Archive for October, 2015

Savannah and Book Review

Friday, October 23rd, 2015

After spending a few days on Hilton Head, we headed south to Savannah and Richmond Hills. I was the guest of the Savannah Quilt Guild.  What a great group of quilters.

Here are some of the ladies attending the workshop.

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While we were busy working, guess who found The Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival about a mile up the road?

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I see steamed oysters, peach cobbler, calamari, fried alligator, crayfish, smoked sausage and a pulled pork sandwich. Where does he put it all?? (He said he also had coconut ship and a dozen fresh oysters, but that was the appetizer. ) Joe’s buddy Harry suggested Joe start his own blog called “Blogs for Hogs”.  I’m still laughing about that idea.

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On Sunday we went to old town Savannah and took the historic trolley ride. The two hours spent riding through the squares, hearing the history and being entertained by historical characters was well worth the price. Afterwards we strolled through the area and here are some of the wonderful door ways we saw.

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and the grand fountain

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In the evening we drove to Tybee Island

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for a magnificent sunset

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I am so lucky to visit such beautiful areas, each special in their own way.

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BOOK REVIEW

18007564“The Martian” by Andy Weir came highly recommended by several students.

Mark Watney was one of the first people to walk on Mars.  While on Mars he and his crew encounter a massive dust storm.  His crew thinks he is dead and have left Mars.  But, he is not dead.  Mark has to figure out how to survive on his own.  During part of his journey he is in contact with Earth.  But, contact is lost and he has to get creative.  Mark keeps a diary of his journey and some of his comments made me laugh out loud.  Good sense of humor considering his predicament.  I know the movie is now out.  Hope it lives up to the book.

 

Houston here I come!!

Hilton Head, Savannah and Book Review

Tuesday, October 20th, 2015

Joe and I just returned from a trip to Hilton Head, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia. First stop was Beaufort and a visit with Marjorie, my guild contact, to pick up my boxes.  Thanks Marjorie for being very well organized.  It makes what I do so much easier.

Love the moss on the trees around Beaufort.

 

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When I think of the low country: southern South Carolina and northern Georgia, I think of ancient trees and Spanish moss, which is neither Spanish nor moss. But everyone there calls it Spanish Moss.  Warning, do not touch it, handle it or God forbid, take it home in your luggage.  Apparently it is filled with bugs.  Funny that one of the papers we read said not to take it home in your luggage.  I guess some people have done that.

 

Next was Hilton Head and its wide beaches

 

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and glorious coast line

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There are hundred of sea birds

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Marsh birds

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and beautiful butterflies

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The back roads are like driving on a movie set “Run, Forest, run!!”

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I was fortunate to return to the Palmetto Quilt Guild. I love these ladies. Warm, friendly, caring, sharing and such fantastic appliquers. To learn more about the guild visit their site at http://www.palmettoquiltguild.org

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On the drive to Crossville, TN we listened to David Baldacci’s new book, Memory Man.  BOOK

David Baldacci has a new character, Amos Decker.  Amos was the only person in his little community to make it to the big time….playing professional football.  He is seriously injured and his life drastically changes.  Amos eventually becomes a police detective.  One night when he comes home from work he finds his wife and child were murdered.  During his depression he loses his house, his job and becomes homeless.  A year later someone comes into the police station and confesses to the murder.  A school shooting takes place during this same time.  I liked some of the twists this book took.  It will keep your attention as you read to find out how it all connects.

Crossville, Tennessee and Book Review

Saturday, October 10th, 2015

On this adventure we traveled to Crossville, Tennessee.  Here is the sign as we entered town.  How nice that they take the time to decorate for the season.

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I visited the Cumberland County Piecemakers Quilt Guild http://ccpiecemakers.com/ccp_web/index.html  Here are some of the ladies from my day two class.  They look happy.  It was a real pleasure to spend two days with them.

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During our journey into Tennessee we visited the birthplace of Davy Crockett, but was saddened to discover he was born not on a mountain top, but in a river valley.

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While I was teaching someone found this donuts truck and Miss Millers’ homemade treats.  Guess who?

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And guess who could not resist?  They do look good don’t they?  There was no sharing, but I was told they were warm and soft, and smelled of vanilla, sugar and butter. The one doughnut (I bet he ate three) was well worth the $2.00 he readily spent.  It makes me hungry just looking at them.

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The stone bridge at the Cumberland Mountain State Park was built by the Conservation Corps in the 1930s and is one of the area’s most photographed sites.

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What an interesting bush set against the rich native stone of the Tennessee mountains.

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A close-up of the rich purple berries of the beautyberry shrub.

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Saw this sweet kitty just sitting on the bank enjoying the sunshine.

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BOOK REVIEW

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I finished the third of what I call the “Outlander” series.  The saga of Jamie and Claire continues.  Clarie finds out that Jamie survived a very bloody battle at Culloden.  Claire makes some very difficult decisions, one being to travel back in time to find Jamie which means leaving her daughter.  I really do enjoy listening to this series while I am sewing.  I have watched season one on television so I have a clear idea of how the characters look.

 

Until next week…..  I am off to Hilton Head and Savannah this coming week.  I have never been in Savannah.  Looking forward to another adventure.

 

 

Pictou, Nova Scotia, Canada and Student’s Work

Friday, October 2nd, 2015

The Mayflower Quilters from Halifax, Canada, http://mayflowerquiltersguild.ca/ hold a retreat at the Pictou Lodge http://www.pictoulodge.com/ every other year.  I understand they have been doing this for 30 years.  Bravo ladies.  Lots of hard work and lots of fun.  The location is absolutely beautiful.

Here are some photos I took on my morning and afternoon walks.

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Here is Wanda hard at work on day one of the three day retreat.

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Ruth is stitching away…..

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Val making some progress.

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Patricia has lots to show for the first two days of sewing.

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Here I am with all of my fabulous students.

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In the US, this is a Power Bar.

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In Canada….this is a power bar.    Imagine the look on their faces when I said I ate a Power Bar for breakfast!!

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The group has a show and tell on one of the evenings.  I am telling you that more than half of the quilts were large bed quilts.  It was an impressive show and tell.  Here is my guild contact, Barb Robson, sharing one of her large bed quilts.  Barb was just a pleasure to be around and to work with.

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Meg Latimer sent me this photo of her, on the left, and her quilter, Michelle Wyman.  They recently won an honorable mention at the AQS Quiltweek in Chattanooga, TN.  Meg used my Majestic Mosaic pattern.  How exciting!!!  And, the quilt looks fabulous.

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Until next week…….