Evening Edition! Free Kindle Book!

Oh it’s hard to keep secrets secret! And I want to share bits and pieces because yes I am sewing my brains out, but at the same time there are projects that are either mysteries, or workshop projects that we aren’t letting out and about yet because details are still not finalized and we are just in the planning stages.

You read me right --- WE. I have another designer friend who is so different from me, yet we get along so well that we want to do a joint project together.

If there have been photos posted via facebook etc --- or if you’ve seen bits and pieces here and there on the blog, I just can’t go any farther with explanations so you’ll just have to be patient with us as this shapes up!

Tonight I will probably be paper piecing on some wild & goosey blocks --- I’ve also got my blocks for next year’s Quiltmaker Magazine column to line up --- and those I really can’t show ahead of time either, and I know that makes for boring disappointing blog posts!

Never fear, tomorrow night is the Lecture/Dinner in Sisters -- there will be photos of that, as well as photos from the show on Saturday to look forward to.

This is my one week I look forward to every year – to come out to Oregon and power-sew with girlfriends and not only get-away-from-it-all but get a good head start on projects that have deadlines.

AND. I found a freebie while acquainting myself with my new laptop!

A Song for the Asking by Steve Gannon is free tonight in the Amazon Kindle Store. I don’t know how long it’s been free, or how long it will be, but it is free as I type this, so double check!

Genre: Drama

Book Description:

Detective Daniel Kane is the self-proclaimed king of his castle, his California beachfront home, and the ironfisted ruler of his subjects — his wife, Catheryn, and his four children: Tommy, Travis, Allison, and Nate. Hardened by years of law enforcement, he is determined to prepare his children to face a harsh and violent world. With a relentless will for perfection and scorn for anything less, Kane teaches them his rules for success and provides a model for the essentials of survival: strength, bravery, ambition, stoicism, and vengeance. He shows them everything — everything but what is in his heart.

Over the course of a single shattering summer, each of Kane’s children will be forced to pay the price his standards demand, but the brunt of Kane’s fierce and exacting love will fall on Travis. Lacking the physical prowess of his older brother Tommy, Travis confounds his father with artistic “softness” and musical gifts. Yet in a devastating moment that will change all the Kanes forever, it is Travis alone who will find the courage to defy his father and, ultimately, to redeem him.

Set against the sweeping backdrop of the California coast, A Song for the Asking tells the story of a family not unlike your own.

Dinner is on the grill, and I’m still not used to the 3 hour time difference between East and West coast ---I look at the clock and find it impossible that it is “THAT LATE NOW” at home ---and we are just getting dinner going ----

Happy Thursday Eve everyone!

Let’s Try It Out!

This is the first post on my new laptop now that I’ve got things installing and getting things back in order.

Thank you to whomever sent me the link for pixlr.com I can’t believe how easy it is to edit photos online without having to download software to do it!

I can crop, change the image size ((My default size is 800 pixels in the widest dimension – it’s perfect for blog uploads)) save them to my computer and go.

I can adjust the brightness/contrast and other things easily --- by far it is the easiest online program I’ve seen!

The only thing I wish I could do is change picture size by inches, not pixels, but at this time I’m not going to complain!

I’ve been sewing up a storm…I tested the software out on these photos just to see how it works…..

My fingers are crossed! I’ll hit send and then get back to some more half square triangles!

iPhone-o-gram! Good Morning!

I'm still downloading software to the new laptop.

My photo shop is of course at home and I'm trying different options----straight from the camera photos are 44" wide and that is too huge for uploading. And often pics need to be cropped or the lighting fixed.

Since that is taking time--here are some shots from last evening's dinner and walk!

Randy's patio, back yard and local scenery!

iPhone-o-gram! And We Are Five!

The oldies channel is playing and we are singing and dancing as well as stitching and laughing!

You've never heard anything like our version of "I Will Survive" ever!

Anne has joined our ranks and is working on her baskets quilt in black and orange.

Debbie is also working on a group of basket blocks in yummy warm browns.

DarLynn is plugging away on a "Blind man's Fancy while Randy preps some appliqué.

As for me---Max has claimed my project--and you know what they say--

Doggie tested, Doggie approved!

iPhone-o-gram! A Visit to BJ's!

Let the shopping begin!

We've stopped at BJ's Quilt Basket in Bend---things are ramping up for the arrival of busses and hoards of quilters who will come through over the weekend!

I'm in search of a variety of more greens and some purples---

The tent is set up outside for the hubbies to sit while the wives browse.

It's hot, and so appreciated that they provide cold water on ice for shoppers as they leave!

Next stop---Best Buy!

iPhone-o-gram! 7am! Get Sewing!

Switching projects today!

I've ran out of one of the colors I need for yesterday's project and have gone as far as I can without more.

Maybe I can twist Randy's arm to let me run in to a couple of shops today while we are running around between the airport and Best Buy?!

Her friend Anne comes in today from California and the four of us will be five!

Unless you count the fur coated variety---they are guarding us and making sure we stay on task!

That is---when we can rouse them from their naps!

Turkey burgers ala DarLynn!

We are enjoying the cool down of the evening out on Randy's patio---

DarLynn is chef du jour, and you should smell the amazing turkey burgers on the grill!

Turkey, mushrooms, spinach, onion and seasoned to perfection!

((Debbie says. Wait! We haven't tasted them yet! Funny, Debbie, Funny!!))

I wish I could show you my project but I'm focusing on a couple mysteries and all is hush hush! Just know that the pieces are flying through the machine and what has been laid out on the floor is looking awesome!

Tomorrow we will take my bag to the airport and start the claim process.

We will stop by Best Buy and get a new laptop. I'm also looking for a camera for taking to Bali in a few weeks.

The upside?? There is no sales tax in Oregon. That's great on high dollar items like computers and cameras.

Hopefully we will be able to return to normal posts within a day or so.

Thank you all so much for sharing my burden and sadness over the horrific treatment of my luggage with me.

I'm not hopeful on the outcome, but we will do what we can.

Bonnie

Yep--iPhone-o-gram! We're Sewing!

Update on the luggage damage--and pardon the one fingered typing. We have to take it to the airport to start the claim process.

This was not checked luggage--

This usually goes under the seat in front of me and I've never had a problem but yesterday the under the seat area was already filled by a huge back pack that didn't leave room for my carry on. It does not fit the overhead bins on small commuter jets.

I was told it had to be checked plane side. It was already chaos on the plane because we were an hour late leaving San Francisco. And I trusted all would be okay.

Next time I will be more firm in saying no way Jose.

But we are sewing!!

Randy set up her 1080 for me in the sew ezi table and I'm sewing up a storm.

Randy just finished putting in the last border on her ocean waves beauty!

Darlynn and Debbie are stitching away on their projects.

The music is playing loud and the chatter and laughter is louder!

iPhone-o-gram! Demolished Featherweight. :-((

Take it from me and never ever let them tell you you have to check your bag plane side.

I knew last night the laptop was trashed.

This morning I removed my featherweight to find it in pieces.

The motor is broken off. The tray is broken off. I am so disgusted.

I don't know where to start with the claims process and in the back of my mind I know that nothing will come of trying to get compensation on the contents of my carryon that they said needed to be checked plane side.

And how hard did they chuck this thing?!????

Whhhaaaaa!!!

Anyone know of a welder who can put put me back together again?

iPhone-o-gram! We interrupt this blog--

I just went to write tomorrow's blog post and when I turned my laptop on--

Uh. Oh!!

The whole screen is broken. As in ---you can't read anything, it's all hammered!!

Too much travel, too much jostling and who knows how much a laptop can take before the screen goes kaplooey!!

So here I am in Oregon with no laptop until we go into Bend to Best Buy.

You'll just have to deal with iPhone posts until I am back up and running!

In the back of my mind I think this one is still under warranty but I don't know if it covers luggage incidents or not. :-/

On the flip side--maybe more time sewing and less time posting is what this girl needs!

PS--- this view took my breath away!

Iphone-o-Gram! As seen from above--

Hello from the San Francisco Airport!

There are no photos to this post as my pics are all on my laptop---yet I couldn't connect to wifi for some reason so you will have to imagine this post without them.

There isn't much to see outside of Boise for a while, but the closer you get to San Francisco the more the landscape changes---desert turns to foothills which turn to mountains and barren earth becomes spotted with pines and brush.

Here and there I see the patchwork of farmland where hard work and determination have turned the unforgiving wasteland to green bounty.

I am awestruck at the appearance of snow capped mountains in the distance.

Crystal blue lakes appear to dot the land like precious gems.

What looks like a blowing dust storm turns out to be a huge burning wildfire---and I am caught speechless as my seat mate and I gaze in in wonder.

Closer to San Francisco the cause of our 1.5 hour delayed departure from Boise is self evident---rolling banks of thick fog hug the shore and the hillsides. This is the land of my childhood---the San Francisco Bay Area. I have been blessed to call many places home---but this is the place that grew me.

I'm boarding for Redmond soon---so anxious to reconnect with friends who will greet me when my flight lands!

iPhone-o-Gram! Bye, Bye Boise!

My flight is delayed 1.5 hours which means I get to hang around the airport with Jason til I head to San Francisco and he to South Carolina.

While grabbing a slice of pizza in the food court, I spied the Boise State University plane at one of the gates!!

This is for all the BSU fans in my family.

Go Broncos!!

So Long, Farewell ---

I love this picture of the 8 of us kids together!

Back Row left to right: Rick, Mike, Scott, David, Mark

Front Row left to right: Joy, Me, Mary ((Notice the legs all crossed the same way? SISTERS!))

Remember that song from “The Sound of Music” where the Von Trapp children are singing their farewells to the grown-ups who had gathered for the fancy soiree?

This is the soundtrack that is playing through my mind as various family members pack up their cars, vans and trucks and head down the mountain toward home.

There weren’t many of us left by late afternoon yesterday ---and we spent a quiet evening at home just talking and relaxing and watching the remaining cousins wear themselves out silly.

One of the other fun things instigated by my two sisters, Mary & Joy, and my mom is a jewelry exchange for our last evening here.

((Yes, I have an AUNT Joy and a SISTER Joy! We’ve also got two Davids, two Michaels, Kelly and Kelli and two Marks!))

What is a jewelry exchange? We’ve all got earrings, bracelets, necklaces and other fun things that are sitting around clogging up drawer space. And we all know that it is more fun to play with someone else's stuff than our OWN stuff ----

I should have taken a picture when we first started, but the “game” goes like this: Bring all your unwanted jewelry and place it on the tray on the lazy susan in the center of the table.

Everyone takes turns removing what they want from the tray one at a time.

You can opt out if it gets to the point where there isn’t anything you want anymore. Anything left over that is unclaimed is donated to the local thrift shop. It's a win-win for everyone! And I'll remember my mom and my sisters when I wear their jewelry through the next year.

OH! I just had a brain storm --- what if we turned this into a “Dirty Santa” type thing and started opting for the things others have already claimed? LOL! Might have to do that next year!

It was a lot of fun, and next year I’ll be digging for more stuff that I want to swap out!

Here we all are….cracking up on what it took to get this photo with a camera set on timer and the photographer running like a crazy woman to get into the picture in time before it snapped!

Here are the 8 of us plus my mom & stepdad ---

I’m the oldest, so starting on the right and working left, it’s me, Mark, Scott, Rick, Joy, David, Mike, and Mary ---and of course, Mom & Gary in front!

And just because we ARE “THAT” kind of family – no family photo session is complete without "The Return of the Zombies!"

This morning we are off to the airport. Aunt Joy and cousin Andy are on their way back to Minnesota. Jason is headed back to South Carolina ---and off I go to OREGON!!

A Night at the Starlight Mountain Theater!

We were all jazzed up and ready to be heading over to the Starlight Mountain Theater in Crouch to see this summer’s production of Fiddler on the Roof!

I used to do musical theater when I was a teen, and I so LOVE these classic musicals!

In fact, Jason nudged me a couple of times to get me to shut up from singing --- I’m SORRY, I can’t HELP MYSELF!

We caravanned through town and found our parking spot in the grassy lot out in front of the theater itself. It reminded me of all those times as a kid that we would go to drive-in movies ---but this time --- we piled OUT of the cars, and walked a short distance to the theater where we were met by cast members in full costume, handing out programs and helping direct us to our seating.

Here are many of us as we were waiting for the rest of us to arrive.

It was a packed house!

The cast starts every show with the audience joining in to sing the national anthem.

We were told that during the performance itself that we were not to take pictures, but that we could during intermission or after the show. Knowing what a shutter bug I am – it was hard to put the camera away, but I did!

And at intermission ---we were too busy with an emergency ---the lady sitting two seats down from me passed out cold ---REALLY PASSED OUT--- from what was most likely dehydration! Her family yelled for help --- I saw what was going on and yelled for SOMEONE to call 911 ---the only bad part being…NO ONE HAS CELL SERVICE UP HERE! They must have gotten someone in the office to call it in.

In the mean time, we were in good company with my family. My aunt is a nurse, my brother in law is an EMT and a medical student studying to be a PA. We kept things under control until the ambulance arrived.

Kelly was asking the lady questions after she came back around, and just watching his gentle manner with her made me so proud to have him in my family. Turns out ALL she had had to drink on this 100 degree day ((And it was now after 8pm at night)) was a cup of coffee early in the day, and a can of root beer in the afternoon. That’s the problem with dry heat – you dehydrate so fast and don’t even know it because you don’t sweat. Keep that water flowing, folks!

We ended up with a LONG intermission until the ambulance could get there and convince her that she NEEDED to go to the hospital to be checked out.

As intermision milled around – the evening got darker, cooler, and gentle breezes were welcome. We were all ready to get back into the story when the music started up again!

The bows at the end were met with great rounds of applause and standing ovations!

If you find yourself anywhere near Boise, Idaho in the summer time --- It’s well worth the drive up to Crouch to see one of the many musical productions that go on through the season. The talent is phenomenal, the location is breath taking. Just be sure to drink loads of water through the day before you come to the show!