Christmas Cartoons 12-14-19

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The last full moon of the decade 12-13-19

I don't understand why some sources made such a big deal about this last full moon of the decade.  Isn't there always a last full moon in every decade?  Odd.  Anyway, I like the picture. 

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TCQC quilts at Surfside QGuild 12-12-19

On Tuesday morning I presented a program at the meeting of Surfside Quilters Guild in San Clemente, CA, showing some of the quilts in the Thomas Contemporary Quilt Collection. The Collection contains about 365 quilts, but, of course, I could only show about 35 in the hour of the program.  When the guild started in 2009 I did the first program and a subsequent one in 2011, so I tried to only show quilts that weren't in either of those programs.  The members seemed to enjoy the presentation, it is always exciting to see a quilt "in the fabric" made by one of the "stars" in our quilting world.

On the stage to the left are "Rialto Tree" by Denise Oyama Miller and "Eleven 3 Thirteen" by Marianne Burr (which is all hand appliqued and quilted).  And on the right is Ruth B. McDowell's quilt "A Rash of Flamingos" (one of the larger quilts in the Collection at 100"W and 52"L).  

If any of you have pictures you took at the meeting I would enjoy having copies of them.  Can't give a program and take pictures at the same time!  

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Wordless Wednesday 12-11-19

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Drive to San Diego today 12-08-19

The Art Stream art quilt group in San Diego met today and I drove down to join them.  It was an easy drive without much traffic - what a surprise!  Rain off and on all day, but not usually very heavy.  Each way was only about an hour and 45 minutes.  It was sort of like driving in the 60s. 

 This is going through Tustin about 8:20am.

I want to give credit to another very common street tree that brightens our autumn here in Southern California.  The Crepe Myrtle trees wait until we have temps under 40F to turn a quite brilliant red.  And they have that lovely peeling bark.

Here is something we haven't seem much of for quite a few years - moss growing in sidewalk cracks! Bless the recent rains, which continue.

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Rainy Day at Roger's Gardens 12-07-19

Visiting Roger's Gardens in Newport Beach, CA, is always special, no matter what time of year or what the weather may be.  They have a vast array of plants, outdoor furniture, pots, doodads and whatnots that tempt anyone with a garden.  Or even those of us without one!  

 Right now, of course, they have lots of different kinds of Christmas  trees.  These are artificial with tiny lights already built in to the branches. 

They have a complete line of plants for any garden. 

Including the oh-so-popular landscape roses. These are looking a little sad in the rain, but once the sun is out they are beautiful. 

The blooms on this hibiscus are huge and very red, which might not show up in this picture. 

Our most dominate tree that changes color in the fall is the liquid amber or Sweet Gum.  These grow in the parking lot at Roger's.  

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Friday Food 12-06-19

Today the small (only 4 of us) art quilt group I belong to met at The Farmhouse at Roger's Gardens in Newport Beach, CA, for our Christmas lunch.   This is the third year we have met here on the first Friday of December to laugh, talk, eat, exchange gifts, stroll among the wonders for sale, and just have a good time.  

The food is delicious, the service excellent, the surroundings beautiful, and the place was packed with ladies.  Only two male guests that I could see.  

We started out with the Cauliflower steak shared between the four of us. I was so anxious to get my share I didn't take a picture - next year!   We have had this every time we eat there, it is amazing.  

One of us ordered:

Grilled Asian Beef Short Ribs

butter lettuce, green papaya salad, sweet & spicy dipping sauce
(Notice the yoyo garland necklace purchased at SQG November Fest.  Meant to go on a tree it looked great around her neck.  I made it.) 

I ordered:

RG Burger

pancetta, cheddar cheese, butter lettuce, red onion, tomato, brioche bun, house made pickles, house made fries 

(And I brought half of the burger and half of the fries home for dinner)

The other two ladies ordered the special of the day:  

And I didn't write down what was included, thinking I could get it off the menu online, but the specials are not listed there.  I think the fish on the top might be Icelandic cod, but I will have to ask one of the ladies about that.  It is served on a bed of veggies and......

Only two of us saved room for dessert, there are always exciting offerings.  I ordered:

Lemon Mascarpone Cheesecake 
graham cracker crust, berry coulis

The other lady ordered:

Flourless Chocolate Cake 
fresh berries, sweet cream, red wine berry sauce

A lovely day, despite the rain and the terrible traffic - it took me almost twice as long to get home at 2;30 -3:30 then it did to drive down there in the morning. 

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