Lazy vacation days

We very much enjoyed the programs we attended at the Fairhope Public Library Tuesday.  One was a book review of Elliott Roosevelt III's latest and the other was a meet the author program.  Paul had read the local author's book before the program (he's a fast reader) and we had run into her at the bookstore.  The audiences for both programs were engaged and nice.

Yesterday was a more lazy day.  We drove to a pecan farm and then walked on the bike/foot path along the Bay.  We sat in the sun by a naturalized area set aside for butterflies (too early in the season but we did see one).   We had a nice pizza lunch and roamed around the history museum for a while.  They had an interesting display of blown up historical photos that were better seen with 3-D glasses.  This was fun. 

Our bungalow is across the street from the path, so we have gone out most nights to watch the sunset.   The sunsets here are just amazing.  The sky turns a lovely pink and the sun a brilliant orange.  But my iPhone cannot do them justice so far.  I'll keep trying.

I've been parking out front under a giant live oak with branches that spread out over the street.  Paul stood in front of it to give an idea of the tree's size.

Here's a view of the tree from across the street.  I copied this photo from the town's website.  And it really does look like this right now with all the tulips!

Alabama photos

We are in lovely Fairhope, Alabama, enjoying sun and warmer temperatures.  Walked without jackets yesterday!  After our first night, at Paul's brother's home in Montgomery, we visited Selma and walked the path of giants over the famous Edmund Pettus Bridge.  We met a couple of devoted volunteer guides and visited a small memorial park on the other side of the bridge from the town (below).

Later, we drive down to Fairhope and checked into our VRBO within sight of Mobile Bay.  And what a gorgeous sunset that first night!  

It has been six years since we stayed here, so yesterday we walked around checking out the changes.  

In our favorite bookstore, the Page & Pallette, we ran into a 91 year old woman who will be having an author's meet and greet at the library tonight.  Paul bought her book and has been reading it in preparation.  She's quite a character, walking around town 5 miles a day and chatting with visitors.  She had quite a sad childhood during World War II, when she and her younger brother, ages 9 and 7, were left to fend for themselves.  

Today we'll attend a couple of programs at the library and continue exploring.  We especially want to visit the historical museum to see their latest exhibit.  The sun has been shining since we've been here, which is a welcome change for us.  Tulips and daffodils are blooming everywhere!

For my Valentines

 

Super Bowl Sunday should really be a national holiday.  Everyone was at the grocery store at 7:30 am, and there were more men than women.  Most unusual for a Sunday!  

We picked up a few items for the next few days and, like everyone else, for our usual Super Bowl meal - pizza.  I didn't make the crust this year but, rather, bought a somewhat tough multigrain dough.  Next time, I'll make my own. 

Before dinner time, though, I baked some soft chocolate chip cookies for Chris and for us as Valentine's treats.  Chris came by with a box of candy for us and was pleased to take his cookies home.  This is really the best recipe I've found for chocolate chip cookies, and they keep well (if you are able to keep them!).  

It's too soon to pack for the trip - I'll do that tomorrow.  Today I'll do some hand sewing, run a few errands, and make chili for dinner.  I keep checking the weather because of the possibility of snow tomorrow, but it looks like Wednesday, when we leave, it will be sunny.  By the time we hit the snow belt, I'm hoping the roads will be clear and dry.

Sun almost the whole week!

Last night, the TV weatherman said we had no days of sun in January and very few during the months before.  So far this week, there's been sun every day, and we've been taking advantage of it.  Monday, Paul and I drove down to Bellows Falls, an hour and a half south, on an errand for the Barre Historical Society.  We didn't stay long but did enjoy a brief walk up and down the main street.  Former industrial buildings have been converted to stores, and the bookstore is especially nice.

Tuesday after my pedicure, we headed to Burlington for lunch with Pauline and Bob.  I gave them the eight placemats I'd made and was relieved that they like them.  (The photo shows them as WIPs.)  Wednesday, we were invited to lunch in Montpelier by neighbors Mary and Manny.  Both were delightful social events with excellent food!

Obviously, very little sewing has been done this week, although I have been pecking away at a disappearing nine patch baby quilt for my Dutch niece Susan and her husband Arjan.  Yesterday, I got some flannel for the back of the bright quilt top which I hope to finish today.  The top includes two packets of charm squares mostly featuring Minnie and Mickey Mouse.  These look great with red and white polka dotted fabrics, with little black accents.  

I'll wash the flannel today (it's red), but who knows when I'll start quilting.  I have packing and organizing to do for our trip which begins Wednesday.  The car's interior needs a good cleaning before we stuff everything in.  And there's a trip to the money machine and... and...

Finishing books and projects

Now that the collage is finished and hanging on the wall, what should I work on next?  I always have to take a little break after finishing an intense project or after reading an intense book.  Both happened yesterday.  I finished quilting Birch Street and hung it up in the front hall.    It's a narrow space and difficult for photography, but perhaps today I'll take the quilt outside for a photo shoot.  I folded and sewed the outer border over to the back as a facing and made a thin hanging sleeve which I sewed on by hand.   I think that will be "it" for collage quilting for me.  

I spent most of yesterday reading Go As A River, by Shelley Read.  It's set in Colorado, between 1949 and 1970.  Victoria meets a charismatic young man on a street in her small town, falls in love, and bears the consequences.  It's an adventure with coming-of-age, very exciting in parts, and also quite heartwarming at the end.  Beautifully written with very strong characters, it's a book I will remember for a long time.  I enjoyed Victoria's love of nurturing the peaches her family grew.  Colorado peaches are delicious.  

Feeling the void of a project and a book finished, today I'll work on getting some projects together for our trip and start a cozy mystery - palate cleansers!  Tomorrow we are heading to Bellows Falls on an errand for the historical society, and Tuesday I'll have a pedicure and go to Burlington to give Pauline her placemats.  I'd like to get my taxes done before we leave next week, too.