Summer Kick-Off

Well, now that Memorial Day has officially been observed; it's full speed ahead into summer. I'm ready! Having successfully navigated twice-a-week, post fracture, out patient physical therapy sessions I feel ready to tackle the world again! The therapist that I was assigned has been fabulous, he's young, motivated and extremely supportive of my desire to be fully healed, flexible and strong. He pushes me, and that's good. I have three levels of therapy bands attached to my longarm frame for mid-day strength training at home. This sign greeted me the other day when I checked in at the PT facility: 

              "Pain is temporary, quitting is forever". 

I placed flags in the pots outside our home this weekend, take a look at the bare-root, wintered-over geraniums on the steps. They've absolutely rebounded to full strength. Think of me as a geranium... bouncing back for all that I'm worth.

I'm slowly catching up on the blocks for Shelly Cavanna's Barn Star Sampler that's being taught, block-of-the-month style, at my LQS. This one, above, is the Carpenter Star.

And, the Tulip Star. These are BIG blocks. I'm using my own color choices and Wilmington Essentials "dry brush" line of fabrics to give mine an authentic "weathered" barn star appearance. The colors, too, put me in a happy, summertime state of mind.

Augie has a friend spending time with us this week. These two are so cute together, they play, chase, and wrestle with each other all day long; until they literally crash, in their respective beds. After napping, as soon as one raises a head, it's on... all over again!

Because summertime means vacation time, when better to quilt up this National Parks (one of my favorite vacation destinations) panel that's been hanging out in my stash closet for a few years? I already had the backing on the shelf, a super-soft, chocolate brown flannel for a cozy snuggle quilt. This pantograph is Classic Weave by Kathie James for Urban Elementz. 

Uncle Sam is once again serving as the summertime sentry to the studio. 

I'll conclude this kick-off to summer post with a laugh, who doesn't love a good flow chart?

Are you guilty? 

😉

Life is Good!

This, That, and Three Other Things...

While we were gone away this Moth Orchid which has lived as a foliage-only plant in our bathroom for the past few years sent up a flower stalk! I was shocked and amazed. Maybe we need to leave home more often! I don't do anything special except water it every week; once a month I sprinkle a few crystals of orchid food into the watering solution but that's it. I had NO  very little hope of it ever blooming again. This was a wonderful surprise. Do any of you have tips for growing orchids? I really don't know what I'm doing. This was a Christmas gift four years ago, it came in bloom and those original blossoms lasted for a long, long time. 

           

We recently upgraded our cell phones. Thankfully, everything transferred without a hiccup and the best part of the new device (other than the fact that the battery lasts tons longer than my old one) is the "portrait mode" on the camera. Isn't Hannes' little friend cute? I really don't get my 35mm out of its case much anymore, there's little need, these phone cameras only get better and better. 

We've repurposed this ketchup bottle. Can you guess for what purpose?

For honey! I use honey both in my tea and over my yogurt and have found this to be the best-ever dispenser for this purpose- NO DRIPS, NONE! Next time you toss an empty ketchup bottle remember this recycling tip. 

We woke up Sunday morning to a taste of winter. My kind of snow, too; it was long gone by noon.

Star Flowers is now a top, it measures 56" X 81". I haven't decided if I'll leave the points or not. I will quilt it this way and then decide if I want to tackle binding the peaks and valleys or not. I love the look. Quilting will take a back seat for a bit, though, I have a few other quilting commitments right now.

I was lucky enough to get my first COVID dose yesterday. The process was completely painless. 

The hospital group has allocated the old Sears store at the mall where they can process thousands of people through a day, as long as the vaccine supply is available. It is done by appointment and the process was fast, organized and incredibly efficient. I have my second dose scheduled in three weeks. 

Life is Good!

A Quick Escape

I'm back! Are these the largest doors that you've ever seen? They might be for me, where to do you think that these doors lead?  What's behind them? Think of animals marching two by two. Yes, Mr. Goodneedle and I made a winter escape to Kentucky and the Ark!

Built in Williamstown in 2016 to Biblical specifications the proportions of this Ark are every bit as awe-inspiring as you might think. There are three enormous decks to the ship which lead you through the "Ark Encounter", an incredibly interesting and personal experience recreating what life would have been like for Noah and his family during the flood, how they existed and how they cared for themselves and the animals.  

It was a unique and special time away. We drove from the ark to visit the Creation Museum in Petersburg, near Cincinnati; we had our first taste of winter weather and snow along the way. Those doors above also represents (to me) something more: a door to exit through, a step outside of this past year filled with quarantining, staying at home and fear. This quick escape was a step forward, in faith. There were NO crowds anywhere (keep in mind, it's January!) and all safety and health protocols were observed.

Compared to typical road trips that we take, this one was laid-back and relaxing. We didn't travel many miles each day and spent a lot of time just watching television and reading in our hotel rooms as we progressed. From the Creation Museum we headed south to Paducah and the National Quilt Museum.

This is what our afternoons and evenings looked like along the way. 

I finished binding a quilt, got reacquainted with counted cross-stich and read these two books. It was an extremely relaxing and luxurious time away, one that had been a very long time coming. But, naturally, all good things must come to an end; on Thursday it was back home and a return to our normal lives; back to laundry, cooking and cleaning. But, Dorothy was right: "there's no place like home!", that is most certainly true, it was wonderful to get away for a quick escape but it's always great to get back home again! 

Life is Good!

Up next: a post from the National Quilt Museum and a review 

of the cute quilt shops that we stopped at along our route.

Pressing Matters

I have had an affection for irons and ironing my entire life; here's all the photographic proof you need!😉 I can't even calculate how many irons I have owned, and worn out, in the last six+ decades, there are that many. In the sewing room right now I have my large "workhorse" steam generator iron, a full-sized regular iron that I can carry into other rooms, a portable iron for travel, an old-fashioned dry iron without steam holes for fusing and two, small, Clover irons for hand appliqué work. 

In any quilt class, workshop or gathering of quilters the "steam or no steam?" question is always a topic open for discussion. I am a huge steam aficionado; the more the better! I like for the seams in my quilt blocks to lie super-flat; there's no such thing as too much steam for me. My only advice to quilters who can't decide if they are in the "steam" or "no steam" camp is to take precautions to avoid stretching; always "press" (up and down) and not "iron" (push back and forth) and to be extremely careful not to handle a pressed and steamed block too quickly, let it cool in place on the ironing board!

I knew that my old-trusty Rowenta "Expert" steam generator was on it's last leg, it had been over-heating and was slowly falling apart, I had owned, and loved, it for approximately five years. I adapted and made concessions for its quirks and foibles as I knew that this particular model was no longer being made. I was well aware that our relationship was coming to a close, it was just a matter of time. And then, one fateful day, when I picked it up it literally fell apart in my hand! That was it. 

Sadly, I was forced to search for a new model, the day that I had long been dreading was upon me. I knew that I wanted another steam generator but wasn't sure which one. The prices for irons such as these range all over the place; one can literally spend as much as one has! Cost was important factor in my decision, I had a list of requirements and researched for hours. In the meantime I used the Rowenta Power Glide 2 pictured above. It works well, but it just wasn't quite the same. I need steam! steam! steam! 

After all of my research and reading as many reviews as I could find, I took a deep breath and settled on the Rowenta "Perfect Steam" model. Clearly, as I learned from the reviews, spending an exorbitant amount guaranteed absolutely nothing. My choice was definitely, what I would consider to be, mid-range in the cost department. It arrived on the doorstep two days later. So far, so good. We are developing a relationship and I am finding new features to love. This model has a removable water tank for filling (yes!) and a nicely designed tapered tip that makes ironing around buttons effortless. Yes, I iron more than quilt blocks!

The day after our recent vacation ended I was back at it, catching up on laundry. I am happily ironing away again with ease. It takes a while to fall in love again, but we're getting there. I receive no compensation from Rowenta, my experiences with their products are mine alone; keep in mind that this isn't a review but, rather, my own personal opinion based on what I like. Speaking of that, I did do some ironing while we were on the cruise ship. I didn't t take my own travel iron along, but used the one in the laundry room that was conveniently located just across the hall from our room. Mr. Goodneedle asked how I liked that iron. My response: "meh". He just smiled. Yeah, I know-- I suppose that I am an iron snob, I can own that. How about you? What do you need in an iron?

Life is Good! 

Two Weeks Full Of Firsts!

A few weeks ago we were on the road, for a few weeks. Mr. Goodneedle was making a presentation to at our National Church body's annual Convocation, which happened to be held in Denver this year; we decided to take in the sights and pack in some activities along the way, there's always time for yet another road trip! We took the l-o-n-g way from NC to CO. and began our westward drive along the gulf coast with the car headed in the direction to San Antonio, eating some amazing seafood along the way!  I had never been to San Antonio before and loved every minute of strolling along the River Walk. Since today is Labor Day and the un-official "end of summer" I am offering this post as a summer wrap-up from me. C'mon along in this super-condensed photo journal of "How I Spent My Summer Vacation"-- crossing items, one by one, off of my bucket list.

The Alamo-- another first and an historical site to remember.  

We spent the next day driving across Texas. Oh, yes; all day.

We broke up the monotony with lunch at Whataburger. Another first.

One of their slogans: "Hours of operation: all of them." 

Finally, the scenery began to change by nightfall. 

We cut off the corner of New Mexico and entered Colorado. 

Speaking of scenery changes: who expects this so far away from the coast? 

Yes, the Great Sand Dunes are all that and more. Hiking to the tops of the dunes is a workout!

We rented boards to ride down, I felt much more confident riding on my widest part.

It really was fun-- the hiking back up was the hardest part of all.

Mr. Goodneedle was much more adventurous and truly showed off a great sense of balance!

Even after all these years, he continues to amaze me; he rode all the way down without wiping out.

The next morning we were off bright and early to the Royal Gorge. 

The bridge spanning  is spectacular; open to pedestrian traffic, 

we walked across before the Royal Gorge park was open for the day.

Each state is represented on the bridge, ours was in need of refastening. 

 Not content to merely stroll across, Mr. Goodneedle found his place to zip-line across the gorge!

I may have accomplished a lot of firsts, but chose to keep my feet on the ground for this one; he loved it!

The next day we went white-water rafting out of Buena Vista on the Arkansas River. This is the only photo that I have of that day; we left our phones and cameras behind where it was dry. Suffice it to say, it was a fabulous experience! We joined up with church friends from back home at this point, and for the next few days, they were also attending the same Convocation, as delegates. Our guide on the river expedition was great, and we all stayed in the raft; but none of us remained dry!

This is truly a first; a big one for me! Although I think horses are beautiful, they have always struck fear in me. I cannot tell you why. So, agreeing to go riding, for me, was truly a conquer-your-fear-by-digging-deep-(really DEEP)-moment! I don't know at what point on the trail ride that I began breathing again, but it did happen. We rode out of a stable in Estes Park into the Rocky Mountain National Park. The weather was perfect and the horse (mine was named "Last Call") proved trustworthy. 

When I choose to recall a memory of a perfect day, this may just be the one. I have changed my tune about horses; I can no longer use the excuse that I think they've outlived their usefulness. Oh, no! 

 From the Rocky Mountain National Park we traveled with our friends up to Greeley for a tour of his brother's farm there. We had a wonderful time being escorted over all the acreage and learning about his Holsteins.

I could appreciate the farm from an entirely different vantage point while sitting up in one of these!

The Convocation-- Mr. Goodneedle on stage making his presentation. What a week we had. At this point we bid our friends from North Carolina good-bye and headed out for our final week of firsts.

To be continued...

Life is Good!