New Year's Journey

After the hectic holidays we decided to slip away for a few days of quiet and relaxation.  DH booked a winter trip to Chicago via Amtrak.  I must admit that I was a bit concerned about a snow disaster heading into Chicago in January, but it was a delightful trip.  

We flew up to Oakland to take the California Zephyr out of Emeryville.  We've done that trip several times as it passes through both the Sierras and the Rockies.  The scenery was spectacular with all of the snow this year.

View of San Francisco on departure.

Icy Mississippi

Frozen waterfalls.

Tracks in the snow everywhere.  We saw several large herds of elk and antelope.

I always love the sight of the train around the curves.

Majestic sunsets.

Destination.....Chicago.

Nightlights of the city.

The beautiful lobby of the Palmer House in Chicago.

The Peacock doors in the entrance of the hotel.

We flew home on Friday and I enjoyed some fun sewing over the weekend in between laundry loads.  I have completed the block assembly for Allietare.

Beth's Neighborhood Block Party continues with Irene and Ida picking it up this year.  It has always been such a fun event and I knew that I wanted to participate again this year.  This is my block for the party.

There is still time to sign up to join.  Just go here and join the fun.

Now.....I am off to see what button I clicked on my camera to get the date stamp added.....hmmm.

A Good Washing

We've had two delightful days of heavy rains and I cannot tell you how beautiful everything looks today.  Trees and plants that have not seen a good washing in months are simply sparkling.  The mountains surrounding us are covered with snow as it was a cold storm.  The dry riverbed has flowing water in it - such a wonderful sight.  I hope this is our start of El Nino that they have been promising.

Of course, a rainy day means you should stay home ;-) and sew....right?  Other than a couple of power outages, it was a fun day to sit tight and listen to the rain coming down.  This was the first time I have been able to get into my creative space this year so I made the most of it.

I wasn't able to work on the December mini for the Minis and More event so I was excited to get into January's project.  This month it is Sherri McConnell's Hope Chest Mini.  I have mine to the flimsy stage so far.

This year I have become a member of the MCM - Mid Century Modern - bee.  This is such a fun group of super talented women and this month we made blocks for Elizabeth.  The blocks are from an upcoming pattern that she has designed so I cannot show a picture of the full block, but it is going to make a spectacular quilt.  I can't wait to see them all together.

Another bee that I am in this year is the Spelling Bee Quilts (IG #spellingbeequilt).  I've always enjoyed seeing the word quilts and these are my first word blocks.  Again....these go to Elizabeth.  She is going to have her work cut out for her getting two quilts done, but if anyone can do it, she can.  She has a beautiful saying that she has chosen and I am sure it will make a spectacular l-o-v-e quilt.

I've been pruning roses so my hours have been busy with gardening as well.  I think this poor iris is a bit confused as to the proper season, but it was surely pretty.

Happy New Year to all.

Farewell to 2015

Wow....is it really the end of the year?  It's time for all of those New Years resolutions.....NOT!  I learned long ago to not do those.

The last few weeks have quickly slipped away, but not before leaving us with a lot of fabulous memories.  It was a great Christmas here.  Everyone was well and able to be here for Christmas eve.  There was lots of laughter, food and chaos with such a large crowd, but it was grand.

The days leading up to Christmas are always so busy, but we were able to take an evening and drive to San Simeon to visit the Hearst Castle all decorated for Christmas.  It was a great evening with period participants strolling about.  The photos are a wee bit dark due to the museum lighting, but I hope you can imagine some of the beauty.

This is the size of dining room table that I need!

Indoor pool

Gold tiles around the pool

With company and entertaining happening here I haven't had much time to slip away for sewing.  In between cleaning up this week I was able to work a bit on the Allietare Mystery quilt.  I really love the colors of this project so I am looking forward to seeing it come together.

While everyplace else seems to be having exceptionally warm winter weather, we have had some really chilly temperatures.  I would hate to count the number of times I have had to go out and cover my tropical plants this month.  Brr.  I'm just glad that I don't have to be marching in the Rose Parade Friday morning!!  ;-)

One last photo.....of the newest member to our daughter's family.....Lady.

As I sign off I want to wish everyone a beautiful 2016.  Thank you so much for following me throughout the year, leaving comments and keeping in touch.

It's Getting Closer

As with everyone around this time of the year, we have been busy with Christmas approaching.  With three big dinners behind me, most of the shopping finished, Christmas projects completed and most gifts wrapped up, I feel as though I can breathe a bit easier now.  Christmas cards will be the task this week.

It has been awhile since I last blogged - or even followed blogs.  The stomach bug hit many of the little ones this past week, but it is nice to have that finished before Christmas.  I always feel so sorry for sick little ones on such a special day.

I finished the Christmas stocking for the newest grandbaby.

I'm sure she will appreciate it more as she gets older.  Right now the tree is more interesting.

There have been some wonderful bag tutorials being shown over at Elm Street Quilts the last few weeks.  I have always wanted to do one of the box bags.  I just love how this turned out and it was remarkably easy to do......all scraps from the bin.

We were lucky enough to have everyone home and healthy for our Thanksgiving celebration this year.

I'm sure that many of you are sewing along with Bonnie Hunter in her Allietare mystery.  Although I have not had much of a chance to keep up - yet, I have completed my 4-patch blocks for this week.  I will get the last two weeks done soon, I hope.

My lovely postcard from our Christmas Postcard Swap arrived from Fiona in Australia.  I always love seeing little pieces of art arrive from across the miles.  Fiona did such a beautiful job and I have added it to my small postcard display.

I hope to be around a bit more now that things are settled down a bit here.

Linking up with Sue and Bonnie.

Minis and More

The month is quickly drawing to a close and it is nearly time for the newest Minis and More Parade.  This month we were free to make any mini quilt that we wanted.  I decided to branch out and make a mini quilt as a table runner for Christmas.  Playing off the idea of my Silent Night quilt in my last post, I chose to put a different song in my head.  I looked up the music for Joy to the World and went with that.

This time I added the words with machine embroidery.  I thought the music fabric went well with the pattern.

Be sure to check out all of the other fun minis on the first of the month with Michele and Sherri.  I'm looking forward to seeing the choices that were made this month.

I had a request for another tooth fairy pillow for another granddaughter - in "pink".  These measure about 6x7".  I have it personally from numerous tooth fairies that a larger size is best for finding under the pillows in the dark!

Now I need to get busy with a Christmas stocking for the newest baby in the family.  Needless to say, I have a ways to go on it.

We celebrate our Thanksgiving this coming Saturday and from then on it will be busy times around here.  Next week is changing the house over to Christmas to get ready for our big Christmas dinner - adults only -  the following Saturday.  I will be popping in to blogs periodically, but I may not surface for a few weeks.

I wish all of you in the U.S. a blessed Thanksgiving.  We have so much to be thankful for in our lives.  Enjoy your wonderful feasts.

Silent Night

Remember my little glimpse of Christmas sewing that I showed in my last post?  Well.....it is now finished and I LOVE it.  Let me present to you my Silent Night.

There was a lot of applique of those little notes....

.....and letters.....

.....and stars, but worth every stitch.

It is 52x63" and is a pattern from Seams and Dreams called Silent Night Quilt.

Fall

Fall is definitely here for us with cooler temperatures and changing colors.  The fall lighting with the long shadows is always so interesting.

We visited with one of our son's families this weekend and enjoyed seeing the colors of the grape vines along our way.

It was a gorgeous weekend ahead of the storm that moved through on Sunday afternoon.

Yesterday was a blustery day with wind and "sprinkles".  It was perfect for a warm fire, comfort food cooking and a little stitching.

I sewed up a few blocks for this month's Block Lotto party.  I do love sewing these x&+ blocks.

I got a jump start on this Christmas pattern.  I fell in love with the pattern when I saw it at my LQS.  I hope to show you more in the next post.

Fall is a great time for cooking.  With all of the holiday cooking coming up,  the kitchen will soon smell heavenly all of the time.  To me there is nothing like the smell of bread baking.  It warms my heart as well as the room!!!!

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is next week?  That means Christmas is right behind.  It will soon be 2016.