Our community has suffered greatly. A city that has consistently been voted in the top safest cities in the country saw the latest mass killing. So many families have been affected. One of the young men happened to be the son of one of the gals in my husband's office.
Before we even had a chance to grieve that horrific news, the fires broke out and sent people fleeing their homes. The first of the fires broke out on the road between our home and my mother's. The winds were pushing it towards her home. My sister and I both rushed to her place, expecting evacuation was quickly coming. With firefighters in her back yard, we watched the flames quickly approach. Thanks to a grove of avocado trees behind her fence, the forward advance of the fire stopped just shy of her home.
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| By daylight you can see the blackened hills with a few hotspots. |
When I returned home the next morning a second fire was approaching our home from the other direction. The winds were so erratic and switched directions, sending it to the beach before it reached us. So many have lost their homes and some even lost their lives.
Due to the fire, a cable tower was lost and we were left living in a different era - no phones, no internet and no television! We finally had everything restored last night. Whew. Those domino games were getting pretty heated.
On the positive side, we had a new baby arrive in the middle of all the chaos. Oldest grandson and his wife had a darling little girl.
With so many roads closed as well as many shops under evacuation orders, I was able to spend some time in my quiet space.
The Quiltville Mystery fabric selection is out. I don't want to use orange again this year so this is my fabric pull for this quilt.
My Gridster Bee blocks for Allison (IG quiltstudio62) were so much fun to make. I'm looking forward to seeing this one finished.
I promised a picture of the Rapunzel costume that my granddaughter and I made together. She looked gorgeous in it.
I'm hoping for a quieter week this week. I am looking forward to catching up on blogs and IG too.
So glad it missed you, hugs sweetie
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear you are safe from the fire. My nephew's family had to evacutate last week, first time for them. Luckily he has a half-sister not far from him to give them a temporary home.
ReplyDeleteWhat a time you have had of it - so glad you and your family are safe and well. Congratulations on the new arrival :-) And the Rapunzel dress is beautiful! Glad you've managed to make the most of things and fit some sewing time in.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you are safe and that the fire didn't reach your house or where your mom lives! What a terrible week you have had. Keep safe my friend!
ReplyDeleteI'm delighted to know you and your family are safe from the fires. While we are not over the risk of fires, I hope you and yours all stay safe. Congratulations on the new addition. She is absolutely beautiful.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness to have all that tragedy in your back yard is horrible. It is wonderful you and your family....your mum are safe. I have seen on the TV the devastation left lying in the wake of the bushfires.....horrific. Goodness me your family has had an awful time of late. So, so sad to read the death of the young man in the mass killing. I wonder if any community can be considered safe of late. Your new little great granddaughter is precious, she will bring a beautiful smile to your heart and I must say I am loving your Gridster Bee blocks. The Rapunzel outfit you and your granddaughter fashioned is fabulous. Thinking of you, please take care, lovely Mary.♥
ReplyDeleteHappy to read that you and your family are safe.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that you are okay and your family too, I was saying prayers for you and your area, such immense loss and the senseless tragedy. GB
ReplyDeletethank you for the update and glad the winds turned the fire from your door. Fire is terrifying and devastating. I love CA and am saddened to see this disaster. Your great granddaughter is styling in that hat. The grand daughter is styling in her repunzel dress, beautiful, and is she holding a frying pan??
ReplyDeleteLeeAnna at not afraid of color
ps I get your posts by email but don't always come over to comment, but I'm here
What a week! So much horror and devastation, and in the middle the joy of a new arrival. Very glad to hear that the fires passed you by, and very sad for those who have lost so much, particularly those who have lost family members.
ReplyDeleteWow, your area really has been hit hard, hasn't it? I'm so sorry Mary -- I know all the loss takes a toll. Glad it was balanced by some very happy news, though! Your newest granddaughter is just perfectly darling! Enjoy some destressing time in your quiet space ... I really like the fabrics you've pulled for the mystery. And your daughter's Rapunzel costume was wonderful!! :)
ReplyDeleteIn the midst of such devastation a sweet ray of hope appears, in the face of that precious new child. I'm so happy the fire bypassed your mother's home, and yours as well.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear you and your mom had the fire turned away from your homes. So much pain and loss with the fires in California right now. Hope for the future, in the form of your new granddaughter, helps to balance all the losses.
ReplyDeleteSo many lows but what a high point in the wonderful little baby! Been praying for you and yours.
ReplyDeleteOh the news of both the shooting and horrific fires are terrible.... I was thinking of you and your family and praying you were all safe.
ReplyDeleteThe fire come awfully close, thank goodness all are okay.
Congratulations to all on the arrival of thesweet baby girl. Great Grandma now , yeh. More to sew for.
Your GD was beautiful in her costume Rapunzel costume.
Enjoy some quiet time in your sewing space.
Nice fabrics for the next Bonnie Hunter Mystery.
Oh, Mary. I am so thankful that you were spared and pray for those who weren’t. I am in Ca now with my daughter and the smoke is unbelievable. I can’t imagine what it must be like with the fires so near. Thankfully, you can escape a bit in your quiet space. Congrats! on you family’s new little one! She is adorable.
ReplyDeleteWhat a heart warming site to see your sweet new baby girl. She is adorable! Life sure comes with its extreme contrasts, doesn't it? Such tragedies buffered by new life. I thank God for the safety you saw in your family this week and pray for those afflicted. A time for us all to pitch in and offer help and refuge.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you and your family and homes are safe. I've wondered since your earlier post of the fire photos. And congrats on that precious new baby . . . just adorable.
ReplyDeleteI first saw your blog email while I was sitting in the airport, waiting to come, the fire news splashed on every big screen around me. I was very thankful that the fire turned away from you and your Mom, but still so sad by the new that I read and see.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy you closed out your post with news of the new baby, the beautiful Rapunzel costume. What lovely grandchildren you have!
I am so sorry about her losing her son. I am devastated by all the bad news. I am overjoyed though to hear that you and your family were not affected by the fire. I was really worried. How wonderful though to have a precious baby arrive. Your fabric pull is gorgeous, can't wait to see them in a quilt. Gridster Bee blocks are colourful, makes me happy just looking at them. Rapunzel is stunning in that dress and her little companion is very sweet. Wishing you a calm week and Thanksgiving holiday, Mary.
ReplyDelete-Soma
So glad you and your family are safe. I have been watching the news reports, and it is very scary, and tragic how many homes and lives have been lost. I will pray for your husbands colleague. Heartbreaking to lose a loved one in such a violent way. Your little g.grandaughter is a sweetheart. She will get lots of cuddles I am sure. Take care, and keep safe.xx
ReplyDeleteWhat horrific times. I'm happy prayers were answered and your family and homes are safe.
ReplyDeleteThe Rapunzel costume is gorgeous as is Rapunzel :)
Congratulations on the new arrival.
What a scary time for your family and friends, so glad all is well and so hope the fires stay away from your door. What a blessing the new little one brings, so cute too. The Rapunzel is just fabulous, what fun to be able to do something like that with her. Glad you had some projects to work on.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you and your mom have been lucky with the fires direction. Watching the news about the fires has been like watching a horrible apocalyptic movie. So unbelievable! The shootings were so senseless and heartbreaking, too. Having it be so close to you makes everything way too real. Stay safe...you are definitely in my thoughts and prayers. xo
ReplyDeleteThat costume is amazing! And the new baby is adorable! I am so sorry to hear of the devastation that your communities are experiencing. Thinking of you all...
ReplyDeleteWow Mary! This was certainly an eventful post. I am so happy to hear that your family and their homes are safe for now. I am also so sad to hear about the shooting.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of fire and shootings, I was a forest fire fighter in college. It is how I earned money to put me through school. I fought fire in Yellowstone National Park with a shovel many years ago and then became a dispatcher for a couple more years.
The shooting part is a little too close to home for me. I am a teacher and our school was threatened just last week. We live in a wonderful and scary world.
Hi Mary how frightening the fires are,so glad you are safe. How cute is your sweet new arrival to the family and wow lovew the Rapunzel dress what a great job you both did.I am your newest follower hope you will visit and follow me also. I love the blocks you have made they are beautiful,hope you have a wonderful week my friend xx
ReplyDeleteMary Dear I am so thakful you, your sister and your mom are safe from such horrific fires. My Prayers for California continue as I feel so very Blessed to be now living in Utah. We may be getting some rain soon. Everyone really needs rain and snow. November Blessings...
ReplyDeleteI’m catching up on reading blogs and so very glad you and your family are safe. Congratulations on the birth of your precious newest family member! The silver lining!
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