Bit and pieces

We are all now in a holding pattern, waiting for the baby to make her entrance into this world. Her mom is more than ready for her to arrive, after long months on bed rest. Her dad is scheduled to leave on November 12 for his next jobs, this time far down in Baja California, with no easy access to transportation back here. I am scheduled to return to NM in a few weeks. We all thought she'd be here by now. As if we hadn't already guessed earlier this summer, this girl clearly has a mind of her own.

My mom's name was Rosemary...which will be the baby's middle name. I suddenly realized the other night that mom's birthday is Monday...November 1...and would have been her 100th birthday had she lived. I am harboring a hope that little Maddy arrives Monday, and maybe, just maybe, my mom is watching this all unfold.

Knowing I will leave soon, I'm trying to be extra productive with every moment that I have at home. I've been following a blog called Bumble Beans this summer, and one of the fun things that she loves to do is use scraps to sew quilt blocks. The method she uses is to sew the scraps to an old page out of a phone book, and keep building on that until you've covered the paper. I started out thinking I'd do a block a day, and then that old devil took hold of me and I obsessed until I stopped myself at 30 blocks. I'm hoping to have them in a finished quilt top by the end of this weekend...here are some photos of the works in progress.

Have a good weekend!

A summer love

It started innocently enough...but then, it always does, doesn't it. I couldn't help myself; once I started to fall, I fell hard. I was once again a woman possessed...barely able to sleep or force myself to do my daily jobs. All I wanted to do was be with my new love.

First, I found the bird of paradise fabric on sale. CHEAP. I knew I needed it, I just didn't know why. Then one of my comrades in fabric crimes, Liz, started handing me the batik fabrics to go with it. Next thing I knew, I was spiraling out of control, combing remnant bins for batik scraps, shopping on Etsy for more. The anticipation was building...I soon had enough to get started.

Inspired by a Kaffe Fassett design, I started cutting and sewing. The piecing went pretty fast. Then I got to the juicy part...the machine quilting. Using some of the free form quilting designs from Leah Day's website, I began with her "rain forest leaf" pattern in the center of each block. I worked like a wild woman, every chance I could. I quilted from the center out, ending with her "bamboo" design on the border. I've included a detail photo of the back so you can see how that came out. I'm super excited.

Yesterday, after a few hugs, it was time to part with my love. It went to someone else I love, and will be loved there. What better way to end a great summer?

The miners

Like many of you, I have been checking in hourly on the amazing progress of the rescue of those heroic Chilean miners. Listening to the CNN talking head earlier, I was reminded that those men were down there for an entire two weeks before they even knew if they'd ever be discovered, let alone, saved. Can you imagine????

It has been fascinating to hear the personal stories of each man. I was particularly touched by the story of the man who, from the beginning, had the presence of mind to keep a journal. The fact that they were able to set up their own little society and run it so efficiently is impressive, considering many of us can't seem to manage to get it together so well some days. These men could be role models for all of us, especially the politicians that have such nasty political ads running during this pre-election time. These men are the epitome of grace under pressure.

I hope Time Magazine considers using them as their "Men of the Year" this year...they deserve that title, and so much more. My heart goes out to all of them, and their loved ones...and how wonderful it has been to turn the television on and hear some good news for a change!

(Photo courtesy of L.A. Times.com, please please please don't come and get me for using your wonderful picture...I couldn't help myself!)

Sea changes

Sorry to be so long between postings. Things have been moving quickly around here. Mr. Sunflower was here for a much needed one week visit and our tenant of seven years moved out...so I was busy cleaning and making that space ready for my friend Konny to come and visit for a few days.

Her visit last week was wonderful for both of us. The tides were quite high and conversely, quite low. We walked on the beach each of the three afternoons she was here, combing the reef and tide pools, collecting shells long since vacated by their owners. The tide pool in this particular photograph had not only the sea anemones, but if you look closely, little snail shells that were all occupied by busy little hermit crabs. It was just magical.

Walking the reef those days, it was hard not to compare the experience of those tides with our own lives, and the changes that come, no matter what we want. I've now been here almost 6 months, the baby is due within weeks, and yet again, I see changes in myself I never dreamed I'd see. It's all very wonderful.