Hiking the Olympic Peninsula

I know that Memorial Day weekend was last weekend, so this is a late posting.  But, I really enjoyed hiking the Shi Shi beach trail last weekend.  It was fun to hike it when it wasn't pouring down rain and always seems a little odd to go to the beach here and have it actually be sunny.  The Shi Shi beach trail never really dries out so you have to be good with getting muddy (or have nice waterproof boots).  We also drove to Hurricane Ridge, which was still very snowy but made for some fun and challenging hiking at the trail we chose, slightly down the mountain.  There was lots of wildlife at Hurricane Ridge, including some very tame deer and a bear that looked like he stepped out of Disney movie.  Unfortunately, the bear was viewed from the car so I didn't get a picture of him sunning himself on a log.  More pictures can be found here or at the link on the right. 

Ahoy matey!

Okay, it is nautical, but I won't get carried away. The small block to large block movement is taking shape. They aren't quite perfect and I can live with that (who am I kidding, I want them to be perfect). I have to make 10 of the top blocks and 2 of the bottom blocks. After that, it will be turtle time!

Pirate Kitty

Sammy is sleeping on the counter because he is exhausted. Spending your morning outside and killing and eating a squirrel will do that to you. I don't know why I am so proud of my one-eyed hunter, but I really am. Ironically, he is sleeping on a set of ASPCA magnets.

The triangle blocks are done.

The next step is to take 9 of these blocks and put them together to make one large block. This will use all the blocks I've been working on until now so it is very important that they all be 3.5 inches wide. We can only hope that is the case.

Sammy

I tried to work on my quilt tonight. And then Sammy decided to be cute
and cuddly and fall asleep on my arm. I'm just a victim here.

triangle purgatory part 2

I finished the 32 triangle blocks only to read that my next step it to repeat the process with the dark blue. I don't know how to type in a frustrated scream, but be assured that is the noise I made. The dark blue triangles are coming along well and the first step is pictured above. However, I have run out of thread and need to go to JoAnne Fabrics tomorrow. I could go right now, but I have decided to make a martini instead. It is important to have priorities.

things I've learned from having cats

One of the biggest lessons I've learned from having cats is to never just pick up random items off the floor.  I just picked up a "stick" only to discover that it was the tail of a garter snake.  So I'm trying to figure out if garter snakes are able to shed their tails like lizards (and if that means that I have one in the house) or if the cats managed to eat all but four inches of a snake.  

rainy plant action

It should come as no surprise to people who live in Western Washington that it rains a lot out here.  However, the rain is starting to bum me out.  I want to get outside more!  But, the hostas are not complaining and this one is coming up very nicely.  

more rhodie action

This lovely rhodie lives near my back deck.  I like how she is kind of translucent pink, rather that just pure pink.  I bought her when she wasn't blooming and I'm very pleasantly surprised at how she turned out.  

Strawberry-rhubarb crisp

I do not have pictures of the strawberry-rhubarb crisp that I made last night. It was devoured too quickly. However, it was very, very good and I will have to make it again. CF and RF came over last night to help me put together my treadmill. A huge thanks to them for helping me out. It is running great and I can't wait to put it through its full paces tonight after work.

These tulips are not from my yard, but are pretty flowers that I found at Top Foods. Sometimes they just speak to you and tell you to take them home.

candy cane

The candy cane rhodies are starting to bloom.  I really like these guys.  I planted a white rhody in between two candy cane rhodies, thinking that they would make a good contrast.  Of course, the white rhody isn't blooming and doesn't look like it will.  I think winter was hard on it and I will have to move it to greener pastures.  However,  that leaves an opening and I'm thinking of putting in a Japanese maple.  I'm looking for something that will provide some good fall color.  I'll keep thinking about that.  

ground covers

What would we do without the help of the ever present ground cover?  This one may need a good talking to because it is trying to choke out my lavender.  However, it is doing well in the one sunny spot in the yard.  I may have to move the Mexican orange from the front yard to this spot and see it compete with these guys.  

triangle purgatory

I am in the middle of putting together many, many triangle-squares. The first step is to make 32 of these:

The next step is to take those blocks and sew them together and then cut them apart to make these:



Of course no project is complete without the "help" of Angry Bob:



....who isn't nearly as helpful as he thinks he is.

the end of the squares

I've just finished the last of the 4 square blocks. The next step is to make lots and lots of triangles.

violets

The violets are blooming (and spreading like wildfire), the yard is mowed (hooray - now, don't grow back), the pollen has been swept up from the front porch and the back deck (of course, I had to keep wiping it off my phone because it is still falling), my stove has been fixed (cupcakes, anyone?), and my treadmill has been delivered (to the garage, I haven't unpacked it yet) - all signs that session is over.  

flowers

This lovely lady is blooming in the backyard.  I'm going to be doing lots of work outside today and that is fine by me.  

more quilting

I'm still making blocks from the two inch squares I cut earlier. These are two piles of 14 blocks each. They may look exactly the same, but they are different. Okay, they are only different because they are attached on a different seam. I can't really imagine that it makes that much of a difference when I put it together, but I'm following instructions. Only one more pile of blocks to go and then it is on to a different step.