Friday Food 01-07-22

It was a little foggy and about 45F when we went out for our walk this morning, It was not a promising day.  Last evening my laptop couldn't do a wi-fi connection so I missed my Thursday ZOOM meeting with my art quilt group and I was not able to blog.  Some how I just couldn't face it this morning.  Instead I picked up my friend Carol and we went out to lunch at one of our favorite places, Fitness Grill in Yorba Linda.  We sat on the patio with the overhead heater on and there was only one other table occupied.  We do hope the place can stay open with the Covid lurking again.  I guess both Carol and I needed this outing because I think we both felt better when we got home.  

We both ordered the same thing - salmon tacos and lobster bisque.  Both were delicious.  We opted for the tortillas instead of the lettuce wrap.  Somehow it isn't a taco without a tortilla. 

Nice grilled salmon with a green sauce that wasn't too spicy.  It was a big lunch so no dinner required this evening. 

I had an announcement from Back Porch Fabrics in Pacific Grove that they are now open in their new location, which is about a block and a half from the old site - on the west side of Lighthouse St.  Wish I could pop in, but Covid keeps me from traveling. 

Back Porch Fabrics   218 Grand Ave   Pacific Grove, CA  93950

www.backporchfabrics.com

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Wordless Wednesday 01-05-22

 

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The Desert 01-04-22

Some people see deserts as ugly and boring and I can understand that.  I have driven through desolate areas for what seemed like days and I longed for some sign of habitation.  The Interstate highways that go west to east are straight because there was nothing in the way of their routes.  I-10 is at the bottom of my list of where to drive and I-40 has some stretches that make you feel that you are actually not moving at all because the landscape is so monotonous.  Here is a semi-long article about a wide spot in the road next to Death Valley that gives a glimpse into the past and an effort to save some of that history and the  environment.

https://www.newyorker.com/news/us-journal/the-queen-of-the-desert?utm_source=nl&utm_brand=tny&utm_mailing=TNY_Daily_Control_010422&utm_campaign=aud-dev&utm_medium=email&utm_term=tny_daily_recirc&bxid=5d854683cff06b632443837a&cndid=58699276&hasha=903d31e50d7e79ea6fcb3a49b7bcd9f2&hashb=e26d925f89171d7c5701fdd5cb04974ce7c91a95&hashc=8720934caf62d5b55655bdd22597436b1cf55c5da21a638f0fcfc94d6ec90568&esrc=Auto_Subs

On I-40 in Arizona.  2014

On I-15 en route to Las Vegas.  2012

"Desert Nights"  Terry Grant - Oregon  2014

24"W X 60"L

"Desert Dawn II"  Del Thomas  2002  24“W x 67”L   Design by Lorraine Strangness    

Raindrops and Red & White Quilt 01-04-22

Our first rain storms have moved on after giving us about 6", but more than that in snow on our local San Gabriel/San Bernardino Mountains.   The average rain fall in Orange County over the last 100+ years is about 14".  So, we continue to do our rain dances and conserve what water we can.  

Succulents grow well with little water, but they seem to really perk up in a good rain. 

Raindrops on grey/green.

This is a full image of the red/white quilt I purchased at the Surfside Quilt Guild live auction in November.  I just showed a corner here the other day.  It was pieced by Sue Butsko and quilted by Cathie Opila and is 42"W X 48"L.  I have it hanging in the family room as my sole Christmas decoration.  Except for the wreath on the door that I think I put up just for the mail guy.   I know that Sue went into her fabric library to find all the red/white fabrics and I recognize most of them from what is in my own fabric library, some from several decades ago.  

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Goodbye 2021 12-31-21

Hope you are all enjoying New Years Eve in your own way.  KoKo and I are being quiet and peaceful - until the fireworks start.  So far only a few and not close by.  I just hold him and pet him and talk softly and he survives, shaking and growling.  

I did have to go to the pharmacy this morning, but masked up and distanced.  Nothing else on my calendar for more than a week.  I did have the booster on Dec 22nd.  I had waited until there was nothing on my calendar for a few days because I reacted so strongly to the number two shot.  It was a wise move as I spent about three and a half days with headache, temperature, ache all over, wiped out.  But I'd rather do that than have full blown Covid.   I certainly know people who have it or have it in their family, but no hospitalizations so far.  Scary stuff.  

Here is to better luck with 2022.  

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Wordless Wednesday 12-29-21

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Quilt from TCQC 12-26-21

 

"Sap Buckets"  Ruth B. McDowell  2011  54"W X 40"L
Machine pieced and quilted. 

We have been having cold (for us) wet weather and I sought out this quilt to hang for a few months.  The shadows are so wonderful and Ruth's fabric selections for the trees are intriguing - as usual!  Notice how the trees continue through the top border. 

Other than when I have shown it as ;part of a program, I don't think this quilt of Ruth's has been shown anywhere.  And I don't think it appeared in any of her books.  

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