Boat Reflections 08-16-08

Some quilt artists do such wonderful things with reflections on water - Pauline Burbidge and Dan Olfe among them. I've been taking reflection pictures for years, but doubt I will ever have the artistry to create a quilt from them.

Corky and I drove down to his house in Long Beach today. It was at least twenty degrees cooler there in the evening, so we went for a second walk of the day. After walking (and sniffing and marking and "doing business") Corky was still ready to go on and his nanny was dragging her tail. Although it was cooler the humidity was high and that did me in. Late in the day the reflections were well defined - there is a little bit of oil on the water in the lower left corner of the picture, which is a definite violation of the rules. I'm sure someone called the boat owner on it, the boaters in the area are diligent about keeping the water clean.

Delicious! 08-15-08

When I went to South Carolina in the early 1970s to meet the family of my husband-to-be we also visited one of his college roommates in Charleston. I don't remember what else we had for breakfast, once I had tasted tree ripened peaches and fat, juicy blueberries together I wasn't interested in anything else! Since that day I have served them many times, including this morning. The taste always brings back the entire experience and atmosphere of so many years ago. I have other taste 'memories', but this one is very strong. Do you have taste memories?

Jane Sassaman @ BCQG 08-14-08

Jane Sassaman presented the program at Beach Cities Quilters Guild in San Juan Capistrano, CA, this evening. It was very hot, as it usually is in the summer. The meeting place is part of a school and they don't run the A/C when school is not in session. Whew! Strangely the last time I saw Jane was several years ago at North Cities QGuild in Placentia, CA , in July - she even mentioned it tonight as the hottest program she has ever given! Cute!

Jane is talking to one of the 200+ guild members after her presentation.

I couldn't get pictures of the quilts that were hanging, but she had stacks of beautiful, bright quilts spread out on the tables. You can see many of her quilts on her website www.janesassaman.com

You might enjoy her blog at http://sassaman.blogspot.com/

"Rose Garden" (55"W x 56"L) 2002 is the Jane Sassaman quilt in the TCQC. It is more colorful than this, but I am still having problems with photos getting darker when I transfer them to Blogger.

Painted House 08-13-08

I was sure I had a photo of the house taken several years ago when the paint had not deteriorated so much and the coreopsis were blooming in the front yard. However, I cannot find it - Jeff, the painter, will be unhappy.

This is how the house looked after Jeff (and company) had scrapped and sanded.

Here is the house just as the sun was going down this evening. I like it very much. I'm glad that I decided to paint the garage door grey, it isn't as 'in your face' as it was when it was white.

Here you can see the north side of the house which has a very large attic. Neighbors down the street remodeled and put a bedroom, bathroom and playroom upstairs. They gave up the linen closet to make stairs. We thought about it, but two people don't need five bedrooms. However, I wouldn't mind another bath and a laundry room.

This house is the same model as ours and is a greener grey w/white trim. I have always loved the flying pig weather vane (NOT original to the house) and the small one in the flower bed to the right of the garage.

And here is another of the same model. Not only is the house light grey river stone, but the very high fence along the side street is the same. It is a little overpowering. I thought they might add more landscaping to soften it, but it has been several years and nothing more has been added.

I find that one of the hard things about being a widow is not having someone to share the decision making. I don't have children and my sister lives in Portland, OR, so I am on my own unless I can find someone knowledgeable who is willing to give opinions and/or advice. I think the paint color looks good on the house and I am glad that I chose it. And I would recommend Jeff, the painter, to anyone - shows up on time, works like a slave, cleans up every day and is willing to make a suggestion now and then. I'll save up some money and have him do the inside - sometime this fall, I hope.

Longing for the open road! 08-12-08

Traveling NE on US-54 in southern Kansas - May 2007

Yes, I am longing to hit the road - anywhere! Almost every year since 1974 I've spent part of the summer driving around the USA. This year I haven't been out of the LA Basin since April - for lots of different reasons, the price of gas high on the list. But my itchy foot is really getting to me. Before the end of the month I will drive up to stay with Mary for a few days and see the traveling Jellies (formerly called Jellyfish!) exhibit at the Monterey Aquarium - it will move to a different area of the country on September first. I may take the long way home, but I can't stay away too long - the house awaits.

The house painter told me this morning he won't be finished until Thursday, but that's okay, it is looking better every day. Now if the gardener I talked to last week comes through, the yard will soon match the freshly painted house!

Memories of Seattle 2004 08-11-08

The Association of Pacific Northwest Quilters Quilt Fest was held this past weekend in Seattle. I went to the first event in 1994 and every other year until 2006 when I had my leg in a cast and just couldn't manage the trip. This year I missed again, partially due to the price of gas, which makes me sad because I think it is the best of the regional shows - at least those that I have attended. I've always found the quilts original and well made.

www.apnq.org

These pictures were taken in 2004.

Until this year Quilt Fest has been held at the Seattle Center (where the Space Needle is located). I always spend some time people watching at this fountain which is in the center of a great bowl. The water flies in tune with music, between recordings the fountain is still and the kids all gather around, jumping, splashing, patiently waiting for the music and the water to start again.

When the water starts some run screaming for the rim, others dance and cavort, running in and out of the falling water. Fascinating.

Here is an artsy shot of the Space Needle, now, I suppose, the absolute icon of Seattle.

Blogs that have reported on Quilt Fest this year:

http://andsewitgoes.blogspot.com/2008/08/seattle-weekend.html

http://www.gericondesigns.com/weblog/?p=2622

Chinese food 08-11-08

I have been saving this to send on the night that the Olympics opened and then I forgot. It is still timely and good for a chuckle... or two.

The names of Chinese foods. http://www.slate.com/id/2194074/

Another T/U card 08-10-08

In my blog on 08-04-08 I showed a Thank You card made by Susan Terry. Here is the one she sent to our hostess that evening. She enjoyed the sign in the hostess's kitchen and included it in the card. Clever.

Susan is an author for C&T, one of her books is "Card Art" which is available at Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/5avdhe

Spots 08-09-08

When I was a young woman, in my twenties perhaps, I was embarrassed to be seen with older women in my family because they always seemed to have spots on the front of their blouses and I couldn't understand why.

Now I am one of those older women and I have spots on the front of my blouses and shirts. I still don't understand why. However....

I have a solution to the stains.

I use this great spot remover that I buy at QShows or QShops. It does really work. Just dampen the spot w/water, and let it sit for twenty minutes or so (or even hours), then put on a little more water and rub the spot. Wash as you usually wash. I have yet to find a stain that won't come out. I mention this tonight because I wore three different shirts today - the first one was splashed with coffee when I drove over a big bump in the pavement, I dribbled soy sauce on the second one and I managed to keep the third one clean until I put on my nightgown. I'm sure that all the shirts will come out spotless. I have no connection w/this company, I just think their product is great.