Swoosh!

 Swoosh!! Off my table into the quilters’ box for long arm quilting day!  What do you think of this “orphan” top?

I did the chicken blocks because these chickens are just too cute—!  Why not make them?  Do you ever find a pattern that you couldn’t resist!?  

So—I had these chicken blocks and didn’t know what to do with them.  Along comes a challenge—begin with a medallion center block and add to it.

Why not try this challenge?  I used many orphan blocks to circle that medallion to get a finish look

I’m satisfied—or I just need to quilt!  It will be a nice size for a lap plus it will be fun to find all the different orphans

Another challenge—a friend gave me several Dresden  fans—some assembled, others loose. I tried different looks—complete circles, half circles, etc.  just couldn’t settle on anything that caught my eye

The idea stuck—why not turkeys!?  First thought—quilt; nope—a table runner!! Yes! Perfect way to feature these colorful creatures.  One shopping trip to bargain bin, I found border print and yardage with themed blocks—can’t decide on this addition.  

Back to Routine

 We need a vacation after our vacation!  We are exhausted! Tired! Want to do nothing except rest!  But, there is no rest for the weary--chores to be finished--must unpack that suitcase, wash clothes, sort the mail, shop for groceries, plan for week. 

 Granddaughter"s wedding dress needs to be altered.  Other granddaughter needs her dress hemmed--I haven't  even shopped for my wedding outfit yet!

  Oh bother!  Still, thinking on bridal shower gifts--what will it be?

How about placemats?  I like placemats on the table when eating--but, will she?  

Why not a Texas theme placemats since she is a Texan? 

 

I found these written instructions in the file cabinet—don’t remember if I made them before. 

How about potholders?  Everyone can use potholders.  

This my favorite potholder!  I make them for all occasions! 

How about a nice everyday apron?  

I’ve had this preprinted panel for some time—might be good to cut it out and sew it up for a gift.

And now, it’s time to plan the bridal shower—who will host?  What to serve?  How many to invite?  Decorations? I’m getting too old for this!  

There is nothing routine about planning a wedding!!

Taos!!

 The next morning, it is time to pack the car again and head into the mountains of Taos!  On the way up the back road to Chimayo --too bad, it was a Monday and Rancho Chimayo was closed--real bummer--we have a 'squirrel' moment and take off on a road that goes to Nambe Falls area--alas, we can't walk up, will take too long as we were meeting friends in Espanola for lunch.

Along the way, we pass many monuents of Nature!

This road leads to a Nambe Pueblo location--cool views!

Finally, turn on the right road to visit 

A simple little chapel that has become famous because of a healing that took place from the dirt in the outside chapel.  The girls walk to the church and we are happy to wait in the car, we've been here before.

okay, back on the road to our lunch date--the place we liked on our last visit to this area is no longer--we were amazed how much Espanola had grown!  So many chain stores and much progress.

We check into our abode for the next two days.  The adobe house is located outside of Taos about two miles from the golf course.  The road was rough getting into the location--we had to transverse a arroyo that washes out every time it rains--and of course, it was raining every day now that is's monsoon season.

We had plenty of food and wine (two essentials) so need to go out for anything.  The house was lovely!

One wall was left open to see the adobe bricks before stuccoed over--you could see the mud and hay that went into making the bricks.  The view was absolutely stunning!! we could see 360*

We were situated about 500 ft above a massive arroyo--that evening we watched the rains come from the East to move over our site--rain was blowing side ways and then the arroyo begin to overflow with rains rushing down all paths to reach their destination.  Once the storm had moved off to the west, we waited, hoping for clear skies and that wonderful New Mexico sunset--

and it came! and oh how the stars sparkled in the dark sky that evening.  

The arroyo was no longer swollen with heavy rain and we could sit back and enjoy the coolness of the evening.

And just like that it was time for us to leave--but, we had one small problem, our car was very low

profile and could not go back on that road and that small arroyo that blocked the entrance.

So, we called AAA!  Yay! for AAA!  We got a flat bed truck to load up the car; we could drive to the spot; we got out and walked across the 3' deep arroyo--feet muddy, we watched as our transportation made it across--although, the flat bed tow truck scraped bottom when we came across.

The woman talking to tow truck driver was asking if she could make it across--he said NO!  They were going to test the water at the arroyo--don't know how they were going to get down to the water, but it was a no go for these ladies.

Adventures! on a trip to SW--we met many interesting people, some strange ones as well-- like the lady, who was a librarian, trying to take a photo of swallowtail butterfly!--she went on a speech about some website, and she went on and on!  Finally!  We got to walk to the garage to pick up our car and there she was again! Talking, TAlking--It takes all kinds of people to make the world go around.

Anyway, we're on our way back to Texas with lots of wonderful treasures!

And The fashions abound

Celebrrities walk the same path we do!  I walked right by Zahn McMaclarron, thinking I've seen him somewhere before--duh!  He has been in many movies and tv shows. 

He has played in the latest tale of Leaphole in "Dark Winds" and was also in "Longmire".  
There were two other actors with him that I've seen--David Midthunder and Eugene Brave Rock

David Midthunder

Eugene Brave Rock was a model in the Indigenous People's fashion show that we attended.

You could sit in the lobby of the La Fonda hotel and people watch for hours--

After people watching for while, we head to Santa Fe Convention  Center for one of the fashion shows--

Below is a list of some of the designers that were represented in the one show--

• 
  
• We cetainly enjoyed the runway show!  By the time we exited the convention center, the market was closing!  there were a few vendors still open but we were tired and our pocket books empty--
• if you ever have a chance to visit SWAIA, make it a point to view one of the fashion shows

Jason Baerg (Cree Métis)

• Himikalas / Pamela Baker (Kwaguilth/ Sqaumish)
• Catherine Blackburn (Dene) and Melanie LeBlanc (European and Dene)
• Orlando Dugi (Navajo)
• Korina Emmerich (Puyallup and Nisqually)
• Sho Esquiro (Kaska Dene/ Cree)
• Lauren GoodDay (Arikara, Hidatssa, Blackfeet, Plains Cree)
• Dorothy Grant (Haida)
• Lesley Hampton (Anishinaabe)
• Ursula Hudson (Tlingit)
• Patricia Michaels (Taos Pueblo)
• Skawennati (Mohawk)
• Jamie Okuma (Luiseño, Wailaki, Okinawan, and Shoshone-Bannock)
• Cody Sanderson (Navajo)
• Yolanda Skelton (Gitxsan)
• Adrian Standing Elk Pinnecoose (Navajo/Southern Ute)

Road Trippin'

 Yes, we continue on our road trip--we roll through many west Texas towns with names like Slaton, Post, Justiceburg, Littlefield, Sudan, Muleshoe then we hit the New Mexico state line at Clovis, where you can find Cannon Air Force Base.  Onto Fort Sumner (supposedly where Billy the Kid met his fate and is buried)  Wonder if today's kids even know about Billy the Kid!  We don't stop (this time!!) at the Billy the Kid museum--onward to travel--we're anxious to reach our destination--Santa Fe!

We creep up the mountains to altitiude of 7,000 ft.  My, how I've forgotten how this affects your body--no one thinks they are in the high mountain country because the area is a high desert.  

And of course, our first day here--it's raining!  We decide to hit the farmer's market instead of the Indian Market (our real purpose for the visit. SWAIA)  The Farmer's market is just as good-- held at the Railyard area--we finally find a parking spot and venture into the rain drops--oh, so many tables loaded with fresh veggies--and brilliant flowers, and my favorite--roasting chilies!  Ahh, the aroma!  it's that time of the year.

We gather foods for the week. Then head out for lunch at our favorite location--Chocolate Maven!  Here you sit and watch the bakery workers perform their magic on pastry dough--delcious!

Once, we've unloaded our food supply at the hotel, we strike out for Wheelwright museum to meet with artists from various New Mexico tribes.  This is the place to be relish in the luxury of the New Mexico arts.  

Since it is still raining and ugly weather, we are happy to be indoors as we speak with artists about their work.

So many works here!  Nice to meet the artists and talk to them about their pieces. the girls buy a "strong women" piece from Felicia Fragua.  She is well known for her storyteller pottery pieces, of which I have one.

Surrounding all the country side is famous Rabbit brush--a great natual dye.  I'm very familiar with this plant as in past years, I've attended natural dye workshops in the area and this is one plant that dyed a beautiful yellow--best part, it is always right outside the door to pick!

Happy hour is a must at Gruet sparkling winery in downtown Santa Fe--we met up with our friends to enjoy a bubbly before we headed to our evening dinner reservations--Santa Cafe--an open air dining experience!  THank goodness, the rain has let up and we can enjoy the fresh air and good food.

What a way to end our first day in Santa Fe.  Finally, the clouds cleared and we had a perfect day (temp mid 70's) to walk Indian Market--lots of things to see, touch and decide whether to buy or not.

We found our friends at the Indian fry bread food truck!  What luck!  We didn't need to stand in line forever as we joined up with the guys--thank you!  We had a traditional fry bread and a sweet fry bread.

Many in our party hadn't tasted this tasty bread!

In the evening we invited everyone to our humble hotel room for soup and Salad and of course, some bubbly to go around.  A great ending to a good day.

Our Sunday was visiting the vendors in the free market--there were over 1500 vendors at this market and lots of walking was the means of transportation.  Every vendor is juried to sale in the free and major market--you know you're getting good quality work.  

of course, there are some street people with blankets spread out in out of the way places, selling their trinkets--that's what Santa Fe is known for.

Entertainment takes place on every corner of the market.  Lots of native american music, hoop dances, fancy dress singers and music makers.

The day is exhausting for us lowlanders--more next time on the best part of market!!

The fashion shows!!

Oh, The Joy of Being A Tourist!

 Car is packed and loaded!  We're off!  First stop Mason, Texas--never heard of Mason?  well, you are not alone!  Mason is located about 35 miles NW of Fredericksburg, Texas, which is an hour west of Austin or San Antonio is an hour to the south.

 The first settler in Mason is thought to have been Peter S. Parker in 1846. The settlement of Mason grew up around Fort Mason, which was established by the United States War Department as a front-line defense against Kiowa, Lipan Apache, and Comanche, on July 6, 1851. George W. Todd established a Fort Mason post office March 8, 1858, which became consigned to the civilian settlement on June 26, 1858.^[6] The protection and commercial possibilities of the fort drew settlers. W. C. Lewis opened a general store that served soldiers and settlers. In 1860, James E. Ranck opened a second store and later became known as "The Father of Mason". Ben F. Gooch and he began leasing 5,000 acres (20 km²) of land to cotton sharecroppers. Mason was voted the county seat in 1861^[  “Gem of the Hill Country” and the only place in Texas where you can find Texas Topaz in nature.

Home of Seaquist Mansion

Home of "Old Yeller" author,  Fred Gipson--statue near the library

And Mason has now become a leading town in the wine industry--several wine tasting rooms are open around the town square--all featuring some Texas wines, grown in Hill Country or High Plains.

We spend more  time here than we should!  Nothing like a small town and always worth a stop.

We drive 27,4 miles to Brady, Texas,  home to the Country Music Museum. The museum will take you back in time and let you discover the history of Texas Country Music and Country Music Industry. Brady holds an annual World Championship Barbeque Goat Cook Off every labor day weekend.

Drive 80 miles and we arrive in Paint Rock Texas--Paint Rock is home to more than 1.000 pictographs painted on a limestone cliff that is as much as 70 feet high on the north bank of the Concho River.  The paintings, done in red, black, yellow, and white, stretch for more than half mile along the layered cliff face. 

We roll along through Ballinger, Winters, Tuscola--each of these small towns have their own rich history.  There is that small town feeling when you drive through--

Our stop is Buffalo Gap for dinner at Perini's Steakhouse.

Why is it called Buffalo Gap? 

The natural gap (now the community of Buffalo Gap) in between the Callahan Divide in southern Taylor County was one of those Buffalo trails. The large number of buffalo moving through this area attracted buffalo hunters that set up camps near Elm Creek.

We end our day in Abilene where we rest our bodies.

Abilene is known as the “Official Storybook Capital of America” because it has the largest public collection of sculptural storybook characters in the state. Visit downtown Abilene and snap a selfie with six sculptures of Dr. Seuss characters, which are among 24 statues in the area.

It wasn't a long drive day, but much insight into the small towns along the route.

Sleep, refresh, ready for another day..

Road Trip!

 We’re so excited!  We’re taking a road trip!  It has been awhile since we took an extended trip by car—there is nothing like anticipation!  Packing begins days before departure—lists are made of things not to forget; reservations confirmed for lodging; routes mapped; neighbors notified; but, the most important item to remember—a good book to take along, either audio or visual book to hold, is a MUST! 

Books are a wealth of knowledge!  I did not know about this program nor did I know about the “blue people” of Kentucky. Maybe part fiction but there is a basis of real life in these few words. 

In the isolated hollows of rural Kentucky, they were known as the blue Fugates and the blue Combses. For more than a century, these Appalachian families passed along an exceedingly rare genetic blood condition that turned their skin a disarming shade of blue.

horseback library project, launched by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the depths of the Depression.  A project that, from its inception in 1935 to its end in 1943, reached 1.5 million Kentuckians and enabled nearly 1,000 women to support themselves and their families in 48 Kentucky counties. That in 1956 inspired Kentucky Congressman Carl D. Perkins (who’d benefitted from the Pack Horse Library program as a teacher in Knott County) to sponsor the Library Services Act, which provided the first federal appropriations for library service.

 

So, as I read about blue people, hubster is reading about the gray man! 

A gray man is an average person who does not stand out in a crowd or draw attention to themselves in any way. In military terms, such as for Sierra Six in the film, it means the person who never fails to get their job done before moving away quietly.

These are fast paced books!  the gray man is invincible! 

And there is a standby book, just in case we finish one, we have this one waiting in the wings

Willie Nelson told from the side of his sister Bobbie Nelson--thank goodness, she wrote this family story before her passing.

And for an audible book, we have William Kent Kruger's "Copper River"

Now, I think we are ready to load the car and hit the road!