Yodel-Le-He-Hoo!

One of my husband's and mine's favorite places to go when in Washington is the Bavarian town of Leavenworth. Leavenworth is nestled on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains, just 30 minutes from Steven's Pass. In the 1960's, this railway town was transformed into a Bavarian-themed city, in hopes of bringing in year-round tourism. Well, it worked!! Needless to say, not only did hubby and I enjoy the trip, but I think a good percentage of the state's population was there as well!! It was very crowded to say the least!

Leavenworth was just finishing up it's "Arts in the Park" series for the summer, so we were able to take in some of the traditional German music, as well as arts and crafts booths set up in the park.
Shopping in the shops was fun, too, but so many of them seemed the same!! Leavenworth does have a quilt shop, although quite small, but it doubles as a bed and breakfast that holds quilt retreats and such. I was able to find a fun pattern in this shop!




While strolling the streets of Leavenworth, we happened upon an ice cream shop that actually had "no sugar added" ice cream!! I was able to have a scoop of the Huckleberry Heaven! WOW...it was fantastic! "Heaven" was just about right on this one!! LOL!!! Huckleberries grow wild in the Cascade Mountains, and huckleberry products are found in almost all of the tourist-y places (gift shops, airports, Leavenworth!!). Huckleberries are yummy!







And, finally, what trip to eastern Washington would be complete without some Wenatchee grown Bing Cherries! These are soooo much bigger, and sweeter, than the ones in the grocery store in the Midwest! These little beauties were bigger than a quarter!

Oh, Washington, My Home...

...Yes, that is the state song!! Spent a week in Seattle...well, not Seattle proper, mostly in Woodinville, where my in-laws live, but most would not know where I was unless I say Seattle!! Woodinville is on the "east side" of Seattle. Before our big move to Missouri in 1994, we lived in Duvall, another "east side" community, set in the foothills of the Cascade mountains. It was a rural community, filled with dairy farms. Now it is a suburb, with all but a few of the farms still in existence. But it is still beautiful country! Just a 30 minute drive up the valley from Duvall sits the town of Snoqualmie. What makes Snoqualmie famous is the Falls!! Just had to go and take in their beauty. There is a wonderfull lodge (Salish Lodge) that you can see to the top, left of the Falls, that has a fabulous breakfast! Wasn't able to partake this time, but will make it a stop on the next trip!




I managed to get in a mini shop hop of my own while home! Went to quilt shops in Duvall, Monroe, Woodinville, Redmond, and Bothell. Keepsake Cottage Fabrics, in Bothell, was by far my favorite. This shop is small, but every inch of space was used! Lots and lots of great fabrics and quilts on display. They even had a room devoted to 30's reproduction fabrics!! I brought home lots of goodies!

A Sweet Companion

Our sweet "little" Merfie O'Gracie has died! Merf, an Irish Wolfhound, was our son's dog. She was such a love. Irish Wolfhounds are a large breed dog (known as "Gentle Giants"), and Merf was "small" for her breed at 140 lbs. and a little under 6' in height! But she was 140 lbs of lovin'!! She loved human contact, and would lean into you when you stood near her. If you were to sit next to her, she thought she was a small lap dog, and tried to sit on you! What a sight that was! She loved BIG trucks and tractors that went down our street. She galloped after them like a clumsy horse! She will be missed, and remembered fondly!

We're Off!!

We're on our way to Seattle to visit with my mother- and father-in-law, extended family and friends! The photo is from 1985, on the ocassion of my in-laws' 40th wedding anniversary. This October, they will celebrate 63 years of marriage. What an incredible milestone...one I hope my husband and I can emulate!

My husband (third from right) is the 7th of 10 children born to Andy and Bertha!

And Here's The Second Tote!

Today, the mailman was gracious enough to bring me the fabric I had ordered! Which means I was able to finish the second tote that I was working on. Ta-da!!


I used Moda's "A Day in the Country" charm pack that my sister sent me a while back. It really is a pretty tote...pinks and browns! And the lining/handle fabric is pictured behind the charm pack...what I had been patiently waiting on!

Not sure why my pictures tend to come out on the dark side! Maybe I need more lighting.

All My Bags Are Packed...

...well, not quite, but they will be very soon! My husband and I will be heading out to Seattle in a little over a week. Just had to get this purse done so I could fill it with handiwork to take along. I bought the "Freshed Squeezed" charm pack while on the way to retreat this past May, and have been anxious to sew it up! I have another one started, but had to order some lining fabric, so I'm waiting on the mailman.

Braggin' Rights

Since my Dad retired a few years back, he has been busy making "things"! I've been blessed repeatedly to be the recipient of his handy work. As he is the son of a carpenter, perhaps he comes by this naturally. Today, I found this adorable picnic table on my front porch! It's a "little" version for my grandchildren.

Here's a few more pictures of his creations! This is a mission style chair he made for my husband's 50th birthday this past May (note the hand carved duck decoy on the table...yep, Dad made that, too!)And here's a little table and 2 chairs he made for the grandkids when they come. Allyson and I have been hosting tea parties with it!



And, finally, here's a bench that Dad made for me! My daughter made the pillows.