Landscape Collage

OK, I'm starting off with, "sorry for the poor quality photo" ... that phrase is my particular bugaboo!, but ... this top photo is a tiny framed photo (4" x 6") of a lovely meadow in the Smokey Mountains, called Cades Cove. I used to ride my bicycle in this area, and it was beautiful, both visually, and spiritually. (Plus, I was 15 lbs. smaller, and actually had muscles and a flat stomach -- oh dang, it that's another story.)

I used the small photo as inspiration for the landscape collage, in the next photo. We had a class at our Guild, and each brought a bunch of possibly appropriate fabric, fused it to stabilize the edges, cut it up, fused or sewed it down, put a frame around it, and voila! I just love it. My end product is a more reasonable size. (Hey, putting a frame around ANYTHING makes any project look even better!)

Funny thing - the wall is the same wall behind each photo! Look how the colors have changed. I would LOVE to do this again - and encourage any of you to try it out, although it doesn't use much fabric though .... Also, keep it simple.

Is it Spring yet?

While Loving Care, Light Ash Brown, #75, does it's thing on my flowing tresses, I will return after "hibernation" to take part in more entertaining activities, like posting and blogging. Let's see -- I have 40 minutes to play. I've tried to check into your blogs during my hibernation - hope I haven't missed too much!

Finally, a border solution to my quilt below, which has been named "Checkers Tonight Dearie?" Once the solution was determined, I am wondering why it had become such a problem. Maybe I was just thinking too hard. It's officially a top, and when I purchase 7 yards of ONE fabric for the backing, it will be machine quilted. Thank you all who made sensible suggestions -- I think the successful one was "put it away for awhile."
This was my view very early Christmas morning - how much better can nature be? Such perfect timing. I bundled myself up and went outside early, in the quiet, before the snow-blowers started rumbling, to enjoy the still air. 6-8 inches of much needed snow!
After finishing that "Checkers Tonight Dearie?" project, I just HAD to make a new quilt, after I saw this cute little "Bee" fabric at my LQS. The rest was all stash. This will be a Linus Quilt, and you might recognize the pattern, from our friend Bonnie at www.quiltville.com. This went together in 2-3 days, between other jobs, so if you haven't made one, this is a GREAT little and FAST quilt. I've had the backing fabric (little colorful frogs) for 5 years, bought especially for a particular pattern, but have been using up the coordinated fabrics, so who knows what the original plan was? Looks great here! The inner border and most of the binding is black and white striped which echoes the black and white bee body.


Happy New Year Everyone!

Goin' into Hibernation for a while ... zzzzzzzz

Not to worry - I just must keep my mind on other things for now ... be back soon.

Weather Report from Western Nebraska

I've checked out a LOT of you bloggers in the Midwest and find better weather reports from bloggers, than from the Weather Channels. That ICE is a terrible thing. Good luck with the power issues.

NOTHING interesting here - only about 4 inches of snow, slick roads, but thankfully, no ice and no wind.

I'm too wimpy to go outside for a photo -- COLD!

Taking a Break!

Thanks to so many of you who have tried to help with that dang border thing I'm struggling with! Yesterday I spend $32.00 on MORE FABRIC that I was SURE would definitely work -- it didn't. And I only made about 100 HSTs -- oh well, I can use them for another project. I'm giving it a break (as many of you suggested) and am posting something else for today. I have another good direction, from Patti that might work. Her suggestion is similar to something my DH suggested, as well you Bloggers. I think a new effort will be Number 5 or is it 6? How wonderful to hear from others with excellent suggestions. What would we all do without each other?

It never fails, just when I get to thinking "Hey, Elaine, you're getting pretty clever at this quilting design business... " I get smacked with a humbling experience that puts me back in my place. 8-(

We have lovely snow, about 2 inches, with more on the way. Our wood supply is getting LOW so we're not starting up the fireplace -- just in case of emergency, but I tell you, it would feel good today.

This is a scrappy quilt made about 10 years ago. I still like it, and especially liked the borders, with that inset of a small square, giving the appearance of notching inward.

This Border is NOT Doin' It! 8-(

Every once in a while, I hit a dead-end with my quilting/design process. This current project CENTER is just wonderful, but that border ain't agonna do it! I was determined that the continuation of squares in the border was just the ticket. For my bed, I need at least 12 inches added to each side (like 2 6-inch blocks - same as the inner size blocks?). I tried dark squares -- the result was murky, then I tried sprinkling the dark with light - that resulted in looking hit and miss, then I made them half and half light/dark - result was spotty and distracting, and tonight, in a fit of self-pity and irritation, I picked it up off the floor and put the entire mess in a box! There are bunches of squares in various stages of 4-patches that I can use in another project if necessary. I did NOT put away the center of this quilt -- I like this too much -- but I AM DISCOURAGED!!!!

The beigey/tan tone to the darker border wasn't working since the center has more clear values, especially the lights.

I had hoped to put SOMETHING related but different than the center, a bit darker in value. I could just continue the pattern all the way to the edge, but that seems to be a bit of a cop out. I can also head to the fabric store for a perfect border print, but THAT's a bit of a cop out also and I WAS hoping to keep it as a STASHBUSTER. HELP! Wahhhhh! Large Broken Dishes would repeat the shape?

The answer to "One of these things is not like the other"

Since many of you said you didn't find my unplanned humility block, I'll tell you which one it is.

For this particular setting... Each row is opposite the previous one. The pinwheels go to the right in one row and to the left in the next. The 4-patches (16 patches) also must be set either with the light block in the upper right or the dark block in the upper right. The light square SHOULD set up between the light triangles, and the dark square SHOULD set up between the DARK triangles.

In the lower left of this photo, two blocks from the left and two blocks from the bottom, there is a light square against the dark triangles. I should have rotated it 90 degrees. This really points up the value of looking at your quilt through the camera lens - it sees everything!

Not much of a problem, apparently! LOL Congrats to those of you with EAGLE eyes!

Playing with my toys

Today, I stuck with a self-imposed schedule and studied Paint Shop Pro for ONE hour! See? I learned how to put text over a photo! LOL And unfortunately, I didn't notice the one rebel block until I took the photo. How did that happen? Can you find it?

This is my current project - a combination of ideas from various locations. I am determined to keep the scrappy approach to this, but the border (below) is a bit of a gamble. While the interior of the quilt is all lights/darks, the border is mediums/darks. My original plan to use more darks/lights (upper part of below photo) was just too distracting, so I opted for mediums/darks. I am confident that the machine quilting will blend the border colors, and I'll still move some of them around for more even color distribution -- it needs more greens and tans - less pinks. My machine quilting friend Anita Allen of Prairie Creations has already been contacted.

I am using up more of my stash, although the inner border forest green was purchased. The outer border must be this width to bring it to queen-size, and then I will finally have a new quilt on my bed. Those blog questions about "What's on YOUR bed?" ... made me want something new.


Incidentally, Corel Paint Shop Pro X is an amazing program, and I paid less than $30.00 on the Internet -- it is an older edition. I'm also diddling around with blending photos with fabric. Today, I learned how to collage, enlarge, rotate, all kinds of special effects, colors, media types, print or blend the photo with fabric. This is one of the toys I plan to learn better, starting in January. Hey, I need more time to learn all this new fun stuff!

P.S.

If you are looking for more details about this ruler, Easy Angle, and others, check out the web site (www.ezquilt.com). There is a lot of clear information about various rulers they have, as well as tutorials, and patterns. Lots of ideas, for your next shopping trip.

Toys, tools, tricks, tips, and a New Quilt

After living for YEARS with dull scissors, and NOT wanting to purchase another, I broke down and bought a scissors sharpener -- that funny looking yellow thing, AND a knife sharpener (not shown). I sharpened ALL my scissors, as well as my almost-useless and dull knives, cleaned out the kitchen drawer, and polished the flatware! Isn't it amazing how a small improvement gives a person incentive for more improvements? I can't guarantee I've done the sharpening correctly, but EVERYTHING works a LOT better.

Next, I had recently purchased that scissors leash - another nifty tool that eliminates that stupid question, "Where did I leave my scissors?" It hangs at the right length so you can use it at the machine, and still snip threads, etc.

But my new favorite tool, is this Easy Angle, by Sharon Hultgren, that I've had for years and never used.
This tool eliminates the need for the 7/8 measurement for making triangles - you just cut the strip the same size as needed - in this case, 3 1/2 inches. One end of the ruler is blunted, the other end pointed. I layer the fabric strips same sides together. The 3 1/2 inch line is the business end - don't worry too much about the blunted end, although it SHOULD end up at the top edge of your strip. Of course, turn it around 180 degrees for the next cut, and on down the strip. I've had excellent results with this ruler - better than doing the 7/8 inch thing -- those pointy ends always have a tendency to stretch for me. Using this Easy Angle method, I put the blunted fabric end in the machine, and it works for me. (I still have not taken the time to actually understand the marks on the ruler so don't try to figure out those numbers from my photo.)

Next, after seeing this quilt idea in several places, Bonnie Hunters site, a Better Homes and Garden quilt book, and a photo from "Simple Strategies for Scrap Quilts" by Lynn Roddy Brown, I started this stash buster over the Thanksgiving weekend.

There are two blocks - one made of 4 4-patches and one pinwheel. The 4 patch unit can have either a light in the upper left corner, or a dark, depending how you turn it, and the pinwheel spins one way in one row, and the other way in the next row (must be sewn differently each row). To me, the most interesting effect is shown here. I liked the dark piece of the 4 4-patch, to meet up with the dark pinwheel. This sound confusing, until you start putting it together, and compare several versions of patterns. (Hooray for digital cameras!)

This quilt takes in excess of 169 blocks -- but it IS using up a lot of scrappy pieces. Hopefully, it will be queen size when finished.

Once again, thanks Bonnie for the incentives and inspirations.

Blue Lemonade - Another 'New Best Favorite'

I've named this "Blue Lemonade" .. reminiscent to 'when life gives you lemons, make lemonade', but of course this is blue. And again, it was almost all scraps from my stash.

My friend, Anita, of Prairie Creations quilted this little string project, that I started at our Quilt Retreat. The entire quilt was posted November 4. I actually cried a bit when I saw how beautifully she did this. Not an easy quilt to make beautiful in my estimation, but she managed it, exquisitely!


The back ...
And again, Thank You, Anita!

DONE and Ready to Go!

Truly, in reality, this is NOT as PANK!!!as this photo, but hey, it's done, and two days ago, I wouldn't have given you a plug nickle for it -- today, I kinda like it! This is a Project Linus Quilt, and I machine quilted it on my DSM.

This is the back - more Stashbusting!

Quilt Guild Day and a Presentation

Quilt Guild Day is better than Christmas, and this meeting we made it even better with an extra Holiday Gift Exchange, and a fantastic Pot Luck! Attendance was excellent -- about 55?, we had 4 visitors, and several of them joined the Guild. As you may remember, I live waaaaay out in the Nebraska Panhandle. While this meeting is in our town, most members drive a good long way to attend meetings. A round trip of 120 miles is not unusual. I was also honored to be asked to make a presentation of "String Quilts and their Units". Returning home, my head is spinning, my mouth is going non-stop to poor DH, and my brains are trying to decide on which of 20 new projects I should zero in on. Who needs drugs? - I am on a HIGH! Just can't sew now, so I'm blogging!!!

This is a flannel board on an easel I used to help show some individual units made for creating string quilts. Many gals want to use their strings, but the overall idea of "using strings" was too-open ended for those who need a little more guidance or clarification.

(Incidentally, flannel boards do NOT hold quilt blocks that still have paper foundation on them.)

Below, is the beginning of organizing my presentation in the right order, planning so I wouldn't trip over the stage and break a leg. Keeping things in the right order going TO the car with DH helping, unloading a lot of things out of the car, carrying up the steps, bringing food, the easel, flannelboard, purse, notebooks, Show and Tell, camera, etc, is as difficult as making a quilt!


Look at all those dear listening ladies - today was a GOOD day. The flannel board was an excellent teaching tool. I only did a presentation/short trunk show, and not a class. I think having the units clearly visible, in several possible steps, was a GOOD idea. Then I followed up the units with quilts that used those units. Sometimes it's hard to decipher the blocks in an entire quilt, so that's why showed step-by-step units. It went well, but the best part were the positive comments afterwards. I LOVE this Quilt Guild!



Below, another of the same, but what I'm noticing how clever that'ordinary' little quilt looks from far away. (Thank you Jody, for taking the photos!)

A Thank You Quilt

This is a Thank-You Quilt that a group of local quilters have made, in appreciation for a working space we've been using for the past few months. I don't want to go into details because it's not yet presented.

This was quilted by my talented friend, Sydney, whose skill is growing by leaps and bounds. The quilting is just marvelous -- my photo skills are not.

A Limerick

There was an old woman from Lenore
Whose mouth was as wide as a door
While attempting to grin
She slipped and fell in
And lay inside-out on the floor.



(Hey, ya can't be clever EVERY day! LOL)

OMGosh - It's PINK!!!

This last weekend I took part in a Virtual Retreat discussed on the yahoo mail list for Heartstrings Quilt Project. For several years, I've made quilts for Project Linus, both for fun, and for consideration of some ill child. In addition, for each quilt/blanket donated, two of the local quilt shops offer a chance to win a very nice sewing machine. Last year, my friend Jody won the machine!

I have really, really, really TRIED to make something soft and gentle, sweetsy, cutesy, and gentle, but color, for me, has a way of getting out of control -- I'm 'over the top' with this PINK quilt! LOL. But I can imagine some little 8 year old girl just LOVIN' it. There are a lot of little figures images, characters in some of this fabric.

It is foundation pieced on fabric, and I have poly batting, so will tie it.

Strings and More

This is my favorite piece of furniture, an old cherry and oak rocker that actually TALKS! It said "buy me, buy me", so I did. The carved back, (not pressed) is especially appealing. Can you guess why? (I should have dusted it before the photo!)

I'm playing with more strings, making some samples for a presentation at our guild. Every time I make a sample, it wants to be made into yet another entire quilt.

I pulled all my browns, tans, forest-y type bits and pieces, sewed them will-nilly onto phone book pages, then sewed the pages together, and ended up with a nice roll of fabric. The advantage of sewing them onto a foundation is that there is NO MEASURING. But they DO need some type of foundation. The process looks very messy, but the end result, after trimming, starts to look promising. The width on this roll is trimmed to 4 1/2 inches. Of course, you will have to remove the paper after sewing it on another piece, a messy but not difficult project. These can be used as HST, or a piano-key border, or Flying Geese, or cut down the center for narrow border or sashing - the possibilities are quite endless. I love reminiscing with my favorite fabrics, remembering when I purchased them, where the quilt is, and also take pride in being frugal and recycling. I like to use a palette of similar styles, or colors.

This little 9 inch Churn Dash sample block is so darned appealing.

My Rocky Road to Kansas is finished, done, complete, ta tahhhh -- hand quilted. Since it is partly a string quilt, this will be another sample for the presentation.
Now, this photo is an excellent example of what doesn't work! Maybe if my seams were straight, not angled, and perhaps the strings should be thinner. Oh well - nothing ventured, nothing gained! But hey, the center seams meet perfectly!!!

Sunrise on the Bluffs

My photo from Quilt Retreat -- sunrise reflection on the bluffs.

I CAN do it!

Thanks Nadine, for giving me a gentle PUSH to do this linking thing -- it wasn't hard at all.

Next assignment for ME is to give my page a little more warmth. My blog looks like a government document! (I used to prepare government documents and procedures - no wonder my blog looks so ultra-structured!

OK, now what will I do this weekend? -- concentrate on blog improvements (but first I have to read these books) I want it to have a clever look equal to the technicalities of Darlene's (but first I have to read AND UNDERSTAND my Photo Shop book), or should I post the photos from my retreat 2 weeks ago, or finish the Virtual Retreat I want to do and agreed to do, or actually FEED my DH something good (first I need groceries, but first I should balance the checkbook, and oh yes, I forgot, the dishwasher is waiting for parts, maybe I'd better finish that sample quilt and practice for a quilt demonstration, laundry (oh yeah, first I need detergent from the grocery store that is after I balance the checkbook), or just take a nap ???? Is this something like the old song, "My bucket has a hole in it"? This is how my mind is flitting about for the last week. Awful, isn't it? Does senility come all at one time?

Now, we have the ever-ambitious search for knowledge -- compliments of on-line book stores -- "thank you very much." I just wish my brain or short memory could take all this in ...

Maybe I should have a glass of wine first ...

Retreat project - almost done!

Last weekend, I was at a 2-day quilting retreat - naturally having a wonderful time. Our rooms were great, and the meeting/sewing room was bright, spacious, next to the kitchen, which was overloaded with wonderful food. I believe there were 28 of us.

I brought more strings, having learned to sew something less demanding while at a retreat.

By 11:00 pm, I was nearing a finish to the quilt center, and very kindly, my friend Colleen, who was sitting next to me, offered to sew some of them. She made a good dent in them and by 1:30 am, it was altogether. That's when I happily went to bed. Odd, I normally am dead to the world, by 9:30 pm. Funny how enthusiasm works, isn't it?

The only fabric I purchased was that thin strip of red and the plaid next to it - about 1/2 yard of each. All the rest was in my stash. Sometimes I think that ANY combination of these strings might be just fine! I'm pleased with this one. They are so addictive!

This last week I worked on the border, and this is what I came up with. Now I need to remove the telephone book pages -- it comes off easily.

Now, about this border, for some months, I've been admiring glimpses of a quilt border on Fons and Porter, during their "Tips" section, in the 900 Series. They never spoke about it, and 4 e-mails to them did not result in any explanation to how the border on the quilt was made. One day, (oh dear, I don't remember who) one of you Bloggers made something like it, and gave me some idea of how it was done. (Very simply, by the way!). Once again, thank you to all, for all the ideas and enthusiasm. In case I need to mention it, NO seams are matching, on purpose.

My Life

... and some people think leftover strings should be thrown away!

The name, "My Life" is what quilters know -- this is what you get in your life, make something beautiful with what you have.

This project was put together about February, and destined as a donation, but I posted a photo of the unquilted top, mentioning "old brown strips, and leftover pinks". One of you commented about my "chocolate and raspberry" quilt, which raised my appreciation of this humble project. (So you see, it's not my fault I kept it!)

The single pink strip in that one light block is there on purpose - just to make the viewer wonder! The rest are truly scraps, placed with very little thought, using lights on half the square and darks on the other half. Perhaps the intense brights help to hold it together. I did use a dark brown strip (not the same brown) down the center of each block, for some measure of continuity. It's about 60 x 80 inches. I don't remember if my foundation was fabric or paper, but it was started after I joined the HeartString Quilt Project. I had the best of intentions for a donation but this was just too dear to me. I made others.
This was professionally quilted by Anita of Prairie Creations, a nearby quilter and friend. I'm just thrilled with the end product - this is my new best favorite!

I wish THESE were MY creations!

A gal named Linda, from Ontario, Canada, not yet a blogger, sent these photos to me. What a gift for me, to open my mail and see this in my mailbox!!! I am honored and thrilled to have received her permission to post her photos here. Also, look how clever her borders are, where I presume she had seams, yet the method she used to artistically hide seams is wonderful! Her paragraph below refers mostly to the blue "Fishez" project, but she sent me other quilt photos as well.

"I just sent my pictures to you to let you know how much your beautiful blue string inspired me and, then, lifted a burden of how to use my "fishez" from Stargazey. I fell in love with this "fishez" pattern, but went overboard with the mixing of the blue background fabrics. They just did not work as an entire quilt top so I put them aside to live in a plastic bin for a while...........the very first time I saw your amazing blue string I thought water........fish/water......maybe they could work. And, if you will notice, I tried to copy closely your wonderful blue strings with the reds and greens since I felt they were like the deep/shallow, warm/cool areas you can feel in a lake..........

My name is Linda. I live in Southern Ontario, Canada. I am a blog surfer and have been very inspired by string quilts. I am limited by the number I can finish since I hand quilt....... finding out about "all over fan" quilting has made work so much easier.

I am not concerned at all if you include my pictures-----credit or none. I have a life goal to make a quilt for each of my four married children and their spouses plus my husband! Two down. This fish and strings will be number 3. That will keep me busy for a few years!

I had a dream to make a quilt for a fund raiser and thought I could quickly manage a string. The dark was my first. Then I made the two pink ones. We had two girls staying with us for 6 weeks from the Chernobyl region of Belarus for a health rest.........from the effects of the nuclear meltdown in the 80's. It is suggested the land is still very contaminated. I wanted to make them each a quilt. I am an impatient quilter who gets bored easily, so strings suit my style these days. I have been totally inspired by you, Bonnie and Mary and the possibilities that strings hold out for colour experiments.

Thank you Elaine for your sharing of your work which has allowed me to grow in my hobby............ Linda"

This last photo is my own original blue string quilt, (donation) that many of you have seen before. THIS PARTICULAR CORRESPONDENCE, ENTHUSIASM, ENERGY, AND INSPIRATION IS CLEARLY WHAT I HOPE TO ACHIEVE WITH MY BLOG. I dearly love the creative and frugal process of using humble strings, and especially LOVE the excitement and thrill when they morph into something unexpected AND beautiful.

Not a pretty sight!

Too much sewing - not enough jus-plain-keepin' house!

When the drip tray the stove burner element actually spews flames, and you're thinking of the options "Shall I USE the fire extinguisher, is this flame big enough, shall I let it burn itself out," it's time to do some cleaning!

Some of you might be feeling a teensy bit smug right now, knowing that this has not YET happened to you or you are thinking "my gosh, someone is a worse housekeeper than I." I have definitely been avoiding some unpleasant cleaning must-do's!


Sooooo, 2 hours BEFORE leaving for Quilt Retreat, I attacked the job and even made a rush drive to buy oven cleaner.

And hour and a half later, it's DONE, CLEAN, and still had time to gather up my stuff before Quilt Retreat!!! Yeah - life is good!

A version of "Star Struck", and Virus Protection

Once again, I've returned to Bonnie Hunter's blog and started one of her inspirational projects - this time it's "Star Struck." I had a special purchase of all light shirtings, and my pile/stash of blues was threatening to break the drawer, so here goes another project.

I cringe when I hear bloggers apologize for their less-than-perfect photo quality of their photos, but I am going to apologize for MY photo quality. The colors are much prettier (getting dark, wintry-looking here). And I'm not sure if I will stay with this layout - it's just a beginning. At first, all the blues were mixed up, but it was too chaotic, so used the same blue in each star to calm it somewhat.

And YES, I saved all the trimmings from my Quick Corners - they will finish at 1 inch after neatly trimming them up. There will be more.

This is a very forgiving pattern. I am not a fussy sewist, so I was worried those points and matching seams would be tedious, but they are turning out quite precise and the busy fabrics (ah hem) help to hide my faults.

Now, next subject. Just a teensy bit unhappy, agitated, aggravated, etc. I had to purchase a new Anti-Virus Program - no problem, the year had elapsed, it was time. I liked the old version and tried to download the newest version at a $10 savings over the computer store. NO WAY JOSE! No cooperation, no help, nada, nyet. (Self doubts of "I am probably not smart enough to figure it out!"). It was Saturday night - can't go out shopping tonight, nor tomorrow. I did NOT use the computer all Sunday! My word -- such withdrawal pains!

Monday AM, bright and early, purchased the newer version from my local computer shop. Loaded just fine - shut down to reboot and turned this baby back on. Sitting, waiting, wondering, (on DSL) watching the clock - is it working? what's wrong? I've ruined it - 10-12 minutes later it actually was loaded up and ready to USE. I was convinced it was me, my mistake, I messed up, etc. - you know how women blame themselves first! Tried one thing after another, shut down again, (I KNOW I followed instructions!) removed extra programs, ran a scan, defrag, etc. No improvement. Wasted at least 4-6 hours in the process! Still, 10-12 MINUTES TO GET THIS COMPUTER GOING!!!

Checked the internet for "Slow loading XXXXXXXXXX Virus Protection" and apparently everyone in the whole world has the same complaint! Hooray, it's not just me! That's just the way it is.

I will alter my morning activity, trudge downstairs to the cold computer area to turn this baby on 10-12 minutes before I want to actually USE it. Next year I will NOT purchase that program again.

Quilt Guild tomorrow, and retreat NEXT weekend! Happy Day!

Slow and Steady Progress

I am hand quilting this Rocky Road to Kansas. It always takes a while to get in stride when hand quilting, if you've not hand quilted for a while. When assembling the blocks, I used a little bit of spray starch - that always makes the blocks look so neat, but now, after the fact, I think it is causing me problems - it is difficult to needle -- not just the older fabric, but also the background. Live and learn. Fortunately, the fabric is so busy, the stitches don't show much.

After marking the white, I gasped as I remembered I had not tested the blue marker for disappearance, but it DID slowly disappear in one day.

Here is a blurry photo, of the finished area. The heart quilting templates are home made - good old folding paper method. I'm going to like it.

A Real Log Cabin in the Wilderness

This is the REAL log cabin where we stayed recently, in the Black Hills of South Dakota. This was an amazing Bed and Breakfast. Remote, totally out in the wilderness, wildlife (deer, turkey) everywhere, gorgeous fall colors! Did we ever luck out! The breakfasts were incredible, and brought to us in a 4-wheeler, as our cabin was not easy to reach. The old dog who lived there, knew the trails and took us for walks who-knows-where. I felt like Timmie, from the old Lassie TV programs -- "Just follow the dog - she knows the way!" While the cabin looks antiquated, it WAS very comfy inside -- just big enough for 2, but lacking nothing we needed. You should have seen the view from the bathtub!

The below photo is of Mr. Ole Goat on the front porch, where he spent most of his time, enjoying the view.

This is Ms. Old Goat on the front porch, where she spent most of HER time, enjoying the view, and sometimes sewing those Little Angel Girl stitcheries recently posted. It was a little brisk!

This is one view.

And this is the view from the front porch.

And this a photo I just liked - I felt healthy, slim and tall (I'm NOT slim) -- like the pine trees -- taken along Lake Sheridan, in the same area.