Happy August!

Here it is almost the end of August 2011. I have been sitting here the past hour or so trying to get my photos downloaded. If it isn't one thing it is another. I am trying to keep things sorted on my SD card for the Temple pictures and also trying to sort and label the pictures that are in my computer already. What a task I have started for myself! On to the fun stuff!

Last weekend we went to Kanab, UT for the Western Legends Round-UP. We met a few new stars and got their autographs. That also reminds me that I need to find the October western Festival information that goes on down here in the valley for one of the actors we met.

Well, Carl got signatures from Ruta Lee, James Stacy, James Hampton, Paul Peterson and Cathy Garver this year. I took pictures of all of them at the booths they were in, but didn't realize until later that I had my camera on video instead of pictures. So I will need to get them downloaded and try and capture a couple stills. What a cool bunch of  actors! Ruta Lee knows how to smooze! We went to 'Breakfast with the Stars' (as usual) and she was out talking with everybody and just having a grand old time! All were friendly and talkative.

Here is Carl with his outfit. Ruta told him that he looked 'comfortable' as a cowboy......

This was after breakfast. We were standing outside just 'chatting' with the stars. James Stacy, Ruta Lee and Paul Peterson

James Stacy played in, 'Something Wicked This Way Comes', Carl's favorite movie with James. James had an acting career then had a motorcycle accident. He lost his lower left arm and leg because of the accident and still went on to play in the above movie. 

Then we went to a Pow-Wow at the reservation near Fredonia. What beautiful Regalia! The feather and bead work was amazing! We had to get permission or as they requested a 'blessing' to take and post pictures of the individuals. I took several, but will only post a few with the participants 'blessings'.

These two warriors had fantastic Regalia and you could tell they spent a lot of time and thought making them. This was a music and dance competition. I couldn't tell much difference with the music as it had the same beat and was mostly drums, but each dance was unique.

This outfit caught my eye right off. For 2 reasons. First because of the color and second because of the dance itself. How this man was able to keep dancing around and around and not loose track of his feet was amazing!

Here is great picture of the back. They stopped and were waiting for the next drummers to start.

Here is the same man with his niece. They were both out dancing together. 

Here is another that caught my eye. When I first noticed this man he was sitting right in front of me and I could not miss it. Look at all the feathers and ribbons!

Here he is dancing. 

Here is a little girl. Very simple outfit with bells and beads. Her hair was french braided and she was so cute. 

All ages were out there dancing. There were 3 young men that must have either been close brothers or friends. They were dancing together and having a great time. There was every color of the rainbow from feathers to ribbons. Most everybody had bells on, some only a few but others to numerous to count. Some of the outfits were elaborate and others very simple. One little guy just had a bead breast plate, brown pants and a yellow loin cloth on. He was working so hard to keep his feet straight and doing what he wanted them to do. You could tell that his dance was a work in progress.

Of course this is what our boys liked the best at Western Legends...... The bounce house, the slide and the rock climbing wall. 

At least we got some 'get up and go' to 'get up and go'.....

As usual we had a grand time up north. We just wish it could have been longer. Carl got vacation all week and I couldn't. So, we only went up for the weekend. As usual it was jam packed with things to see and places to be.

Now I'm off to update my quilting and Temple areas, so if you feel the need to see the quilts that were on display and also to see how the Temple is progressing hop on over!

Until next time, 

Happy Quilting, Sharon

 "Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

Picnics!

Several weeks ago Carl & I started going on Sunday picnics. On our way back from Wickenburg on our first time out and about we returned the 'back' way. It is interesting to see this silver 'dome' so far away. Where I took this picture we were about 1 to 1 1/2 hours drive from this 'dome'. The 'dome' is the home of the Cardinals, our football team. The 'dome' is the stadium. You can see that silly thing for miles and miles. Check out more pictures of the stadium here.

Then this past weekend we wanted to go to Lake Pleasant, but they charge just to go in and we decided we didn't want to spend the money just for an hour or two. On our journey finding all of the entrances to the lake we ran across a pull off and that is where we ended up having our picnic. We were glad that we did. This is the second time that we have seen a wild burro on our travels. If you remember our anniversary trip to the Hoover Dam last year we came upon a burro. This young man sure did look nice. We didn't notice until I downloaded the pictures that he has a sore on his left front leg. He sure didn't walk like he had any problems.

He just walked across the road watching us to make sure we didn't want him for anything. After he disappeared into the cacti and brush I figured we wouldn't see him again. We were sitting in the back seat of the car eating when I happened to look into the rear view mirror and caught a glimpse of him again. He just did a detour around us to get where he was going. If you look real close in the center of this picture you can just about see him. He kept right on walking and we never did see him again after this. I really like to see the wild life when we are out and about. You can't imagine the number of things that you miss when you are just zipping down the road. Several vehicles sped past on their way to the lake while we were there. All I could think of was that they didn't know what they had missed. Of course not many would have cared either.

It is so nice to be able to enjoy the small things in life. Our picnics only cost us time and a little bit of gas, but we are seeing some interesting things. Sometimes we manage to see nothing but desert and other times we see one of God's creatures. Both are beautiful in their own way.

While you are here check out the new Temple pictures. Slow, but steady progress going on each week.

Happy Quilting, Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

Happy Sunday!

How is everybody today? I am doing fine. Still hot, but know that it's on the way out! I have pictures to download for the Temple and a link or two to find and share. When I get them done I'll be back and post for all to see.

Until then, see ya'!

Happy Quilting, Sharon "Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

Hot, lazy Wednesday afternoon!

Good evening everybody!

How is everybody tonight? Probably as hot as I am. I know that Arizona is suppose to be hot during the summer, but this year seems to be hotter than normal. Our spring was great, but now that monsoon season is here we are getting paid back..... Have you seen the Youtube videos on our Haboob? Yeah, it's a weird name.... It is a rolling wall of dust marching across the land. I didn't actually watch it as it happened, just on the internet afterwards. The dust stayed in the air for a long time afterwards and makes some people have a very hard time breathing. For me at work it is suppose to be a quiet time, but we are so busy none of us have a minute to get the little extra things done. 

I have not had much ambition to do anything in the quilting room, but did manage to find a treadle sewing machine a couple weeks ago. After seeing all of the neat treadles on one of my quilt forums I decided I really like the Singer Redeye machines. I didn't find it first, Carl pointed it out to me. Both the machine and cabinet need some work, but that will happen when the heat index goes down.....

Here is my new baby, meet 'Miss Elizabeth'.

I should have taken picture of the cabinet open, but forgot. On the left side the door opens and it has 4 drawers, on the right the doors are hiding the treadle wheel. Everything moves smooth, so I shouldn't have any problem getting this up and running. I know I am crazy, but these machines are so neat. Yes, I am going to use them when I get them up and running. I already use my Featherweight! I have even taken my little Ms. Gem on it's first outing to a friends house to help with one of her sewing projects. Ms. Gem puts a mean zipper in!

Have a great night and I'll talk with you all later. Also, don't forget to check out the update on the Temple!

Happy Quilting, Sharon 

"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

July 2011

Good morning everyone!

How are all of you doing? I have to tell you that on one of my quilting groups I have been told that we have less than 6 months to get our Christmas projects done....... :) No, I do not have any started or even planned at this point. BUT, I must get busy.....

Today I stopped procrastinating and got my pictures of the Temple site downloaded and added on into the Temple page. I hope you enjoy watching the progress of this building as much as I am.

Another thing that I finally stopped procrastinating about was a phone call. For the past several months I have been thinking of my last living Aunt and I just bit the bullet and called her. It is amazing the memories that flood the brain when you hear a voice over the telephone line. As a kid we use to have get togethers with all of the family from time to time on holidays. There was never a formal 'reunion' each year after I was older, but just 4th of July picnics, weddings and of course funerals. Now, Aunt Lillian was my favorite Aunt. Why?, you may ask. Well, the most important reason was I was never just a kid around her. When she would ask a question she really wanted to know the answer. Of course I also had lots of fun when I stayed at her house. I loved her house on Balmore Way the best. It had great wood floors and a long hall to slide down, LOL. I'm not sure if she ever knew how much fun i has when I was there. Also, the cellar was full of neat 'stuff'. She was a Stanley dealer for many years and that is where she stored all her supplies. I also can't forget Sylvester..... Who is Sylvester you ask? Well, he was probably the meanest Siamese cat you ever laid eyes on! I have a feeling he was that way because he was picked on quite a bit...... He use to hide under the tea cart just next to the kitchen door and grab your ankles as you walked through. Boy, did he have sharp claws! I don't ever remember that cat ever sitting on anybody's lap and being petted. I know any time I tried being nice to him he either clawed or bit me. Ah, the memories!

Until next time.

Happy Quilting, Sharon 

"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

Happy June!

This is the last weekend of June 2011. Can you believe that the first half of the year is GONE? Where did it go?

What did I accomplish in the 55th year of my time on this earth?

One thing I have accomplished is to post more here. Is everybody tired of hearing from me yet? That's to bad, LOL!

Last week we bit the bullet and bought a new (to us) car and traded in the van. So far it gets about 24 miles per gallon around town and gets us where we need to go. The fella that sold it to us said, "Well, what do you think?" I guess he thought we should be really excited about a 2007 Saturn Ion and was a little disappointed when I said, "It's a car with 4 wheels and runs." Now, if we had been buying a Sebring convertible that would have been a different story.

Carl and I went 'bowling' tonight. We have so much fun playing Wii. I have gotten into riding my bicycle around the country side. It's a good thing on some of the ride there is fences because I can't seem to drive in a straight line most of the time. I also have fun pretending to be a duck and fly from post to post out to the ship.... Now, the balance games are something else. I can't keep my balance for anything! I always feel like I am gonna' fall over. I'll keep trying, but hold out little hope that I'll get those games right!

I posted new pics of the Temple site. So glad to see progress!

And of course I have been working on quilting 'stuff' too!

I guess that is all I have for tonight. I'll be back in a few day so don't say you haven't been forewarned!

Happy Quilting, Sharon 

"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

Lazy Night!

How is everybody doing tonight? It is a lazy Monday night here. I have been surfing the net reading all of my quilt forums and seeing what trouble I can get into next :)

I have a grand-daughter that needs to have a quail stuffed animal for school next year (the school year starts in mid August around here). I did a little search tonight, but what I found was UGLY... really, really ugly! So if anybody has any ideas where we can find either a inexpensive ready made quail or a pattern please leave me a comment. I sure would appreciate it!

Other than playing on our Wii tonight I have been a computer potato, you know instead of a couch potato in front of the TV I have been a potato in front of the computer.

You remember the pictures of my tomato plants? Well, tonight we had BLT sandwiches with our own tomatoes! Boy, did they taste good! Next year we will have to start our plant earlier so maybe they will ripen sooner. There are a few more that need to ripen just a little bit more and we just may get to have another supper of BLT's. When I was a kid I would not touch a tomato. The only way I would eat them was in spaghetti, goulash, or sloppy joes. I still won't eat them just plain with salt, pepper and mayo on them like my Mom did. So, I guess I have 'grown up' a little by eating them in a sandwich of some sort. I remember my Mom frying green tomatoes every spring. All I can say about that is, "Yuck"!

Have a great week everybody! I am off to bed so I can be 'bright eyed and bushy tailed' for work tomorrow.

Happy Quilting, Sharon 

 "Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009