A Snowy Trip

This past weekend we made our annual trek to the Sierras for our winter family trip.  Little did we know that we would be there for the largest storm to hit the Sierras in over a decade.  They have had an incredible amount of snow this year so our chains we kept handy and were needed early on the way up.  They never came off.

Although it is always a bit nerve wracking to drive under those conditions, the drive was spectacularly beautiful.  We were scheduled to leave Sunday morning, but we were snowed in after receiving 4-5 feet of fresh snow between Saturday and Sunday.  All roads were closed in and out.  We thought Monday was a no go as well, but they managed to avalanche blast and clear the southbound route by 4 p.m.  It was a very slow go down the mountainside with a CHP caravan and chains, but the drive was phenomenal.  It was just in time as the food supply was dwindling as well as the wine!!!  There were many Donner Party jokes passing about as we checked out the fat content of each person.  lol

The chains came off just as the sun set and we were more than happy for that.  We have for years thought it would be fun to get snowed in up there, but now we can say that we have "been there and done that".  I'm okay with not repeating the thrill.

While we were there we celebrated one of the little one's birthday.  Our daughter made the cutest cupcakes for a hamburger loving little guy.

Today I finally managed to get into the sewing space for a little stitching time.  The Temperature Quilt QAL has been calling my name this year.  I have dutifully keep a record of our temperatures and have caught up to date using a Flying Geese pattern for it.

I'm looking forward to adding some of the oranges and reds as it warms up a bit here.  Right now I seem to be very green!!!

An Unscheduled Getaway

Have you ever wished that you could just get away?  Just imagine all that you could accomplish.  lol  Well.....I had my chance this week for an unscheduled getaway.

Last week was our annual family trip to the Sierras.  We always love watching the little ones enjoying the snow and this was no exception.  We were scheduled to come home on Sunday.  The big storm, Kayla, hit on Saturday, dumping feet of snow where we were.  It was beautiful, but when we went to get in the car we discovered that we had a ruptured brake line.  ;-(  The rest of the gang headed home while we were towed down the mountain for repairs.  Parts had to be ordered so we got a hotel.  After two days, more parts were needed that also had to be ordered.  Meanwhile, we were holed up in a hotel room and I was thankful that I had thought to grab my iPad and cross stitching from the vehicle before leaving it.  It was a long couple of days with temps in the teens, snow and ice everywhere and NO transportation.  But....that was earlier this week!  Life is now good again and we are home and back to the crazy and wonderful normal routine.

This was the view looking out of the hotel window.  Those chairs by the creek look a bit chilly to me.

Along the sewing front....I am participating in several bees this year.  One that I am really enjoying is the Spelling Bee.  These are my blocks for this month.  These should make a super cute quilt with all of the bugs.

The next bee is the Mid-Century Modern Bee.  I love that you have to be Mid century or above to belong.  These blocks are for Cindy.  These little books  (#booksforbabyquilt) are really fun.

There is a great new monthly series going on in blogland.  Soma of Whims and Fancies is doing a camera series.  Her photos are amazing and she is sharing some tips with us and allowing us to link up some of our photos as well.  Be sure to check it out.