10/17/21

Back Home With a Giveaway

Sorry, the giveaway is over.


Good morning, my friends. We're back home again, and settling back into our old routine...emphasis on the "old." There is still a little to do to bring our trip to a close...unpacking the camper comes to mind...but mostly, we're just soaking up what remains of fall in the Pacific Northwest. 

Backing up to when we left Winnemucca, Nevada, I took almost no pictures on the way home. It was flat, flat, flat with the occasional butte thrown in for variety. The road was straight, straight, straight. Mike was happy to get into some winding roads when we reached the mountains. The better to stay awake, don't you know. We knew we were approaching home when we topped a rise and the Three Sisters came into view. Bend, Oregon, was our last stop before home.


There is a very nice RV park between Sisters and Bend, and we spent our last night on the road there. There were junipers all around the park, groomed to look more like trees than the shrub that they are. When you find junipers in abundance, they smell so good. The kitties were so excited when we opened the door. Possibly it was the smell, but they knew we were close to home.


There is a nice little pond at the RV park, and it was populated with Canada geese. I'm assuming these guys are on their way south, and they stopped at this RV park along the way, just as we did.


Later, the kitties joined us on the veranda for a tasty refreshing beverage.


Our neighbors had three cats, and one was out on a leash. Don't you know that got Himself all hot and bothered, with his knickers in a twist. No walking for Smitty on this day. He turns into Fang when he sees other cats. Look closely, and you can see the ridge on his back standing up.


We spent one night there, and then headed for home yesterday. Along the way, we saw Three Fingered Jack towering over a burned out forest. 


There were terrible wildfires in this area two summers ago. Salvage operations have been ongoing. The entire town of Detroit, Oregon, was destroyed. We noticed that folks have rebuilt and are rebuilding, and so there's reason to be hopeful.

There were no fires near the Three Cats Ranch this year, thankfully. We arrived to find the Black-eyed Susans blooming to beat the band.


On the far side of the house, fall has arrived.


We found our held mail stuffed in the mailbox. Inside, I found a surprise box of candy corn from my friend Sue. (Sue knows I love candy corn, and so she gifts me some at this time of the year.) Together, Mike and I have already devoured it. Definitely not on my diet. Thank you, Sue.


Also, my dear friend Pat sent me this book, "Desert Trader." It's a biography about the life and quilts of Goldie Tracy Richmond. You might remember I learned about her and this book when we visited Cactus Quilt Shop in Tucson. I'm going to enjoy reading this. Thank you, Pat.


The kitties settled in right away. They ran around outside for a short time, but then wanted in. Smitty took his place on his throne atop the china cabinet.


While I was putting away my fabric acquisitions, Sadie the sewing cat was in her rightful spot on my work table.


I was itching to get the Grandma's Thimbles embroidered blocks washed and pressed. You might remember I finished the first one before we left home six weeks ago.


The rest were all finished on the road. 








The one below was the last one finished on our last morning in Bend.





And so I'll be linking up to Sunday Slow Stitching this morning. It's been a while since I linked up there.


Okay, and so I arrived home to find something else in the mail. Way back in August, I was poking around on the internet. I don't know how I ended up on this Blueberry Backroads embroidery site, but there I was. And I came across this pattern, which I absolutely, positively, without question or doubt, needed in my own box of patterns. And so I ordered one. Something like three weeks went by, and still it hadn't arrived. (We have terrible mail service in our rural area.) I wrote to Sara Hardwig, the designer, and she sent another one. So...long story short...when I arrived home, both patterns had been delivered.


I wrote to Sara and offered to return it, but also offered the alternative of her sponsoring a giveaway of the extra pattern. Sara graciously agreed, and so you get the benefit of her generosity. This is a small hand embroidery project. It has a few of the less-often-used stitches, and a button packet to finish off the embellishing when your quilt is complete. If you'd like to win it, here's what you need to do:

1. Just leave a comment...any comment will do. If you can't think of anything, then tell me how the fall weather is shaping up where you live. Please leave your comment here on the blog. If you are an email follower, simply click on the title of this post to be taken to the actual web page. You can leave your comment there.

2. You can get a second chance to win by heading over to Blueberry Backroads and signing up for their newsletter. That link I just gave you will take you to the right page. But don't stop there. Take a look around the shop while you're there. Do some shopping if you like. Then come back and leave a second comment, letting me know you've signed up.

3. You don't have to be a follower to enter, but if you want to become a follower, you can find lots of ways to do it there in my left side bar. Also, I will ship internationally, so all residents of Planet Earth are welcome to join in.

4. Finally, if you're no reply, be sure to leave an email address. You can't win if I can't contact you; and it seems no matter how many times I say this, I still get a lot of no-reply entries. 

So good luck, and a big thank you to Sara at Blueberry Backroads for sponsoring this giveaway. I'll leave comments open through Wednesday, October 20th and announce the winner sometime on Thursday, October 21st.

As for me, I'm going to spend the day unpacking and trying to get back to a regular routine. As far as I know, our roofing project will start as scheduled tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll have internet access while all that is going on. Either way, I'll figure out a way to post the winner of the giveaway come Thursday.

61 comments:

Barbara said...

Life takes you unexpected places, love brings you home. ~ Melissa McClone

Rebecca said...

Glad your home safe if not sound....
Loved the posting of all the different designs in the red work thimbles.

Sarah said...

Those redwork thimbles are lovely. I'm heading off to look at Sara's website.

Anonymous said...

So enjoyed following you on your travels once again. Welcome home.
Min in British Columbia, Canada

Teri Russell said...

Traveling is great but isn't it nice to be sleeping in your own bed. We just returned from a long trip from the northeast to the northwest (via plane), picked up a new truck in Oregon, then after Washington and Idaho south to Colorado for a wedding then to New Mexico before heading east thru Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and finally home to Maine.
Really enjoy your blog.
Teri
therussells1960@yahoo.com

Becky Ensinger said...

I really enjoyed reading about your trip.

QUILTING IS BLISSFUL, DI said...

I am glad you are back home--safe--and the kitties!!! I do enjoy your travels and all the information and photos you share while gone--also like knowing you are home!!
Love the thimbles--you did a great job on them--I was wondering though--if the thought came to you--that the one thimble with the 2 ovals on it--you be a nice place to stitch your initials???
and I like your goodies in the mail--and I do like that pattern about needle and thread--think I already get their newsletter-though--
have fun unpacking--hugs, di

QUILTING IS BLISSFUL, DI said...

Yep--I already get their newsletter and do have a couple of her patterns--but not this one--!!
hugs, di

The Joyful Quilter said...

Welcome home!! Thank you for sharing your journey with us. LOVE those beautiful thimble blocks and a chance to win that sweet embroidery pattern!

Quilter Kathy said...

Your thimble collection is marvellous! And it holds many memories from your travels!How wonderful to have a giveaway... thank you to Blueberry Backroads! I will definitely check out the website.

CarolE said...

I'm glad to see you made it home safely. I stumbled across Blueberry Backroads not too long ago. There are a lot of cute things.

CarolE said...

I'm not sure if I was a no reply or not, so once again, glad you made it home safely. I like Blueberry Backroads and I look forward to seeing your finished thimble project.

heartsease54 said...

Glad to see you are home and the kitties are happy. Our fall weather here in NW Montana has been fabulous so far. The snow has limited itself to the southern part of the state so far.

Marie S Gilkey said...

Thank you for letting us be a part of your vacation. I love looking at all your pictures. Would love to be the owner of the second Blueberry Backroads project. Would make a lovely Christmas present I think. Glad you are back home and able to enjoy your own bed tonight.

Marie said...

Oh my. Blueberry Backroads clearly has some really cute patterns. Will have to visit again. There is one kit that I am really interested in, but will wait till first of the month.

Terri in BC said...

Glad to see you got home safely! Love that pattern - I'm off to check out the website. I'll soon be able to cross the border to pick up mail soon, so let the ordering begin! terri-fisher (at) shaw (dot) com

QuiltE said...


Welcome Home! ... Can't wait to how you work up those thimbles into a quilt! I landed in the Blueberry Backroads site not too long ago, and like you, have no clue now, how/why what happened! But I do like their patterns, so this is all good to me. Off to take another look-see!

WarmQuilts said...

Your embroidered thimble blocks are beautiful - a sweet inspiration for a lost thimble collection. And, how special that your cats are part of your travels. Welcome home!

Jenny said...

Camping trips are wonderful, but then it's always so nice to arrive home again. Love your redwork thimbles, so pretty. Thanks for the chance of entering the give-away.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Away is fun but when you come home I know it's somewhat of a relief. Glad you made it safely! Your thimbles turned out very cute - now I'm looking forward to seeing what you make them into.
(btw - leave my name out of the hat - cute as the project is, I know I would probably never find time to make it. Seems like I'm the 'on-call' grandma when it comes to making things for our kids - both young and older).

Jocelyn said...

Love your beautiful pictures! It's fun to travel, but good to be home.

Unknown said...

I'll leave the pattern giveaway to another poster, it is cute though. Your thimble pieces are beautiful. And I wanted to thank you for "taking us along" on your wonderful trip. I've enjoyed reading about all the places I know I'll never go, learning the history and loving all your beautiful photographs. I'm glad you made it home safely.

Sandy O said...

So happy you made it home safely. Loved keeping up with you and all your travels, feel like I have been on a vacation too. I checked out Blueberry Backroad website they have many beautiful patterns to choose from. Glad you shared it with us. Signed up for the Newsletter. Thank you for the giveaway. Enjoy reading your blog every day.

Miaismine said...

Beautiful embroidered thimbles! Your stitching is amazing!

Tosty's Quilting Tidbits said...

So glad to see you had a safe journey and are home now. The embroidery pattern giveaway is too cute. I have found recently that I am enjoying doing more embroidery work. This would be a good addition to my list.

Nancy said...

How nice that you made it back home for one of the last warmish days of fall. There is nothing like arriving back home after a time away. I am betting the kitties were happy to be able to roam also. Now to go check out Blueberry backroads.

QuiltE said...

Back again, and have now signed up for the Blueberry Backroads updates. Looking forward to more stitchery inspirations. Thanks for the nudge!

Linda Schiffer said...

Have been enjoying your trip through the blog right along with you. :)j That is an adorable embroidery design and sweet of the shop owner to volunteer it!

:) Linda (lindaschiffer at me dot com)

Kathy said...

Your fall tree is beautiful. Here, most of the trees are still green for some reason: usually they're brilliant oranges and reds by this time of year.
Your redwork thimbles are very nice. I'm looking forward to seeing how you finish off the quilt.

gpc said...

Looks like it was a lovely drive home and a lovely homecoming. We are not getting much color yet this year. Some pundits are saying that the climate changes will lead to our leaves just turning brown and dropping more often without their usual glory. I hope not.

Darlene S said...

I'm glad to hear you are back home, all safe & sound. But I do think Smitty needs to work on his intercatskills. He could be making some really nice new friends in various RV campgrounds if he would just be a wee bit friendlier. He could invite fellow cats in to see your quilts and enjoy his beautiful catio. Purrfect way to strike up a long term friendship! Oh well, maybe he'll come around as time goes by. Settle in, unpack when you can. I hope you have good weather for your new roof project.

Christine said...

Welcome home.
What a beautiful sight your golden brown hedge! Cheered my heart, thank you.
I have really enjoyed your travels but it is always so good to be back home....
Look forward to the thimble quilt completion

Tilly said...

Welcome home, did enjoyed all the pictures, and the katties ae happy too.

GranChris said...

It's always nice to be home. Strange year the weather has remained hot but they say cool temps next week. This would be a Christmas present for a friend. I already love Blueberry Roads designs. Jmikebalou (at) aol (dot) com

CathieJ said...

The views that you posted are beautiful. I absolutely adore those embroidered thimbles. Please do NOT include me in the giveaway. That pretty embroidery pattern needs to go to someone else.

The Cozy Quilter said...

Those thimbles are very cute. I think my favourite one has the house on it. Sounds like a wonderful trip.

piecefulwendy said...

I'm reading this Monday morning, so I'm hoping the roofers arrive as expected. Good to see you got back home safely. The kitties look happy to be back home, too. Smitty definitely gets his fur up when he sees other cats! Your thimbles are so cool, and your stitching is so neat and precise. Welcome home!

Anonymous said...

Love the travel pictures. Looks like quite a trip and a lot of stitching happened. Like the Blueberry roads design.
Darlene dhoctor@sbcglobal.net

Anonymous said...


Love your thimbles. Tempted to do them.
diane_newton1@aol.com

Pam Dempsey said...

I so enjoy reading your blog, especially the cat portions :)

Sue said...

I immediately signed up for the Blueberry Backroads newsletter- love small embroidery projects and they have some cute ones! s l s t r i n g f e l l o w at f r o n t i e r dot c o m

Siggy Bee said...

How nice of Sara at Blueberry Backroads to sponsor this giveaway! Our fall color in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia is getting a late start this year. I don't know the reason but we haven't had a frost yet. I will have to take a drive along Skyline Drive and see if the color has started in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Siggy Bee said...

I went to the Blueberry Backroads site and signed up for their newsletter. Now I am going to go check out their site and see what trouble I can get into!!!

eileen said...

Love your red thimble embroidery !!
Love Autumn, but miss those lovely trees turning red and orange, here whereI live pine trees and palms.

Jane said...

Reading your blog is always the highlight of my day, and I especially enjoy reading your summary and seeing photos from all of your travels!

Jane Gruber
jegruber27@gmail.com

Carole said...

Fall is happening here in AZ too...not as dramatic as your pics, but cooler temps and shorter days. Welcome home!

Christi said...

Glad you had a wonderful trip and safe travels. I'm sure the kitties are glad to be home. Can't wait to see what you start working on back in the sewing room.

Lee said...

I enjoyed your blogging on your vacation! The thimbles are so pretty - such nice stitching. I am starting a winter stitching this evening - sitting outside later enjoying some Michigan fall weather!

Lee said...

I signed up for the Blueberry Backroads newsletter - their kits look great!

Karen said...

I love to embroider-- it's been awhile since my last big project- a crewel Christmas stocking for our third child-- umm, she was turning 31 and every year asked me when she'd finally get a real stocking! Best surprise gift ever.

Laura said...

I am never going to be driving around the US so I am very appreciative of all of your great photos. Let's me see places I will never see in person.

Laura said...

I signed up for the Blueberry Backroads newsletter and had a look around at her fun set of offerings.

Judy1522 said...

Glad your home safely. I enjoyed reading about your trip along the way. I would tell

Judy1522 said...

I signed up for the blueberry backroads newsletter. They have some nice things on their website. I sent my first comment without finishing the sentence. I was going to write that I would tell you about the weather here but you already know what its like.

Susan said...

Just catching up on your blog. Follow-it hasn't been delivering anything for the last few days, not just your blog, but others that use it to that I follow. Since I knew you were home, today I clicked on the link to your blog that I have on my desktop. Now I am caught up.
I think we are having our last 2 nice/warm days today and tomorrow. Your roof is looking good.

Ruth L. said...

Fall is surpassed only by spring. We picked up some cool weather plant seeds at the Great State Fair of Texas last week and they'll be a new experience for me. I am also a quilt maker and a hand embroiderer with cats so your blog is a natural fit. Thank you for sharing your beautiful work with us all.

bcarlf said...

Love the thimbles! Love that you are home, for I have missed you!

QuiltGranma said...

Glad you had safe travels, and are home safe, kitties playing in the yard, and assisting you in your sewing. We all need good assistants.

QuiltGranma said...

I always enjoy what you are working on and the flowers you find. My computer is being difficult today. email me at fletcher.jean@gmail.com

Deb E said...

What beautiful thimbles you've done! I miss living in Salem (we moved back down to No. Calif. in Dec of 2018)...especially miss the fall colors, and looking at your yard make me home sick for our yard up there...it was like a park we kept it so beautifully. Thanks for the giveaway - I'd love to be able to do a little embroidery, haven't done any in years! Deb mdenders@msn.com

Lu Rae said...

I love watching your pics pop-up and hearing about your trips and adventures,as that is the only way I get to travel anywhere, other than errands,Dr. appts.and groceries. Thank you.