Monday, May 20, 2013

Thank you!

Big hugs and a giant 'Thank You!' go out to all of you for your lovely condolences for my mother's passing.  Your comments were truly appreciated.

Things are nearly back to a routine here now, so I'm back to blogging!  And quilting!  Yay!  I've nearly finished the quilting on my crumby/orange wall hanging.  Should finish it up today, and get a binding on it, then I'll post it!  :o)  And again......someone please remind me next time to never EVER choose pebbles as the all over background again!  Cripes!  What was I thinking!?!  LOL

And while our trip out west to see family did not turn out to be the vacation we had planned on, John and I did manage to see a couple of things on the drive back from Seattle.  Of course, knowing we could get 'the' call from my sister at any moment, our hearts were just not into having any real fun, but the 7 day drive back allowed for a couple of moments here and there.

Let me just say, that if we didn't love Maine so much, we would instantly move to Wyoming!  The drive on I-80 is one of the most beautiful areas we've ever seen!  It was breathtaking!  Riding along the top of the Rockies, at 8,000 feet, you can practically touch the clouds!  The mountains were fantastic, and there's so much wide open space!  We just loved it!  And being 'stuck' overnight because the highway was closed for a blizzard was a blessing.  We got to linger in the beauty of it all.


And let me just say that the Walmart in Rock Springs, Wyoming is the cleanest, well-kept, friendliest Walmart we've ever been in!  Seriously!

And......we were totally shocked that we found excellent Mexican food at El Maguey's in Kearney, Nebraska!  Who'da thunk!?!  lol

Somewhere along the way, (can't remember....it was kindof a blur!), we were at a rest stop, and the whole place is decked out in quilt blocks!  It was a stop on the underground railroad, and they have the folk-lore quilt symbols throughout!  Very sweet!



While stopping for lunch in Walnut, Iowa, we popped into an antique shop, and saw this quilt under a tower of tv electronics.  No chance to move it for a better look.....but I'm just loving that quirky pattern with the oversized centers!  :o)  I just may have to add that to my list of "Must Make"!



Our plan was always to stop in Shipshewana, Indiana for a few days (cuz I guess I didn't get enough of the Amish in my 10 days in Lancaster two months ago), but we only stayed an afternoon!  It was enough for now, but there is always the chance to go back on some trip!  I did get to Lolly's basement bargain center.....and did just a little spending!  lol  And, of course, we had lunch at the Blue Gate!  Yummy!

We spent a wonderful afternoon at the Bennington, Vermont Museum!  It was in the plan from the start, because one of the permanent exhibits is the Martin WASP Car......built by my hubby's grandfather, Karl Martin!  John had only seen pictures of it, so getting to see it up close and personal was a real treat!








The Bennington Museum is also the home of the Jane Stickle quilt (Dear Jane!), but it is only on display at certain times, and not right now!  We'll definitely go back in August when they put it out!  But they did have a  LOT of other handwork........







And a few antique sewing machines.........awesome!........













Sorry....sideways!

And then there were some really odd crafts.......





And some really REALLY odd (and kindof gross!) crafts.......

 Sorry.....blurry.....taken through a glass case.



Yep.....those are thousands of moths and beetles!  Ewww!


It really is an amazing museum, tucked away in the hills of Vermont.  And just on your way out of Bennington, is a great little diner, Papa Pete's, with the world biggest pancake!  They are served on a 14" pizza tray, and they are wonderful!  I just can't imagine anyone ordering the double or triple stack!  Cripes!  I couldn't even finish my one!  lol



But John did!  LOL


Ok......so I'm headed back to the sewing room!  Can't wait to finish that crumby quilt!  :o)

regan  :o)

14 comments:

  1. Sorry to read of your loss.
    Nice to hear you are getting back into 'the swiing" - love all the pictures from your trip!

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  2. Be gentle with yourself Regan and take time to mourn your loss.
    I love the trip you have just completed and what a thrill for you husband to see his grandfathers work. Amazing.

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  3. Hi Regan, Glad you are back home; again I'm so sorry about your loss!!! I've got to say though if you ever decide to move to Wyoming, I'm coming up to meet you in person. We are about an hour from Cheyenne; glad you were able to stop and enjoy some cool places on your way home!
    Give yourself time to grieve my friend; even though it was expected, it is still a loss and will hit you(out of the blue)in the future. I loved seeing your hubby's photo near his grandfather's car. May you find peace in the moment and spend your day enjoying life.
    Hugs & Love, Noreen

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  4. What a great trip Regan!!

    I'm green with envy for all that time to do this.
    I may never retire. :-(

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  5. AWESOME!!!!! You know, I was raised in Southern Wyoming - about 100 miles from Rock Springs, right on the Colorado border! Made my heart sing to hear your praises of my home state!!! I do miss it a bunch! Great photos!! All of your other photos were great too! Glad that you shared!

    Your brought a smile to my face and a song in my heart - I wanna go home!!

    Blessings

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  6. You have had quite the journey, Regan!
    Having been through Wyoming many times, I can agree that it is beautiful--the home of two of our favorite places to visit, Yellowstone and the Tetons. We've spent time in many parts of the state on various vacations. It is an easy thing for us, living in a neighboring state.
    Looks like a really interesting museum in Vermont. Wonder if we will have time to see it when we come east this Fall.
    That is really cool about DH seeing his grandfather's car!

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  7. What an amazing journey you took, and thank you so much for sharing your photos from the museum. The circular, Pony sewing machine was interesting. I had no idea there was such a design - it's beautiful. I must agree that the beetle artwork is creepy and gross.

    Come back to Wyoming anytime, and I'll show you some even more amazing places to visit.

    My deepest sympathy to you and your family. Losing your mother is like losing your life anchor. May your faith and your memories help you through the difficult times ahead.

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  8. What a lovely photo heavy post! We are vacationing in WY this fall! I can't wait- love your description!!
    How amazing for hubby to see the WASP car that he has family ties too!! That must have been very excitign!

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  9. Sorry to hear about your mother, Regan. My deepest sympathies to you and to your family also. I'm glad you are getting back to a normal routine now. Thanks for sharing all of the pictures you took at the museum.

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  10. Hi Regan... I am so glad to see you up and going again.
    Thanks for sharing your pictures. It sound like you had a lovely journey through the states. So much to see and do.
    All the while, I am looking at that "beatle design" and thinking wow, this is very pretty - look at all of those beads !
    Rose

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  11. It's always fun to see your holidau snaps, you share such great things. I love the big block quilt you saw, definitely put that on the list of To Do One Day. I looked at the photo of the big compass before reading what it was made from. I thought it was special embroidery. Its quite extraordinary and very mind boggling. That giant pancake looks delicious, I feel like eating pancakes now. :)

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  12. So sorry the hear about your Mom. It takes time.

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  13. I'm so sorry to read of your Mom's passing. I'm glad you got to stop in Shipshewana awhile. That is where I go twice a year for the Dear Jane retreat. Someday I hope to go to the Bennington Museum. This year is the 150th anniversary of Dear Jane. I know there was a big display of Jane quilts in the show in France this year, and I think Bennington will be the same. My Jane is basted and ready to be quilted.....won't be in time for fall! Love your post!

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  14. Thanks for a most interesting and mouth watering (pancake!) travelogue. The beetle/moth weaving ranks right up there as one of the strangest sights ever! ;)

    Heartfelt sympathy to you and your family on your mother's passing. Sending you hugs of comfort at this sad time; bless you.

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