Tuesdays With Tag - Leavin' Meadville Today...

 Hi, Everybody!!!   Yesterday was spent mostly organizin' and stowin' gear for our move from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin. I was happy to soak up the sunshine and supervise.   Mom and Dad have a mental checklist they follow as we prepare to pull up stakes. (Steaks? Did somebody say "steaks"?)

First, they have to make sure lawn chairs that got wet durin' the couple days of rains are dry and ready to pack in their travelin' cases. Otherwise they get musty, and musty is not allowed on the Flying Cloud...'specially not if it's me!    Everythin' has a place - just like on an airplane. I think our flight attendant  friend,  LauraBelle (back in Sarasota) would feel right at home travelin' this way.

There are special compartments for stowin' Dad's tools and campsite setup equipment. There's even a special place for my dog food and dishes! Don't wanna lose my stuff, after all. I need to stay fed to keep up my good looks and quick wit, ya know.

The special Hensley™ hitch (that keeps us safe on the road) needs to be   greased and tightened before we can hook up to our trusty Ford F150.

I decided to wait in the shade under the picnic table so I don't get too hot. I'm no fool! I've got a great vantage point for all the action from here, too!

The awnings have to be furled and secured. This is the long, narrow one on the street side of the Cloud. It keeps the sun from beatin' down on the refrigerator, as well as, shadin' the windows all along that side of the camper. We can keep the windows open, even when it rains, thanks to this convenience we added to the Cloud...

and this one is on the dinin' end (the back end). We're really glad we also added this one two years ago for the same reasons. Before we can leave our campsite, all of these awnings are retracted and locked to keep them from flappin' around while we're drivin' down the road. That could be disastrous, don't ya think?

Mom lowers our antenna, closes all the roof vents, and secures the inside contents.   Dad does all the outside stuff and then hooks up to our truck. Once we do a  lightin' check to be sure all our taillights work properly, we'll say goodbye to our pals, (KOA owners) Robyn and Tim Chilson and leave Meadville.  They're gonna miss me, for sure. We're comin' back for three weeks next year!

Next stop...Jackson Center, Ohio. Time for my Flyin' Cloud to check in at its birthplace. It's always good to stop in and say "hi" to the folks, you know.

Looks like that's all from your "rovin' rover on the road". We gotta "fly"! 'til next week... "Wag Like Ya Mean It!"

No One Can Make Just One...

My small, round Longaberger basket is just the right size for my hexies...so far.

All the supplies I need to work on them are safely tucked inside my basket, 

and when I finish stitching, each finished piece goes right back into it.

In one afternoon, I stitched all the hexies from one 42 piece Moda™ mini charm

 pack. I'm enjoying watching the pile of them grow so much I just kept stitching!

It won't take me any time at all to prepare the other little charm pack tucked in the basket behind all those hexies. I just have to iron all the fusible forms onto  the back of the fabric pieces first. Then, they'll be ready for needle and thread.   Now that I see how they look at this stage, I may have to get more supplies.  Perhaps I'll get fat quarters to create other blocks to complement these...or more Plum Sweet mini charms and fusible Hexies™ are on the horizon. 
As I was stitching away, it came to me that this just might become my first, entirely stitched-by-hand, quilted project. I'm not sure what I'm going to make yet, but I know I'm looking forward to this process. I'm going to take it one  step at a time. For now, I'll settle for stitching that second package of hexies.
Happy Monday, everyone!

Sunday Scripture...

Band Camp Recital Night...

It was so good to see Captain (soon-to-be-Major) Michelle Rakers, USMC, at Handsome's Adult Band Camp at Allegheny College this week. Thursday night was  recital night for each of the band sections. Michelle is conducting the band this  week, but Thursday night she was able to take the night off to listen to and play music.   Handsome and I were glad to see her again, after not being able to travel last year.  Her upcoming promotion was cause for us to celebrate with her, too! Michelle is currently Assistant Director of the Marine Band in Washington, D.C.,  "The President's Own".  Hers is a prestigious job, to be sure! With her promotion to Major,  she will gain additional responsibilities with the band.

Of course, Handsome wanted a photo with Michelle.   We've both become very fond of her. Not only is she a stellar musician, but she's  a great person with a contagious energy and enthusiasm. She's a lot of fun, too!

This was one of the A.P.E. performances. (Adult Percussion Ensemble. lol) They  actually did two numbers, one of which was arranged by our good Florida friend,  Jim Roytz. The piece is a set of variations on "When Johnny Comes Marching Home".   Jim and Handsome perform together with the Suncoast Community Band in  Sarasota. We love spending time with Jim and his wife, who is also an  accomplished musician. Jim is a percussionist and Diane plays the trumpet.    The piece was really lovely, and naturally, highlighted the various parts of the  percussion section of the band. The band "heartbeat" musicians were a joy to watch.

 There was also a German-American Band ensemble which had us in  stitches. Michelle joined their group and played cornet. She was obviously  having a great time, and I actually have videos to prove it! (I especially like  how she pointed out to her stand-mate where they were in the piece!)  I just had to get a picture of her in the official G-A ensemble t-shirts, too.

 

Handsome played cymbals with the German-American band, along with  Barbara Bailey (widow of famous percussionist, Buster Bailey), and well- known bass drummer, Doug McCleod. I asked permission to be able to tell you that in this photograph there is a total of 247 years between them! (Doug is 92, Barbara is 85 and Handsome is 70!!!) Their resumes are just as impressive as they are. We always look forward to seeing them, either here in Allegheny or when they travel south to perform in Florida.
Last night was their whole band concert. I'll have photographs to share  on Monday as we prepare to depart Meadville and turn toward Wisconsin.

Hexies On The Horizon...

I brought these along on our trip...two sets of Little Moda™ "Mini Charms", and a 

package of Hexies™ dissolvable papers. I figured they'd make a perfect portable project.

I haven't tried these papers before, but another blogger raved about them, and I'm

so impressionable! They don't have to be torn out of your hexagons after you join

them. Just toss the finished quilt in the wash and they dissolve into the batting. 

I've tried the other method, and now I want to try to do them like this.

I've taken a close-up of the packaging so you can see all the information if you

want to try them for yourself. The measurement is for each side of the hexagon.

  I'm smitten with this Moda™ fabric line. I'd seen "Plum Sweet" made into a quilt on Anne Sutton's "Bunny Hill" blog and knew I'd find something fun to do with my little charms. If you'd like to see her finished quilt, just click here. It's just so soft and cozy-looking. So, I'm going to make little hexagons with my 2.5" mini charms sets. After that, I'll let my muse carry me. I'll have 84 finished hexies to play with. I'll do all the pressing today and then stitch until they're ready to join.
Can you believe it's already Friday? We originally planned to leave Meadville on Sunday, but we're going to make a side trip to Ohio before we head to Wis- consin. That means we'll stay here until Tuesday; Ohio Tuesday night; have a little work done on Wednesday (I'll tell you about that later); and then on to Wisconsin to arrive on July 3rd or 4th. I'm glad I have things to keep me busy.
I'll be back tomorrow, as always. Happy thoughts from the road.

Another Baby Project...

  Our newest great nephew is being Christened in July. His Momma and Daddy  planned the date to coincide with our visit to Wisconsin. We're looking forward to meeting the little guy for the first time, and being there for his special day.
When his older brother was born (nearly thirteen years ago), I made a complete ensemble for his baptism. I made a Christening gown, bonnet, booties and a blanket for the church service. A few weeks ago, my niece brought out the set to try on her second son to gauge the fit. Even though the ceremony is still three  weeks away - and babies grow like weeds - it was obvious that the six-month sized gown and bonnet would never fit the new baby. She sent me photos and we all giggled to see him nearly drowning in fabric. We needed a plan.
I told her that I'll put the gown on him (inside out) when I get there and baste it to fit him. I don't want to alter the original gown so, when the time comes,  the next child to wear it will have space if they were larger than our boy.
The bonnet was another matter, so yesterday I made one in a newborn size from the same fabric I used for the original ensemble. When we get to Wisconsin, I'll  try it on him. If it's still way too big, I have more of the fabric to adjust my  pattern one more time and make it even smaller. I'm hoping it's not necessary.
I've decided that I'll make another kimono in newborn size. If this little boy is as small as I'm told he is, it might take quite a while for him to be able to use the one I just finished. I'll see how big he is when I get there and then choose the best size to give to him so he can wear it through the summer.
It rained again all day yesterday, so sewing and knitting were the perfect  pastimes while Tag and I spent our days inside. I believe I'll knit again today.

Brynwood Baby...

I think I've told you before how much I enjoy making things for babies.

They're so small and sweet, and I can't help but smile when I finish a piece

meant just for a little one. This is just such an example...a cotton baby kimono.

  This one already has a home. I used soft Rowan Luxury Cotton DK yarn. It will 

wash nicely, and provide a soft, breathable cover for a sweet, new child. I knitted 

this one in the 6-month size so it can be worn for a while. Babies grow so quickly!

I have enough of this gorgeous yarn to make another for my Etsy shop. I think

I'll knit it while we're traveling and list it up when we get back home. Do you

think that I should knit another in a newborn or 6-month size? I can't decide.

Wait until you see what's next (tomorrow)! Another baby gift!

Tuesdays With Tag - My Brown-Eyed Girl...

 Hi, Everybody!
(SORRY THIS IS LATE. PROBLEM WITH AUTO UPDATE)

Well, it's finally time for me to tell you my great news!

Did you notice in my post a couple of weeks ago that I sneaked in

a little question for my long-distance, pen pal, Quinn? I asked

her if she'd go steady with me. Guess what? She said "yes"!!!

So, today, I'd like to introduce you to my new girlfriend, Quinn.

 This is my girl when she was just a puppersnapper.

She came to her family from a breeder in Ohio, Lehan Corgis.

 Her pedigree name is "Lehan Brings Good Things to Life". 

I'll just call her "Quinn" and she'll call me "Tag".
No need to be formal, I don't think.

She has five dog brothers and sisters. 

(I don't even know how many I have. I never got my papers from 

the breeder. Let's change the subject or Mom will say bad things.)

She also has a person sister named Hayley and brother named James.

They all live in Massachusetts, not too far from Boston. I'm hopin'

that the next time Mom and Dad go to see our family on Nantucket,

we'll be able to go see Quinn and her family, so we can all visit!

 As she got bigger, so did her ears. We seem to have that in common.

She was a beautiful puppy, don't you think? Her mom said that they

started looking for her when they read about our Fezzik every week.

(I hear he was a great guy and sure wish I'd been able to meet him.)

 This is what she looks like now. Isn't she lovely?

Isn't she wonderful? 

(I'm thinkin' Stevie Wonder songs now!)

 When Mom was takin' my picture yesterday, she said,

"Tag. Look handsome for Quinn." and this is what I did.

(It's my handsome, inquisitive pose...my camera face!)

Actually, when she showed me all these pictures on her

laptop over the weekend, I stood right up on my hind legs

and stared at Quinn's pretty face. I was quite taken with her!

 Quinn's really lucky. She got her picture taken with Santa!

Mom hasn't done that with me yet. (Hint. Hint, Mom.)

 Quinn lives with an American Foxhound mix named Witherby.

Looks like a nice guy and it's good that she has someone to keep her 

company beside her people family. I hear that he was abandoned in the 

woods. Miss Haley found him and brought him home to live with their

 family. He's a lucky, older pup but he doesn't like to frap with Quinn.

 It's a good thing I'm not the jealous type. I mean, I can still talk to
other girls, and as long as he's good to her, Witherby is just fine by me.

 Now, all you girls out there, don't worry. We're not gettin' married or 

anythin'. We're too young for that - and there are no puppies in our 

future, either. But, it's nice to have someone that I can send presents

to and write little, sweet nothin's to from time to time. I mean really. 

How could I ever resist a pretty face like Quinn's? She even sent me 

long-distance kisses! So, this song is for you, sweetie. I hope you like it.

 direct link: http://youtu.be/kqXSBe-qMGo

I hope you're all happy for us. I'll be back soon to tell you all about my travels.

'til next time...

"Wag Like Ya Mean It!"

Looks Like We Made It...

 ...to Meadville, PA, that is.

It was a bit of an arduous drive through the mountains of

West Virginia to get here, especially in the rain, but Pennsylvania

proved welcoming. There was a lot of sunshine and the steep ups

and downs slowly transformed into rolling hills and valleys.

 Handsome went over to the college yesterday to pick up his

registration packet, which always includes a college tote bag.

Inside are all his class schedules, meal card and a few other goodies.

 

This year, he came back with a matching packet for me!

Go figure. I only go to one group gathering, the Thursday recitals

and the concert finale on Friday, but here was my own meal card,

schedule (in case I want to sit in), and even my own swanky pen!

 While he was over at the college, I was working on the knitting for my special project. I finished it around 9 last night, and will start my day today doing all the joining and yarn tucking. After that, I'll add the ribbon closure and perhaps a button or two just to trim it out a little more. I'll decide when I get to that point.
I'm also making something for our great-nephew's Christening next month. I brought Sofie along so she'll be helping me out with the machine sewing part of that project. She also has a small embroidery unit, so I'm going to add a little something extra, too.
Tag will be here tomorrow. He's so excited to share his good news! You'll have to come back to read all about it. (He can hardly wait!)

Sunday Scripture...

Courtesy of Little Birdie Blessings (Thanks, Abby!)

 

Day Three...

This was the back of our Flying Cloud first thing yesterday morning. Handsome called me outside to see three deer trotting away from our campground. They were too far away - even for my "real" camera.   The sun was shining, and it was already hot while Handsome was  breaking up camp for us. I had finished stowing everything inside and came back out to see if he needed any help. He was nearly done, too, so  I took the photograph! We left Cornersville shortly after this was taken.

When I look out my window while we're on the road, this is frequently my view. The mirrors are great for keeping track of what's going on behind us, but I'm a little hampered from seeing past them to get good rolling photos of the terrain.

Every once in a while, I do manage to catch a peek at something I can capture.   Right before we crossed into Kentucky, I saw a barn I wanted to photograph. It wasn't until after I looked at it on my iPhone that I realized it had a barn quilt on it!

We spent a nice bit of yesterday's miles on the Bluegrass Parkway in Kentucky. Not the usual heavy semi traffic, and incredible scenery. There were lots of other barns to see, too. You do know how much I love them, right? Let's just say, "a lot"!

This farmstead especially captivated me, but I took many, many more other shots to remind me of this beautiful drive through mountains and vast horse country.

When we pulled into the Huntington/Foxfire KOA in Milton, WV, the first thing we saw was a big swimming lake. It looked really  inviting, but it rained shortly after we finished setting up The Cloud. What Taggart noticed were the kids...

...and I've told you many times before how much he loves kids!!! He was mesmerized by them before he was even out of the truck, and he  spent most of the evening looking out the window at every child that walked by.

Sorry it's blurry. sigh

Dinner last night - for those who are interested - was a shrimp boil. I popped tiny, red potatoes into a small amount of water, white vinegar and Old Bay Seasoning. As soon as they started to soften, I added sweet corn and then finished up with the shrimp. A whole meal was ready in about 15 minutes. Handsome said it sure beat popping a can of Dinty Moore Beef Stew on a campfire (in the rain). Funny guy.
We traveled over four hundred miles yesterday, so sleep came early last night.   We'll arrive at our destination in Meadville, PA today. It's the shortest leg of our trip. We'll check in early, set up camp for the next week and really relax.    I'll be back tomorrow with more pictures and stories from the road.