Poodles and Quilts

It is hard to believe that 2017 will soon be history!  For us it has been a busy year. Instead of working on the inside of our home we had work done on the landscaping! We start year 19 at this address and I can honestly say this is the longest I have ever been in the same place! Growing up we moved a few times, same area but different homes. After marriage there were a few job transfers. The last transfer my husband had brought us to Texas and here is where we stayed. Back to landscaping. Trees that were small when we moved in have grown quite a bit. Grass that liked sun, does not like shade! We like the shade, so grass areas are much smaller-more rock and mulched beds. That was the 2017 project. Hopefully no major projects for 2018!  We both could use a break. Even though we had others do the work it is still a disruption. We did manage some trips around Texas for Galen to add to his list of birds, butterflies and dragonflies. Some new lifers and or for different county si...

Thought it was time to play catch up and post again!  I finally managed a few evenings of sewing. Being in a motel room in the evenings and no distractions makes it easier to actually get something done. We went to Rockport, TX last week. Ground zero for Harvey's first landfall. It is one of our favorite spots in Texas and wanted to check out how they are doing 3 months after the hurricane.  If you wish to read about and see some pictures click on this link.  There are also some great pictures of  Whooping Cranes and Sandhill Cranes my husband took. Rockport, Texas Now for sewing! I had a kit from the FatQuarter Shop that was perfect for motel room sewing! Hard to tell from this picture but it is called Layer Cake Pop. Uses half a cake and a jelly roll of background. One night I got everything cut and then next 2 sewed! One block made. 19 more to go! After this is out together below is the UFO I mentioned the end of November. Started this one on one...

We decided to take a break and go to Rockport for a few days. It was ground zero for Harvey's first hit late August. After checking we knew that some places had reopened. It was hard to see all the devastation but they are slowly getting things cleaned up and getting places open. They are making headway but it will be several years probably before they are truly back.  Business that weren't too badly damaged are open, others are open in a trailer. Then there are some that it will take time. The Fairfield Inn across the street from the La Quinta where we stay had a lot of damage. Some restaurants are open, other's are open using a trailer for cooking and have tents up for seating. It was sad to see the damage to the trees. Those will not be replaced. The Coastal Oaks are part of the charm. The Heron Rookery along the coast road is still there but not as full and the birds will be building new nests. Driving into town we passed a spot where they have been collecting all the...

I managed to get a lot of sewing done in November!  Felt good too! Put together 3 quilt tops and dug out an unfinished project or UFO! Had worked on it during one of remodels. Easy to work on blocks while in a motel. Made the last 15 blocks. No pictures yet, have not laid it out  on the design wall. Can only show one today and that is the Barn Dance quilt top. It is now at the quilters. The top is large, 98 x 98 and yes I am keeping this one! Will be great on our guest bed! The pattern is from    justquiltin with Denise                                                                       Barn Dance In between sewing I froze 12 more containers of pureed pumpkin for pies. Did up several containers of squash. And yesterday got started on making sauerkraut. The small crock is full ...