TIE QUILT

I love quilts. They are warm and cozy. I made this one from the T-shirts that I have collected through the years. It was a good way to get them out of the closet and out where I can enjoy them and re-live the memory of the shirt. They are places I worked, places I visited or shirts given to me. I love it.

This one is dear to me. When anyone else looks at it, it probably just looks dull and boring. But I see the  little dresses I made my daughter, the maternity dresses I made for myself, the lining for the coat I made for a Christmas gift, and scraps from miscellaneous projects. And this kept me warm while crossing the Gulf on S/V Kairos in 2013. There are a lot of memories wrapped up in one quilt.

My father had quite a collection of ties. After he passed this summer, I wanted to make a quilt with them, for my mother. I invested many hours piecing and then hand quilting it. Today it was completed and delivered. 

Now my sewing table is cleared and ready to start another project. I need to vacuum all those little pieces of thread that didn't quite make it to the trash can, and oil my machine.

My Paddle Buddy

Ten years ago, my brother and I took a Brother/Sister trip to Belize. On the trip we kayaked down the Mopan River. It was just our guide and us in inflatable kayaks. My brother hadn't kayaked since then, but I bought another kayak so he could go paddling with me.

A few weeks ago we went to a small lake here in town. It was a very relaxed paddle, very little wind and the water was calm. Yesterday, we went to Lake Alan Henry. We had about a 15 mph South wind and there were quite a few boats on the water. The water was not calm and we did have to paddle quite a bit up wind. I tend to lose track of time when I'm on the water, but in my defense I did tell him to let me know when he was ready to head back. 

Our route on Lake Alan Henry

He said he had fun, but I haven't talked to him today to see how sore his muscles are. Hopefully he will go with me again.

I have to at least put my feet in the water.

VACATION

 Finally, I took a week off and got out of town. A trip to Key West was just what I needed. Saw friends, former co-workers, and got out on the water. My friend, Bert, was very generous and let me stay at her house. We went out on a sunset sail aboard S/V Argo Navis. The drinks were flowing and we had a very relaxed sail.

A couple days, I rented a kayak and went out paddling for the afternoon. I saw baby nurse sharks, star fish and tourist. I tried to get away from the tourist as soon as possible. That clear blue water was just what I needed.

This is a canal I paddled a hundred times. It brought back fond memories of my time in Key West.

The old State Road 4A was abandoned in 1938 when the Overseas Highway was opened, connecting Key West to the mainland. There is a 3 mile stretch that I used to ride my bike. Through the years, storms and time has washed away most of the road. All that remains is a trail, though there are still areas where the asphalt remains.

Bert hosted a dinner and drinks at her house for Sheri and I. We three had a great time, lot of laughs. Bert is a good bartender!

Bert, Lezlie & Sheri

As the saying goes, "Nothing lasts forever", and my vacation week came to an end. It was a fun week, but now I'm back in the real world. 

KAYAK

 I'd been without a kayak for far too long, and was having withdrawals. My main concern with purchasing a kayak, was how to transport it to and from the water. When I had my Explorer, I just threw the kayak in the back and tied the hatch down. Now I drive a RAV4. The only way to transport a kayak on this vehicle is on the roof. I stand 5 feet tall and I'm not very strong. There is no way I can pick up a kayak and hoist it onto the roof.

After doing a little research, I found a way to do it...so I bought a sit inside kayak. It took a little practice, but I can get it done pretty easy now. 

I use the foam pads that attach to cross bars.

I then take the kayak cart and tie it to the back. It has to be tied tight so it doesn't move around.

An old rug is put under the nose of the kayak, so it doesn't get scuffed on a rough surface. A tether connects the back end of the kayak to the bumper, to keep the kayak from sliding when the free end is lifted to the vehicle. I made a rope the perfect length with a carabiner on each end, to make the process quick.

The free end is lifted up and laid on the cart. The wheels on the cart are going to guide the kayak in place as I pick up the tethered end and push the kayak up and it lays on the pads.

I secure the kayak with cam tie-down straps.

Remove the tether and kayak cart, and I'm ready to go. On my paddle today, I saw a beaver. Yes, you read that right. I saw a beaver in the waters of Lubbock, Texas. It was so quick, I could not get a picture. To some, that just means IT DIDN'T HAPPEN. I need to get my GoPro mounted before my next adventure!

SCARS

Whether it's physical or emotional scars, they take us back to that time...that moment that created that scar. I can remember vividly that moment I got dumped. Or the moment my husband told me he was going to spend the night with another woman. Or when he told me my dependence on him was unattractive. 

Or the time I was thrown from my horse and broke my arm. When I stepped over aluminum framing as my father raised it and it cut my foot. When this stupid kid ran into me on his bike. There are too many to list.

Scars can be a small thing, or can be caused from a cut so deep that it brings up hatred every time you think of it. We can learn from them and overcome, or they can eat at your soul. It's up to you. I have both outcomes. I'm not perfect. My scars have kept me single for many years, and I don't see that ever changing.

Just focus on the positive and try and keep those scars covered and bandaged with love of family.

ACORN SPREAD

 It definitely feels like fall, with the acorns falling from my big oak tree. I read where a mature oak tree can produce up to 10,000 acorns in a season. One day I was looking at them covering my back yard, and thinking there is surely a use for them, other than fall decorations. I went to Google and found recipes for this plentiful nut. I didn't want to go to the trouble of making them into flour, but I did find I could make a spread. I was intrigued, I must try it.

The process is length, but I gathered some acorns and went to work. They must be boiled, changing the water three or four times, to remove the tannin. Once this was done, I simmered in apple juice for 20 minutes. Acorns have very little oil, so I added vegetable oil and sugar. I tasted it... it needs something. A dollop of peanut butter and a squirt of chocolate syrup, then processed until it resembled something that was spreadable.

My brother, sister-in-law and mother were my taste testers. They didn't make a face when they tasted it. That's a good sign. It has a slight hazelnut taste. It's one of those foods that you have to acquire a taste for. My brother said he wanted a small container of it, and I have about a cup of the spread. I will have this on my toast for breakfast, but I doubt I will make more. 

Does anyone have a recipe they like for acorns? Let me know.

MY SEWING ROOM

I have always wanted a room designated for sewing. My dream has come true. My table is finished, and I've already put it to use. My brother wanted a cover for his patio chairs. I had enough WeatherMax to make his cover. It is two-toned, but it gets the job done. 

The top is 8'x8', with a hole for my sewing machine and a cut out for me to sit behind the machine.  The sewing cabinet with my smaller machine fits in a cut out at the far corner. The shelf underneath is 4'x8' and easily stores bolts of goods.

I love my table!