Happiness

We sat outside tonight in the cool air.  The flames leaped high and showers of sparks swirled every time new wood was thrown on the bonfire.  The colors against the night sky were blue and gold and red and green, swirling and turning and rising before burning into nothingness. 

As we sat there mesmerized, the singer's voice poured over us like honey, bringing back memories from days gone by.  A dance or two reminded us of how we met.


The individuals gathered there in that large circle joined hands to express our love for America before bidding goodnight.  

What a  perfect evening.


Y'all take care.  

Thanks to my Readers

I know that I don't thank all of you, my readers, enough.  I do appreciate all of you.  I also am pleased that some of you take the time to leave a comment.  I read each and every one of them even though I may not respond directly.  

Again, thank you so much!!


Y'all take care.  

A Visit to Vermont Quilt Festival

A friend and I went to the Vermont Quilt Festival near Burlington a couple of weeks ago.  It was a lovely show, with lots of quilts on display and about 80 vendors.  Truly a quilter's heaven. 

Duffer by Patty Williams of Plessis, New York, was the Best Miniature Quilt. 


Bonnie Hunter was one of the instructors at the festival and her quilt called Pineapple Crazy was on display.  Wow, all those little strips and pieces!!!   Follow the link to Bonnie's website where you can see the quilt pattern in all its glory.  It is in her new book called "String Fling" which should be out soon, if not already.    Bonnie Hunter's Quiltville

The quilt which won as Best Machine Quilting was just spectacular.  Not only was the piecing just wonderful, the quilting was beyond glorious.  I can't believe I didn't get a better picture, but perhaps you can get a glimpse of the intricate stitching. 

Here's a bit better look and you can see a bit of the quilting.  

This was made by Marilyn Badger of St. George, Utah.  If you use the enlarge feature on your screen, you can see the name of the pattern that was her inspiration, as well as the kinds of thread she used.  It is made of both cotton and silk fabrics.  And, there's lots of crystals on it too.  It truly was deserving of its award. 


Another quilt that really intrigued me is this one by Carol Newbury of Troy, New York. 

The tiled look is achieved by using raw edge applique to stitch small strips of fabric, thus creating the slanted coloration. 

All in all, we had a great day.  Everybody needs a good quilt show once in a while. 


Y'all take care.  

My Current Backyard

I have become accustomed to the sound as the water in the Moose River rushes by our campsite.  It gets louder when there's higher water from rain, but then diminishes as the weather dries.  It was such a wonderful surprise when we realized that this was to be our backyard view for a bit. 

And another view.

And, of course, the sunset view looking down the river.

We get to see common mergansers with their little ones, and mallards with little ones, too.  The cedar waxwings nest in the area, so they are out and about.  There's robins, chickadees, kingfishers, lots of crows, grackles, and ruby throated hummingbirds.  Up near the office, the goldfinches make an appearance, as well as the downy and hairy woodpeckers.  Oh, and the house finches, too.  The unusual birds I've seen thus far from my "backyard" are a spotted sandpiper and a golden winged warbler.  


Y'all  take care.  

I Love Flowers!!

One of the joys of traveling is the opportunity to see flowers in bloom that might not be abundant at home.  I have some daylilies, but certainly none like these.  Aren't they just lovely?

It had been raining off and on most of the day and finally stopped late in the afternoon. 

And some gardeners do grow columbine at home, but I don't have any. 

Such loveliness is a real treat. 

Y'all take care. 

Happy 4th of July

As we celebrate our Independence Day, let's all remember that it is  more than a day for a picnic.

"We on this continent should never forget that men first crossed the Atlantic not to find soil for their ploughs but to secure liberty for their souls."   Robert J. McCracken

"We have enjoyed so much freedom for so long that we are perhaps in danger of forgetting how much blood it cost to establish the Bill of Rights."  Felix Frankfurter

"This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in."   Teddy Roosevelt

May you and yours enjoy this most precious day. 

Y'all take care.   

A Quilter's Destination

After leaving Virginia, we traveled to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  As a quilter, I had to stop there as it is a mecca for all things quilt related.  We stayed in a nice RV park out in the country among the fields of the Amish farmers.  Daily we heard the clop, clop, clop of the horses' shoes on the pavement as the local folks went about their business.

It was the perfect weather for cutting hay and all around us was the sweet smell of newly cut grass.  

I learned a lot about the Amish people on this trip and that is a good thing.  There is a great deal to be admired about their religion and their reliance on family and community ties.    I didn't take a lot of pictures out of respect for their beliefs.


I guess I was so engrossed in my shopping mission that I totally forgot to take a picture of the quilt shops I visited!  I visited Zook's and spent some quality time there.  There are several other shops there in Intercourse, Pennsylvania, but I went to only one more, Bitty Kinna's.  


It was wonderful to be among lush green fields and well cared for farms again. 


Y'all take care.