Signs of The End of Summer (Seaside, OR)

In Just One Day

I finally understand how my parents felt about December 7, 1941.  40 years later, they often talked about how they felt, the uncertainty of what would become of America, and for the first time, someone dared to attack us on our own homeland.  They never forgot that feeling of vulnerability with a strength of every US citizen putting aside their differences and coming together to keep our country safe.

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I can tell you exactly what I was doing and thinking the moment of impact of the second plane.  Never forget?  It feels like it happened yesterday.  I don't think the day will ever come that I will forget the loss, the heroes, the devastation, and not get emotional.  9/11 changed our lives forever.  Remember?  I am reminded everyday that tomorrow can never be taken for granted.

Taking a Walk

Here's what I was trying to post the last two times.  Just some photos from our walks at the campground in Pacific City.  We finally got out of the "no signal black-hole" on Monday.  We are back in Seaside for the next two weeks.  So nice to be connected once again to the world.

When we saw this sign, we thought it was the end of summer.  For most of the week, the campground was quiet....then Friday came with all the people.  They were back.  Why waste a perfectly good weekend sitting at home when they can be camping near the beach?

The rabbits and the cats were enjoying the peace and quiet during the week.  The rabbits came out to greet us during our walks.  Of course, having some carrots didn't hurt.

We see food dishes set out by the workers and some of the regular campers.  Plus, the campground store sells rabbit feed, so they are very use to being hand fed.  Not spoiled at all.

You would think the rabbits would have a weight problem with all the food we see, but they always seem delighted to have another carrot.

During the quiet time, we started to see and hear more birds.  I should start carrying my big lens to get some photos, but I have been lazy.  We watched eight robins take a bath in a mud puddle.  

We have heard from other campers that the black bears have been busy at night as well.  Even with the abundance of berries to eat, they still find the garbage interesting.

This is the only wooded path inside the campground.  We walk it everyday for the steps and for the wood's view with a stream.

On The Cutting Board

With no internet connection, I had plenty of time to get some sewing done.

I finished five UFO mug rugs so far.  The pigs were designed by Fayette Terlouw and I made them into mug rugs with 'Hogs and Kisses' on the back.

I finished the four below during last weekend.  The witches and cat are designed by Nancy Halvorsen.  I wanted to make the pumpkin black cat more interesting by adding a spider web.  The Mummy mug rugs are my design using ripped up natural muslin for the bandages.  What do you think of my Mummy mug rugs?

I can't believe I finished nine mug rugs within two weeks.  They were already fused together so that saved some time.

Time to take some photos for my Etsy shop so I can get them posted.

Happy Quilting!

The Double Cross (Pacific City, OR)

Travel Day!  We are moving south to Newport, OR.  We spent time at this RV park before and I loved it.  We will be close to the beach again and near place to explore.

Robin is getting some tail wind.

Here are a couple of photos of the wild rabbits in this RV park in Pacific City.  Don't they look like domestic rabbits?

How cute am I?

I bent down to watched them and even the babies came hopping up to me.  Of course, they were looking for a handout even though someone has fed them already.  They are so cute!

Baby bunnies everywhere!

And here's a couple of beach views.  This one looks towards Pacific City and the tall dune we have to climb over to get to town.  Yea, we decided it was easier to take the car and not fill our shoes with sand.

The one below is part of the dune.  People are all over this area, but I'm not so sure I want to crawl around on the rocks.  I'll stick to taking pictures..

A walk on the beach

Sigh....It is going to be hard to go back to Arizona after a summer on the NW coast.

The Double Cross: A Someday Quilts Mystery by Clare O'Donohue

I am so in love with this series!  I hope Clare plans to write many more Someday Quilts Mysteries!  I barely finished this one and I am already reading The Devil's Puzzle: A Someday Quilts Mystery.

Nell, her grandmother - Eleanor, and Suzanne have been asked to help with the opening of a new quilt resort.  How exciting!  While Suzanne teaches a class, Eleanor will help with opening a quilt shop at the resort.

This one is filled with so many twists it was amazing I could keep them straight.  I figured out the killer quickly, but Clare did a wonderful job of making me doubt myself.

One thing that was addressed in this story was some men's attitudes towards quilters and getting asked that most irritating and condescending question:  Why cut up perfectly good fabric and sew it back together?  I usually answer with I make them prettier and more useful.  Who wants to wrap themselves in a couple of yards of cotton on a cold winter's night?

Lots of quilt talk, bizarre happenings, strange characters, and a murder to solve keeps this story moving in constant motion.

Happy Quilting!

Exploring the Three Capes (Pacific City, OR)

We drove the three Capes Route.  It was very scenic.  My favorite was the Three Arch Rocks in the ocean which has been a National Wildlife Refuge since the early 1900s.

There was some serious road work just outside Oceanside.  While we were waiting our turn, this was our view.  I played tourist and hung out the car window taking photos.

We have been to Cape Meares State Park before, but I love going there for the scenic views and for the lighthouse.  This is the shortest lighthouse in Oregon.  I love it's location.  I tried to get a good photo of the Three Arch Rocks from the lighthouse, but the low lying clouds were not cooperating.

Near the lighthouse is the Octopus Tree - another hard subject to photograph.  The sign says the Sitka Spruce is about 250-300 years old.

Okay, one move view of the coast before I move on...

On The Cutting Board

So, when I am not out seeing the sights, I have been hand-quilting the Gift Shop sign.  About halfway through, I was beginning to wish I had used the sewing machine.  It was taking longer than I had planned.  Now that I am done, I'm glad I did not.

Well, off to work on adding a border and attaching the autumn leaf.

Happy Quilting!

Be Very "Bear Aware" (Pacific City, OR)

Before we left Seaside, we spent one afternoon at Cannon Beach.  I wanted to see the Haystack and get some photos of it.  There was a heavy mist hanging over the beach, but that did not dampen the spirits of the beach visitors.  People walking up and down the beach, flying kites, and playing in the surf.

This Dad has his own way of keeping his son fit.  They were playing catch the kite.

This is what I came for - the Haystack.  Even the heavy mist with the sun peeking out added a great atmosphere to the beach photos.

Pacific City

We got a great spot this time considering it is high tourist season and there were not that many open spaces when we got here.  Timing is everything.  Not only did we get full hook-ups, I have cable TV!  Yea!  I can watch something else besides our DVDs or a fuzzy antenna channel.  sigh...so nice!

The Welcome sign says 'Be Very "Bear Aware"'.  We were warned not to leave any food outside our motorhome.  Lots of wildlife in the area - bear, raccoon, and rabbits.  So far, we have only seen rabbits, but I am keeping my eye out for bears.  The rabbits are not shy and some will start towards you if they think you have food.

Our site is a short walk across the road and down a semi-steep dune.  We can hear the ocean while we are sitting outside.  It is so nice to be this close to the sea.  The beach has some interesting rock formations.  Great for exploring and photos...of course.

Looking towards Pacific City

We are about 3 miles north of Pacific City by road.  By beach, we can walk there in less than 2 miles.

Last photo for today.  The owner had a ball that he was throwing for his dog.  That dog had eyes for nothing else.  We walked by.  Another dog and owner walked by and all that dog did was tell his owner: "Throw the ball!  Throw the Ball!"

A man and his dog

Happy Trails!