Mini Flying Geese

November entered w/a hard rain! It also took me to a Mini Quilting Group meeting I attend monthly! It is so fun. We never know what new challenge our "teacher" is going to present to us! Here is the beginning of the new one! These are "scrappy" flying geese "parts" in reds and greens, the sky is beige! I have sewn one of the four strips for this "mini quilt". It measures 2"X "11"!!! Hope to finish this before "next" year!!!

Vacation

I know you will expect photo's, but alas, there are none!! We spent a couple weeks up in northern California "flyfishing" paradise. Except I didn't fish...DH did,(this was a first "catch and release" trip, usually we eat fresh trout and always bring some home to smoke.) and I didn't even leave the confines of the motel except to wander a couple blocks to a fabuloush old fashion "dime store" that has everything you'd need for survival in a remote area. Even....fabric!!! A limited amount. Of course I did imbibe in several yards ! But, I actually rested and had taken handwork w/me that I started 2 years ago when we were in the same location!! I actually finished one embroidery sampler! I grew fingernails, rested my aching body and slept as late as I wanted. Even watch t.v. shows that I never have seen or even knew about! Didn't cook,do laundry,or make a bed! I LOVED IT! The weather was perfect w/fall colors every where.The population probably is about 1,200. Now that I am back to the real world, I have 2 decent looking nails left!!! Our little dog was sooo happy we rescued her from the doggy motel. I am so looking forward to seeing my "quilty" friends on the coming weekend at the monthly guild meeting.

Falling Leaves Quilt Show Entry Results

You saw them before "They" all earned their ribbons at the Falling Leaves Quilt Show last weekend! What a beautiful display of over 250 quilts. Our guild members (llqg.org) really put on a spectacular show. I am so proud of them!
The "Blue Goose Chase" was of scraps as was the "Around the World...Twice" ." Around the World ....Twice" was a scrappy creation. My Bday gift quilt "Delectable Mountains" is now able to come off the rack and be used by me. Just in time as the fall weather has arrived and today the east wind is blowing leaves all over the place. I am including "Caught in Disgrace" of our "terrior" Skipper, she was really mad that she didn't get to attend the quilt show I think and took her frustrations out on her cedar bed on the porch!!! She is 3 yrs and this is the first time she has "rearranged" her "stuff"!! What a character!

Turkeys Photos!

They finally came all the way in the front yard!! They are only about 30 feet from us!
We were eating lunch at the patio table and here they come across the creek bed and into the yard. We keep cracked corn thrown around there for the quail and doves. Now, the "big Jakes" (as the young turkeys are called) have asserted themselves to some good easy food!
Ever since they were just "turkey chicks" I have been waiting for the day they came "up close and personel"!! They wander our place and roost in the creek trees and in the walnut orchard in the back of our field! There are 13 total and a few more are lagging behind but do join the others.
For those of you who don't know, wild turkeys can see very well and are very alert to the most minute' movements. So, I had DH take these as he was sitting in front of me and didn't need to move as I would have! They have come every day for 4 days now! What made it even more special was we had house guest from Washington, my 75 yr. Sister,herBF and her daughter(our 49 yr.Niece) they were amazed !Hope you enjoy these priveledged photos as I do!

Canning Time!

The past week has been jammed w/picking apples,peeling,chunking them along w/all the other ingredients for my DIL and I to make our annual batches of Chutney. This is the only time of year we get for a one on one day! She is a busy gal works as a Labor Delivery RN at the local hospital. I didn't get a photo of us doing our "thing". But....after our son returned from a very successful salmon fishing trip on the Klamath River w/a friend he asked that I smoke and can the "Catch"! So..of course how could I refuse. Here are the results in photos ! Whew....it sure was worth staying up until late one night for a second load in the smoker. But...I am exhausted!! Mmm.... where does all that energy go I used to have! It sure tasted good! The whole house still carries the delicious aroma! DS said when he came to help pack the jars full:"Mom, this is a 3 way split"! I didn't argue w/that! Of course then it was "tasting time"!

Carmelite House of Prayer

Wanted to share these photo's of the Carmelite House of Prayer in Oakville. Just about 1 1/2 miles from Hwy 29 on the Oakville Grade. We attended the annual fund raiser BBQ Sunday afternoon. It is overlooking the Napa valley. (Airal view by someone else!) It was built as a "summer home" for San Francisco affluent in the early 1900's! It was occupied by others before the Carmelite Priest . (It is a very inspirational place of worship.) The background shows a "lily pond" and to the left the ponds trickle into others w/lilys. It is beautiful and the swimming pool was filled in. Where the silent auction tents are is where the pool was. I would guess at least 500 + attended. It was all organized by volunteers that support the Carmelites. The "ragtime band" provided continous soft background music! My DH attends 1st Saturday Mass there every month. If you are ever in that area "go see", you can't imagine the beauty.

Another Fair!

What a surprise I had when DH and I went to the local fair! Of course we went straight to the main hall where the quilts are on exhibit. The flannel lap quilt "Dancing Leaves" I entered recieved a 2nd place (red) ribbon in its catagory. Wow,I was really pleased! Then as we made our way back to where the individual blocks were displayed I was again "bowled over", a 1st place blue ribbon was attached to the"Contrary Wife" blocks.(see that blog for photo!) Remember, I said in a previous blog, that I only thought it would be fun to have the blocks made into a raffle quilt? Well, $25. comes w/1st place!!! Yippee, looks like 3 yards of fabric to me! I thought you would like to see "Mickey" by another quilter, it is sooo cute! The next day I helped out again at the "Ladies of the Lake" (llqg.org) guild booth selling Oppourtunity Quilt tickets, the same as at the last fair w/ quilt car, brought attention to us and my shift partner and I did have quite a few sales. Now fair duties are ended. Next month is the Falling Leaves Quilt Show the first weekend in Oct. It is "crunch time" I still have some bindings calling me to finish up for entry in the show! Hope you all can come to see the show. There are 250 entrys, some are for sale!