Feet Friday

Baby feet never get old to ooooh and aaaah over! So adorable....just wanna kiss 'em!

Quilt Artist

The Kitsap Arts & Crafts Fair was held in Kingston this year and I had the privilege of getting to work in the quilt shop today during the event. The shop featured the work of quilt artist, Cynthia Keim. I've seen Cynthia's work before and have always been awestruck at what she accomplishes. But seeing so many of her pieces hanging together was truly a treat. I didn't get to take too many pictures because my camera's battery died. Dang! But here are the few I managed to get. I also forgot to write down the quilt names....so sorry!

I love the use of tucks to give movement.

The ocean waves move due to doing tucks! I also love how she achieved the look of rain with metallic thread and beads.

Close-up of those tucks:

I've made a "Strips-n-Curves" quilt before but what I liked was Cynthia's creative curvy borders.

How I wish my battery hadn't died. Her most amazing quilts, i.m.o., were the ones I didn't get pics of!

Will the joys of my new job ever end? I don't think so! :)

Feet Friday

Vacation feet.....enjoying the sunshine and the warm sand!

Surprise Vacation

Nothings more fun than a vacation......except maybe planning and pulling off a surprise one! :)

Which is what I did for my hubby's birthday this year. I managed to keep him in the dark about where we were going and what we'd be doing! Woo hoo!

Our destination was Portland.....for their International Beer Festival. My man loves his brews and I knew he'd enjoy a time of sampling. They gave you these little glasses and 15 tickets. Since I hate the stuff (though, I did try some...really I did....still icky!) he got my tickets. Then you go about sampling from over a hundred different beers. I stuck with water.....and eating.....and watching thousands of people. It was like being in a very huge bar.

After a couple of days in Portland we took off for the Oregon coast. Dennis hadn't been there since he was 10 and I never had. We stopped at Fort Clatsop for a little history. Then Seaside for time in the sun. I can't believe how few people were on the beach.


This was our B&B for our coast time. The Arch Cape Inn. Our room was at the top of that round tower. This is a beautiful place...with wonderful service....and incredible gourmet food. We weren't on the beach but we could see it from our room and it was just a 3 minute walk.

Cannon Beach icon. Another nice day for shopping and beach walking.
There were lots of birds nesting on the rocks...even Puffins (which we didn't see).



Hiking in Ecola State Park. Loved this place. I could have stayed here all day.

We headed to Tillamook for the day. Had to tour the factory, of course. Then spent time in Oceanside and went to the Cape Meares Lighthouse.

The Oregon Coast is on our list of places to revisit.....even Portland. We had a great time and were sorry to see it end. Hummmm......wonder where I want to plan a surprise for next?

ABC Wednesday

Z is for Zumba

Tink and I took a Zumba class last year at a Red Hat convention....which means it was beginner....and geared towards those over 50.....which we are not....over 50 I mean. Zumba is an aerobic exercise that uses Latin dance moves to keep it fun and energetic. And energetic is an understatement. I was sweating and tired by the end.....of the beginner class for over 50's! LOL! But it was a blast and I loved it. They do offer some Zumba classes in my area but it cost more than I wanted to pay to exercise. Another one of those "some day" things in my brain.

Round 4 of ABC Wednesday is over. I won't be doing another round but if you want to keep up with others who are or join yourself, keep a watch at the ABC Wednesday site.

Impulse Buying

This was today's impulse buy at Costco! I've actually wanted a Wii for a few months now. What I really want is the Wii Fitness....particularly so I can try the yoga part. But you can't use the Fitness without the regular console. And since it's a costly toy....its the console first and later the Fitness part. At Costco the console is bundled with Sports. Hubby and I had fun bowling (I kicked his you know what!) and playing tennis (which we both sucked at). Then I worked in the training mode at tennis and boxing....worked up a sweat. Then we tried the "fitness" part of Sports....they test you in three sports to see your Wii age. I was 68, hubby was 54! Ha, ha, ha. Guess what I'll be working on? Can't let him win! ;)

Feet Friday

My fellow Leavenworth quilt retreaters graciously let me take a picture of their feet for my blog. Thanks ladies! And thanks Mary for reminding me!

ABC Wednesday

Y is for Yoga


A couple years ago when Tink and I were working out at a local gym we decided to try the yoga class they offered. Figured it would be good to get some flexibility in this aging body. Man oh man was it hard! The first class totally kicked my a**! We were brave and kept going back, determined to get better. I bought a book to practice at home. Bought a couple of DVD’s for the same purpose. The gym ended up changing the time of the class to evenings and I hate going out at night……..and don’t need much of an excuse to not exercise…….so that was the end of yoga classes for me.

I tried to continue working out at home with my favorite yoga DVD called “Yoga Prayer” but I’m just not disciplined enough. I’d put the tape in and end up just listening to the pretty background music! Tried again when my doctor told me to take up yoga or Pilates for my back (I have scoliosis)…..but problem was I am still me…no discipline. So maybe one day I’ll find the perfect class, at the perfect time, for the perfect cost and be able to take up yoga once again.

Round 4 of ABC Wednesday is just about over, be sure to check out more Y entries.

Design Wall Monday - Faiths Quilt

Judy Laquidara over at Patchwork Times does a meme called "What's on your design wall" every Monday. I think its been going on for 6 weeks or so. It's not a good meme for me since my design wall doesn't change weekly....or monthly.....and some times not for a very long time! But I just put up these blocks...aren't they happy fabrics and oh so summery? I thought it would be a bit of
shamingaccountability for me to share it with you and then see how long I procrastinate at finishing. LOL!

Happy Birthday to Me!

I know its a bit self-serving to write a post about ones own birthday....but I thought my family would enjoy seeing some old pictures. :)

48 years ago...cute as a button with a great smile, if I say so myself:

This is me at 5. Wassup with the hair, Mom? Such grownup hair on a five year old. :) I remember very fondly getting to have my hair up in curlers. I would have had my Mom do it every night if I could have convinced her. Dunno what's with the fake smile....must not have liked the photographer.

This is my 7th birthday....with my precious presents. See that tiny cash register on the left? That's a bank and I still have it. I loved putting coins in that thing and pushing the lever down and seeing my new total. The bank would only open at $10 increments. So sometimes when I wanted the money badly my parents would have to put quarters in till it hit $10. It sits empty of money now...on our dresser...but full of memories.


This is me on my 9th birthday. And this really is how I remember birthdays......on vacation. The trouble with a July 2 birthday is vacation time! Seems like we were always on vacation when my birthday hit....which meant no big parties with all your school friends and all those presents they'd bring. I would be so jealous of my brother (October baby) who'd have his whole class over. Poor me! LOL!
Looks like I may have started my love of purses at this age.

Time to dig out some more pictures and reminisce.

ABC Wednesday

X is for Xylophone

I think this is one of only two "x" words I could think of.....x-ray being the other.....and this one actually is a hobby for some! While we all played with a xylophone as a toy as a toddler no one in our family continued or even dabbled with this instrument as a hobby....thus I really don't have much to say about it. Hee, hee.

Check other blogs to see what folks came up with for X.