Quick Trip Home

My daughter had an interview in Syracuse this past weekend and I was able to slip home for a few days. On the way home from the airport, I made my usual stop at the thrift store on Ritchie Highway:-

I purchased a set of 3 mixing bowls in my pattern

I added 3 quilting books to my stash

Snatched  up a magazine and cross stitch pamphlet 

 It was just as cold home as it was in Boston.

Waves frozen  

The river is frozen all the way across. 

Buddy went the groomer's. We followed guinea hens all the way up the driveway to the door.

Let us in -- cold out here

Then we went over to Dover to shop at Bylers and to go the Amish quilt store.

Delaware Amish buggies are very different from Lancaster buggies.

Finally, on Saturday, I was able to piece a little. I crocheted the spindle doily and replaced the original toe pedal with a new foot pedal. 

I am working of a QID scrap quilt from Tales of First Ladies.

After Christmas 2013

We were all worn out after Christmas --

Buddy in Christmas coma

I finished AJ's pillow for his office --

I upholstered the stool too!

And managed some quality time stitching on my featherweight --

My favorite spot to work

Flew back to Boston too soon and set up shop before the snow and polar vortex blew in.

Beginning of Hercules and my walk around the reservoir

Start of another pillow to match AJ's flannel quilt

Need to cut lots of strips for 16-patch blocks

Organized and ready to piece together

Put together a UFO

Start of another UFO to finish

Before Christmas 2013

Here are some of the my finishes before I flew home.

My design from $2 block kits found in the Goodwill

A 3 yard quilt I made larger with the borders 

A Patchability kit that Anne Marie picked out on a visit to NY

I had this kit forever -- made ito a pillow for AJ.

Our Christmas tree for the apartment

I did a lot of  knitting before I left.

Wristlets and hat for Anne Marie, tube scarf and fingerless mitts

Scarf for Thomas

Hat, scarf, and mittens for me

Christmas 2013

I flew home from Boston on 12/21 and flew back on New Years Day. AJ and Buddy picked me up from the airport.

Buddy groomed and dressed for Christmas

This year I decided to get a live Christmas tree. I decorated it with shore ornaments and glass balls from AJ's childhood. The tree is planted in our back yard now.

So I spent some of the 10 days doing some thrifting:

Lots of cross stitch items

Quilt magazines, a pattern, and kit!

I left my hard copy of this cookbook in Boston so I was so happy to pick this up for $0.85.

WIPS and Finishes

Here is some of the items I have finished or am working on while in Boston.

Quilt I am piecing - note the shower curtain doubles as a design wall

AJ's flannel quilt-- pieced

Table runner from block kits I found at the Goodwill store

Almost finished -- $5 kit from Tuesday Morning -- with my own twist

Hand quilted --  $2 vintage kit from thrift store in Alpine, TX

This will be our Christmas tree in the apartment. It will have lights

Anne Marie's chevron mitts, a hat to match, mitts for the boys and a tube scarf

Vintage afghan kit to crochet -- just put it in a matching basket

Cape Cod Trip

Our first Saturday trip was Cape Cod. Anne Marie, Thomas, and I packed a lunch for the beach.
First stop was the Water Street Cafe in Plymouth for breakfast.

We parked in front of this house.

Plymouth Rock

The harbor -- I love how the boats are moored.

This is a replica of the Mayflower

Next stop was the Jo Ann fabric store where I bought baskets and thread for $5. It took us awhile to get to our beach destiny with a stop at Snow's Home and Garden Center and another stop at the Yarn Basket. ( I love that the owner tossed me the yarn I wanted to purchase!)

Finally, Head of the Meadows Beach.

This lab enjoyed the water and I enjoyed watching her.

At the top of the path, you could see all the dunes.

Too late! We read about the shark alert as we were leaving.

We decided to do some more exploring and took a side trip to the Highland Lighthouse. The area was under going preparations for a wedding.

Awesome lighthouse -- I could live there.

That is Anne Marie and Thomas up top in the lantern room

Before Boston

Before I moved to Boston, I worked on some projects---

Wound lots of yarn to take with me

Vintage blocks 

Cut a new quilt

Finished some potholders

Made dish towels

Started knitting a scarf with this beautiful yarn