Around the Retreat Design Wall

Posted on April 19, 2011 by Barb

OR….. “Where are My Log Cabins? by Miss Sally”

JSS Retreat has begun!  And I thought a quick tour of the design wall might just make your day.  While you view these pics, we are playing the “Where are My Log Cabins” game with Sally.  Poor dear.  She went to bed too early and you know how mischievous these ladies are.  They just can’t be trusted.  See if you can find help her find her log cabin blocks.

This is Lani’s project.  I overheard her saying this might be her first one quilt retreat.  Lani usually completes 384 quilt tops at our 4 day retreat.  It will be a new thing for her if she only works on one project the whole time.  I’ll keep you posted on her dedication to this one. 

This pretty project is Patti’s.  She might just finish this one and move right on to the next thing tomorrow.  Lani will be very jealous.

Have you found any of Sally’s log cabins yet?

This beautiful finished quilt top belongs to Dori and it’s her very first quilt ever!  Dori is a newbie at this retreat and she’s excited to be here all the way from California.

I should mention here that the newbies have really gotten off easy at this retreat.  Where is Lala when you need her?  Oh, yeah.  She moved away to far off California.  But wait!  Dori came from there, why didn’t Lala come?  We miss you Lala.  And we need you to whip these newbies into shape.  You are not allowed to miss another JSS Retreat.  Ever.

These fabulous appliquéd birds belong to Maggie.  She is a newbie too.  And this is her first quilt.  We think she must have been a quilter in a previous life.  No one does blocks like this for their first quilt.  Well, unless they’ve been taught to appliqué by Susan. 

Susan isn’t here either!  What’s up with these gals?  Susan is not allowed to miss another JSS retreat again either.  Ever.

This wonderful quilt belongs to Betty.  I think Betty has already finished 621 quilt tops at this retreat and is hand quilting them all as I write.  She whips them up on the design wall and stitches them together so fast that I can’t keep up with the camera. 

The small quilt to the right is Sally’s “It’s OK Sampler” and where her log cabin blocks will form a border around the beautiful center.  If she can find them.  Too bad she went to bed so early.

This really neat quilt is Karen’s.  She liked it so much she’s making another one right on top of the first one.  We’ve teased her about building a 3-D quilt.  Karen whips out quilts for weddings one after the other.  This time she decided to make two at once.  And they are beautiful!

Pam is working on her Block of the Month Sampler from the shop where I work.  She’s had too much advice about how to do the setting and is stumped with what to do next.  But I bet whatever she decides will turn out great!  Maybe she needs a log cabin block to round out the quilt?

Judy is working on this Amish-style flying geese quilt.  Very nice, Judy!

And if that wasn’t enough, Judy has also completed this T-shirt quilt.  Dear Hubby is now dreaming of Oshkosh.  And gassing up the motorhome to head north.  Wait, DH!  The airshow isn’t until July!  He gets extra excited about Oshkosh and is probably half way there after seeing this picture.

Another newbie, Barbara, made these cute blocks.  Aren’t the shoes great?  Barbara came along with our friend, Sarah, from San Antonio.  The newbies this year are very talented!

And once again the newbies shine.  These blocks (well, except for one) were made by Dede’s daughter, Kerry, who is also a newbie.  Aren’t they cute?

You’ll notice that the majority of the things on the design walls were made by newbies.  There’s just something wrong with that.  The newbies are supposed to be entertaining us.  And waiting on us.  And catering to our every whim.  There is something very wrong with newbies who are actually sewing.  And getting quilts done.  Lala better get here quick.

I think my Secret Sister planned to get my name.  How fitting is this cute little gift I got today?

They know me too well.  If I’d only sew as much as I squawk.  I could catch up to Lani or Betty.  Or the newbies.  Sigh. 

Maybe I’ll actually get something done tomorrow.

Hugs,
Barb

Posted in quilts, retreat stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

‘Twas the Night Before Retreat…..

Posted on April 17, 2011 by Barb

……. and all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring,

Oh, wait.  Miss Kitty was sort of awake.  And clearly infatuated with my slippers. 

And if you think I’m going to make a rhyme out of this entire blog post, you’re sadly mistaken.  Just sayin’.

The waffles were lined up and all ready to take along……

…with yummy strawberries all set to purée in the new blender that Dear Hubby got for my birthday.  See?  No rhyming….. I’m too tired for that.  (But I did sort of get you started on that “Night before Christmas” thing, didn’t I?)

I added blueberries to the strawberry purée.  That I’ll pour over the waffles for breakfast while on retreat.

Remember when I told you all about the waffles?  Pinto bean waffles.  They are yummy.  You may remember that I told you all about my new healthy eating.  And how it all started with cholesterol of 224.  Well, I just had it checked again.  187.  No meds, just changed my eating.  Thus, I will continue my healthy eating at retreat.  Wish me luck.

Of course, it’s 1:00 a.m. and I still haven’t packed a thing.  My fellow retreaters reading this are not at all surprised.  They know me by now.  And my last minute ways.  But at least my waffles are ready.  And I made hummus too.  Yum.

I even got these undies all folded.  While Miss Kitty watched.  One of these days I’m going to teach her to help.  The least she could do is find the missing white sock.

But she was too busy holding down my slippers.  And she was soon fast asleep.

Get ready for more blogging.  Because it’s JSS Retreat week.  And there will be many stories to tell.  And pictures of quilts to share.  Lots of pictures.

And perhaps I’ll even shock everyone and get some quilting done.  But don’t hold your breath.  After all, I do have a blog to write.

Happy to be blogging again,
Barb

Posted in food, Miss Kitty | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

12 Random Thoughts

Posted on March 26, 2011 by Barb

1.  GB Jones won the Iditarod early last Sunday morning in 45th place.  Winning, you see, is just crossing the finish line when it comes to the Iditarod.  He finished the race in 13 days, 10 hours, 59 minutes and 42 seconds.

2.  In the time it took GB Jones and his 14 fabulous sled dogs to run the Iditarod race, Dear Hubby and I drove to Colorado and, with the help of my Sis, packed up almost all of the worldly possessions of my parents.  Then we drove back.  And arrived home in time to watch GB cross the finish line in Nome, Alaska.  GB’s journey took 13 days + while mine took only 8 days (including packing time.)  My trip was over 1500 miles while his was just over 1100.  I guess cars go faster than sled dogs.

3.  Two angels from Texas arrived with a truck and trailer for loading all my parents’ stuff.  And angels from their church helped carry it to the trailer.

4.  This is the view the other direction from where the trailer was parked.  Do not, I repeat not, let my Mother see this picture.  She is already lonesome enough for her beloved mountain.

5.  This is the full view of the mountain behind my parents’ Colorado home.  Again, hide your computers from my Mother.  She is not allowed to see this picture.  She misses the deep blue sky as much as she misses her mountain.

6.  These guys practically live in my parents’ driveway.  We feed them when we are there.  I am glad summer is on its way.  I wonder if they still come to the driveway each morning at precisely 7:45 a.m. and wait for the garage door to open and the food to appear?  You better not let Mom see this picture either.  It will make her very homesick for Colorado.

Hi, little deer!  Isn’t she a cutie?  Colorado mule deer have ears that are bigger than their heads.

7.  Today at noon in Knik, Alaska there is a potluck and bonfire celebrating GB’s Iditarod run.  His last Iditarod run.  Or so he says.  I’ve heard it before.  Iditarod sure gets in a person’s blood.  I wish I were in Alaska today where the temp is 27° right now.  Instead of in Texas where the high today is supposed to be 85°.  OK, call me crazy, but I like that cool Alaska air.

8.  Our friend and angel, Brian, is a hunter.  I have a feeling this picture really goes against his hunter instincts.  Brian was an angel in a whole lot of ways last week in Colorado.  He took care of my Dad all night the night he arrived.  He wanted me and Dear Hubby to get some sleep!  I could write a whole blog about what a compassionate servant Brian is.  He is indeed an angel sent from God to many in times of need.  We love you, Brian!

9.  This is the woodpile that used to be in the back yard at my parents’ Colorado home.  A bunch of this wood is now on the trailer, soon to be unloaded in my back yard.  Where it will have to wait out the summer in Texas so I can burn it in the fireplace next winter.  I just couldn’t leave all that beautiful cut and split wood behind!  I wish I had taken a picture after the wood was loaded on the trailer.  I have no idea how small this pile is now.  Too much else was going on that day.

10.  This is my Mom and Dad.  You can’t tell from this picture but my Dad has been very ill.  Thus the move to Texas to be with their family.  He is now in the hospital in Texas.  And finally beginning to improve.

11.  This is Dad sitting in the recliner in my living room before he went into the hospital last Tuesday.  Talking to his brother in Florida on the phone.  See the pockets of swelling around his left eye?  He has had terrible edema.  That all started with a staph infection in his left arm.  He looks much better now and we are breathing a huge sigh of relief and praising God that he is still with us.  And he is lamenting that he is so weak.  He wants to be back to his active self!  It’s going to be a long road to recovery.

12.  I am a blogger.  I am happiest when I am blogging.  Today is a happy day.

It’s good to be back.  And congratulations, GB Jones!
Hugs,
Barb

Posted in Alaska, just stuff | Tagged , , | 22 Comments

The Last Great Race

Posted on March 12, 2011 by Barb

That’s what they call Alaska’s Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.  And I am a big fan.  Make that huge fan.  I love Alaska.  And in 2007 and 2008, I had a chance to be there for the start of the Iditarod.  An unbelievable experience.

A little history….. those of you who knew me before I was a blogger know all about my two Iditarod trips.  Because you were probably a part of my email list at that time.   And the email list grew and grew.  As I told the story of the escapades of the Three Huskateers from Texas who took Alaska by storm.  What memories we have!  I saved those emails in a document and still read it from time to time to relive the moments.  I considered sharing some of the stories with you here.  And I still might do that.  Someday.  Not today.  I don’t want to be up all night.

But for those of you who became Iditarod fans with me…. the race is happening right now.  I could rattle off all the statistics for you.  I could tell you all about Lance Mackey who is the defending champion and has won the last 4 years in a row.  The only person to ever win 4 in a row.  I could tell you all about Larry, his lead dog, now retired and a part of their family.  Larry lives in their home now.  The life of a retired sled dog leader.  I’m sure it’s a pretty cushy life.  Those dogs are treated like humans.  They are a huge part of life in Alaska.

Lance is in third place right this moment.  As I write this.  But it will change, I’m sure.  You can read all the current standings here:

Iditarod Current Standings

I could go on and on with stories about GB Jones.  His kennel is right on the Iditarod Trail.  And I had the privilege of riding in his sled basket on that very trail.  And oh, are there stories I could tell.  About Pam as she trained to be his tag sled driver for the Ceremonial Start in Anchorage those 2 years we were there.  And how special it was to be a “dog handler” on his team for the race.  Me, cat lover that I am, a dog handler!  Don’t tell Boo.  He might never forgive me.  It was an experience I will never forget.  And I re-live all the memories every year as I follow the race again.

You might even remember that in 2008 GB said, “This is my last Iditarod.  I’m not running again.”  He even wrote it down and signed it.  And we all witnessed him doing it.  Guess what?  He’s in the race again this year.  Silly guy.  Iditarod just gets in your blood.

Check out this story about GB in the race this year.  He had a bit of a run in with some ice and I think the ice won.  You can tell from the picture of him in the article.  Poor GB!  Iditarod is definitely in his blood.

These are the boots I bought for those two Alaska years.  It’s very cold in Alaska right now.  These boots are good to temps of minus 25.  And I needed them to keep my feet warm while I was there.  I don’t get to use them much in Texas.  The first day we arrived the temp at the kennel was something like minus 5.  And GB was creating a lot of smoke trying to build a bonfire with green wood.  And the adventure began as we harnessed up the team and each took our turn at mushing.  Remind me to tell you how good Susan was at mushing.  And how really, really, really, really, really, really, really bad I was.  I liked riding in the sled much better.  With GB on the runners directing the team.

Wanna see what it feels like to ride in the sled?  There’s a video……

Riding the Iditarod Trail w/ GB Jones and the Team

I’m dreaming of Alaska these days.  As I check on the standings often and watch the GPS trackers to see where everyone is on the trail.  I get obsessed with my computer the first two weeks of March every year.  As if I need yet another reason to be obsessed with my computer.  The winner will probably cross the finish line sometime on Tuesday.  In Nome.  One day I hope to be in Nome watching all the teams cross the finish line.  Because every one of them who makes it all the way to Nome is a winner. 

GB Jones is camped out on the trail as I write.  I know that because his GPS tracker has been showing him in one spot for awhile.  And he’s not at a checkpoint.  I’ve been wondering how cold it is and how it’s possible to sleep in those conditions.  The dogs just curl right up and sleep away.  But the humans come away with frostbite on their noses and their feet.  Doesn’t really sound like something I want to do.  I will not be adding Iditarod Race to my Bucket List, that’s for sure.  But I sure would like a glimpse of those Northern Lights like they see them out on the trail.

In the meantime, I’ll just follow the race on my computer.  And pray that all the mushers and their teams arrive in Nome safely.

Mush on!
Barb
P.S.  Sorry I’ve been quiet lately.  I’m dealing with some issues with aging parents, but hope to get back to blogging on a regular basis real soon.  I have much to share as soon as there is time.  Stay tuned!

Posted in Alaska | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Christopher Bancroft III !!!

Posted on March 3, 2011 by Barb

My very dear friend, fellow quilter and JSSer, Susan, just became a Grandmother for the very first time.  And I just couldn’t resist sharing this cute little photo that she sent me of the new guy.

 

Welcome to the world, Christopher Bancroft III !!

Statistics: 8.2 lbs, 21½”

Congratulations Meghan, Christopher and Grandmother Susan!
Hugs,
Barb
P.S.  Already famous on my blog and only a day old……

Posted in just stuff | Tagged | 7 Comments