Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Rose Garden



I began this quilt in 1996 after a trip to visit Mom and Dad.  I wanted to do a predominantly white quilt, and picked out some fabrics when I was there. 

I had just finished the cross stitch roses in the center and thought they would be a nice contrast.








Unfortunately, the quilt didn't go as planned.  I was nearly finished with the piecing, the white area was small pieced hearts, and was just beginning to quilt when I discovered a couple of the fabrics were unraveling.  Discouraged I put the quilt away for many years, eventually replacing the white hearts with white stripes and finishing it in 2014.


Medallion.jpg

Eighteen years after it's beginning it became one of my favorites.  It spends much of the summer on my bed.

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

CSP - Humboldt Redwoods


A slight detour off of Highway 101 on the way from Oregon to Redwood City brought me through miles of magnificent redwoods and all the other treasures of a good redwood forest.





Humboldt Redwoods State Park

More Pictures

Trail Posts: A Literary Exploration of California's State Parks Willam Leon Dawson, author of the 1923  Birds of California describes the spotted owl, who he likens to a "patriarchal gnome disturbed in his slumbers."



Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Mission - San Carlos Borroméo de Carmelo

CALIFORNIA REGISTRER HISTORICAL LANDMARK # 135 /Royal Presidio Chapel #105   #66000214


Mission San Carlos Borroméo de Carmelo
1882 Isaiah West Taber #118

Founded on 3 June 1770, Mission San Carlos Borroméo de Carmelo, the 2nd Alta California Mission,  was the headquarters of all Alta California Missions until 1803.   It was the personal favorite of Fra. Junipero Serra who was buried there following his death in 1784.

His dying wish, the Basilica was completed in 1797 by his successor Father Fermín Lasuén. 

With Mexican secularization in 1834 the mission was virtually abandoned for 30 years and was in a state of disrepair.  Today it is considered one of the most authentically restored missions in California.  However, with the current restoration work going on in other missions that might be contest.

The mission grounds are open to all.  The museum was filled with interesting displays and artifacts. 

 It appears to be a very active parish today.  I visited on a Sunday and the church was standing room only. 


3080 Rio Road, Carmel, CA 93923
 


Wednesday, July 8, 2020

CSB - Pismo

Our first visit was part of a trip to San Diego to get Madden memorabilia when Grammy Madden moved to the Bay Area. 

It became a nice stop when we visited Andi at PCPA


Pismo State Beach  
Pismo Beach - Wikipedia  

Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Butterflies





Using up pink stash and trying out different quilting techniques.


This quilt recently found a home with a new baby girl!

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Summertime




This is another construction of multiple pieces...the bird is the end result of my week at Asilomar, the three cross stitch pieces have been hanging around for over thirty years, they were framed and had various homes.  The paper-pieced leaf and star, were technique trials.

I finished a few days before the start of summer and as I walked around the house to stretch I found a surprise box from my sister on the porch a wonderful construction of cherry summer plants that so wonderfully filled the empty pot by the front steps!!

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

SMCP - Crystal Springs Regional Trail

Many a walk or run took place on this trail over the years. 

Most likely our most visited County Park, well maybe after Edgewood!  Actually I'm sure that Greg visited this one the most, especially after he realized running the Edgewood Trails could be dangerous.


Thus ... it seemed the logical choice for a memorial bench for Greg.







Unfortunately, we chose the new section of the trail that we had first walked with the SMC Parks Foundation in 2014.  It had been slated to open later that year, and then again by the end of 2015, but complications with the dam held up the opening until January of 2019.  








More Pictures

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

CSP / CSHM - Hearst San Simeon

A Trip up the coast after dropping Andi off at PCPA in 1992 included a stop at Hearst Castle. We probably stopped in the Park at that time, but I don't remember.  We spent a fun night in Cambria.








The park pictures are nearly twenty years later on a visit to Cambria with Maura and William.



More Pictures


Trail Posts: A Literary Exploration of California's State Parks Read this description of Hearst's Ranch from Samantha Barbas' The First Lady of Hollywood. 

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Experiments in Glass

About the same time I took up quilting I took a stained glass class.  I was never really good at it, somehow, I couldn't get the hang of soldering.....but with Greg's design help here are some results....



These living room windows are now gone, years of stress left mutiple cracks and old windows needed a more efficient alternative






This is the back door windbreak



Fused glass came a lot later when we took a class after Greg retired.  This is my only piece!


Wednesday, May 27, 2020

SMCP - Sanchez Adobe





A visit to the Sanchez Adobe was another San Mateo County Parks Foundation outing.  Today the adobe, which was built by Francisco Sanchez between 1842 and 1846 is a San Mateo County Park run by the San Mateo County History Association.





The site of the adobe was originally, the village of Pruristac, a settlement of the Ramaytush band of the Ohlone people.

 In 1786 the Spanish, Mission Dolores, in San Francisco, which had absorbed many of the Ohlone in the area, established  San Pedro y San Pablo Asistencia, to promote missionary work and by farming to provide food for the main mission. The farming effort was soon abandoned, however, cattle ranching continued until the demise of the mission system in 1834.

The Mexican Government granted the land to Francisco Sanchez the 8th Alcade of San Francisco.

The adobe was purchased by Edward Kirkpatrick in 1871.  He did extensive remodeling. Later lives included a time as the Adobe House, a hotel, and as a speakeasy during the depression.







The museum on the site today, offers a view of items from throughout its history.  A new nature center was being planned when I visited and I believe it has now been opened.

It's a great place for an afternoon outing






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Sanchez Adobe - SMCHA

Sanchez Adobe - SMCP
Sanchez Adobe - Wikipedia


Wednesday, May 13, 2020

CSP - Big Basin Redwoods State Park


The family's first camping trip in 1978 allowed us to work out the kinks in preparation for a trip to Yosemite.

Somebody forgot a belt!   And somebody else had a little trouble crossing a log on the trail.  Daddy held her hand and walked her across and then back and made her do it again!!  



Other than that all went well!


Wednesday, May 6, 2020

A study in circles

Nicholas took one look at this quilt and adopted it for his own use.  It originally stayed at Grammy's but has now disappeared into his stash at home.  I think he has at least four!!!