Back 20 years 02-11-23

I started attending classes at Empty Spools Seminars at Asilomar (Pacific Grove, CA) in March 1991.  Except for the Covid years I have gone every year.   I find a favorite teacher and take all the different classes they offer and then repeat them.  I suppose my motivation is to go and enjoy the atmosphere and the people and to restore my creative spirit.  Not necessarily interested in learning a new technique, but most of the teachers I take always have something new to share.  

Sue Benner Landscape class March 2003 

This is a really terrible image, but it is the oldest one from Empty Spools that I have in my computer.  Sue Benner is center front and the classroom is the chapel, the very worst location for a class.  There I am seated, wearing a hat of course.  To my right is Corky Ledbetter who now lives in Savannah, GA, and doesn't come out these days.  Behind me with a maroon undershirt is Elizabeth Byrom who now lives full time in France.   The second lady behind Sue is Mary Leakey, long time friend who lives in San Juan Bautista, CA.  On the far left of the picture the second lady in is Judy House who died in 2005.  I have class lists for every class and I'm sure that some of these students have been in classes with me in the last twenty years.  Some years I took two sessions and once I did three (which is a whole different story).  These days I am not in good physical shape and can barely manage one session.  I am registered for Sue Benner's class in late March and am so looking forward to going; hope I can keep up. 

Such treasured memories over 32 years.  More to come, I hope. 

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Friday Food 02-10-23

Once in a while I have the urge to drift back in time and have breakfast at a sort of old fashioned "CAFE" (see that in neon).   That means "Paul's Country Kitchen", which used to be the Two Sisters Cafe, in Placentia.  Since it changed hands there is new paint and some decor, but basically it is the same cafe it has been for the thirty plus years I have lived here.   And is so much like cafes I have visited across the country and, of course, during my childhood all those years ago.  My favorite in Portland, OR, was Buttermilk Corner in downtown, a rare, but wonderful treat.  

Paul's serves the usual cafe breakfasts.  This time I had two enormous pancakes, two over-easy eggs, two slices of crisp bacon, and about three cups of coffee w/cream.  I can never finish the pancakes which cover the standard dinner plate and they always ask if I want a takeout box and I want to say in a shocked tone " doggy bag pancakes -yuck!", but I just say "no thank you".  They are very good, but I doubt that would carry over into my microwave!  Besides I would have to provide the syrup.  

                                 

Their indoor sign is painted on fabric, but not quilted.  

Somehow it FEELS like a quilt and makes me feel at home. 

Just below this lovely sign is a large crock pot with water. 

And in the crock pot are a bunch of long-necks (as in beer) topped with spouts which are filled with delicious maple syrup and kept warm to top your delicious, enormous pancakes.  So clever.

Of course, there is inflation.  Never thought I would pay this much for a pancake breakfast.  But it was worth every bite.  

Meanwhile, out in the parking lot are perfectly trimmed Bradford Pear trees in full bloom.  Gorgeous. 

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What is blooming 02-09-23

The climate and microclimates of Southern California allow such a wide variety of plants that there is always something blooming.  Here are two that are in full bloom right now.   And there are always some landscape roses, mostly white, which grow as bushes and do not need pruning.  

Argyranthemum frutescens 

Marguerite

This is the plant....

...and the flower.

Aloe arborescens Mill.  Candelabra aloe

This is different than Red Hot Poker which is another plant with similar blooms. 

These are different than Red Hot Pokers which is a different plant. 

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Wordless Wednesday 02-08-23

 

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Elizabeth Barton quilt in TCQC 02-05-23

Here is another of Elizabeth Barton's quilts, one that hangs frequently in my viewing spot so I can enjoy it every day.  It resurrects memories of lovely trips through England and Wales.

"Chimney Pots"  Elizabeth Barton - Georgia  2005  50"W X 39.5"L

Hand dyed, painted, stamped, screened, discharged fabrics. Cotton, silk, rayon, wool, furnishing fabrics. Machine raw edge and turned applique, machine piecing, machine quilting.

She utilized fabrics she had created herself, using many different techniques.  The fabrics are as interesting as the chimney pots, poised like a choir at the top of the quilt.

Elizabeth with some of her quilts in 2006.

You can watch an interview at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgB1J6VpEk0

I don't know when this was recorded, but recently.

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