Goodbye Omaha & October...

Mr. C and I took the Amtrak Train to Omaha Nebraska specifically to see my baby sister and her family.  I had not seen her in almost 25 years.  No photo of our initial hug but I can assure you it was the deepest hug ever!  This is Wendy and her husband Harold.  They live a simple life in a very small town and yet they are happy and surrounded by family.

We had our reunion at the local park.  It was a dreary rainy day but we felt warm with layers of love.

Wendy and I sat together at one table so we could catch up while we were eating.  Wendy raised five Daughters and now has lots of Grandchildren.  They all sat at other tables and visited together.  The little bit of rain and cold didn't stop the kids from playing and running all over.  Everyone but us brought food and it was all very good.  Thank you everyone for driving and gathering and feeding us.

This is Candice, fourth daughter and Auntie to all her nieces and nephews. Here is a photo of a gift Candice made and mailed to me in 1999 right after we moved to Northern California. It is her image right down to the glasses.  Everyone, including Candice, was very surprised I have saved it all these years.  I will save it forever because she made it just for me.

Here is a group photo Mr. C took of all of us.  We kept our visit shorter due to the complete exhaustion from our train trip and no sleep and due to the cold wet weather.  My sister's town doesn't even have a motel so we still had to drive 25 miles to our night of sleep.
I am forever grateful for the wonderful visit and time we shared together.  The next morning we took Wendy and Harold to breakfast at the local diner and we got to visit for another couple hours before it was time for us to hit the road to Arkansas.  That might be the next post.
October has come and is leaving.  Leaves continue to Fall.  We expect rain here and snow in the mountains this weekend. Winter is not far away. Mr. C and I are hunkering in for another Winter here.  No offers and No Buyer.  We are most depressed at our continued living in LIMBO!!!
Happy Halloween and may you receive No Tricks and only TREATS...xo

Train Trip to Omaha...

Mr. C and I recently took a train trip from Colfax California to Omaha Nebraska.  Just because we could and Mr. C (Wayne) wanted an adventure.  Our SNOW train to Reno in January wasn't enough for him so off we went.  Here is the link to that post http://createology.blogspot.com/2017/01/wayne-on-train.html 

It was 2 nights so we had a "Roomette".  I think this is a misnomer Amtrak.

This is our Roomette and it is an economy of scale. My elbows touch both sides of our room.  Of course I neglected to take a photo of our bunk beds made up for nighttime. The grey slanted top is the bunk that folds down.  Mr. C had the top and it was very claustrophobic with NO room to even turn over.  There is not to be any sleeping on the train due to the herky jerky motions and the bumpy noisy ride.  We were beyond exhausted when we arrived in Omaha.
 

What the train is excellent for is the scenery you get to enjoy along the way. This is the Truckee River heading to Reno.  Sitting back and relaxing and watching the miles go by is wonderful.

There were miles and miles of these flattop ranges...somewhere in Utah I believe. We got to sit in the observation car and look out the windows.  We also met lots of interesting folks having their train adventures.  Train travel is not cheap nor is it quick.  Amtrak shares the rail lines that belong to the big boys like Union Pacific and Southern Pacific. Freight trains rule and have priority at all times.  If you travel on Amtrak just be aware that there are no SET schedules...merely "suggested" schedules.  We ran late at all stops.

We followed the Colorado River for 235 miles which is amazing!  My photography through windows and smudges and blotches is not very good but my memories are quite clear.

The Colorado Rockies were spectacular!  We did see Fall colors even though they had not had their necessary cold snap yet so the colors were coming slowly.

Relaxing and enjoying the scenery was pure Bliss!  We just needed sleep.  We arrived in Omaha almost three hours late. There was no one in the building to help us.  There were no taxis to take us to the airport where the only auto rentals are. There was no cell service for Mr. C and therefore no Uber app or way to call them.  I was able to call my sister and family and let them know we are late to the reunion.  No worries...
I will share that adventure next time.
So glad to be home and enjoy our gorgeous Fall colors.  Our house sitter was a gem and took excellent care while we were gone.  Still no offers...
Beautiful days to each of you and I will be visiting y'all very soon.  Grateful Blessings...xo

Autumn CQ ATC...

I am challenging myself with doing a CQ (Crazy Quilting) ATC (Artist Trading Card) swap put on by Pam Kellogg of Kitty and Me Designs.   I am new to CQ and yet it has charmed me and I want to pursue doing more of it.  Please check out Pam's blog for the swap details and you may want to participate also.  Pam you and your Crazy Quilting magazine are sew much inspiration and I am truly grateful.

My blog friend Renee of Hand Stitched Treasure blog helped with a three part tutorial on how to create the foundation and then how to do seam treatments and also how to finish the ATC for swapping.  You can check out Renee's blog and see for yourself.  Thank you very much Renee.  In this photo I used some hand dyed thread gifted to me by my friend Theresa (no blog) to needle tat an embellishment.  Thank you sew much Theresa.

Here is the back of my ATC all ready for swapping.  This template is from Pam to use in the swap.

This is the little envelope for holding the ATC during mailing in a stamped envelope.  Pam provides the instructions and templates.  I have also received lots of inspiration and techniques from Mary Anne of Magpies Mumblings.  She does amazing CQ work and her blog banner displays one of her Autumn designs. Thank you sew very much Mary Anne for all of your guidance and inspiration.

So this is my little 2.5" x 3.5" ATC for swapping.  I welcome constructive criticism and know I have lots to learn.  I did take a Basic Crazy Quilting online class from Kathy Shaw and it was wonderful to introduce me to CQ and give me lots of techniques.  Thank you Kathy for your free classes.
Autumn is here and the weather is cooler.  The colors are happening and the grey squirrels are extra busy gathering their Winter harvest of acorns and pinecones.
Happy Halloween and Fall decorating my friends...<3
My heart is heavy and my prayers are lifted for all in the Las Vegas tragedy.  Healing Energy Please!