Welcome back to MLS and Sew & Tell! Our time away camping was a pleasant time... a little different with an additional person in-tow, but still pleasant. Mom enjoyed the getaway and we were blessed to be able to spend the time with her and actually watch her routines and habits... but the camper is just a bit small for three. ;) I'll share pictures... but first, let's take a look at this week's Sew & Tell feature.
Kate at My Life in Pieces shared her second finish for 2026 - Chilhowie. This quilt was a Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt in 2022. She quilted it herself on her domestic machine, shared a few tips that she learned and plans to do more of her own quilts in the future.
For those of us that quilt our own quilts know and understand that practice makes better! Head over and give Kate some encouragement. :) While there you'll get to see the backing of this quilt as well as some shots of the quilting details.
I didn't get much done while away... no quilted hearts were finished or left behind. Riding three across the bench seat of the truck (I was in the middle) was not conducive to and sort of hand-stitching... not to mention uncomfortable! For this reason, we will not be inviting anyone to tag along with us... unless they have their own transportation or camper.
Not necessarily what Dave and I consider a hike but more of a walk since most of it was on gravel road. She enjoyed it and it was good to see that she is very attentive and careful in taking each step. We all went to bed a little early that night.
This was our view from the campsite each evening.
On Wednesday we drove to Bishop's Castle and Lake Isabel.
The Bishop Castle is an interesting place... you'll find all sorts of articles and videos out there on the internet to learn more. Enter at your own risk and keep in mind that nothing is really built to code. LOL! We all made it up to the 3rd floor and Mom and I ventured up a turret to a window.
We enjoyed a picnic style lunch in the forest that surrounds the Lake and then went in search of the YMCA camp that Mom remembers from her childhood. The camp's name has changed from when she attended but still exists. Sadly, the entrance gate was locked so we could not take her in to explore.
She shared some of her memories with us as we returned to camp... me uncomfortably sitting in the middle of the bench seat but still engaged in the conversation.
As we returned to camp the wind was up and the smoke was thick in the air... we were told that it was blown in from the fires in Utah and Nevada. We thought perhaps it was more likely from the fires in New Mexico and Arizona since the wind was more from the south. Nevertheless, the southwest seems to be on fire!
Thursday was a quiet, lazy day in the campground. Dave and I enjoyed a few walks alone while Mom enjoyed some short walks closer to the camper. After lunch we visited the Historic Beckwith Ranch.
Its history was interesting and the setting absolutely stunning. You can learn more about it by following the link above the photo.
I didn't get much done for the 100-day challenge... though it is not about how much to get done.
It's about satisfying the deep desires of the heart. 💗
I did just a few stitches each day on this paper embroidery picture. One day I added the centers of the flowers, on another day I outlined a flower ring and another I added a few leaves.
Day 26/100 I made a 9-patch block for my Bookish Journey Quilt. We listened to The Patchwork Players. I'll be honest... it was not one of my favorite books by Jennifer Chiaverini. The main character, Julia, was a meddling and manipulative person for most of the story. In the end it was all resolved and she seemed to have learned from a very hard lesson. I did enjoy the story more when the Elm Creek Quilters finally arrived in the story.
Upon our return home we looked at the weather forecast and saw that there were 7 consecutive days that are to be in the 90s. We relented and put in the window AC unit in the living room. :-/ Wah!
The wind has been bothersome causing red flag warnings all over the place and making the dry conditions even worse. For this reason, the 4th of July water parade and fireworks in the community have been cancelled. Boo. :(
For the coming week I will be getting my quilts out and final preparations for the art wall at the local library. My plan is to donate them (many are from last year's Rainbow Scrap Challenge) to a local pregnancy center and also support a group that will help and support Mom's that choose life over the visit to a planned pregnancy center. I'll let you know how that works out! I'll be sure to share pictures of the display after they are hung on Thursday morning.
Independence Day is just around the corner and it's a big celebration year... 250 years since the Declaration of Independence declared the formation of the United States of America. Here's a story that recalls the 1976 Bicentennial celebration from my childhood.
How did you celebrate in 1976?
What are your plans for a celebration this year?
Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you!
Keep Piecing,
Melva
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Your camping trip sounds enjoyable - except for riding in the middle in the pick-up. I've done that! You visited some interesting places. 1976 was our first year of marriage, and we were just talking about what we did for a vacation that year - lots of camping, I think. We remember going to the Black Hills and Mt. Rushmore - possibly over the 4th. This year we're having some friends with young kids over for ice cream and fireworks!
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