text:
It is toasty! We went from frost on the ground to 89 degrees. I fear I am becoming a yankee. I must make a trip back to the motherland soon! I fear I won't be able to handle the heat! I feel I need to bring Stiletto soon or she will have major culture shock when we make the transition back to Texas. We might have to do northern Oklahoma next and slowly work our way south (Just kidding Jessica and mom).
two wheels!
8 years ago


text:
I have just realized that my blog was yet again posts free for a very long time. I even forgot that I had a fictional story going on lol I'm sure that not many people have been having an unscratchible itch in the brain trying not to think of what had happened to Dorian. I might as well go back to finishing the story when I feel particularly inspired.
For starters, I'm not in Russia anymore and not in Las Vegas either. I'm residing now in a beautiful city of Paris. I must say that I've been dreaming of coming here for a long time. My first impression of the French capital is still engraved in my memory – BLOODY AWESOME! lol (I hope you weren't expecting any romantic description because I've just ruined it). Paris is very special. It strikes me as being sophisticated, magical, enchanting, fascinating, hectic, shocking and somewhat even scary. It is the city where luxurious boutiques and overpriced cafés meet the foulness of piss and decomposing cigarette butts. Russia may sound scary for some foreigners, but never have I seen two men relieving themselves right next to the library entrance… only in Paris so far… To be honest, I've seen quite an impressive number of men doing number one in the broad daylight in the open space ( so NOT cool!!!) It's very weird because there are a number of automatic toilets set up all over the city so things like that don't happen.
On the negative side, there are also a lot of people who are going to try to steal your money. Pickpockets. Whether you're in Louvre, looking at Mona Lisa, or taking a subway, or just waiting in line to buy a ticket – ALWAYS watch out for your purse.
When I went to Louvre to look at Mona Lisa, I was surprised to see how small the painting was compared to the two big posters « Beware of pickpockets » on each side of La Joconde! However, I assume that they are indeed necessary. While you're standing there, mesmerized by Mona Lisa's smile, unaware of the crowd around you, you may not notice that a dude who has just rubbed against your back is not just a fellow art-lover but a professional pickpocket.
While taking a subway I have noticed another strange thing… Some Whatever-day morning I'm taking a subway to go to work. I'm going down on the escalator and see a person with a strangely familiar face: a bearded man in his late fifties, wearing a read hat and having this sad look in his eyes… I'm thinking to myself that I've seen this man somewhere … but I can't remember where… in a couple of days I realized that I've seen that man begging for money on the subway and pretending that he had a part of his leg amputated (a part from the knee down). I've already seen 3 people like this on the subway, crawling on the floor and begging for money… and at least for one of them I'm sure that he has both legs just fine!
Coming back to the magical Paris… Well, smelly subway, creepy people and pickpockets is not a good way to describe Paris. It IS a . beautiful city! The architecture is fascinating, the buildings are impressive and when you look at them, you cannot help but feel amazed and bewildered. Notre Dame de Paris is a true piece of art! There are not enough words to describe how impressed I was when I first saw it. Besides, Victor Hugo had already done it justice and kept it from being demolished (yay to that!).
Signing off for now,
à la prochaine 🙂

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Please feel free to contact the Travel Team if you need any advice on your vacation plans. We're always happy to help!Toll free 1-111-111-6111 [email protected]
Departure information
Volunteer travel - what's it all aboutAre you looking for an adventurous trip with a purpose, or on a gap year or career break? If you want to make a difference in some of the worlds most important conservation areas - and in community projects - then volunteer trips are for you! Volunteers tend to have a sense of adventure, and come from a range of different backgrounds and from all over the world.
Edward Abbey said 'sentiment without action is the ruin of the soul'.
Responsible tourism
Responsible tourism: Rainforest conservation in the Amazon, Peru
The project:
The project is based in a remote area of the Manu region, where there is one town near-by. Volunteers directly influence the local economy of this town in a very positive way by using the laundry facilities, local shops and amenities. The project itself promotes sustainable development in the diverse rainforest, plus develops and implements education for the local people and crucial research programmes. The actual centre consists of the accommodation rooms and bathrooms, dining hall, library, kitchen and relaxation area. It is tastefully constructed in keeping with the surroundings and is highly comfortable living, whilst working with traditional styles.
Local staff are employed at the Manu Learning Centre which provides important cultural interaction for them and the volunteers, along side valuable language practice in an everyday setting. Group sizes are kept to a minimum and all volunteers and staff at the MLC are briefed and trained with regards to respecting the flora and fauna, so not to disrupt environments any more than absolutely necessary whilst carrying out research and programmes to help conserve one of the most significant areas of the natural world.
Our company:
You taking part in this project enables us to continue to donate financial assistance as well as necessary goods, where it is needed around the world. Examples of donations include building new classrooms, providing school uniforms for poorer students, buying computers, sports equipment, playgrounds, toys, mattresses, classroom equipment and funding school trips and the building of libraries, and more. We also donate significantly to conservation research efforts and the purchasing of necessary conservation equipment. In the past, these donations have been made in all continents and in projects where we work, and some where we do not work.
Recent donations made include:
- Monthly donations to a variety of schools, orphanage and animal sanctuaries around the world to help with costs.
- Donations to a school in Zambia to sponsor the education of five children per year.
- Donation made to a school in Ghana to build new signs to advertise the school, buy a photocopier, buy reading books and pain some classrooms in need of repair.
- Donation of funds to build a toilet at one of the schools we work with in Cambodia until now the children have had to go into neighbouring houses or in the bushes!
- Computer and Camera for a Street Kids project in South Africa.
- Ongoing monthly donations made to orphanage in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and every year additional money given at Christmas to buy presents for children.
- Approximately £1,500 towards the building of a desperately needed classroom in a Zulu school in eMakhosini, South Africa.
- Water tanks for various projects in Ghana and Kenya to allow the children safe drinking water.
- Toys and play equipment for children at a project that was severely lacking funds for this in South Africa.
- A donation of books for the Red Cross Hospital in Cape Town.
- A donation of $400 to the elephant project in Thailand.
We are committed to upholding strict ethical standards that ensure a positive and lasting impact upon the environments, communities, institutions, volunteers, animals, children and people that we work with.
For example:
- We encourage our volunteers to make the most of local opportunities available to them, such as shopping at local markets, eating in local restaurants and using local services and transport.
- We encourage volunteers to pay fairly for goods and services. We believe that over payment for goods and services or payment to beggars can have negative consequences and result in the over-reliance on tourism within the local community.
- We strongly advise against purchasing wildlife souvenirs or anything which may perpetuate the death or cruel treatment of animals for the purpose of profit.
- We advise on dress codes and codes of behaviour in all of our destination countries to ensure volunteers dont cause offence to local communities.
Our aim is to create always a win-win-win situation in terms of the benefits for the local communities and institutions that we work in, for us and for the volunteer. We do not embark on any project that is not beneficial to the communities, institutes or volunteers. We conduct regular volunteer satisfaction surveys to monitor our performance.
Our projects enable vital conservation, research, care and education work to take place directly where it is most needed. For example, the schools where we teach English very often have no other English teachers, and so they rely on us for continued lessons. We kept a Species Survival Conservation project in South Africa afloat until completion after it was threatened by lack of funds. Our volunteers contribute, all over the world, to projects that would not exist without them.
1 Reviews of Rainforest conservation in the Amazon, Peru
Reviewed on 03 Jan 2015 by William Haward
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Cutting a path through dense jungle to fin capybara
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Speak to the guys who have done it already for advice!
A camera, comfy inner soles, good Headtorch, organic mosquito repellent, waterproof bags were the items I was glad I had the most!
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
yes, all of the above!
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
it was such an incredible experience, expect it to be really hard work but you get out what you put in.
Popular similar vacations
Amazon Rainforest Internship in Peru
Unique jungle conservation internship in heart of the Amazon
From US $6500 24 weeks excluding flights
Learn Spanish in Peru & trek the Inca trail
Inca trek & relaxed, professional Spanish lessons
From US $1480 13 days excluding flights
Volunteer in Peru, teaching and sports
Experience a different side to Peru by living & volunteering
From US $649 7 days excluding flights
Conservation Volunteering in the Amazon, Peru
Make a real difference and volunteer in the Amazon
From US $2899 4 weeks excluding flights


text:
Thursday, January 14, 2010
"Road to California" Give-A-Way
I have purchased a "special" gift from one of the 165 vendors at the show for this give-a-way. You have until Monday, January 18th to enter by leaving your comment on this posting. Winner will be selected by Random Number Selection.
Join me in my celebration of "Road to California"
PS: Pictured Quilt Block...of course its "Road to California"! *Block image from Internet
109 comments:
Hello! "special?" I wonder what it could be... this mystery is fun! I'll be at the show tomorrow. This will be my first quilt show and I am very excited!
- January 14, 2010 at 11:07 PM
- Debbie said...
Can't wait to find out what the special gift you purchased is! Thanks for counting me in.
- January 14, 2010 at 11:37 PM
- deborah said...
I know you are having a great time:) Am a follower now,and can't wait to hear about the show!
- January 14, 2010 at 11:41 PM
- Frummie said...
Hi Elaine,
Are you happy yet? LOL
Please count me in. It's 3 in the morning, I think I will go to sleep.
Hugs Sweetie
- January 14, 2010 at 11:58 PM
- Greg said...
Lucky you. I'd give anything to be there. But you there is the next best thing, as long as you post pics! Thanks for the Give away chance.
- January 14, 2010 at 11:59 PM
- Holly said...
Wish I was there at the show.....but a little too far for me to drive....I like your block, the colors are so soft....thanks for letting me enter the give away...
- January 15, 2010 at 12:13 AM
- Kim said...
I'm really envious of the quilters who are attending "Road"! I really, really, really MUST plan better next year! Please enter me in your drawing so I can at least feel like I'm attending through a surrogate! LOL!
- January 15, 2010 at 12:17 AM
- Jeanette said...
sounds very interesting. Please coumt me in. Hugs, Jeanette
- January 15, 2010 at 12:23 AM
- Di said...
Delightful fabrics shown and my curiosity is in action.
- January 15, 2010 at 12:40 AM
- Kim said...
Count me in! I have not been able to make it to Road to CA.
- January 15, 2010 at 12:51 AM
- Doina said...
Thanks for the Giveaway chance! Please coumt me in!
- January 15, 2010 at 1:04 AM
- Betweens said...
Will you post pictures? can we see through your camera!! sounds like fun..would love to enter for your suprise gift
- January 15, 2010 at 1:35 AM
- Kathie said...
would love to be there too!
always liked this block.
Have fun and hope you will share your favorite quilts you saw and your purchases!!!!
- January 15, 2010 at 1:38 AM
- Merete said...
This is exciting, I would love to have the chance to win that special gift. Thanks
Greetings from Norway
- January 15, 2010 at 1:56 AM
- debbie said...
Pls count me in, i'd love to win.
- January 15, 2010 at 2:14 AM
- PatchworkRose said...
Just love those fabrics you have used Elaine
Sounds like you had lots of fun :-)
Will be waiting to hear about the show.
- January 15, 2010 at 2:19 AM
- Quilterbee said...
I've heard alot about the Road to California. You are so lucky to be able to take classes from all the wonderful teachers that come to the show.
Thank you for the give a way.
- January 15, 2010 at 2:44 AM
- I Purr-Furr to Craft said...
Count me in!! I wish i was there, but i live in Australia and i am looking forward to hearing all about it!
- January 15, 2010 at 2:56 AM
- Michele said...
Hmmm. Wondering what it is...
Wish I were close enough to go to the show...
- January 15, 2010 at 3:21 AM
- Jacque. said...
Hey Elaine...love the colors in that block...soft and pretty. Thanks for entering me in your giveaway.
- January 15, 2010 at 4:19 AM
- Darlene said...
I've only recently discovered your fabulous blog and now I wish I was at "Road" with you. Sigh! Every year I say I'm going and yet....
I hope you'll toss my name in the hat.
- January 15, 2010 at 4:19 AM
- LyndaG said...
I have attended a few small quilt shows, but never one of the magnitude of Road to California... very jealous!!! Have a great time.
- January 15, 2010 at 4:50 AM
- Robyn *Ü* said...
Love that block. The colors are right up my alley.
- January 15, 2010 at 6:02 AM
- Sharon said...
Wonderful colors on your block! Have fun at the show, and thank you for counting me in!
- January 15, 2010 at 6:13 AM
- Deanna said...
I like surprises! It would be so wonderful to go to q big show, but for now I am a virtual attender of events.
- January 15, 2010 at 6:21 AM
- call me crazy said...
165 vendors?! Sounds like quilters heaven! Can't wait to read more about the show. Thanks for the fun giveaway! :-)
- January 15, 2010 at 6:29 AM
- karenfae said...
I will try my luck again with you and see if I can win. The Road To California sounds great and wish one day I could see it.
- January 15, 2010 at 6:29 AM
- Bridget B said...
What fun!! A surprise. Also the show sounds really interesting. Have fun shopping
- January 15, 2010 at 6:32 AM
- paulette said...
WWhhhoooo! A Road to California give-away!! Doesn't get any better than this!!
I hope you're having fun and buying a ton of stuff...just leave me a few crumbs to look at...I will be leaving for the Road in 1 hour and 58 minutes but who's counting!!
I will be wearing white capris, a black top and brown/black/white jacket...just in case...I will also have that shell shocked look on my face!! ha ha
Take care!
- January 15, 2010 at 6:38 AM
- Happy Cottage Quilter said...
Great giveaway. I hope you are having a great time at the quilt show. Looking forward to seeing some pictures. Thanks for entering me :-)
- January 15, 2010 at 6:57 AM
- arlette said...
Lucky you, I never been to a quilt show or Cali, *sigh*, hope you enjoy it! :)
- January 15, 2010 at 7:48 AM
- Christie said...
Thanks for sharing your journey on the Road to California, Elaine. For those of us who are unable to go, we appreciate the pictures. Keep um coming! Thanks again. HUGS.... and stitches
- January 15, 2010 at 7:56 AM
- Sheila said...
It sure would be nice to be at the show and I hope you will be posting pictures . I love the colors in your block , very pretty . Sure would love to win your giveaway .
- January 15, 2010 at 8:31 AM
- Tammy said...
Sounds like you had a fun ime. love the fabric in the block picture.
- January 15, 2010 at 8:31 AM
- Doreen K. said...
I should have been there, but I got ill and had to cancel. I hope you share lots of pictures. Please put my name in the draw.
- January 15, 2010 at 8:40 AM
- dianne said...
you know, if i didn't live vicariously through your blog, i'd never get to go anywhere!
- January 15, 2010 at 9:21 AM
- Amy R said...
How cool Elaine! Julie gave us the heads up you were posting about all the fun you are having at Road to California! Yeah for you!
- January 15, 2010 at 10:11 AM
- Annelies Dease said...
I am enjoying the trip to road thru your posts....and how sweet to offer a give away.
- January 15, 2010 at 10:16 AM
I'm wriing from Cape Cod, where Jo will be teaching this March, and I can't wait. Thank you for your blog, and tips. I will become a faithful visitor now. Enjoy your classes. Debbie
- January 15, 2010 at 10:21 AM
- quiltlover said...
Lucky you to be at the show! And meeting with so many nice people! Thank you for the reports!
Thank you for counting me in your drawing!
- January 15, 2010 at 10:23 AM
- Jeanne said...
Love a mystery! Please add my name to your drawing.
- January 15, 2010 at 10:25 AM
Cant wait to see who gets the 'special' gift.
- January 15, 2010 at 10:31 AM
- Chrys said...
Oh I wish I was there!!!! My aunt and 2 other ladies from our quilt guild went down and I wish I could've gone with them! So glad your having a great time and that you got to see Jo! (so jealous)
- January 15, 2010 at 11:02 AM
- Dena said...
I hope you're having fun at the quilt show. Can't wait to see pictures upon your return. Thanks for entering me in your give-a-way.
- January 15, 2010 at 11:23 AM
- SewCalGal said...
I love your Road to California give-a-way. Please count me in!
The show was so much fun, but not enough time to visit every vendor!
- January 15, 2010 at 11:36 AM
- Loris said...
That's a gorgeous block! Did you make it? Wish we could all be there :-)
- January 15, 2010 at 11:40 AM
- Le blog du tigre said...
Bonjour Elaine!
This is Gilbert - please enter me in your "concour". *s*
- January 15, 2010 at 2:00 PM
- Marianna said...
I heard about this show from a fellow Californian quilter of dutch origin! Now you have this special give away! Something must be connecting these two! lol! THANKS FOR THIS LOVELY EXCITING SECRET GIVE AWAY! Count me in!
- January 15, 2010 at 2:21 PM
- Mary said...
Oh Elaine, you are just having too much fun. I am a little green around the gills. thanks for the opportunity to win.
- January 15, 2010 at 2:41 PM
- free indeed said...
I follow several bloggers who are all attending that show! Lucky ducks! Hope you brought home some pretties!
- January 15, 2010 at 2:42 PM
- Love 2 Quilt said...
Have fun. Wish I was there,
- January 15, 2010 at 4:08 PM
- Rita said...
Sounds like you're having lots of fun. What a treat to take a class from Jo Morton!
- January 15, 2010 at 4:29 PM
- Susan said...
Beautiful block. Sounds like lots of fun!
- January 15, 2010 at 5:05 PM
- Joan said...
B I would love to win.Enjoyed reading the postings.
- January 15, 2010 at 5:18 PM
- Marsha said...
I know that you are having a great time in California!! Wish I was there!
- January 15, 2010 at 5:21 PM
- Susie said...
Please count me in! I'm so jealous. I would have loved to go! Alas, I'm stuck in Indiana. LOL! Thanks so much. I love surprises.
- January 15, 2010 at 6:10 PM
- Terry said...
Love the pics, keep them coming :) You sure do seem to be having a lot of fun. I'm jealous (LOL) Count me in on the "Something Special Giveaway" Thanks for the chance!!!
- January 15, 2010 at 7:42 PM
- Yvonne said...
Hello from Canada! I love surprises. Count me in, too.
- January 15, 2010 at 8:14 PM
hi, Elaine
your blocks are lovely I love those reproduction prints. The class with Jo Morton sounds great and thanks for showing us the back of the blocks.
I am going to add you to my must read list.
Simone Down Under
- January 15, 2010 at 8:25 PM
- Geannine said...
I remember thinking that the first star I did took forever....by the time I got the rest done - I was cranking them out. You will get their too. Did you join the exchange?
- January 15, 2010 at 8:31 PM
- Beth said...
Lucky You!!! Wish I could be there too.
So how are the quilts?
Beth -Near Chicago
- January 15, 2010 at 8:36 PM
Sign me up please! Sounds like you are having way too much fun!
Brenda in IL
- January 15, 2010 at 9:32 PM
- Jafael said...
Those stars in your past entry are amazing!
Thanks for thinking of us and giving a Giveaway!
- January 15, 2010 at 9:35 PM
I would love to take a class from Jo Morton you are so lucky.
- January 15, 2010 at 9:40 PM
- Julie said...
I love surprises :) thanks for the giveaway
- January 15, 2010 at 10:22 PM
- SheilaC said...
Too bad California is 3000 miles away from me or I would join you!!
Can't wait to see the special gift!!
Thank you for the opportunity to enter!
- January 15, 2010 at 10:26 PM
- Metanoia said...
A mystery gift. How exciting! Please include me in the draw
- January 15, 2010 at 10:29 PM
- Tilde said...
Wish I was at "Road to California" having classes with Jo Morton :-) Thanx for your generousity !
- January 15, 2010 at 10:51 PM
- Linda said...
Elaine, please enter me in your give-away...I still have not had my fill of Road. Thanks for these great reports on a wonderful experience.
- January 15, 2010 at 11:30 PM
- FeatherDuster said...
One of my all-time favorite blocks, and I love love LOVE that color combo :)
- January 16, 2010 at 1:06 AM
- Barb said...
Count me in, I like surprises....
- January 16, 2010 at 1:53 AM
- countryone77 said...
Please include me in your drawing.
Bev in TX
- January 16, 2010 at 2:34 AM
- Conni said...
What a great time at Road you are having!! Thanks for sharing your trip and classes with those of us who are unable to attend!!
- January 16, 2010 at 4:13 AM
Hi Elaine, How lucky you are to be at Road to California and take several classes with Jo. Your Stars are great. Thanks for counting me in on your drawing.
- January 16, 2010 at 4:49 AM
- Lesly said...
I love a mystery! Thanks for the chance!
- January 16, 2010 at 4:59 AM
- Sherry Hogan said...
I love a good mystery.
This is so much fun!
- January 16, 2010 at 5:16 AM
- Cindy said...
What a perfect block for your post!! Hubby and I lived in Palm Desert (near Palm Springs) for several years but I was never fortunate enough to attend this special quilt show. I lived through the stories of others who attended.
Thank you for offering a special gift from your adventure. And, I'd love to hear (read) more about it.
Sewing hugs and blessings...always.
- January 16, 2010 at 6:27 AM
- joanne lendaro said...
Would love to be at the show with you!! Thanks for the giveaway, count me in!! THANKS!!!
- January 16, 2010 at 6:50 AM
Please count me in. I love the fabrics in that block.
- January 16, 2010 at 7:16 AM
- Rhonda P. said...
Please count me in!
- January 16, 2010 at 8:22 AM
- MJinMichigan said...
Someday I hope to go to Road to California. I'd love to win your giveaway. Thanks for the cahnce.
- January 16, 2010 at 9:09 AM
- Bev said...
I love surprises. Haven't been to this show yet, so would love to have something "special". Count me in, please.
- January 16, 2010 at 9:16 AM
- sewmeow said...
Thanks for counting me in on your special Giveaway...wonder what it is. Loved your pictures of the class.
FYI my middle name is Elaine too.
- January 16, 2010 at 9:45 AM
- Dwyta said...
How I wish I were at the show! One of these years I will get there. I love the colors of your square. Thanks for you give away chance!
- January 16, 2010 at 10:07 AM
- soggibottom said...
The road would be a very long one for me over here, but hope you have good walking shoes, lots of water and have a great time.
x x x
- January 16, 2010 at 11:24 AM
- omashee aka Barb said...
You are so fortunate to be at "Road To California". I'm just green with envy!!! Let me live through you vicariously by winning your lovely giveaway!
- January 16, 2010 at 12:04 PM
- Nanbon44 said...
I wish I could attend the show, guess you will have to share the adventure with us. Love the idea of a mystery giveaway, wonder what it will be. Please enter my name in the giveaway
- January 16, 2010 at 1:21 PM
absolutely love the colors in your block. Some time I would like to see the "Road to California" show but since I live in Georgia, it probably wont be for awhile.
- January 16, 2010 at 1:21 PM
- Brigitte said...
hi Elaine, greetings from Poland - I love mysteries - what in the heck can the gift be ???? I'ld love to be surprised, even in the middle of my move. Hugs Brigitte Baierl
- January 16, 2010 at 1:50 PM
I am in love with the fabric you used for this block. Gorgeous!! Thanks for your blog...I enjoy reading it and get so much inspiration from you.
- January 16, 2010 at 3:24 PM
- Kim D. said...
Hi Elaine, How fun to be able to go to Road to California. I would love to be entered in your giveaway. I know they have a lot of wonderful teachers and lots of gorgeous quilts. Enjoy!!
- January 16, 2010 at 3:41 PM
- DianeH said...
Lucky you hope you have a fantastic time at Road to California. Thanks for putting my name in - love surprises.
- January 16, 2010 at 3:57 PM
- vivian said...
I am so glad you are getting to do classes with Jo. I've gotten to do that and they are such a good experience. Also thanks for the giveaway!!!
- January 16, 2010 at 5:38 PM
- Deborah said...
So happy you have had a good time with Jo. I know the show has been great too.
- January 16, 2010 at 6:07 PM
- WoolenSails said...
Just found your blog and saw the wonderful pictures of the classes. I will go back and check them out. Thanks for sharing the event. I have been hearing about it, so it is fun to go, even if it is virtually;)
- January 16, 2010 at 7:46 PM
- Miriam said...
I wonder what the mystery is???? Thank you for another great giveaway.
I am enjoying watching your journey.
Looks like you are having a ball!!!
I love your van!
- January 16, 2010 at 7:56 PM
- quiltmom said...
I love the blocks you have made at J Morton's class. It looks like you are having a fantastic time at the Road to California show.
Your giveaway is so intriguing - you are going to make some quilter very happy I am sure.
- January 16, 2010 at 8:25 PM
- Jan said...
Very mysterious, count me in.
- January 16, 2010 at 8:42 PM
- Susan said...
I would love to join you on the "Road to California". Have enjoyed reading about the workshop with Jo. Isn't it great learning the techniques to make these blocks work so well.
Keep having fun.
- January 17, 2010 at 2:07 AM
- Joyce said...
It's so greatthat you got to go to Road to California and spend time with wonderful teachers. I would have like to go, but i'm too far away. Love your Road to California block. The colors are soft and delicious. Thanks for the give-away. I will go right over to the other page and become a follower.
- January 17, 2010 at 11:49 AM
- Sharon said...
I think surprises are so much fun. Thank you for your web site. I find such interesting things there.
- January 17, 2010 at 3:36 PM
- Quilter Kathy said...
How wonderful to be able to attend the California show, and even more spectacular to take a class with Jo Morton...I am so jealous!
- January 17, 2010 at 5:21 PM
- Mary said...
I'm sure you're having a great time...taking a class from Jo... I would love to do that.
Please add me to the drawing! Thanks!!
- January 17, 2010 at 6:47 PM
- Bonita said...
My Brother In Law had a quilt in Road this year. I wanted to go, but just could not. Was on your site looking for pictures. Will come back again. Thanks
- January 17, 2010 at 7:37 PM
Well, look at that, 104 comments. Seems blog readers do alot of weekend reading. Me, I am catching up and hope that I can still be part of the Road to Cali giveaway. Your pic may have come from internet, but it is ALL Jo fabric. I took a LMS class from Jo and like the blocks very much. Fingers crossed here in Texas.
- January 18, 2010 at 8:33 AM
Looked again at your Road block and on second thought I think I am wrong on the Jo fabric, but it is still a pretty block. Counting....
- January 18, 2010 at 8:36 AM
- Sharon said...
This is my first visit to your blog, I came through the Hexi 2 blog. I LOVED my Jo Morton class in summer of 07. We made baskets. She rocks!
- January 18, 2010 at 2:48 PM
- Mary said...
I'm back home after sharing special time with you in Jo's class on Saturday and a wee bit of Sunday. I wish I was still stitching with you and Jo!
- January 18, 2010 at 4:58 PM
- Anya said...
How wonderful! Thanks for the chance!
- January 19, 2010 at 6:13 AM


text:
When my aunt passed, I ended up with one of her unfinished quilt block projects. I've worked on it on and off over the years, and recently picked it back up again.
I was coming to the end of the pieces that I had and was wondering what I should do next, when it hit me ... there were more cut pieces put away somewhere.
So I dug through a box, and boy howdy, did I find quilt pieces. Problem was, many of them -- some finished, some not -- were for another project ... one I didn't particularly want to finish.
As I thought about it, I realized that the unfinished ones (which are hexagons) could be cut into the proper size squares. And the material is similar to what's in the first project.
At this point I should explain that my aunt sewed her blocks ... with batting ... separately, quilted them, then sewed them together ... all by hand.
So I had all these nicely stuffed and quilted hexagons left ... what to do?
I finally decided to cut the hexagons into smaller squares and use them for another project. After cutting, the batting could be used as "stuffing" for the squares in the first project.
I'm experimenting with some nine patch for the smaller squares, but haven't decided just how I'm going to use them. But at least they'll be out of the box, right?
One woman's attempts to keep her family on an even keel financially in a time of rising prices and changing rules. Note: I do not accept compensation from or for any company or product mentioned here. Anything I mention is from my personal experience.
Friday, June 26, 2015
3 comments:
- Jackie said...
Please share the finished project with us. I am always looking to use up those smaller pieces of fabric and new quilt ideas are always welcome.
God bless.
- June 26, 2015 at 11:46 PM
- Amy K said...
Perfect solution, love it!
- June 27, 2015 at 7:25 AM
- DW said...
I'll do that, Jackie. I've considered some place mats ... also considered just making some self-contained squares (like my aunt's projects) and making a cover for one of the beds. Need to get all my squares together.
- June 27, 2015 at 4:14 PM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
It has been a fast and furious week volunteering at Chanticleer. Days and evenings were packed with work, garden tours, lectures, and meeting other gardeners. I have jumped into the gardening season full throttle, brimming over with new ideas, new plant knowledge, excitement and inspiration. I worked alongside Emma each day, as this was something we both hoped for- and we got a lot accomplished. She is now nearly ready to plant! Emma has been very ambitious in her first six months, digging up her gardens, amending soils and growing lots and lots of plants. I have included a highlight reel of some of the projects I helped her with this week.
Above: A picture of the gravel garden looking glorious during one of the sunny spells. Everyone who worked at Chanticleer, from the office to the seasonal gardeners, were so welcoming and wonderful. I wish I could have been there a month and worked in every section of the garden. There is a lot of individuality, creativity and autonomy among the gardeners, and yet the whole place flows so beautifully. Each section blends into the next, seamlessly, though each area offers something new.
Emma was trained at Great Dixter for a year and half so many of her methods and plant material derive from that great garden. Like Great Dixter, Emma (and many other gardeners at Chanticleer), is growing a great deal of her own plant material from seed, which means this time of year there is constant sowing, pricking out (moving tiny seedlings into plug trays), and potting on (moving seedlings from plug trays into 4" pots). It was happily reminiscent to work together again at these tasks we shared at Great Dixter a year ago.
Above: Sowing Orlaya grandiflora seeds, spiny sea creature looking things! In the background you can see Emma's wooden, hand made soil tamper. This is used to gently flatten the surface of the soil before sowing.
Benches in the warm and humid propagation house with seeds and seedlings at various stages.
Wee Nicotiana 'Lime Green' seedlings being pricked out...
...and carefully transplanted into plug trays. We used very skinny stakes cut to a point to make a little hole in the plug for the long, wispy roots of the seedlings. At this stage, we only handle the buggers by their leaves- counting on the fact that these leaves are readily replaced, unlike stems and roots that can be easily damaged, making the plant suffer all the more during this delicate transition.
Cold frames, already tight with material. This time of year, all frost-free zones are highly coveted. This is the last step before life in the real world, so being brave and kicking the kids out into the cold can be hard! The pots of spring bulbs growing on in the cold frame are almost ready to go out, which will clear up a great deal of space for young, tender plants.
In conjunction with finicky greenhouse work, we hauled, dug, moved, raked, rototilled, wheelbarrowed a great deal of soil around. Here is the after picture of the vegetable garden, which was weedy and full of old vegetables from the previous season. We turned the thing over and added 30 wheelbarrows of mushroom compost. Next, Emma will rototill again and dig and place her paths.
Just in case you thought I shoveled and filled all of those wheelbarrows... I did not. Emma would dump a load into the barrows and I would wheel them to the appropriate places. The next day we did the same treatment to the long lines of asparagus running parallel to the cutting garden.
We dug, divided, and saved-for-later the lovely Carex 'Bowles Golden,' which gave the tulips a little breathing room.
All cleaned up with a little mushroom compost added and lightly turned in.
And then we made a soil mix. Emma uses Chanticleer compost with a little decomposed bark mulch, a large bucket of grit, and a few handfuls of Osmocote, a slow release pellet fertilizer. She hand mixes the ingredients first by trowing it into a pile (two times). Then she runs the rototiller over the mix multiple passes. Lastly, she screens it; creating a fine, loamy, nutritious mix. She uses this soil to transplant her seedlings from plug trays into 4" pots. The plants at this state don't need a sterilized mix and will benefit from becoming acclimated to the garden soils in which they will eventually land.
Dramatic light on the Sporobolus heterolepsis planting.
Iris reticulata
This is an incredible garden and I am honored to have spent a week here. Thank you to everyone at Chanticleer for making my visit so spectacular!


text:
Each year the Fund for Scientific Research-FNRS grants subsidies for periodical scientific publications and high level scientific works.
These publications have to be put togther by researchers associated with a university institution of the French Community of Belgium or a Federal scientific establishment.
To find out about the regulatory conditions, take a look at the regulations.


text:
There was a time when Dick Clark's American Bandstand was new and hot, a time when censors winced and teen-agers swooned at the thought of Elvis the Pelvis. It was the era of sock hops and poodle skirts, duck tails and hot rods -- and the good-time rock 'n' roll of Freddy ''Boom-Boom'' Cannon.
Cannon, who will perform in oldies-rock shows today at Orlando's Carr Performing Arts Centre, leveled the '50s and '60s Top-40 charts with hits such as ''Tallahassee Lassie,'' ''Palisades Park'' and ''Way Down Yonder in New Orleans.''


text:
Artsy subject discovers fence!
Friday, July 1, 2016
Rocking Inside Good Fences
Artsy subject discovers fence!
12 comments:
- Naquillity said...
love that Humpty Dumpty statue. it makes me smile just looking at the photo. also love the image of the character walking across the road. also makes me happy. and who doesn't love a really cherry snow? have a great day/ weekend...
- July 1, 2016 at 8:25 AM
- Naquillity said...
*snow cone...
- July 1, 2016 at 8:25 AM
- Mike@Bit About Britain said...
Can't beat a good bit of rock 'n' roll! Love your shots, thoughts - and Humpty Dumpty. Sorry I haven't visited for awhile - note to self: "Must do better"... :-)
- July 1, 2016 at 10:11 AM
- TexWisGirl said...
you always find so much whimsy in your life. :) nice photo of you, ms. fence finder!
- July 1, 2016 at 11:35 AM
- Jedidja said...
I love your photo, but also the other ones. The last is really great.
- July 1, 2016 at 11:59 AM
- Author R. Mac Wheeler said...
I'm not having fun right now. Cycling this AM...went over my handlebars. Badly bruised ribs. Hurts to breathe. A hiccup sends me over the edge. I'm going to die. 3 oxys are doing nothing for the pain, neither is the ice.
- July 1, 2016 at 12:15 PM
- Elephant's Child said...
Loving your quirky fun.
- July 1, 2016 at 2:18 PM
- sage said...
Humpty Dumpty appears to have a rather cocky smile... He must think he's pretty secure up on that wall.
- July 1, 2016 at 3:12 PM
- Ida said...
Those were great. Loved Humpty Dumpty and the little fellow walking towards the white picket fence. What a fun time you had.
- July 1, 2016 at 7:30 PM
- ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© said...
Look OUT, Humpty!!!
- July 2, 2016 at 5:15 AM
- eileeninmd said...
Hello, wonderful images. Looks like a lot of fun. Happy Saturday, enjoy your 4th of July weekend!
- July 2, 2016 at 5:52 AM
- Gail said...
Some cool pieces. I wish I had learned to weld.
Favorite picture...the last one, of course!
- July 2, 2016 at 6:17 AM


text:
Dorsey, Rev. Dan
Formation Director/Novice Director
Glenmary Home Missioners
P.O. Box 465618
Cincinnati, OH 45246-5618
Some 70 years ago Glenmary's founder, Father William Howard Bishop, observed, "Hearts are torn between the call of God to lives of virtue and the call of pleasure made more clamorous and persuasive by unusually large paychecks and the pressure of lowered moral standards and weakened moral restraints.... The world needs the Catholic Church as never before in our memory and especially here in our beloved United States…." The need described by Father Bishop is experienced firsthand today by those who reside in the mission areas of the United States. Theirs is an Advent posture of expectant waiting.
Read more about Father Dan's past and current ministry:
- Student Mission Accomplished!
- An Advent Meditation
- The Joy of Being a Missioner
- What Makes a Mission a 'Glenmary Mission'?
- The Shoes of a Missioner
- Past Glenmary President Leads Formation
- Remembering Father Bishop
- Seeing Missioner in Action Inspired Donor's Support, Planned Gifts
- "From the President" columns (page 4), Glenmary Challenge issues, Spring 2004-Summer 2011
- A Weekend of Celebration: Men Renew Oath and Profess First and Final Oaths
- Interview on Catholic Radio Weekly: "Glenmary's 70 Years of Ministry"— Program 943, 10/16/09
- Glenmary Elects New Leadership, Identifies Future Goals


text:
Demi Lovato is among the dozens of stars who have been lined up to perform at this year's KIIS-FM's Wango Tango concert, which is set to be held at the Carson's Home Depot Center on May 11th. The former Disney starlet is expected to sing several songs of her new album, Demi, including her wildly-popular Heart Attack.
Other artists who have been confirmed for the big event are; Bruno Mars, Fall Out Boy, Afrojack, Jason Derulo, Flo Rida, Will.i.am, Emeli Sande, Maroon 5, Miguel and even Carly Rae Jepsen. Let's keep our fingers crossed she's not going to sing 'Call Me Maybe' again because we can no longer hear that song! Ha. We kid, we kid.While many of the stars who are set to hit the stage have already been announced, people were already buzzing on who could possibly guest-host the show this time around. As we all know, Ryan Seacrest is the main man for the show seeing that he is pretty much the reason behind the success of KIIS-FM, but this year, producers have decided to let Britney Spears take center-stage as she gives the American Idol host a helping hand at his duties. Whether she'll perform or not is yet to be revealed.
Tickets for Wango Tango's sixteenth anniversary will go on sale at 10 AM on April 6th, while April 5th will see many tickets already go on radio pre-sale. So, if you want to get your hands on some tickets, you already know what to do… don't wait and hesitate because once they are sold out, they are gone! Will you be going to the concert, and if so, who do you want to see?
|Recipe: Delicious Homemade Thanksgiving Stuffing - Once Upon A Maritime
|Tips For Cutting Thanksgiving Carbs - Once Upon A Maritime
|DIY: Stuffed Christmas Tree Craft For Kids - Celeb Baby Laundry
|Nick Lachey & Family Visit Disneyland - Celeb Baby Laundry
|Thanksgiving Cat safety Check List – Keep Your Pets Safe During The Holidays! - Cats & Meows
|Easy And Quick Chicken Cat Food Recipe - Cats & Meows


text:
Portland cement growth joints at bridge ends: Currently growth joints at bridge approach slabs are performing with mixed results. The joint is working but the joint filler material requires regular maintenance.
Portland cement concrete (PCC) pavement growth joints: Expansion (or "growth") joints have been installed in PCC pavements at various spacings to relieve expansion stresses to prevent damage to pavement and structures. The growth joints require considerable maintenance and are leading to deterioration of adjacent pavement and a considerable reduction in ride quality. These joints have not minimized the problem with blow-ups.
Research is needed to determine effectiveness of growth joints, to examine the use of approved materials in construction, establish guidelines for use of growth joints and to develop an effective growth joint design.
Research Objectives:


text:
It's very rare that I ever post anything that is current (mainly because all the dance music nowadays is absolute tosh), but this little number caught my ear.
Yes, I know it's cheesey and it meanders a long a bit, but that piano break on 1.55 is pure joy.
Are you with me?
Martin Solveig & GTA - Intoxicated
(Original Club Mix)


text:
More than three decades of scientific research suggests that repeatedly telling children that they are especially smart or talented leaves them vulnerable to failure, and fearful of challenges.
Children raised this way develop an implicit belief that intelligence is innate and fixed, making striving to learn seem less important than seeming smart; challenges, mistakes, and effort become threats to their ego rather than opportunities to improve.
However, teaching children to have a "growth mind-set," which encourages effort rather than on intelligence or talent, helps make them into high achievers in school and in life. This results in "mastery-oriented" children who tend to think that intelligence is malleable and can be developed through education and hard work.
This can be done by telling stories about achievements that result from hard work. Talking about math geniuses who were born that way puts students in a fixed mind-set, but descriptions of great mathematicians who developed amazing skills over time creates a growth mind-set.
Learning how to fail well is perhaps the best thing you can teach your children in today's rapidly changing world, where knowledge, technology and work processes are, in many cases, outdated before they're mastered. And, by "failing well" I mean the ability to view "failure" as a means to grow and never stop learning. Mark John Sternal says it well in his book on learning to play the guitar,
"Work hard and it will come easy."
Your Beliefs Shape Your Self Esteem
Many parents have spent a lot of energy on giving their children "self-esteem," perhaps failing to realize that self-esteem comes from overcoming your own obstacles; figuring things out, solving problems, and achieving success through your own efforts.
Another unfortunate trend seems to be to "help" these children lacking in self-esteem by diagnosing them with emotional disorders and throwing pills at them, instead of helping them deal with their emotional, mental and spiritual issues – with devastating results.
The belief system that a drug can "fix" you, is simply the belief that you are a victim.
What are these children told when they're put on drugs to treat their "disorders"? They're told they are helpless. That they are incapable of helping themselves; that help must be dispensed from the outside by someone with a medical degree.
This article talks about the importance of people's beliefs about why they had failed. Some students gave up when they encountered difficulty, whereas others continued to strive and learn.
What was the main difference?
Those who believed their poor performance were due to lack of innate ability lost motivation because they felt helpless. They knew there is no way to improve on inborn abilities; you either "get it" or you don't, whereas those who had a "growth-mindset" realized that practice makes perfect – they were empowered to continue because they believe it's their personal effort that creates mastery, not some fixed (genetic) trait that they were born with.
Do Your Beliefs Also Influence Your Health?
Similarly, your belief system about your health will either place you in a continual state of helplessness, or allow you to be the master of your life.
Do you believe you will succumb to cancer because "it runs in your family"? Or that your brother is an alcoholic because he inherited the trait from your father? Or that you're overweight because everyone in your family is?
Then you've fallen prey to conventional medical beliefs.
Bruce Lipton, PhD., talks about the impact your belief systems have on your physical health in his book The Biology of Belief – Unleashing the power of consciousness, matter and miracles, and how the emergence of the science of epigenetics is correcting the fatally flawed medical paradigm from one of victimhood, to personal mastery.
How to Validate Your Children to Teach Them They are Powerful
Children do need emotional validation, however. If their negative feelings about what is happening in their lives are not validated, they may continue focusing on the negative until they are validated. Children can become pessimistic if they do not feel they are being emotionally heard and validated.
But, as Carol Tuttle describes in the article Messages Your Children Need to Hear, it's important to not simply try to change their negative feelings into positives, but rather validate your child's negative feelings, and then offer them a choice:
1. Continue to perceive the situation as negative (which will teach them to be powerless victims), or
2. Choose to change it to positive (which teaches them they have the power to change things for the better)
How to Eliminate Self-Limiting Beliefs
Unless you are taught that you are resourceful, and therefore powerful, many of the outside influences that shape your belief system (including whether or not you're "smart"), can sabotage your health for many years, if not the remainder of your life.
Some of these influences are so painful they remain buried in your subconscious and you simply fail to recognize the profound damage these influences have on your current health. Many times these events were not intentionally designed to harm, but nevertheless resulted in bioelectrical short-circuiting that can have profound negative influences on your health.
There are usually dozens, if not hundreds, of self-limiting beliefs that most of us carry around, which prevent us from the highest levels of health and happiness.
All the drugs in the world, and nearly most of all the cognitive talk-based psychotherapy models, will fail to heal this short-circuiting.
This new understanding of our biology, this new medical paradigm, requires new models of treatment, and the more we find out about how health is influenced by the psyche, the more it becomes evident that energy psychology tools can serve a vital function in the pursuit of optimal health.
Without a doubt, energy psychology is one of the greatest tools I have ever encountered in the healing modalities, and EFT is an amazing application of this discipline.