Sunday, August 29, 2010

Color's at the Farmer's Market

Because I am a quilter, I love color.  
Sometimes I don't take enough time to really look around me 
and enjoy the surrounding colors during the day.

It is still August, 
so it is still summer.

A trip to the Farmer's Market in Fort Collins.
Enjoy the colors of the day.

















Just think, besides enjoying the colors you can 
also eat everything.

Well, not the zinnias.

Until Next Time-Kyle

Friday, August 27, 2010

Fabulous Friday

For today:

Looking Out My Window: I noticed a couple of yellow leaves in the cottonwood trees.  The first sign of fall?

My Weekend Plans Include: No commitments. Yeah!  Everyone needs a weekend like that once in awhile.

I’m Reading: I think I have about 3 books to listen to.  All of my holds at the library showed up at the same time. 
I'm listening to This Body of Death, by Elizabeth George.  It's a British mystery with some gruesome parts.
I need to start I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron which is a  humorous look at women who are getting older and dealing with life. I'll let you know about this one.  The title sounds good.
I also have The Lady Elizabeth by Alison Weir.  I chose this because I love the reader, Rosalyn Landor
 
Movie Marquee: Due to our Leadville escapades last weekend, we still have the same flicks, It's Complicated and Days of Heaven with Richard Gere, 1978

Something Quiltie:  Note to self: If you are machine quilting, do not wear black pants.  Quilt batting loves to get close and personal.
I’m Thinking About: It's important to make time to spend with your friends. I had breakfast yesterday with some of my girl friends.  It was the perfect way to start the day.

One of My Favorite Things: I love to iron.  Is that a sickness?  I love clothes that are pressed.  

What I’m Planning: I'm planning on making some pesto this weekend and freezing it in some ice cube trays for individual bits.  My basil plants have an abundance of leaves this year and pesto is so quick and easy. Let me know if anyone needs the recipe.

What’s For Dinner:  Fridays are always quick and easy after a busy week.  Turkey burgers, fresh fruit and zucchini. 
A Favorite Photo:  

He's a sweet kitty.
Until Next Time-Kyle

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Back in the Saddle Again


What saddle is that you ask?

I actually have time to quilt and sew today!

Until Next Time-Kyle

Monday, August 23, 2010

Ed's Race Across the Sky, The Final Chapter

  The race has come and gone and we are all exhausted.


The short story version is that "Running Man, Ed" ran his age and completed 60 miles of hard trails, up and over Sugar Loaf Mountain once and over 12,600 foot Hope Pass twice. It was quite an experience.

 I didn't take this photo,
but this is what it's like at 4:00 am at the start
with over 700 runner heading out..


Ed, reaching the Fish Hatchery, 23 miles
That's already one marathon.

Ed coming into Twin Lakes on the outbound section.
40 miles!!!!

His friend, Jorge, was joining Ed at the 50 mile marker to be a pacer for about 20 miles
on the return section of the race over Hope Pass again.
 Jorge waiting for Ed to arrive at Winfield. 50 miles

The next 7 1/2 hours proved to be a bit frightening for us.

Ed had planned for the next section of going over Hope Pass again and back to Twin Lakes to take him about 4 hours.
 We were expecting him somewhere between 9 and 9:30 pm. The cutoff for that section of the race was 9:45 pm. Jorge was to help Ed make up some time that he had lost after coming over the pass the first time.


Well, 9:30 pm came and went, as well, as the cutoff time. So we knew the race was over for him. But 60 miles was a wonderful accomplishment and we were all excited for Ed.

 Ed at Winfield

Elizabeth and Don had positioned themselves near the trailhead that led into Twin Lakes and I had positioned myself with all of his gear up near the aid station, that the runners need to check into so if he were close to the cutoff he wouldn't loose precious minutes.  So the crew so separated.

There are many small dramas that are connected with this story, but the main idea is that Ed and Jorge did not show up and it was getting later and later.

We finally receive a cell phone call from Jorge using a phone he had borrowed from another runner.

Ed was in trouble and not able to really walk and his breathing was very shallow. They were about 35 minutes from the rivers they needed to cross, and then it was about a couple more miles to Twin Lakes. It would be another hour.

So we waited. Elizabeth and Don in the car at the parking lot area and I stayed near the aid station with all the stuff. 

The cheering crowds were gone now, the aid station was cleaning up, but the medics were still waiting for the last of the runners because someone had radioed in to say there were injuries along the trail. I just stood there alone for a long time looking down the dirt road hoping to see Ed's headlamp soon.

Three hours after we had expected him, Elizabeth and Don spy a single headlight running fast toward them.

It was Jorge saying Ed needed help and Elizabeth should run about 2 miles out into the darkness of the meadow and find Ed with warm dry clothes and shoes. He was walking very very slowly and was very very cold and wet. There were medic trailsweeper guys with him. Trailsweeper are the ones who go out after the race and look for the runners who have not shown up, like search and rescue.

Jorge was freezing cold as well, and ran up to the aid station to find me and his wife, Tiffany, who had joined me. Now, it's after 12:00 pm.  When Jorge showed up saying Ed needed help, I told the medics at the aid station and they gathered up their portable oxygen stuff and headed to the parking lot. Jorge, Tiffany and I ran with all of Ed's gear to the parking lot as well. Mind you it is pitch black out. Twin Lakes has no street lights and there was no one left in this very little deserted town.

We got the parking area and found Don, but Elizabeth had headed off in search of Ed, carrying a blanket, a pair of her socks and Don's shoes. The other medics had headed out as well.

Here's what Elizabeth saw out in the meadow
except what her headlamp illuminated.

Elizabeth had been training, as well, to pace Ed in the last 13 miles of the race.
That training paid off.

Finally, which seemed like forever, Don and I began to see headlamps bobbing off in the distance.


The medic's arrived first and said Ed has OK, just warn out and cold and he wanted to finish " his race". I was never so happy to finally see two lights moving slowly toward us. Elizabeth in the lead and Ed using his hiking poles barely shuffling.

We took him up to the aid station and they wrapped him in a sleeping bag and gave him something warm to drink. We could barely get his shoes off.  His legs had just stiffened up.
Ed safe and sound.

The original plan was for him to finish the whole 100 miles in 28 hours, coming over the finish line at 8 am. That didn't happen, but he did finish "his race" We are all so proud of him.


After a night's sleep he was walking just fine and breathing normal.
God was by his side during his entire journey and I am very thankful. I'm thankful that the weather was not the "horrible Leadville weather", that he was not alone and that he made it out on his own, using what little left power he had.

Don, Elizabeth, Ed and Me
Runner and Crew the next morning.

PS He said he wouldn't be trying the race again. Please remind him of that.

Until Next Time-Kyle

Friday, August 20, 2010

Tomorrow's the Race Across the Sky

Keep Good Thoughts for the "Running Man"

and His Crew!

He'll be at the starting line at 4:00 am Saturday
and 
100 miles later...
crossing the finish line, with a Sunday morning sunrise.

Until Next Time-Kyle (crew member)

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

It's Been A Year

It's officially been a year since I began 
this blog.
When you have a written record of a 
years worth of thoughts, it seems
incredible that 365 days have passed.

Jane and Kyle in the pool, 1959

I'll stay in the pool for another year.
Question: Do people still wear bathing caps?


Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Who Made This?

All of the antique quilts
in my collections are made by
"The Unknown Quilter".

Who was she?
Where and when did she live?
Why did she make this?

Sorry, no answers.

I have always labeled my quilts.
I wanted my family and friends to know
who made it, when, where and for whom.

I can't always remember when I made something,
so how will anyone else.
Labeling my quilts is the last step in the creating process.


Labels can be simple.
I started by embroidering the information
somewhere on the front in a border.


Labels can be more elaborate.


Generally, I make a specific label to be sewn on the back. 

I have 4 labels to make and sew on today.
One for this baby quilt.

My newest grand niece
born August 13th.
Amy and baby Bianca are doing well.
I love her hair!

I'm still working on my
fall stashbuster's quilts but I'm working on the label as well.
The picture is from the book:
I traced the picture, after I had enlarged it, on to the fabric.

Then I used permanent markers and colored it in. 
Add the information in the center.
Pick an easy computer font to trace with the light box.
Set the ink with a hot iron.

Now there is one less quilt made by
"the Unknown Quilter"
Until Next Time-Kyle

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Leadville

This week at our house is all about Leadville.

The right food,
the right amount of sleep,
the right amount of running.

That's for Ed anyway. 
I found this great video on 
You Tube.

I think it will give you a 
great idea of what it will
be like.




Until Next Time-Kyle

Friday, August 13, 2010

Fabulous Friday


For today:

Looking Out My Window:  A couple of weeks ago my pumpkin plant had a flower. Now look what I have.



 My Weekend Plans Include: We're having some friends over for dinner on Saturday so Ed and I will be doing some fun cooking.  This is our new favorite way to cook salmon.

Pan-Seared Salmon with Ginger Lime Butter
from: Tastes of Italia, August 2010

4 t butter,softened at room temp
3t fresh lime juice, warmed slightly
2 t fresh ginger, minced
1 t chopped parsley
1 t olive oil
4 salmon fillets (4 oz each) skinned, if desired and patted dry
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 500 degrees.
In a small bowl, mix together the butter, lime juice, ginger and parsley. Set aside.
In a large ovenproof skillet, add the olive oil and spread.  Lightly sprinkle salt and pepper on salmon.
When oil just starts to smoke, add salmon, skin side up and cook about 1 minute or until nicely browned.  Turn the fish over, cover the skillet, and put it in the over.  Cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until desired doneness. 
Remove skillet from the oven.  Press on top of fish.  If firm, salmon is done.  
Serve immediately with ginger lime butter and extra fresh lime juice if desired.
 
I’m Reading: Where Women Create  and Organizing Your Craft Space by Jo Packham.  I'm hoping for some tips.
 
Movie Marquee:   It's Complicated, and With Six You Get Egg Rolls, with Doris Day and Brian Keith, 1968.

Something Quiltie: My favorite batting to use is Quilter's Dream Cotton, Request.  It's 100% cotton, low loft, it gives my quilts an antique look and feel, and it quilts through like butter.
I’m Thinking About:  This is upcoming week is the last week of training for my running man. 

One of My Favorite Things: I'm a list maker.  I make lists for the day, for the week, for the month, quilting lists, grocery lists, Target lists, Sam's Club lists, movies, books, ...  

What I’m Planning: I need to get my list going for Leadville, winter coat, hat, mittens, blanket, food, hot chocolate, cookies....

What’s For Dinner: I'm not sure if Ed is on a carbo loading day or a protein day.  I'm having a leftover turkey burger.
A Favorite Photo:  Do you ever see faces in the trees?
 The old cottonwood by the lake
 The ash tree by the patio
 Until Next Time-Kyle

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Ladies of the Lake

One of my favorite quilt patterns is Lady of the Lake.

It's a wonderful example of a positive and a negative pattern 
in the same block.


It's on my to do list.
Once upon a time, it seemed like I had forever
to work on that list.

 Maybe I'd better work faster or become more selective.


Yesterday we were visited by our own the Ladies of the Lake.

First one lady.
She marched right up the hill to see what part of my
lunch I wanted to share.

Not to be left out
the other ladies followed.

Ed got some bread, not from my sandwich,

and the ladies all gathered around.

There was a bit of competition, but we 
tried to be fair.
We ended up with about 15 female mallards
enjoying a snack.

Living on the lake does provide some fun entertainment.

Until Next Time-Kyle

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Kindergarten

Today is the first day for Jessica's new kindergarten class.

It will be a very busy and memorable day.

I know she has lots of wonderful activities planned.

Do you remember your first day of kindergarten?

I was excited.
I loved school.
Kyle, 1955


Ed on the other hand.
Was not happy about going.
Ed, 1955
He wanted to stay home.
Funny, once he started, he didn't stop for 23 years.

Elizabeth was excited about school.
She loved everything about it.
 Elizabeth, 1986
She kept going and going as well.
Now she's Doctor Redente.

Jessica was happy about heading off 
to Kindergarten.
Jessica, 1990
Now she goes to kindergarten every day.

Kate was ready to go.
Kate, 1990
She kept going until she got her master's degree.

I thought you might enjoy this, just as a reminder.

All I Really Need To Know
I Learned In Kindergarten

by Robert Fulghum

- an excerpt from the book, All I Really Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten


All I really need to know I learned in kindergarten.
ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW about how to live and what to do
and how to be I learned in kindergarten.

Wisdom was not
at the top of the graduate-school mountain, but there in the
sandpile at school. These are the things I learned:



Share everything.

Play fair.

Don't hit people.

Put things back where you found them.

Clean up your own mess.

Don't take things that aren't yours.

Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.

Wash your hands before you eat.

Flush.

Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.

Live a balanced life - learn some and think some
and draw and paint and sing and dance and play
and work every day some.

Take a nap every afternoon.

When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic,
hold hands, and stick together.

Be aware of wonder.
Remember the little seed in the styrofoam cup:
The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody
really knows how or why, but we are all like that.

Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even
the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die.
So do we.

And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books
and the first word you learned - the biggest
word of all - LOOK.

Everything you need to know is in there somewhere.
The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation.
Ecology and politics and equality and sane living.

Take any of those items and extrapolate it into
sophisticated adult terms and apply it to your
family life or your work or your government or
your world and it holds true and clear and firm.

Think what a better world it would be if
all - the whole world - had cookies and milk about
three o'clock every afternoon and then lay down with
our blankies for a nap. Or if all governments
had a basic policy to always put thing back where
they found them and to clean up their own mess.

And it is still true, no matter how old you
are - when you go out into the world, it is best
to hold hands and stick together.



© Robert Fulghum, 1990.
Found in Robert Fulghum, All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten, Villard Books: New York, 1990, page 6-7.
Have a great day, Jessica.
Teach your little friends well.
Until Next Time-Kyle