...BrendaLou's Blog...

Surprise Party

2012-02-14T20:52:00.000-08:00

I took quite a leave of absence from the blogging world...first computer problems, then I went to Minnesota in a rush, spent 2 1/2 weeks helping get our cute rental cottage ready to rent, then driving home from Minnesota with Mr. Scottie Dog and jumping right back into my always busy world.

January 3, 2012 I turned 60 years old. I don't feel any different. For about five minutes I felt older and then I "forgot" to feel old (seems I forget more and more these days!). My daughter Liz told me that she had arranged for the staff of Redwood Sewing Center to meet us at the Tea Shop for a little Birthday party on Saturday, January 7. Seemed like fun to me. I had had a party on my birthday at the store with my regular Tuesday morning quilting class and again Tuesday night at another monthly class. What fun...maybe I could drag out this 60th birthday thing for a week or so.

Saturday morning Liz called and asked if she could borrow my car as hers had a flat. She would pick me up in time to go to the Tea Shop. On the way to lunch she said we had to pick up Sydney at a party at the Historic Eureka Inn. It did cross my mind that the Eureka Inn was an odd place for a 6 year old's party, but I was game. It was supposed to be decorated "over the top" so I had to see. Here's what I saw when I entered the Bristol Rose Cafe there at the Inn:

Here's another shot of one surprised lady! Liz and Beka had worked in secret for months planning and plotting the party. Beka and Anastacia flew out from Minnesota and had come in the evening before. They had gotten photos from my brothers and spread all around the tables were photos of my younger years. Me with my first car, standing in front of Old Faithful on my Daddy's shoulders (3 years old maybe), with my Grandma, oh, so very many memories.

Liz, Beka and Larissa (dear Larissa...the "other" daughter I've always felt she was one of my own!) did all the food, the decorating, the planning. It was beautiful, the food was not only delicious but a feast for the eye. Several people asked who catered the party and then asked if they would do weddings.

The Bristol Rose Cafe has been closed for many years and only recently refurbished. It was a beautiful place for a party. But of course the most beautiful things I saw there were the many, many friends who had gathered. My friend Bev came all the way from Oregon! What a gift!

I am truly blessed in my life with good friends.

See how cute the tables looked!

After cutting the cake the "Scott" girls gathered for a picture. Beka, me holding my youngest grandbaby Anastacia, Sydney my oldest grand and Liz.

Then we posed in front of the fireplace in the Eureka Inn lobby. And they keep asking if I was "really surprised." I think the photos & the video tell it all! Thanks girls, you made turning 60 wonderful!

Eleven Degrees Below Zero!

2012-01-19T20:27:00.000-08:00

We bought a cute little house in Prior Lake, MN as an investment. Funny thing about investments...for the Scott Household it usually means a little money and a LOT of sweat equity. Mr. Scottie Dog has been here since mid December. First getting the deal done, researching and buying insurance, setting up the utilities, etc. and finally getting title and getting the work done on our 3 bedroom, 2 bath rental house. It was built in 1941 and has plastered archways, nooks and built in shelves.
It's a cute cottage, one and a half stories and sits on nearly 1/2 acre. After a month of being apart, I flew to MN and we've been working on it together. Mr. Scottie Dog has done the lions' share of the work...some plumbing, a lot of electrical work. He had to clean up the yard before the snow fell as it's important to get the leaves off the grass before the snow buries them. There was a lot of junk to be cleared out of the garage and basement. The stairway was torn up and re-built and the upstairs bathroom needed a new floor (not just flooring!) so he tore that up too. I've been patching plaster walls, sanding them and re-patching several times. Lots of clean-up, it took three hours to get rid of all the cobwebs in the basement (I AM the WOMAN after that job!). Today I washed all the walls with TSP and then rinsed them. All the woodwork had to be cleaned too.

Of course I have played with the grandbabies lots. To hear Shiloh cry, "Namay!" (Grammy) as I appeared at breakfast the first day was wonderful. She remembered who I was. She'll be two in 3 weeks. Mercedes will turn 4 end of next week (we'll be gone by then). Jakob will become a big 6 year old end of March and baby Anastacia is 3 months and counting....smiles at her Grammy too! I've done some babysitting, some sewing with Beka and lots of fun stuff too. A lot of work, a lot of fun. Hopefully we'll be on our way back home by Tues. or Wed. and our little house will find a family to live in it.

I hear there is rain at home (lots and lots!). Thanks to those who look after our house and things while we are away. Here we wear lots of layers, and mittens and scarves and hats and extra socks and heavy coats....it was 11 degrees BELOW zero as we left to work on the house this morning.

PS.....a funny fact: In this part of MN they have a deal at McDonalds....buy one big mac and get a second one for what the temperature was a noon the previous day. I wonder if they'll give me two for 11 cents less than regular price?

Time Flies.....

2012-01-01T19:21:00.001-08:00

2012. Twenty twelve. Two thousand and twelve. It's a new year. Time really does fly. I am sure of it. It seems only yesterday I was three years old and all I worried about was who would push me on my swing.
Life was pretty idyllic. I lived the Leave it to Beaver life. My dad was much like Father Knows Best. While my mom didn't wear pearls, she stayed home, made me three meals a day and played cards nearly every afternoon with two other ladies. She was the Room Mother at school, the assistant Camp Fire Leader, the one who "let" me hang up laundry and iron the easy stuff. She taught me to cook and to love jigsaw puzzles. My brothers and I knew the limits of our neighborhood and we ran wild within them. In no time at all I went to Jr. High, we made a big move out of LA; my days at Redlands Sr. High School went by in a flash.

Three weeks out of high school I met a guy in a tree at Sylvan Park. A week later we got engaged and married two years later .
That brings us up to 1972. I was now 20 years old. Whoosh! In a burst of energy we had kids...three lovely daughters to raise and I remember saying over and over again..."I'll do that when things slow down." The next 40 years raced by. The girls grew up, left home, married. Lots of joyous times and some heartbreaks. But it all happened in a heartbeat.

In 2001 when most women are thinking of retirement I opened up a store. Went from stay at home Mom to Shop Owner in one fell swoop. Retail is a 60-70/hour week. In September our store, Scottie Dog Quilts/Redwood Sewing Center celebrated 10 years in business. How can that be?
Here I am today. In two short days I'll be 60 years old. S.I.X.T.Y. How does that happen? I look forward to the future. Probably not another 60 years, but for now I think I'm going to be happily middle aged.

Christmas Gifts

2011-12-27T00:04:00.001-08:00

Christmas gifts....we give them, ponder what to get for this one and that, wrap them all up in colored paper...and we get them too. I think when you grow up you spend more time in the giving than the getting and that's OK. This year I received a few gifts that were quite special. Mr. Scottie Dog sent to me by dogsled (or maybe it was FedEx, I don't remember) a box for Christmas. As a rule we don't really exchange big gifts. If we want or need something we usually just buy it when we can afford to, if not, we save the money up until we have enough and then we buy it. Gifts are just a token between us. So I was so surprised to see the antique-looking heart locket he gave me. Inside were tiny photos of each of us. It's because we spent this holiday apart. I felt all warm and fuzzy inside.

The I opened a box from Liz and Steve. Inside was a Double Wedding Ring Quilt. I was speechless. I've always wanted one of these. The top was pieced in the 1930's (with fabrics from 1880-1930's) and Liz quilted it for me. The scalloped edge is sweet. She left the binding to me....she knows I LOVE to bind quilts. I love this new quilt!!!!
Sydney gave me a big box too. Inside was a lovely big bowl. It is a work of art! And Sydney made it for me. She wanted it to look like a quilt and it does. Here's the inside "blocks."
The outside is painted like big blocks too. Polka dots, stripes, such color! OK, so I cried a little as I looked at it. What a wonderful treasure. I can imagine eating popcorn out of it, bringing pasta salad to a pot luck in it, serving greens from it. I'll keep it forever.

Of course the bottom is pretty special too.
Lots of other things too, I feel blessed.

We all know that Christmas isn't really about the presents, right? It's really about the Gift in Jesus that God provided His Son to save us from our sins. The real blessing of Christmas is the forgiveness and love for each of us from the Lord above. And the love of family, the caring things they do for us. May all of you feel as blessed as I am.

Christmas in a Hotel

2011-12-25T21:54:00.001-08:00

The thought of Christmas brings up many images...snow covered fields, lighted houses, families gathering around the Christmas tree in the living room, Christmas Eve candlelight services and more. One image I never imagined was Christmas in a hotel. Mr. Scottie Dog spent Christmas with our daughter Beka's family in Minnesota this year because of business he needed to conduct. He has been loving the grandkids, holding the new baby and helping out around the house. I have it on good authority he came in quite handy erecting the new basketball freestanding hoop we gave the kids!

I, on the other hand, celebrated with Liz, Steve and Sydney. We took a quick road trip to Grants Pass, Oregon so we could see Steve's Grandma (Sydney's "Grandma the Great) and Sydney's cousins on Christmas Day. We started out early and made a pit stop at Trees of Mystery.
Shouldn't every Christmas Eve start with a visit with a gigantic Paul Bunyan and Babe, the Blue Ox?

Next stop was Dairy Queen in Cave Junction, OR. This is a treat for those of us living in isolated Eureka. I showed Sydney a photo of what it had looked like 30 years ago when we used to bring her Mama there. Eventually we made it to Cave Junction and our hotel. Sydney had worried Santa wouldn't find her if she wasn't at home but last week when she saw Santa she told him she'd be in Oregon. The hotel was all decorated up for Christmas! A beautiful tree, stockings hung above the fireplace and candles and poinsettias all around. After arriving in our room Sydney hung the stockings with care.She looks pretty excited doesn't she! Mama found a great place for dinner and afterwards we let Sydney open one present....it was the doll her mom had had as a girl and Grammy had made a bunch of new doll clothes. (notice The Sound of Music playing on the TV!)
Right after the doll clothes were all tried on, we put on Home Alone, hoping Sydney would soon be asleep. Nope, she watched the whole thing. Afterwards we waited for her to fall asleep. Finally Steve and Liz went to the car with the luggage cart to bring up all the loot. Still awake. Steve went to sleep and Liz and I went to the lobby. Half hour later we went to the room. Still awake. Lights out, Grandma stroked her forehead and sang to her. Still awake. Mom and Grammy sat in the dark for another 1/2 hour. Finally, finally around 11:45 pm, Sydney fell asleep. We set up the little tree we'd brought and set out the presents.

The stockings were filled, the gifts arranged and we went to bed. Sydney woke up at 7:30 am and announced she'd seen Santa putting out the gifts. We enjoyed our stockings, our gifts and each other. What a fun time. Belgum Waffles for breakfast and Christmas Dinner with Grandma the Great, Steve's sister and her 12 year old twins. Here's Sydney with one of her gifts: a Calico Critter motorcycle & side car and critters. She also got the Critter Mansion and various other "go withs."She looks happy, doesn't she! Christmas in a hotel wasn't bad at all! Wonderful memories. We're now back home and tomorrow I'll share a few of MY presents. Here's hoping you spend your day with loved ones and made memories.

My new "vintage" stocking

2011-12-21T21:11:00.000-08:00

About a week ago my daughter Liz announced that we were going to have new Christmas Stockings. Now, I don't know about your traditions, but at our house Christmas Stockings are a big deal. It probably started when I was a little girl and my mom & dad let us open up our stockings while they got up and got ready to open gifts (of course my brothers and I got up at Oh dark thirty!). No gifts went under the tree until we were fast asleep and so there was a huge surprise Christmas morning. Pat, Denny and I would pull out oranges, chocolate, a balsa wood airplane, paper money, Chinese finger puzzles, kazoos and the like from our stockings (oh, and a new penny...always). We'd be fingering the loot, candy canes stuck firmly inside our cheeks and pointing out our pepperminty, drooling mouths. Finally, FINALLY Mom and Dad appeared to ooh and ahh over the tree before we could dig into the tree and all it's wonders.

We followed this tradition when my own children were born and stockings were filled with treats and fun trinkets. Stockings were first, presents were second. I remember the year the girls noticed that I rarely had anything in my stocking (I was the one who filled theirs and their father's). They have made sure every year since that my sock was full. When the girls were born I bought some pre-printed quilted fabric and made the family stockings. Then made some more when the girls were teens. When the sons-in-laws joined the family they each got a stocking too.

Fast forward to last week when Liz announced we were all going to have new stockings. She wanted to make them for the entire family so that when we had a Christmas together at Grammy's house everyone had a matching stocking. They were all to be out of red and green 1930's reproduction fabrics. They will all have the names embroidered on them. And she was just starting them. Well, actually just her family this year. By next year everyone else would have them. She gave me some pieces of her 1930's fabric collection and I made one for me. I finished it tonight.

What could be more 1930's Vintage that that? Several of the fabrics have Scottie Dogs on them. I'm all set! Now if only someone fills my sock!

Last of a Generation

2011-12-19T10:17:00.000-08:00

I grew up in Los Angeles. Southern California was filled with Aunts & Uncles, Cousins, Grandparents and a huge group of friends who all were like family. We spent lots of time together: barbeques, picnics, beach trips, camping trips, visiting back and forth in each other's homes. There were weddings and parties and holidays and school performances filled with relatives. Growing up I had no idea how blessed we were to have such a hord of relations. My Aunt Betty (Brenda Elizabeth) and Uncle Bill and Cousin Bob lived directly across the street on our cul-de-sac. We were all not only friends, but family. And if you weren't actually blood relatives it really didn't matter.

Aunt Lulu (Lucianna) and Uncle Paul lived in Lawndale just a stone's throw from our house. Although all of their children had been born in Illinois by the time I knew them they were Southern Californians. They had the very first color TV in the family (years before my folks got one) and I remember watching the Rose Parade one New Year's Day at their house. There must have been 60 people crammed into their living room all oohing and ahhing over this small, nearly circular screened TV and saying that the green faces of the hosts "looked so wonderful." We marveled over that color TV.

On Christmas Day their family would come to our house to see what Santa had brought. Their youngest child was four years older than I so now I can see the humor in it all. Uncle Paul always brought a FIVE pound box of See's Candy. We were in heaven!

Here's a picture of the Clacks: Aunt Lulu, Carolyn (about 6 or 7 in this photo), Uncle Paul, Kenny (16) and Eddy (14). I don't know if Peggy was already in college, but she's not in the photo. They are standing in our driveway in Los Angeles. As you can see the house across the way isn't quite finished yet. I was two and a half when we moved into this house (my very first memory is being entrusted with holding a lamp on the way to moving into the house).

Why are we walking down memory lane? Aunt Lulu, my father's oldest sister passed on last month at age 96. She still drove (and drove well!) up until just a couple of months before she passed on. She had the blackest hair, and when she smiled her eyes sparkled. Her laugh was a tinkling sound. And she laughed liberally throughout her life.

Uncle Paul was a Jack LaLane follower. He took vitamins and supplements and worked out in a gym. He didn't laugh, he chuckled. He was always throwing children up in the air and catching them (except the one time he dropped my brother Pat!). He loved to fake punch people in the stomach and then ask them to hit him hard in return. He was proud that you could never hurt him when you punched. His entire face scrunched up into one big grin when he smiled.

I got a call yesterday that Uncle Paul had passed away. I think he was 98. I last saw them when Dad married Willie in Bement, IL, the old home town. They had moved back many years before. Uncle Paul's dementia was showing some then and just over a year ago he'd moved into a specialize care center. The last time I saw him though, Uncle Paul made a muscle and then asked me to hit him in the stomach! His grin was huge and he hugged me hard.

And so, the last of a generation has passed. My cousins, my brothers and I are the older generation now. I remember how I couldn't wait until I got to sit at the grown-up table on holidays and when I finally got there I realized it was more fun at the kid table. I don't know if I'm ready for to be the older generation....sometimes I'd rather be a kid.

Christmas Celebrations

2011-12-18T17:34:00.000-08:00

Some of the best things about the Christmas Season are the programs put on by schools and Sunday Schools. In Minnesota today, Mr. Scottie Dog had the pleasure of watching our grandson Jakob perform in the Christmas Program at Bethany Church. He had begun learning his part before I come home mid-November.

On Thursday night, granddaughter Sydney was an angel in Redwood Christian School's Christmas musical, Christmas in Reverse. Even as a 1st grader she had a solo part.

She looked the part and was quite good (at least a proud Grammy thought so!).

Then today I joined Sydney, Liz & Steve at the Eagle House in Old Town Eureka. We went because we had it on good authority that Santa (the REAL Santa) would be there. Sure enough he arrived by horse carriage (he's resting up the reindeer for an upcoming long trip). There were tables all set up, home made cookies, hot cocoa with whipped cream, marshmallows AND sprinkles (!) were in abundance. The tables were set with green clothes, holiday decorations and a coloring page which was as it turned out, a letter to Santa. There were games to play (stick the nose on Rudolph and Snowman Snowball toss) and finally it was Sydney's turn to see Santa. How do we know he was the REAL Santa? His eyes twinkled AND he wore a Christmas Crown. His "helpers" only wear red hats trimmed in Red. At least that's what Sydney told me.

Here she is...amazed that Santa had just pulled a chocolate coin from her ear. She whispered to me later...."Gamma, Santa knows magic!" Many thanks to those who put this Cocoa with Santa event together.

I'm sitting here listening to Christmas Carols and thinking of my many blessings. May you also be blessed this Christmas season.

Just for Fun

2011-12-15T14:28:00.000-08:00

What does a quilter do for fun? From 1999 to 2001 I made this quilt known as a "Dear Jane."

The square blocks are 4 1/2" in size. It's my interpretation of a quilt made by Jane A. Stickle during the Civil War. I loved making it although as you can see, it's quite challenging. While we were at Quilt Market in October I fell in love with another quilt. This one is called "Common Bride" and the original (and pattern) is by Edyta Sitar. Here's the pattern.

The little 4 patches are made up of 3/4" squares, the triangles are 2". Don't you just love it? I figure this is another quilt that will take me a few years to make. I really don't care how long it takes, it's the journey that makes it fun and worth while. I have several of the triangle/flowers finished and yesterday and today worked on the center star block. I found that the easiest way to make it was by hand. I don't do much hand piecing but this one came out the right size and almost perfectly flat. The colors are fairly true except the outside triangles are more red than purple.One down and 24 more of these blocks to go. And that's not even starting on the applique! I've got lots of fun ahead of me!

Grammy's Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-30T11:30:00.000-08:00

What's on My Design Wall?

2011-11-28T20:17:00.001-08:00

What's on my design wall? I've been making these 9" string blocks for quite some time, beginning in August before I left for my Minnesota jaunt. I had made 70 of them and last week I began to put them together in a 7 across and 10 down setting. They are 100% scraps excepting the black. I've also made a ton of 6 inch "crumb" blocks that I'll use on each side of the quilt. Working on how that will set now. Show you next week.You find the cutest things on FaceBook! Beka posted a picture tonight of Anastacia sitting in her Bumbo chair (super supportive foam chair that supports an infant in this position) while she go dinner. Isn't she darling? Just starting to smile. I thought I wouldn't see her in person until April or May but maybe much sooner......I might have some news tomorrow.And last here's a photo of my dinner.Yup! Mr. Dungeness Crab came to dinner. Thanks to a friend who gave us a bag of two huge cooked crabs after church. Yum, yum. I ate him on a small bed of brown rice noodles with garlic and sharp cheddar.

Make and Takes and more

2011-11-26T22:06:00.000-08:00

First, I'll take a step back before I show you the Make and Takes from Redwood Sewing Center. Last week our good friend, Karen Snyder of Anna Lena's came to visit. Karen likes all things 30's....as in Vintage 1930's fabrics. And butterflies and orange and aqua and....well, Karen is just fantastic. We have known each other for about 11 years, met at a Trade Show for Quilt Shop Owners and belong to a sort of secret sisterhood of quilt shop owners. A bunch of us went on a cruise to Eastern Mexico and she and I were roomies. Such fun!

Karen and Bob her delightful husband came to Eureka, explored some of the redwood coast, Ferndale and she fit in a trunk show and book signing for us. We still have a few copies of her 4 books. Bundles of Fun, Fat Quarter Fun, Big Print Quilts and Quilts From My Garden and all of them are autographed . Here's Carolyn getting her book signed. Ok, back to today.............Redwood Sewing Center celebrated Small Business Saturday with the first of our three Make & Take Saturdays before Christmas. They are great. You sign up, pay your $10 and come to the store. You don't have to bring anything. Really. Nothing. And you leave with a really cool gift you can give...or keep! It's up to you. Today the gals made Little Wallets with a Valori Wells pattern. Just perfect to give a gift card.Then they made a cute tote bag, Christmas Tree Napkins and Chicken Pincushions.
Here's Terri ironing her tote bag handles.Here's Liz explaining the next step.Over the next two Saturdays some of these projects will be repeated and new ones are on the calendar. One gal said, "So I just bring my machine and I can make this." No, you don't have to bring your machine. "So how much fabric do I bring for clutch bag?" No, you don't have to bring fabric. "So I bring my pins and my scissors and rotary cutter." No, you don't have to bring a thing! There is still room in most of the classes, but call Redwood Sewing Center to register. Just $10 per class.

A few weeks ago I had two eager students in a sewing class. My Daughter Beka had a birthday on Nov. 18 and Jakob and Mercedes asked if I would teach them to use the sewing machine. We made hot pads for Mama's birthday. They chose the fabrics and Grammy cut them out and some padding. They layered and ironed the squares and pinned them. They sat on my lap and guided their fabrics through the machine. Each was quite particular and careful about sewing. They turned their pot holders right side out and then we top stitched and quilted the squares. Then they posed with their holders.Jakob stitched a spiderweb design on his.Sades tried the abstract approach.Here they are showing the opposite sides of their pads. We wrapped them in paper with bows and they made cards for Mama's Birthday. I have it on good authority that Beka used them on Thanksgiving!

Lots of "making" going on! What are YOU making this holiday season?

Thanksgiving at the Scotts

2011-11-25T10:44:00.001-08:00

If you are an American, chances are that yesterday you gathered with friends and family for a turkey dinner. In between chopping celery and apples for the bread dressing (stuffing) and peeling sweet potatoes I SKYPED our daughter Beka's household. Jason's mom, Nana, was there as well as the Krause family I love so much. I got a kick out of their sons who yelled to my grandson Jakob..."Grammy's on the TV! Come quick, Grammy's on TV." When Elijah figured out I was in California (a long stretch from Minnesota) I had to turn the camera to the front yard so he could see some redwood trees just outside my window. The morning had dawned absolutely beautiful. I had made a Pumpkin Pie Cake the night before (recipe below). I also made some delightful little pumpkin favors a friend had posted the day before on FaceBook. Jellied Orange sliced candies, a little twig, some ribbon and plastic wrap.The turkey went into the oven as we went to the movie theatre, met Liz, Steve & Sydney and watched the new Muppet Movie. Cute and enough to keep adults interested too. Lots of humor that went right over the kids' heads and the adults thought was hilarious. Sydney wanted to sit by me and about halfway through the film she leaned over and said, "Gamma, I want to say Grace tonight." Of course she could! She had told me she wanted to make the rolls. And she did!Our table abounded with good things to eat.I tried out something new I'd heard about this year on the Internet. Take 1 Cup mayonnaise (I used Kraft Olive Oil Mayonnaise) and mix in 1/4 assorted minced herbs. (I used rosemary from the garden, black pepper, tarragon, flat leaf parsley and savory). Loosen the skin from the breast of the turkey and slather 2/3 cup of the mixture under the skin. Then slather the rest all over the outside of the turkey. I used a cooking bag to cook the turkey. The bird was beautiful and I've never, ever, gotten so many compliments on a turkey before. How moist it was, how wonderful the meat tasted! I guess I'll try it again. Sydney thanked the Lord for her family and all the good things He gives us.Then Mr. Scottie Dog carved the bird. Yum, yum.
One last shot....hasn't every kid done this with olives!!!!!!!

Thanksgiving is a time we set aside to thank our God and Creator for our many blessings. I have so many....my wonderful husband, two beautiful daughters and the amazing son-in-laws they brought me, my adorable grandchildren (all 5 of them!), my brothers and their wives and children...we share so many wonderful memories of phenomenal parents and childhoods, a warm and snugly home in the redwoods (such a beautiful place to live). I'm grateful for good friends, new and old, and for our two kitties. I have a job I love, a passion for creativity, good health and so much more.

I thank the Lord for YOU!

Recipe for Pumpkin Pie Cake

Take 1 Large can of pumpkin and prepare just as you would for 2 pies (recipe is on label). Pour into sprayed 9" X 13" pan.
Sprinkle 1 yellow or white cake mix evenly over the pumpkin mixture.
Drizzle top with 2/3 cup melted butter, making sure to include corners.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or when knife inserted in center comes clean.
Enjoy hot or cold, with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream

wordless wednesday

2011-11-23T23:51:00.000-08:00

Home again, Home again...Jiggity Jig

2011-11-11T18:08:00.000-08:00

I'm home from Minnesota. Six weeks of playing with the grandbabies, hugging my newest grand: Anastacia Hope and helping out Beka & Jason. I got to go to Classical Converstions each week with Jakob. He is home schooled but once a week he joins a large group of kids for Classical Instruction. Then for the rest of the week he learns with Mom at home. At 5 he's learning science, reading (he reads EVERYTHING!), art, Latin, English grammar, history and math. I was highly impressed with Classical Conversations as well as how Beka teaches at home. They also join a group twice a month for a PE class and another Science class.

We went to Emma Krumbees Apple Orchard when Anastacia was a week old.

For five days in the middle of my visit I met Liz in Houston for Quilt Market. We took classes, checked out the trends in fabrics and mingled with the famous. Liz didn't know who Ty Pennington was, but I did!He was quite charming! Then walking down the aisle was someone even more famous than Ty!My grands were more impressed with the cat! But I brought home something from Quilt Market this time Just For Me. I haven't really done that before, but Blue Hill had fat quarter bundles of their Civil War prints. Ten (yes, 10!) bundles came home with me.

And I'm now home and Mr. Scottie Dog is glad I am!

Our newest family member

2011-10-21T09:27:00.000-07:00

I've got a few new pictures of our newest family member. Anastacia Hope is now 15 days old. Hard to believe she hasn't always been with us. Isn't she beautiful? I think she looks a lot like Mercedes did when she was born.
Grammy LOVES to hold her newest one.

I think this one with all the grands is so cute. Shiloh 20 months, Anastacia 1 day, Jakob 5 1/2, Mercedes 3 1/2.

Today I'm going to take the older ones for a long walk around Featherstone Lake while Mom, baby & Shiloh nap. It's gotten quite chilly here in MN. Definitely Fall with a hint of Winter in the air.

Eureka! We have Sourdough!

2011-10-20T08:25:00.000-07:00

Just before I left for Minnesota in late September I saw a post on Facebook about making your own Sourdough Starter. I had a wonderful starter my good friend, Cathy Pierson had given to me but while I was away for more than a month it grew some very disgusting black, hairy mold on the top. It didn't smell yeasty any more...it smelled, well....spoiled. It was hard to throw it out, but I did. I knew at the time that Cathy would give me another start (she's so generous) but I never got around to it.

Then I saw the post and it sent me to this blog. The recipe is there so I won't repeat it here.

First you mix pineapple juice with whole wheat flour in a jar and leave it on the counter. After a couple of days it looks like this!

You follow the directions, feeding the starter, dividing, feeding some more. Finally at the end of a week or so it will rise up and fill your entire jar....sometimes overflowing the jar! It was warm in MN the first part of October so our starter was ready in just 5 days but it could take up to 8 or 9 days to be perfect.

Once your starter is ready you just need to use it (or feed it) at least once every two weeks and that isn't hard at all. The Internet is full of recipes for Sourdough bread, rolls, pancakes, English muffins, pizza dough and more.

The longer you let your bread "sponge" sit, the more sour it will be!

This morning I made the grands pancakes. Yum! When I get home I'm going to make myself another starter.

I Missed the Retreat (but here are some pictures!)

2011-10-17T16:24:00.000-07:00

I'm loving my time in MN with daughter Beka and the grands....little Anastacia is 11 days old now. She is a cuddly little bundle who hardly cries. She seems to be alert more and more each day. But this year, in order to be at her birth, I missed the Scottie Dog Quilts Fall Mystery Quilting Retreat. I haven't missed one of our retreats in the past 11 years or so. Liz and Crystal hosted this one. I know they did a fine job without me and I was quite gratified to hear that at one point on Saturday afternoon Sydney wandered into the sewing room and loudly queried, "Raise your hand if you miss Gamma!" And I'm told every hand went up. Thanks, gals, you made me feel great!
Liz posted a few photos on Facebook and I copied them for this blog. The pattern was from Clothworks called Tulips by Barb Tourtilloette. Here is the pattern. It is quick and yet displays large prints well. Here's Suzanne's quilt.

I think this one is Shari's (with our new Block of the month in the background).
I like the lime background in this one.Crystal used 1930's prints (no surprise there!) and it is wonderful.

And Marie's is a beauty too! Don't you love to see one quilt done so differently and every one of them a winner!Two of the gals brought their "Juicy Fruit" quilts from a couple of years back. Here's Marie's:
I think this next one is Lindsay's. Just the difference the fabric makes.

I missed the retreat...the fun, the laughter, renewing old friendships and meeting new quilters, dinner at Rita's Mexican Cantina and The Banana Hut (Hawaiian!)....I did get to see the quilts and I Skyped a bit. See you next Spring!

She's Here!

2011-10-07T19:10:00.000-07:00

I came to Minnesota on September 29 to help my baby daughter Beka in the last days of her pregnancy. I got to go along on the very busy lives of a young family with three active children. Jakob is 5 1/2. He is all boy, running, jumping, reading everything he can get his hands on, learning Latin verbs, bones and muscular systems of the body and the capitals of the Eastern Seaboard States. Mercedes is 3 1/2 with sparkling eyes, a ready smile, a love for song and dance and curiosity about everything. Shiloh is 20 months old with a smile that is contagious. She shares a joy with everyone she meets. The were happy to see Grammy and spend time with me.

Yesterday Beka labored hard. She danced a labor-of-love dance on her feet, swaying with the forces within her body to birth her child. Jason, my son-in-law danced and supported Beka with tenderness and a depth of love throughout the afternoon and into the early evening. It is a most beautiful dance, lyrical and spiritual. In most labors there is a time when it seems as if it will never end, the pains will continue to crest like waves on a rugged coastal beach. That is a good sign...when you want to give up, labor (actually Labor with a capital L) is nearly over. The end is near, the prize nearly there. The midwives were pleased with how it was all going. After several gut-wrenching pushes my baby girl gave birth to her newest baby girl. Anastacia Hope Hache was born Thursday, October 6, 6:50 pm. 8 lbs. 13 oz and 21" long.Anastacia is a beautiful, snugly bundle of joy. She entered the world with a lusty cry and snorts and sniffles due to all the vernix on her body. She was covered with the stuff. A few splotches on her face, an ear plastered to her head and limbs that wouldn't straighten out right away due to her previous cramped quarters. After weighing, the nurse handed her to Daddy. He snuggled her, kissed her head and then handled her over to me....Grammy. Oh, how sweet she smelled. She molded right to my arms, opened an eye, sighed and went back to sleep. Delightful little lips, a tiny nose (the same nose I have, my mother had and my grandma Pontious had) and dark hair with an undertone of sandy blond. Reminds me of her brother Jakob's hair at birth.

I came back home so I could take care of the grands asleep at home with a sitter. In the morning I told them of the new baby sister and we ate breakfast, dressed and took off for the hospital. Lots of photos taken, big brother and big sisters all had a turn holding Anastacia and then were kept busy with snacks and a movie Mom had brought from home. Beka fed the baby and then Grammy got another snuggle. Today her color was smoothly perfectly pink, her head had come back to normal (it's a tight squeeze coming down the birth canal!) and she was, of course, the most beautiful baby in the world. We're keeping her....she's ours. I wish my mom had lived to see her great-grandchildren. My dad passed the evening Shiloh was born. The generations are marching on. As they should. I'm happy to be here for another few weeks. Thanks to my sweet hubby, Mr. Scottie Dog for allowing me this time and thanks to my daughter Liz who is keeping our store open while I am away.

Hanging with the Grands.

2011-10-01T17:17:00.000-07:00

It's Saturday night and the grand kids are watching a VeggieTales movie and Beka & Jason have gone to a movie...Courageous. It has gotten fantastic reviews. I'm glad they can get out for a last chance date night before baby #4 (a new granddaughter) arrives next Thursday (or before).
What have I done since I arrived late Wed. night? Gone to school with Jakob (he's home schooled with a once-a-week gathering/teaching day on Thursdays), taken a long, long nap on Thursday afternoon! Gone shopping and found a new purse for a song (40% off reg. price and then 35% off entire purchase), I do love a bargain! I've red stories, put together jigsaw puzzles, cooked dinners, told bedtime stories and so much more. Today we went to a baby shower. It's all been wonderful. Just what I needed. Catch you up later.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

2011-09-28T10:14:00.000-07:00

"All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go...Leaving on a Jet Plane, Don't know when I'll be back again..." Well, that's not entirely true as I do know when I'll be back again. In an hour I'm leaving for the Eureka/Arcata Airport.The airport has two gates: Gate 1 is for departures and Gate 2 is for arrivals. Pretty Simple. You can still park 100 feet from the front entrance (pictured above). And this is the "NEW" (and newly remodeled) terminal. When I first came to Humboldt County they threw your luggage on the grass for you to pick-up....and remember it rains for 8 months out of the year here.
I'm on my way to Minnesota to visit these delightful grandchildren:

Shiloh is 20 months old, Mercedes (Sadies) is 3 1/2 and Jakob is 5 1/2. There will be a new baby in a week to ten days and Grammy gets to be there to play, cook and generally help out. I'm looking forward to seeing the Fall Colors and maybe even a first snow as I'm staying until November 9. Mr. Scottie Dog will only have the cats to keep him company, but we'll talk on the phone every day and skype some, I'm sure. Last night he fixed me a romantic dinner served in the dining room: Grilled Prawns & Wild Salmon. Ummm, ummm!

Sydney had a tea party yesterday afternoon. Just a couple of her "lady" friends, Mom & Grandma. I confess...after tea sandwiches (have you ever tried cucumber on raisin bread? Divine!), chocolate dipped strawberries, deviled eggs, sweet pickles, cream puffs and mini chocolate eclair's.....I ate well yesterday! I'm going to miss everyone in Eureka and Liz will take wonderful care of the store, but at this moment I'm anxious to get going. I want to meed this new member of our family. I'll try to keep in touch some. The end of October I'll meet Liz in Houston for Quilt Market, go back to Beka's house for another week and finally home. I'm sure to have lots of adventures!

The Farmer's Wife

2011-09-23T10:15:00.000-07:00

There's been much buzz around the Internet about The Farmer's Wife. It's a book by Laurie Hird which contains 'letters from 1920's farm women and the 111 six inch blocks they inspired. Liz and I had the privilege of meeting Laurie at Quilt Market in Minneapolis about a year and a half ago and getting signed copies hot off the press.
I've bogged before about my quilt group (The Grateful Threads) and our block swap of another book, The Civil War Diary Quilt. We make 8 identical blocks in Civil War reproduction blocks each round and trade or swap our blocks with each person, thus getting 8 different blocks each round. We've not been very good about our swapping calendar and are only halfway done. But we've been energized with a new swap! Now each month we are on the spot with Civil War blocks and our Farmer's Wife 1930's swap. I don't know why Laurie made her quilt with Civil War fabrics but then tied it together with the 1920's. But we are having fun.

Liz took this picture for me today...the book, HER book (notice that we have had our books spiral bound so they lay flat) and the blocks from Round 1. That's my basket block in the foreground. It's going to be so much fun! I'll be missing two rounds while I'm in Minnesota (I leave on Wednesday) so I've made blocks ahead for both swaps.
Here at Redwood Sewing Center we are going to start a year-long class on The Farmer's Wife. It's going to start in January. If you are in the neighborhood join us!

Come to Alaska with Redwood Sewing Center & Scottie Dog Quilts

2011-09-12T14:25:00.000-07:00

In 2009 our store sponsored our first cruise to Alaska. What a time we all had! Fantastic scenery, food, quilting, adventures and more. Many who went said they'd love to go again and those who couldn't make it couldn't wait until we planned another cruise.

We are so excited to announce our Scottie Dog Quilts Alaskan Quilting Cruise. We leave Seattle August 11, 2012 for 7 fabulous days aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines ship, the Jewel. We'll have 7 days of Quilting and glaciers and quilting and whale watching and quilting and shows and quilting and fine dining and quilting and spa treatments and quilting and totems and .... well, I guess you get the picture. Still need a picture? We'll visit the Sawyer Glacier for unbelievable views.

We'll see bald eagles.

Walk among Totem Poles.

Visit the gold rush town of Skagway.
You could ride a train into the mountains.How about High Tea at the Empress Hotel in Victoria, BC?
Tour Craigdarrah Castle...the most fantastic home I've ever toured!
Here's the entryway!
Perhaps you want to see whales.

Our sewing room will have floor to ceiling windows...we won't miss the scenery a minute. We only sew when we are out to sea so you will be able to take advantage of everything Alaska has to offer. Your cruise fees include your Quilting classes. Since our group rates are so good you can bring your spouse, your best friend, your entire family. Cruising is a wonderful vacation for all age groups. Our ports of call are Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan and Victoria, BC.

Have I got your attention yet? Click Here for a PDF brochure. You can contact our awesome Travel Agent, MJ Bryant at 888 278-7875. You will need to hold your space with a fully refundable deposit. Don't wait, space goes quickly. I want to go to Alaska with YOU!

Minnesota Quilt Show (a little late!)

2011-09-10T15:55:00.001-07:00

More of what I did this summer! I went to the Minnesota State Quilt Guild Show in St. Paul with two friends I met several years ago on the Internet. Both Ann and Carol have visited me here in Eureka several times during our Scottie Dog Quilts Mystery Quilting Retreats. I try to see Carol at least once when I get a chance to visit Minnesota. Ann lives at one end of CA and I live at the other. Too far to visit on a whim. I thoroughly enjoyed my day with them. Here are a few more of the stunning quilts: This one had the longest, thinnest points all pieced into wheels and lovely, exquisite appliqued roses.

Sorry about the lady in the photo....it was hard to photograph the quilts alone as there were so many people. I'm not sure why exactly I liked this quilt so much. The colors were more vivid in person but the primitive fish blocks with their bubbles & eyes of buttons, metal rings and disks was amazing.This quilt was amazing too. Where do I start? The machine quilting was fantastic, the piecing was perfect, the applique awesome, and there were 3-D elements that were so creative. See a closer view below.I liked this floral one too. It reminded me of antique English embroidered pieces but was all applique.
Here's a new (not antique) crazy quilt that was stunning. Some of the blocks contained quilt blocks, some were just "crazy."
These last three photos are part of a display called, "The River Crossing Our Borders." I think there were 20 participants and each was given a max & min. size for their piece. My guess is there was some co-ordination on the "size" of the river on the right and left sides of their quilts. They each created a piece that was then hung with the others to form the (Mississippi) RIVER as it meanders through Minnesota. Lots of different interpretations, many different techniques, differing seasons of the year, so many ideas. I spent a long, long time looking at each of these.

I enjoy going to quilt shows. There is so much talent, so much creativity that sometimes it feels as though my head will burst with all the new ideas. I was once told that quilting is a craft as opposed to an art form. HA! Don't believe it for a minute!

Laura & Gabe's Wedding Quilt

2011-09-08T23:41:00.000-07:00

For the past 18-20 years I've met on Thursdays with a group of quilting friends. We call ourselves The Grateful Threads. Threadheads, Threadlets...Sydney is often referred to as the "Snippet." The membership of this group has changed and morphed over the years. I guess I'm the only original local member left. Bev and Judy have moved to Oregon. About a year after we started Lynn and her sister Ann joined. We've had others move in and out of the group and seen a second generation of quilters join. There are now eight local members and two out-of-towners. We run block swaps between us and have a tradition of making quilts for members at special times in their lives. Weddings especially. Laura is currently working full time and going to college full time so in the past year she hasn't been around on Thursday nights much....that is, until we decided to make a quilt to celebrate her marriage to Gabe.
When we make a special quilt we gather up all our orphan blocks and fit them together and they turn out beautiful. This time though we wanted a plan. So everyone was given 1/2 yard of the turquoise batik background. Instructions were to use it and our "theme" was turquoise and purple. Use mainly batiks and what would look good with the theme colors. Ann and Bev sent blocks. We each made some blocks, some "filler" shapes (checkerboards, flying geese, half square triangles, pinwheels, etc). What problems did we encounter? Mostly that Laura suddenly seemed to have every Thursday night free.....I don't know how many times we had to scamper to cover blocks, half-sewn rows, entire tops! Liz and Larissa spent hours quilting it. Sydney had been sworn to secrecy. She wanted to know why we were keeping it a secret from Laura but even today when I was finishing the binding at the store she told me she had a plan on where to hide the quilt if Laura popped into Redwood Sewing Center.
We have two block swaps going right now....One in Civil War fabrics with block from The Civil War Diary Quilt and one with 1930's fabrics from The Farmers Wife Quilt Book. To be festive with our swap we decided to meet at Babetta's Italian Restaurant. (Yum...Chicken Picatta is South Beach Friendly and I always get it....sooo good.) After exchanging our blocks and oohing and ahhhing over them we said we had more blocks to exchange. Laura looked worried as if she'd forgotten something. I said I had blocks to exchange, Lynn said it too and then all chimed in about blocks to give away. I carried the card and bag to Laura and we all said, "Happy Wedding!" It was great.....she cried!
And here she is with a great big smile with her quilt. Can you find the cat block Sydney helped me make (her idea) and their dog too.

What I did on my Summer Vacation

2011-09-07T00:11:00.001-07:00

It seems that every year in September when school would start we would be assigned a speech or an essay entitled: "What I did on my Summer Vacation." My family went camping. Tent camping mostly but in Jr. High my dad bought my uncle's tent trailer. I think it was a Coleman brand. We'd go to Yellowstone National Park nearly every other year and then go to Mammoth Lakes, Mt. Shasta, Big Bear Lake...anywhere you could fish, roast marshmallows over a fire, hike and enjoy the outdoors.

Mr. Scottie Dog and I have had many adventures but this Summer we hitched up our trailer and drove across the country to Minnesota to visit the grands. We said goodbye to Sydney the end of May and drove through Susanville, CA, Reno Nevada...coming to the Rocky Mountains. Still a lot of snow!We drove through Salt Lake City, Utah and into Wyoming. At Fort Bridger we toured the Fort and Trading Post, then posed by a Callistoga Wagon actually sitting on the Oregon Trail.

In Minnesota I met up with two dear quilting friends, Ann and Carol at the Minnesota State Quilting Guild Show in St. Paul.What fun we had checking out all the wonderful quilts, buying fabric and sewing goodies. Beka met us for dinner at Dixies on Grand. Oh, my! I remember I had a seafood pot pie with a crab cake crust!It was wonderful being with Beka, Jason and the grands for nearly a month. We went on picnics.We went to Split Rock Lighthouse.We went camping at Duluth.and that's just the start of the story. More tomorrow.

Yard Sale

2011-08-27T00:04:00.000-07:00

Stuff, STUFF. Do you have too much stuff? I certainly do. Mr. Scottie Dog and I have been married for 39 years. Lots of time to accumulate stuff. We read books and they go on a shelf. We see a good deal at Costco, Target, etc. and we buy it. Friends and relatives give us more stuff. I checked and I have 5 Pyrex 9" X 13" pans. FIVE. Now I know I have one or two that I inherited from my Mother-in-law. I don't need them. I also have a metal pan I make Mr. Scottie Dog his brownies in. I like metal best for that. So 4 of the glass pans are just excess stuff.

Yard Sale: Set up a bunch of tables on the drive, put up a bunch of signs and wait for people to come and decide they can't live without adding MY stuff to THEIR stuff. What do I have that anyone else might want? A huge box of books....I enjoyed every one of them (except one I only read two chapters and put it on the shelf). Will I ever read them again? Probably not. Now I DO have books on my bookshelf I won't part with. My hardback collection of Little House on the Prairie books I'll always keep. I've also got a few extra sets of dishes to put in the sale. I have a Christmas set, a blue willow set of stoneware, Bill's Mom's china and a set of Pyrex I will be keeping. But what about knick nacks? I've also got way too many. I can't remember who gave me all the country angels, but it's not my style any more. I've got too much furniture and tons of movies (both VHS and DVD) and music I'm going to let someone else put in their home. I've got TV's, linens and more.
So I've got a bunch of friends bringing some of their STUFF too. We'll set up a bunch of tables, the signs are up. Just need to put it all together Sat. morning. Sydney is going to sell lemonade and cookies. I bought donut holes for breakfast. Sydney likes donut holes...... hope I unload a lot of stuff.

The Humboldt County Fair

2011-08-18T11:46:00.000-07:00

Day 8 of the Humboldt County Fair. I've been coming to the Humboldt County Fair in Ferndale, CA for about 39 years. I remember the first year Mr. Scottie Dog and I attended as newlyweds...actually it was the first county fair I'd ever gone to. Then over the years we brought the girls. Loved to look at all the animals, the flowers, the quilts, the attractions and of course eat a bit of "fair food." Most years when the girls were young we'd bring a picnic lunch or dinner and just buy a treat. Then there were the years I judged the quilts at the fair....and the past few years we've been vending at the Crescent City Quilt Show and missed the fair entirely.
Well this year we are vendors in the commercial building here at the fair. Here are a couple of shots of our booth. We were quite pleased with our location.

Pfaff gave us great pricing for all our machines and we've sent many happy sewers home with new machines. We are also selling quilt kits and a few other things. Business is booming at the Fair!

One of the truisms is that you will eventually see everyone at the fair! I saw Ferndale native, Guy Fieri with his family.

Finally back to blogging. I'll post some vacation pics tomorrow. Hope your summer has been as fun-filled as mine!

I miss you, my friend!

2011-07-07T21:32:00.000-07:00

I've been traveling with Mr. Scottie Dog for about 6 weeks and we are finally home. I have lots of photos and tales to tell but they will have to wait. While I was gone, my good friend Loris Kay Dinsmore passed from this life. I miss her already.
I first met Lori when she was about 15 or 16 and a junior at Eureka Senior High School. I was her Young Life Leader. Young Life is an evangelical Christian Youth Group ministry and Lori was an enthusiastic, kick in the pants kind of girl. I was only 21 or 22 but I was married and somehow that made me mature and responsible enough to be part of the leadership team. Mr. Scottie Dog and I and two other young couples met weekly with the Young Life "kids" to sing silly songs, act out silly skits, be their friends and earn the right to tell them about a relationship with Jesus Christ. The group ranged from 35-100 each week during the school year. We clowned around, went on snow trips, made ice cream sundaes and made elaborate, man-powered rafts to hold 50 and race down the American River in Sacramento, CA every year. I remember the year I wore Sarah in a Snugli pack and cooked pancakes for 65 one morning before the race. Lori was my right-hand. She loved everyone and was cheerful and sunny even then. The next year I have a picture of Lori in my mind with Sarah toddling on a "leash" with Lori all over the riverbank. I knew I could trust Lori to keep my baby daughter safe and happy.

After graduation I lost track of Lori. Our family grew to add Liz & Beka and in my spare time I sewed and quilted. I didn't know any other quilters, but it was my creative passion. In the late 1980's I found the Redwood Empire Quilt Guild and joined this group of like-minded women.
In the early 1990's the Internet found it's way to our house and I soon discovered a huge Internet world of quilters. Chat rooms were popular and I soon found my way to a Chat Room exclusively for quilters around the world. A couple evenings a week I joined in one particular room and talked quilts with some regulars. Sometimes a chatter would call out: Where you from? And we'd all chime in. I never got too specific (you knew that there were axe murderers out there!) as to where I lived usually said something like, "Northern CA Redwood Forest." My screen name was BrendaLou8 and one night LorisKay said she was from Northern CA too.

BrendaLou8: Near Eureka?

LorisKay: Yes, where are you?

BrendaLou8: I live in Eureka.

LorisKay: I live in Hydesville!

BrendaLou8: We should get together.

LorisKay:OK

BrendaLou8:Do you go to the quilt guild?

LorisKay: What's a guild?

BrendaLou8: we meet this next Thurs. night at 7 pm at the grange

LorisKay: It's about quilting?

BrendaLou8: yes, it's fun & you'll like it. I'll meet you there.

LorisKay: How will I know you?

I didn't know how old this LorisKay was, what she looked like, if she was married....only that she liked quilting enough to be in a quiting chat room. But I'd be safe if she was an axe murderer at the guild because there would be 150 other women there to keep me safe. Thursday night came and I had told LorisKay I'd be in the back corner at a table as I was the Block of the Month chairperson. That night I looked up and saw my old friend Lori coming in the door across the room. Our eyes met and we pointed at each other and exclaimed at the same time, "I know you!" What a wonderful reunion! Nearly twenty years had passed, but we started right up again. Lori and I had lunch the next day. We were Buds! We quilted together, we shopped together, we visited back and forth. Hydesville was about a 20 minute drive from my house.

I met her husband Dirk and her boys, Nate and Nolan. Oh how she loved her "Dinsmore men!" Lori was a She-Bear when it came to her boys. She was the first to volunteer for any job at their school, organized fundraisers, baked cupcakes, made quilts for raffles and more. She took a couple of quilting lessons from me and then organized a group of women to come to her house once a week so I could teach there. My prized pupil, Lori was. A loyal friend to all (just don't cross her or tell her a lie....she was honest and expected the same from her friends) and generous to a fault. She loved giving gifts to those she loved. My girls enjoyed her company too. We traveled a few times to quilt shows in other towns...Lori loved life.

When I decided to open Scottie Dog Quilts (later renamed Redwood Sewing Center) Lori was there to help out, working for us for many years. She helped decorate the store, made samples and had a good eye for fabrics. In the last couple of years she made a space in Fortuna in which she sewed with her friends on weekends.
Lori loved my granddaughter Sydney. She gave Sydney her first bathing suit (complete with grass skirt!), her first roller skates...she loved buying pink things for that girl!

Last summer my family had a Family Reunion at Yellowstone National Park and Lori and Nolan came too. Several of us noticed that Lori didn't seem quite herself but we shrugged it off. In December she consulted her doctor because she didn't feel "right." It took until late February to find the answer was cancer. Lori fought cancer with all she could. She spent some time at Stanford Medical center doing Chemo and then came home. I tried to keep in touch with cards every few days...she didn't take calls. The last few weeks she needed a driver to help her around but she still showed up at our store two or three times a week. She never came empty handed. Thin and frail with a pink cap on her head (Pink, Pink, you STINK!...I can hear her say it with such glee) she came with things she wanted people to have. A quilt for her sister Lila, paints for Sydney....Lori was giving away her things to people she cared about. I saw her at the store the day before we left on our trip and we hugged, but she couldn't get out of the car. Mr. Scottie Dog and I left on our trip to Minnesota on May 28 and I had a couple of reports from Liz. Lori had come to the store and was better than she'd been for a long time. She come into the store and looked around at everything. She laughed and kidded around. The morning of June 8 I got a call from a tearful Liz. Lori passed early that morning. We'd all be so hopeful, but cancer is a terrible thing. It robs us of special people, of our family and our friends who are family too.

Brat, I'll miss you. Every time I see a hummingbird I'll think of you. Take care of my girl in heaven. I treasure the quilts you made me and I know I'll see you again.

The last 3 weeks.

2011-06-19T14:00:00.000-07:00

Haven't heard much from me for the past 3 weeks......we've been on holiday! Mr. Scottie Dog and I hitched up our 30' house on wheels and took 6 days to drive from Eureka, CA to Savage, MN! We drove through cities and towns and hamlets, deserts and valleys and mountains and forests, sun and rain and snow! Yes, there was a lot of snow still on the ground in CA, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming and just a tiny bit in Nebraska. We braved the cold, the heat and thunderstorms. I'd never been to Nebraska and Iowa...both states were green and growing and the towns were so inviting...we drove mostly off-the-beaten-path kind of roads there.

We've been here in MN with the grandkids for two weeks. Little Shiloh even says Grammy now. She takes a few steps and then crawls again. Jakob rides his two-wheeler like the wind and Sadies has fun at every turn. I'm reading "A Secret Garden" to her now.

Thanks to those back home taking care of the kitties and the old home place, we appreciate you. A HUGE round of thanks to Liz holding down the fort at Redwood Sewing Center and doing a wonderful job. Photos to follow of everything.

The Talent Show

2011-05-27T22:17:00.000-07:00

Today started out with Gamma & Gampa attending the Talent Show at Redwood Christian School here in Eureka. That is where Sydney has nearly finished up her Kindergarten year. She has learned so much this year: how to tell time, to count to 500 & beyond by 1's, 2's, 5's, & 10's. She has learned to read and write and play nice with other children. She's learned about the world and who created it. She knows that Lincoln was the 16th president and freed the slaves, all about George Washington & Martin Luther King and more. She knows the seasons, what month it is and so very much more.

Today was the Talent Show. Early last week Syd announced she was going to sing a song. She planned to make it up as she went along on stage. Hmmm.................. Liz suggested that she sing a song she already knew. Well, Sydney decided if Gampa would play his accordion she would sing for the Talent Show. Here's a YouTube of Sydney singing at the show. Enjoy! Watch for the high five near the end. It's priceless.

Going to the Doc

2011-05-25T22:02:00.000-07:00

This morning I went to the doctor for my annual check-up. In 2007 my normally low blood pressure began to soar. And it stayed up. I had some blood work and my cholesterol was pretty high also. After a trip to the doc I began to take some meds for lowering my blood pressure and lowering my cholesterol. Dr. Larry also suggested I begin to adhere to the South Beach Diet.

I made some radical changes to my diet and found a great blog. Kalyn Denny post wonderfully tasty (and easy) recipes that follow the South Beach Diet. Thanks to Kalyn I was not only able to find a new way of eating, but was able to understand how to make it all work.

Over the last 3 1/2 years I've brought my blood pressure down to normal/low and my cholesterol numbers into the low range too! Dr. Larry is happy with my numbers. He was happy to hear I've found a fondness for Aqua Aerobics. As I am ending my check-up he tells me I need a mammogram. There's a lot of breast cancer in my family and I try make sure I get regular mammograms. There's a lot of squishing, squashing and smashing. Poking, pressing and pinching. Mammograms can make a woman feel violated....almost like this:

What was pretty amazing was that Dr. Larry handed me a mammogram order and suggested we take it next door to the Imaging Center. Surprise, surprise! I could have it done in 10 minutes. Usually you have to wait for them to call you (often several weeks go by) and then you get to make an appt. It could take another month or more before you can get in. So this morning I got it all done.

Then Mr. Scottie Dog and I were off to our bank to get several documents notarized. We had our new wills witnessed and notarized as well as the new Revocable Trust we've set up. We had the deeds to our properties put into the trust and registered with the County Clerk. Interestingly the bank branch manager's mother-in-law is one of our regular customers and so it the county clerk. You find quilters every where.

Mr. Scottie Dog and I went out to lunch and then I had to go to work. We don't often get to do that. Then it was time to go to work. Wednesdays are my late day. I go in after lunch and stay for the evening Sit & Sew class. A lot crammed into one day.

I'm a winner!

2011-05-24T18:49:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love those words: "I'm a winner!" Not, of course to be confused with "I'm a whiner," although to be truthful, I suppose I am a whiner once in a great while. In any event, I AM A WINNER of a fantastic Civil War panel of Grant and the Generals of the Army of the Potomac from Bonnie Hunter and her Quiltville blogs' giveaway. Thanks Bonnie! This panel will be included in the quilt I will be making of my blocks from my Civil War Diary Quilt Block Exchange. You can't believe the squeal I let out when I learned I was the winner.

Today was Sit & Sew at Redwood Sewing Center (formerly Scottie Dog Quilts). We have Sit & Sew classes Tues. & Thurs. mornings and Wed. evenings. You come, bring your sewing machine and do whatever you want. There's always a teacher there to help you out (she said modestly since Tues. & Wed. I am the teacher!). The Tues. class has been meeting for about 15 years....note that we've only been open for 10 years. But I taught the Tuesday morning class for 5 years at another, now defunct Quilt Shop. There are a few who come regularly who have been there since the beginning. It is fondly referred to as "The Tuesday Class."

Show and tell happens quite frequently. Today we saw Margie's newest "Martinique." She'll be teaching a class on this quilt from "Baker's Dozen." If you are local, be sure to come see it in person. This picture doesn't do it justice.

Katie showed us a quilt for her granddaughter Cera who is 4. I love the whimsical ladybugs.
Then Judy showed us her Asian masterpieced French Braid. Every time I see it I marvel at the story it tells. Judy confesses that this quilt grew so big they had to buy a new King Sized bed as it was too large for her Queen. I bound another quilt this afternoon and prepared backings for four more. Busy as a bee! I heard the weatherman say it's rain for the rest of the week. Bummer! But guess what? I'm a winner!!!!!

Weekend at Gramma's

2011-05-21T18:15:00.001-07:00

Today I picked up Sydney for Weekend at Gamma's. Gamma & Gampa are going on a road trip and we'll be gone for 40 days and 40 nights....or so Sydney says. Good thing we've got someone who'll keep the cats fed and occupied! And I suspect Sydney will stop by once in awhile to say hello to the kitties.

First we went to the recycling center...getting rid of the mountain of cardboard and paper a quilt shop generates in just one week. Sydney used to stay in the car and had me the cardboard, but now if it's not too busy she can help dump it into the bins.

Second stop was the grocery store. Red peppers, orange peppers, lettuce....let's see, what else is on the list? Gamma was picking up her produce for the first part of the week and two special items for after dinner.....yum...root beer and vanilla ice cream!

When we arrived home Gramma became second best...."Where's Gampa???" I'm pretty popular unless Gampa is around. Then I'm a far second. So Sydney "helped" Gampa work on his truck, mow the back garden and other outside chores. I got everything ready for the Oatmeal Cookies we were going to bake right about the time Sydney came in to wash her hands. She cracked the eggs and put all the ingredients in the mixer bowl.

All righty....Six dozen oatmeal raisin cookies. Sydney told me she doesn't like raisins. But then she DOES like them in cookies!

Dinner fixed and eaten, then she and Gampa practiced for her upcoming talent show. She is in kindergarten and I'm not sure she really knows what a talent show is but she wants to be in it! She decided she was going to sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Gampa would accompany her on his accordion. They practiced (Sydney is a typical kindergartner when it comes to singing!) and practiced and after about 30 minutes I suggested we should make Root Beer Floats! I think they both were ready for a break.
Gampa found a microphone and now they are back at it. And surprisingly....Sydney is getting better, actually singing the notes Mr. Scottie Dog is playing! We'll see how Friday's show goes. I know I will think she's the best there is! Probably Mom & Dad & Gampa will too.

What I've been up to lately

2011-05-18T23:31:00.000-07:00

I getting ready for a road trip with Mr. Scottie Dog. We are driving to Minnesota to visit the grandbabies. We plan to hook up the 30' trailer (our house on wheels) and drive. We don't know when we'll get there as we are going to take each day as it comes. I've got a list of places we might want to visit between the Pacific Ocean and the Mississippi but I think we'll just wake up each morning and Google the possibilities.

Meanwhile I've made curtains for the trailer and at the store I've been making a ton of quilt samples for the upcoming REQG Quilt Show. As fast as I make a top, Liz quilts it and then I get to bind it. I like, I mean REALLY LIKE to bind quilts. I sit in my chair and watch TV or listen to music and hand stitch the binding on. I like the feeling of accomplishment it is when that last stitch goes in and VOILA! The quilt is finished. Here's a pic of our Dr. Suess fabric sample quilt.

I've also been working to get a quilt finished to take to MN with us. Can you guess who this quilt is for?I was inspired by Tonya and her new book Word Play Quilts when I was making this row quilt for granddaughter Mercedes. I hope she likes it! Paper dolls & clothes (there will be an envelope on the back for the doll clothes).

Back to binding.....What have YOU been up to?

Crock Pot Potato Soup

2011-05-11T10:38:00.000-07:00

Yesterday at Redwood Sewing Center the Tuesday Morning Sit & Sew class had one of their famous birthday pot lucks. Once a month we celebrate birthdays....the birthday girl(s) wear birthday crowns, lots of singing goes on and of course, there is food! We have several "foodies" in the group...Barb takes lots of classes and always brings something good. She also makes sure we have funny cards for the Birthday Girl. Del keeps us all organized...she is the keeper of the master roll call/email list and lets us know when a birthday is imminent. Donna or Del make deviled eggs (oh, and Jan G.'s chickens keep us all in eggs!). Joan is a newcomer to our group...she just retired and sold her interest in Cherry Blossom Bakery and she brought a cake! We had pasta salads and potato salad and by popular demand, I brought my stepmom's Crock Pot Potato Soup.

Willie served this soup once and I knew I had to have the recipe. It's so easy and sooo good. Yesterday I made it with one chicken breast added to the soup before cooking and had green onions & cheese for toppings but forgot to get the toppings out of the fridge. It was still yummy!

Crock Pot Potato Soup

30 oz bag frozen hash brown potatoes

two 14 oz chicken broth

1/2 onion diced

1/4 tsp ground pepper

options: 1 cup diced chicken breast, 1/4 cut diced green or red pepper, 2 cans of clams (juice & all), 2 cloves minced garlic

place all in a crock pot on low for 5 hours

then add: 8 oz cream cheese, cubed & cook for 30 mins. Stir before serving.

Optional toppings: bacon bits, green onion, cheese, dollop of sour cream, etc.

Mother's Day

2011-05-07T14:00:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day. It's a day we will memorialize our wonderful mothers...those sacrificing women of our childhoods who gave so much of who they were so that we might have a better life than they did.
My own mother, Marcella Mae Pontious McNally, born December 11, 1918 was raised during The Great Depression. My grandparents lived in Cleveland, Ohio and during the 1930's they ran a couple of restaurants. Grandpa ran his (and unfortunately I know very little about this) and Grandma ran Nellie Belle's. I told this story yesterday. Because of the restaurants their family ate during the Depression. But it was hard work for the whole family and not without long hours. My mother was able to go to a business college and enjoyed loads of fun and independence that her parents had never even dreamed of.

Mom about 15

My parents met after World War II. In less than two weeks they were off to Las Vegas to get married! My mom was an "older woman," seven years older than Dad. She was quite a looker too! I don't think as children we look at our parents objectively...they are Mommy & Daddy...the most important people in our world. I thought my mom was beautiful and loved it when she dressed up, wore jewelry & high heels.

Here are Mom & Dad as they left her parent's little house in Mentone, CA for Las Vegas to get married at The Little Chapel Around the Corner on the Las Vegas Strip on September 22, 1950. Sixteen months later I was born. The story goes that Mom went into labor with me on December 31, 1951...and on January 3, 1952 she was still laboring. The Doctor told my Dad they were going to do an emergency C-Section (so it wasn't an emergency a couple of days before?). The nurse told my Dad they "hoped" one of us would make it. Daddy always told me I was the prettiest baby he'd ever seen. I think by then he was just glad he HAD a wife AND baby! We lived in San Bernardino, CA when I was born and in October there was a large earthquake (7.3)...the first large earthquake since San Francisco in 1906. Mom told of trying to get to my room in a panic and my crib rolling back and forth, banging on the walls as the ground rolled and shook. I always felt so much love hearing about the panic part. My Mom loved me!

Here I am at about 18 months. I think mom relished being a mom. Brother Pat is 15 months younger than I and 2 years later baby brother Denny entered the scene. Mom was 34 when we kids began to arrive. She gave us birthday parties, made us Halloween costumes and she and Dad took us camping at least once a year. We went to the Circus, to the swimming pool, to the zoo, the beach and more. She was my Camp Fire leader for a few years.

For the first few years we only had one car. We'd moved to Los Angeles when I was three. A series of rentals and then my parents were able to buy a house. $50 down payment for Veterans but somehow they got their 3 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath home for $18,000. I can remember my mom paying the bills each month and showing me the loan booklet. She taught me about interest and loans. Remember this was before the day of Credit Cards. When I was 5, Dad kept his "work" car for Mom to use when he bought a new one. So then our world got a bit larger.

Mom loved playing cards, jigsaw puzzles, crosswords (she did them in ink!). For a number of years she always had a paint-by-number painting in progress. She'd mix the colors, ignore the lines...years later I found out she'd always wanted to be a painter. But I know she cheerfully sacrificed serious art for paper maché, crayons & construction paper with her children. Mom ran the concession stand at the Little League field, headed up PTA committees and events, helped in our classes and more.

As I grew and married, Mom became a Grandma. She loved the job! We came home to Redlands for holidays and she'd make them so special!

Cooking with mom....1980's.

Mom & I on Maui...very early 90's. I think I know what I'll look like as I age.

Mom & Dad on her 80th birthday. She still could beat the pants off any of us at cards.

Most of my parenting came from my mom. It was her wisdom, grace, calm and giving spirit. I still catch myself even now when my mom's words come out of my mouth. I'm so proud to be her daughter. Mom's been gone now for 9 years. I miss her every day.

Mother's day brings me to my own daughters.

I love this photo....I'm not even sure how old it is. Sarah at top...she's been gone 5 years now, I still expect to pick up the phone and hear her enthusiastic, "Hi Mommy!" Becka & Liz are in the front. They just spent two weeks together. Does a Mother's heart good to have them spend time together. They have become such good mothers themselves. I'm so very proud of them. To me, they are what Mother's Day is all about.

We've come a long way, baby!

2011-05-06T12:24:00.001-07:00

I don't really do much cooking any more. I wish I had more time to spend creating in the kitchen but I don't. Maybe when I retire. But I've done a lot of it in my day. My grandma, Nellie Belle was a whiz in the kitchen. She baked the best pies. Family lore has her getting up at 3 am to make 80 pies. Five days a week she did this for her restaurant "Nellie Belle's" in Cleveland, Ohio in the 30's. Standing in front of the place are my grandpa, Grover Cleveland Pontious, my mom (13), Marcella Mae Pontious McNally and Grandma, Nellie Belle.

Here's an interior shot probably taken at the same time. Nothing fancy. I remember Mom telling me they sold pie, lots of pie. It was a time of a cup of coffee and a piece of pie 15 cents. You would have a piece of pie for breakfast, another with your coffee at 10 am and of course after lunch (which my grandma always called dinner) you'd have pie again. Grandma made cream pies, berry pie, peach pie, rhubarb with strawberry or blackberries, berry pie, three or four kinds of apple pie. I remember her lemon meringue was perfect with ever-so high meringue. Lime pie, custard pie....I even remember a pineapple cranberry pie once. They also served sandwiches....always putting a thin slather of butter to keep the bread from getting soggy. As a kid my mom would grind up ham or bologna and mix it with sweet relish and mayo and chopped celery "just like we did at the restaurant" she'd say. There were two soups each day and Grandma made rolls. The bread for the restaurant came from the bakery across the street. One penny a loaf. There were two main dishes every day. Whatever Grandma would decide to cook. Meatloaf & mashed potatoes, chicken & dumplings, spaghetti & meatballs, chicken fried steak, porkchops and apple sauce, roasted turkey & dressing. Everything cooked from scratch. A lot of work went into feeding those office workers and students from the business college down the block. My mom would later attend there.

Grandma is the one who taught me to bake. Cakes, cookies, bread and more. My mom was a good cook. Basic food that her family ate with gusto. Nothing fancy, but everything tasted good that she made. Somewhere we have a photo of me on my 12th birthday with my birthday dinner requests before me. Red jello with sliced bananas, spaghetti, garlic toast and peas. Simple, good.

By the time I knew my grandma she and grandpa lived on a double lot and raised chickens (they sold the eggs), pigeons and rabbits. I didn't know that grandpa would kill and dress these for the neighbors who wanted fresh meat. I remember eating once and asking Grandma what it was we were eating. "Squab," she answered. "What's a squab?" I asked. When she told me it was a pigeon I wasn't very hungry anymore. Grandma washed her clothes in a wringer washer and used a dish pan to wash in the big country sink. She scraped her plates into a bowl for the chickens. We had a garbage disposal at our house. Grandma never, ever complained about hanging her laundry on the line or anything else if I remember correctly. I loved her so.

Our friends, the Meyers, had Joe's mother come to live with them when I was about 5. Joe remodeled the large den and I was fascinated with Mrs. Meyer's (I think her name was Nettie, but we children always called her Mrs. Meyer) kitchen. It comprised of a tiny alcove which had one cupboard with a counter top and one of these beauties (thanks to Christine Thresh for posting this pic on FB).As I read the ad I saw that it was sold at a company only about 2 or 3 miles from where we lived, so maybe this is where Joe bought it. I didn't understand why Mrs. Meyer needed her own kitchen, but many years later I realized she didn't really get along with her daughter-in-law. Perhaps that's going a little far, but two cooks in the same kitchen....well you understand.

I am thankful for my own kitchen...we have a JenAire grill. This is a drafted grill right in the kitchen. I can substitute a griddle for the grill and on the other side of the draft are two burners. These can be changed out for an additional grill if we are having a bunch over. So we grill every night. Chicken, fish, veggies every night.

Perhaps I'll get back to bread making someday. When the girls were small I made all our breadstuffs, yogurt, fruit leather, etc. Everything from scratch. For just the two of us it isn't always a good use of time or materials. But I'm sure my kitchen is filled with labor saving devices my grandma would have loved to have in that restaurant! We've come a long way, baby!

Dear Friends

2011-05-05T23:58:00.001-07:00

I admit it, I have wonderful friends. My friends are dear to me and I could not even begin to count them all. Some came into my life early and some friends I met while raising my children. Others are new to my life. Some share common interests, a common Faith, perhaps we share a common interest. My first two friends were the Meyer sisters, Lynda & Maralee. Our families moved to a quiet, "Father Knows Best" kind of neighborhood in Los Angeles when Lynda was about 3 1/2, I was 3 and Maralee was about 2. Our parents were life-long friends.....Here is a photo of Maralee and I on our recent Mexican Cruise.

Right after the cruise I had a chance to have dinner with some other friends...We'd been friends since kindergarten! We attended Cimmarron Avenue Elementary School in Inglewood, CA. We were also in Camp Fire Girl's beginning as Blue Birds all the way up through Jr. High Camp Fire Girls. So the night after the cruise Liz joined us at the Tangerine Grill in Anaheim, CA.

Here we are: Liz and I in front; Terri, Gail and Vicki in the back. We hugged and chattered and laughed and shared for hours. Missing were Toni, Olga & Lorna and I am hoping we can all get together in 2012. It would be so much fun! Just because I hadn't seen them in 46 years didn't mean we couldn't just pick right up. We shared about our children, our parents and brothers & sisters. We chattered about jobs and world events and so much more. I am sure if we lived close by each other we'd still be besties.

There was a time I said I wouldn't be my children's' friend. I would be their MOM. They didn't need a friend, but they needed a mom. Interesting because since Liz & Beka are now in their 30's we are friends. Oh, I'm still their Mom...but now we can share as friends do too.

I have young friends, old friends, men friends & girl friends. I have school friends, swimming friends, quilting friends, FaceBook friends, church friends and more. They are all dear to me. I hope you have friends in your life too.

Easter Cake

2011-05-04T00:19:00.001-07:00

Easter this year found us without family in the area. But never fear, we have good friends who invited us over. I asked what I could bring and Elizabeth said a dessert would be fine. I knew immediately I wanted to bring a coconut cake like my Grandma Nellie Belle used to make. Only problem was I didn't have her recipe. When I need a recipe I most always go to All Recipes. When I tried their site they had these cute chocolate nests pictured so I decided that since there would be children for Easter dinner they would be fun. Here's how I decorated the cake (had to use Peeps, don't you know!).

The nests were easy: Over low heat, melt together:

1 pkg chocolate chips

1 TBL shortening

Gently mix in

1 can chow mein noodles

1/2 cup coconut

Drop onto wax paper and form little nests. Fill immediately with jelly beans.

The Coconut Cake was actually easy too.

1 box white cake mix

4 eggs

1/4 C oil

1/2 C sour cream (I used light)

1 C cream of coconut

Mix together & cook at 350 degrees for 35 minutes (two 8" rounds). Cool 15 mins and remove from pans. Cool.

The recipe called for a cream cheese frosting. I made a buttercream & coconut filling and used a can of whipped cream frosting. I didn't even know they made that in cans. Then I pressed coconut onto the sides and top of the cake.

There was no cake left and only a few nests....the kids, as predicted, preferred the chocolate nests to the cake.

Bunnies & Blossoms & Bears! Oh, my!!!

2011-05-01T18:29:00.001-07:00

After reading my blogger friend Tanya's post yesterday about her lovely Sunday drive, I was inspired. Mr. Scottie Dog said we should spend the afternoon organizing a bunch of "stuff." I've worked hard all week and didn't want to go back to work tomorrow without having some rest and relaxation. So I suggested we have some fun. He thought that was a fine idea and when church was over he thought we could drive out to Dry Lagoon and check out the beach. We stopped for lunch at Los Bagels. Los Bagels makes the best bagels in the world. I kid you not! I usually get a Sesame Seed Bagel or a Slug with Slug Slime (a slug is a "straight" bagel) and Slug Slime is a topping that is a mixture of every kind of Bagel topping they have: sesame seeds, garlic, toasted onion, chopped garlic, poppy seeds, you get my drift. But I saw one today that was new to me: Parmesan Rosemary Bagels! YUM. I had mine with cream cheese, grated carrots and La'ruppin Dill Sauce. Oh, if you don't live here in Eureka, too bad. You can't get Los Bagels OR La'ruppin dill sauce. I don't remember what kind of bagel Mr. Scottie Dog had except he topped his with cream cheese and chopped black olives (about a cup!) and La'ruppin Dill.

Where we live on the far Northern Coast of California this is the first thing you see at the beach. Behind the sign at Dry Lagoon State Beach is this wonderful view. The ocean is directly to the left (I was actually surprised it didn't show in this photo).
We took a walk on the beach, found some cool rocks and sat on an enormous tree trunk piece of driftwood. Here's a shot of the ocean. It was warmer than it looks. So very relaxing.

We walked back up to the bluff to check out a gigantic rock formation and found another driftwood "couch" and sat some more. We both live pretty hectic lives and don't take much time to do "nothing." Ahhhhh, nothing was really something!

I love flowers...any kind of flowers. Big, small, red, blue, aromatic or not. I'm always checking out the flowers and Spring in Humboldt County never disappoints. Here are some wild strawberry blossoms growing right out of the sand.

Blue (purple) Lupin abound in our area. They grow wild. We saw fields of them today. Blue/purple, white, yellow...wonderful.....well there are those who would love to rid the county of all lupin. It was introduced from Europe to help stabilize the sand dunes and now covers hillsides near and far. I like them. In the midst of taking pictures of flowers a bunny crossed our path! A small, cute, brown bunny. I'm not sure I've ever seen a small wild bunny near the ocean in the 40 odd years I've live here. Bill saw a pair of them nearby and then later when we traveled up the coast a few miles we saw another one. So I guess they've been here all along!
Everywhere we went today, Dry Lagoon, Stone Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Orick and Prairie Creek State Park we saw a plant with very large leaves sending up huge stalks (3-6' and more!) with a flower that looked like Queen Anne's Lace on steroids. I looked it up when we got home and it was Cow Parsnips!
And last, but not least in the floral department is Skunk Cabbage. I've heard they smell terrible, but not in my experience. Friend Tanya saw White Skunk Cabbage on her drive, yellow is what grows here on the North Coast.
We left the lagoons and continued driving North. There was a field by the road with over 50 Roosevelt Elk! Another car had stopped. I bet they thought the elk stayed inside the fence. On our way back only a few remained in that field. The rest had meandered over the countryside.
Our last stop was at Prairie Creek State Park. A new exhibit told the story of the CCC building the Visitors' Center (originally the caretaker's lodge) in 1934. I know it has had a new roof several times since then, but this one has quite a crop of ferns and moss growing on it. Check out the roof of this phone booth too! No cell service here so a pay phone is a good idea.
As we drove south towards home we saw a black bear in the road. He wasn't happy to see us and ran down the road ahead of us for quite some time. Just when Mr. Scottie Dog said, "Get your camera!" He veered off into the underbrush. So my picture is from the Internet....but "our" bear looked just like this one!
Thank you Tanya for putting the idea of a drive in our heads.....we needed a rest and diversion. I highly recommend it for all.

Back to blogging

2011-04-30T18:57:00.000-07:00

First off I want to thank all of you who have left me comments, emailed me and personally made sure I knew that you read my blog and have missed me. From the bottom of my heart I am humbled and warmed by your kind words.

Yes, I do have a new computer. After gathering lots of advice, recommendations and information Mr. Scottie Dog and I went shopping. At the 2nd store we found an HP with 1 1/2 Terabytes (he says that's a lot of bytes!), a nice big monitor and new keyboard. It's kind of slow going because my camera doesn't want to work with it...(Skype with the Grandchildren is a MUST for me!), as of yet I don't have a compatible mail program so the newsletter from our store will have to be put off until I buy a program. I don't understand all the ins and outs but Mr. Scottie Dog does and he is a sweetie to help me out.

Today was the local Rhododendron Parade in Eureka. We've spent the last several years watching it with Sydney, but this year she was in MN visiting Uncle Jason and Auntie Beka & her cousins. I worked in the store. As I left for work I told Mr. Scottie Dog that it would either be dead all day or it would be a zoo after the parade was over. There are lots of other activities associated with the Rhododendron Festival too. At 9:45 am I put the OPEN sign out. No customers by 11 am. That was OK by me....I had lots of things to keep me busy. A Quilt Shop always has work to do. We had gotten in new Batiks and I cut fat quarters and rolled them. I started work on the newsletter. I opened the mail and recorded some of the inventory into the computer. 11:30 am and not a customer but several phone calls from customers and then I did some ordering online.....Sure enough at 12:04 pm the store was swamped. I couldn't cut fast enough. I helped people pick out patterns, fabrics...I helped them choose borders, backings & bindings. I showed and demonstrated Pfaff sewing machines. At 2:30 I put my lunch (leftovers) into the microwave and hurried to answer the phone. More customers. At 3:15 I nuked my lunch a second time. I poured a Diet Coke and gobbled my lunch in time to greet a mother & daughter traveling through our area and help them, meantime several regulars came to browse and shop and a gal from a town over the mountains showed up to buy for a retreat she was going to. She had one FQ she wanted to build her quilt around. I got her all rung up, she left and then returned 10 minutes with another Fat Quarter...."maybe she should be prepared with a second set of fabrics in case the first set wasn't exactly what was needed." This meant choosing 4 more fabrics for a total of 7 yards for EACH quilt. We close on Sat. at 4 pm. At 3:50 a regular gal came in looking for a pattern she had seen somewhere. We had the pattern. "Did we have the fabrics pictured on the front?" Well, no since the pattern was about 2 years old and the fabric line had long ago sold out. But $266 later we had made a good effort. By now it was after 5 pm. I vacuumed the store as our faithful store cleaner is on vacation and made my way home. It was a good day. I know it sounds hectic and long, but actually the time flew by.

Today was the Rhododendron Festival and parade. Here are two of the many Rhodies growing in our own garden.I shall be glad this summer as the old fireplace chimney gets a facelift!

And that was the glamorous day in the life of a Quilt Shop owner.

Sad Computer

2011-04-24T22:26:00.000-07:00

Well, today it has been declared official! My computer is dead. Not sick, not hurting....dead as a door nail. (why is a door nail dead I wonder?.) I should look that up sometime.

I've not posted for a long time because I had some kind of blogger blockage....does anyone really read my blog? Does anyone CARE to read my blog? What do I have to say, anyway? And then when I actually was ready to blog my computer started doing weird things. First I couldn't access my mail (or send any, read any) on my particular computer. Then I found that while I could access FaceBook and comment there, I could READ blogs but I couldn't comment on them.
Get the picture? Weird. Just plain weird.

Then I found that I could access and watch things on Hulu, I couldn't watch anything on my Netflix account. I could GO to Netflix and add to my queue or rate movies but I couldn't watch anything. It was very frustrating. Every day there was some new odd thing I couldn't do or access. I told my husband in frustration all about it. Mr. Scottie Dog suggested I make a list of what software I actually used and back up whatever files I wanted to save. Yeah, right....like I even know what software I use. You see, I am terribly computer illiterate. I can find my way around the Internet, I can use many programs. But are they software? Hardware? Programs? I have always left that up to him. After all, he is the electronic genius (generally a genius about everything!). I promised myself I'd get to it. A couple of times I've gotten a virus and he's always been able to fix and restore my computer back to normal.

Well, late last week I turned on the computer and after a couple of minutes a large notice came up saying, "HARD DRIVE FAILURE." And then the screen when black. Not just blank....black.
I knew that wasn't good. Mr. Scottie Dog has patiently tried to "restore (?)" it. Things look promising and then the screen says, "Wait..........." After three tries it still waits.

Tomorrow we're going to buy me a new computer. I hope I don't break this one! I'm now using an old laptop of his. But Explorer is so old I can't access pictures, see videos, solve my daily jigsaw puzzle and more. But at least I can still check and send mail. I have a bunch of photos I want to share with you. See you soon!

computer problems

2011-04-21T21:00:00.000-07:00

I'm having some computer issues and I'll be back as soon as I can!

More Cruise & April Fool's

2011-04-03T23:34:00.000-07:00

Our Mexican Quilting Cruise was awesome! No doubt about it. We had a fun group, pictured here with our just one of our cruise projects: Mexican Rivera. I am amazed at how many have finished their quilt. Several ladies finished a Potato Chip Bag (handy over the shoulder bag...named because...."bet you can't make just one!") and I've also seen a few of the appliqué samplers finished. Here we are...even the grands. I had to hunt to find Shiloh but she's there.

Every night our cabin steward had fun towels folded into animals. Jakob is posing with our walrus (who really DID look like a walrus in person). Our family had three rooms. Liz & Steve had an adjoining cabin to ours. The door was nearly always open between the rooms and our balconies joined too. Beka & Jason were in the room across the hall from us but again we nearly always had the doors open so everyone wandered from room to room. Jakob slept in his own upper bunk in our cabin. This was his first sleep-away-from-home with Grammy & Grampy. We got along fine.

Everyone always talks about the food on a cruise. Well, ours didn't disappoint in that respect!

Some of the meals included Lobster & Prawns!

Prawns with the most delish roasted corn!

Mr. Scottie Dog had duck one night.

Here is one dessert I tried: Apple & Bavarian Cream with caramel sauce!

I think I ate pretty well on our trip. For lunch I usually just had a salad. But at dinners I often got two appetizers and ordered two desserts....I'd take a taste of each and pass them on to Bill. I think the favorite dessert was Carnival's signature Warm Chocolate Melting Cake with Vanilla Bean ice cream. I won't tell who ordered two entrés one night....Prime Rib AND Lobster.....it wasn't me, but after seeing the Prime Rib I almost asked for some too! We had two formal nights and here's a photo of Mr. Scottie Dog and I....we clean up pretty well! What a handsome man I married!

One last thought....Mr. Scottie Dog has some dietary issues and cannot eat several seasonings and common vegetable. Carnival was willing to work with him each night to fix any dish he wanted without using anything on the forbidden list. I had heard that on a cruise you could ask for a special diet...I imagined Low Fat, Kosher, low carb, no salt, etc. But they took his list of "can't eat" and he had the most fabulous meals. They were even willing to put special dishes in the dining room or buffet for lunch & breakfast too. He was always able to find something yummy to eat then so didn't take them up on that. Hats off to you, Carnival Cruise Line for making Mr. Scottie Dog's meals so fabulous.

Finally back to blogging!

2011-03-28T23:24:00.001-07:00

I'm finally back to blogging! My last post was in February just as we were getting ready to leave on our Scottie Dog Quilts Mexican Quilting Cruise. All I can say is that it was wonderful! We drove to So. CA and spent the afternoon & night before in Long Beach. It was fun to stay at a hotel out of town and every few minutes meet up with someone else from our cruise! Our MN family members arrived and the grandkids gave Grammy hugs. A family pizza party! The next day we embarked on the Carnival Splendor...off to the Mexican Riviera!

We had a chance to dress up and enjoy ourselves...Here is my oldest friend, Maralee (she hates it when I say oldest friend...she reminds me I'm older than she....we met when I was 4 and she was 3 or thereabouts). Don't we look grand?

We really did sew! Here's Crystal sewing her cruise project.

Judy took time out for the 3 story water slide!

In Puerto Vallarta Mr. Scottie Dog found the local fabric store. It was just a couple of blocks from the dock. Maralee, Bill & I had a great time checking it all out.

This next shot is one of my favorite shots from the cruise....my two oldest grands: Jakob Haché and Sydney Adams. Don't they look fine!

We tried to get a nice photo of all the grands...this is the best one!

There's lots more to share...but it's late. I'll post more tomorrow!

It's going to get cold around here!

2011-02-24T15:15:00.001-08:00

The weatherman is predicting snow for Humboldt County tonight and through the weekend. Ring down to sea level! That is pretty unusual for us. It usually doesn't get very hot or very cold here....just sort of medium. So we're leaving tonight to try beat some of the snow. Yes, it's finally time for our Scottie Dog Quilts Quilting Cruise to Mexico aboard Carnival Splendor. The ship had a fire in November that made the news but it is repaired and newly refurbished and in Mexico as we speak. We have a great group of quilters going with us and many of them are bringing their husbands this time (or sisters or daughters or children or mothers....lots of extra people too!). Both my daughters, their husbands and children (my grands!) are coming as well as Mr. Scottie Dog, of course. We will have a lovely time and especially when it's going to be so cold at home. Mexico here we come!

Here is some fabulous news for those of you who wanted to come to Mexico with us but couldn't make it this time. As soon as we return we'll have all the details for our next Quilting Cruise:

We'll be cruising this time with Norwegian Cruise Lines around the Hawaiian Islands! Save the dates: March 3-11, 2012. If you are interested in a brochure, email me here and I'll send you the information when we return March 12. We're taking another week after Mexico to go to Disneyland and a Pfaff training in LA. Oh, yes, and I'll be having dinner one night with some of my elementary school friends....can't wait!

Adios! See you in a couple of weeks!

100 Day

2011-02-18T11:33:00.001-08:00

100, One Hundred. Last week I heard about a friend of Sydney's needing to cut some stars on our AccuCut machine. Her mom came in with fabrics and cut out 100 star shapes. Wow! I thought 100 stars. Being the nosey woman I am, I asked why they needed 100 star shapes. Larissa explained it was for 100 Day at School. I hadn't heard about that but she made a garland out of all the stars by tacking them to a (long) length of ribbon. Larissa later mentioned that the teacher had asked to keep it up in the classroom. Sounded cute to me. With that, I put all thoughts of 100 Day out of my mind.

Enter this week when daughter Liz told me that Sydney was making a chain of beads....100 beads for 100 Day. What in the heck is "100 Day?" Turns out it is the 100th Day of School. I guess since my girls were young there is now celebrated in most schools around the country: "100 Days of School." Just Google 100 Days of School and you'll get tons of stuff....school lesson plans, ideas of how to help kids visualize 100 of any thing (jelly beans, marshmallows, leaves, rocks, candies, etc). Sydney's chain of beads had a "special" bead at every 10 beads. Here is a pic of Sydney on 100 Day.
Times have certainly changed....Sydney is in Kindergarten. She has learned to read, write, count and understand numbers, simple addition, count by 2's, 5's, & 10's. She has learned to tell time on an analog (dial) clock. She has an understanding about the Civil Rights movement, the names of many of the Presidents and what they accomplished and so very much more. Most of these things I didn't learn until 1st, 2nd or 3rd grades!

I'm glad I'm not in school today. I enjoyed being a kid and playing with dolls until I was 10 or so. But what a wonderful thing to actually teach children young while their brains are just asking for knowledge. At my time of life I can't seem to remember much of anything anymore.

High Tea at the Eureka Inn

2011-02-13T20:14:00.001-08:00

There was a benefit today for the Humboldt County Historical Society today at the Historic Eureka Inn. The Inn's owners had gone bankrupt in 2004 and it had been closed and changed hands a few times before opening in May of 2010. There are only 50 rooms ready for occupancy and the restaurant, pub and coffee shop are currently closed, but the current owner, Mr. Libo Zhu has a vision to restore this wonderful Eureka Treasure to it's former glory.Redwood Sewing Center will be holding our next Mystery Quilting Retreat here April 8-10, 2011. ( If you are interested, call the store at 707 444-9662).

Today we were there for High Tea! And what a wonderful time was had by all. I think there were 100 guests. Most of the ladies present wore hats. At our table we wore hats, gloves, pearls and our pinkies were held up high! My beautiful daughter, Liz and Geri.Just a small portion of the dessert table...lemon bars, cookies and scones from Ramone's Bakery.

Margie and her lovely daughter Charlotte.

Here we are, mother and daughter.

Some more desserts...luscious cupcakes filled with goodness! (mine was chocolate with raspberry filling.) There was so much more food, but I guess I didn't get a photo. Cucumber sandwiches, chicken salad, Thai wraps, shaved Tri-Tip roast from Porter Street Barbecue ( with Cypress Grove Cheve blended with Tulle Lake horseradish!), mushroom tarts, Swedish cucumber salad and so much more. The food was fabulous, the company even more so! We laughed, told stories on one another, planned our next quilting projects, caught up on family news while entertained by a 6 piece musical group which played an eclectic mix of classical and folk tunes from many lands.
Donna, Brigette & Kenny. I loved his hat too! See Liz's bag? So chic black satin with just a peek of pink. So girly, yet sophisticated.
Here we all are (thanks Kenny, for patiently taking photos with all our cameras). L-R: Margie, Dona, Geri, Judy, Brigette, me (BrendaLou), Liz and Charlotte.

After we had our photo op we took a tour of some of the guest rooms. We are so excited about our upcoming retreat being held here. Don't worry about the restaurant not being open yet...we've got wonderful caterers coming in. And the Redwood Lounge may just be open by April.

Birthday Week

2011-02-12T13:17:00.000-08:00

This past week was Willie's Birthday. Willie (Willa Mae) is my stepmother. But somehow it's hard to call her that since she only came into my life in 2004 when she married my dad. Dad had known her in High School and reconnected with her after my Mom passed away. And Stepmother has such nasty connotations. Willie isn't nasty in any way. She fun, funny, pretty, interested in lots of things, does lovely cross stitch work and made my Dad's last years incredibly happy. I love her for all those things. Willie and Dad, Christmas 2008

The night before Willie's birthday I got a call from my brother to tell me that Willie had cancer. She'd just heard from the doctor that she has CLL or Chronic Lymphcocytic Leukemia. Bad news is she has to go through a round of very low dose chemo (she won't be sick or lose her hair). Good news is that it is so very slow moving that she'll die of natural causes years and years before it could cause a problem. I chatted with her on her birthday and she seems upbeat. So please say a prayer for Willie...I love her so.

Friday it was my youngest granddaughter Shiloh's First Birthday.I haven't seen any birthday pics yet so here's a favorite one of mine from November. Mr. Scottie Dog and I sang Happy Birthday via SKYPE. Friday was a bittersweet day. Shiloh's first birthday and the first anniversary of my beloved Dad's passing. The circle of life. Daddy knew all about his latest great-granddaughter and had remarked how much he liked her name.

Our cruise is coming up. Two more weeks and we'll be on the road to So. CA to embark on our Mexican Quilting Cruise. It's countdown time. Cut and package up the Quilt Kits (check) (Liz did 90% of the work on these). Get my hair cut (Check), get the suitcases from the attic and pack (to do), chose clothes for the cruise (check) (whew! they all fit!). Still need to make an appointment for a pedicure (I'm going to be wearing sandals!). Picked up sandals from shoe repair guy (check!). Still need to finish name badge holders for those who are sewing with us (I am 80% done with these). Here are a few of the completed ones. There is a pocket under the flap to tuck a little something inside and a clear vinyl pouch for the names. These will be worn around the neck in the sewing room on our cruise. I need to make a few more. Each one is different.

It was supposed to rain today but the weather is gloriously wonderful! The sun is shining, the daffodils are ready to burst into bloom and some of the azaleas are blooming. The rain is now holding off until Monday. Happy Weekend to you!

Thursday, Friday and Saturday

2011-02-05T20:21:00.001-08:00

Thursday, Friday and Saturday. This week these days were filled! Thursday my local Quilt Guild, REQG held it's February meeting. The program was our Basket Auction. I don't know how many baskets there were, but there were lots! All proceeds were to bring National Teachers to Eureka. Here's Maggie with three of the baskets.

This next picture is of not only a fantastic basket, but a lively quilt waiting for Show and Tell! The basket was from the Wednesday Group....a quilting group of ladies that have been meeting for at least 25 years. The theme of their basket is obvious: LEMONS! Lemon Curd, lemon lotion, lemon fabrics, lemon pot holders, lemon tea, lemon soda, even lemon scented dish soap! So much more. I was impressed that everyone contributed a lemon recipe too! Leta's Lemon Meringue Pie was included. Whatever the last bid on this basket was, I'm sure Leta's recipe was worth it!
Here's our contribution: An Amy Butler box. It included some Amy Butler patterns, Amy Butler stationery notes, Amy Butler software, Amy Butler Fat Quarters, Amy Butler scented Soak and more....a Redwood Sewing Center gift certificate too!Liz and I couldn't stay until the end of guild, so we didn't' see who won the baskets, but they were wonderful and for a worthy cause.

Friday morning I went to the pool for my Aqua Aerobics class and boy, did we have a workout! I was bushed. At 3 pm I picked up Sydney and back to the pool for Sydney's first swim lesson from Grandma. Quite tentative at first, she was finally having fun and off to the deeper end as we ended our 1 1/2 hour time. We'll go back on Monday and see how far we get.

As usual, Friday night is date night around our house and Mr. Scottie Dog took me to dinner. Afterwards we came home and I was asleep within half an hour....all that swimming had me tuckered out!

Today (Saturday) I was at the store bright and early. Katie taught a Heather Bailey Pattern called Smartie Girl Book Bag.It was fun to see all the gals as their bags progressed. Here they are at the end of the day (minus Judy...she went home a few minutes early!)
Back Row: Katie, Donna, Cathie, Connie, Susan. Front Row: Margie & Geri. Aren't their bags wonderful!

Picked up Sydney after work. She's spending the night. Ahhh.....

Some of Grammy's Girls

2011-02-02T08:02:00.001-08:00

As you know, I am a Grandma, a Gamma, a Grammy...doesn't matter what you call me, I am crazy for my girls (and my grandson too!). Mercedes (Sadies) Sarah Grace turned three last week. She had a SweetPea Princess Party. Technology being what it is, I used Skype to close the miles and got to go to the party. Here's a picture of the big girl now with the adorable Castle Cake Beka made.Happy Birthday Sadies! You and your cake are truly adorable!

Sydney had two milestones back to back. First we pierced her ears and Monday she lost her first tooth. It's been loose for about 3 weeks and the 2nd tooth coming in right behind it. Liz tied a thread to it and before she could even pull, the tooth popped out as she tightened the thread around the tooth.Lots of root still on that tooth! Here she is with her new tooth coming right in. I have it on good authority that the Tooth Fairy who used to bring me a dime or quarter now brings 5 (that's right, FIVE) golden coins (Buchanan dollars). The golden dollar coins are fun...they are doing all the presidents. You can ask for them at your bank. Today is clear and sunny. Sorry for my friends in the Midwest & East.

Grammy's Weekend

2011-01-30T13:02:00.000-08:00

Being a Grandma is a wonderful thing! It's my calling at this stage of my life. Oh, yes, I'm still a wife and mom, but I so love being a Grandma. Friday was Mercedes' third birthday. I go to "go" to the party via Skype. While Sadies and her little girlfriends danced in MN at the SweetPea Princess Party Grammy was there, albeit sitting in her living room in CA. Isn't technology wonderful! When Sadies opened her very pink & sparkly princess tennis shoes I got to see and hear her oohs and ahhs and she turned to the camera and said, "thank you Grammy!" Beka made a beautiful pink castle cake and I got to enjoy it too (minus the calories!).

Saturday afternoon Sydney came over to our house. We made brownies for Grandpa, checked out my secret sewing project, played with blocks and she watched "Anne of Green Gables" while I took a nap! We fixed her hot dogs for dinner (Grandpa & Grammy had chicken) and watched Don Knotts, Tim Conway and Bill Bixby in "Apple Dumpling Gang."

This was a favorite movie of my own girls when they were Syd's age. How come they don't make family films like this any more? Just plain fun, a clean story and full of laughs for the whole family.

After Church we had an errand to do. For the past year or two Sydney has expressed an interest in getting her ears pierced. Many of her friends have taken the plunge and while she really wanted to have pretty earrings, Sydney was reluctant as several had told her it hurt quite a lot. On Saturday afternoon she asked if we could get her ears pierced. I knew that I had her parents permission to do so. Syd and I thought it would be fun to get it done on Sunday, go out for ice cream and then surprise her parents with her new earrings.

We made it to the Mall after Church but the Piercing Pagoda wasn't open for another half hour. No problem...right next door is the Mall's playground so she and some other kids climbed and slid and shouted and laughed together.

Soon it was time to get piercing. Grandma had to hold her hand and Sydney was very brave and courageous. She now has ruby red stones in each ear! She looks so grown up. Mom and Dad were so excited.And that was Grammy's weekend.

Aqua Aerobics

2011-01-28T18:13:00.000-08:00

I've had a ton of fun this week. I am realizing that I haven't had this much fun in years! I joined the Gym. I'm 59, out of shape and sadly in need of some exercise. But alas....arthritis in the knees make it very hard to exercise. A couple of years back my doctor put me on the South Beach Diet and I've got it pretty much down. I know what and how much to eat and Dr. Wieland did a happy dance when he saw that my high blood pressure came 'way down to a very good level and my cholesterol zoomed from very high to low-middle range of good. But the exercise thing was tough. No weight-bearing exercise. No walking, running, bike riding, etc. I started out a few days with Liz and a friend going to the gym by our house 8-9 pm and riding a recumbent bike....wow! I could do it without pain. For an hour! Liz spends her hour on the elliptical trainer and I thought, "If I can do the recumbent bike so easily, maybe I could do the elliptical trainer for, say, 5 minutes to exercise more." I lasted about 30 seconds and my left knee said, "No, NO, NO!"

My friend Geri has sung the praises of her aqua aerobics class for more than a year and I realized that although I can't go on Mondays & Tuesdays I COULD go Wed-Fri. every week. So Wednesday I put on my bathing suit (oh, it's not a pretty sight!) and a cover-up, grabbed a towel and my flip flops and tootled on down to the gym. Oh, my! so much fun! As I said before, I haven't had so much fun for years. I bobbed up and down and twisted and turned and kicked and stretched over and over and over again. It was lots of fun. We used weights, we used noodles, I got water up my nose a couple of times. But it was fun! So I went back on Thursday and again this morning. Turns out I know a lot of the people who take water classes there. And found an old friend from long ago. There's a 92 year old man who comes every day. He'll probably still be there when I'm 92!

Here's a picture of Thursday's class. It was smaller than Wed. and Fri. ( where about 30 people come). I can feel the muscles. And you know what? My knee doesn't complain at all. So I'll do the recumbent bike three nights a week and swim three mornings a week. Sounds pretty doable.

In the past I've gone to Jazercize and exercise classes and while it wasn't UNpleasant to work out, it couldn't come close to the fun I've had in the water. Can you tell I'm excited? And who knows, maybe someday that bathing suit might look OK on me!

Question Mark????

2011-01-21T10:31:00.000-08:00

Today is my day off. I like days off and it seems lately that all sorts of things get in the way. My preference is to sleep late (I usually stay up way too late!), thus eat late and I only have to eat two meals on my day off. So far I have gotten dressed, done the dishes (unloaded the dishwasher), put a load of laundry in and played on the computer a bit....FaceBook and email take a bit of time, don't 'cha know?

Now I'm really excited about what I'm doing today. I mean REALLY excited. I'm making something that is so cute and darling that I am bursting at wanting to share it. But....I.....can't!

You see, it's a surprise. I can't even tell you what or who the surprise is for because even that would give a little bit away. Thus the question marks. But know that I'm going to have a fantastic day off playing with my sewing machine. Haven't done it in a loooong time. I hope that you get to spend some fun time this week too.

Weekend with Gamma

2011-01-16T11:30:00.000-08:00

Saturday mornings I usually sleep in a tad, but not this weekend. We were holding a Get Acquainted Class for some of our new Pfaff sewing machine owners. Giving a class like this is always fun because of the lights you see going on. "Oh, I didn't know I could do that!" "I never dreamed I could make a button hole so easily!" "It has an automatic thread cutter?" "Oh, my goodness....it's beautiful!" You hear all sorts of comments just like these. We, at Redwood Sewing Center/Scottie Dog Quilts are overwhelmed at the response of our local sewing/quilting community since we've opened our Pfaff Sewing Machine dealership. And we are glad that they have all been so happy with their machines. One gal had confided last week to a fellow class member that she "hated" her new Pfaff. Couldn't do a thing with it. After Saturday's class she told me she's not going to sew on anything else! She loves it. I wish she'd told me that last month and I could have helped her out before! And so every month we offer get acquainted classes for our new owners.

Sydney calls me Gamma and the Haché household calls me Grammy. I suppose that when we go on our cruise next month all the grandkids will choose one or the other name. This weekend we've had the pleasure of Sydney's company. We ate dinner at her favorite place: HomeTown Buffet. I'm surprised that she first chooses a (somewhat) healthy plate with 1 slice cheese pizza, carrots, hard boiled eggs, cherry tomatoes, grilled white fish and then, of course, comes dessert. You'd think with a vast array of desserts that she'd want several or at the very least have a problem choosing. NOPE! Every time she goes for a cone filled with orange fat free, sugar free frozen yogurt....with lots and lots (and lots and lots!) of sprinkles on top.

We came home and baked a cake. Syd's getting really good at cracking the eggs! Then we watched our friends, Huckleberry Flint, perform on TV! What a treat to see them. We like their "old timey" sound. Some of them grew up with our children and we've been fans for many years now. Then Gamma fell asleep and when I woke up Grandpa had put Sydney to bed. So much for Gamma's bedtime stories!After church today we frosted the cake and Sydney put sprinkles and jimmys on the cake. Is she proud or what?

"What's for lunch, Gamma?" I had an idea. Last week she'd asked me what a pig in a blanket was. I had a can of biscuits from who knows what in the fridge. First we smashed the biscuits and then rolled them on the hot dogs. It takes a lot of concentration.

Then you bake them (and any stray biscuits you have left-over)Next you fix your plate....did you know it's a law that you have to fill up each section of your plate? It is! Truly. And after she said she didn't want any carrots, Grandpa came to the rescue with Cheetos....she and Grandpa have a thing about Cheetos. They are too artificially orange for me! As you can see we have filled up the plate with 5 major food groups....Your bread/grain group, your protein group (hot dogs?), your milk/dairy (string cheese), your vegetable group (I kid you not...when Bill Clinton was president they classified Catsup as a serving of vegies for school lunch programs!) and your "too orange, what could be in a cheeto" group!
She looks pretty happy about the whole thing!

Right now she and Grandpa are outside doing something.....it's cold and misty (not quite raining, but certainly not dry) but they are having a fine time. Later I'm going shopping with daughter Liz and maybe a movie. Good weekend...and for me it ends today as I work all day tomorrow....and since it's a holiday I'll probably be busy.

And the winner is..............

2011-01-10T22:01:00.000-08:00

And the winner is........................Katie Hartsell! Congratulations Katie....You've won a jar of my homemade Jalapeno Jelly. Katie's name was picked by taking all the comments from my blog and FaceBook in regards to my 300th post.

Since Katie is a local gal, I'll bring her jar of Jelly to Redwood Sewing Center....I am sure to see her there soon. Congratulations Katie!

Quilt Challenge

2011-01-07T00:11:00.000-08:00

The first Thursday night of every month the Redwood Empire Quilters Guild meets in my home town, Eureka, CA. Eureka is a coastal town in 'way Northern California nearly to the Oregon border. There are only three roads into the city....Highway 101 to the north and the south and Highway 299 through the mountains over to Interstate 5. It's a 3 hour winding mountainous drive through the mountains East to Redding, CA. To the North or South it's roughly 5-6 hours to any standard sized city. So you might say we are isolated. Often we are referred to as being behind the Redwood Curtain. We have magnificent Redwood Forests and a rough and chilly Pacific Ocean to our West.

This isolation makes for creative and talented people. Many artists live here, and among them are the quilters. Tonight at Quilt Guild our members displayed their "Challenge Quilts." A challenge was laid down last year to make a quilt (wall hanging size) that included an animal, the color orange and polka dots. Interesting set of rules, wasn't it. I spent most of the Fall visiting my daughter in MN so I didn't participate, but here are just a small sampling of the quilts.

Miss Hippo 2011. Her bathing suit (love the frilly skirt) was 3-D and her nails were all shiny and pink.This possum mama had made little quilts for her babies....there are no names on the quilts for voting but I think this one was made by a dear woman who rescues possums.
This Corgi quilt was so life-like and I thought the way she incorporated the leash was clever.
I have a fondness for elephants and liked this quilt quite a lot. We couldn't vote on it as it was made by the Challenge Co-chair.
So much going on in this circus quilt...very creative...again we couldn't vote on this one as it was made by the other Co-chair.
This quilt used many three dimensional embellishments...the koala was fuzzy and the lambs were woolie too. It was sort of "one world" in that there were elements from Egypt, Australia, Switzerland and the tropics. I liked it.

One thing I should note is that these quilts all hung straight in "real life," but pinned to sheets they appeared to have wobbly borders. Not so in real life. Wish I could give credit to the creators and/or tell you who won, but alas, I had to leave before the winners were announced. A great job by all who entered!

Don't forget to comment. You've got until Sunday at 9 pm (pacific time) and I'll randomly pick a winner for a jar of my homemade Jalapeno Jelly. It is fantastic over cream cheese with wheat thins!

Wednesday Nights

2011-01-05T22:17:00.000-08:00

What do you do Wednesday nights? I teach a "Sit & Sew" class at Redwood Sewing Center (formerly Scottie Dog Quilts). It all started about 17 years ago when I began teaching quilting in my home on Monday nights. After a couple of years a small craft store asked me to move to their location. For roughly 48 weeks each year I taught Monday night and Tuesday morning quilting..9 of those years at my own store. This past September we decided to switch Monday nights to Wednesday. So now I teach the Sit & Sew class on Tuesday mornings and Wednesday nights. Geri teaches the Thursday morning classes.

What do I do at a Sit & Sew Class? I give lots of opinions....on color, fabric, patterns and borders. I cut fabric for customers. I teach how to get those seams a true one quarter of an inch. I show how to use a rotary cutter, how to put on binding, how to figure out how much fabric one needs for a border or a backing. I help thread a pesky machine. And sometimes I get to work on a project of my own while doing all of the above.

But the BEST OF ALL is all the Show and Tell I get to see. Tonight Sue J. T. showed off her BQ3 quilt (pattern by Debbie Bowles) made with "boy" fabrics.

Then she showed off another nearly completed quilt in which she has combined printed fabric panels, pieced blocks and a realistic road I've seen her make in previous quilts. Sue makes a lot of little boy quilts.Paula finished putting the borders on her Keyhole quilt for an ailing relative. It's a bright and cheery quilt bound to brighten-up any room.

So this is what I do on Wednesday nights. How about you? Tell me what you do on Wednesday nights by commenting on the blog by 9 pm Sunday, January 9. In honor of my 300th posting yesterday I'll send to a randomly picked commenter a jar of my homemade Jalapeno Jelly. It's REALLY good!

300!

2011-01-02T20:55:00.000-08:00

Yes, that's right, post 300 today! I didn't realize it until I started to write this. There should be a give-away and I promise I'll figure out one tomorrow as it's too late to do tonight.

It's a new year...Twenty Eleven (at least that's how I'm going to start saying it) is here...and I didn't even send out all my Christmas cards. Here's one for YOU!

The pictures were taken this summer at Yellowstone National Park. This is a traditional photo opp for my family...This picture includes Mr. Scottie Dog and I, daughters Liz (with hubby Steve & granddaughter Sydney) and Beka (with hubby Jason & grands Jakob, Mercedes and Shiloh), my brother Pat (and wife Debbie) and brother Denny (and wife Carey).

Tomorrow is my birthday. Not a milestone birthday, but pretty close! I celebrated last Thursday night with a bunch of wonderful women. Four of us were celebrating birthdays and we all went to Bay One Teppanyaki. So much fun! For once in my life I sat at the rowdy table!

Twelve of us sitting around the grill. Oh, my...my birthday was certainly celebrated. Tomorrow's actually the day and I'm staying home and sewing to my heart's content on MY projects. The family is going to have a little party for me on Friday night. Can't wait.

New Year's was quiet around our house. We took inventory at the store and I was in bed early. Mr. Sun was out today and it was beautiful. I think no rain all week is predicted. I could go for that! Happy New Year's to all of you.

Christmas Eve

2010-12-24T21:06:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve is nearly over here at the Scott House. It's been a day of fun and laughter, of remembering and gratefulness.

This morning I got a phone call, "Gamma...when are you going to pick me up?" "On my way Sydney!" Picked up this delightful 5 year old and off we went to the grocery store. I've been there every day this week; you would have thought I had enough. But still needed a few things. As we passed the olives I asked Sydney if she thought we needed some for Christmas Eve dinner. "Nope." she said. I then asked if she thought we needed them to put on our fingers and she quickly said we definitely needed them.

We picked up Mama's gift and came back home. Liz called to add another family to our Christmas Eve Crab Feast...of course there is always room for the Caldwell family at our table! Larissa & Lewis and their 3 munchkins are considered part of our family. Mr. Scottie Dog cooked and picked crab for everyone, I made salad and Liz made a shrimp & Parmesan pasta. Add some sourdough bread, crab Louie sauce and we have a feast!

Sydney helped me decorate, set the table and make some cookies for dessert. She and Mr. Scottie Dog got his vintage Lionel trains running around the Christmas Tree. These vintage trains are from the very early 1920's and were given to his dad for Christmas. There are crates and crates of track, buildings & cars. The only place I've ever seen them before is at the California State Railroad Museum. He's got quite a collection.

After dinner Sydney got to open a gift under the tree...there were only 3. One for our cats and one for her cats (we bought kitty treats at the store today) and one I had placed there. "Merry Christmas Curious George." So we made Sydney a bed beside the tree, read the book, said her prayers and she went to sleep with the twinkling tree lights and visions of Christmas Morning dancing in her head.

Liz and Steve headed home...they'll be back at the crack of o'dawn thirty and we'll open our gifts and have brunch. I hope that all of you have a wonderful Christmas. The most important thought I can leave you with is that the Baby Jesus grew up to give his life that you might come to know God the Father. Bless you all.

Christmas Crab

2010-12-20T00:29:00.001-08:00

In our neck of the woods....er, Coastal Redwood Forest, that is.... Dungeness Crab is a December delicacy. The fishing fleet braves winter seas, rain and wind to bring us Dungeness Crab. You'll find them in every grocery store, the local fish markets and every restaurant will be serving their December Crab specials. Crab manicotti, crab cakes, crab salad, crab melt sandwiches and more.
I came home from work on Saturday weary and hungry. Mr. Scottie Dog had been out to Woodley Island Marina (in the bay just a stone's throw from downtown Eureka) and purchased Mr. Crab (pictured below) from a crab fisherman.

Mr. Dog brought home this fine creature....notice he's making a sideways run for it off the tray. I guess he knew there was a big pot of hot water heating on the patio. Bill likes his crab fresh. That means buying it off the boat, dripping wet and then rushing home and putting him into the boiling pot within an hour or so. Dungeness crab is quite sweet and they are meaty too. This big guy yielded enough crab meat to feed the two of us....quite full!
Look at him...he's wearing his beautiful deep orange "suntan" all ready to be cracked, cleaned and eaten. Bill put his share on a salad and I just seasoned mine with a tiny bit of seasoned salt and a generous grind of the pepper mill. Yum!
Liz and I went to a bridal shower tonight for our friend Jammie and Mr. Scottie Dog invited Sydney to dinner. She brought prawns and another crab. When we got home she exclaimed, "I like crab better than shrimp and even better than mac 'n cheese!" High praise indeed from a 5 year old.
It's been stormy and rainy around here and the weather report is for more of the same. If weather permits we'll have Crab on Christmas Eve.

Catching Up

2010-12-14T22:09:00.001-08:00

It seems I need to catch up a bit on my blog....

At Quilt Market Moda had a fabulous party for everyone. Dinner, dancing, good conversation at Minute Maid Park...home of the Astro's. As it started we posed with our good friend Marie who owns Runs With Scissors Quilt Shop in Citrus Heights, CA.
Here's a close-up of us...I LOVE working with my daughter, Liz!

Back again to MN I flew after Quilt Market for another 2 1/2 week visit. We celebrated Beka's birthday at BD's Mongolian Barbecue. They made her a birthday hat!

Here's Jakob...what a handsome 4 1/2 year old!

Of course we took a trip to McDonald's while I was there. Mercedes is a toofer kind of girl!
Miss Shiloh is always checking out her surroundings.
It was a magical time while I was there....first snow! Now I know that MN has had more than it's share of snow so far this year but I so enjoyed those first 9 inches! Snowmen, sledding, snow angels and more. A beautiful winter wonderland for me.
We also paid a trip to Famous Dave's Barbecue after church one Sunday...Sadies wanted to pose by the bear.The Sunday after Thanksgiving The historical Eureka Inn invited the community to the first Christmas Tree since 2004. Hundreds and hundreds of people came and placed an ornament on it's branches.See the Scottie Dog we brought!Here's a picture of Mr. Scottie Dog and Sydney. We stood in the crush of happy celebrants for awhile and then made our way home.

More tomorrow

Long Time, No See...or Quilt Market Pt. 2

2010-11-21T16:18:00.000-08:00

Yesterday and today I received several emails from friends in the blogging world saying basically the same thing: "Is everything OK? Long time, no see."

Yes, Tanya, Sara, Nan and Natalie...everything is fine. I've just been busy. I know I blogged last about Quilt Market and said there was more to come....here it is. I spent two weeks with the Grands in MN and the last several days back at home. I'll tell those tales later.

QUILT MARKET PART TWO:

While at Houston's International Quilt Market I rounded an aisle and stood in front of Martingale Publishers' booth. They are That Patchwork Place, one of the larger publishers of Quilting Books. In front of me was a cute gal working on "wonky letters" at a sewing machine. I glanced over and saw a copy (advanced copy...the book is NOT out yet) of Word Play Quilts: Easy Techniques from the UnRuley Quilter. Hey...we were InterNet friends...I timidly asked, "Are you Tonya? Wonky letters Tonya?" It turned out, of course, she was and we excitedly chatted about Wonky Letters, InterNet friends we had in common...Carol E. and Tanya W. Then Tonya suggested we have a picture taken:

Frame and all! The quilt we are in front of was made by none other than our friend in Japan, Tanya W. So here's another shot:
I like that there are wonky English letters AND Japanese characters. I believe this quilt now belongs to Tanya's daughter who lives in the states. Quilting certainly makes the world smaller!

This quilt here is not printed fabric! It is all applique by an Australian designer. Her work is impeccable.
This was a "tuffet" in one booth. Note the Yo Yo flowers....3-D flowers were everywhere at Quilt Market. I noted quite a trend in prints, colors, garments, toys, etc, etc that took me back to the mid 1970's.
Of course Sweet Chic was Pretty in Pink..Pink Princess style never goes out of fashion!
The button vendor reminds me of a candy shop display. Yummy color.

Amy Butler's booth is always in good taste....Midwest Modern....so color-filled and yet so restful.
Close up of some of her pillows & bags.
1950's influenced clothing....Mad Men, anyone? See the fabric flowers again? Sophistication at it's finest.
I loved this Four Poster Bed. Dolls, animals and "veggie" pillows abounded at Market.

If you keep your eyes open, you can even find a Gee's Bend Quilt display at the end of one aisle! Beauty in utilitarian jeans quilt.

OK....so there's Part 2 of Quilt Market. I've got at least one, if not two, more batches of pictures I think you'd like to see.

Thanksgiving is coming....I'm trying to be more thankful.....and to name my blessings. Today's thought...I'm so very thankful for my family, my daughters, their husbands & children and for my dear sweet Mr. Scottie Dog. I'm very blessed!

Quilt Market Post #1

2010-10-30T21:02:00.000-07:00

Here's my report from Houston Quilt Market (Blogger is having issues right now so I can't change the order of the pictures or edit them...I'm hoping you don't mind). On Friday we spotted this VW Van....shades of Arcata!

Cute booth: Easy Peazy Patterns!At school house Jean Wells of The Stitchin' Post shared what she's been working on....she totally works in solids now. We're buying a bunch of solids!We enjoyed our time with Georgeann Bender & Rich Kizer...the business gurus. We had another consultation with them thanks to Susan Fuquay and American Quilt Retailer.I'll try to post more pictures later. Perhaps Blogger will cooperate. Liz and I found some wonderful embroidery & wool kits, patterns, clothing patterns, new books...and for those who know how wonderful the Quilt Smart printed interfacings are now making bottle bags in addition to Smart Tote & Cell Phone Tote! Watch also for our Hunter's Star from them too.

For Buck-a-Block fans we bought the 2011 program...and.....TA DA! Guess what's new? We know that most things have gone up in price lately but now you get an even bigger value for your Buck: TWO BLOCKS! That's right, each month you'll be able to make two blocks from your kit. We are really excited about the 2011 program.

We've seen lots of our friends we only see at Market: Ricky Timms, Amy Butler, Jo Morton, Eleanor Burns, Jackie Clark, Pat Sloan, Alex Anderson and more....more pics and info tomorrow!

Miniature Golf

2010-10-27T19:46:00.000-07:00

We went miniature golfing today! Beka showed me that my camera could record videos. So she made this little one. Here's Jakob golfing:

I'm off to Houston Quilt Market tomorrow!

My Grandkids are cuter than your Grandkids!

2010-10-24T22:45:00.000-07:00

Tonight my son-in-law Jason posted some pictures on FaceBook of my Minnesota Grandchildren. They were great pictures. I made a comment on his pictures: My Grandkids are cuter than your grandkids! And it's true! At least to me and that's all that counts.

Here's some of the latest pictures and you can judge for yourself.

Sydney, age 5 1/2

Pumpkin Patch, October 2010

Jakob, age 4 1/2

School Picture, October 2010

Mercedes age 2 1/3

modeling at home, October 2010

(I included this one so you could see her face)

Mercedes, I LOVE this photo

Indian Summer fun day, October 2010 Shiloh 8 months

October 2010

Now...don't you agree that I have the cutest grandkids ever?

What's with the weather?

2010-10-24T15:53:00.001-07:00

On Tuesday I fly back to MN. Their weather forecast is rain mixed with snow for Wednesday night. Thursday I fly to Houston for Quilt Market. The forecast there is for 85+ & humid. So I'm going to need another suitcase just for clothes for all seasons!

We've been to "school"

2010-10-22T00:02:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday our fabulous Pfaff educator, Vanessa came to town and spent a day and a half training us and our staff on how to demonstrate and sell our sewing machines. She took our motley staff (note that I'm including Liz and I in this group) and taught us so much about our Pfaff sewing machines that I'm surprised our heads did not explode! She taught us a few things about selling too.

Number 1: SMILE.

Geri and Liz demonstrate this. (Be sure to notice that our Quilt Expression models all have this fabulous 9 1/2" neck for quilting!)

Judy and Katie listen attentively to Vanessa's instruction. We learned how to use lots of different feet for our machines, wonderful stitches and lots of extras...how to make cording for example.

Or sew hems on jeans....you'd be so surprised how easily these machines could put new hems in your jeans...easy as pie.Oh and how to do a blind hem (need a skirt or pants hemmed?) in a nano second (or there-abouts...perhaps I exaggerate just a tad).
Here Geri is making a rolled hem.

Look at Liz smile...."Look Ma, I made a buttonhole!" These are the first buttonholes she's ever made. She's ready to tackle a garment now!

We all got a turn on the Grand Quilter. That stitch regulator certainly helps everyone to be a pro at free motion!

Thanks again, Vanessa for coming to Redwood Sewing Center. See you at Quilt Market next week.

I'm so Excited!

2010-10-18T14:21:00.000-07:00

We had a fabulous weekend here at Redwood Sewing Center. Our Scottie Dog Mystery Quilting Retreat was a rousing success. The food was wonderful, the quilt pattern (Criss Cross Applesauce) was very well received and we got to sew the entire weekend with amazingly wonderful quilting women!

Today is Monday and somehow the Monday after Retreat can be kind of a "let down" day. But today I am so excited there is absolutely no let down. A friend had her baby boy early this morning (it's not been officially announced so I can't say another word just yet) AND.....ta da! Tomorrow our Pfaff educator is coming to do a special training just for our staff. I can hardly wait. We became dealers in late August and I began to sew on my Pfaff Quilt Expressions 4.0 machine

around the first of September. I was prepared to like my new machine, of course. But little did I know how much! I am so in love with my Pfaff! The dual feed foot on this Pfaff machine is really something....this means that any time you sew, you can have the advantage of a built-in walking foot. Oh, my! This baby keeps your fabrics from slipping, wobbling and more. My stitches are straighter and more even. I push a button and voila! Both my threads are cut. It has presser foot lift I can touch with my knee....or just tap the foot pedal and the presser foot goes up or down.....neat! On my own I learned a lot about this machine....but there is so much more to learn. I don't even know the right questions to ask. I can make button holes two ways....but this machine can make 6 different kinds of button holes. It has a wonderfully large and extended neck making quilting a larger quilt relatively easy. There are embroidery stitches up the wazoo (I always wanted to use that phrase!) and three alphabets. I can't wait until tomorrow afternoon when our Pfaff Educator comes to teach me (and my whole staff) all the tricks, tips and take away any mysteries we might have about our machines.We'll even learn to use the Pfaff Grand Quilter....of course Liz is already a pro at it. I look forward to being able to quilt our store samples right on the sales floor. Did you know that this big baby extends up to 120" (think King sized Quilt!), is complete with the table, poles, etc, has a stitch regulator and is affordable? Our lessons will be 1/2 day on Tuesday and all day Wed....but don't let that deter you if you wanted to come to the store. We'll be glad to help you....the whole staff will be here!

Did I say I was excited? Well, I am!

Counting my blessings!

2010-10-12T20:45:00.000-07:00

Canadian Thanksgiving was Monday and since my son-in-law, Jason, is Canadian there has been a lot of talk about the subject. It got me to thinking about counting my blessings. Right now in the midst of a visit to Minnesota I think of how blessed I am with my grandchildren. Today we went to the Minnesota Zoo.
Here are Mercedes & Jakob with a welcoming scarecrow.
Here they are checking out the shark petting pond.

The cutie "turtle" is Shiloh who just turned 8 months yesterday. She ALWAYS has a smile on her face and I've never heard a baby giggle as much as she does.

Here's a picture of Sydney back in CA at the pumpkin patch.....I missed it this year.
On Saturday we went to Emma Krumbees Apple Orchard and Farm. What fun we had...the kids rode a little train, rode John Deere tricycles round the track, played musical instruments with Mr. Landon and his music box, rode the hay wagon out to the orchards and so much more. We picked a few apples (Sadies seemed to like to pick up the windfalls on the ground)...the weather was in the mid 80's!

I'm so very blessed that I'm able to travel to visit with my Minnesota family....blessed that my dear Mr. Scottie Dog holds down the homestead and that my daughter Liz so generously takes up my slack at our store. Many, many thanks to both of them.

I'm blessed with wonderful friends.....both those I've met in person and those I only know through the Internet. I hold you all dear.

Tomorrow afternoon I fly back to California. Mr. Scottie Dog and the kitties are waiting for me.

It's Fall!

2010-10-01T08:52:00.001-07:00

In the rush of our store's Grand Opening/name change/remodel it didn't really sink in that just a couple of weeks later I would be halfway across the country where Autumn is actually a real season! On Tuesday I flew from Eureka to San Francisco to Denver to Minneapolis. It was a tad warmer in MN than in Eureka, but not much. I understand it's been an early Fall. The trees are turning and today Sadies and I saw two little chickadees on the patio table. We got some bread crumbs and will try to get an actual photo later today. In the meantime, here's a pic from the internet:
Such cute little things.

I'm here taking care of the kidlinks. Jakob is quite the little man with a schedule! My first day "sitting" he went to Awana, a kids' ministry. Jakob is a "Cubbie" or pre-school member. He proudly wore his vest and off he went with Laura, a friend of Beka's and mom to two other Cubbies. Sadies and I fixed our own dinner treat....a tea party

Jakob has also gone to his Montessori PreSchool at Bethany College. Check out the link for pictures of Jakob, Miss Grace and the gang. When I dropped him off yesterday they were studying Family Trees and Miss Grace asked if I would talk about Jakob's birth, any birthdays and the like. When I told them that Jakob's parents were missionaries in Ukraine and Grandma & Grandpa flew in an airplane to help celebrate his first birthday there were several oohs and ahhs..."missionaries!" they said under their breath. They were impressed.

Today there is a picnic and preschool will last until 2:30 so Sadies and I took the long way home so we could get some pics of the stunning Fall leaves! We stopped at the store and bought some mini pumpkins and gourds! Fall is here.

Yellow leaves!

Red trees!

Orange!

I like the mix of orange, yellow and the green grass. Not a cloud in the sky right now but they say we may have rain this afternoon.

Last night I made meatloaf. Sadies declared she "LOVED!" meatballs. I said, "meatloaf." She said, "I told you I LOVE your meatballs, Grandma." Meatballs, meatloaf...doesn't matter what you call it I still think the best part is meatloaf sandwiches the next day.

I heard from Mom and Dad and they are having a wonderful time, tonight are the bachelor and bachelorette parties, tomorrow rehearsal dinner and Sat. is the wedding. Meanwhile, the kids and I are doing fine!

I'm leaving on a jet plane.....

2010-09-26T16:40:00.000-07:00

Today after church Mr. Scottie Dog played his accordion with the Humboldt Accordionaires at the Italian-American Club's annual picnic. A four hour paid gig...not bad! The weather today was wonderful...perfect Indian Summer bright sunny day. I ate my lunch in the back garden and listened to a couple of crows squawk back and forth at each other.

I cleaned up the kitchen and did my laundry. I packed some of my clothes in my suitcase. I got the pill-a-day containers out and set up my medications for the next two and half weeks. You see, Tuesday morning I'm leaving on a jet plane to Minnesota to babysit Jakob (4 1/2) and Mercedes (2 1/2) for a few days while their Mom & Dad and baby sister Shiloh go to Canada for a family wedding. Actually, I'm leaving on a PROP plane...

To fly out of Eureka you walk up to the plane (even if it is raining!), you put your carry-on bag on the cart (on the right of the picture), climb up the stairs and find your seat. I think there are 22 seats on the plane. Usually they are all filled because it's a 6-7 hour to a larger airport! To get to Minneapolis I fly on a 1 hour flight to San Francisco. Wait about an hour and then board another plane to Denver. Once on the ground in Denver I'll run like the dickens to make my flight to Minneapolis which will probably be boarding when I get to my gate.

For two and a half weeks I'll be able to grandmother (is that really a verb?) Jakob, Sadies & Shiloh. Beka and I will shop, cook and quilt together and I may even get a chance to go to lunch with some of my Minnesota friends.

Bill will hold down the fort, take care of the cats. He's been so busy around the house...some jobs don't show: designing, trenching and installing a drainage system in the front of the house. Some jobs make a difference you can see: new fence and gates, wonderful new porch steps (they are architecturally beautiful!). He's also the one who made the new fixtures at the store.

I'll be sure to blog from MN!

Out with the old, In with the new....

2010-09-18T23:17:00.000-07:00

Friday, Mr. Scottie Dog took down the old sign (sigh!), and he & Liz put up the new sign and this banner:

Today was the Grand Opening of Redwood Sewing Center! And what a day it was! Many, many thanks to all of you who attended. The store was full to overflowing most of the day....at times the cutters and those checking out were overwhelmed but we are so glad everyone stayed. Thanks to Mr. Scottie Dog, Steve & Lewis who bar-b-qued for us. Lunch was great.

Redwood Sewing Center Staff L-R: Crystal, BrendaLou, Laura, Judy, Geri, Katie, Liz, Sydney & Margie. Redwood Sewing Centers helpful & knowledgeable staff. Many, many thanks to my fabulous staff...we were all busy all day long and we couldn't have done it without you. You all look "fab-oo-lous" in your aprons.
It took a very long weekend plus work week to get the store in it's new glory. We have room for new displays, an expanded Notions Wall, the Pfaff Sewing Machine Center, Fabric Value Wall, the new centrally located cutting & checkout counters and more.The comment I heard most of all was, "How could you keep all you had before, add sewing machines AND the Value Wall and the store and classroom look bigger than before?" Our new plan was mostly due to the vision Liz had and Mr. Scottie Dog's expertise. Many, many hands helped us...Thanks especially to Liz, Laura, Crystal, Mr. Scottie Dog, Larissa, Lewis, Steve & Sydney who spent many late, late nights (and into the early mornings) to help us get it all done. It is such a nice space to work in and as soon as we remember where everything is, it will be much easier to help our customers.Here's a little nest of chicken pincushions made from our newest pattern, Henny Penny & Leroy

One of my favorite things about our remodel is the little areas we have for displaying fabric lines.
How about an old washtub of pillowcase kits?

I wish we had counted all of you who came today despite the rain (it actually held off for most of the day), all we know is that the sales floor and the classroom were crowded almost every minute of the day. We sent home sewing machines, kits, fabric, books and more with happy customers. The demonstrations in the classroom were well-received and if you missed them, we'll be doing more as time goes by.

Now that we are open, please feel free to stop by for our new class schedule, take a peek at our upcoming Saturday Sampler---make a stunning Queen-sized Quilt for only $10 (begins October 9) or take a test drive on a Pfaff machines....we've got a Grand Quilter 18.8 set up too (a mid-arm quilting machine with an 18.8" neck!).

I came home after the Grand Opening, put my feet up and woke up at 10:15 pm! Liz was having a Girl's Night Out with her friends and looking forward to a massage!

Thanks again to everyone!

We've been busy!

2010-09-11T22:36:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged for a bit. We've been busy around here lately. We're in the midst of a store remodel, and extreme store make-over, if you will. We're changing our name.....Scottie Dog Quilts is not going away....we still own the name and will continue to use it for our retreats, cruises, classes (How could we get rid of Scottie Dog Quilts University????) and we'll retain it as the brand name for our line of patterns.

But we are changing our name to better reflect our business as a whole. We are now Pfaff Sewing Machine Dealers. Yes...authorized dealers! With an authorized Pfaff repair center too! Our new name is.....(drum roll please.............) Redwood Sewing Center at Scottie Dog Quilts or as our new sign will say...just Redwood Sewing Center. We'll try to answer the phone with that name too, but it may take us awhile to get it down pat. If you want to continue to call us Scottie Dog Quilts it's ok by me. Quilters "get" the name Scottie Dog Quilts. But to the average person, we are a place that sells quilts and probably quilts for dogs... or maybe we sell dogs and accessories....or maybe it's a place for dogs to shop for quilts. They are never quite sure. So we want the average person to know what we are about: We sell sewing machines, fabric and supplies....books, patterns, notions, gifts, books and oh, yes! We have an awesome classroom with lots of fabulous teachers teaching wonderful things....sewing of purses, bags, table runners, clothing and yes, QUILTS!

Do not worry....we continue to have the largest selection of quality quilting cottons on the North Coast of CA. In fact, we've added "THE VALUE WALL" of fabrics to the back room....first quality 100% cotton from all your favorite fabric companies for $6.99! What a deal!

We are having a Grand Opening next Saturday and you are all invited. September 18 from 10-4 pm. Sales (fabulous sales on all our Pfaff sewing machines including the Grand Quilter...a mid-arm for the home quilter with an 18.8" neck!!!!) on fabrics, books, notions and more. We'll have demonstrations all day too. Come see us, we'd love to show you around the store. You'll hardly believe you are in the same place. But our friendly and knowledgeable staff is the same.

Here are a few pics of the extreme store make-over:

Mr. Scottie Dog hanging the slatwall for the new notions center. One new counter in...another to go (and what a mess!).

Moving fixtures! Our friend Lewis helping out with the telephone/computer wiring. Where's Sydney? Hiding out in a cave of fabric.
Even the bathroom got a make-over. What color do you think we chose? Today I hung the wallpaper border.Where's Sydney? Hanging out in some of the fixtures! These are now holding our 1930's collection.Sewing machines are on their shelves...Maywood's Old World Style fabric display is up...I think it's coming together!

We couldn't have done it without our awesome crew....Mr. Scottie Dog, Liz & Sydney, Laura, Crystal, Lewis and myself. Well, actually I got to do some sewing during lag times.

Here's a teaser photo of our Saturday Sampler Quilt....You can make it for only $10....well, all the blocks for only $10. Come to the store and we'll tell you how.

Whew! Telling all of this has made me tired all over again! Grand Opening Saturday, September 18. I'll post the "after" pictures then.

Light House Guild Quilt Show

2010-08-30T20:44:00.000-07:00

About 10 days ago Liz and I were in Crescent City, CA, just below the Oregon border for The Lighthouse Quilt Guild's annual show. This is a very active guild in a small town on the Northern California rugged coast. Their show is quite an ambitious undertaking for a smallish guild, but these ladies aren't just any ladies. They make quilts for wounded soldiers, quilts for Alzheimer's, their local pregnancy care center, memorial quilts for those who have lost babies or miscarried, the battered women's shelter...the list goes on and on.

Liz and I were honored to be asked to judge their quilt show. We came in on Thursday early afternoon, spent the night and finished up just in time to set up our vending booth. The quilters of the area are very talented and creative. The points were all high and it was hard to pick the winners. Another wonderful thing this guild does is that volunteers made the ribbons. 1st Place, 2nd place, 3rd place, Viewers Choice, Best of Show. The ribbons were amazing. Here's just a small sampling:

Just as every quilt in the show was different and wonderful, each ribbon was a creative quilt unto itself!

I liked the bright squares & black combo.

A star burst with iridescent stars on the fabric.

Some blocks were embellished...this one with a silk embroidered flower.
This fan block was so opulent! And the Guild Choice had a little Light House Quilt Guild Logo in the center of the quilt on the ribbon!

Lots of dynamic black and white quilts in the show and a ribbon quilt to match!
Cupcakes anyone?

Beautiful batik 16-patch.

The cutest 1930's school house block.

As you can see...not only were the quilts a sight to see, but even the ribbons were worth the visit! Perhaps next year you can visit their show: Hot Needles, Cool Quilts! August 20 & 21, 2011 in Crescent City, CA.

The Oregon Trail

2010-08-27T23:31:00.000-07:00

I started reading a book lately called Wagons West! by Dana Fuller Ross. I'm a nut about American History, especially colonial or pioneer history. These books were written in the 1980's and perhaps I read them back then but it's been so long I can't remember. On our journey home from Yellowstone we were traveling through southern Wyoming through flat land filled with sagebrush. A butte here and there, but mostly very flat, sagey blue-green landscape. The two lane highway was nearly straight as an arrow. I asked Mr. Scottie Dog to stop so I could use the bathroom n our trailer and he pulled off into a large turnoff with an historical marker.

Lo and behold! (don't you just love an old cliche') it was a marker for The Oregon Trail. We'd have missed it if I hadn't had so much diet coke to drink! Here I am standing right in the actual ruts of The Oregon Trail. You can even see it off in the distance.

Where, oh where would a staid lady of the times find a place to do her duty? I've heard that when a train stopped for a break, all the ladies would go a ways off and take turns "going." All the other ladies would form a circle and facing out, they would fan out their skirts so as to shield the one in the middle.

Another thing I've always heard was the most women didn't ride in their covered wagons. That would put undo hardship on the animals pulling the wagon. So most of the women actually walked from the mid-west to Oregon or California. Imagine!

It took us only a couple of hours to drive through this lonely landscape and on the Salt Lake City. I can only imagine how many weeks of walking through this flat and desolate landscape it took. Hats off to you, my pioneer foremothers!

Lake Selmac & childhood buddy

2010-08-12T23:05:00.000-07:00

Last week we took a few days off, packed a few things into the trailer and truck and took off for one of our favorite places in the world. A mere 2 1/2 hours from Eureka in South Central Oregon is Lake Selmac. It's located just off Highway 199 north of Cave Junction and about 20 minutes south of Grant's Pass. Our family have been camping there for about 33 years! Here's a picture looking at the lake....just a few yards from our campsite. The area to the right of the grassy area is a shallow swimming area. When the girls were small it had a big log chained to the bottom for log rolling or floating on and the swim area was divided from the rest of the lake by linked floats.

Here's a shot looking towards our camp sites. I like the flatness of the site and the trees. The temperature was about as perfect as you could have....82-85 with no humidity. A few, very few, mosquitoes (and of course they ALL bit me once!). Very slight breeze...ah, the fresh air!

Sydney brought her bike and scooter. We swam in the lake, walked all around the campground, took a road trip to Medford one day and played cards. R E L A X A T I O N was the order of the day.

All the conveniences of home....Sydney made cupcakes one day with chocolate frosting & sprinkles. She delivered a plate of some to our neighbors with two small boys.

Just before we left on our trip it occurred to me that I might be able to meet up with a childhood friend I'd 'found" on FaceBook last year. I emailed Olga and she re-arranged her weekend plans so she and her husband dropped by our camp. Olga and I met in Kindergarten at Cimmarron Ave. Elementary School. We were part of a small group of girls who belonged to a Blue Bird group (The Snowflake Blue Birds) and were best friends. We were all together in school until the end of 7th grade when many of us moved out of the LA/Inglewood, CA area. I hadn't seen Olga for 45 years! She came bearing gifts! She had a bag of the most succulent jerky & sausages you've ever tasted from a local sausage maker. Thank you so much, Olga! We all enjoyed it so much.

Liz said it was fun to watch us chatter just like Jr. High girls. We're hoping to take a trip together to So. CA next summer to meet up with most of the rest of the group.

Another fun thing was that our husbands hit it off right away. Those two were two peas in a pod chattering away about the "junk" they've collected, the toys they each had: Olga's Ron has a motorcycle and Mr. Scottie Dog has his bobcat tractor....here they are enjoying Sydney's cupcakes.

We spent a couple of hours together, not nearly long enough!

On Monday Liz and I got in several more Spite & Malice card games in....I used to play with my Mom. Now Liz seems to beat me every time. I'd better polish up my game. We were able to stay until after lunch. So peaceful, such a special place full of memories (Liz and Steve were married on the lake shore too!). Then it was back to reality. As they say, " A good time was had by all."

Kid's Quilting Camp

2010-08-05T12:19:00.000-07:00

Every Summer here at Scottie Dog Quilts Liz holds Kid's Quilting Camp. We had an enthusiastic group this past week. They did what adult quilters do: they sewed, they ate, they laughed and joked around and they praised each others' projects. Here's a picture of the girls: In Kid's Quilting Camp the projects vary. One time it might be a bag or a throw, pillowcases, purses, wall hangings and more. This time Liz designed a darling paper foundation pieced wall hanging with gnomes, mushroom houses, trees & bushes. The Michael Miller border fabric really makes it, doesn't it! I'm hoping we make this into a pattern for sale also.All the girls were careful sewers and I was amazed how quickly they got foundation paper piecing down. It's kind of a left brain, right brain thing and for adults can be hard to grasp. But these girls "got it" right away.
Here are their blocks on day two:One of the surprises at Kid's Quilt Camp was that my daughter & granddaughter, Beka & Shiloh got to come on Thursday. We had to keep Beka's very quick visit quiet as she was surprising a friend for a Birthday party.Sydney loved to push Shiloh around in her shopping cart! Can't wait for the next Kid's Quilting Camp.

Today I visited the Ophthalmologist

2010-08-04T21:35:00.000-07:00

Today I visited the Ophthalmologist. I've worn glasses (I'm quite nearsighted) since I was 13 or 14 and usually I just see an Optometrist. He/She can easily determine what my current glasses need to be. I'm in & out quickly after determining how good/bad I see by using the chart and testing me for various other little things. NOTE: all images are from Internet!

On Saturday my daughters & I went to Arcata to the Farmers' Market, The Bead Store & Los Bagels. Great Day, but my right eye started to bother me. It didn't hurt, but there seemed to be a shadow in my peripheral vision in my right eye. There were major floaters that interfered with my vision and occasionally a flash of light. On Sunday it was so annoying I felt I couldn't drive safely.

Monday it bothered me a bit and Tuesday I looked up the symptoms on the Internet. Ut oh, it said I could have a detached retina or a vitreous detachment. In either case, I needed to see an Ophthalmologist ASAP. So this morning I called. They said to come in at 2 pm. Mr. Scottie Dog said he'd pick me up at work and bring me. I'm glad he did because after dilating my eyes I had a hard time seeing for several hours.

The doc had me read the chart, then he looked into my eye with this get-up. Then he shined a bright light in each eye and had me look up, down, right, left and all around. Again. And again. And again! "Keep both eyes open!" He must have told me 4 or 5 times. Finally I had to keep one eye open with my fingers while he looked in the other.

Now, I'm rather squeamish when it comes to eyes. Poor Mr. Scottie Dog can't come to me when he wants to find a contact "lost" in his eye. I don't like to look at them closely (although I highly admire them from afar!). I don't want to see pictures of them, or models of them or even hear much about them. So when dear Dr. Gibb wanted to tell me all about my "Vitreous Detachment" and show me the diagram, I had to tell him to show Mr. Scottie Dog and tell HIM about my problem.

Turns out between the ages of 50 and 70 (I'm 58 and proud of it!) the jelly stuff in your eye turns to liquid and pulls a bit on your retina. When things go bad, it can pull so hard your retina can actually detach...then surgery is needed. But with most people (like me!) when this occurs for a few weeks you see the flashes occasionally and the floaters. So the good news....no retina detachment. The bad news...."this happens to people of your age...." You know, I'm hearing that more and more often....

A Quilter Extraordinaire

2010-07-27T10:11:00.000-07:00

I'd like to tell you a little about a friend of mine who passed away last week. Bev Bennett was a sweetie who spent almost every spare moment quilting quilts for the Sunshine On-line Quilting Guild. We both have belonged to the Sunshine Quilt Guild since it"s beginnings in mid 1990's. Sunshine makes quilts for kids. Orphans in Siberia and Mexico, children on American Indian reservations, children recovering from rotoplast surgeries and more. With over 500 members there are various members doing various jobs. Some gals make blocks, some cut squares, some make tops, some provide funds or fabrics for those who sew. And some are what we call our "Quilting Angels." Bev was not just head Angel, she was our leader, cheerleader, encourager and more. She was our Quilter Extraordinaire! Extraordinary: exceptional, fantastic, exceptional, marvelous, phenomenal, rare, special, stupendous, unique to name just a few adjectives which describe Bev.

Bev lived in Fairbanks, Alaska with her furry pets. She'd been a widow for over 25 years. I don't believe I'd ever seen a picture of Bev. She only posted pictures of things that made her smile: a moose looking in her window for a handout, the northern lights and photos of the quilts she quilted for Sunshine. Just take a little look at just a few of the quilts Bev quilted for Sunshine. These are just the ones she took photos of and that's over 800 in the past two years. Over the years Bev quilted thousands of quilts for Sunshine. Many of us made the tops and Bev quilted them with joy. While she was still working full time she'd quilt 300+ quilts a year.

I enjoyed the phone calls and emails we exchanged. I was encouraged by her. She never complained and was always cheerful even when health issues plagued her.

Bye Bev, I'll miss you (and I'm sure you've got those angels quilting already!).

RV Parking at the Wal-Mart

2010-07-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

Wal-Mart....you either love it, or you hate it, right? I've always been pretty much ambivalent. We don't have a Wal-Mart close by. We'd have to drive at least 1 1/2 hours to get to one, so I'm not a regular Wal-Mart shopper by any means. Once a year I go grocery shopping at the Wal-Mart in Houston, TX for breakfast items for the condo while at Quilt Market. It's just a few blocks away.

As an aside: we saw the Oscar Meyer Wienermobile parked there once about 11:30 pm! I also know that some people wouldn't step into a Wal-Mart ever...noway, no how, no time, not ever and ever amen! But then I know others who complain but still go once in awhile. And many people are quite grateful they can find affordable goods. I'm not here to judge in any way. Just to share a few observations.

While we were on our holiday trip to and from Yellowstone National Park we spent several nights in Wal-Mart parking lots. Mr. Scottie Dog had heard that they might let you park your RV in the lot overnight so he checked the Wal-Mart website and found that most stores will allow you to stay but it was best to check with the store manager. Off we went on our trip. The first night we planned to stay in Reno, NV but ended up with a several hour layover in Sacramento and on the way to Reno it was getting late. We stopped for gas in a tiny truck stop in Dutch Flatt, CA and spent the night parked next to a few 18-wheelers.

Next night: Elko, NV. The Wal-Mart is on a hill above the city and we parked with a beautiful view of the mountains.

Night three: Twin Falls, ID. This SuperWal-Mart had a grocery store where we bought our food for our Yellowstone stay. Much of the produce was from local growers. There was a family of deer around the trailer in the early hours.

Each store had plenty of parking and we encountered at least 10 other RV's each night. Everything from mega motor homes to teardrop trailers to fancy horse trailers (one set up held 8 horses and also contained an air conditioned plush RV area for humans.

It was on the way home that we encountered two Wal-Marts that were different from the rest. Riverton, Wyoming and Tooele, Utah both had Wal-Mart SuperCenters. Both were small towns...Tooele hardly a village. I often hear about Wal-Marts coming into towns and forcing the local businesses to close. Well, in these two towns there weren't any businesses to close down. Local residents had to drive 35-50 miles for groceries, diapers and more. From what I understand there wasn't even a gas station in Tooele before Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart came in, built their stores, brought jobs to the locals where there had been no jobs. THEN more businesses came in...gas stations, restaurants, hardware stores, a gym....these towns didn't die because of Wal-Mart, they thrived and grew! You and I know that a job at Wal-Mart isn't the best...but it IS a job. We saw new housing going up. Just gave me cause to think.

When we were on our last night, it was quite late when we pulled into Reno. Doreen (our GPS) told us where to turn and how to go to the Wal-Mart. Mr. Scottie Dog had done such a great job of doing all the driving on our trip...I'm so glad I didn't have to contend with pulling our big trailer along. We found the Wal-Mart parking lot and since it was so late (and Mr. Dog was so tired) we didn't ask first to park as there were already several trailers & motor homes parked. We closed up the car and made ready for bed. I already had my teeth brushed and nightgown on when there was flashing lights outside the trailer and someone was banging on the door. Dressed in his bedtime sweats, Mr. Scottie Dog wearily answered the door. It was the parking lot security man and he wanted to know if we were staying over night. "Is it permissible?" Mr. Dog asked? "Certainly." was the answer, "Just move your rig over there to avoid late night speeders." Whew! We'd found our place for the night.

Each night we saved between $$20-$50 from staying elsewhere. In Riverton we had hoped to stay in a campground. But every space was taken as well as the two RV parks in the area, full up. So we didn't deprive any local businesses. I am thankful Wal-Mart allowed us to stay in a safe place each night. They certainly didn't have to do so. Knowing that security was on the job and cameras were there keeping watch, it was easy for us to sleep well. We did spend some $$ in each store and contributed to the local economy.

That's my story.

PS--I've heard that K-Mart sometimes allows RVs to spend the night and I'm sure there are other stores and shopping centers that allow it also. Nice.

Don't you just love quilters?

2010-07-12T20:27:00.000-07:00

No fancy pictures today...just some random thoughts. Don't you just love quilters? Today I worked the 2-9 pm shift. Last Saturday was the Sisters' Outdoor Quilt Show in Sisters, OR and we always get a bunch of ladies in our store on their way home. Today there was a nice lady who flew from Rhode Island to attend the show and take classes. She rented a car after the show to visit two shops she's "been dying to see." One was Greenbaum's Quilted Forest in Salem, OR and the other was our humble Scottie Dog Quilts here in Eureka, CA in the midst of the Northern CA Redwoods. She spent about an hour, took two bags to her car, will eat seafood at my recommended restaurant and will fly out tomorrow morning back to Rhode Island. It was great to serve her and chat a bit about quilting on the other side of the country.

Then tonight Jenea of Idaho Quiltworks came in. It was wonderful to talk shop with another quilt shop owner. If you are ever in Twin Falls, ID you'll have to stop in and see her and her sister.

Don't you just love quilters? I do.

Long Time, No See...or...I went on Holiday!

2010-07-11T15:05:00.000-07:00

Once upon at time, a very long time ago there was a family named McNally. Papa Bob loved to catch fish and Mama Marcella dutifully packed up all the needed family belongings so that every other summer the McNally clan could go to Yellowstone National Park. Papa Bob would catch fish. He would also hustle the little children: BrendaLou, Pat & Denny, down to the river or lake so that he could claim their fishing limits. Once in awhile the little ones caught a fish of their very own. Mostly they ran through the grass, climbed the trees and pinched their noses at the sulphur smells that emanate from the ground in Yellowstone National Park. Mama Marcella would do all the cooking, all the scrubbing and watch out for her family. It was an idyllic time loved by all (including Mama Marcella!).

This top picture is our family in 1959 just before the big earthquake. L-R: Pat, Marcella, Denny, Bob & BrendaLou.

Alas, Mama & Papa are no longer with us, but here are Pat, Denny & BrendaLou all grown up. 2010

I haven't blogged in nearly a month because we've been gone. Mr. Scottie Dog hitched up our big 30' trailer, we picked up Sydney and off we drove...and drove...and drove for the better part of 4 days to get to Yellowstone. As promised Sydney got ice cream every day. We drove through forests and cities and deserts (surprisingly green even in late June) and prairies. We slept in the trailer every night. Literally 1/2 mile into the park we saw two bald eagles and before we even got to our camp ground Sydney and I saw two moose, several bison, a coyote, prairie dogs, squirrels, chipmunks, swans, pelicans, blue jays, deer...more, I just cannot remember them all. At the campground we found Liz & Steve and passed Sydney off to them.

About 2 am Beka & Jason & 3 grandbabies arrived and we set up the beds for them to share with us in the trailer. It was such a nice holiday...family and friends joined us for nearly a week.

There was so much to see and do....sometimes we took naps. Jakob & Sydney.
Remember the picture at the top? Well, Mom & Dad, here we all are. Thinking of you and the memories you gave us. On to the 3rd generation enjoying Yellowstone. No one caught a fish, but it wasn't for trying!

PS....our trip wouldn't have been complete without our friends who came too: The Caldwell Family, Crystal & Sam, Lori & Nathan (who celebrated his 16th birthday Camp Style)

June is busy for Sydney

2010-06-15T22:46:00.000-07:00

Last week Sydney graduated from Preschool. Mr. & Mrs. Sanders run a fabulous Preschool: "Rebecca's Sunnybrook Farm." She has been nurtured and educated there Mon, Wed, Thurs for the past two years. She returns tomorrow for summer fun, but technically school is over until she enters Kindergarten in the Fall. They had their program last Wednesday night.Sydney (l), best friend Madison (r) and their classmates march in to Pomp & Circumstance played on Mr. Sanders' kazoo.
Up on stage Sydney catches sight of Grandma! The kids took their turn singing with the microphones. Syd's turn came when they sang "This Little Light of Mine."
Afterwards: Madison, Sydney, Emma and Kaia. Madison is moving to Arcata next month. Sydney is heartbroken. She thought she'd never see Madison again. Then the wise mother explained that she and Madison's Mom have been friends since they were tiny and Carrie lived in Arcata and Liz lived in Eureka and they are STILL friends even now that they are all grown up. Emma & Kaia are daughters of one of Liz's Blue Bird friends. I love that my children's children are friends.

Saturday night meant a sleep-over at Grandma & Grandpa's. Sunday School on Sunday morning and then since the weather was good we drove to Rio Dell to Redwood Mini Golf. If you haven't gone yet, be sure to go. We all had a great time. If we'd known they had food we would have eaten there. Hot Dogs are only $1.99. They are open 7 days a week and we all highly recommend them.
Sydney is jumping for joy! She got her ball in with only 4, er, 5, er 6 or maybe 7 shots. Mr. Scottie Dog got two hole in ones. You'll find Paul Bunyan, a church, Eel River Sawmill and even PalCo Lumber Co. Instead of the usual windmill for hole #18 they have an outhouse and you try to hit the potty. Mine *almost* went in the toilet.....

Tonight was Humboldt Accordionaires with Mr. Scottie Dog getting to play with Gary Blair from Scotland. Sydney danced the night away. Here's a little video.

June has been busy around here.