Just Another Sunset 09-05-09

Living near the western edge of the continent provides great opportunities for photography. Seems to me that sunsets are the most wonderful.

Corky and I went out on the patio to watch the sunset this evening. He is never impressed, but I can't resist a shot or two or twelve! Because of the decreased light I am never sure what I have until I can take the camera into the light and check, so I just take as many pictures as possible during the time the sun is setting. Out of twelve I may have two or three that are 'keepers'. This is looking southwest with the bridge over the harbor entrance on the left, where the red lights are at water level.

This is looking more due west and the sun is over the horizon. There were four boys playing with a soccer ball, but it went over the edge and they were not able to retrieve it - the rip-rap is very dangerous and difficult to walk on. Soon I saw the ball floating slowly off with the outgoing tide. Somehow the these colors always make me yearn for some ice cream - odd, that.

Home from SJBautiste 09-04-09

Driving the Lexus is growing on me - the ride is smoother, I hear less road noise, it tracks much better than the van, and it will do 100mph (should I need to for any reason). I miss the sliding side doors and the large 'trunk capacity' in the Caravan. I miss having some place to put change and other small items in the driver area. But one thing I really enjoy is this 'trip display' among the choices on the dashboard. I'm becoming more adept at driving this car which is reflected in the mpg, 24mpg is what I got in the Caravan on long trips. It is great knowing exactly how many miles I can go on the gas left in the tank. Sorry it is such a poor image - too many reflections - but I took it while driving.

I don't know if the drought is having this effect or it is later than I think. The leaves are already turning on the trees on the road up to Mary's.

Here is a Buckeye tree, always the first to lose it's leaves, but it is already almost completely bare.

Off in the distance a California Sycamore glows in the sunlight. I suppose I can't reconcile the autumn leaves and the temperatures in the 90s while I was up there. It just doesn't seem that autumn is upon us so soon!

The fires in SCalifornia are being contained and several are out. The big Station Fire that I could see so well on my way north on Sunday has burned over the tops of the ridges so only the smoke is visible. I could see Mt. Wilson and it didn't look as though the fire had burned to the top where the venerable Mt. Wilson Observatory is located. The scientists and landmark enthusiasts were very, very concerned. It is so tragic that two firemen lost their lives fighting the fire, which was set by the hand of man.

Birdfeeders 09-03-09

Mary has eight 'deck boxes' that she keeps filled with annuals, they always look so perky in this oak forest environment. I've taken many photos over the years.

I have not been up here since the first week in June and I was very surprised to see that she has sunflowers growing in her boxes - and widely separated at that.

I finally asked her, "Why?" And she told me that the birds had planted them - there are sunflower seeds in the wild bird feed mix they use in their feeder. We presume that the birds sit on the edge of the box to make a deposit. Looks a little odd though. Sorry this is such a 'raggedy' post, but my "Enter" key decided to take a little vacation.

Joe's Birthday 09-02-09

Today was very warm and rather sultry and it was also Joe's birthday - not that the two facts have any relation to each other. Just the two more important things. I always like to be up here in San Juan Bautista to celebrate my birthday (yesterday) and Joe's today, but that means that Mary has to prepare two special dinners in a row! She is such a fabulous cook that I suppose she doesn't mind and, of course, Joe and I don't mind a bit. Last evening we had salmon, broccoli, fruit salad and See's candy for dessert - I suppose I was too hungry to photograph the plate!

Here is Joe starting on his birthday dinner. One of his favorite things to eat is lamb chops and they are on my list also, but I rarely cook them for myself, so it is a treat. Joe grilled them outside and they were perfectly done.

And Mary explaining something important.

This is my plate - lamb chop, carrots, baked potato w/a chunk of blue cheese, tomato/radish salad w/Mary's special vinaigrette dressing. Fantastic!

For dessert Mary and I stopped at the Grove Market in Pacific Grove for an olallieberry pie. We thought we would have some for dessert after lunch at The Red House, but they didn't have any today. The waiter called over to the market and had them save one for use - it was the last one! If you ask they will top it with very special homemade vanilla ice cream, however we couldn't carry any of that home with us, so we just had Dreyers Double Vanilla

Rich slightly tart berries and a lovely flaky crust, but fresh berries are only available at certain times of year in most areas. I suspect the berries used for this pie were frozen. The olallieberry is a cross between a loganberry and a youngberry and has been around since the late 1930s. http://www.reference.com/browse/Olallieberry

Joe's Birthday 09-02-09

After I post this blog entry last night the pictures disappeared. The only way I could figure to redo them was to repost the whole entry. So, move to the next entry for the whole story! Del

Today was very warm and rather sultry and it was also Joe's birthday -

Learning I don't know about computers 09-01-09

Nothing like a lesson from a 'pro' to teach one how much they don't know about computers! I've never seen a screen as large as hers on a home computer, but already I have been told it isn't anything unusual. I think her process of putting up two newsletter pages side-by-side when she is working on her newsletter(s) is a great idea, so this is next on my list of things to buy. My little Fujitsu laptop in the bottom left won't even show one page at 100%! She also explained about files and how to move them around and sort things into them - amazing!!

But what I covet the most is a son who is knowledgeable about computers and is very helpful when Jeanne has a question or a problem. Now, why didn't I think of that forty years ago?

Jeanne waiting for me to settle down again. She might be resting her eyes from the computer, saying a little prayer like, "Give me strength", or perhaps she just needs a little nap. What a wonderfully kind person she is, I know I will never be able to thank her adequately.

Jeanne takes quilters on tours to both France, where she lived for sometime, and Japan, where she is knowledgeable about quilting and quilters. Wish I could go on the Japan tour that is scheduled for the first of November, but I think my health might be a problem. But maybe you can go, check the website at:

http://www.jeannemillstours.com/

Back in wonderful Pacific Grove 08-31-09

I drove I-5 up to San Juan Bautista yesterday (Sunday), it is about 5-1/2 hours and the traffic was light. Lots of cotton fields in bloom and many browning almond trees - from the drought and inability to tap into anymore water from the aqueduct. Sad.

This afternoon I drove into Pacific Grove for a lesson on Microsoft Publisher from Jeanne Mills. I imagine she was shocked at how much I don't know about my computer. I just learn what I can figure out or what someone explains to me. I find the computer instruction books very frustrating, especially those without a glossary. So, I resort to what kids do and just start clicking, saying "Now, what does this little box do?" Eventually I find an answer to my question - not necessarily the easiest way to do something, but just a way that works. In appreciation for all the time she has given me I took her to dinner at Passionfish. Yummy!

Naturally, my first stop was at Back Porch Fabrics - just to say hello. Well, I did snap up several fabrics that the bolts were almost empty, because I knew that the Empty Spools students would be in later. This is the view from the street in front of the shop (which is on the right side of the picture) looking out to Monterey Bay - it isn't a gorgeous view, but one that is very familiar and means I am THERE. I don't know why but going to PGrove is like being home to me.

This little Cooper was parked in front of me. Guess the driver really enjoys it. Or perhaps he puts his vanity plate on every car he owns. I do.

But I noticed the little sign in the back window. The only thing I can think of is an association with the signs in side view mirrors, warning that things are closer than they appear.

I did go to the evening presentation at Empty Spools - four of the teachers gave a ten minute presentation, either with actual quilts or with a Power Point program. It is always interesting to hear new teachers talk about what they teach and to catch up with what is current with teachers that come annually. Four more teachers will talk tonight and the final four on Thursday.

I couldn't post this last night because the satellite connection was not working. Sorry. Del

TCQC quilt by Dijanne Cevaal 08-30-09

"Banksia" Dijanne Cevaal 2005 13" W x 40.5"L

Banksia is native to Australia and they have a great many wild plants with slightly different leaves, blooms and colors, plus many cultivars. There are 76 native Banksia identified, all but one originated on Australia soil.
Each of the 'hairs' is a blossom, so the flower head is composed of hundreds of blossoms.

I love Dijanne's quilts for their color - such as this classic color combo of red/green and yellow - with just a touch of blue showing through the leaves here and there. But I also love her quilts for the amazing Free Motion Quilting (FMQ) that she does.
She likes to use shiny rayon threads that add a slight sparkle to her quilts. Her unerring eye lets her follow very complex motifs with her FMQ.

The flower heads and the leaves are machine applique, while the ferns are
(I believe) stamped with gold paint.
Notice the background quilting, which is one of the designs from Dijanne's book, "72 Ways Not to Stipple or Meander". She also has a second volume "72 MORE Ways Not to Stipple or Meander". You may find more information about the books and about what dijanne is currently working on. http://origidij.blogspot.com/

If you click on the pictures an enlargement will come up and you will be able to see every stitch of Dijanne's fabulous FMQ.