Thursday, September 3, 2015

Really Random Thursday, 9/3/15

Mark and I were up at Huntington Lake last week, where we used to be part of the owner group of rental cabins. We hadn't been there for several years and it was nice to be able to just relax. Mark was only able to stay for two nights but I stayed from Saturday until Friday morning.

I like to travel in style, 31 style, that is. I'm telling you--all these totes we have purchased from our daughter-in-law, Christa, are awesome! This isn't even all of them.
We celebrated Mark's birthday. And I failed to take pictures. But we did celebrate with these--I drank a Coke with my BFF, and he drank a Coke with his Better Half. :)
The water in the lake is really low.
So low, in fact, that mid week our friend George got his pickup stuck. But I'm married to a Minnesota farm boy, who knows all kinds of things. Mark was back home by the time the truck got stuck, but I called him and he recommended putting pieces of plywood underneath each wheel for traction. Worked like a charm!

In ordinary years, there would be no vehicles near the shore.Now they are all over the place.
And because of the huge forest fire fairly close by, the air quality was awful.
There are mountains there in the background. Trust me.
My laptop had totally crashed the first full day we were there. I had planned to do some computer work (i.e., catch up on blog reading) but that obviously didn't happen. So my Juki kept me company and I started a new quilt. I took the blocks out for various photo ops: on the rock right outside the cabin:
On a nearby bench:
And with a view of the water, such as it is:
I can't even begin to tell you the story behind this. Something to do with a pair of abandoned shoes we saw along the side of the road. So George made it for one of the guests, Barry. I told Barry he would be part of a quilting blog today (which I'm sure thrilled him to pieces), so if you are reading this, Barry, Hi!!


The bottom of my shoe felt kind of sticky and I thought I had stepped in some tree pitch. I turned it over. Pitch was the least of my problems! Time to buy new shoes, I think. Seriously. How could I not have noticed this before?
When I drove back down to Fresno on Friday morning, there was no view to be seen. So you will just have to trust me when I say there is a valley on the other side of that barrier and then lots of trees.
And a couple of days ago I had the best time with the little ones. I have been carting this dice  game (Left, Right, Center) around for months, and in that time it has traveled to three states! It requires three people and for some reason I have never played it. So yesterday Gabe and I decided it was time to play the game. Bella the Cow was happy to be our third partner.
Ah, it's good to be home.

What has been happening in your life?

8 comments:

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Celtic Thistle said... #

Your hubby sure is one handy man to have around Cindy!
Love the photos of the quilt blocks, the one on the bench is my favourite.

Needled Mom said... #

LRC is one of our favorite games when we gather. It is such a kick!

Wow....the lake is really low, isn't it? Hopefully, that will change this year.

Love those blocks, Cindy.....in all settings!

Wacky Woman said... #

Having grown up in Fresno I have spent a lot of time at Huntington and Shaver Lake. So sad to see it so low. Shaver Lake must also be down a lot. Great blocks.

Farm Quilter said... #

Your pictures of Huntington Lake could be just about any lake anywhere west of the Rockies! As well as your pictures driving home, with all the fires burning all over here. So very sad to see the empty lakes and fires destroying all the forests, farms and communities...we definitely need a record-setting winter this year with lots of snow! Love the pictures of your new quilt blocks - really going to make a striking quilt!!!

Susan said... #

Nothing as exciting as what's happening in yours, obviously! You sure know how to get your value from shoes! Love those new blocks- very striking!

Anne / Springleaf Studios said... #

Happy Birthday to Mark. I'm jealous you got away. We have been really lame this summer after saying we would get out more.

OPQuilt said... #

Too fun--loved getting the write-up of your time at the lake, including seeing a goofy gun holder made out of a shoe (sorry, but true). Your life always seems so busy and filled with fun--how do you ever find time to sew??

Amanda Jean said... #

I just love your really random Thursdays! Happy belated birthday to Mark! and I LOVE that bella the cow was your 3rd player in the game. so funny! miss you, lady! xo