tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148188292024-03-15T06:00:18.913+13:00Kiwi KlippingsSharing my thoughts on life, family, friends, crafts, quilting, cats, flowers, gardening and travel all with a Down Under perspective.crazyquilterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254457962460331689noreply@blogger.comBlogger997125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14818829.post-88023899107435825502023-01-16T06:17:00.001+13:002023-01-16T06:17:53.979+13:00Bye for now<img id="id_375f_b151_dd90_84a6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/GVJ6bPXzYLWETZPgqbzSketES6HfKP5A50vX6cuNfq0vzuprbZS0JuG2TEidYOe4vks" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Yesterday we went to a couple of open homes. This home had the most amazing views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains beyond.</font><div><br><img id="id_82a_589f_7f5b_ef61" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/kco5VYEYDgOnw0g_Mk9JCe2VFw-2QlPzKoy1jlOodf_jiYYE2jKcUb8i2kgrnTFZxzQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana">We took time out for a meal together. My grandson,Jackson, on the left, David in the middle and my daughter in law, Lisa, on the right.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana">We had planned to do a ferry trip yesterday but that did not happen so we are going to try again today.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana">With that it will be time to say goodbye to my Seattle family as I fly out tomorrow (Monday Seattle time) and I arrive back in New Zealand on Wednesday.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana">Thank you for coming along with me on my travels. Heaps of good things for me to treasure in my memories.</font><br><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br> </div>crazyquilterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254457962460331689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14818829.post-40424927892778089602023-01-15T06:11:00.001+13:002023-01-15T06:11:26.257+13:00Antique Malls<img id="id_16e4_c4ef_f35_bbea" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/wucLy_rhbxbN6ovaxeLgsIV4ZbUd1O0voKwaVehVpFAtSr2fq9dsI8le7ssXhOBtp0E" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana">Found in a home decor shop in Snohomish. It looks like the cushion centre is made from a very old vintage quilt and it has been revived very cleverly by putting on a fresh border and gathered trim with modern quilt fabric.</font><br> <div><img id="id_80ed_4a5_f885_d221" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/95in5a7aGT8IdDumZ0DgM3RQGR4SIeJt8CypF9EEP7fObjeXsSYbyXIFgGdcPgiJ5Sk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana">Sunbonnet Sue seems to find her way into quite a few secondhand stores. The blocks are in good condition and I like the addition of embroidery stitches so Sue’s clothing. The binding was faded and fraying but the rest was good. </font></div><div><img id="id_5e3c_886a_856e_a82b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/jfuFn4vYVQXvWcVKm3X-FZlSD2mfWNwkXlhQjQC015TGKcYkT6KL7sCV-QQUUsGoccU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> A collection of Zane Grey westerns. My brothers have probably read most of these, in fact I think I probably read quite a few of them myself.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font></div>crazyquilterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254457962460331689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14818829.post-85465928364126038952023-01-14T07:43:00.001+13:002023-01-14T07:44:19.678+13:00Quilting Mayhem<br><img id="id_7024_a3a6_b53f_3a83" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Xe_Dbz35ZgrG2-__tIbf1N1XrmR7Xi0On-HWKDMCvxbvdHb5IS-NuxOguCB28klDTUk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana">Being in the vicinity of Snohomish it seemed appropriate to do a return visit to Quilting Mayhem.</font><div><font face="Verdana">This time I ventured upstairs to the sewing machine department and I was blown away by what was available in the way of quilting supplies. This image captures just some of the quilting rulers available for purchase.</font></div><div><img id="id_1cfe_e21_e481_6e86" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/F5-rA-Uc1APyhtgThz3D3eHBOffM48vnSpEa6EOS_Rh5zSLAuFKi0B-yQeo734pxIfA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana">Long arm quilting machines in every size imaginable including this one with a very loooooooong frame.</font></div><div><img id="id_1c14_3180_665d_a56e" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/pZM17cEfXrBbXcq-aV-APbXQwjd6ahGeq-k1onf_wSPjHsA2EN31oQzQR_IbdWCbFSg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana">There was also a setup for long arm quilting in action. For US$15 an hour you can hire a machine to do your own quilting. I asked this lady if she would mind me watching her and she said she was a first timer. Looked pretty good to me.</font></div><div><br><br><img id="id_fc5_a911_ede0_6411" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/OBpin1NjXTUNPslB_hNdauHNwXmYeJVLOnrUHa5RfScn-iaL6fyaXjatrE0HSgDwmYA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana">I returned to the downstairs area with fabric, fabric and more fabric.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana">When I was there previously I noted they had a fabric scrap bin. For US$5.99 you could fill your own bag. At the time there was hardly any fabric, but, oh me, oh my, this time there was. Somehow a scrap bag appeared and I found myself filling it. I justified it on the grounds that I had made a couple of appliqué blocks and this fabric would complement them so well.</font></div><div><img id="id_395d_9d42_caf4_c5ca" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/1RjIpkI85VQgc4AhLoB_u5aHDlz6crZ5GDTUFChgg8GUebRJ59zkAC5QjlBIWPLXLeU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> For the Tula Pink fans - they had lots and lots of her fabrics.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><br> </div>crazyquilterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254457962460331689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14818829.post-65799440147452737312023-01-13T06:27:00.001+13:002023-01-13T06:27:21.048+13:00Revisiting Snohomish<img id="id_c347_d0c_6d9c_5948" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/g63HnL-gNWJBwc3jNJqyIskZWCFF1SUD73ylDEXw-dk9IAvELh24w6jf5csoMCz2zsE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana">When Linda and I travel we try to make the most of opportunities that come our way because chances are we may never return.</font><div><font face="Verdana">Yesterday, however, I decided to do a return visit to Snohomish. I went their initially to visit Quilting Mayhem but the township had a bit of character of yesteryear - none of the skyscrapers of downtown Seattle.</font></div><div><img id="id_f2a2_ea3d_e660_5acd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/AiXKAjGPsF1HImCuzhxExrmfpZKlLdd6ugX8REZ79FwmXoPyMb1nntZeUBbJ8p9vikc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana">The township was founded in 1859 and parts of it put me in mind of the Norman Rockwell illustrations in the American magazine Saturday Evening Post (if you are old enough to remember this publication).</font></div><div><img id="id_20fd_b77_cab6_8340" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/14XUvVqDIfmnfvlDyNOC_XeblQEE-WHaH3FAaYUamKTnn79g6huBGyYoLsDgihKYN-Y" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana">I was fortunate enough to encounter another day with clear blue skies. However I could see on the drive to Snohomish that there was fresh snow on the mountains and there was a definite chill in the air.</font></div><div><img id="id_95ad_b1c4_883b_c94f" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/jGSqrwEdm0SDe_Cm7YCKJh-8sD0KUH4YeYhK26Ld4xtdMkUzHdWxBeHnB67JLY6T3jA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br> </div>crazyquilterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254457962460331689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14818829.post-36840137116258386662023-01-12T06:04:00.001+13:002023-01-12T06:04:33.023+13:00A Day at the Shopping Mall<img id="id_56f5_5879_660d_55df" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/9bD2ByA5YNPCMxO8Y0p-_EIwsv71vt8CdfYT0zcojS7JCtIPMcXMyhNP_XmPuz668lo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 385px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana">What is the significance of an empty coffee mug? It is an indication that this was one of the nicest flat whites I have encountered on my travels. Truly worth savouring.</font><div><font face="Verdana">Yesterday dawned cool, crisp with lovely clear blue skies. It was enjoyable to take the morning commute with David into downtown Seattle so I could wander the shopping mall while he was at work.</font></div><div><img id="id_fed0_22e_c104_5fa3" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/yJ7YoRb3JxvYb64DCb8Iu4lgsFMW4CJl_Dmv3uJlkbal7WXNEvrcEYffy5bNa6r3W7o" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> I had been looking for a cardigan and if I had seen one that I really, really likes I would have bought it. This cardigan had so much bling it really didn’t fit my brief, even though my cousin, Helen, probably would have loved it.</font></div><div><img id="id_f916_3979_4511_3a1f" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/B4B5bEzaPgGQfF0ZKhur7IlTzkUH30YpmxhJI7ihfaxEwPLSvkAF8vTYeJ4W6RigZJ0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana">Spotted in the Lego store. My daughter-in-law, Lisa, loves doing Lego projects and she has this one as a work in progress at the moment.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana">Although I spend a pleasant time at the shopping mall they did not benefit from an economic boost from me except in the food department. I bought a regular flat white and small savoury scone for NZ$16 and then a bottle of water with a small stir fry meal was NZ$23 - all up $39.00. On the whole I have found food and groceries to be costly but probably because of our poor exchange rate with the USA at the moment.<br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br> </div>crazyquilterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254457962460331689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14818829.post-73535745450073177132023-01-11T07:01:00.001+13:002023-01-11T07:01:45.692+13:00A Bit More Real Estate<img id="id_a507_d66f_e6e6_7e6b" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Q-c6lCsDak7K2smZGO2-kMtf-u__dY_kONh8FzZON5cFEbBqUUtkB4iP5BPn86Fj1V0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> One of the endearing things. About Seattle is the green, green, green of all the trees, the Douglas Fir amongst the most common. David and Lisa used to live in Dallas, Texas which was hot, flat and very few trees. When they moved to Seattle it was a welcome change.</font><div><font face="Verdana">The property we looked at on Saturday had views but you had to accept that the trees were there too.</font></div><div><img id="id_b85f_c261_47c2_b014" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/E75cvGEcNd_npMHKVfdbEm9ZXaDobWKwviKsK-7QTvtdkQ0yWOZ_XlyyZKAYuR5Ae8s" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> A very nicely appointed house set on 3 levels. Built in 1979 but freshly renovated throughout. Probably a much bigger house than the family really need but it was certainly a pleasure to view it.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana">Apart from that I do enjoy being out and about and seeing different parts of Seattle along the way.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana">If you would like a further in depth look at the property this link might work for you:-</font></div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://www.redfin.com/WA/Bellevue/411-W-Lake-Sammamish-Pkwy-NE-98008/home/503805">https://www.redfin.com/WA/Bellevue/411-W-Lake-Sammamish-Pkwy-NE-98008/home/503805</a></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br> </div>crazyquilterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254457962460331689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14818829.post-43642379141212310702023-01-10T08:17:00.001+13:002023-01-10T08:17:25.111+13:00The Cricut Machine<img id="id_31b9_419a_29d_e100" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/fdkCMUZ4XBBQFTub3Sza6jiN5SzEd86A0t3Yb-3W1WAC6Gin0IxNuZK34tw8txjecYo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> My daughter-in-law, Lisa, has long been interested in the Cricut machine. Initially it was made as a scrapbooking aid but it has been extended to include working with fabrics so that opens up a whole new world.</font><div><br></div><div><img id="id_7ee5_20df_22a3_9f5c" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/KsA5tquarL7LCTy7py1bSxy6M2qOYUlIDnpnJA_vnjq_O6eT_lsxsZCWTOmV6NRlvDA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana">Cricut have also developed a small weighted hot press which is super for ironing out creases in fabrics and for bonding fusible webbing. The one Lisa owns is 9” x 9” but she tells me there is also a larger 12” x 12” press as well.</font></div><div><img id="id_3cad_ee2d_27dc_e71b" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/64Ycnj9tslJiC_z_VwBXUyr6OGl7mzBbM8dg3FTAJEISYFIrJGheuuSy9xrVDh6nlLo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Thanks to Fiona in our quilting group I was able to bring the image from our last raffle block of the year to use as an example. Even lashed out and bought some fabric here so we could complete.</font></div><div><img id="id_918b_b400_b667_2137" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/YMpX3CEKvODO8K8FRqir04K7ZFax-cKYZtG7UTv8p31DtDowCem1UjbxnxnHn195MPc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana">A few lessons in the hows of peel and stick appliqué and I have a couple of blocks to bring home. Wasn’t sure what to do with them at first but then I realised they could be nice bright centres for the baby quilts I have been making lately.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><br><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br> </div>crazyquilterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254457962460331689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14818829.post-21988437567132064932023-01-09T06:57:00.001+13:002023-01-09T06:57:55.730+13:00Looking Back<img id="id_e01e_ea59_ec4e_b284" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/bqADr12RORkUTm71YHiWZHNCkwEaXa0Dk8FuDAt9YlVSNmpMHVKAuGCx5Mzj3U8cnaU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> One of the Interesting things that Rick found for us to do in London was to go to a restaurant based theatrical performance of Fawlty Towers. Apparently it has been running for 10 years.</font><div><font face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_6677_6bc9_ab56_253e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/g0H3FYwAWfY_Y2ZZj-q6Idb8konU4y016XYXVMw9vI4Op8iZNJFRlBL4SO23ATkJBDU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana">The show enscapulated the series exceptionally well using the three main characters, Basil, Sybil and the waiter, Manuel, who I got to shake hands with.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana">The characters moved around, and even on, the tables as they acted out scenes from the show. The performance was well received but it has to be said that the 3 course meal served up amongst proceedings was pretty awful.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana">Still I must be thankful for opportunities to see shows like this. Never would have happened otherwise.<br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br> </div>crazyquilterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254457962460331689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14818829.post-48665210769542348482023-01-08T11:08:00.001+13:002023-01-08T11:08:19.069+13:00A Little Bit of Real Estate<br><img id="id_5cb5_d46b_5709_87ff" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/ST1eCkMz86RVFY9UMMTIUBrrHfiUjYO6yhwaQoC51gbaW3qZBSYJhblHL2J158GLmUo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"> <font face="Verdana"> David and Lisa are thinking it is time for a change. They really fancy living in a home that will give them some views.</font><div><font face="Verdana">With this in mind we went to visit an open home the other day. </font></div><div><font face="Verdana">It turned out the house was a bit dated (1986) and not quite what they had in mind but it did give them food for thought.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana">The views they were looking for certainly were on hand. The Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana">If you can find a home you like with these sorts of views you also get to see ferry traffic, cruise ships, orca whales, porpoises, otters, eagles, blue herons and more. The property also offered access to the beach.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana">The search will continue.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana">We were supposed to go to two house viewings this weekend but I came down with food poisoning and unfortunately David and Jackson have succumbed to the same ailment - not nice at all.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana">I think I have turned the corner but it will be a quiet weekend for all of us here.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><br> </div>crazyquilterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254457962460331689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14818829.post-27995263262554558942023-01-07T11:09:00.001+13:002023-01-07T11:09:30.356+13:00Time for some Knitting<img id="id_e30d_2e08_7252_df62" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/hj3du3-CAbg6BzEwVlQ9lxe2YKlh6khWbQdCqygEYrfPdeb5oBEZy8uzkHg2RrlFoWY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> A couple of days ago my daughter-in-law, Lisa, took me to a yarn store.</font><div><font face="Verdana">At the back of the store there was a knitting group. I fell into conversation with the store owner and she invited me to come back today to join the group.</font></div><div><img id="id_4091_9d9c_769d_7927" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/a4wd4cmPRxv43eIghu2YsL49YaOHKtlqUIFkqa1Sub9GSGyZLS47KtGKu9oGDo3mNLU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> One of the group was Bob, a prolific knitter.He was only too happy to pose with these socks he had knitted for himself complete with bling.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana">A very friendly group who talked about anything and everything. At one stage the store owner had to come and remind them that they were not there to talk about medical issues (yes, the conversation had drifted that way) but they were there for knitting. Thankfully the group stayed on track after that gentle reminder.<br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br> </div>crazyquilterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254457962460331689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14818829.post-3078934695760512282023-01-06T10:27:00.001+13:002023-01-06T10:27:47.654+13:00Quilting Mayhem<img id="id_5af6_bcd9_6e19_32e0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_fPsVjl2A0bAiPnT8rdVkVCiAfngamINexG6qd6jfsS9Qhs2xUQ_tTSoSVMWd8MS0hI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Quilting Mayhem is HUGE.</font><div><font face="Verdana">The photo captures about half of the building. One third of the bottom floor (to the left) is dedicated to workshops. To the right, two thirds is dedicated to being a quilt store. If that wasn’t enough the whole of the top floor is dedicated to sewing machines of every shape and size including quilting frames.</font></div><div><img id="id_f96f_68e0_15dd_be79" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4B2SJ33QUhWqVWeOZfKNCLr88UeTN9h7DA6_0IHOrRB8s98Vl9ubCqrhSknogBPmoEU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Fabric, fabric as far as they eye can see.</font></div><div><img id="id_36ed_49df_e972_624e" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/tYp8lmjUMTnI7BAsZ_Yvzzpd7Kr5yDSTkW3tgmdYTPbshBUlKVGLD_DTdQeDEXsOavA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"> <font face="Verdana">Even more on the other side and lots down the middle too. Can you believe I did not see any fabric that I HAD to take home?</font></div><div><img id="id_9b74_3073_51b2_438" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/2N2TkBKKkiVGehNhHLH9bTtj-MFDiXqauRFJp4ekZXemoGH2zxhAUYYKOFPRxsxRH1Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana">A very good accessories area and I did do some shopping here - a left handed 6.5 inch square quilting ruler, a Creative Grids rotary cutter and some Clover pins as the right price.</font></div><div><img id="id_3391_a712_e6a1_3ebf" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2XozoL_hXizrJcSBYTn5xjxIka7eIYTRfykr64DiXGJTQf1GXBxU5Q9UXTuHbQw_V8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana">Snohomish, where Quilting Mayhem is located is also full of antique malls. I wandered through a few. Sunbonnet Sue begging to go home.</font></div><div><img id="id_d649_8bf9_6575_7ac6" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/JRksCRT0ntT-VFBd6UkdjF-89AnBxElEII6V-Rwwk_AB6bqUzlT1rzVc36VoQbAze8A" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Who knew that Tupperware would ever end up in an Antique Mall.</font></div><div><img id="id_3fdc_2095_c4f4_65b8" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Z7vLwMQaumce8osL7jL-elklHJd9HaMX5HJ_MmbbJlB7Ogr-yyTRT5l03PTh5ARNUk8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana">Another candidate for The Repair Shop, maybe?</font></div><div><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><br><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br> </div>crazyquilterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254457962460331689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14818829.post-24844755260204998782023-01-05T07:03:00.001+13:002023-01-05T07:03:33.262+13:00Business Class in a Tesla <img id="id_8b81_8226_b8a3_771c" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/iExuAGHPtUYWKTbaeMwrkCKi1DkDVaxNE5K4rY5vi2ltuZaVkSvWEv6tMgAdD01yQGE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> David and Lisa picked me up from Seattle airport and we drove home in their Tesla car. I was very impressed with the size and detail of their GPS system.</font><div><font face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana">David is very happy with the Tesla. He said it is a bit like flying business class, you never want to go back to anything less. This is from the man who doesn’t actually believe in flying business class. He says he would rather suffer a few hours of discomfort in economy than pay the price difference for business class.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_5dc3_496_bbd3_283a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/CxPLacaUPgDTazCboqSd26HgM8JUj2Tu4YpQ1BEIMXIdhtU2M1iBijkkN2Ig_b_kE3g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> The next day we were out and about in the car. The last stop for the day was the supermarket and I opted to stay in the car. David set the car to ‘dog’ mode represented by this screen. I tried not to bark on their return. At least the car was kept nice and warm in the cool weather.</font><br><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br></div>crazyquilterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254457962460331689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14818829.post-86764215955196404722023-01-04T06:19:00.001+13:002023-01-04T06:19:34.661+13:00Getting to Seattle - the long way round<img id="id_7003_48db_5233_8504" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/NZ4lpX-GcEk5RiUAFOQjKeY_fHE0V2FB4FOlpVYaTVi6Kr1vFriWWUcE1ILHBgwzu8k" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Upon leaving England it was always the intention to leave from Heathrow on the 31st December. On the 30th I got a notification to say my flight had been cancelled. Son, David, got onto it and I was rescheduled to fly same day, just 5 minutes later.</font><div><font face="Verdana">Aaron took me to the airport, traffic was light, light rain and no word of strikes or anything nasty like that. After a leisurely coffee with Aaron I proceeded to the area to wait to board my flight. Even before we got on the flight there was talk of delays and in the end we were about 2 hours late for our departure.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana">I was scheduled to have a connecting flight from Los Angeles to Seattle with a window of only 1.5 hours. This did not look good. Sure enough, even before we landed I was advised by the steward that I would need to see ground staff about alternative arrangements.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana">Virgin Airlines had booked me into the Hilton Airport Hotel to stay overnight. It was after 7.30pm by the time I got to my room and the first thing I had to do was get internet connection so I could inform family of my location and change in flight plans.</font></div><img id="id_447b_15ea_d82d_55e5" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Z-gWX909CXdZChqvaPtGOSTNnxM584NRrAJNd14yEZZFvGeiuhT-fMHzzFLvuLEiuek" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><span style="font-family: Verdana;">There was evidence in the lobby of the hotel that there was going to be lots going on to bring in the New Year. Unfortunately I was so weary the best thing I could think of was to crawl between the nice clean sheets to sleep the night away.</span><div><img id="id_dade_a9e0_b277_b0f7" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/t1wk1L5vJVeIyMSIEwFX3cJCGSQM-NqKS9-6cnxBO825dby7JDk7SqDenrVC0wFUfJ4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana">Not quite finished with Christmas either, but I did not have much time to appreciate this. The hotel staff informed me that to catch my 7.45am flight to Seattle I would need to be at the front door to catch the shuttle bus by 5.45am - not the early start I had wanted. As it turned out I only just made the flight to Seattle - not even time for an early morning coffee.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana">I am based at David and Lisa’s place until the 18th, when I fly back to New Zealand. I am relieved to be back on terra firma and not to have to think about flying again for a while.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana">A visit to a quilt shop is on the agenda for today. Just possible I might need a second bag for the return trip ot NZ.<br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><div><br> </div></div>crazyquilterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254457962460331689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14818829.post-26032691762700465912023-01-03T05:57:00.001+13:002023-01-03T05:57:12.566+13:00A Last Get Together<img id="id_5f38_6ed3_ec34_b13" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/PVB3BBDVMnDVvCh4Bh8CMByuyN4FXWJ0VV8a9VLeWAKluyQ600FXKQ8TQktzInBPe3Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Knowing my departure was imminent, Rick and Hannah suggested one more outing for us to be together for the day. This time it was Tilgate Park near the town of Crawley.</font><div><font face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana">It was a very cold wintery day but nevertheless the park was quite crowded with families and their dogs. Aaron took Toby too. No letting the dog off the lead - could lead to a fine of GBP1,000. I have been very aware of the number of families with babies in prams - hasn’t seemed so obvious on previous trips so I wonder if there may be a post covid baby boom.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana">Such a popular spot in the middle of winter, I can’t imagine how many people might come in the summer months.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_f2d2_40ec_13a9_a759" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/5laFkKRvlqMnrp8dFbzaC1YiyD4nDe6NDPOHqrYdGVHMedFL5nq-pnt0MNa7pdIiYp0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> When we were leaving the family spotted this hole in the wall dog wash, so Toby got to try it out. Not sure if he enjoyed the process but he did come out nice and dry and clean.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana">It put me in mind of my visit to Brighton with Rick. I didn’t take a picture at the time but there was a similar type set up but this one was for pizzas. You could put your money in a slot, pick your pizza and voila, hot pizza would pop out for you. Not my choice for food, but if you are desperate…………</font></div><div><font face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana">Such are the different things you see on your travels.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br> </div>crazyquilterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254457962460331689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14818829.post-5738544499810451982022-12-29T22:38:00.001+13:002022-12-29T22:40:08.813+13:00 Off to the Theatre<img id="id_d198_7fd1_21d6_c4d" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/sTy4uwqlDi8vHW_QlyKJZ2AF7ezJrjBIw_vpGQMdJeMTen_C5Xw3F4Ybg9w4LgUCu5s" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Another day in London. Hannah had booked for us to got to a steak restaurant called Flat Iron. The menu was limited but suitable for our needs. Instead of bread rolls as starters they served pop corn in enamel mugs and side dishes were served in small enamel dishes. The only thing the children would touch was hot chips but then there were ice cream soft serves at the end so that was good.</font><div><img id="id_ab39_55f2_3622_abd3" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/oKKoaX_Tbcy9MLEERH6Mc8NjvS0v-Sbyzi4q4oe4LKn9Bt5KR1AIyPNgJKsox6rowiw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Aaron and Rick had time for a bit of a catch up. Rick is looking the ‘proper’ English gentleman with the cap he is wearing.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana"><br></font><div><font face="Verdana">We still had time in hand before theatre so Aaron treated the children with a visit to McDonald’s so more feasting for them.</font></div><div><img id="id_ea86_fd17_782_c01" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/8KKNGZOArXTMEoBnhMarMFge8a-Ea-ExUiKUWXbQO9vIdBgiCWJGIkUDFwiRp_cfAUc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> The reason for the trip to London? Dad wanted to take the children (and Nana) to see the stage production of Frozen (lady in the background not part of our group).</font></div><div><img id="id_b48e_f5b4_5c99_47e" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/hZPMcQGCXex1_36I0iNMPJiF02W-YZmRQ1QX3jcYEldZnPv9AqSxnIS0qpZYACmiDng" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> All set to go. It was a great production. They asked the audience not to sing along. A group of people behind us knew the story well and found it hard not to do so. The audience response for curtain call was so enthusiastic. A great night was had by all.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana">The next challenge was getting home - a taxi ride, delayed train trip and another taxi and it is was extremely cold. Getting home at 11.30pm was quite a highlight as far as the children were concerned (Nana was a bit grumpy but never mind, we all a got to sleep in next day.)</font></div><div><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br> </div></div>crazyquilterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254457962460331689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14818829.post-85626112863843118782022-12-27T22:41:00.001+13:002022-12-27T22:41:01.962+13:00A Walk Down Country Lanes<img id="id_18c2_f656_ef17_1fc0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/QgU3s7ww1KmeaLGV-vJk78ZTkHyCCT_sPoospNJ5GAqt5n9iCOH4v5zcfC4DweBuPqc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Yesterday dawned crisp and clear. If it was not for it being late December one could have almost imagined a warm summer’s day. However, the temperature was mild and Rick and Hannah thought a walk in the country would be a good idea. From where they live they can take any number of walks in the countryside.</font><div><img id="id_a2a2_dc74_425b_5daa" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/m1psol0I96q_j4Luf8DNuICsl5mTHCqOdSxJxnmos8wikqYi6blpr2OqVj16wXaInLc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Magnificent old oak trees along the way.</font></div><div><img id="id_cb8e_3404_bc14_13c2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/jXDE_w89u_c4tHWEJtefs5OqVZppdd8yefCL2ibKr9VtMAJyvOs0merwP0W_JPh2_fk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Stand alone cottages from another age.</font></div><div><img id="id_1192_2036_8921_3069" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/txBUj6FruojN5ztE06xWTn-ck-d_M7hQ5SlH8Z7ggs0YikKKolY2IB3sxfgC7YuhaZM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> I can only imagine how pretty this country lane would be in spring.</font></div><div><img id="id_f3af_14f_5de6_b0ca" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/tOhtn_nC2R-TkARBPVdXbcA2dS2tTD29xcIUoh75OwHwLMAdAIDMI6VcbjiRnL30Fuo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> To further my education narrow pathways or lanes in this part of the world are called twittens.</font><br><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br> </div>crazyquilterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254457962460331689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14818829.post-72057005986113355742022-12-25T20:57:00.001+13:002022-12-25T20:57:31.095+13:00Merry Christmas Everybody!<img id="id_2f8a_ad63_9870_e320" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/iptEq6pnOn5HZNvzm0CkcplwSvbqO2OvpOJLfvPiTnvf7aKYMai_axc5XlKVVj7CJH8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Aaron decided that he should tell 9 year old, Anna-Clara, that Santa Claus is not real. Anna-Clara did not believe her father and went off and did her own Google research. She came back convinced by Google that Santa was for real.</font><div><img id="id_d188_37b6_717_eaed" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Mi1ha0rqdmwpIwzmINKvQ3qWeJ5JKosBs_9fwvI3lF4ADrvFUSWEEvJah7xHpkExfEI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Last night she made up her own little Santa table laden with a glass of milk, assorted biscuits along with carrots for the reindeer. The remains of Santa’s feast only goes to strengthen her belief that Santa is still for real.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana">I started my day by listening to King Charles III giving his first Christmas message which I thought was not too bad for first time around.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana">Merry Christmas everybody - belatedly to all of you Down Under.<br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br> </div>crazyquilterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254457962460331689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14818829.post-52269890811997068752022-12-25T00:11:00.001+13:002022-12-25T00:12:25.214+13:00Sewing, Cooking, UNO?<img id="id_e39_412b_70fa_5ab9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/dv2G1KYRI9m-R3afWA6L_AEfHKipwV2egufEL9lVFA5xVnk29Hd1Pq0ehgxoAiwubo0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Tucked away in my small suitcase I managed to include a set of charm squares. Anna-Clara thought she would like to make a blanket for the cat she is hoping to get for her next birthday when she will be 10.</font><div><img id="id_d295_d63_f0c0_274d" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/T6y51CdTwunX5FgzYvirdOwjheguo0-veOeM2HHlH0NPQKKplAbzLJAyN1_n-tw5A7M" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"> <font face="Verdana"> Caleb, at 7, thought he would like to get in on the act as well.</font></div><div><img id="id_256f_e1b8_da71_c5ac" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_pmBgkxG-yTWRCcdYvFSDyRNNYY6GiniigQrV77MoJsE8VVXmo9LS-ahgFGpoBWjZ5g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Progress is being made. She has two more rows to go and she thinks the blanket will be big enough. Anna is already asking whether a sewing machine might be a better option.</font></div><div><img id="id_5618_542b_af5_ccd3" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/NcFOOMZXvBWzxxJXHBMM-CiUpb6u0DKMWXZptxe3Ew0XPVvBW0SXPm5fQHoMxR02NaE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Baking a cake was a special request. Caleb put in a pretty good effort.</font></div><div><img id="id_d4b8_b6f5_a1e5_9b00" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/vsHKDnwPlflHcZJ4Wx-jIiO8ImtuzMkNWMVcEOZxzozoYBW_Gqu1SXDx-h0WI6jRvyI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Anna wasn’t so much interested in making the cake but wanted to help with the decoration. The recipe said to spread apricot jam before putting the icing on. Anna was not at all keen on that idea but once the cake was completed there were no complaints.</font></div><div><img id="id_45a7_9c59_a010_58fa" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/qpAInuTi8_5JBudk7GFhOh5YtB2VoDxCxw43CkDRoKUyGYyCRLhl9S-zov_68diqUj0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Although they gave the cake the big tick Anna told me that the chocolate ganache was too bitter. We had made it with 90% dark chocolate. Please could we make it with milk chocolate next time.</font></div><div><img id="id_ea5b_efdb_99ec_dc60" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Jhfx0Drn8O71xm3AcjXuavC8uEPXHgpGXG6JZIEnjelFG5ao6ZBZLi-tw3aU8vOqyfw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Milk chocolate was purchased and so we embarked on a second cake.</font></div><div><img id="id_baec_9e23_a346_aa10" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/X1wb6Xxt3pSLSzS9KmLKraCkrXs-Eoe-Jn9g-IRiUV76HiKfdPsMdks_k9UU73pNxrM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> The milk chocolate ganache was not as firm so we had an overflow but the children were happy enough.</font></div><div><img id="id_3ac6_940_611f_d11b" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/UiCqOLKTnZ1kdY4NzvABRpTgG50Sh0CLJ8JjQe30ARKE8m2BOpcoxbLNR_7yu9ZwWWE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> The favourite toys lined up to help with the</font><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> eating.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana">The children were happy with the outcome. I am not a fan of chocolate cake but I did like this one. Thanks Mary Berry for the recipe.</font></div><div><img id="id_ea78_41cd_ed21_f91" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/LGNeZ_k3h2uTVJ7UhrdS-a6FnqcGmp7TUm-o1gNJe52YgQvXDp83JUkePKALQ0LiTK0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> I also brought the UNO card game with me and this is proving to be a new favourite for Caleb.</font><br><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br> </div>crazyquilterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254457962460331689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14818829.post-7929557518988908342022-12-23T22:58:00.001+13:002022-12-23T22:58:03.525+13:00Wandering Around Epsom<img id="id_9c84_bed_71de_98a0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/vyD97Pm4NWa_NqfOWn9Tfxpqw_xhQpc_cF08uLGzov3FSEdVVthhgFejKrO9iRowexU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Epsom is one of many markets towns in England and they have market stalls here every Thursday and Saturday.</font><div><font face="Verdana">The clock tower is the centrepiece for the market stalls.</font></div><div><img id="id_5b3f_aafe_a27b_538f" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/3oaZsfS-WQeYDQxOKG-3b5l9H4Tn_rQpcPJ7v4HSeJV384B_E-2UqVaOueUUc93a85Y" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Fresh vegetables abound. Lots of Brussel sprouts here.</font></div><div><img id="id_bb26_78d1_3b16_8e0c" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/VWiLkNKpvn1qKffhtVs-Y-cCHQP5wkx283OWY9JShVLnMXynWRCe9YquEMmdfi9nr3g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> It’s been a while since I have seen turnips in abundance. Plenty of variety ready for the Christmas dinner plate.</font></div><div><img id="id_ad18_8dd8_80ca_5630" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/YXlEk-tGVaKolvAxm39R4voHDMbX0aojTuWT9z3nmpG_ofkzcbiMXf6lZ4tHTHhJbiQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> This butcher has done well here over the years and is quite vocal. There is a fishmonger in the background.</font></div><div><img id="id_d172_d0ed_69fb_b56" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/UgV1C4a6b66s0_3YqL-kzKYSE7hzejth1tqTe5C9_nliYgcWCaYG9uqUt6LxFrDGeVA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Anna-Clara told me that they bought a bird feeder like these but in the end if was the squirrels who benefitted.</font></div><div><img id="id_cdd3_b21d_a742_d92d" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/AbsNtgqa9JNoPp98msxEL4Vkmvh2MhpbifB4YbkeKj24jmA10EldAdoc2_oj_8D98VU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"> <font face="Verdana">What would a wander around the shops be without spying some Christmas decorations.</font></div><div><img id="id_d33e_2e65_8d2f_7fb0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/CHKsdSp47UCv8XpggxaU7us0Y62FzuT-7-vYZSy9GAtnt1oUKmZ9hAtR0JUM-cDira8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> All too soon the Christmas decorations will be put away for another year.</font><br><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br> </div>crazyquilterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254457962460331689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14818829.post-56711871750801820562022-12-22T23:18:00.001+13:002022-12-22T23:18:51.556+13:00Another Revisit<img id="id_f94f_c765_dd77_9d2b" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/5nsKMiq1N0Jtbqutc52D_I5Kp5_-_SrmKjyJYJiOsbA8Apjia_BREaKLRccJ2Q_9Xek" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Where there is a church there must be a town. So, so many grand churches in England, even in the smallest of villages.</font><div><font face="Verdana">Today, however, we were in Kingston on Thames. Very nice suburb alongside the river Thames and not at all far from Hampton Court.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana">The church courtyard was covered with a giant size marquee. Inside about 30 market stall holders selling their Christmas wares.</font></div><div><img id="id_87d2_588b_6da3_b5a5" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/tEKBgHJvDwx-GPcBG1xIfS176DxuHiagkjg1jb5sPnnlhC7udKvAwNI6XbW-UoYqpdU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> From there we moved to one of the largest shopping centres (Bentall) I have seen in a while.</font></div><div><img id="id_a1b_540c_d7e7_f2ff" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/DzhrjTuV6ZrYViweOFbzANm0GE65XZo5EpVbQ6AxIhPxZGztcEJn_jB2zX1yOWZfAfc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Those nutcrackers - they seem to be following me everywhere.</font><br><img id="id_cec0_f4c2_f11d_761d" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/yne3VZEw8bno9545cCj4j-4H3aP3ZHIvn5YsEXT6o1CpyZR_KfUZ2EfOMxOBC0_p4wc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> If Santa ever decides to change the colour of his cloth then I go for pink. So much more gentle on the eyes.</font></div><div><img id="id_e2e1_f424_7485_828a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ht2E5O5wT571I33Kd8OUFagrFp-tgGx0M72io4emtBKxNzBr5KlxtN_KVjJEs6XT2Ys" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> We spent quite a bit of time in Waterstones bookshop and Aaron bought the children a calendar each of their choice. Caleb chose garden birds and Anna-Clara, a cat calendar.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana">This morning we lined up to have a good look at the calendar and the cat and monkey toys insisted on being there as well.<br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br> </div>crazyquilterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254457962460331689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14818829.post-2272134737559960072022-12-21T05:24:00.001+13:002022-12-21T05:24:47.238+13:00Revisiting London<img id="id_17ad_ddf_4d58_6062" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/zg6BfygfTCRkTvJiUezRgKEpsvNNNqYil50HTZpnA3ol39QzolIs4hTDf7-8EtwwPZw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> What would a trip to London be without a visit to the heart of London. Here was I on the train, all rugged up for the below zero temperatures but the lady across the aisle from me was obviously feeling quite differently about the temperatures.</font><div><img id="id_a8ed_177a_ce2e_9b26" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_S7hGCBF_Jv0fGWUEn7H_M9_xfGcmbsxFrrqwxTBT4j9W_sJ8MWzM6KULbk9cBfoE0g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> One of the sphynx’s faithfully guarding Cleopatra’s Needle along The Embankment. Last time we were here The Embankment was being pulled apart to make way for a cycle way. Much mutterings from London cabbies about this then and even now. The cycle way is now complete. I was there mid morning and not much in the way of bicycles, but I understand, in peak hour times it can be very busy. It certainly took a long, long time for the On Off Bus to make it’s way from one end of The Embankment to the other.</font></div><div><img id="id_fefd_9ae_98e7_3d02" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/MLOC-byP2mn8Uyk9_8RVUqlMdcZpbmNZPxOCJOOFGT-vdo8r10LnWcvSMFyHrvwn3s0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben were as splendid as ever.</font></div><div><img id="id_4d41_55_1639_fb84" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/FyZOs-tDlENLX3FyXgrDjLhrPI8jSDZTb0sEYWIUrTIjL82cnec4dd23sown3m3ftgc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> The trees of Hyde Park still holding on to their autumn leaves.</font></div><div><img id="id_58d5_833_dcb5_27da" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Bw5WNdK6dUtlKHZZMmvObLG4Coasx0poodchcWhQf2QDg47UEO3IOm_zL6T_rOvIZy0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> I always enjoy a visit to the National Art Gallery. I did not realise they put up market stalls in the forecourt for Christmas.</font></div><div><img id="id_8795_3aa7_e832_e3c2" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/64CWlmRRrQq-zFMkJxuf6Ll9N7fF9DISti6Q-CJsGpf9caWUhjsKXLOKF3uWViw2IxM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> There was a mini exhibition featuring the paintings of JMW Turner and in particular featuring the use of yellow in his paintings. Apparently he was a prolific traveller and sketched many thousands of landscapes during those times.</font></div><div><img id="id_355a_3135_437f_29d4" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/yy2F02nUNu9CU0ba9E_zAvw9GckTzoYTmzNEMqwYnrAuOHya36WZuwmslUq8IT1eVZg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"> <font face="Verdana">Ah, what would a trip to London be without hanging around Trafalgar Square</font></div><div><img id="id_ad17_e50f_6398_b53c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/wQo1Dl3WO9FXBCpQpqfnlgWrt5C_crs1Jpro_Fn0R9AvOU2zTgFpUwjAzjnxMBbD6Ro" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> And touching base yet again with these magnificent lions.</font><br><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br> </div>crazyquilterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254457962460331689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14818829.post-45176364230381655852022-12-20T00:47:00.001+13:002022-12-20T00:47:50.450+13:00Christmas Carols with a Difference<img id="id_30dc_7e03_116b_3970" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/PHPXtvZAWT2cp6vfh9LQj7M8CACLWdfF_UJnbhecdneD782kirqqI_EvFXYqKvPumBE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Last night was the Christmas service where Aaron and Marcele attend church.</font><div><font face="Verdana">Their 2 children were to be involved in the Christmas Nativity and so the church had requested they be there early for rehearsals.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana">The timing of the church service actually clashed with Aaron’s interest in the final of the FIFA World Cup.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana">Aaron decided we could, at least, watch the first half at home. By doing that meant we left home later then usual, got lost on the way in spite of Nav Man, which made us even later, but somehow, in the end, that did not matter.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana">The church singing group were practicing singing carols for the service so I was happy enough to be singing along with all of that.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana">Once practice was over, much to my surprise, they began streaming secular music, beginning with Last Christmas by Wham.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana">There was about a 45 minute break until the service started. Aaron had decided he was going to wait until he got home to see if he could watch a replay of the second half World Cup but another member of the congregation arrived and began to give us his update. </font></div><div><font face="Verdana">Next thing we knew the big screen from where we had been reading the words to Christmas Carols came alive with the penalty shoot out and the congregation were cheering Argentina on as if we were in a pub (but with no beer).</font></div><div><font face="Verdana">That over, a 5 minute countdown popped up on the big screen and then the actual service started.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana">The children did well in their participation of the nativity. Overall the carol singing was good and, with the service finished, mulled wine and mince tarts were offered to the congregation before we left for home.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana">I think I will always remember this as Christmas Carols with a difference.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br> </div>crazyquilterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254457962460331689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14818829.post-77386697218710848292022-12-17T03:19:00.001+13:002022-12-17T03:22:59.783+13:00Back to Brighton<img id="id_cb34_fbdd_53ac_affa" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/mti81CkOCNZj4p3JIcvicoNe1ZjMgRgI401vnOE84wAGz8SZsiR9AQYm-8vrSRuLC5k" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Not the first time I have been to Brighton but previous visits have always been in the summer months, so there was no wandering down to the beach front in the midst of winter. Brighton is well known for the unusual and this pub would be no exception. Not my personal choice, I prefer the old style pubs with arrays of hanging baskets and beautiful flowers, but this is Brighton.</font><div><font face="Verdana">The skies were clear but I doubt that the temperature would have risen above 2 degrees all day.</font></div><div><img id="id_212_75f8_741a_f592" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/CtzVys1GpI26OlH9NbBf4DBD_Q4wTvRIvx5dcQYZHD0xdPdlO_6kohVWuHWVMwmut58" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Rick spotted a whiskey shop and while he discussed various aspects of the whiskey world with the proprietor I wandered amongst the graffiti that decorated the walls.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana">Prices for 25ml of whiskey varied a lot but the bottle that sold shots for GBP6.50 was a lot more empty than the others that sold shots for GBP13.50.</font></div><div><img id="id_5dc1_f543_8363_507d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/eWkL_rLWd-btvMoOU1QwDiS9M-a4ohWV1SN-XH-VAsjLhk6zeXbkdopDy-So3rJElwY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Who knew that Brighton might be the place to go for some genuine Italian pizza?</font></div><div><font face="Verdana">This was exceptionally good, made from scratch on the premises and worth waiting for. This was large dinner plate size and most people were eating them one pizza per person. I did not think I could go for that so Rick was generous and shared his with me.</font></div><div><img id="id_c1fa_e15_dd80_65b5" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/0-A7IRLIoEK6c5bSzlZ109DV4Twg6CcvTOvsLVpuM71PgcRVXXzZQ3JzFLQabrG9I-w" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Rick tells me there is aa trend here towards the five pound (money not weight) doughnut in England.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana">These doughnuts, very poshly displayed, are very popular and founded by an Australian company apparently.</font></div><div><img id="id_1049_c69_9b0e_3643" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/xt_KOx4kVtuCp8M6U_mAjt5AhYeo9_G8l9jBpi2-1tMmRmQckr7NKTc5NRWLs_vJhgc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> These very posh Italian leather shoes were being used to decorate the shop’s Christmas tree.</font></div><div><img id="id_8f64_61c5_23a4_f8b9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/GqOjxPB_jbPMlYupINxyTnKofVIUev0N-9dvnbUSm1TjWwyXDdiwZf8-FTUeS47WnOc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_c163_3419_3c88_732d" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/xvaJ7rzdtxPuW5Pp8mV8ewbGhtu5HdO7zFYxj-aKrtKyqGf8VvIxzttBJ6irz9F7Y9s" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Rick asked me what I thought was the happiest moment of the day for me. I wasn’t sure, until I saw this photo he took of me. I had not realised how happy I was to be in the midst of all this fabric.</font></div><div><img id="id_33f7_efa7_10ff_25e4" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/VsMNsTBy2gF6-FfFpsZ9Vd3G-wGLA1-2j-tHeStXZ1iNaLVl-oWYtY9vChUXMptGnq0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> I found a basket amidst all the many bolts of fabric and ended up with a few samples to take away with me. I thought they could be some pieces I could give Anna-Clara to play with.</font><br><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br> </div>crazyquilterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254457962460331689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14818829.post-1813401434316809852022-12-15T23:08:00.001+13:002022-12-15T23:10:01.034+13:00 Nymans, A Garden for all Seasons<img id="id_e87_7ecb_94c2_815b" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/WVlTWVpYZ2AyR5d2Yh-wJDJ4KL-NIKm5uwRqdce13Dh3uQaW-MRkk95bxRNvxzQK9Lc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Another day out in our winter wonderland.</font><div><font face="Verdana">This time we went to a National Trust location, Nymans, a garden for all seasons.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana">We went by taxi and the drive alone was very special, taking in this ongoing winter wonderland.</font></div><div><img id="id_c729_e485_961f_3e72" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/CGKgV9zq_bvMPVO4XY-De0oOnlxCD53WmtAQF-ETOoMg-ktoHTN571bu84QvOWWRlsg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Rick and Hannah tell me that areas like this are ideal for picnics in the summer months and they have been known to take along some snacks, a bottle of Prosecco, a blanket and have a picnic there themselves.</font></div><div><img id="id_c967_ba2b_77a8_fa9" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/705u9VlJhiSbErHXX3i8bQRu6Ve88-Dv2au2O-ClyOFS_3vIU5GKJKdsA2qccUNjX78" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> The remains of a burnt out building on the property that has been left to become part of the landscape. It is very effective.</font></div><div><img id="id_2908_b668_394c_6025" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_xAyinZ_7OhOaCbimF4d88A7zGgyuooRvAMcHSbJc_xWoOalu0fr_ODbSlKu_Utb0lQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> At the moment Nymans have a Beatrix Potter exhibition. I enjoyed reading and looking at background information regarding her work.</font></div><div><img id="id_eae4_3d1a_38a8_6cbf" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/6pmGRRzMjtHF_fCIMxoFtYhAOFUn3X3Ds9eB5wlgbc9a2oJnW-sEhTkE-LW01TjEaPQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"> <font face="Verdana"> As part of the exhibition work had been done to recreate some of the scenes from Beatrix Potter stories.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana">To keep this quilty can you spot the patchwork quilt on the bed?<br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><br><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br> </div>crazyquilterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254457962460331689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14818829.post-72562342767297361072022-12-14T22:54:00.001+13:002022-12-14T22:54:17.536+13:00A Midday Walk<img id="id_b909_a4cc_a68_10bf" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3cB4WZMg9Ruv4f3_RFTLGncYzQGYGBEQArhot122Rd_ulUMh0x1pIKKBfvMlKLylKts" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Hannah and Rick were working from home today. However they were able to take a break around midday so we went for a walk around the housing estate where they live.</font><div><font face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_57e5_d970_c7de_f11b" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/MkDkfI09UdS6VqD3FPRiKPYhATdqK3HU3DUf1qt2W-b3swW5Ib8dfTAWtDRlX700ReQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 385px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Where the snow remained it was nice and crunchy to walk on but where it had melted or there had been traffic it was icy and a bit slippery in parts but none of us came to grief. Rick was very good at looking after me.</font></div><div><img id="id_8f3f_1cf7_521d_32db" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/UY_wqz7ujUXFY963VadAhEoR58g1x2aiZG_clEsUNaQSkWYz4-k8Ct4HD0uE2xazg9A" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> At the edge of the estate you can walk through the woodlands. I think it would be absolutely ideal in another season but the pathway today was quite muddy and slippery so a no go zone for us.</font></div><div><img id="id_ab67_581e_4e96_5792" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/qIIPJCYFbn45rtQt4O7Yty9qqoDccbhEJuMMfgXgghDoK6qN-Y2WpvMhTyvdqVgpZDQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Just two of a number of snowmen that someone has built on the estate. I am told they have been there at least 24 hours without any signs of melting.</font></div><div><img id="id_dd65_6085_844b_784b" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/EtAh63U7CJO9yGQ0Bxm8cNmaIojwPei7o0VyPitJ9dNgfP_3PW2fv2VhwQowWRaAXEY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana"> Even the fence railings are still hugging the snow.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana">I heard on the radio that there is the possibility of more snow in the south east of England before the week is out so we will wait ad see.<br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br> </div>crazyquilterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254457962460331689noreply@blogger.com0