They're back and so are we!!

 I walked the Port yesterday and guess what!  The Sea Lions are back at the Port!  Although it seems they have found at least one way to conquer the 'wavy men'.  There were no Sea Lions on the Coast Guard pier, but a couple of dozen on the closest pier.  I know they are a menace in the Port  But I just can't help cheering up when I see/hear them.  The 23 second video with the sounds won't load :(  But, trust me it was the Hallelujah Chorus back in action!!

`

We were able to get away to Palm Springs this year.  The drive down was 2 days of rain - not fun.  We stopped in Tracy to visit my Birth Sister. It's always good to see her and catch up.  A phone call isn't as effective as a hug and a good conversation with eyes on.  Add a dinner out together and life is good.

Once we got to Palm Springs, the rain stopped, and an immediate Sherman's Deli stop relaxed us into vacation mode. Something about pastrami on rye and people watching ... starts us out right.

At 73 we don't eat as much as we used to.  I used to think my parents sharing a meal was ridiculous. Sorry, Mom, I get it now.  If we didn't share a dish, we brought home the left-overs and had it for our next meal.  And we had marvelous meals at our favorite restaurants.  Italian!  Mexican!  Jewish Deli!  

We had just one dessert the whole week!  Carrot Cake to go at Sherman's.  It lasted us 2 days.  Of course, there was a few times that we didn't want to go out, but no leftovers.  Panera Bread was just down the road from us.  Let me tell you Ladies, they have stepped up their game!!  They were always good, but the cookies and deserts were the main attraction.  

WELL, I fell in love with Harvest Chicken Salad (at least a 1/2 cup of seeds in it with poppy seed dressing) and Autumn Squash Soup.  Every time (3) we went, I got the same thing!!  Ok, I tend to eat my favorites at restaurants; and not 'explore' the rest of the menu.  We really don't eat out as much as we used to.  But, of course, this was special - we do not live within hours of a Panera!  Why chance a less stellar meal!!  Try it - you'll like it!!!

We stayed at our usual resort Westin Mission Villas and it was great! As usual.  We did live a little far from the pool.  And it was slightly uphill all the way to get to it.  I think it was at least a 6 block walk (9 large condo buildings) ... everyday and twice one day - back for the hot tub.  

There are ducks everywhere on the premises.  Signs begging you not to feed them.  This year we had them in the pool area.  Usually they just tuck their head and sleep on the deck.  BUT one day I was coming in to exercise and there they were, in my teacher voice I said,  "Ducks, no pooping in the water!" I didn't notice the group of 20-somethings on a condo balconey overlooking the pool.  Until I heard the giggles!  I bowed and waved and then got to working out.  Next time we went to enjoy the sun ... ducks under our chairs!  They make the funniest ticking noise in their throats!!  And no - we never fed them, can't say that for all the children there!

I admit I haven't been in the Crescent City pool since the beginning of December when I got sick.  Our Brookings pool is scheduled to open in April - I'm still cranky about my CC carpool switching to tai-chi days.  (The nerve!)  But I did water aerobics 7 out of 8 days - puffing up the hill to get to it ...  and guess what - I'm zooming up our neighborhood hill on our daily walks!  So, yes, a Unicorn Vacation.  Came home down a pound and can power up the hill on my walks!!

The Palm Springs area had a strange wind. First time for us during a visit.  It gusts down the mountains 40+ mph; then it's still or just a slight breeze for - maybe 30 - 60 minutes - and then here it comes again!!  I asked residents what they call it??  And they told me 'WIND' with a 'poor lady' look.  

There are lots of outdoor malls and at one we saw a door marked "High Wind Shelter".  And boy, did the wind 'trim' the palm trees!!  Leaves and pieces of bark everywhere; on the sidewalks, in the streets, some even blown into piles!!!

We watched the Palm Spring Local News every night.  I loved the weather man.  (He's gay of course!)   Pablo Alsina, good forecasts with a sense of humor.  My favorite night was before the 'warmer temps coming' in the weather.  "Get out your Madonna albums, we're going to the 80s!"  Made me giggle.  I still smile just thinking about it.

We also watched the last week of the Olympics.  I love the Olympics - the back stories, the excitement, so I was glad we got to watch the highlights every night - after dinner out!

We walked at SunnyLand - an historic home with gardens of cacti.  Next trip I think I'd like to join one of the tours - they were all sold out when we were there.  But we got to walk the gardens behind the Visitor's center.  There was a maze; and 5 gardens in that area.  Our favorites were the variety of cactus planted together.  I'll have to read up about it before our next trip.

Easing back in to our normal schedules.  Getting all caught up with what happened while we were gone.  Going to the grocery store everyday ... from not doing a complete look-see to see what we need!  We managed to walk the beach to ease back into our life!

Happy Valentine’s Day Weekend!!

 Last week we were at our Guild’s Annual Retreat.  My husband always wonders why we leave home, which has a quilt store; to go up the coast 35 miles and stay.  Gold Beach doesn’t have a quilt store!!  But we have 39 quilters in a large conference room.  And the ideas are flying around!!  Laughter, and a good time was held by all!

I can’t claim to have finished anything … BUT I did touch everything I brought to work on!!  Several ancient UFOs!

This Lovely was a free Sue Spargo mystery(?) many years back.  I used all Cherrywood Hand Dyed fabrics for it.  And, of course,  I kind of followed the directions, but not closely!  I’m anxious to finish this, then I’ll allow myself to use the rest of my Cherrywood collection!!  BUT we figured out it needs another column to make it bigger.  Hope to get this top finished by summer!!  Yes, you heard it here!!  A promise to ‘get’r dun’!!

Next up was my ModSquad Improv challenge.  It’s an odd size - wall quilt or table runner-ish?  It was one of two projects that I pin-basted before retreat.  So I was actually machine quilting!  Our tables were big enough to quilt that size.  When I presented the challenge, a friend asked me what I was going to do with it - I flippantly said, “Make a dog quilt.”  Well, she told me in no uncertain terms - THAT was not an option!!

Can we talk about the really, really, ugly carpet in the conference center??  Oh yeah - you really have to plan ahead to avoid that in pictures!!  And OMG! It is indistructable!  I have a picture of it when I was sewing a dress for Miss P - when she was in Kindergarten???  She’s 19 now and doing great at University of Oregon!!

The first day, I started with long-time project - Tickertape!!  You know how I love scraps … Well, P and I have been sewing them together (Willy-Nilly!) and cutting them to 2.5” wide.  So fun to work with them - no color choices, just what’s there in front of you!!  I found a pattern I finally thought would work.  More info later!!

What else??

• I also touched charm HSTs - it’s going to be great!!  
• Orphan Blocks that I worked on last retreat.  That needs some more neutral fabric to set it off … so laters!  
• A kid quilt that I started at a pattern tester.  It didn’t work!  So it’s been sitting for years.  It needs another block or two.
• And I saw at least 2 new projects at the other tables I want to start!!!  Ah, retreats!!

We were table 3 and each table had to come up with music that would be good to exercise with.  Well, at the beginning we were going to have to dance to it, etc!  But it all calmed down but, AFTER we bought accessories to wear!!

So - here we are … Stop in the Name of Love was our song.  We had audio setup so we didn’t have to sing along!!!  The whole room participated - at the beginning I told them we were going to sashay out to the ‘Treats Table’ after our work out!!

Off we go!!  What are you working on this week?

It's February!

 It's February!  And boy, I feel old and not bright.  This new computer, new LibreOffice program, pictures are on ALL 3 computers, each one editing differently!   ... not at my best yet!  Let's just say ... if we win the lottery - I'm definitely buying Microsoft Office!!!

I did find a file that I listed my 'favorites streaming' finally. (Blasted  program) had saved it in a Christmas Folder!!!) 

There's a lot of goodies out there!  What do I like?  Well, most of all a kick-butt woman, a good sense of humor and nothing too scary please!

HBO/Max

The Pitt just started 2^nd season

Hidden Figures – movie

It’s Complicated – movie

West Wing – all seasons

Real time with Bill Maher – all seasons

The Newsroom – all seasons

 

Prime

Original Guys and Dolls – movie

Original South Pacific - movie

Original Hair - movie

Cirque Do Soleil without a net - movie

Begin Again – movie

Where the Crawdads Sing – movie/Great book too!

Waitress: The Musical  - movie

Smash – both seasons

The Night Manager – 2 seasons

Mozart in the Jungle – all 3 seasons

British Portrait Artist of the Year – 11 seasons

Bosch – 7 seasons

Ballard -- 1 season

I'll let you research that much - but more is coming.

And I promised you the top books from 2024 for me:

My top 8 Reads last :

The Women by Kristen Hannah

Two from the Heart by James Patterson

Maame by Jessica George

Kiss her Goodbye by Lisa Gardner

One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune

What Not to Do on Vacation by Rachel MaGee

Jenny Coper has a Secret by Joy Fielding

Someone Else's Shoes by JoJo Moyes

As you may notice - there are no photos on this post.  Yeah, I was doing something 

wrong and some of the photos have disappeared from the posts.  I'm working on 

it!  Cussing like a pro!!  I hope to have it solved by next week.

Keep warm, dry and busy doing favorite things!!  

The Quilts of 2024. - TaDa!!

 Nine quilt projects were finished in 2024 - a turn in the right direction!!  Hip hip hooray!!  One of my favorites was the scrap 9-patch quilt that I hand quilted.

Nana’s Quilt - 63 x 69

 

Nine patch is one of my favorites.  I started working on it in 2018.  I highly recommend Quilters Dream Green batting and YLI quilting thread. 

This quilt is100% hand quilted.

It was in the Azalea Guild show; and I entered it in the Country Fair.  Here are the judges’ comments:  Nice red border, really makes the quilt really cute.  Set on point gives it a more interesting look.

Portland Block Party Table Runner  - 20 x 40

I was living in Brookings in 2013 - and got an invitation from Newport Quilters to join them at the Portland Block Party.  It was a great deal of fun.  We took classes from Jo Morten, Bonnie Hunter and Debbie Caffrey.  Add 3 day slumber party with good friends - great fun!

Entered into County Fair; here are the judges’ comments.  Very intricate.  Love the colored thread.  Straight border needs to improve.  But got second place ribbon!!

Doni’s Birds - 41 x 47

 

I found this pattern on the web years ago.  It was love at first sight.  So cute on kids quilts!  I have shared this website with lots of quilting friends.  Bird quilts are Everywhere!!  This was also entered into the County Fair.  Here’s my comments:  Very nice.  Good use of stripes.  It’s a fun quilt!  Of course it is!!

 Hunter’s Plaids - 28 x 40

I love this old pattern. And of course, you know how I feel about plaids!!  I finally got the umph to make it.  Patti made one too!

  Row Robin with Friends - 46 x 54

My challenge was “Low Volume”.  I have been playing with it for a while.  “Plus” block top and bottom borders by me.  Scrap block row by Patti Burden.  “Sew Inspired” by Cindy Golding.  Sampler blocks by Lynettte McPherson.  Patchwork and circles by me.  The vertical row is by Kathy Dedmore.

Entered in County Fair - comments:  Colorful.  Border Size is inconsistent.  Inspiring!!

Turquoise Baby Quilt - 32 x 43

Josh and Kelsey have a new baby!  A welcome to Declan baby boy.  Everyone is doing fine.  Kelsey wanted a baby blanket that didn’t look ‘babyish’.  Check!  I also sent 2 receiving blankets with ‘farm’ theme!

Singing In the Rain - 21 x 25

   

I love the April Challenge at guild every year.  Challenge was ‘movie poster’.  It’s an adapted paper piecing pattern.  Singing in the Rain was always a cheerful movie.  But Oregon’s winter season this year made it hard to smile at rain every %#@&!?! Day!!

Added ‘sage’ advice for fellow Oregonians:  Might as well start singing - it’s going to rain!  Still love Oregon no matter what the weather!

This was a double duty piece  - the ModSquad challenge was “butterflies/dragon flies”.  Look closely at the raincoat fabric!! 

Panel Baby Quilt - 40 x 46

 

 

Found this A-dor-able panel shopping.  I had to get it.  I’d gotten some scrappy blocks from Georgia Williams.  I kept in the closet waiting for the perfect project … found it!  It’s the border around the panel.  This baby quilt is going to last forever!!!  Entered it into County Fair:  comments includes - Great utilization of prints.  Interesting panel.  Clever quilting.  Awarded 3rd place ribbon!!!!

Asym HST Baby Quilt - 34 x 43

Yes, I can make more patterns than this quilt - I just don’t want to!!!  I love the scrappy fabrics; I LOVE the asymmetric lay out - just fun to play with it.  It’s always hard to give away the quilt.  

Books, Books, Books!!!

I missed blogging the last year and a half!! so I’m starting with my favorite books 

from 2024. I have been rating the books I read since 1985; when I read 74 books!!

I rate them 1-5 stars. I loved this system because when you get in a slump and

can’t find anything interesting … you’ve got 5* authors on a list, you can see if 

they’ve written a new book! I have to admit, I don’t rate 1 and 2 star books – I 

usually just quit reading them! Didn’t used to – but sure do that now!

AND 2 years-ish ago I had to start to check out only LARGE PRINT books. There 

are several drawbacks to be limited to only LP books. The spine labels do not 

number the series.  Usually, there is no list of books in order inside the LP.  AND

 you’re old!!! I know I can get many books electronically; but even 

making the fonts larger, the lighting still does a number on my eyes. So I 

struggle on. I’m thankful for our library’s network. I can easily request any LP 

book from 7 Coastal Libraries. (for free!) What a system!! And they are delivered 

right to my home library.

Today I want to start my list with my absolutely favorite authors. These authors

 have garnered many 5* on their writing – even 6*!! I've read them and to be 

honest, re-read them for years.  I love starting at the beginning and reading them 

in order and seeing the characters develop. Here in no apparent order -

John Sandford-   Love his' Prey' series, first book is Rules of Prey.  

Then his Virgil Flowers series. first book is Dark of the Moon

 As a friend once said – 'I love me a good cowboy!'  

Now, Davenport's adopted daughter, Netty, is grown up and is working for the

government. First book is The Investigator.  I love her character, this series is 

going to be G-R-E-A-T!

Nick Petrie is a new author to me. But once I found him, I read his series straight

through! – most of his books have 5*s. The series starts with The Drifter.

Thomas Perry has stand alone stories (Pro Bono) and his ‘one woman Indian

Protective service’ Jane Whitefield series. First book is Vanishing act.  I do love 

strong women characters and she is definitely one.

John Grisham is an oldie and goodie. His lawyer series are awesome, but he 

also has many stand-alones. Our Bookclub is reading the third book of the 

Camino Island series. (Our bookclub reads older books, not the new bestsellers

 – so we can find it and often request it at the library!!)

Carley Fortune is a ‘new’ romance novelist. I love a kick-butt woman and that’s

who she writes about. First book is:  Every Summer After.  There’s a new book  

coming out soon-ish. I can’t wait.

J A Jance has 3 strong characters each with a long series; 

 Lawyer- JP Beaumont; first book Dismissed with Prejudice.  

County Sheriff– Joanna Brady, first book Desert Heat

and Reporter– Ali Reynolds, First book Edge of Evil.

Sometimes the lawyer and sheriff work together! My favorite has to be Sheriff 

Joanna Brady.  But they are all good - read them in order for the full story.

Janet Evanovich – I know you know this author. I love, love, love Stephanie 

Plum from Trenton NJ!! First book - One for the Money and the series keeps 

going – last one I read was 31!!

Elyssa Friedland is another new author who consistently gets 5* from me.  First 

book is Love and Miss Communication

James Byrne writes about a ‘British’ Jack Reacher. I loved the series, a group of 

us read each book and passed each book on between friends. The first book is 

The Gatekeeper

Here are some of my new favorite books:

 Peter Heller: The River 

 I picture it set in the Great NW! The story of two friends on their annual river trip 

and what they run into.

Jane Harper: The Lost Man 

 Jane is an Australian writer and she can put you right there in the middle. She 

has at least 6 books out, each one worth it. The first book is The Dry.

Jennifer Weiner: The Breakaway 

 I love Jennifer’s new style and characters.  Bicycling Club in NYC!

JamesPonti: Let’s talk about Young Adult books. You know we all read Harry

 Potter and got hooked. Ponti writes City Spies series. About children working as

 spies for MI6. The covers are confusing – you’re not always sure you in the right

 order – but oh, so worth it!

Elizabeth Berg never fails to hit the mark. 

 Pull of the Moon was about a 40-ish wife who just has to make a change – yep, 

she runs away. Some of my friends weren’t as enthusiastic as I was, but make up 

your own mind??

David James Brown: The Boys in the Boat 

Our bookclub read this one, and the movie was on Apple TV. Our Bookclub trys 

to watch the movie after discussion if there is one. I ended up loving the book,

again most of the story was based in the Great NW. I even made my DH watch 

the movie, we both think it's great!

Here are some new (at least to me) romance authors. As I discovered them – 

their ‘kick-butt women’ characters were never disappointing!

Check them out: 

 Sue Henderson;          Katherine Center,            Kate Spencer, 

Sophie Cousens,          Lucy Gilmore,                 Kat Martin, 

Susan Mallery,             Phaedra Patrick,             Emily Henry, 

Erica Boyce                  Kasey Michaels

Next post is going to talk about 2025 books and 2024 quilts!  See you soon!!

New Year's Resolution - blog every month!!!

 Well, I certainly didn't blog lately - I missed an entire year and a half!??  Okay, you've read this before, but I'm going to try to post every month?  

The problem is I not only abandoned blogging and social networks but also dropped any journaling.  When it was time to look back at quilt projects in 2025 - I had NO NOTES!!  And I have to admit - at 73 - my memory is sketchy at best.  If I didn't miss journaling day to day; I certainly missed it when trying to look back to do the review!  I'll try my best in 2026.  

Presenting the famous Quilts of 2025 Review!  What I can remember!!  Hold on to your hats!  

We are still living in Brookings, Oregon.  On the edge of the earth.  Amazon delivery is now at least 5 days out!  Fred Meyers is purposely removing all of my favorites there.  For some reason they have dropped Imagine Broth!  That is a staple in my kitchen.  It's in all of my soups and whenever I have to add moisture to any leftovers - I add the broth.  I was able to get some online - Walmart had it online but not in the Crescent City Store??  Whatever!!  What broth do you recommend?

Onward to the Quilt Count!!  10 projects finished this year.  Sounds impressive, right??  Well, four are small wall quilts!  And I mean small!

Daisy Dazzle - 16 x 20  This was the Guild's April Challenge.  Daisies and Diamonds.  I always participate in the April Challenge, but I vary my 'start'!  This was a last minute finish.  AND when Rick was in the hospital 6 (?) years ago; the Gift Shop had these adorable 'bee' barrettes.  It was a miracle that I could find one in my sewing room.  Works perfectly.  Clipped to a safety pin! It won a red ribbon at the Quilt Show Viewers Choice and a Blue ribbon at the County Fair!

Leftovers Waiting for their Turn - 23 x 23  This lovely applique block was created by P - she was actually going to get rid of it!!  I grabbed it, stored it and thought about it for awhile.  I had been working on miniature Log Cabins for a few years. At Retreat last February I had a few left over from a top.  They were perfect for the border, the colors blended, the border looked old fashioned - just right!

Be Mine -  18 x 19  a Kathy Schmidt pattern.  Part of a monthly block set.  I love it, but had trouble getting the heart straight!  Ripped the borders off 1 1/2 times!  But it will be hanging on my wall in February.

Tinsel Town - 27 x 24  A Sue Spargo pattern.  It started as a Guild Sisters' Shenanigans challenge.  Group together and make the same pattern? Sounded  doable.  WELL, I don't say this often (ever) but of the 4 of us, I'm the only finisher!    I loved adding in words via scrabble tiles.  It got a Blue ribbon at the County fair!

Sweet Dreams - 59 x 71  I love this quilt.  Snap Scrap was an online challenge - I was late to the party, but started during the last of COVID.  I incorporated many 'I Spy' fabrics.  A good friend needed something to raffle to raise money for going back to school.  I finished it and donated it.  I think it did well. But apparently I didn't win it back!  DARN

Graduation Quilts for Grandkids.  Miss P graduated last June!  She's a freshman at OU and doing great!  I can't really wrap my mind around that she's 19!!  Did you know that college beds are now 90" long!!!  YIKES!  And that's not going back to regular twin size anytime soon! I made her a batik charm squares quilt with black borders - very dramatic!!  When I gave it to her - their tv is always on, and on sports.  WELL, the pictures I took included the pitcher 'looking at the quilt!!'  Hilarious!  That's the back.

  

PS I started a new 'label' for these quilts.  I took a picture of P running on the beach to the local t-shirt store.  I had it printed 5 x 7 on a kid t-shirt on sale.  It turned out great.  I turned the t-shirt inside out; sewed all the way around the picture. Making a envelope with 2 sides. Cut it out, then carefully cut thru the back and turned it right side out.  Simply appliqued it to the back.  P  loved it!  Good memories.

I'm not sure how long I'll be able to keep quilting - it's been a race between my hands falling apart and my eyes failing!  So, I really panicked about the other 4 Grandkids!  But I have a plan.  I'm finishing 2 graduation quilts every year, while I can.  

I actually finished the first 2 in 2025.  Done-done!  And I have the third top pieced and ready to pin baste!  2 boys in HS; 1 in Middle School and the youngest, E is in 3rd grade; but with the new quilt size - I'll have to work on them while I can still "wrestle the alligator thru the machine".  I'm choosing tops I have made that I think the kids will like and finishing them.  There will be no 'special orders'!!  Bad Nana!

Every year P and I make a Quilt of Valor top, then L, another good friend, usually machine quilts it wonderfully for us.   One of my favorite patterns is double 4 patch.  So easy yet so graphic!  We got it done early summer.  Then my birth brother in Nebraska, who is fighting cancer, mentioned his older brother got a QOV.  So we sent our QOV to Nebraska and arranged a presentation thru a friend.  He loved it!  But now we're making a second QOV for our group.  Using a panel for this one, first time for me!  I'll let you know how it goes.

Every year I make a couple of quilts for our local Hospice.  It means so much to me, I've accidently met with families that have gotten one of my hospice quilts and we all tear up talking about what it meant.  

 

And here is the first picture of the 2nd Graduation quilt made this year.  There will be a better one later!!

Time to close and get busy!  We've had a wonderful low tide this week - in between rain storms.  But we had to head down to the beach and be amazed.  These pictures are from Lone Ranch Beach just north of Brookings.  One of our favorites.  AND the star fish are back!  It's been slim pickings lately - a blight a few years back from spiny urchins.

Happy New Year!!