2/27/21

Suddenly Saturday

We're less than a week from heading home now. Yesterday we spent some time talking about whether to head straight home or make a stop off in Death Valley along the way. The campgrounds in Death Valley were closed when we started our trip, and so we didn't get to make our annual stop at our favorite national park. It seems like a good place to stop for a day or two before we begin the trek home, although nothing has been decided yet. Monday, Mike and I will be eligible for our vaccines in Oregon. I'm hopeful we can get appointments for soon after our return. I'm told the website is frustrating and that folks are getting frozen out. Persistence pays off, apparently. We'll see. It's too soon to start worrying about that now.

As for yesterday, after writing my post, I did some work on the redwork piece.


Now I've moved the hoop to where I can start finishing off the customer.


Also, thanks to my friends who pointed out I'd missed a little bit of this quilt block at the top. I might have seen it myself, but I might not; so thanks for saving me from myself.


Okay, below is a really terrible picture, but I have to show you anyway. Our bird feeders have been a complete bust this trip. We attracted a few hummingbirds and seed eaters at the very beginning of our trip in Pahrump. Then, we moved the feeders to the back on the RV while we were there, and we didn't get another single bird...the rest of the whole trip! Until yesterday, when this hummingbird showed up.


Our sunshade was pulled down, and I'd have scared him away if I tried to open it for a picture. You'll just have to see it the way I did. It's important to document every positive thing that happens, you know. Times are hard.

After that, we headed over to our friends' house where they served up some delicious cocktails and a couple of bottles of wine. We took some appetizers, and they had a fruit and cheese spread. It was all very enjoyable. We sat outside and enjoyed the beautiful weather, here in Vista. Deb and Tom sent us home with a big bag of citrus from their trees.


And Deb gave me a bottle of her homemade limoncello. She made a cocktail from this, and I'm reminding myself as I write this to get her recipe. It was so pretty and tasty. I'm hoping I can return this bottle to her with some chive blossom vinegar in it.


Smitty was enjoying his morning coffee in Mike's lap this morning...


while I stitched the last inchy. This one was another with cast-on stitch. Mine is a little larger than it should have been, but it really doesn't matter. I'm happy with it. I didn't even have to watch the tutorial this time around.


Here's my wrinkly piece...


Now, just the center motif is left. I'm not sure if we'll be doing it all at once, or whether she'll give us the instructions piecemeal. Time will tell by tomorrow.

As for today, I don't know if we have anything planned. We've been playing it by ear. I'm still trying to set up a meet with another friend, but that will be for next week. Today, we might just hang out and chill.

20 comments:

Barbara said...

Give me books, French wine, fruit, fine weather and a little music played out of doors by somebody I do not know. ~ John Keats

MissPat said...

Good news. I got my first Covid shot today. My husband got his Friday. We went through the county Office for the Aging. The shot was given by the county Health Department. Apparently they aren't really publicizing this, but it's spreading by word of mouth. I rode with a friend and we were in and out in 30 minutes. Oh what a relief.
It's nice that you are getting to visit so many friends and relatives on this last leg of your trip.
Pat

Julierose said...

Oh nice redwork--such tiny works to stitch!! You did a great job!!
Your inchies look amazing...I've never had Limoncello--sounds good--I love anything lemon-ey..hugs, Julierose

djquilting said...

It's been two weeks since we got our second vaccine so we celebrated last night by going out to eat at our favorite catfish house. It has been a year. Everyone was masked and tables were spread out so we felt safe. Your inchies look great.

Dorothy said...

Love your inchies. I get my first vaccine shot on 3/22----I hope :-)

gpc said...

I had my first limoncello in Italy and honestly, I thought my homemade stuff was better. I think I used more sugar than the experts do, just as anyone who knows me would expect. It is for sure good stuff and a lovely gift. I am envying pretty much everything about your trip, even though I am not ready to leave the house yet. Stay safe and keep having fun. :)

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Maybe the weird weather pattern has disturbed the birds, so you are getting normal visitors. Enjoy the relaxed 'seat of the pants' swing of things as you venture the rest of your journey.

Kate said...

Your inchy's all look great. It's another beautiful stitch sampler. Enjoy your last week on the road.

SJSM said...

So many topics! Inchies, birds, cats, friends, fruit, Lemoncello and vaccines. I do like Lemoncello and making it is fun, we received our second dose of vaccine on Saturday. Relief is setting in. It feels weird contemplating going out to the store or eating at a restaurant. We expect to rise one level out of our lockdown this week. Some restrictions have already loosened this past week. This time we will participate even though we are in one of the highest virus rate areas. We can do so due to the vaccine. Interestingly, my second dose was administered by someone who works for the CDC. What luck and interesting short conversation. She works in helping to coordinate CVS rollout and training people. Very knowledgeable and thorough.

Nancy in IN said...

We have had several days this week that birds didn't show up at feeder. I thought it was feeder but I took all the seed out and replaced. It is raining here, IN, so I won't know for awhile.
I had no trouble booking out vaccines on site. Jere, hubby, was on one computer and I on another and we got in. There were several places we could go, so I booked the one with the closest date. Has been two weeks from second one and we are a go. I had no reaction and hubby had light reaction after the second.
Love your embroidery. I should be so talented.
Hope you got to your last site and to National Park.
Stay safe.

piecefulwendy said...

Boy, it seems like those inchies got stitched up so quickly this time around. They all look so lovely. I'm waiting on pins and needles for the next Project Quilting challenge today. Meanwhile, I'm still trying to figure out our challenge quilt; haven't settled on anything yet. John is donating plasma today, so there will be little time in the sewing room since I have to be there to drive him home. That bag of citrus is so pretty!

Lyndsey said...

We haven't had many birds on our feeders but walking round the cemetery and local parks there are loads of birds and they are all looking full and well. Maybe there is more food out there without needing the feeders this year. The inchies look great.

Little Penpen said...

Pretty redwork and the flowers are too! We are bird watchers, too. Love them!

CathieJ said...

Your stitching is so pretty. I love that inchy. The flower is so pretty. Smitty looks quite content. Enjoy the rest of your trip.

Karrin Hurd said...

Beautiful stitching and redwork! Love hearing about your various travels. We were notified we could make appointments for our vaccines, so I need to set those up! Happy stitching!

Carla A Few Of My Favorite Things said...

Oh such pretty projects! Just got my second vaccine Thursday so I am hoping soon we can stop wearing masks and we can finally be done with it!

Jenny said...

I didn't realise what you were doing with all those tiny embroideries, dont they look wonderful together. Enjoy the remainder of your trip, travel safe.

Ivani said...

Beautiful red work and wonderful embroidery, Barbara.
Glad you will receive the vaccine. This is the first step to normal.
Travel safe and enjoy.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

One of my blogging friends got up at 4 am and finally was able to make her appointment after several weeks of trying. Don't know what's going to happen when they finally start taking appointments here.
I simply can't imagine having citrus trees in your yard - your goodies look so delicious and I'm sure SOOOO much better than what you find in stores.

QuiltGranma said...

There is nothing like fresh home grown produce, and citrus is right up there with the best!