Merry Christmas from The Mission Inn

My sister, Pamela, and I went for an outing at The Mission Inn in Riverside, CA.  It is a wonderful old hotel that is beautifully decorated each year.  I tried to take a couple of pictures at night when the lights were on, but they didn't do it justice.  There is a pedestrian mall on the block with various shops and restaurants.  There is also an ice skating rink on the mall.  It was so much fun and very festive!

 

Old Town Tucumcari, New Mexico

We drove a stretch of old Route 66 in Tucumcari, New Mexico.  There are numerous forgotten businesses, but some of them are being rejuvenated.

The Blue Swallow Motel is an example of a little gem on 66.  The note on the door told everyone that the owners were on vacation.  I would have liked to go into the lobby area as it is also a gift shop, and it looked so neat and organized.  Maybe next time through we'll see what they have.

The rooms were built with a one car garage - a real motor lodge.

Only a sign left at the Lasso Motel

The Palomino looks well kept for an old motel

The Ranch House Cafe sign and truck were interesting.

Wouldn't you like to see these gas prices again!

A cute Tucumcari shop.

Gary and Misty at Timeless Treasures.  Misty greeted us with her Frisbee as we pulled in to park - and of course we had to play with her a while.  Gary was friendly and filled us in on what is happening with the Tucumcari revitalization.  He also pointed out a couple of spots for us to see before we left town.

This barbecue place was cooking, but we were a day too early to eat. Next time through we are going to eat here because it was so cute and smelled so good too.

Inventive planter outside

The outside of the barbecue building was built with an eclectic variety of objects.

Next door is the Tucumcari Ranch Supply



Giant Cross - Groom Texas

We have seen this giant cross from a distance along I40 in Texas, but had never stopped to see it.  This year as we approached the site, we decided to go see what it was all about.  Quite the place to see.  If you have the chance to get off I40 to take a look you'll be impressed - the cross is 190 feet tall!

That is the Last Supper in the foreground, and lifesize Stations of the Cross around the base of the cross.

                                               Station - Veronica wiping the face of Jesus

               The Last Supper and the Crucifixion in the background with the angel at the tomb at the left.

A Blast From the Past - 1957

I received some old photos from a relative recently, and this was among them.  It is a photo I had never seen, so I was happy to receive it.

This photo, taken in 1957, is of my mother, my sister and me.  We were visiting relatives on their farm in Minnesota.  My sister and I were wearing 'farm play clothes'.

Do you enjoy looking into the past as much as I do?

Picker Sisters I -10 Home Store - Gone

My sisters and I enjoyed the Picker Sisters series, and really like some of the creative furniture and accessories they made from the rusted junk.  My sister, who lives in LA, went to take a look at the I - 10 Home store on Melrose, but it is closed with a for lease sign on the windows.  Too bad!  We were looking forward to seeing the creations from the show.

"Emily" - Wall Hanging

I finished Emily's wall hanging.  I decided to use the original photograph in this piece rather than printing the photograph onto fabric as I usually do.  The background fabric is a pale turquoise and gold printed vintage fabric.  The largest lace section is from the remnants of an antique dress.  I used additional antique lace, mother of pearl buttons and antique brocade ribbon.  The piece is attached to a vintage advertisement hanger for display.  The overall piece is about 16" x 29" at the widest points.

Vintage Photo Sunday - Emily

I'm sharing a vintage photo of 'Emily' today.  I really don't know anything about this young woman, including her name, but I've named her 'Emily'.  I'm incorporating the photo into a project that I will show you in a day or two.  Enjoy the image, and feel free to use it in your own artwork.

Maker's Mark Distillery

Kentucky is known for its Bourbon Wiskey, and Maker's Mark Distillery is a beautiful place to visit and tour.  I didn't realize that there are so many rules that must be followed to call a wiskey - bourbon.  For instance, the charred white oak barrels can only be used once.  Maker's Mark sends their used barrels to Scotland for use in making Scotch Whiskey. 

At the end of the tour you are given three types of Bourbon to taste - straight bourbon, no mixers.  If you buy a bottle of bourbon, you get to dip it yourself into the red wax to seal the cap.  There are many other nice gifts in the gift shop where I bought a canvas tote bag with the Maker's Mark logo.

We had a nice lunch at the Toll Gate Cafe.  This building was originally a toll booth when the road going through the property was open to the public for a charge.

Vintage Photo Sunday - Family Gathering

I just love all the old photos.  But, I'm also saddened by them because, as in this case, there is no information about the photo at all.  It must have been a family reunion of sorts as there are several generations in the picture.  I assume the older couple in the center are the patriarchs of the family.  As always, use the photo as you wish.

127 Corridor - World's Longest Yardsale

I have always wanted to part of the 127 Corridor - World's Longest Yard sale.  This year my sister and nephew were here for a visit, and we decided to just part of the sale.  The part we drove was from Danville, KY north to the Bluegrass Parkway - about 25 miles of sale.  The best part was at the end near the junction of 127/Bluegrass Parkway.  There were numerous tents set up with what looked to be pretty fun things.  But, we were at the end of the day when we reached that part and most vendors were packing up.  I know that if I want to do part of the sale next year that I will start where we ended up this year.  We didn't buy too much, but had a great day together!

We came across this beautiful little stacked stone wall with an arched drainage section.

Click on image to enlarge to read sign.

Cheaper by the Dozen - Kittens?

I'm not sure that applies to kittens.  We altered our walking route a few days ago, and came across a house with a dozen kittens - yes a dozen.  There are six black kittens, three grey kittens, one striped kitten, and a very charming grey and white kitten.  I'm not sure if they are all from the same litter as that would be a very large litter wouldn't it?  The first day I saw them I could have had the perfect group shot, but I didn't have my camera.  When I set out with camera in hand, the group shot from the previous day didn't materialize.  I was able to to take a few individual photos.   They seem quite interested in me, but won't come close enough to let me touch them.  Sure wish I could take a couple of them, but we travel between California and Kentucky twice a year with the two cats we have - which is kind of like traveling with toddlers.  But that's another story.

Hope you enjoy the photos of these cutie pies!

Vintage Photo Sunday

I haven't done a Vintage Photo Sunday in quite a long time.  As always, when I post one of these photos, feel free to use the image as you like.  This image is a cabinet card of a darling little girl that is dated 1916 on the back.  Her clothes are very cute aren't they?  Just look at those boots.  I can imagine her mother hoping the ringlets would stay in her hair long enough for the photo shoot.

Blogoversary Giveaway Winner

The winner of my blogoversary giveaway is Cozy.  I will be sending your little quiltie as soon as I receive your snail mail address.  Thank you to all who entered my giveaway, and I hope to be more prompt in my future postings.

Blogoversary Giveaway

Today is my four year blogoversary, and I have been Blog-delinquent lately.  Even though this will be after the fact,  I want to offer a little giveaway.  To enter the drawing, just leave a comment on this post.  If you are already a follower or become a follower, your name will be entered twice.   I'll draw the winning name next Friday evening, July 22.  Thank you to all you who have shown patience with my sporadic postings.

The 1920s photo of young women who are joking around on an old swing set was taken somewhere in Carroll, Iowa, and it is the subject of this mini quiltie. Perhaps they are meeting for a school reunion. They look quite happy don't they? The picture is printed on white cotton, and then it is collaged with bits and pieces of vintage fabrics, trims and buttons.

The finished size is 4" x 6". A piece of trim is added at the top for easy hanging. 

Fabric Book - Children & Bikes, Trikes and Wagons

I finished this little fabric book a few days ago, but just got around to taking pictures of it.  I used unbleached muslin for the book structure.  The book is embellished with various scraps of fabric, lace, trims, buttons, pins and cute pictures of children with their bikes, trikes and wagons.  The photos are printed onto prepared white cotton fabric sheets.  The overall size is 5" x 10.5".

Front Cover

Back Cover

Honey Bees on the Move

We had a swarm of honey bees this morning that settled onto two trees.  The largest swarm of bees on one tree is about 2 ft x 1 ft.  The smaller swarm is hanging from a branch and totals about 6 - 8 inches.  As I write this, the smaller one has moved, but the larger one is still on the tree.

Prayers for Joplin

We stayed in Joplin two weeks ago, and attended Mass at St. Mary's Catholic Church.  There isn't much left of the church or the town of Joplin.  I am so sorry for the lives lost, the injured and for the destruction of these peoples lives.  They are in our prayers.

The Getty in Winter

My sister and I visited The Getty Center in Los Angeles in February.  I realized that I hadn't shared any pictures.  I only took a few pictures this year, and they are taken from the garden.  I've visited a few times over the years, and it is a must see if you are in LA.  The beautiful buildings are constructed from stone taken from the same quarry as the stone that built St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.  The artwork housed in the buildings is extraordinary, and there are usually special exhibits as well.  There are places to eat, from a full meal to just a snack.  The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed, and docent tours are available.   I have also visited the museum in Malibu which is beautiful too, but The Getty Center in LA is my favorite of the two.