A New Year

Yup - 2017 has dawned and so far it doesn't feel much different from 2016 to me! This photo is representative of how the out-of-doors has looked since Winter Solstice; today, 19 days later, this is the same view just different ice crystals! Actually, the temperature is up in the low 30's (Fahrenheit) from last week's teens and 20's and skies are gray with snowstorms on the approach. Because of the freezing temperatures, I pretty much spent every day last week reading and binge-watching shows on Acorn TV (to which I have a subscription). However, this week I've gained some energy and got inspired at Tooele Quilters meeting on Tuesday, cleaned out a bunch of old magazines and miscellaneous papers from my kitchen desk, and began organizing my craft/sewing room. I made the mistake of moving the hide-a-bed sofa and crept around in pain the remainder of the evening but it is now in a more advantageous position to watch television from (which Clare will be installing this coming weekend) and also makes a cozy arrangement for entertaining (which I don't do much of but is a novel idea! Hehe).

I haven't done much paper crafting except for some watercolored thank you cards for Christmas gifts received. I used my Zig Clean Color Brush markers on Bristol smooth paper and loved how that worked out.

I stamped and painted four of these and am very pleased with the result.

Can't say that there is much else to report, except perhaps that the days are gradually getting longer and there are just two months of winter left. Here is a photo of what is a a great idea for these wintry days:

Catnapping!

Oh yes - there is a new development around here and that is, now that we have Goat here (we decided that would be a good name), Rango the dog has decided he can eat hay too! Last night when he came in from a foray out to the barn, he brought a hay cube with him and proceeded to start gnawing on it! He and Goat have become fast friends it seems to the point of sharing meals! :)

Later.

Less of a Mystery and More Scavenger Hunt Photos

Hello friends and family!

Lots of fun (and some not-so-fun, but I won't go into that!) happenings this month so far. Some good stuff for July's Month in Numbers!

In the meantime, I wanted to talk a little about my latest creative pursuit (actually, back at it in January of this year) - quilting! Oh yes, I know there are many of you out there who are quilters extraordinaire and my feeble attempts pale in comparison . . . but who's comparing when the process is so fun?! Yes, back in the day (80's and 90's and early 2000's) I stitched my own clothes, clothes and fun things for the grandchildren, and then started quilting. Well,  I  joined the Tooele County Quilters, served as group president one year and really "got into" collecting fabric and even making a few quilts (and finishing them!). I had retired from my job as a civil servant in 1995 and until October 2004 played at stitching, scrapbooking, working parttime at a garden center, scrapbook store, even a month at an insurance company (yech!). In 2004 I went back to work fulltime at the Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS), University of Utah Chemistry department. Although I still did the occasional crafty project, those pursuits began to wane and I was mostly spending off-the-job hours going to grandkid's activities, reading, and gardening. So, okay, to make what is beginning to look like a very long story shorter!. . . This last January I rejoined the Tooele County Quilters and caught the quilting bug. I have vowed - and my husband reminds me - to not let myself get caught up in any leadership/chairman/spokesperson roles but rather to just enjoy the meetings, the camaraderie of fellow fabric-holics, and making beautiful things!

One of the fun challenges each year is the Mystery Quilt, wherein those wishing to participate are given a new instruction each month to complete - I think by August - a full size quilt top. So, this year's Mystery Quilt started with the following formula:

Fabric Requirements:     Three fabrics as follows:
Fabric #1 - 2-1/2 yards (background)
Fabric #2 - 1-1/2 yards (focus)
Fabric #3 - 2 yards (accent)

Since I didn't have a decent "stash," I of course had to go to the store and chose a yellow/multi floral for the focus, gray on gray print for the background, and black with white dots for the accent. We have had mysterious instructions for the past five months and finally, in June, it is becoming less of a mystery and more like a possible quilt pattern! Here you go then:

 

Step #5 - Using the four patch blocks from step #3, sew together following diagram making 34 units. Following the next diagram use two of these units and make 17, 10-1/2" squares. 

You can see the colors and I'm liking how this looks! Now, what will we be doing with the 72 half square triangles from Step #4?!

Of course, Chester the cat had to get into the action:

:

Oh yes, here is a cute picture of BC resting on the charm quilt I made back in the 90's:

She is so darn cute!

On to three new finds for Rinda's 2015 Photo Scavenger Hunt. 

#5 - Architectural columns

This one had me stumped (not any outstanding architecture in this cow town) until I got to thinking that columns could be anything that is architecturally holding up something, yes?! So with that thought I took a photo of one of the older homes in town that sports four columns holding up the front porch overhang. Here you go:

This house has been painted pink and then purple until recently when new owners went for this mustard color - much more subdued. Also, where the rail fence is there used to be very overgrown lilac bushes which in the Spring were very pretty but obscured the charming architecture!

Then, #17 - At least two people wearing matching outfits or uniforms. My sweet girls down at the locally-owned coffee shop obliged me by posing in their matching aprons - and I must say, matching smiles too!

Then, #18 - An overloaded truck, car, bicycle or other vehicle. This photo may not cut the mustard but I thought it was funny. The cowboy started to head into the drive-up ATM but thought better of it and parked his horse and walked up! 

Actually, this truck is plenty heavy enough to handle the horse . . . if there were more than one horse in the back, then, yeah, it'd be considered overloaded. I will continue to look for a REAL #18 photo opportunity!

One last thing before I sign off here; if you happened to miss my Instagram photo of receipt of  a copy of Go Set a Watchman, by Harper Lee that I pre-ordered from Amazon back in February, here 'tis:

I started reading yesterday after I took it out of the box and am loving it. Every bit as wonderful as Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird!

Bye for now.

My June 2015 Month in Numbers

Feels so nice to get back to Julie Kirk's awesome Month in Numbers!  It's been almost a year since I last posted numbers for the month of July 2014 (posted on 1 August) and not only has a lot of stuff happened (tempus fugit and all that!) but routines and even scenery has changed!

Anyway, this post may seem a bit photo heavy but personally, I like pictures to tell a story (which Julie does so very well!).

June began with carryover activities from May; that is, my eldest sister, who lives in New Zealand, arrived in Utah on the 17th to take in a week-long genealogy research trip at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City sponsored by Michael John Neill. She stayed in the city for that week but returned to stay with us in Tooele on the 27th. I only mention this as part of the numbers for June because she was here until the 7th when I took her to the Amtrak train station in Salt Lake City at 11:30 p.m. to catch the train to Colfax, California to stay with our dad for the couple weeks before her return to New Zealand. Incidentally, that train trip takes 12 hours, to cover 600 miles. While she was with us, she went into the Family History Library the first four (4) days of the month, leaving Tooele each morning at 7:30 a.m. on the 453 UTA bus and returning at 6:30 p.m. on the 451 UTA bus from the city. 

Charlotte getting on the bus June 1st

On the morning of the 2nd, after dropping my sister off at the bus stop, I spotted four deer in the field on Vine Street where pumpkins are planted each year. Two of them were young bucks (judging from the smallish antlers they were sporting) and two were doe(s?). 

Four mule deer browsing in the pumpkin patch on Vine

The water level of the Settlement Canyon Irrigation Reservoir is of interest and significant to us during the summertime because we irrigate our pasture and yard around the house. So, Clare and I made three trips to the reservoir in June to check those levels:

Upper left photo taken on 7 June: Water level 43 feet at 9:38 a.m. (This was up from 37 feet recorded on 22 May, 7:00 p.m.). Lower left photo taken 12 June: Water level 44.25 feet at 7:45 p.m. This rise was most likely the result of a wet month of May and the first week in June receiving afternoon rainstorms. Photo on the right was taken 27 June at 8:00 p.m. and the water level was down to 43 feet. Of course, by the end of the month with high temperatures, very little rain, and farmers irrigating every day, the level was bound to drop. There is a concrete marker (Clare is walking down it in two of the photos) that goes to the part of the dam where it would go over the spillway (about 65 feet). Driving up Settlement Canyon to check the dam (that looks funny to me - check the dam!) is a very pleasant pastime and it is quite lovely scenery-wise, don't you agree?

On the 12th of June I received three (3) books that my sister had ordered for me from Amazon, one of which is Snail Mail reviewed by Julie here and I must say that it is (and I quote Julie), "...an exceptionally creatively designed papery joy." 

The three books from my sweet sister.

I've read the other two books and found them both very entertaining but like Julie suggests in her review of Snail Mail, this one will be out on my night table for now-and-again perusing.

Lots of numbers were accumulated on the 21st of June when Clare and I took a road trip to Rock Springs, Wyoming, some 236 miles and three hours driving time from our home. We went, not because we had a burning passion to see Rock Springs (!) but rather to scope out the venue for the upcoming National High School Rodeo which two of our grandsons qualified for in the steer wrestling event. Anyhoo, here is a collage of what we found the Sweetwater Events Center to be like:

As you can see, we annotated how many campsites are available (677 total - that may just be enough for close to 500 over 1,000 participants from the United States and Canada and their families, etc.); and, how many stables are available (200 covered, and not noted on the collage, about 100 open stalls). The Nationals are coming up this next week, beginning the 12th of  July. Here is a photo of our two champion grandsons!

Ty and Tee Allred, cowboy cousins

Needless to say, we are very proud indeed of these two young men! P.S. Ty celebrated his 17th birthday on the 16th of June.

Our road trip afforded at least three photo opportunities for Rinda's 2015 Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt (which I am participating in again this year - and hoping to complete!) as seen here and here - a flag pole with at least three flags, a cellular tower, and a panoramic view while standing someplace high. And, just for fun, here is a photo of a quintessential treat when traveling on Interstate 80 between Salt Lake City and wherever:

Famous 75 cent cone from Little America, Wyoming (yeah, that's the place!)

The last couple weeks in June saw temperatures creeping to the triple digits (Farenheit that is!) as seen in this pair of shots of the thermometer on our back patio taken the 24th and 27th:

About 92 degrees on the 24th and pretty darn 100 degrees on the 27th!

On the 25th I'd just about had enough of unruly hair, so I decided to channel Jamie Lee Curtis (Lady Haden-Guest) and have about one inch of grey cut off. Here you go:

Jamie Lee on the left (she's 58 yrs old!) and yours truly on the right (65 yrs old!)

I know, scary, huh?! Haha! I am loving it though although I may regret it come chillier weather! That's what hats are for, right?!

On the 28th Clare took a photo of me standing by the renegade sunflower in the rock garden out back. I am (shrinking with age) 5'11" and the sunflower is easily eight feet tall (and climbing as of this date). My granddaughter grabbed my IPhone from her grampa and took four "selfies" or "me and you-ies" I suppose you could call them - her and grampa and her and poor old Chester, the cat.

Gotta love this girl's enthusiasm!

Me with the monster sunflower 

Like I said at the beginning of this post, photo-heavy. When reviewing the month, it never ceases to amaze me how many things involve numbers! Thanks again, Julie, for providing an interesting way to KEEP TRACK of my life!

So, that 'bout wraps it up for June!

Bye for now!

More Finds for the 2015 Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt

Hello, hello!

Following along with Rinda's Photo Scavenger Hunt, I'm happy to add a few more finds.  Yesterday after taking a photo of the college campus down the street and then the traffic signal on Main, it occurred to me that (duh!) there are [#9] tents aplenty set up in parking lots selling fireworks for Independence Day celebrations! So, without further ado, here are not only photos of a couple of those, but a few more to whittle down the list.

#1 - A bouquet of flowers

Appropriately, an Independence Day bouquet! Display at the entrance of Albertson's market.

These, I thought, were lovely, but I didn't buy one; probably because I am pretty single-minded when I'm at the market and headed right for the steaks (for tomorrow's BBQ), cob corn, and watermelon!

#7 - A turtle

There is some controversy going on amongst hunters, I've noticed, about turtles vs. tortoises. This, after looking closely, is most definitely a tortoise; a plaster yard-art tortoise. 

I will continue to look for a "turtle" but in the meantime, I am going with this! :)

# 8 - Someone 'plugged' into social media

My husband and BC (Barn Cat) checking ...

...the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboy's Association) website which for him (my husband, not the cat) is social media!

Hoping this works!

#9 - A tent

And here are two of the, at least, three tents set up to sell fireworks for the Independence Day holiday; and, in Utah, Pioneer Days on the 24th  of July.

I thought it was cool the way I captured the big U.S. garrison flag in the background of the second tent! Doesn't take much to entertain me!

#10 - A college or university

The Tooele Regional Campus of Utah State University right down the street!

I suppose I could also claim #5 - Architectural column with this photo, but I'm hoping to find something a bit more elaborate. That is all part of the hunt, right?!

#14 - A traffic signal

Stopped at Main Street in Tooele, heading east on Vine.

This is certainly not as original as the traffic signal on the lock that Amanda put up, but it's representative of the signals in this small town. You can't see in this photo, but Main Street is under construction and traffic is very dependent on these signals!

#16 - A panoramic view taken while standing someplace high in the air

I was standing on a knoll above this, looking down. This is the Wyoming Wild Horse and Burro Shelter in Rock Springs, Wyoming.

There are lots of wild horses here, all gathered by the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) as part of the Wild Horse Adoption and Management Program. This was one interesting bit that we saw on our day road trip to Rock Springs on the 21st of June. Rock Springs isn't much to write home about, but people probably say that about Tooele! :)

So, here's how the list looks now:

SCAVENGER HUNT LIST

1. A bouquet of flowers
2. An ornate door knocker
3. A person walking a dog (or other animal)
4. People playing a board game or card game
5. Architectural columns
6. A metal bridge
7. A turtle
8. Someone "plugged in" to social media 
9. A tent
10. A college or university
11. A cellular tower or television satellite dish
12. A public restroom, bathroom, or toilet
13. A merry-go-round or carousel
14. A traffic signal
15. A flag pole with at least three flags on it
16. A panoramic view, taken while standing someplace high in the air
17. At least two people wearing matching outfits or uniforms
18. An overloaded truck, car, bicycle or other vehicle
19. A ticket booth
20. A natural body of water
21. A photograph of you with a sign reading "2015 Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt". Note: you may not use a substitute for this item.
If you find something on the list too difficult, you may substitute one of the following items for any one item on the list, except for Item #21:
Alternative A: People eating outside
Alternative B: Someone holding an umbrella
Alternative C: A rocking chair

Ten out of 21 - not too bad for one month and three day's worth of hunting! Tomorrow I'm pretty sure I will find #17 (people in parades tend to dress alike!), possibly #13 (there might be a carousel at the park but most likely it'll be a bounce house!), and definitely #19 when we go to the rodeo tomorrow evening. I should consider capturing the alternatives, just in case by September 22nd, I've not found a couple that may give me a problem; like, #4 and #18!

Happy summertime greetings from HOT Utah!

Summer Coming and Going . . .

I must say that the days are rolling along at a rapid pace around here. Summer solstice came and went and now it's close to the BIG summer holiday for us in the US of A! The weather is appropriately HOT, the best time to do stuff outside being early morning (like before 8 when the sun peeks over the Oquirrh Mtns to the east) and evening (after 8 when the sky starts changing to oranges and pinks as the sun sets over the Great Salt Lake to the west)! Last night I went out about 8:30 to do the chores, since my poor overworked husband was still out working. As I drove the four wheeler across the pasture after turning on the rainbirds I had to stop and watch the sky change - so amazing - and within five minutes it was just a memory (and the water was overflowing in the steer's trough . . .). Wished at the time, that I had had my camera, or my IPhone with me to capture it!
Speaking of capturing - mid-June I bought the Collect app for IPhone and am having fun with it, snapping ordinary sort of stuff during the day. Here is a screenshot of June:

You can see that up until the 14th, there is nada and a few days in between. Some of the days there are up to three pictures (the app allows for adding multiple snaps per day). For instance, on the 26th, Sally texted a couple photos she took; here's how they look in Collect:

I love that she caught these and forwarded them on for our viewing pleasure! So typical of everyday life in Tooele. . . who said it couldn't be a "ride up" window?!

So, I've joined in with Sian Fair and her Pile of Postcards Exchange. What a great idea . . . it seems as though our new world has very much gotten away from sending postcards, much less letters and I totally agree with Sian that getting something besides junk mail in the post box is a real joy! Because we aren't traveling very far from home this month, I went downtown to buy up some Tooele-unique postcards for the six folks that I'll be sending to. Interestingly enough (or maybe not!), the only place I could find postcards was at the Best Western Inn Tooele which I guess makes sense but the local Walgreen's didn't have any! Back in the day, pretty much every little store had a twirly rack of postcards near the check-out but obviously, times have a-changed! Here's what I have, along with global and domestic stamps, ready to post:

I actually bought 12 and so may post the extras to friends and family who don't hear from me very often (yes, I'm as guilty as the next guy for not even emailing!). Funny that the postage came to more than the cards! No worries, though as the thought of getting something in the mail is so worth every penny (or dollar, as the case may be in global postage)!

I should be doing a wrap-up of my month in numbers for Julie at Notes on Paper; however, my note taking was not good for May or June and (as seen by the Collect calendar) neither was my picture taking! I am going to comment on her June MinN because it makes me smile and laugh and she needs to know that I love to catch up. I also like to peek in on the other MinN participants and add my comments occasionally.

Back in April and the first of May my friend and I did the Utah Paper Crafting Shop Hop 2014 (see this post). We had purchased 12-slot shadow boxes at Hobby Lobby with the intention of filling it with the photos we took on the Hop; well, on Wednesday, June 27th, we had a play date and did just that!

We used papers from the Simple Stories DIY Boutique 6X6 paper pad (which we picked up at one of the shops on the hop) and then embellished with wood veneer, punches, enamel dots, etc. Fun, fun! I still need to journal on the last card about the miles we drove, the $$ we spent, etc., etc. The cool thing is that each little card has a magnetic strip on the back so they can be changed out if we are so inclined to make other little cards!

While I'm on the subject of crafting little doodads, the Pink Daisy, one of our local scrapbook stores (in Holladay actually) has designed these fun little interchangeable shadow box kits/classes (this is the September one). I had purchased the Bright Birthday one for myself and the July one for my friend Heather (whose birthday is July 4!) and was so inspired while doing it that I took the Simple Stories Cat Insta Squares and Pieces Snap pack, backed it with a 12X12 black and white polkadot paper and made up this for Heather and her black cat, Coal:

I really love how it turned out! Love playing with paper and stuff and am not sure why I don't do more . . .

One last note before I wrap it up here for today and get some ironing done (see, that's a reason I don't do more crafting! haha!). Yesterday afternoon I let Chester, the cat, out after his nap and when I was stirring up some banana bread, I looked out the window and saw this:

At least eight little birds (probably more down below) in the Colorado blue spruce tree chirping their little hearts out at this:

Chester, right below the branches casually surveying all he owns (and occasionally gazing up, how cats do, to ensure that the birds were in their rightful places). Cracked me up! He's looking a bit skinny these days as he's shed great globs of hair for the summer. He'll puff out again in a couple months!

Laters!