It's Me...

This blog post is going to be more of a pictorial update of the past week than a word-filled one. I guess I have more time to snap pics than to compose. So, c'mon along while I fill you in on the happenings in and around Chez Goodneedle... and beyond!

Our oldest granddaughter represented North Carolina in the Southern Zone Championships in Orlando last week. 

We drove down to watch her compete; personally, she did incredibly well!  The thing that we're the most proud of is her sportsman-like character; she's such a great teammate and cheerleader for others, both in and out of the pool. 

What to do between events (back in the hotel room) and in the car to and fro? Hand finish bindings!

One of the sights from Orlando, near our parking deck. This INSANE ride (450' tower!) spins riders out and around as it ascends and descends; the number of similar attractions were mind-blowing. Thanks, but no thanks; not for me! 

Back home again: blueberries are abundant on the backyard bushes, we've enjoyed yummy, fruit-laden pancakes twice this week already. 

The Marathon Runner was quilted this week...

...under the watchful eye of my constant sewing room companion. 

Fruit Salad Quaker is fully stitched and awaiting assembly into a pinkeep. 

I tried this recipe for French Bread which is a winner; hands-down. I'll be making this again (and often)! 

Our youngest granddaughter came to spend the night before school begins again. We made this cute zipper pouch together yesterday afternoon. She loves to sew... and bake... and visit. 😊

 Dahlias are blooming like crazy right now!

This brings me back to the beginning... and the title of this post: "It's Me"~ do you remember the song: 

… It's me!
It's me oh, Lord, I'm standing in the need
I'm standin' in the need of prayer...

Right now I am asking for prayer for friends who are ill, friends who are hurting, friends who are facing health issues and uncertain futures as a result of recent diagnoses. Thank you, God knows their needs and your prayers on their behalf are deeply appreciated! 

Life is Good!

Floating...

Where in the world have the Goodneedles been? Floating. On a boat; a big one. We sailed out of Los Angeles on Monday evening, January 24, bound for the Hawaiian Islands. Little did we know that there was a surprise waiting for us; a big one, as big as that afore-mentioned boat!
My brother-in-law captured this moment, in the boarding area, when I discovered that he and my sister were sailing with us! Can you tell that this surprise was successful? We had a great time together. I am going to post pictures of our time away below, with little, if any, text; enjoy. I don't have any photos of the very long sea days across the Pacific, over and back, only of the port stops-- you can use your imagination, believe me there was lots and lots of water.

Sailing into Hilo on the big island of Hawaii, snow-capped Mauna Kea is visible. 

The original Volcano House hotel, at Volcanoes National Park, HI. 

 Dressed for dinner, still on Hawaii; my sister and I bought handmade leis from a local lei-maker.

Day two on the islands saw us on Oahu, at Pearl Harbor. Sadly, we were unable to take the small transport boat out to the Arizona Memorial that morning, the choppy water made passage unsafe. 

 Early morning of day three of the island tour saw us porting in the harbor at Nawiliwili, Kauai. 

Morning sunrise on day number four, over the island of Maui. 

 The massive Banyan Tree at Lahaina Park on Maui, this tree has sixteen major trunks supporting it.

There were signs here on the beach warning against cairn construction (rock stacking) but that certainly didn't seem to faze this gentleman. The one on the left here fascinated me, how did he do that?

Our last port day, the day before disembarkation in Los Angeles, was in Ensenda, Mexico. It was a windy and rainy day there. We didn't leave the ship, but enjoyed seeing some of the locals from our balcony; they were noisy too! 

Our last day together. My sister provided the matching T-shirts, commemorating our combined vacations.

We arrived home again in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, to another adventure; stay tuned. 

🌴~Aloha!~🌴

Life is Good!

No Passing

My husband and I took a quick trip to the mountains to do some leaf-peeping on Monday. That's where we were when we found ourselves driving along this road. Whoa~

Life is Good!