/Yellow scrap quilt progress 02-17-20

At the end of 2019 I was haunted by all the yellow scraps I had in the scrap trash bag and then I watched a tutorial about using scraps.  I saved the video, but now I can't find it.  If someone recognizes something like this please let me know who did the video.  Of course, my work doesn't look anything like hers, which was wonderful.  

So, I dumped out the scraps and pulled out what I thought I might use.  Strange, I still have a big pile - do they really propagate themselves in the dark?  And when I had the time and was in the mood I put together five panels.  Here are four of them, the fifth doesn't work with these.  I don't know what will happen next, but I have them pinned up so I can see them every day.  Right now I have some deadlines to meet, so I won't be scrapping any more for a while.  

#   #   #

Travel Stops 02-16-20

Last week I posted about stops at Harris Ranch on the I-5 near Coalinga.  I also sometimes stop further south at Pyramid Lake water "overlook".  My friend from Empty Spools, Dottie Daybill tipped me to this one about a decade ago.  It is only open during the day, 8 to 5, I think.  But the bathrooms are exceptional and there are usually only a handful of people around.  There are exhibits about water and the California water system and even a short film, which I have never watched.  The facility is called:

A very nice Spanish style building. 

With native Toyon trees around the building and in the parking large parking lot. 

During winter the Toyons bear berries, but I don't usually see birds around, except crows and ravens.. 

Looking back from the parking lot to I-5, snaking around the ridges and valleys requires lots of overpasses. .

Walk around the west side of the building for a view of Pyramid Lake, a reservoir. 

Another view of the lake shows a small marina which is accessible from Smokey Bear Road.  Occasionally I see a few boats on the lake, but very few.  There is nothing commercial nearby - no stores, no gas stations.  

#   #   #

Valentine's Flowers 02-14-20

Here is an illustration of a simple gift making someone's day special.   This afternoon someone knocked on my door and I opened it to a little girl who lives in the cul de sac across the street.  I just know them to say hello and once when they accidentally locked their little white dog out of the house when they went off for a whole day, I gave her a bowl of water and watched that she didn't run off.  She wouldn't let me near her, but she would run back into the yard if I came by.  It was a simple thing to do and I do love doggies even if they don't love me!  Since then she has brought little gifts several times and today, for Valentine's, she brought me a bunch of white carnations which are very fragrant.  I know it was her mother's idea, but regardless of the origin of the idea it was a lovely thing to do and made me feel not so alone.  It is a reminder that we have no real idea of how much our actions affect the lives of others.  Saying hello, paying for the car behind at Starbuck's, telling someone how nice they look, giving up a seat on a crowded bus, - simple things that connect us to the world around us.  I am so grateful for the special moments that lift my spirits.  

#   #   #

Time for KoKo again 02-13-20

My heart truly belongs to KoKo.  He tries to be a good dog and is very loving, which requires my time off and on all day.  He has turned into a slug-a-bed, just like me and finds it hard to get up and go for the morning walk.  When he has to go to the groomer he shakes from the minute I turn onto the street that goes there.  He KNOWS what is coming, but what bothers him the most I can't tell.  Is it the bath, the dryer, the actual trimming, or all the dogs running around loose?  He isn't very social because he has never needed to be.   Today was as traumatic as always and when we came home he ate a treat and flaked out in the sun. 

Usually he doesn't like to have me taking pictures, but he hardly opened an eye today.  He was worn out by his trip to the groomer.

He has not been able to play with Froggy for over a week because Froggy is in bad shape.  I need to try to do surgery and perhaps even add some skin.   I suppose all dogs are rough with their toys, that is what they are for, I imagine. He has been playing with Woodstock and managed to pull off a leg!  

So Woodstock has surgery scars now. 

Anytime I am "operating" on one of his little friends, he is right there to give support. 

#   #   #

Wordless Wednesday 02-12-20

#   #   #

Flowers in bloom 02-10-20

One of the pleasures of living in Southern California is that there is always something in bloom to brighten even the gloomiest day.  Some trees flower here at the same time they would if they were in their native country - say Africa or Australia.  I find the following somewhat mystifying because Chrysanthemums usually bloom here in the fall.

It is a bit funny that these neighbors are using this half barrel of chrysanthemums as a weight on their free standing basketball hoop. 

  

The flowers are quite large - like football mums. 

And such a lovely blazing yellow. 

Two houses up the street is this "tulip tree", a magnolia, which always blooms this time of year.  

Lovely the way the sun shines through the petals making many shades of pink. 

#   #   #

Another Ruth B. McDowell quilt that isn't in the VAM exhibit 02-09-20

"Sap Buckets"  Ruth B. McDowell  2011  54"W X 49"L

Commercial cotton fabrics, hand dyes, cotton batting and thread.  Machine pieced and quilted. 

This depicts the old traditional method of tapping maple trees for sap to make maple syrup.  Lovely blue shadows against the snow and interesting prints to compose the tree bark. 

It makes me feel cold to look at it! 

#   #   #