Quilting on the Kenai (part one)

Friday morning Diana, Linda, Gaia and I took off for three days on the Kenai Peninsula. Few hours of driving later we stopped for lunch in Sterling at Suzie's Cafe . Only 15 more minutes down the road and we were in the town of Soldotna where "Quilting on the Kenai" is a yearly event at the end of June organized by Pat Reese the owner of the quilt store Robin Place

After picking up few fabric and a new book by Trish Stuart who used to live in AK we were on our way around the town to fill our "Passport". The highlights in my opinion of the afternoon were the bookstore River City Books (you would have guessed, right?), the cafe next to it "Charlotte" and the Deli around the corner are worth stopping. I would have never thought that a tiny deli like that could hold so many cheeses and delicatessen items like they do. All the ladies in this mini shopping were a delight. This is one of them! The other wonderful surprise in this mini tour was the Trinity Greenhouse. They have come up with a recipe dirt that makes everything grow twice as big as a regular plant. It was beautymax all around. Roses, giant petunia and mixed flower baskets, begonias... Fruit trees in blooms (Apple). I know were to get the dirt next year for my planters.

We had dinner at St. Elias Brewing Company, trying to find our way to the beach in Kenai we had to stop for quick pictures by the Orthodox Church The Lupines are in their full glory right now soon to be replaced by the Fireweeds.

We took a long walk on the beach. What a gorgeous evening it was. Mt Redoubt was showing some action. Linda found a mini rubber ducky, that is a rare thing Diana found a set of mini pink shellsalso pretty rare and I found a strange looking fish vertebrae piece but also a big heart. Just perfect to end a perfect day.

What I didn't tell you is that we had decided to have a Challenge on the Kenai among the three of us. So we had a list of things to gather put in a package and then exchange each one to someone else and then we are going to add things to it and make a mini quilt from those goodies. One missing thing was a purchase or found object in the trip so gathering things on the beach could be part of our challenge. We shall see in few weeks what we have done with those.

Anyway.... here is my package so you can get the idea of what was required.

Barbara Kingsolver

"La Lacuna" is the new title of Barbara Kingsolver's new novel that will be released in Nov 09. I just found out about it. I feel like I live in a vacuum sometimes, but that is another subject. Here is what Harper Collins is saying about the novel “Seven years in the making, The Lacuna is set in Mexico and the U.S. during the 1930s, 40s and 50s.", and "tells the story of Harrison William Shepherd, a man caught between two worlds—an unforgettable protagonist whose search for identity will take readers to the heart of the twentieth century’s most tumultuous events.’ And a bonus for history buffs—The Lacuna includes real-life historical figures like Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera and Leon Trotsky—a first for Kingsolver’s fiction.” Just wanted to share my excitement.

Book Club and other fun things.

The Fair Readers met this Monday night at Donna's for an evening of fun. A low attendance of 4 then 5 but very nice gathering. We all agreed that Jumpah Lahiri is a great author and the short stories little gems. Ruth talked about her adventures as a disk jokey for a local Hawaian Radio Program, Donna showed us her beautiful wedding picture and her many treasures, Jenifer cozied up under an antique Irish chain quilt, Linda graced us of her presence event though she had been busy with a previous engagement. Donna had made her now famous Hawaian Lemon Cake and Ruth brought fresh fruit. We had an interesting collection of nuts or every size and colors. Some of us washed all that down with white wine and others with Ice Tea. A mother Moose and her very new Calf came by for a spell.

We discussed many potential reads but decided with those two. "The Elegance of the Hedgehog" by Muriel Barbery and "The Memorist" by JM Rose. Quite a bit different read. It will be interesting to see who decides to read what or both... We ended up talking about the Middle East and Africa through different books and personal experiences. We were late coming home and that gave us the opportunity to watch the sunset, something I had not seen for a while. The sun sets around 11:3o pm those days.

On another note I have been really busy in the studio. Just few peak and sneak pictures. Can't really show you the finish deals until later but that gives you a taste.

Oh yesterday I tried the new restaurant "Muse" at the Museum... cute name and clever too hey? Still managed by the Marx Brothers Restaurant. I was meeting Lorraine I had the seafood chowder with a roasted golden beets salad with pine nuts, mix greens and chevre, a glass of Merlot from the Gordon Brothers Winery, Columbia Valley in Washington State and three "boules" of Raspberry sorbet. Just yummy. Lorraine had the chowder with a mix green salad the very decadent chocolate cake and a glass of Malbec. Life is very nice sometimes. We toured the new empty space of the Museum, admired the view from the 4th floor and took a look at the gift shop.

Playing For Change | Peace Through Music

Playing For Change Peace Through Music

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us-TVg40ExM

52 Poems

Sunshine Brew

A strong cup of tea is usually enough for me to lift up my spirit on a grey and dark day. How surprising it is though when you find out that the Sunshine jumped in your tea to add the flavor that you were looking for. I just had to capture that for all the other days when serendipity doesn't come through on it's own.

I have been busy in the studio last week with African mask making. My way though, a bit crazy, a bit scary. I have been black more than once in my previous lives and my Sister too, right Carol?. I just know it. India and Africa run in my soul. I have a lot of embellishment to do on that one once it has a cape...to be continued!