to Mary's house - that is just the actual driving time, I spent an hour and a half eating breakfast, getting gas, stopping at the drugstore and sometimes stopping to enjoy the view for a few minutes. It is much colder here than in SCalifornia, and the promised rain has not appeared. I hope it doesn't come tomorrow whilst I am driving home.

Hwy 101 North 12-27-07

On Hwy 101 North - I think this is near Mussel Shoals - at 7am.

Jeannine's in Montecito, CA. Right across the street from Trattorie Mollie, one of Oprah's favorite local spots.

Chicken sausage, mushroom, red pepper scramble and one of those elegant lattes I have spoken about previously. At 7:40am- a very early breakfast for this night owl. But 'Yumm-O'!

North of Santa Barbara the highway hugs the coast, although the RR tracks run between the highway and the blue Pacific Ocean. On the horizon are two offshore rigs and to the left Channel Islands National Park - probably the two larger islands, Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz.

On the road again! 12-26-07

Just a little bit of a tease. This is the view from a third floor room at Sea Crest Inn, my first choice of motels in Pismo Beach. I wouldn't mind spending a night on this trip, but there isn't time. The winds have been very strong through the canyons and passes, so I'll take Hwy 101 north and hope the wind isn't so bad along the coast. It'll be a quick trip, up to San Juan Bautista/Pacific Grove tomorrow and home on Saturday. I'll see what wonders my camera can capture.

One of the Book Group ladies made Rachel Ray's Five Minute Fudge Wreath for each of the members. It was delicious. It doesn't have to be a wreath - try it for Valentine's Day, maybe in a heart shaped pan. You'll find it at: http://www.rachaelraymag.com/recipes/kids-recipes/kids---fabulous-five-minute-fudge-wreath/article.html

Christmas Dessert 12-25-07

The other day Christine http://winnowings.blogspot.com/ had a recipe for Apple Crisp in her blog. It came from one of those cherished cookbooks created by the ladies of an organization, usually to raise funds for their causes. Some of the best recipes, and some of the worst, are found in these books and passed down from generation to generation. I remember this simple recipe although I don't believe I have ever seen the book Christine has. Since I had some apples on hand I made a pan of Apple Crisp and will enjoy it for Christmas Day dessert. Thanks Christine!

Santa has done his job 12-24-07

Christmas Eve is over and Christmas dawn will soon be here. While everyone is opening their presents, Santa is having a snooze - it is a big job flying around the world delivering gifts.

Hope your Christmas is merry and joy filled. Love, Del

Skinny Strips #5 12-23-07

All of the strips are sewn down along the edges.

I couldn't just stay right on the edge because I was trying to catch most of the little pieces in the stitching. I have the problem that I do not wash new fabric except that intended for bed quilts, so all my scraps are unwashed and the fusible doesn't always stick. I glued some small pieces down before stitching.

I had thought to cover the top with something sheer to keep all those little pieces from coming off, but I don't want to lose the bright blue of the background. Here are three different 'coverings' - left to right are crepeline (a very sheer and very expensive silk used in conservation of textiles), illusion netting in aqua, illusion netting in black. You can see where the pieces are pinned at the top and bottom. I like the aqua best, but I don't have a very large piece. I might have to go shopping for more.

I think you can click to enlarge the pictures. Opinions, anyone?

Christmas Quilts 12-22-07

"Teenage Reindeer" Del Thomas 1993 27" x 31.5"

Christmas quilts have always been special to me - quilts that would cover the bed or hang on the wall for only about a month each year. Every year they were new all over again. But I have stopped decorating for Christmas and wondered what I could do with the quilts other then let them sit rolled up on a shelf. So, I donated them back to Beach Cities Quilters Guild for their December live auction. All of them were purchased at previous auctions, so the guild has benefited twofold and now someone else will be able to enjoy them at Christmas time. I did keep the Red & Green bed quilt I made about ten years ago, it is the warmest quilt I own and sometimes SCalifornia can get very cold. And I kept this little reindeer. In the early 90s I taught a class based on a great book by Judy Hopkins of Alaska, " One of a Kind Quilts" and this was one of my class samples. In fact, I have always thought the best of the bunch! If you know someone who is struggling with doing their own original designs this is a good book to get them going. You might find it in a quilter's used book sale, there were two printings several years apart. Tonight this little quilt hangs in the family room and the Red & Green is on the bed. I'm all ready for Christmas!