Little quilts, and big and little boats

There have been attempts made several times over the past few weeks to get a post written, but I never got farther than opening the "new post" window.

However, I do actually have a couple of small tops to share. From a pattern Pam Buda gave to our Circa 1880 Club when she visited us last July (based on a little quilt made and gifted to her by her friend Karen S., of Elgin, IL), I made these two little cuties. They measure 9 1/2" x 13 1/2".

It is a sweet way to use up leftover blocks and pieces from our Circa 1880 quilts. I planned to make one with a black fabric for the sashing and borders, but it just didn't happen. As I dug through fabrics to see what I wanted to use, these two seemed to be playing nicely, so I picked them. I am very happy with them--but I still might make a black one someday.

For those who were interested in the items I shared in my last post (back in August), I did draw names, notify those chosen, and get them sent off--I just never wrote a post to share that info. But Grace, Denise, Terry, and Cathy K. have all received their little packages.

But there is another chance to throw your hat in the ring. A friend was cleaning things out of her sewing room. She had 2 extra copies of this book. I took one copy for me, and this one is to share with someone who would like it. Mention in your comment if you are interested in the book, and I will do another drawing in a week or two.

I spent almost half of the month of September in travel. We got on a big boat (the Zuiderdam) and cruised with friends again from Quebec to Boston, with several stops along the way. We enjoyed walking around Old Town Quebec.

Saw some glorious sunsets over the water.

Visited PEI, Cape Breton, and Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Saw lots of these...

...and visited the Lucy Maud Montgomery memorial park, and the Anne of Green Gables house, PEI National Park, the Alexander Graham Bell Museum, and the cemetery where the majority of the bodies recovered from the Titanic were buried. If you haven't yet sensed a theme, I love historical things, and I am sparing you from most of the photos of the many other historical places and monuments we visited.

Did some of this (in a little boat--kayak, actually) off the coast of Maine (yes, it was foggy--but fun)...

...had a delightful visit with these good people while there...

(for those who may not know her by sight, that is Wendy the Constant Quilter in the cool shades, with her hubby, Gordon, behind her). Always a treat to be able to spend time with them. Thanks for taking the trouble to meet up with us!

In Boston, before flying home, we only had a chance to visit a handful of the sites on The Freedom Trail, but the one that touched me the most was the newest addition to the trail, The New England Holocaust Memorial. 

This had me feeling so much emotion. It is pretty amazing. You can take a virtual tour at the link below. I know it isn't the same as being there, but it gives you an idea of the well-thought-out layout and design. https://www.nehm.org/visit/virtual-tour/

Then a couple of weeks after we got home, Hubby and I headed up to Idaho for a few days. We did many things, but our main objective was an afternoon kayaking trip to a little cove off the Snake River created by a spring. It can only be accessed by water, and hubby has been kind of obsessed for the past couple of years, with getting up there and seeing the spring. It took less than an hour to paddle to the spring from the rental place. The water was glassy for much of the way.

In the photo above, where the light-colored, downward pointing triangle-ish shape is seen on the darker rock wall ahead, it pretty much points down to where the little cove is off to the right of the river, as the river bends away to the left.

Inside the cove the water is clear, and the color of turquoise. Such a peaceful, magical-feeling place. We had it all to ourselves for about 15 minutes. Then we headed back upstream to turn in our kayak and drive to the little creamery in the nearby town. After a couple of hours of kayaking, I think you earn an ice cream!

The next day, before heading home, we visited a "relocation camp" where 13,000 Japanese Americans were wrongfully held during WWII. This is all that remains of the structures, but there were large signs with photos and information placed around the grounds to help you understand what went on for these American citizens who were denied their rights.

It was a sobering experience. Hard to believe this happened in our country.

That concludes my travelogue post. 
I can't believe I let so many weeks go by without a post. Shame on me. In my defense, we have had family staying with us since August 1st, and they are my priority right now. But I do hope to be back again before October is over. Maybe I will finally take down all the patriotic mini quilts and get up the fall and Halloween colored ones. And maybe not. ;)

Until next time, be creative and be kind.

Janet O.

Just a little taste of fall from my neck of the woods. It was a bit past peak color when I got this photo, but still pretty.