Yes, She Really Does Quilt!

In which I prove that I really am doing some quilting:

This is a UFO that's been around for a couple years. I was recently challenged to "get 'er done". The challenger is holding hostage some recently purchased fabric. That was pretty good motivation for me to finish piecing the top. Now it's sat for over a month and I am FINALLY getting around to getting it quilted...........See, I really DO quilt, sometimes.

And yes, it will be a Christmas present so I don't know how much more of this you will get to see. But, since I KNOW the recipient doesn't read my blog and is probably too young to even know what a blog is, maybe you will get to see when it's done....

Is it just me...

WARNING: Rant to follow

....is it just me, or does this make you angry too?

A couple years ago I joined FaceBook. I did so mainly to connect with some old friends from back east. I admit, in the last couple years I've gotten caught up in playing some of the inane time-waster games. But, the cool thing has been staying in touch with friends and family.

I've set my privacy settings pretty high because I'm that sorta person. (I guess that's a little bit of my mother's internet paranoia coming through.)

Anyway, this morning I received an unsolicited personal message from somebody that I don't know. This person was sending out private messages to quilters to promote her business. How did she get my name?

Maybe it's just me, but I find this a huge violation of my privacy. I think it's as bad as the idiots who come ringing my doorbell trying to sell me something, blatantly disregarding my "No Soliciting" sign. That's the only time I truly enjoy having a dog that goes totally bonkers when the doorbell rings.....go get 'em Spotted One! (Only kidding, sorta.)

So, what are your thoughts? Am I the only one that finds this offensive? Would you do business with a company that you heard about in this manner?

VW Wanderings

We spent 8 lovely days wandering eastern Washington, eastern Oregon and the western edge of Idaho. We saw some amazing scenery, visited with good friends and celebrated our 20th anniversary. All in all, an absolutely wonderful week.

Our week started out in Shelton at a farewell party for Peter, our nephew who is off to spend a year studying in Japan. From there we made it to the last nite of the Star Gazing Party outside of Goldendale. I think I would have enjoyed it more if it hadn't been SO COLD. The stars were absolutely amazing and the members of the Seattle Astronomical society were so eager to share their knowledge. The good  news, all the hard work on installing the new furnace in the bus paid off. Not only did it work, it cooked me out! I have never asked The Bearded One if I could turn DOWN the heat before. Only the Spotted One didn't think it was too warm.

After Goldendale our wanderings took us to Pendleton to visit with an old friend who was not able to attend the Catherine Creek ReUnion campout. It was a good visit -- amazing to see how quickly Margaret's kids are growing up.

The following morning after a few detours to a quilt shop and the Pendleton store, we were on our way again.

A slight detour on our way to Lewiston took us to Palouse Falls.

After spending our Anniversary at Hells Gate State Park, we took a scenic route south through Idaho. Our original intention had been to do Hell's Canyon Scenic Bypass. Unfortunately, due to some serious washouts, the road is closed in a couple places. So, we did 95 south, through some of the most scenic country I've ever seen. The route had everything from recently cut wheat fields, to beautiful, rolling "hills", farm land and beautiful canyons following the Salmon River. Despite the rain, it was a beautiful drive, accompanied by a captivating audio book.

Our journey ended at Catherine Creek State Park in Union, Oregon. After setting up camp in the rain, well, showers, we settled in for 3+ days of relaxation and visiting. By Saturday we had about 34 VW buses.

Between the friends, food and wonderful bluegrass music, it was another successful gathering. The folks at the Oregon Parks and Recreation Blue Mountain District go out of their way to help us make this such a great event. Hats off to them!

Here's what a certain Spotted One spent most of his time doing:

Hoping and wishing that he had thumbs so that he could open the magic cupboard in which the cookies were imprisoned.

So Many Colors....

At long last, all the work from the last month has been completed -- well, almost. Now I want to replace the front door. The painters have packed up their ladders this afternoon and the Spotted One has finally realized there is nobody outside for him to bark at anymore. The painters dubbed him "el perro loco -- muy loco." 

So, several weeks ago there was an interesting discussion in our house on color. After spending more hours than I can count using Sherwin Williams online paint chooser and looking at other houses in the neighborhood, I had the new house color narrowed down to 5 colors. Off I went to the paint store I went to get little quart samples. Each was painted on the house with a corresponding number.

Me: So, what do you think?
Him: Looks like paint.
Me: Do you like any of them?
Him: Well, I don't like number 4.
Me: Ok, how about number 1?
Him: Anything but number 1 or number 4.
Me: How about number 3?
Him: Anything but number 1, 3 or 4.
and so on and so on.....

Needless to say, we finally came to an agreement, more or less. Number 2 won -- Perfect Griege. Ladies, take my word for it, DO NOT try to explain subtle things like shades, tints and tones to your husband.

Then it started all over again with the trim. Do you have ANY IDEA how many different shades of white there are??? And forget even asking the Bearded One which one he likes. So, I did the next best thing, took my sample of house color and the chips to some of my quilting friends. On the way home, I happened to notice a house that was very close to our main body choice. It had trim just a couple shades darker. It looked wonderful. So, back to the paint store I went. Because, naturally, the next shade darker on my paint strip was way too dark, it was almost charcoal. Eventually I found the right shade, hammered silver. We tested both colors on the house and actually agreed.

So, here's what it looked like yesterday, once they started on the trim. I don't have a picture of it completed yet. I will do that after the door gets replaced. The new door will be painted a burgundy/wine red.

Meanwhile, we are off for a much needed campout, ending up at the annual Catherine Creek ReUnion campout with the rest of our VW group.