Motorcycle trip 2011

Looking at this first photograph, you may wonder a bit about our trip this year. Our annual trip out to the Tetons via South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. Each year friends ask if we had another "encounter" with buffalo. But no one ever asks about our navigation of the mountainous roads. Since I am posting this, it is safe to assume that we made it home in one piece. No close encounters with the railings along the different passes, and no close encounters with the four legged friends of Yellowstone National park. Just a passenger that tries to take too many photos!

We did nearly have an issue with our gas tank though. This was the first time we road the Honda Goldwing with the Bushtec trailer across several mountain ranges. Up and down. Up and down. And nearly not all the way UP one time. Luckily we found a gas station at a resort just before we were going to have to coast all the way down! Price was nearly a dollar more per gallon, but that is better than the alternative.

We did see more wildlife this time than in the past. Many falcons and turkeys along the roadways. Luckily they new better to stay out of the middle of the road. Not so good for one lonely cow who decided it wanted to go for a walk out in the middle of Hwy 212. Traffic very sparse in that part of South Dakota, so we were able to avoid him.

Many of the mountain passes still had snow from last winter. There were even fresh ski tracks in places where those crazy ski bums chose to full fill their need for speed on snow. I was quite content sitting on my heated seat and taking in the view.

Jim was kind enough to stop at three quilt shops while on the trip. This particular shop was just east of Red Lodge Montana, out in the middle of the mountains. Husband is a retired airline pilot and collects antique cars. Wife owns a quilt shop. Seems fair.

2011 trip

Jim and our Honda Goldwing pulling the Bushtec trailer.

Looking over Jim's shoulder towards Beartooth Pass before heading into Cooke City Montana.

Signs in front of our hotel in Cooke City directing us to remote locations of the globe. Fun town. Who would want to leave?

One of the many scenic stops through the mountain passes. Jim quite happy to see all the snow.

Scrabble

Has anyone ever made a Scrabble quilt? I have seen quilt boards for other games like Monopoly and Life. But never Scrabble. That might be fun to try.

Summer in pictures

Even though the purpose for this blog was craft related, I decided early on that it would also document our family. Many family members and close friends look towards this blog to keep up to date on our activity.

After multiple attempts trying to download photos from a new camera, I finally got it to work. Over the next several days, I will post images. Best part of our lives. Family and friends.

More Summer

Great ice cream in Stillwater Minnesota with Aunt Carrie. A must!

Feed my starving children. Filling food bags with Girl Scouts.

Ice cream with great grandparents after soccer tourney. Thanks!!!

Out for a stroll with great grandma.

Cousins training for triathlons. Good going!!!

Summer, summer and more summer

Our golf prodigy.

Ice cream again. This time in Excelsior. Yum!

Kayaking on Minnetonka.

More Inspiration

Stained glass windows are always a wonderful source of inspiration for quilters, and vice versa.

Love these windows made by a local artist.

Inspiration

Have you ever been someplace and come across a design you want to make into a quilt? This summer I toured the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Saw these amazing tiles in part of the clinic.

Tried to take a few photos with my cellphone. Inspiration for a quilt? Someday? Hope so.

My find!

Each year our local guild has a picnic in July. Great time, wonderful food, and for the past several years, a auction of UFOs. Everyone brings their projects that they no longer want. Those that will never be finished. Those that no longer have a home. Those that we are frustrated with. Most end up with a new home, after a lively few minutes of bidding.

This year I gave my unfinished jacket to the cause. Homespuns and stars. Many pieces quilted. But it has sat in my sewing room for nearly 15 years, and I finally realized it would never be finished. So off to the auction it went.

During our picnic we have a chance to look over the tables full of UFOs. Eye those that we think could have a new home. Decide which one is that special project that we would finish. I helped during the auction, showing the wonderful projects. Some I wouldn't look at twice. Others I couldn't believe were even in the auction.

One of those was a group of blue and white blocks, along with a border print. I knew I had to bring it home. And after some nervous bidding, they did come home with me. Little did I realize that I didn't have any blue and white fabrics to add to the blocks. So during the Minnesota Shop Hop, I located a few fabrics to add to the blocks. Can't wait to see the finished quilt!

Summer garden

How many of you have a perennial garden? How many of you know where every single plant is located? Know which are weeds? Know where you can plant new plants?

I thought I knew. But when those plants started to come up, I began to question whether or not they were perennials or weeds. Tried taking photos and making a drawn map. Will that help for next year? Hope so.

July 4th

Our day at Groveland Assembly Grounds begins with the flag raising. This year the local VFW post presented the colors. Minnetonka High School quartet sang. A wonderful way to begin the day.

It was followed by the neighborhood parade. This year's theme was "Big Screen, Little Screen and everything in between!" So we did just that. Dressed as screens. Everyone had a grand time.

Then it was time for the races. Categories for every age from toddlers to adults. Always a big deal for the kids. Everything from running, three legged races, shoe flipping, and the egg toss.

More races

Kevin and Lucas running the men's race around the lakeshore.

John and Haley running the wheelbarrow race.

Three legged racing by Haley with Kevin, and Lucas with Rasmus.

Summertime at the lake

July 4th festivities last for several days at Groveland Assembly Grounds. This year I was lucky to have relatives from Denmark here for a visit. On July 3rd, we sat down by the lake, sang songs, and ate s'mores. A wonderful evening for all.

New pillows

I made a quilt for my parents using oriental fabrics. My mom asked me to make pillow covers to go with the quilt. Luckily I had a bag of the red fabrics used in the quilt. All precut into strips for the different blocks.

I decided there was no need to make the same blocks over again for the pillows. You wouldn't be able to notice them. I think they will look wonderful with the quilt.

South Dakota quilt

I have tried to make a quilt for each one of my nieces and nephews when they get married. I am behind on several of the quilts, as I had five to make in less than two years. Very frustrating for me, as I truly don't like giving belated gifts. Two of those five quilts have been delivered. Two more are ready to be quilted. Last one is in the piecing process. These wedding occurred in 2007 to 2009. Do they still remember that a quilt is coming? I hope so.

Fast forward to 2011. With my husband's side of the family covered, or the quilts are in the process of completion, I figured I had a few years before my brother's children would marry. Not the case. My niece married this past weekend. My nephew is getting married next year. Dare I make them quilts? Will they move in line with other quilts being made? Can I break this cycle?

I decided I couldn't add another wedding quilt to the list of unfinished quilts. Instead I made myself pick a pattern that I knew could be completed soon. And I picked fabrics that read "South Dakota", where my niece and her husband live. It definitely reminds me of that region. And it was finished and delivered on their wedding day. One quilt that won't go in the line of WIPs.