Quilted and Bound

I finally finished binding this quilt spending a little time each night while watching t.v. We've been having a little heat wave in Oregon. Earlier in the week it felt like winter. Yesterday at my house it was 97F in the shade. This coming week the highs are to be in the 50's. You don't hear me complaining about the heat. I love it! I want to sweat. :D
On a sad note, though... A couple of birds found a way into our attic/roof area just under the eaves and built a nest. We discovered that fact after we heard lots of scratching (which we thought at first was a mouse) and then followed by cheeping and chirping and visual evidence of the big birds flight in and out. We decided we'd leave them alone until the babies left the nest and then we'd plug up their entry way. Since this heat hit, all has been quiet so we think the little birds didn't make it. If you've ever crawled in that little peak area of your house under a black roof, you'll know how awfully hot it gets up there. Poor things. Well, now I can wash that bird poop off the side of my house for good.

Tag - And You Are "It"

Laurie of Africakid and the World tagged me a while back and I am just getting around to playing.

Here are the rules:

1. Pick up the nearest book.

2. Open to page 123.

3. Find the fifth sentence.

4. Post the next three sentences.

5. Tag five people and post a comment to Angela's blog once you've posted your three sentences.

Nearest Book: Recently recommended by Pam of My Creative Mind, a book called Between Friends by Debbie Macomber.

Sentences 6 - 8 on page 123: "It was groovy of you to send me the money, as well as Nick's certificate from helicopter school. You're right. I do want it." Pam was right. This is a great book.

Now I'm supposed to tag 5 people so I am tagging You, You, and You, and You , and yes, YOU! Let me know if you decide to play so that I can see what book sits near you.

Country Road

With a name like that - Geo Ann - you just gotta love her. She must be one special person to have a road named after her.

Warning! This post contains spoilers.

I was out driving in the country when I came upon this Neighborhood Book Exchange "shed" by the edge of the road. Isn't it just the greatest idea if you live in some semi remote place? Good way to get to know the neighbors, too.

It just so happens this is a cache sight.

I just might donate my books here next time I'm in the area.

Found it! :)

Treasure In My Mail Box

I was so excited to receive a package from Jenni of FairyBread Quilts! She sent me a geocoin from Australia. Thank you so much, Jenni. I love it! I will treasure it. Pictured here are front and back views.

In the game of geocaching, a geocoin is a trackable item. Just like travel bugs, they travel from cache to cache usually with a specific mission. I am keeping this geocoin for my collection and will not be putting it in any caches. Jenni says that these Australian geocoins are much sought after and often disappear (stolen/nicked/muggled) once let loose in caches. The United States is the worst for the disappearance of geocoins. I can't remember the exact percentage but I think she told me once that as many as 80% of the geocoins that disappear, do so in the U.S.

So in true pirate fashion, I'm keeping my treasure. :D Thanks Jenni.

Another Gathering Review

The Gathering of quilters at Cher's house on Saturday was so much fun. I had never been to one like this before. Somehow I envisioned getting at least half of my binding sewn down but nobody told me that that's not really what happens at these gatherings. :D What really happens is lots of talking and laughing and getting-to-know you stuff. I thought I had only stitched an inch but I see I probably stitched more like six inches. I don't even remember doing it. The hours spent there were great fun and they flew by. Cher fixed a wonderful meal. Patti set the standard for all of us now in the applique department. I want to applique like Patti. I have never seen such excellence before. It's amazing! It was nice seeing Dot again after our trip to Sisters last summer and I was delighted to finally meet Michele. They've all written about the Gathering and some have pictures so if you haven't already done so, check them out by clicking on their highlighted names.

In answer to some questions, yes, the 23 year old in the previous post is my son, my firstborn, who came down from Washington this weekend to spend his birthday with us. He's my biggest blogger fan and it's because of him that I am still blogging today since he talked me out of quitting once and is quick to remind me to update my blog when too much time has passed between posts. I must say, even though I'm his mom, that he's very bright, a nice man who always desires the best for everyone, has talents most people only dream about, and is one of the best people I know. (A little help from Hallmark there :D) He's working on getting all our old deteriorating family videos uploaded to DVD which is a huge job. Here's a 3.5 minute sample of what he's done. I realize other peoples' family videos are boring so feel free to pass on this. I completely understand.

Birthday Boy

Happy Birthday to one of the best people I know!

Whirlwind Week

What a week it has been and the weekend will be just as busy. My head is spinning. Tomorrow (Sat) I am going to a Gathering of quilters and my take-along project will be sewing the binding down on this scrap sampler. The weather is supposed to be beautiful for a change. This has felt like a long winter/spring.