• 31Oct
    Categories: brilliant ideas, Everything! Comments Off on Chez Monica

    When Sally, Kathleen and Kasi were here last weekend, we took a trip to Chez Monica.  It is a quilter’s paradise.  You could be in there for hours just soaking up mental image after mental image because everywhere you look there’s something to feed your soul.  Photos will never do it justice, but here are a few snaps to share for your enjoyment.

    P.S. I’ve added more photos to the weekend post, courtesy of Kasi, so even if you’ve read it, you may want to go back.  Her photos are amazing!

    Library - 6654

    Library - 6720

    Library - 6721

    Library - 6719

    Library - 6661

    Library - 6662

    Library - 6663

    Library - 6664

    Library - 6715

    Library - 6719

    Library - 6722

    Library - 6720

    Tags:
  • 29Oct
    Categories: Everything! Comments Off on Kasi, Kathleen and Sally Continued

    We still had Sunday left, and, as promised, we started it off with a bit of a sleep in.  That was followed by Orange Rolls and Quiche–and I forgot to take pictures!

    But, can you believe they’d been here two days and we hadn’t even walked across the lawn to the Quilt Studio?  I’m sorry they never got to visit Anna Lena’s, but this was the next best thing.

    Library - 6690

    They were quite impressed by the rick rack holder Bob had built!

    Library - 6773

    Kasi wanted to finish her wonderful Owl Quilt, so I gave her a quick lesson in stippling and off she went!

    Library - 6675

    Didn’t it turn out fantastic!?!

    Library - 6676

    Kasi intends for it to be a floor quilt.  Some of the squares are Minky–so it will really be tactile for the baby.

    Library - 6677

    While Kasi was quilting, Kathleen was busy trying on my aprons.  Here’s the Saucy Circle Apron.

    Library - 6668

    And the Lilly Apron made with my Butterfly fabric.

    Library - 6673

    This one’s reversible, so she had to model both sides.

    Library - 6671

    Kasi had seen my Garden Trellis quilt in Studio post, and had to bring the first quilt she ever made–a Garden Trellis quilt!  She made it for her mom many years ago.  It was easier to pin hers up than to take mine down!

    Library - 6679

    Since she had only stitched in the ditch when she made it, we decided to put it on the long arm and quilt some flowers in it.

    Library - 6775

    Won’t her mom be surprised!

    Library - 6771

    Here’s Kasi getting a binding lesson.  I wish I had a photo of what Sally was doing during this time–she was Swiffering the floor!  Not that it needed it, of course!

    Library - 6703

    Don’t you love Kasi’s embroidered jeans?  Melissa, this one’s for you!

    Library - 6678

    We had a great late lunch at Full Circle Cafe in Ocean Park,then drove through historic Oysterville. The old church there is so charming.

    Library - 6705

    And here’s one of my favorite houses.

    Library - 6681

    It was all over too soon,but, let’s check Kasi’s list and see how we did.

    Kasi’s list.

    Tour a cranberry bog ?
    Visit the beach ?
    Meet Monica ?
    Meditate in that fabulous craft space ?
    Meet Poppy (now Lola)  Oh no, poor Lola!
    Tour the little Swedish cabin ?
    Sleep in ?
    Stay up late ?
    Drink wine – well, I think Lemon Drops count! ?
    Eat yummy fun food at fun yummy restaurants ?
    Shop all/any cute little stores in downtown Long Beach ?

    Well, I guess it’s best to leave something undone–that way there can be a next time!

  • 27Oct
    Categories: Everything! Comments Off on Kasi, Kathleen and Sally…

    …come for the weekend.

    I know Kathleen and Kasi through my sister, Sally.  They are both full of fun and crafty gals–and neither had ever been to Long Beach!  So, we’d been planning a weekend to get them here.

    Library - 6710

    Kasi had a list of what she wanted to do on the weekend:

    Tour a cranberry bog
    Visit the beach
    Meet Monica
    Meditate in that fabulous craft space
    Meet Poppy (now Lola)
    Tour the little Swedish cabin
    Sleep in
    Stay up late
    Drink wine
    Eat yummy fun food at fun yummy restaurants
    Shop all/any cute little stores in downtown Long Beach

    I tried to accommodate them.  They arrived late Friday afternoon, and we started with a tour of the Swedish Log Cabin.

    Library - 6642

    It’s mostly been winterized for the season, but they still had fun looking around.

    Library - 6684

    I hope they appreciated that I was out in the pouring rain picking the last of my flowers for them!

    Library - 6641

    Sally is more handy to have around than a Girl Scout (well, in our case, a Campfire Girl).  She brought her professional martini shaker.

    Library - 6650

    So before we went out for dinner, we enjoyed lemon drops!

    Library - 6635

    Then we were off to Jimella’s for a fine dinner!

    Library - 6734

    We stayed up late, as promised, and looked at Sally’s photo albums and Kasi’s latest quilt–a work in progress for a friend’s new baby.

    Library - 6659

    Saturday morning we slept in a little bit, but not so late we didn’t have time to eat.

    Library - 6641

    We had a quick breakfast of pecan sticky buns…

    Library - 6639

    Library - 6640

    ….and fresh fruit.

    Library - 6638

    Then it was off to see cranberry harvest!

    Library - 6642

    Kasi and Kathleen went to walk on the beach while Sally and I came back here to get ready for high tea.

    Library - 6735

    They loved seeing Sid Snyder Drive, the street named for my dad.

    Library - 6670

    My mom joined us.  Our first course was Tomato Blue Cheese Soup for sipping.

    Library - 6645

    That was followed by our sandwich plate–egg salad, tuna and cucumber/cream cheese sandwiches; carrot crudite and a currant scone.

    Library - 6678

    And for dessert, a buche de noel.  I know, it’s not Christmas–so we decided it was a buche de autumn.  I made the mushrooms from almond paste.

    Library - 6649

    While I did dishes, the others went to see my parents’ house….

    Library - 6682

    … and the family grocery store, Sid’s Market (a highlight on any tour of the area!).

    Library - 6712

    From there is was downtown Long Beach for some shopping.

    Library - 6698

    Anna Lena’s Quilt Shop may be gone, but the fudge lives on–at Scrapuccino.

    Library - 6697

    Then it was a trip to Astoria (and a lesson in Lewis and Clark).

    Library - 6737

    But, the real reason for our trip was a visit to Monica and a chance to see her studio.  Ever the generous hostess, she had made Itty Bitty Poochie Bags for us–and filled them with m&m’s!

    Library - 6657

    After filling our senses with all things good and wonderful, we were off to dinner at the Bridgewater Bistro.

    Library - 6724

    Why, are those more lemon drops?

    Library - 6725

    Our food was delicious–and we topped it off with tiny desserts.

    Library - 6731

    Good food, good friends.  Does it get any better than that?

    Library - 6737

    Then it was back here for a late night of show-and-tell from my vintage linen stash and some 1930′s quilts.

    To be continued…….

  • 26Oct
    Categories: Everything! Comments Off on Halloween Decorated

    Last week I finally got my Halloween decorations put up–well, some of them!

    Library - 6616

    Aren’t these just the cutest little trick-or-treaters ever?

    Library - 6618

    I love the expressions on their faces.

    Library - 6619

    Halloween hats on the armoire.

    Library - 6620

    A windowsill of silly fun.

    Library - 6621

    I’ve had this cat pillow for years–and still love it!

    Library - 6622

    Pumpkin people.

    Library - 6624

    Candles on the fireplace.

    Library - 6623

    My BOO chair and the most adorable crepe paper nut cups.  Do you remember nut cups?

    Library - 6626

    The dining room table all decked out.

    Library - 6627

    The centerpiece.

    Library - 6628

    Towel rack on the kitchen butcher block (that came from my dad’s store).

    Library - 6630

    Noise maker.

    Library - 6634

    Candy, anyone?

    Library - 6632

    Bring on the little goblins!

    Tags:
  • 23Oct
    Categories: Everything!, fabric design Comments Off on I’m Famous in Australia!

    Well, I’d like to think so.  I had the sweetest letter from Tamsin Harvey, the proprietor of Berrima Patchwork and Crafts in New South Wales, Australia.

    Library - 6615

    In it, she says that she stocks a range of my fabrics and would love to put a piece on display that’s been signed by me!  She included a piece of my Blue Swallow Print from the Sweet Pea line from Studio Anna Lena.  She also included a Sharpie pen and a return envelope.  Now sweet is that!

  • 21Oct
    Categories: Everything! Comments Off on Cranberries and Grandkids

    I just has to post a few more photos from harvest–and some of our grandkids who were here to help!

    Justin got hip boots for Christmas last year.  He’s right at home in the bog.

    Library - 6501

    That paddle is really heavy, but at six, he’s ready for the task.

    Library - 6505

    I never get tired of watching the totes fill up.

    Library - 6511

    I gave up my hip boots years ago.  I’ll cook and drive truck, but I stay out of the bog.  Oh, there’s a “bogged down” joke here somewhere!  But, I do have the most stylish boots of all!

    Library - 6531

    This is 2-1/2 year old Carson, getting the feel of the leaf rake.  We’ll have him shoveling before long.

    Library - 6537

    He likes to ride on the tractor with his daddy, Doug.

    Library - 6540

    I made the mistake of saying his boots were muddy, at which point he shook them off his feet and wouldn’t put them on again!

    Library - 6544

    Megan, Kyle and Marie.  Who says harvest isn’t fun?

    Library - 6554

    Another trailer loaded and ready to deliver to the receiving station.

    Library - 6555

    Knee deep in berries.

    Library - 6562

    Here’s Marie with her paddle.

    Library - 6552

    Here’s Marie after she stepped in the ditch!

    Library - 6565

    Back home.  We didn’t make Peyton work in the bogs–not this year.

    Library - 6566

    And isn’t this cute of Carson on our front porch?

    Library - 6586

  • 19Oct
    Categories: Everything! Comments Off on Cranberry 101

    Another cranberry harvest is behind us.  Bob can take a big breath and relax!  He always stresses so during harvest.

    Library - 6553

    One of our favorite things during harvest is having strangers stop by the bog to see what we’re doing.  We love to share the process with them.  Cranberry farming is so unique.  We call our little talks Cranberry 101.  I thought it would be fun to share it here, too.

    Cranberries grow on vines in naturally occurring peat bogs.  They are not under water except during harvest.

    Library - 6506

    If you look carefully, you can see the berries growing in amongst the vines.

    Library - 6510

    When its time for harvest, we flood the bogs with water from our irrigation ponds.

    Library - 6522

    Once the water covers the vines, a machine called a beater is driven over the vines.  It has a reel on the front with small steel bars.  The reel rotates and knocks the berries off the vines.  Cranberries are hollow in the middle, and they float to the surface of the water.

    Library - 6531

    Once they’re floating, we use booms and paddles to bring them to one end of the field.

    Library - 6548

    An elevator conveys the berries into totes on the trailers.  There is also a stream of water washing away leaves and debris as the berries ride up the elevator.

    Library - 6552

    Filling the totes.

    Library - 6519

    There’s between 1000 and 1100 pounds of cranberries in each tote.  That’s a lot of little red berries!

    Library - 6535

    As members of the Ocean Spray Co-op, all we have to do is deliver our crop to the local receiving station, where they are cleaned and hauled off to freezer to await further processing.  All of our fruit is used for processing (not sold fresh in little bags).  Because we have good color, most of it will probably go for juice.  So, think of us next time you have a glass!

    images

  • 18Oct
    Categories: Everything! Comments Off on More Photos from Jayne

    Jayne, our live-in babysitter from 1956 – 1959, came to visit us in Long Beach in 1965.  We had moved to a new-to-us house a short time before.  When Jayne was here recently, she shared these photos she’d taken then.

    Here’s our house.

    library-6305

    I loved the big yard, and the first thing I asked for was a dog!  You see, in the past, when I’d asked for a dog, my parents always said we didn’t have a big enough yard.

    library-6306

    I was the only one in the family that was a pet lover, but my parents agreed.  This is our dog, Cinnamon.

    library-6320

    It was fun not only seeing photos of us, but of the house and furnishings, too.  I had these chairs in my first home many years later, and Sally had them after that!

    library-6309

    Ditto with this bedroom set.  In fact, it was in Sally’s guest room until just a year or two ago.

    library-6311

    The kitchen didn’t have a dishwasher, but my mom solved that problem.  She had a portable one on the back porch.  Nice curlers, Mom!

    library-6312

    My grandparents must have driven down from Raymond to see Jayne.  Here’s Grandpa with “my” car.

    library-6317

    And Grandma.  She always wore dresses in those days.

    library-6316

    Here I am with our neighbors (who were like grandparents) Nanny and Mr. Reisner.

    library-6321

    My Aunt Evelyn and cousin Jim.

    library-6322

    Butch Jasperson was a high school boy who lived with us.  I remember the big thing for the high school boys then was to have their pants pegged–the legs narrowed.  The school administration didn’t like the tight pants, so they passed a rule that the boys had to be able to drop a golf ball down the leg of their pants!  Oh, and the girls had to kneel on the floor, and the hems of their skirts had to touch the floor!

    library-6323

    I mentioned in the last post that I think Jayne had a crush on my cousin, Jim.  Here they are again–and Jayne with curlers in her hair!

    library-6324

    When Jayne was there, Mom and Dad had just returned from their first trip to Hawaii.

    library-6326

    They brought leis for everyone!

    library-6328

    Sid and Sally are checking out the kissing Hawaiian dolls.

    library-63292

    And I’m trying on my grass skirt!

    library-63302

    Tags:
  • 16Oct
    Categories: brilliant ideas, Everything! Comments Off on Do You Need A Retreat?

    I’m so excited about our upcoming retreat.  There are six spaces left, so if you could use a little uninterrupted time to work on your projects (as in Christmas is coming!), won’t you join us?

    retreatladies

    Days – You have the option of a three or four day retreat.  The four day retreat is an additional $75.00–but think of what you can get done!  THREE Day Retreat – Friday, November 6-Sunday, November 8.  FOUR Day Retreat – Thursday, November 5 – Sunday, November 8.

    Place – The retreat will be at the Falls Creek Retreat Center.  The Retreat Center is 35 miles west of Chehalis on Highway 6.  I taught there a few months ago, and it’s a lovely facility.  We will be sewing in the gymnasium, so we’ll have plenty of room to spread out.

    People – There will be 64 of us, including three “staff” members.  Staff members are Robin Anderson, Monica Solorio-Snow and me!

    Meals – The 3 day retreat includes 5 meals–dinner on Friday night, three meals on Saturday and brunch on Sunday.  The 4 day retreat includes 8 meals–dinner on Thursday, three meals on Friday and Saturday and brunch on Sunday.

    Accommodations – We will be split between the Creekside Lodge and Cedar Lodge.  Each lodge has a lovely sitting room as well as the bedrooms.  Everyone will have their own bed.  Bedrooms have between 2 and 5 beds.  Each bedroom has its own bath.

    Structure – You are free to do your own thing at the retreat–work on UFO’s, start a new project–whatever you desire.  The only thing we ask is that you not bring embroidery machines and have them running continually.  I will also be offering a mystery class to those who would like to participate.  Email me if you’d like details on that.  The Anna Lena Staff will be there to offer assistance with your projects.  These often lead to impromptu demonstrations.

    Cost – THREE Day Retreat – Friday, November 6-Sunday, November 8 – $199.00

    FOUR Day Retreat – Thursday, November 5 – Sunday, November 8 – $274.00

    Click here to sign up.  We’re going to have a blast!

    Tags:
  • 15Oct
    Categories: Everything! Comments Off on A Visit From Jayne

    In 1956 my parents advertised in the Portland, Oregonian for a live-in baby sitter to help with their three children–my brother, then called Bobby, was 4, I was three and my sister, Sally, almost 1.  In those days, Portland was a world away.  Now it’s about a two and a half hour drive, and it probably wasn’t too much more than that back then, but we just didn’t take those kinds of drives!  And this is what Long Beach looked like!  Probably quite a shock for a city girl.

    library-6304

    Anyway, the ad was answered, and Jayne, who was starting her sophomore year in high school, came to live with us.  Today we’d call her a nanny, but not back then.  Here she is, holding our cat, Fluffy Mayonnaise.

    library-6295

    Jayne stayed with us for the next three years.  She was like a member of our family, even going to Disneyland with us!  She made a whopping $10.00 a week.  After high school graduation, she moved back to Portland  She visited once or twice when we got older, but then we completely lost track of her.  Surprise of surprise, she just came back to Long Beach for her 50th class reunion!  We had a great visit, and she brought some wonderful old photos with her.

    Here we are in Disneyland.  Sally was too little to come–and still hasn’t quite gotten over the fact that she was left home.

    library-6290

    Jayne still refers to my grandparents as “grandma” and “grandpa.”  Here’s my Grandpa Kennedy in his garden.

    library-6297

    She had several photos of my cousin, Jim.

    library-6298

    I think she may have had a crush on him!

    library-6303

    Oops, Jim with a broken foot.

    library-6302

    Jim holding my brother and me.

    library-6294

    Jim and I share a love of horses, but here he’s giving my brother a ride.

    library-6296

    Not only did he have a horse, he had a nice car, too!  Actually, I think it was the family car, and not just Jim’s.

    library-6299

    This is Jim’s mom, my Aunt Evelyn.  See the car in the garage.  That’s my grandpa’s 1954 Dodge.  He gave it to me in 1970 and I still have it!

    library-6301

    This is my favorite of all the photos.  It’s my Grandma and Grandpa Kennedy and all of their grandkids.  On the left is Jim, holding his dog, Dukey, then my cousin Cheryl and me.  On the right is my cousin Susan, my brother, Bobby (today known as Sid) and Sally, my sister, is on Grandpa’s lap.

    library-6300

    Tags: