tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79795473064112476432024-03-05T18:33:34.022-05:00art lifeThis is my blog about art and life.btaylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200566602202712855noreply@blogger.comBlogger153125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979547306411247643.post-44098802455020514792020-02-02T08:24:00.000-05:002020-02-02T08:24:32.258-05:00Just how Future-y did 2020 Look 40 Years ago?<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's
2020, and I'm carrying on as usual, making quilts, sewing up a storm in
my little shop, and subsequently I'm embroidering quilt labels as I
finish them up. I always include the year and then my signature. It's
easy and I enjoy the slow down needed to complete an embroidered
label. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GESrJoU1OhTJlE9oN1GkrASss1s_u9MzKAT4zxGrD_B0SpSLUyl4I5ySGKYXFcznIpWcwAtcoE-xXaVCyYvCn73xKWRjLHwBlioQO2MOp1QkbdpdJ6WnVcJ9f_ejoaxGb5sB0-bN3_4/s1600/IMG_7206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GESrJoU1OhTJlE9oN1GkrASss1s_u9MzKAT4zxGrD_B0SpSLUyl4I5ySGKYXFcznIpWcwAtcoE-xXaVCyYvCn73xKWRjLHwBlioQO2MOp1QkbdpdJ6WnVcJ9f_ejoaxGb5sB0-bN3_4/s400/IMG_7206.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The number 2020 itself is a nice, solid looking number, graphically. I really like it... compared to embroidering any year since 2016 (which I liked too), this is the year I like to embroider the most so far.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's a great design element, but I was suddenly struck by it the other day while watching an old dystopian film made in 1975 called <i>The Ultimate Warrior</i>, by Director, Robert Clouse. It's not a great film, in my humble opinion, but with Yul Brynner and Max von Sydow starring... and a "villain" named Carrot (OMG, Ha, ha ,ha!), it was super fun to watch. Both Jeff and I hadn't heard of it and considering we were 10 when it came out, we probably simply weren't allowed to see it. The other day we were both struck by the flash of the year... 2012....Ha! Any year that began with a 2 was a very futuristic number back when we were ten... but the film has a less than optimistic view of the future of humanity at that point, and as so many films set in the future do. Am I right? </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2-VjmCbaHgG3mgjdjrnKKpWdwwtFCtT4c7pQUxfqsnEa898qj1szHxplFHZPmpJhyphenhyphenMfSiFgLXkE1AkhRvNBra86IhzNT3aG7z-NUB6XaKOQ0AgZQST9_TNo-5ybjO2q2Yoxb0gDFTvs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-02-01+at+12.43.20+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2-VjmCbaHgG3mgjdjrnKKpWdwwtFCtT4c7pQUxfqsnEa898qj1szHxplFHZPmpJhyphenhyphenMfSiFgLXkE1AkhRvNBra86IhzNT3aG7z-NUB6XaKOQ0AgZQST9_TNo-5ybjO2q2Yoxb0gDFTvs/s400/Screen+Shot+2020-02-01+at+12.43.20+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from The Ultimate Warrior...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Obviously we passed 2012 eight years ago, and we aren't quite as desperate as they are in<i> The Ultimate Warrior</i>, but there are still reasons to suspect a not so bright future given the direction we are heading (i.e., the Climate Emergency and the rise of something that smells a lot like Authoritarianism on the wind). (on that subject, See <i>They Live, (1988) </i>by John Carpenter... in which they do not give a specific future year but could so easily be interpreted in the current political world, despite how goofy and heavy handed this movie can be at times.... although I'm not saying we lack goofiness in our current contemporary times... we so clearly do have loads of goofiness... ok, I digress). </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwSk6IlV1owKR5dlpKHxM4NC0XsxvErCjlKTH_T0ghmp1XSlf8v_h_HqfNu5bIxi_kPlBD8LkyxmQEskaN7NgOI0u7asgSEOXHCqfSujLdDFrTMg9XEEUJ9gN5CwkzgfBWW6WgyM40AQ/s1600/label2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwSk6IlV1owKR5dlpKHxM4NC0XsxvErCjlKTH_T0ghmp1XSlf8v_h_HqfNu5bIxi_kPlBD8LkyxmQEskaN7NgOI0u7asgSEOXHCqfSujLdDFrTMg9XEEUJ9gN5CwkzgfBWW6WgyM40AQ/s400/label2020.jpg" width="353" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What am I trying to say? I'm not precisely sure, but I do know that when I look at the year 2020, from the perspective of a child born in the 60's, I re-examine what I thought the future would look like from that child's eyes. It's disappointing that the world isn't a more peaceful place, that the Earth isn't healthier, that our energy sources aren't completely sustainable, etc. I feel like we should be so much more advanced in these things. It made me want to take a look at other films with "Future Dates" that fall around our current time. Here are a few with the year made and the date they are set in the future.</span>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I9FD21k7Cs" target="_blank">Metropolis </a>(1927) - Future year 2000</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073835/" target="_blank">The Ultimate Warrior</a> (1975) - Future year 2012</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083658/" target="_blank">Blade Runner</a> (1982) - Future year 2019</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2001 A Space Odyssey</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UWIzcJ1Neg" target="_blank">A Boy and His Dog </a>(1975) - Future year 2024</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpxS80J5S2M" target="_blank">Soylent Green</a> (1973) - Future year 2022</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfxpq5V7rjA&list=PLGq7iwZq7nd8PUw10u4aDlDH5PJ53xGIE" target="_blank">Escape From New York</a> (1981) Future year 1997</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oR_e9y-bka0" target="_blank">2001: A Space Odyssey </a>(1968) - Future year 2001</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVUxK1mNups" target="_blank">Roller Ball </a>(1975) - Future year 2018</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWlNe1-5wb8" target="_blank">The Last Man on Earth </a>(1964) - Future year 2020</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-OBV49gvmk" target="_blank">Silent Running</a> (1972) - Future year 2001</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjyOfTEeNHA" target="_blank">West World</a> (1973) - Future year 1983 </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(ahem...) OK, so I'll admit that the future doesn't look so good in nearly all of these, except maybe one of them (I have a favorite), and we have advanced in certain ways, I mean we aren't scrounging in rags and crawling over the skeletons of our neighbors after all, but there's still so much more to do/fix. </span><br />
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<br />Briana Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13632483787692930189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979547306411247643.post-69521877671441202152018-12-16T15:59:00.000-05:002018-12-17T07:06:37.587-05:00DIY Quilted Shaker Serving Tray Liner - Because You Know You Want to Make One!<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A Funny thing happened on the way to my next blog post. You'd be wrong to think "well, it's been nine months since she last wrote on this dumb blog, so I guess maybe she had a baby or something." If you guessed that, you'd be wrong, of course, me being of the "childless by choice" faction! I thought about starting this whole blog thing over again, but honestly, there's a lot of history following behind this post and I cannot bear to part with any of it, however boring some of it may be. I'm popping in to post this DIY Quilted Shaker Serving Tray Liner that I made up today because literally everyone needs this and will want to make one! Disclaimer though: there are no promises that I'll actually write another blog post before another nine months have passed again. So here's this DIY!</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/602936782/cherry-shaker-serving-tray-large" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.etsy.com/listing/602936782/cherry-shaker-serving-tray-large" border="0" data-original-height="918" data-original-width="1500" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQPE0guy7vgFnLIY5ykuAfaHxoVX-R6h24bO5sFoztHtYXa3ez8FluEWLc8Mtdi_idKfkR5dD-2ssY8Apu-UURPd6fazL2mPNifEHaZ-iNg-sjMzKlDDrmvN_gTi09RxrIOyoni1iFJE/s640/IMG_5790.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This beautiful, handcrafted tray is made by the Early Americana Workshop called <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/602936782/cherry-shaker-serving-tray-large" target="_blank">NHShakerShop</a> which you can find on Etsy via the link. I'd been searching for a clean beautiful design, simple wood serving tray and immediately started looking at Shaker versions. This one matched all of my demands and I couldn't be happier with it. I wanted to create a quilted liner for the tray. Mainly because I'm compelled to try to solve many issues with quilting somehow, but mostly because I wanted to protect the beautiful wood surface from scratches, and ideally for something to keep items from sliding around on the tray while carrying it from place. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here are the steps (illustrated as simply as possible):</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Take your tray and measure the width and length of the oval and base your fabric needs on that. Mine measures 14" wide x 19" long, so I used just under a half a yard of fabric.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Fold fabric with right sides facing and selvedge edges together and lay on a piece of batting the size of the folded fabric. </span></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="841" data-original-width="1500" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AhGsXK4KxC99Yz6JxYZgMKtg8RiVMHsbwCD-yeAXV8jnMc-eqXWGKLkTN3CUiDSEyEgDUKpTkK5TWPdEQ2uSPt1gIMdTk8OOZAclasiW45X5lF5_65Ab2rGrhzSlvSDeyengyVpsU68/s640/IMG_5750.jpg" width="640" /> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Place your tray on the fabric/batting pile and trace around the edge using some kind of marker. DO not use a permanent marker...</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFLL4sZHs8oxzieZb8C2DhYejTCYXSSsODosKXTNNE2NjZ56_5miCM75gifQfmD7QHImHvIlnxRttl6ZojjQz9xDAUTnM6GaJEynd7vnF58UvBLiVIMcEVefYjamjklh944z5lnz22dw/s1600/IMG_5751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFLL4sZHs8oxzieZb8C2DhYejTCYXSSsODosKXTNNE2NjZ56_5miCM75gifQfmD7QHImHvIlnxRttl6ZojjQz9xDAUTnM6GaJEynd7vnF58UvBLiVIMcEVefYjamjklh944z5lnz22dw/s640/IMG_5751.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. See, I'm using a <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Crayola-40Count-Ultra-Clean-Washable-Stocking/dp/B019592A6I/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1544992136&sr=8-4&keywords=crayola+washable+markers" target="_blank">Crayola washable marker</a>. Get the fine line ones! I love these things. Clean the edge of your tray immediately if you get any marks on it, but try not to.</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYmSHTI6ObeyIQvwDxspFV3xB05GhxXUfn0k4riagcljbCHpbRGIZ7uQvHwF0pzQ0ugH4m8lbVdiny1LQd3G9plUrlmnUCVgOS0hVUWUsQPvE8AvDInKgkATNTvdxS4zywIff57yItg1M/s1600/IMG_5763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYmSHTI6ObeyIQvwDxspFV3xB05GhxXUfn0k4riagcljbCHpbRGIZ7uQvHwF0pzQ0ugH4m8lbVdiny1LQd3G9plUrlmnUCVgOS0hVUWUsQPvE8AvDInKgkATNTvdxS4zywIff57yItg1M/s640/IMG_5763.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. Cut the shape out.</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcxhO0WZBdjNJAhQOaySaaD8S8AShtP7ud7joLaQnc1Emm5V_yXrfqcyANY-YnHVloyvnehGD5HmN-G4D200-Ez6xKjNcb76syc0aGVxgRdHLlQf_8wbSVGvu2yXA2NUEMdAkxj4Vrd2s/s1600/IMG_5769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1131" data-original-width="1500" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcxhO0WZBdjNJAhQOaySaaD8S8AShtP7ud7joLaQnc1Emm5V_yXrfqcyANY-YnHVloyvnehGD5HmN-G4D200-Ez6xKjNcb76syc0aGVxgRdHLlQf_8wbSVGvu2yXA2NUEMdAkxj4Vrd2s/s640/IMG_5769.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You should have two layers of fabric (right sides facing) and batting.</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNoCVX8H1CF0_kH0s9If6optUc56frJ58LpmliHoboaFjpdTV7-0N1VrEZO7kcmDUUy560vkyeY2RhQ_S8UXuM7fmvCLE5x_pWbYr1Su8foxGlv6n4WFF-vjpzEhvbmQ02R29MJphYLyc/s1600/IMG_5770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1369" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNoCVX8H1CF0_kH0s9If6optUc56frJ58LpmliHoboaFjpdTV7-0N1VrEZO7kcmDUUy560vkyeY2RhQ_S8UXuM7fmvCLE5x_pWbYr1Su8foxGlv6n4WFF-vjpzEhvbmQ02R29MJphYLyc/s640/IMG_5770.jpg" width="584" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6. Pin layers together. Put your walking foot on. Sew a 1/4" seam through all layers, leaving a 4" opening or so. </span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUy3hBcfJ5Az3NAnYnnDJC-FykMqopK-ZNP8j2eQlodYFcrYRejKIrjre7S2h0iXAIpboVwvfMSlVaIjFyorK3LylnUQwBthE2kCk-WfJxSF7GuUdELEc0q1T-5QhxhHT-8nJtffdGi3w/s1600/IMG_5776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUy3hBcfJ5Az3NAnYnnDJC-FykMqopK-ZNP8j2eQlodYFcrYRejKIrjre7S2h0iXAIpboVwvfMSlVaIjFyorK3LylnUQwBthE2kCk-WfJxSF7GuUdELEc0q1T-5QhxhHT-8nJtffdGi3w/s640/IMG_5776.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">7. Pull the insides out through the hole. Here's your opportunity to check that it fits your tray properly. Flatten it out. Put it in the tray. Too big? Turn it back and sew a larger seam allowance to get the fit you'd like. </span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-oy9Rk99akxsRtSPIsPTfdriGRJWiYR0yLxiozbFpbd1UxYreJeMvKnPHgxWX8Cj7RkVGmMBfkqPpx2oJnjnTdd1bkP8M9n11_VLoWqbUw6LXF1q3OEt8wHNVaxehTlZ5k9Ky1dBZno/s1600/IMG_5779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-oy9Rk99akxsRtSPIsPTfdriGRJWiYR0yLxiozbFpbd1UxYreJeMvKnPHgxWX8Cj7RkVGmMBfkqPpx2oJnjnTdd1bkP8M9n11_VLoWqbUw6LXF1q3OEt8wHNVaxehTlZ5k9Ky1dBZno/s640/IMG_5779.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8. Once your size is good, flatten it out and press the whole thing so that the seam lines up around the edge. I use one of my long paint brushes to accomplish this! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyBmwVbQYZxdT43ESAmt0erqjOFANRc0F8fD9AxXm9ffQpwLHLHOJfmq3FjOcuqfe6HhND77BoFgGa2m11FN9H1f2rF0KPoG5sBSJ_XrSLF7aW6hUX9bpqh0cJmy6EGzawMc31tdJsP0/s1600/IMG_5784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyBmwVbQYZxdT43ESAmt0erqjOFANRc0F8fD9AxXm9ffQpwLHLHOJfmq3FjOcuqfe6HhND77BoFgGa2m11FN9H1f2rF0KPoG5sBSJ_XrSLF7aW6hUX9bpqh0cJmy6EGzawMc31tdJsP0/s640/IMG_5784.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp15OeQz-5D0D9zWnOdHeWrY2MxHvX6wCEY9AyGBbizRiPmtcodkVx_RetgKId6NBjrRgmJ0KA7tZAldWaV_qdPle5g5Lp99630NHIko9h53uuKJtbQAz2fbPujzLZ9V55Et193Cl9D3k/s1600/IMG_5786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1138" data-original-width="1500" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp15OeQz-5D0D9zWnOdHeWrY2MxHvX6wCEY9AyGBbizRiPmtcodkVx_RetgKId6NBjrRgmJ0KA7tZAldWaV_qdPle5g5Lp99630NHIko9h53uuKJtbQAz2fbPujzLZ9V55Et193Cl9D3k/s640/IMG_5786.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">9. Now sew your opening closed however you want. I just sewed it with my machine very close to the edge with black thread. Can't even see it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10. Now quilt it however you'd like. I'm a big <a href="https://alabamachanin.com/" target="_blank">Alabama Chanin</a> fan and have made a bunch of Natalie's clothes and accessories using her hand sewing techniques. I thought this style of stitching would look really nice on my tray liner, so I used Button and Craft thread and left the knots and tails on one side. I can turn it over for a smoother look, but I love the visible knots. If you haven't looked at Alabama Chanin style, and don't know what I'm talking about, do yourself a favor and do so. Natalie has several classes on <a href="https://www.craftsy.com/search?query=natalie%20chanin" target="_blank">Craftsy</a> too. I started with her <a href="https://www.craftsy.com/sewing/classes/the-swing-skirt-techniques-construction/496063" target="_blank">Swing Skirt Class</a>.... which I made using old tshirts. So cool!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I digress. This post is about my Tray liner. Well, there you have it. I hope you'll try it out. I supposed you can use this technique to make liners for lots of other things too. So have at it! See you in nine months... maybe :)</span> </div>
Briana Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13632483787692930189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979547306411247643.post-37367270697532853822018-03-25T13:22:00.001-04:002018-03-25T13:22:15.343-04:00Well Hello There<a href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blog/5045073/?claim=gbak6y3zfgp">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has been a long time. So much has happened and obviously my blog has taken a back seat. This year I'm working to set some new goals and achieve some goals that have been floating around for a while. One thing is figuring out how to weave all of my social media, websites, shops and everything else, together in some way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Boy, would I like to hire someone to help me figure it all out! For those who have remained during this long hiatus, THANK YOU! Stay tuned for the future :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">xo,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Briana </span><br />
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<br />btaylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200566602202712855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979547306411247643.post-1227791290011718672015-07-28T07:49:00.000-04:002015-07-28T07:49:10.419-04:00<div style="-webkit-hyphenate-limit-after: 1; -webkit-hyphenate-limit-before: 3; -webkit-hyphens: auto; border: 0px; color: #6c6360; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1.618em; orphans: 3; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; widows: 3;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="417" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2YIjV15USUtU0tRdIG3f1H6eoKaGBFhUZQM3rxXnCEIQyGC6z6iZy_8d8s7QEwQz_ez8wKRhj7pmm8G4gx3pAjnsRpaYlkp9Z4d85w8XdbyeHaoSBAm4eDkqPlSLGpXr6aa-fBkOkafo/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-07-27+at+12.35.01+PM.png" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From @CheeseandOlive on Instagram</td></tr>
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Making lists has not always been a thing for me. Although, when I make them, they tend to expand into ten different lists (i.e., the market list, the pet food store, the farmer’s supply, and stuff I have to do, etc.). The cascade of list making creates lots of post-it’s all over the place, and the inevitably lost grocery list by the time I make it to the market. Awesome.</div>
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5 Things:</div>
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<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The <a href="http://theprimaryessentials.tumblr.com/" style="border: 0px; color: rgb(27, 159, 186) !important; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Primary Essentials Visual Journal</a> page</li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Netflix’s <a href="http://www.netflix.com/title/80007945" style="border: 0px; color: rgb(27, 159, 186) !important; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">The Chef’s Table, Episode 3</a>, Season 1</li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This Quilt exhibit that I missed: <a href="http://folkartmuseum.org/exhibitions/infinite-variety-three-centuries-of-red-and-white-quilts/" style="border: 0px; color: rgb(27, 159, 186) !important; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Infinite Variety</a></li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.mimiochun.com/" style="border: 0px; color: rgb(27, 159, 186) !important; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Stuffed Hipster Emblems</a> <—- cool!</li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://instagram.com/cheeseandolive/" style="border: 0px; color: rgb(27, 159, 186) !important; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">@CheeseandOlive</a> – because cats, and you should follow them!</li>
</ul>
btaylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200566602202712855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979547306411247643.post-8085516633123208802015-07-27T10:58:00.003-04:002015-07-27T10:58:34.337-04:00More About Vintage Rescue Quilts – cuz you need to know all the things<a href="http://www.btaylorquilts.com/product-category/vintage-rescue-quilts/" style="border: 0px; color: #4a413e; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; orphans: 3; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; widows: 3;" target="_blank">Vintage Quilts</a><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #6c6360; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; orphans: 3; widows: 3;"> have always been a favorite thing. Especially the really old ones, all worn, soft, and full of imagined stories about the women (or men) who made them.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfKHr-FbKaHHKGRH6FOYdFTCrn-pANdAyFdZCxL4hpzE0l6A3xZnK-F70-Iqus4qZ_0k9K3VouzDOh0tF-CUwyGFGWncgbzpL-2hMxeHnh1mEN_UfHbS3vinHN7UFAZ3C1IxtfXEUI_Q/s1600/pile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfKHr-FbKaHHKGRH6FOYdFTCrn-pANdAyFdZCxL4hpzE0l6A3xZnK-F70-Iqus4qZ_0k9K3VouzDOh0tF-CUwyGFGWncgbzpL-2hMxeHnh1mEN_UfHbS3vinHN7UFAZ3C1IxtfXEUI_Q/s640/pile.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pile of vintage quilts</td></tr>
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You may have noticed that I’ve recently started listing <a href="http://www.btaylorquilts.com/product-category/vintage-rescue-quilts/" style="border: 0px; color: #4a413e; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Vintage Quilt Rescue Quilts</a> in the shop. This all came about because I was contacted by someone who wanted me to finish some quilt tops that her great-grandmother had made. Normally I never take in quilt tops to finish, either new or vintage, but I was curious and asked her to send me some images of what she had. I was blown away! Here were quilt tops, made as early as the 30’s, some of them were hand cut and hand sewn (this was the days before rotary cutters, people!), and they were perfectly preserved with brilliant colors and fine stitching.</div>
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After some discussion, we decided to go ahead with the project and she sent me the quilts, from California, and I finished three very beautiful quilt tops for her. Imagine, all those years she held onto these precious family heirlooms and only <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">thought </em>about having them finished. I sent them back and she was thrilled. The circle was complete and the quilts were whole and completely transformed!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEEJOdye0K09XA3k301WoHThvtHx1umkkTWKoSWCzzu7JRY7ToPKkDkgN8PuBkXv2zOXa-LK-nv-17oyBqCDfZmjPcIa91nImXxfHXhDL860e1WufEZaXx_0nwmi94-a4C59ClzLhrLs/s1600/wheel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEEJOdye0K09XA3k301WoHThvtHx1umkkTWKoSWCzzu7JRY7ToPKkDkgN8PuBkXv2zOXa-LK-nv-17oyBqCDfZmjPcIa91nImXxfHXhDL860e1WufEZaXx_0nwmi94-a4C59ClzLhrLs/s640/wheel.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wheel of Fortune Quilt, After Completion</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GiK8b41bF3f1nF_WECqn0HR5LkyrPxjrioXZ6sl7J9k9Bu9NDCTPDkVvoshFnarcpM0gMLkXye8j6UPw1-1skRymSVho8FMWh9O5FFoskXOYPpJkSzlaeILC028OgLu7Lms6qj9NKjc/s1600/hourglass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GiK8b41bF3f1nF_WECqn0HR5LkyrPxjrioXZ6sl7J9k9Bu9NDCTPDkVvoshFnarcpM0gMLkXye8j6UPw1-1skRymSVho8FMWh9O5FFoskXOYPpJkSzlaeILC028OgLu7Lms6qj9NKjc/s640/hourglass.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hourglass Quilt, after completed</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: #fcfcfc;">After this experience, I was completely hooked! Scouring nearby vintage shops, and searching on-line, I came across several unassuming (and unfinished) quilt tops and purchased them. It’s great to feel complete and utter inspiration with a new discovery, and I quickly worked on the new tops, repairing small holes and seams that had let loose, choosing fabric for the backs, and getting them on the frame to quilt.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPcSWns8Yfbstj726-xja6nO7-9fnbXoTMzsklAbEmOGaqXuUYJKiN3Ae3zm7vgfjb3sbBEvlymTpcCFkBBTIiTwiwQ7Gmr_Eq2l55QLXt7qnW8WSoShVpJFpkzIeuRGX2-VFSehkeKxw/s1600/untitled-1-1597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPcSWns8Yfbstj726-xja6nO7-9fnbXoTMzsklAbEmOGaqXuUYJKiN3Ae3zm7vgfjb3sbBEvlymTpcCFkBBTIiTwiwQ7Gmr_Eq2l55QLXt7qnW8WSoShVpJFpkzIeuRGX2-VFSehkeKxw/s640/untitled-1-1597.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandmother's Garden Quilt, after finishing</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: #fcfcfc;">This pink grandmother’s garden quilt was the first. Now, I’m not a pink girl… AT ALL… but I saw this top and saw its potential and took it home. Thus started my fascination, obsession, and love for all things antique quilts! The older and more neglected, the better. Such lovely things happen when a long forgotten and abused vintage quilt top comes to life. I feel like they are all just waiting for their chance to become “real” in the world. They are waiting for their chance to be loved and held, and cuddled. After all, isn’t that what the first intentions were when they were created? In the end, it’s all about being loved and feeling complete that makes us all so happy.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5tMNMivGOkaNsVq4J6KxrbSS10nwC5lyM9IE5OqQHoNJUnYpZDdal8FBZNeulZFWIuCVyrZtfWy-cTgcO_Mifg90kfHCb2zfHg8fBTj3rutFsDOckTDVVQZT_hFL5-4azT6_7yAYZWs/s1600/izzyquilt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5tMNMivGOkaNsVq4J6KxrbSS10nwC5lyM9IE5OqQHoNJUnYpZDdal8FBZNeulZFWIuCVyrZtfWy-cTgcO_Mifg90kfHCb2zfHg8fBTj3rutFsDOckTDVVQZT_hFL5-4azT6_7yAYZWs/s640/izzyquilt1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isabella claimed this quilt first! We are keeping it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIG7VB_qcK0MnZqifxPfYJzZkSLamxn0b9HhNqSaQXtjFuDMb094xiz_z39s4YRjVSEdYZFRxarhwH4zLbg2BYAl5h5bT1ZDyOTTFnGsWPjvTb1TJMzfE0NaFlWnQEjflJggIQTbb0nfs/s1600/newquilt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIG7VB_qcK0MnZqifxPfYJzZkSLamxn0b9HhNqSaQXtjFuDMb094xiz_z39s4YRjVSEdYZFRxarhwH4zLbg2BYAl5h5bT1ZDyOTTFnGsWPjvTb1TJMzfE0NaFlWnQEjflJggIQTbb0nfs/s640/newquilt1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I fell totally in love with this quilt top. It is now in my personal collection.</td></tr>
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To see all the Vintage Rescue Quilts that I have available for sale, check out the shop under <a href="http://www.btaylorquilts.com/product-category/vintage-rescue-quilts/" style="border: 0px; color: #4a413e; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Vintage Rescue Quilts</a>!</div>
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btaylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200566602202712855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979547306411247643.post-57901123261882449482015-07-16T18:55:00.003-04:002015-07-16T18:55:51.233-04:00Follow Me on Instagram. If You Don't, You'll Be Sorry!<br />
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<span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Because THIS is on there!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://instagram.com/btaylorquilts/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzafGMdT-IUUjaE28ZbnedX0bYtacrwNSrsKoY995vHVso-90qCCKPOukFE5Hbahz53PPfV0PQ0xnngq42gdtDiPMRgr1FW8woQ03E0LaMD2fC98tMnvwekRF6KZFijBGqaPepsjWcQqw/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-07-14+at+12.15.00+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Are you on Instagram? No? <a href="https://instagram.com/btaylorquilts/" target="_blank">GO THERE</a> and see the wonders. I’ll be posting news on sales, new quilts added to the shop, and all kinds of photographic wonderment. Like this, Ginger, my niece-puppy.</span></div>
</span>btaylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200566602202712855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979547306411247643.post-70500678764126705372015-07-14T13:43:00.000-04:002015-07-14T13:43:15.743-04:00Support an Independent Artist's Independent Website <a href="http://www.btaylorquilts.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2C9ZurYbLSrnvGyM5G3k04KIAflKbO6jbC3bq5Qbw9GSFxlawRd1yVlV9jgNG-4w52lnb0cp9RncMtHfq9Y7wYDJnqcbt3LaUngYPhSlro8t-rIpnesVP1A5VEKd_FbKbC7B1W9jGyY/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-07-14+at+1.33.08+PM.png" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The official <a href="http://www.btaylorquilts.com/" target="_blank">Btaylor Quilts website</a> is alive, fully stocked, and fully full of my quilting inventories! Yay! It took a while and there were many tears and stress along the way, but in the end, it will be nice to have my own site outside of Etsy. Best not to have all of your eggs in one basket. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'd love to hear from you with suggestions or comments, and of course, if you are tempted to own some quilt goodies, remember to visit me at the new website!! I will be mostly communicating sales and new items through Instagram, so if you are interested in being in the know about future sales, find me there <a href="https://instagram.com/btaylorquilts/" target="_blank">@BtayorQuilts</a></span></div>
btaylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200566602202712855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979547306411247643.post-69017809946200904722015-04-26T10:16:00.001-04:002015-04-26T10:49:40.848-04:00A Welcome Home-Base at Joshua Tree - Rock Reach - September 23, 2015, Day 9<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FPBn6mBqp4w/VTzlJ7F6fGI/AAAAAAAACNk/lteOYNWdmwY/s1600/rockreach2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FPBn6mBqp4w/VTzlJ7F6fGI/AAAAAAAACNk/lteOYNWdmwY/s1600/rockreach2.jpg" height="332" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At night the stars are just unreal, compared to our limited views in the East</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://artandcraftlife.blogspot.com/2015/04/from-canyons-to-blind-ass-jump-day-8.html" target="_blank">After 3,620 miles</a>, we came to rest for seven whole days at </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.vrbo.com/304547" target="_blank">Rock Reach House</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, in Yucca Valley, just outside of <a href="http://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm" target="_blank">Joshua Tree National Park</a>. What a relief to think about not moving for seven entire days, except to explore the local countryside. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dGdtXeuWEpY/VTzlS7-onMI/AAAAAAAACNs/ymD2TDDd3Ks/s1600/rockreach1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dGdtXeuWEpY/VTzlS7-onMI/AAAAAAAACNs/ymD2TDDd3Ks/s1600/rockreach1.jpg" height="332" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">from the living room</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On day one of our Joshua Tree adventure, I want to talk about the house! <a href="http://www.rockreachhouse.com/" target="_blank">Rock Reach House</a> is spectacular! We found out about it from </span><a href="http://www.dwell.com/house-tours/article/plan-steel" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Dwell Magazine</a>, <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">although I'm sure we saw it in a later article than this one from 2010, it was sometime in 2013 we read about being able to rent it and had not stopped thinking about it since. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BsIcgeDYv_Q/VTzsSLDa6tI/AAAAAAAACOE/UM_138PMq-I/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-04-26%2Bat%2B9.46.05%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BsIcgeDYv_Q/VTzsSLDa6tI/AAAAAAAACOE/UM_138PMq-I/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-04-26%2Bat%2B9.46.05%2BAM.png" height="404" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can see here just how close the house is to Joshua Tree National Park</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The house is actually what started the whole road trip discussion and our trip plans eventually flowered around Rock Reach as the center point. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rbiIFwqyvns/VTzjCmfQ_CI/AAAAAAAACNA/EeU9Tn01sXM/s1600/x-country-637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rbiIFwqyvns/VTzjCmfQ_CI/AAAAAAAACNA/EeU9Tn01sXM/s1600/x-country-637.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's me down there enjoying the lounge chair on the deck! </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was the perfect place to experience the desert, immersing ourselves in the mesogranite formations surrounding the house and the beautiful landscape. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can see Rock Reach being built in </span><a href="http://www.rockreachhouse.com/bluesky/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">this video</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> by Blue Sky Building Systems.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> It is set on 2.5 acres in Yucca Valley, CA, and the only visible neighboring home is </span><a href="http://www.blackdeserthouse.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Black Desert House</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, an impressive black monolith that is currently for sale for $975,000. Check out the amazing </span><a href="http://www.blackdeserthouse.com/images.php" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">images of this house here</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> on the Crosby Doe Associates site!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_AJq4Ny-KA/VTzgQOxuUUI/AAAAAAAACLc/mSzfJX_5M0k/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-04-26%2Bat%2B8.54.38%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_AJq4Ny-KA/VTzgQOxuUUI/AAAAAAAACLc/mSzfJX_5M0k/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-04-26%2Bat%2B8.54.38%2BAM.png" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Image from Crosby Doe Associates</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gEXMi7xBRzc/VTzgQbBpFzI/AAAAAAAACLg/gkd8_AFqOgo/s1600/blackhouse1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gEXMi7xBRzc/VTzgQbBpFzI/AAAAAAAACLg/gkd8_AFqOgo/s1600/blackhouse1.jpg" height="336" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Image from Crosby Doe Associates</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ogN-NPxKCS8/VTzhC0hKzUI/AAAAAAAACMI/f_WuMKszD4U/s1600/IMG_3693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ogN-NPxKCS8/VTzhC0hKzUI/AAAAAAAACMI/f_WuMKszD4U/s1600/IMG_3693.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our view </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> of Black Desert House </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">from Rock Reach</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Needless to say, this part of the world is VERY different from Massachusetts on so many different levels. Firstly, it feels like there is no water, and in reality, there really isn't much. There has been a drought in California for the past four years and it is evident as you move around the landscape. Even though I've never been in the desert, it's apparent that things are extraordinarily dry here. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PtHb4mzcHOU/VTziBWYzjrI/AAAAAAAACMo/S9TrKy_bo9w/s1600/x-country-218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PtHb4mzcHOU/VTziBWYzjrI/AAAAAAAACMo/S9TrKy_bo9w/s1600/x-country-218.JPG" height="162" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A panorama of the landscape</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PhDCzRxXgSU/VTziXRli32I/AAAAAAAACM4/AOy0JUbwZCU/s1600/untitled-509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PhDCzRxXgSU/VTziXRli32I/AAAAAAAACM4/AOy0JUbwZCU/s1600/untitled-509.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jeff surveys the landscape from above Rock Reach</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">some plant material I gathered from the Grand Canyon</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We finally had a chance to catch up with our thoughts about the trip so far, including writing in our travel journals that my sister & brother-in-law so thoughtfully gave to us. I collected some plants along the way and had fun sewing them into my journal. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sunset from Rock Reach</span></td></tr>
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<br />btaylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200566602202712855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979547306411247643.post-56749685101907290822015-04-24T07:17:00.000-04:002015-04-24T07:59:40.388-04:00From Canyons to Blind-Ass-Jump - Day 8, September 22, 2014<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The night proved to be a wonderful adventure in sound. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were surrounded by bugling elk all night and into the early dawn hours. I really wish we could have seen one, but despite sounding like giant, raging elephants, they were elusive. </span><a href="http://artandcraftlife.blogspot.com/2015/01/differing-perspectives-from-north-rim.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Yesterday</a>, <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">we had arrived at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, and landed the most amazing camp site, but sadly we had only one night to stay here. You can read more about Desert View Campground and the previous day at the link above. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the morning we met an older couple who were camped across the way from us, Steve and Valerie from Wisconsin. They were breaking camp as well and offered us a canister of gas for our burner. They were getting ready to head home after a nice, long vacation. We built a campfire and made ourselves some coffee and breakfast burritos from some of the stuff we had left in the cooler, after which we got a relatively early start. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">64 West heads through the long expanse of the South Rim, winding its way along 26 miles. There are any number of turn-offs on the way, in which you can stop and take in various views of the depths and distances of the canyon. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DK-EqiAy1kc/VToucS3-2VI/AAAAAAAACKc/PCGl8eSRuzQ/s1600/x-country-446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DK-EqiAy1kc/VToucS3-2VI/AAAAAAAACKc/PCGl8eSRuzQ/s1600/x-country-446.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not too far from the campground, we ran into a little bit of backed up traffic. After crawling along for a short distance, we saw that there had been a terrible motorcycle accident. There were several motorcycles (as far as we could tell) that had plunged off the road into the scrub. It didn't look good. We think that they had been heading east, and possibly were dealing with early morning sun in their eyes. Like I said in an earlier post, I wouldn't even want to try to navigate some of these roads on a bike. Since then, I've tried to search for information about the accident but have turned up nothing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because we were so startled and freaked out, we pulled into the next turn off so we could walk around and try to feel a little better about the day. It turned out to be a spectacular view from this point. (See the rock formation above.) We started to take a closer look at the vegetation as well, given that a lot of it was in flower. We </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">continued our drive on 64 heading west, which ultimately brings you to Grand Canyon Village and then out of the park, through Tusayan, Valle, and on to Williams. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These gorgeous yellow flowers were shot with the tilt shift lens. I think they are Snakeweed, but cannot be certain. It was here that Jeff discovered the close up possibilities with this lens. Both the long distance, like the canyon below, and the feathery seed pods (following) look amazing through the tilt shift. The plumed seeds of the <a href="http://www.grandcanyonnaturalhistory.com/pages_nature/trees_shrubs/cliffrose.html" target="_blank">Cliffrose</a> appear in the fall, all along the South Rim.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another beautiful lookout point along the way on 64.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leaving Grand Canyon we hit Williams and turned right onto 40 taking us into Kingman, AZ. At Kingman, we turned south towards Lake Havasu City. Part of the Colorado River forms the Lake here. We stopped and ate at a local brewery called <a href="http://barleybrothers.com/" target="_blank">Barley Bros.</a> on the other side of the river, which is still in Arizona. Pizza and ribs sounded pretty good, seeing it was already well past lunch and it was now 102 degrees and the heat was unrelenting. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a well needed lunch, we continued south on 95 along the Colorado into Parker. Here we crossed into California onto 62. The car was stopped at the border at the <a href="http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/pe/ExteriorExclusion/borders.html" target="_blank">Vidal Border Station</a>, part of the California Border Protection Stations, in order to be inspected for fruit or plant materials. Having never gone through this process, and being caught completely unaware, we showed the border patrol several pieces of very sad looking fruit that we had in the cooler, and thankfully they were not infested with any invasive insects. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here we leave Arizona, and venture into the Mojave Desert and California, crossing all kinds of incredible landscape. We passed the Turtle Mountains, the Granite Mountains, Old Woman Mountains, and Sheep Hole Mountains, all along 62. Parts of 62 are insane. One section, around Rice and coming up on the Granite Mountains, was a crazy roller coaster ride of some amazing road dips. There were signs that said "Dip" to warn you of the impending fun. We were driving pretty fast and sometimes I think the wheels actually came up off the road on the upside of the dips! Such fun! Such chaos! I didn't count the dips, but there were LOTS of them, and each one was unique in its trajectory. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If I had to travel that road every day I'd have a name for each dip... like "mad snake dip" that starts the downside, turns into a curve in the middle and shoots you out the top like a mad rocket, or "blind ass jump" where you can't see the road that falls off in the distance so it looks like you are driving off the edge of the Earth. Awesome! Not only this, but we were driving directly west, directly into the setting sun that was blazing in the window at maximum solar intensity. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This insanity eventually traverses the northern edge of Joshua Tree National Park and brings you into Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree, and Yucca Valley, where the house we rented was located. To the North on 62 is the largest US Military base I've ever seen. The <a href="http://www.29palms.marines.mil/Photos.aspx?igpage=3" target="_blank">Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center </a>in Twentynine Palms. Officially known as Twentynine Palms Base, it has its own zip code. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We took a total of two photos after we left Grand Canyon on the 22nd. The one above of the road and wind turbines, and the one below showing </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3,619.9 Miles to Joshua Tree! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was an 7 hour drive covering 425 miles! I can't wait to show you our photos of Joshua Tree. More soon. Good night!!</span></div>
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<br />btaylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200566602202712855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979547306411247643.post-201913540835742672015-02-01T08:08:00.003-05:002015-02-01T08:12:23.312-05:00Sale! need I say more?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/btaylorquilts" target="_blank"><img alt=" Btaylor Quilts Sale!" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindTTA1JyldRl3uopv88z30rkOt4a4ujq4T4gYRvrx6eWpiiFZmkbmH280eFZiIoNmHSXebLwl3Nti3UvQb6SscS_W5KyJ21TJDWJwhPozWRRzCIFsYTGnXbi7U7EjqHbMrjFK0wnUAY4/s1600/sale2.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />btaylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200566602202712855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979547306411247643.post-43617099852535662412015-01-01T12:59:00.000-05:002015-01-01T12:59:56.948-05:00Differing Perspectives - From North Rim to South Rim, Grand Canyon - Day 7 - September 21, 2015<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the exciting day of travel <a href="http://artandcraftlife.blogspot.com/2014/11/492-miles-of-awesome-from-ridgway-state" target="_blank">the day before</a>, we were in for the most staggeringly beautiful day yet on this trip. It's hard to believe now, in retrospect, everything that we saw in this remarkable part of the country on this one day. Waking up in our camp site on the North Rim, we cooked some breakfast over a fire, enjoyed our coffee, broke camp, and then it was a short drive to the Lodge and the trail head for Bright Angel Point. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has taken the Colorado river over six million years to carve this canyon from the rock, and at some points it is 6,000 ft. deep and 18 miles across at its widest. This is considered "arid-land erosion" and the canyon is 277 miles long. In its geologic formations, you can see three of earth's four eras of <a href="http://grandcanyonhistory.clas.asu.edu/history_science_geology.html" target="_blank">geologic history</a>. Let's consider it a work in progress.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a short</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, but precarious,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> walk from the lodge to the overlook even with the paved trail to get out there. Bright Angel Point basically sits at the end of a needle-like peninsula that sticks out into the canyon. I can imagine that a lot of people become unable to go further, if they suffer from fear of heights or vertigo. Worth the effort to get past the nominal fears the trail and heights induce though.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's an awesome example of my video taking skills! Check out the view from Bright Angel Point! </span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/115703596" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe><br />
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<a href="http://vimeo.com/115703596">North Rim - Grand Canyon - September 21, 2014</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user9892784">Briana Taylor</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Setting out early, so that we could enjoy some time at the South Rim before sunset, we traveled back through Kaibab National Forest, past the Vermillion Cliffs, back over the Navajo Bridge, and followed 89 South until we hit 64 East, which is basically the entrance to the Grand Canyon from the Eastern side. This is not the main entrance to the Park, as it seems most people are coming from the Flagstaff area. We were hoping to get a camp site at Desert View Campgrounds, just inside the Park. We had reservations at the Mather Campground near the main Grand Canyon Village, but that would add another 26 miles to our estimated 189 we were due to travel that day. Desert View was also more isolated, with only 50 camp sites, and on a first come, first serve basis. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Traveling back through Kaibab we stopped in this burned out area on top of the ridge that leads back down to the Vermillion Cliffs. In the photo below, you can see them looming off in the far distance. The burned out area was exquisitely beautiful, and despite it being the end of September, it was full of spring colors. Chartreuse, and an abundance of white, purple, and pink flower, and thistles in full bloom. The contrasting black of the burned trees and various logs laying around the landscape was stunning, surrounded by such new growth all around. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had luck, and found a camping spot at Desert View on the far Eastern edge of the South Rim. It was site #44, and being a first come, first serve campground made it likely for us to find a spot so late in the season. The spot was so perfectly isolated from the rest of the campground, and we only had one neighbor across the way which we could see. I'll tell you about them in the next day's post!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had spotted elk prints out behind our camp site and when Jeff returned from paying the camping fee, I brought him out to show him the tracks I had found. We were surprised by a small tarantula, who was quickly moving along the elk tracks. Not what I expected to show Jeff at that moment, but it was a very cool surprise. After, I walked over to the restrooms, and visited with the camp host, whose camper was right next to the facilities. I told him about the tarantula, and he informed me that they were migrating at this time of year! <a href="http://www.socalwild.com/2013/10/778/778/" target="_blank">Tarantula Migration</a>... Seriously?! These amazing arachnids migrate... So very cool, and scary too. We were certain to close up the tent every time we went in and out so that we wouldn't wake up to a furry friend nested in our bed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our camp host hailed from Maine, and this was his first year at Grand Canyon. He looked like Walt Whitman, with a giant white and gray beard, and larger than life build. He was busy sweeping one of the said tarantulas that had wandered into the ladies room. He said he hoped to hear the elks bugling on this night. It was now high rutting season for the elks and the males were busy scouting, fighting, and bellowing for mates.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: start;">Here, you can see by this map, we stayed in Desert View, instead of traveling over to Mather campground. We had come around from the right side and entered the park on the Desert View side. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Taking the opportunity to get a glimpse of the South Rim from Desert View before the sun would set, and also needing some supplies for the camp, we headed over to the Visitor center. It's a small center, compared to Grand Canyon Village, 26 miles to the west of this spot, but the views are spectacular from here and it's much quieter on a tourist level. The sun was setting pretty rapidly, but we felt very leisurely about walking along the rim of this part of the canyon. It was very quiet with not too much wind, as at Bright Angel Point in the morning. I've never seen anything like it, and was stunned by the sheer vastness of the landscape all around. I found it hard to get my mind around the scene, and it all seemed so unreal. I felt myself looking and looking, and now, three months later, I finally feel like I've recorded this scene in my mind as a reality. Revisiting these photos as time progresses actually has had the effect of anchoring the memories in my mind. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Later, after setting up the camp site, we did hear the bugling of the elks! They began their calls in the early afternoon, and continued to call throughout the night into the early morning. If you are interested in hearing what they sound like, check out this </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">video </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">on YouTube </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of an </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYzWmKlZtrU" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">elk calling</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The following photos will sum up the views we took in from this side of the South Rim. I hope to go back here and get to stay for some time.</span><br />
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btaylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200566602202712855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979547306411247643.post-17703968237370622892014-11-19T09:54:00.000-05:002014-11-19T09:54:13.556-05:00492 Miles of Awesome - from Ridgway State Park to the North Rim of Grand Canyon - Day 6 - September 20, 2014<div>
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There is something really great about cooking breakfast while camping. The percolating coffee smells about 1,000 times better than any coffee you've ever made at home, and any food you might have in the cooler can be deemed breakfast worthy. This morning we had our first experience with the miracle of <a href="http://www.igourmet.com/shoppe/Juustoleipa-(Bread-Cheese).asp" target="_blank">Juustoleipa</a>, otherwise known as bread cheese. It's a cheese that the Finnish have apparently been making for over 200 years...keeping the secret safe, I guess. Whole Foods in Colorado Springs had this in the cheese bin, and the package explained that it could be grilled easily. We cut up slices and included them in the cast iron pan, along with the Black Forest Bacon, two eggs, and we had our first delicious camp breakfast. All this stuff is not on my list of lower cholesterol foods, but ... bread cheese! Seriously, this stuff is so good, simply sliced up and put right on the pan. I hope our Whole Foods has some. </div>
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We had such a great day the <a href="http://artandcraftlife.blogspot.com/2014/11/a-good-day-for-second-breakfasts-day-5.html" target="_blank">day before</a>. Perfect weather, not too hot, lots of sun and blue sky, and spectacular views! It was hard to leave the Ridgway after just one night. We loved it there, but we hoped to be in the Grand Canyon on the North Rim on this night. It was good that we had reservations in the camp ground there, so we could relax knowing that there would be a place for us no matter when we arrived.</div>
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I cannot remember what view this is, but I think it is just as you are heading into Utah from Colorado at the border near Dove Creek. The landscape is unreal. Flat, wide open spaces, wind, and heat.</div>
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We set out on Route 62 from Ridgway, and connected with 145 up to Naturita, passing over the Dallas Divide into Placerville, up to Norwood, and Redvale. Just as we were turning onto 141 S in Naturita, we passed a pickup truck on the side of the road with a banner saying they had sweet corn. Jeff jumped out of the car, barefoot and disheveled, and the farmer, a man of Mexican decent with a beautiful gold tooth, and a weathered, kind face, wondered out loud to Jeff if he had any shoes to wear. We only wanted a couple ears of the corn, but he insisted that we take at least six. In the end, we were glad we did. One of our favorite things is roasting corn in the husk right in the coals of the fire. It caramelizes the corn, making it even sweeter. The corn looked suspect to us, and we were thinking "cow corn" because of the size of the ears. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The following two photos are from the Gypsum Gap just outside of Slick Rock, Colorado. There isn't much information on-line about the Gypsum Gap area. A search results in only publications about the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Geology-Gypsum-Quadrangle-Colorado-Geologic/dp/B0069W9EV4" target="_blank">Gypsum Gap Geologic Quadrangle</a>, and some very cool <a href="http://www.topoquest.com/map-detail.php?usgs_cell_id=18821" target="_blank">topographic maps</a> for sale. I hoped to find out more, but there isn't even a Wikipedia page. Weird. Apparently there is a good hike to the <a href="http://4cornershikesdol.blogspot.com/2011/04/gypsum-gap-rockshelter.html" target="_blank">Gypsum Gap Rock Shelter</a>, though. It's beautiful through here, and after you cross the pass at 6,100ft. you cross the Dolores River. </span><br />
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141 brings you down into Dove Creek, CO, just on the border of Utah, where we got onto 491 crossing the state line, bringing us into Monticello. This brings you by the <a href="http://www.utah.com/nationalsites/manti_lasal.htm" target="_blank">Manti-La Sal National Forest</a>, were you can see both Abajo Peak, at 11,360ft, and Mt. Linnaeus at 10,961ft. The <a href="http://www.americansouthwest.net/slot_canyons/devils_canyon/" target="_blank">Devils Canyon </a>is here as well, which looks amazing, but we didn't get a chance to check it out. In the future, we have plans to come back to Utah and spend at least two weeks exploring. </div>
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In Monticello, we connected with 191S into Blanding and continued onto 163, to <a href="http://www.utah.com/culture/bluff.htm" target="_blank">Bluff at the Navajo Twin Rocks</a> all the way to the border of the Navajo Nation at the junction of 261 and 163. This is where you cross the San Juan River, which forms the northern border of the Navajo Nation, and here we saw <a href="https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=mexican+hat+utah" target="_blank">Mexican Hat</a>. It's one of those formations that just can't be believed! The flat rock on top is nearly 60 feet in diameter. It might look small in these photos, but that's the length of our house... 60 feet. That's our house, balancing on top of a rock up there!</div>
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Spanning between Utah and Arizona here on 163, you pass through <a href="http://www.visitutah.com/parks-monuments/monuments-recreation/monument-valley/" target="_blank">Monument Valley</a>. "Monument Valley is like a national park, but falls within the jurisdiction of the Navajo Nation's 27,425 square mile territory in the four Corners region of the United Sates. Of that 17 million acres, more than 91,000 acres are set aside (in 1959) as Monument Valley Tribal Park, a space larger than Arches National Park". Find out more about the <a href="http://www.navajonationparks.org/" target="_blank">Navajo Nation Tribal Parks</a> here on their website. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A photo from inside the car on rout 163. The expanse is intense! It was about 95 degrees in the valley, and dry. In the Northeast, we do not experience this kind of dry ever! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Somewhere along 163, and sadly we didn't get any photos, or note exactly where it happened, but as we were driving along we noticed way off in the distance what looked like a small airplane on the ground. Was there a small airport nearby, like Northampton airport? We hadn't seen many little planes on our travels so far. As we approached, it became clear the the plane was ON the road! The plane had landed on the road and was facing towards us. Now we started to slow down, approaching with some caution, not knowing what was going on. The plane maneuvered to the left, and was sideways across the road and shouldered onto the grassy terrain to the side of the road. I guess we were stunned. We didn't get out our cameras, or our phones to take photos...mostly because we were trying to figure out what had happened. There were power lines just up the road, and obviously the plane had had to navigate its way through these and onto the road. As we drove away, we passed several police cars heading in the direction of the plane. A Google search does not turn up any news about the plane on the road, and we don't know which police station responded to the incident, so we have no information on what happened. At least it wasn't a crash. We suspect it that had been flying over the Grand Canyon, and either ran out of gas, or had engine trouble, so they set down in the safest spot they could see. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Continuing on 163, you come into Kayenta, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Arizona</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, meeting up with 160 which goes through Black Mesa, Cow Springs, Red Lake, into Tuba City. At Tuba City, we jumped on 89 N, which is the only way to get up to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. First though, you travel through miles of spectacular landscapes, Cedar Ridge, Bitter Springs, Marble Canyon on the left. This is all still part of the </span><a href="http://www.discovernavajo.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Navajo Nation</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, which covers over 27,000 square miles in the states of Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. The population is over 250,000. The roads which brought us through this area didn't reveal a lot of homes, or centers, but we did see a lot of small stands on the sides of the roads, especially on the Navajo Bridge, where local people were selling their pottery and jewelry to tourists. This part of 160 also brings you by the upper Northwest corner of the Hopi reservation, situated inside the Navajo Nation land. More information can be found about the 20 Tribal nations found in Arizona on the </span><a href="http://itcaonline.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Inter Tribal Council of Arizona</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, Inc. (ITCA) website. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <a href="http://www.nps.gov/glca/historyculture/navajobridge.htm" target="_blank">Navajo Bridge</a> crosses the Colorado River at <a href="http://www.nps.gov/glca/index.htm" target="_blank">Glen Canyon National Recreation Area</a>. All along the right side of Alt.89, after you pass over the Bridge are the Vermillion Cliffs. This was one of my favorite places, and surprisingly we didn't take a lot of photos along here. Mostly because you hold up the camera and discover that it just can't capture how it really looks, not to mention how it feels as well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the photo below you can see the Vermillion Cliffs in the background. There are miles of these cliffs as you drive up towards the Kaibab National Forest. Check out this <a href="http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2012/02/vermilion-cliffs/barnes-photography" target="_blank">gallery on National Geographic</a>, for more photos! You could spend a week, or more, here exploring the landscape. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the Colorado River, from the Navajo Bridge, facing North toward Utah</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And here, the incline starting up into Kaibab, with a view down to the Vermillion Cliffs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">storm was setting in as we headed into the </span><a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank">Kaibab National Forest</a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">, and small periods of rain and thunder. The drive through this area is very beautiful. The road starts heading upwards, so you are climbing as you head towards the Canyon area, and the landscape starts to change again. There were signs that told you to be cautious because a fire was currently burning through the area. We saw small patches of smokey areas as we headed up through the forest. There were also signs warning of free range cattle crossing roads, which we saw as we entered the Grand Canyon area, giant black cows crossing the road in groups. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rXU8NG9E5rg/VGYKkPV55_I/AAAAAAAAB4c/zZB4ZOrGjYM/s1600/IMG_3645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rXU8NG9E5rg/VGYKkPV55_I/AAAAAAAAB4c/zZB4ZOrGjYM/s1600/IMG_3645.jpg" height="376" width="640" /></a>We stopped and found some butter for the corn at <a href="http://www.jacoblake.com/new_images/Jacob_Lake_Map.pdf" target="_blank">Jacob Lake Inn</a>, just at the intersection of 89 and 67 which takes you right into the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uZoFNGA0iV4/VGs6rwfv_1I/AAAAAAAAB6M/WzRCBQmVgUE/s1600/Jacob%2BLake%2BInn%2BExterior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uZoFNGA0iV4/VGs6rwfv_1I/AAAAAAAAB6M/WzRCBQmVgUE/s1600/Jacob%2BLake%2BInn%2BExterior.jpg" height="395" width="640" /></a></div>
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At this point, we passed a really sad looking bicyclist, waving a dislocated tire, and obviously trying to get a ride. We stopped, not imagining that we'd be able to fit another person, never mind a bicycle, into our completely packed car. His name was Paul, and he had two flat tires on his bike, a hopeless situation, and completely dependent on getting a ride back to his camper parked on the side of the road, at least 15 miles away. After a lot of shifting, and rearranging, we managed to pack him, and his bike, into the back of the car. Turns out he was working at the Grand Canyon in the accounting department, which sounds totally boring, but look where he was on Saturday afternoon! He invited us to come for dinner with him at the employee cafeteria, if we were hungry. Such a nice guy. We declined his offer, knowing that the sun was quickly setting and we wanted find our site and get our tent set up.<br />
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On the way up we saw lots of mule deer and a large herd of bison, in the various meadows that line the side of the road up to the park.<br />
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I'm pretty sure we were in S<a href="http://www.recreation.gov/camping/map_of_North_Rim_Campground/r/campgroundMap.do?page=map&search=site&contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70970" target="_blank">ite #48</a> in the North Rim Campground. It was $18 for a night and the ranger station was thankfully open when we arrived after dark. We did get a little lost trying to find the campground, and walked up to the main lodge to try to get directions. The lodge was what you'd expect. A giant, stone and wood structure, with a restaurant, and views of the canyon from inside. We didn't spend too much time inside, as it was getting dark. I took the next two images from the <a href="http://grandcanyonforever.com/north-rim/" target="_blank">North Rim Grand Canyon</a> website.<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">So, we didn't get to see much of the scenery when we arrived, due to darkness, and rain. The thunder / lightning storm that we drove through coming into the park was just fizzing out as we were setting up our tent. After quickly setting up, we had several glasses of wine and cooked our corn in the coals of a nice fire. It was an uneventful night of camping and I think we were so tired that I was asleep before touching the pillow. </span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">And we traveled 492 miles this day! Seemed like a breeze. I hope to mention in the next post, that we had started listening to a book on CD, WAY back in West Virginia. It was <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Travels-Charley-America-Penguin-Classics/dp/0142429198/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416406501&sr=8-1&keywords=travels+with+charley+cd+gary" target="_blank">John Steinbeck's Travels with Charley in Search of America</a>. Read by Gary Sinise. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <a href="http://artandcraftlife.blogspot.com/2014/10/swimming-at-6-am-and-milky-way-at.html" target="_blank">previous night</a> is a blur, really. Our gracious host, and I can't for the life of me, remember his name... David, Ron, Ray... filled champagne glasses with yogurt and fresh fruit, and made us omelets with pesto and vegetables. Hungry and tired, we couldn't resist eating, even though we had plans for breakfast with a good friend this morning. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For a few years, I've been corresponding with a customer of mine from Colorado. Ute's house must be a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/btaylorquilts" target="_blank">Btaylor Quilts</a> showcase! She is my best customer, and over the years has become a friend as well. One of the best things about having my shop on Etsy is the fact that I've gotten to know some really great people, albeit mostly on-line, but still, I've made some significant connections since I joined in 2007. The first time I "met" Ute was in July of 2012 (her name is pronounced "oooo-tuh"- so, as in "ooooo - that sunset is beautiful", and "tuh" "oooo-tuh!!). In 2012, she found my Kimono quilts and purchased two of them, and we've had a steady correspondence since then. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Plans were made to finally meet Ute well before we left on this journey! She had picked out a restaurant in Woodland Park. <a href="http://www.hungrybearcolorado.com/" target="_blank">The Hungry Bear</a> was busy, and with good reason. The decor and food was just what you'd expect when thinking about Colorado, the mountains, forests, aspen trees, and wide open skies. It was cozy-cabin-home-cooked wonderfulness, and we enjoyed a hearty, second breakfast! I was excited to finally meet Ute, it's weird to have a relationship with someone for so long, who you've never met in real life, and then suddenly they are before you, hugging you! Weird, but totally wonderful! She had hand knit for us the most beautiful scarf and cowl. For Jeff, an exquisitely soft blue scarf knitted from German wool, and for me, a red-toned, very warm cowl of soft wool! She had also made us a card with an image from <a href="http://www.gardenofgods.com/parkinfo/" target="_blank">Garden of the Gods </a>, which she encouraged us to go see. We were on a schedule and didn't have the time that day. There are definite plans to come back to CO in the near future! Mostly because I totally forgot to get a photograph of me and Ute!! HOW could I have forgotten to do this?! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know Ute is going to read this. So Ute, don't be embarrassed! Both Jeff and I were so happy and lucky to meet you. Thank you for the fabulous gifts and for being so awesome and kind. Many many hugs to you! And next time, you'll have to suffer through photos :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beautiful, beautiful Colorado, from a rest stop in Salida, looking West, towards the mountains: Antero, Princeton, Mt. Harvard, Monarch Pass, and Tomichi Dome. This rest area is just above the town of <a href="http://www.nowthisiscolorado.com/directory/activities" target="_blank">Buena Vista</a>, which you can see in the valley below. It's right where 24/285 and 304N meet. This is one of the most picturesque views we encountered on our trip. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <a href="http://www.landscope.org/colorado/plants-animals/" target="_blank">flora and fauna</a> have changed as we've traveled. Today we saw <a href="http://www.landscope.org/colorado/plants-animals/animals/" target="_blank">pronghorn antelope</a> on the way out of the Rockies and into Utah. It is becoming drier and more desert-like.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aspens in bloom</span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-syKJVUWMemI/VFS6nnBJA2I/AAAAAAAAB0U/-v9TSZ9E9Uk/s1600/xcountry-104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-syKJVUWMemI/VFS6nnBJA2I/AAAAAAAAB0U/-v9TSZ9E9Uk/s640/xcountry-104.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Passing over the <a href="http://www.continentaldividetrail.org/" target="_blank">Continental Divide</a> through <a href="http://continental-divide.net/monarch-pass-colorado.htm" target="_blank">Monarch Pass</a>. I walked from this spot up a small incline to the visitor center and market. Being from near sea level New England is quite evident when you start walking up inclines at 11,312 feet! I was kind of gasping for air by the time I got up to the store, lungs squeezed, and I could feel my heartbeat in my head. The drive up through the Pass is very thrilling. See all the Miatas in the photo below, surrounding the sign? A group of them, maybe 40 or so...not sure, I didn't count. They were zooming around through the mountains. We saw them from time to time as we stopped along the way. They were a bit annoying, honking their horns, and being idiots passing trucks on less than ideal corners. We also saw many, many bikers on their Harleys and BMW's, tooling around through the mountainscapes. Having ridden a Harley for the last eight years or so, I've actually got NO desire any more to ride a motorcycle across the country. It was hard enough in a car. The stress of the curves, inclines, hair-pins, etc. would be exhausting, not to mention the other cars, campers, trucks to deal with. Although, I guess if I was given five months and a support van/camper to follow me, I'd do it :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Continuing on 50 and through the most southern part of the <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/psicc" target="_blank">San Isabel National Forest</a> and <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/gmug" target="_blank">Gunnison National Forest</a>, you pass through Sapinero, Cimarron, and finally into Montrose. Along the way we encountered the </span><a href="http://www.americansouthwest.net/colorado/curecanti/dillon-pinnacles-trail.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Dillon Pinnacles</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, in Gunnison, CO. There are a ton of hiking trails here, and it's so beautifully quiet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jumping on 550 South, it was starting to get to the point where we'd have to decide where to stay for the night. Originally, we had planned to head more west from Colorado Springs, up into Utah to Moab, and find camping at either Arches National Park, or Canyonlands NP. We were running so late, that we decided to cut off the whole of Northern Utah, and just start heading directly south to Grand Canyon. So, we no idea where we'd camp. There are a <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/gmug/recreation/camping-cabins/?recid=32366&actid=29" target="_blank">ton of campgrounds</a> in this general area! There was a campground called <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gmug/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=32522&actid=29" target="_blank">Ampitheater</a> in the Uncompahgre National Forest that we thought might be a good stopping point, but passing down 550, we spotted <a href="http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/Parks/ridgway" target="_blank">Ridgway State Park</a>. It didn't look like much from the road, but it was nearing 5:30 and we thought we'd call it an early day. Given we hadn't camped yet, we'd be struggling with finding everything and first set up, etc., so we thought we'd check it out. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you can see, we were SO happy that we did. This was the view from our tent, and these photos can hardly do the scene justice. The clouds were like mountains, and the air was full of all kinds of birds; magpies, stellar jays, ducks and geese wheeling below across the top of the Ridgway Reservoir. It's no wonder they call this area the "Switzerland of America". I'm pretty sure we were in campsite 151 in the Elkridge tent only section. Of course, we took a ton of photos. The night was dark and perfect for </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">star gazing, and cooking food on the fire. We brought along a nice, little cast iron pan, and cooked up some of the hot dogs from Whole Foods, and put them in some little tortillas with cheese! Our friend Christophe, had given us some really cool wine cups for camping, so we broke these out for the first time on our trip, and enjoyed wine with the stars. Maybe not gourmet, but much better than Pringles and Cokes. </span><br />
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btaylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200566602202712855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979547306411247643.post-59198448565589825402014-10-26T15:41:00.000-04:002014-10-26T15:41:40.037-04:00Swimming at 6 a.m. and the Milky Way at midnight - Day 4 - September 18<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
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Day 4. Swimming in the morning is wonderful. <span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><a href="http://artandcraftlife.blogspot.com/2014/10/bourbon-festival-and-shaved-duck-on.html" target="_blank">The previous day</a> found us</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;">at the </span><a href="http://www.starwoodhotels.com/alofthotels/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3136&language=en_US" style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Aloft in Overland Park, Kansas City</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;">. </span>We got up super early and went down to the gym and pool. I ran on the cross trainer for a while and then jumped in the pool with Jeff. There was no one else awake I think, except for this super pumped body builder type woman, who was awesome to look at! I bet she spends every waking second working out. <br />
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As we were walking out of the pool room into the hallway to the elevator and I slipped and fell on the super high polished concrete floor. I just went right down with my wet bare feet. I probably could have crossed the floor like a seal it was so slick and highly polished! Out of all of the hotels we stayed at on our trip, the Alofts were the best ones.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">Out the door early, we got a chance to drive into Kansas City, MO, to the <a href="http://www.chezellekc.com/" target="_blank">Chezelle Creperie</a>. It's in the newly converted historic Summit theater building on Summit Street. I had a <a href="http://www.chezellekc.com/menu" target="_blank">cheese blintz</a> and Jeff had a pesto, bacon, and brie crepe. So good, and the cappuccino was the best on the trip so far. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">Photo credit: <a href="http://modular4kc.com/2009/12/24/chez-elle-creperie-first-visit-impressions/" target="_blank">Wade Johnston, found here</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">Fat and happy, we headed out onto 35 W, taking us into Emporia (a liquor store with "Liquid Deliciousness" on its sign out front. 35 takes you through the </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/kansas/placesweprotect/tallgrass-prairie-national-preserve.xml" \ target="_blank">Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve</a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">. It once covered 170 million acres of North America, and less than 4% remains of it today. Found in the Kansas Flint Hills, it's a beautiful and remote landscape to drive through. Rolling hills of endless grassy terrain, and so dry. The park covers 11,000 acres of protected land, run by both the National Park Service and the Nature Conservancy. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">It looked a lot like this dashboard shot below. All day long. Very flat, wide open landscape on both sides of the road. Hardly any hills or mountains in the distance. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">Two or three hours into our day we encountered a spot of rain (one of only three or four rain moments out of the whole trip). I say "moments" because there was never an actual rain day. The drought is happening, and I think it extends well into the country. Just when the rain was quitting we spotted a sign for a quilt shop, believe it or not! Out in the middle of nowhere. So we decided to stop and take a look. Hillsboro, KS, is a little town that time has totally forgotten. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">The quilt shop was called <a href="http://kesslerkreations.com/" target="_blank">Kessler Kreations</a>, and we got a chance to hang out and talk with Marie Kessler, as she was sewing on her giant long arm machine in the back of the shop. She has a Gamin 30" machine (if I remember correctly)... it's got a huge range. On my Innova, I can sew about a 13" strip ... this one has to be at least 28 inches of reach in one pass! I'll stick with my Innova, I think the big reach would kill my back even more! Marie didn't seem to have any trouble at all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">We found the one and only post card in town at a little gift shop that was inside someone's house down the street. I think I sent that one to my sister... I can't remember. We loved Hillsboro and talked about what it would be like to live is such isolation in the middle of nowhere. We texted some of these images to our friend, Christophe, and he informed us from afar, that we could buy a nice little house in Hillsboro for $6,000. Truly, if you wanted to disappear, this would be the place to do it. I think it's at least two hours in any direction to get to another town of any significance. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">Kansas is about 430 miles across. We drove through all of it. Through McPherson, Great Bend, Ness City, Dighton, Scott City, Leoti, Tribune and Horace on Routes 56 and 96. Some of these places were surprisingly small, with boarded up buildings and just a few scrappy houses to be seen. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">Finally, we reached Colorado! We got our first view of the Rocky Mountains at about one to two hours outside of Colorado Springs. Just before we reached Punkin Center... yes.. not Pumpkin Center, Punkin Center (population: 4 and </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">5,360 feet above sea level</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">). Apparently the first guy to build anything at the junction of 71 and 94, built a gas station and market, in the1920's, painting them bright orange - the spot was named for color of the buildings which eventually faded to a dull orange. I guess they didn't know how to spell Pumpkin, or thought Punkin was cuter. The owner was robbed a couple of times and the second time he was fatally wounded and left for dead. Sometimes, when we stopped in such desolate areas, I wondered about our safety, especially when you don't see another car for an hour (which didn't happen in Kansas, but it did in the desert). Just in case, I tried to always know where our can of bear spray was in the car. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">From our experience, I think that most of the time people would give you the shirt off their backs to help you out if you have some trouble. People seem to be friendlier, and much more eager to make a connection, the farther you get away from New England. Maybe it has something to do with less population and it's good thing to see another face, even if it's a stranger's face. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">Turning onto 287N, we jumped up to Kit Carson, CO, and then across on 94E to Colorado Springs. About 639 miles this day, and it took us 13 or so hours to finally reach the <a href="http://www.pikespeakparadise.com/" target="_blank">Pikes Peak Paradise Bed and Breakfast</a> in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. First, there was a visit to the local Whole Foods in Colorado Springs for provisions. We were both shocked by Colorado Springs, being not what we expected, and more like an endless strip mall. I'm sure there are parts of it that are beautiful, and the mountains to the West were spectacular, but this area seemed more like a sprawling mall than anything else. There was good food to be found, however, and the cheese and wine was much appreciated after this long, long day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">The view from Pikes Peak Paradise. That is Pikes Peak off in the distance. The rooms were very nicely appointed. Ours even had a giant tub/spa right in the room. TOO tired to use it, we opted for going out on the porch to enjoy the wine and cheese and we watched the stars and the Milky Way. What a spectacular view from up here. We did not arrive until around 9 p.m., exhausted, shaking, hungry, and tired. We got lost trying to figure out the road up to the inn, which snaked through the woods on a bumpy and nearly washed out dirt road. Luckily, a guy showed up in his giant BMW and asked if we need help, and lead us up the mountain to the inn. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"><b>Highlights from Day 4</b></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">Early Swimming</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">Crepes!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">Hillsboro, KS</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">Finding Colorado finally</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">Outlook just before coming into Colorado Springs</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">a comfy bed on the side of a mountain</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">The Milky Way and countless stars</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">639 miles</span></li>
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<b style="font-family: Arial; letter-spacing: 0px;">What we drove</b><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Got on 35 down through Emporia, turns into 56 then into 96, stopped in Hillsboro, then out through McPherson, Great Bend, Ness City, Scott City, Tribune on 96 then into Colorado, onto 287N into Kit Carson. Got on 94/40 west to Ellicott, and into Colorado Springs. 639 miles.</span></div>
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</div>btaylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200566602202712855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979547306411247643.post-17799059233334508502014-10-23T09:37:00.002-04:002014-10-23T09:37:46.884-04:00Bourbon Festival and The Shaved Duck - on the road to awesomeness - Day 3 - September 17, 2014<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
We couldn't get out of the Castle Post Hotel fast enough! I was just happy we weren't murdered in our sleep! <a href="http://artandcraftlife.blogspot.com/2014/10/from-monticello-to-versailles-day-2.html" target="_blank">Day 2 was full of amazing vistas</a>, and great conversations on the road, but Day 3 quickly shaped up to be a fabulous day. How does starting the morning off sipping bourbon at the <a href="http://www.fourrosesbourbon.com/" target="_blank">Four Roses Distillery</a> not start a most excellent day? <br />
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I can't say enough about the tour. So worth traveling over there to Lawrenceburg, KY, and taking a walk through the bourbon making process. We are now informed bourbon drinkers! It also smelled really good in there, like bread, beer, yeast, warm delicious amber wonderfulness. <br />
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Also, we arrived on day one of the <a href="http://www.kybourbonfestival.com/" target="_blank">Kentucky Bourbon Festival</a>. We got there so early, Four Roses was just setting up tents on the property and getting ready to celebrate for the weekend. The real business of the Festival happens in Bardstown, KY, and turned out to be way too off of our path that day. It would be a fun weekend... maybe next year?!!</div>
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Jeff in front of the massive copper vat</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's me outside. Just around the corner was the grain inspection booth, where we saw how they checked each truckload of corn. It smelled good in there too. You can see the little hut in the back left corner of the fisheye photo here</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The tour takes you all around the facility, on scaffolding and ramps. Here we are looking down into the fermenting vats. Smells kind of like nail polish remover in here. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They haul two truckloads of distilled bourbon out of Lawrenceburg every day. They weigh the truck leaving the distillery and weigh it again when it arrives at its destination. It goes to a facility 20 miles down the road in Cox's Creek, where it is poured into barrels and then shut away for a long long time. We didn't have time to go tour the aging facility, but we would have if we had time. At the end of the tour you arrive back in the "gift shop" and you get to try four different bourbons and keep the little glasses too! Yum!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is what it would look like if you went to Cox's Creek - this photo from Four Roses' site</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is a brief video... not sure if I've uploaded this properly. HA! If it does end up playing you can hear the tour guide with her big ol' Kentucky accent. She was great!</span><br />
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We drove a lot this day. A lot! 582 miles, driving out of Lexington, KY, to Louisville, and then all the way across Kentucky, to St Louis, MO, all the way across Missouri to Kansas City, KS. It seemed like more driving than the last two days... probably because of the landscape. Here is the arch as we were rolling into St. Louis. It seems like there is construction on every single road in the USA.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LUNCH!! <a href="http://www.theshavedduck.com/" target="_blank">The Shaved Duck</a>, found in St. Louis! One of the best BBQ places we found on our trip! It was already around 2 p.m. and we had the place almost to ourselves. <a href="http://www.theshavedduck.com/food-menu/the-shaved-duck-food-menu.html" target="_blank">On the menu</a> for us: Duck Confit, a Moscow Mule, Smokey Baby Back Ribs, Pulled Pork, Loaded Smoked Potato Wedges, Mac and Cheese, and a Ginger Beer. Needless to say, we were fat and happy after that meal. So worth the trip into the city to find this place.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Grain storage in Poseyville, Indiana</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The sunset just outside of Kansas City was spectacular. Suddenly a massive sun reveals itself from a canopy of clouds, low to the road. Pink reflections shoot up off the road from the backlit cars. Everything is bathed briefly in golden magenta hues, and wisps of fog and mist start creeping up along the sides of the road filling in the knolls and valleys as we passed. Then storm clouds and a dark curtain of clouds descending on the city as we arrived. </span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">We stayed at the <a href="http://www.starwoodhotels.com/alofthotels/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3136&language=en_US" target="_blank">Aloft in Overland Park, Kansas City</a>. We were so super tired, but the desk attendants were very nice and wanted to high five us for making it! We ate at the XYZ bar and talked to the bartender, who related a story about almost getting killed on his cross country road trip when his girlfriend fell asleep at the wheel. I cannot remember what we ate but I do remember a Woodford's and ginger ale. </span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0px;">Highlights from Day 3</b><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Four Roses Distillery</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Lunch at the Shaved Duck, St. Louis</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Massive sunset driving into Kansas City</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Aloft hotel</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">582 miles</span></li>
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<b style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0px;">What we drove</b><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">From Versailles, KY to Kansas City, KS. On the road to Louisville, KY and out on 64 through Indiana, small towns, stopped in Poseyville then into Illinois staying on 64 to St Louis, Missouri. Got on 94, scenic road to Jefferson City, Missouri, then up on 179 to 87 into Boonville, then picked up 70 west to Concorcia, into Kansas City, Missouri and then Kansas City, Kansas.</span></div>
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btaylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200566602202712855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979547306411247643.post-61308277351412034722014-10-21T09:32:00.003-04:002014-10-21T12:43:52.428-04:00From Monticello to Versailles - Day 2 - September 16, 2014<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
Surprisingly, we were up early after the <a href="http://artandcraftlife.blogspot.com/2014/10/celebrating-100-years-of-life-well.html" target="_blank">previous day's adventures</a>. We are early risers, normally, so that worked in our favor today. A little groggy, but functioning, we got to meet a whole bunch of people at the Inn who were from Kentucky. That was our final destination on this day, so we got some inside advice from them while we ate our breakfast burritos and enjoyed a nice morning at the Inn. </div>
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<b>Monticello</b></div>
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We had bought tickets to visit <a href="http://www.monticello.org/" style="letter-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank">Monticello</a>, and had reservations to tour the house at 9 a.m. Running late, we dashed out and found our way up there. You have to park your car at the visitor center and ride a shuttle bus up to the house. Turns out, we could have walked up there, but we would have missed our tour spot! This is definitely a place I want to come back to. We didn't take a single photo of the house! Derp! I think it's because we were so impressed by the grounds and gardens.</div>
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The vegetable gardens!! I was so in love with the herb and vegetable gardens and could have spent the whole day wandering around here. </div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">We took some white morning glory seeds from the trellis you can see in the back here</span></div>
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I got to talk to the woman in the photo below and asked her how she liked her work. She was so calm and seemed so happy. Her job was to manage all the operations of the vegetable and herb gardens, and she said her favorite time of the day was very early morning before the tourists arrived. We had gotten there first thing in the morning, and I could see why she liked it so much, normally these paths would be filled with visitors<br />
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Below is the pathway from the house down to the vegetable gardens, which runs parallel to this path along the right side. This is looking back up towards the house, which is up and to the left of the photo</div>
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Me, with Thomas Jefferson. At the visitors center.</div>
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Jefferson's grave and the Jefferson Family Cemetery, which is still owned by the family to this day</div>
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a blue/black beetle we saw on the path back down to the visitors center. It was about 1.5 inches long and very glossy and beautiful</div>
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Given our schedule and a long ride still ahead of us, we had to leave Monticello too soon, at around 11:30. The Blue Ridge Parkway winds its way through the George Washington National Forest, and the vistas from turn offs are spectacular. Originally we had hoped to visit <a href="http://www.thefoamhenge.com/" target="_blank">Foamhenge</a> in Natural Bridge, VA, but road work and construction along the Blue Ridge changed our plans. We were stopped a number of times, once for almost a half hour, along the BRP. Unfortunately, this cut into our plans and we had to detour and catch Route 64W in Buena Vista. I think we ate stuff from the cooler in the car that day for lunch, while we watched a very large, tobacco chewing construction worker hold a giant Stop sign. The rest of 64W all the way to Lexington, is beautiful, with gorgeous mountains and rolling hills the whole way.<br />
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Jeff on the Blue Ridge Parkway</div>
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In Rockfish Gap, found on Route 66 running from Strasburg all the way to Washington, DC. 196 years ago they were looking for a site for the University of VA. The tavern burned down 105 years ago. My maternal grandfather was 2 years old at the time! <br />
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Hog Walls on the Blue Ridge Parkway</div>
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The <a href="http://www.thecastlepost.com/" target="_blank">Castle Post Hotel</a> in Versailles, KY (pronounced VER-SALES, by locals)</div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Here's where we stayed on Day 2. I will sum up this experience in one word: Shithole. Apparently William Shatner stayed here, but it must have been in better hands when he did. We arrived late, and were greeted by Michael "our night guard" wearing a hoody-work-out-sweatpants-set, and upon first inspection, it seemed like we were the ONLY guests in the place. He ushered us into a very small elevator and told us our room was on the 2nd floor. As the door is closing a shrieking alarm starts up, and our last view as the door closes is Michael, saying "ut-oh". He's shouting not to worry and the elevator finally creaks into motion, hauling us up the one flight. Our room is directly outside of the elevator door and opening the door reveals a round bed. Yup. ROUND. The room barely fits the thing and the door almost bumps into it. Thankfully, we were super tired, hungry (we had counted on the restaurant in the hotel, but it was closed, and no bar with bar food), so we just crashed immediately. Around 2:30 a.m. I wake up to some noise, and think that we are about to be murdered in our sleep by marauding vampires, or maybe Michael the Night Guard... I mean, no one else is here, right... why not? I didn't sleep much because my stomach was making too much noise, but was rewarded by a hot shower in the bathroom, which turned out to be really pretty nice. </span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The<a href="http://kxan.com/2014/05/22/30m-castle-up-for-sale-in-kentuckys-horse-country/" target="_blank"> Castle Post Hotel is for sale for 30 million dollars</a>. And that's firm.</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Highlights from day 2</b></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Monticello, we will come back</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">George Washington National Forest</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hawks and vultures riding the thermals</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Vistas from Blue Ridge Parkway</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">round bed</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">vampires in the night</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">410 miles</span></li>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>What we drove</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">After visiting Monticello, we drove south on the Blue Ridge Parkway, again, following the Appalachian Trail, then headed into West Virginia on 64W in Buena Vista. Through Clifton Forge, VA to Beckly, WV up to Charleston, WV staying on 64 out through Huntington, into Kentucky. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Through Morehead and Mount Sterling, into Lexington where we spent the night in Versailles at the Castle Post Hotel. </span></div>
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btaylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200566602202712855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979547306411247643.post-25020219386524307112014-10-18T12:51:00.001-04:002014-10-21T12:40:15.021-04:00Celebrating 100 years of life. Well, collectively, anyway - September 15, 2014<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To start, we had been planning a road trip to celebrate our 50th birthdays, Jeff's in August, 2014, and mine in April, 2015. So why not embark on an adventure of epic nature? We decided to drive across the country to stay in Joshua Tree, CA, for seven days. We gave ourselves seven days to get there and then seven days to return back to Massachusetts, so three weeks! The planning took months and months, and I am forever grateful to Jeff for his amazing trip planning skills! Serious skills! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Right from the beginning we decided we wouldn't be posting to Facebook or Instagram and would focus on being present and very aware of where we were and what we were seeing, and not be distracted by the constant barrage of social media. This turned out to be a good idea. And so, I embark here, after our return, to relate our travels... mostly for ourselves really, as a record, but maybe to inspire some of our friends to take off!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm sorry to report that we didn't take a lot of photos on day one, given that we were traveling through landscape that we were familiar with. Here is a beauty from a rest stop somewhere in Pennsylvania, though. It was a gorgeous day, and we ate the sandwiches we had made at home and had chips and sodas. Nice nice! </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We stayed the night in Waynesboro, VA, arriving at the </span><a href="http://bit.ly/1CBdVgs" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Iris Inn</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> at around 5 pm, ate dinner at </span><a href="http://www.candorestaurant.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">CO</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> in Charlottesville, about 20 minutes down the road from the Inn. We traveled here in order to see <a href="http://www.monticello.org/" target="_blank">Monticello</a>, Thomas Jefferson's home, which I had always wanted to see. More on that in Day 2 post, coming up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't think I have ever been so tired in my life! After we had driven the 558 miles from Massachusetts to Virginia, which took us nearly 11 hours, it took only one glass of wine and an exceptional dinner to render me totally incapable of speech and functional walking. I think Jeff literally dragged me to the car and then into the room, where I don't remember anything until the sun rose the next morning. HA! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Road worth mentioning</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Skyline Drive through the Shenandoah National Park, which you can catch in Front Royal, VA, brings you past Mt. Marshall and follows the Appalachian Trail right into Waynesboro. You get to drive by beautiful, mountainous pasturelands and farms tucked throughout. Places called Skyland, Big Meadows, Swift Run Gap, and mountains: Marshall, Loft, and Lewis.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Highlights from day 1</b></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a giant buck in our driveway as we left home</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">getting to see the beautiful pink and yellow sunrise from 91</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a doe and two fawns in CT</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hawk stretching out her legs to land on a tree, beautiful white pantaloons</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">homemade lunch in Pennsylvania rest stop, chips!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Skyline Drive through the Shenandoah National Park</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Iris Inn</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dinner at CO, Charlottesville</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">558 miles</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What We Drove</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We left home early at 6:18 am, and took </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">91 South into Connecticut and through Hartford onto 84 West </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">into New York, through Lake Carmel, Newburgh, Middletown, Port Jervis, and crossed into </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New Jersey, only for the briefest time. Then into Pennsylvania, through Scranton, where we changed to 81 South, out through Hazelton, Harrisburg, Scotland, Chambersburg and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">into Maryland, through Hagerstown staying on 81 </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">into West Virginia, through Martinsburg and then directly into Virginia still on 81, then to 66 in Strasburg to catch the Skyline Drive.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That glass of wine I was talking about.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From the balcony of our room at the Iris Inn... using a fisheye lens on the iPhone.</span><br />
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btaylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200566602202712855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979547306411247643.post-91519380360214881492014-03-27T11:19:00.001-04:002014-03-27T11:19:09.480-04:00SHIPSHIP and save! Get free shipping<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now through March 31st, get free shipping to locations in the USA using coupon code SHIPSHIP during checkout. Go Shop!</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/btaylorquilts" target="_blank"><img alt=" BtaylorQuilts" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8i_R09AjZk1etsadOvbefAQtb-G16uUJR0GrGM4JUmJF3ezjfnBuIalG7Dr6mtnsypZtDwjt14zafBnpLDpM8R54jBSrZo7Gd5Qut4heg5raG26pSsWcSXagVNTaYAs8JZnkKMzoWgR8/s400/shipship.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/btaylorquilts" target="_blank"><img alt=" BtaylorQuilts" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqopX193vAIuEwBtS7jEUSY5x4XQfUutfzx-luL30CCZEwcHdMC8YyDKFyxPc2Le3RLpl__wLwmbUA3TD9FGc5fyqUkG1r0ViGoH_D6d7ZPVR0YADSwnMGK4MYTsSRHrRlE2DX-t0Ezw/s400/untitled-1-335.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/btaylorquilts" target="_blank"><img alt=" BtaylorQuilts" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHw22RjPGFW0w0uPnGfVJDhFPeQYVtTJXAxGboBpRGH4q7sDUDQSbt4qt8we4GNeYQ0-PXmd2EWMJUGdAMXdF-VzyfGLYOWK5pRkupHeiRv_gmj6gFw3UEqZezo12fs20cIBmZ82jmkKE/s400/untitled-1-347.jpg" /></a>btaylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200566602202712855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979547306411247643.post-44053351469709515582014-02-17T10:26:00.000-05:002014-02-17T10:26:04.395-05:00A new look<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NNijbZu4JHJr9syrYv-cwbyt61i0LHZNDl-YNlKzNZEgzCqJhcs1miihwFRF1A7eUias-2Rx4TlxrBkDA1o6WgM_i-6no4stUKv8_7YE1x8MWGvmFOF71nlijsgC8Rp479gFrYXEc6w/s1600/untitled-1-124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NNijbZu4JHJr9syrYv-cwbyt61i0LHZNDl-YNlKzNZEgzCqJhcs1miihwFRF1A7eUias-2Rx4TlxrBkDA1o6WgM_i-6no4stUKv8_7YE1x8MWGvmFOF71nlijsgC8Rp479gFrYXEc6w/s640/untitled-1-124.jpg" /></a></div>
Over the last year I've been accessing what is worth my time and what is not, when it comes to social media and other internet endeavors. Right now I'm coordinating two Facebook pages, Pinterest, this blog (however neglected it is), two Etsy shops, Twitter, and three email accounts. This is the pared down result of this assessment, and it seems pretty ok to me. I'm hoping this leaves time for producing more work, more art.
Speaking of work and art, the shop is busy with lots of custom orders which are actually the result of an excellent 2013 Christmas season. Orders are finally winding down, so soon I'll be able to work on some new things for the shop. One more quilt to go! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCftunlM8vovsshh9rCanhamtg96TnXJ667Iff4m2l_NuGJmK7Q9aUrFyFcYou5Hm47KYTQ4zekM7otDqM5Q4lmjb2M3i20kPUV_8Ok2Ko_IpZ03varFAofhx24zNaZg340Y0gDaYzGk/s1600/untitled-1-90.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCftunlM8vovsshh9rCanhamtg96TnXJ667Iff4m2l_NuGJmK7Q9aUrFyFcYou5Hm47KYTQ4zekM7otDqM5Q4lmjb2M3i20kPUV_8Ok2Ko_IpZ03varFAofhx24zNaZg340Y0gDaYzGk/s640/untitled-1-90.jpg" /></a></div>
In the meantime, you've probably noticed that I've completely redone the look of the shop. After a lot of frustration with some location problems, I've finally found a look that I really love. Quilts are hard to photograph and I've tried lots of different ways, locations, and lighting to get the look I want for them. I'm really happy with the huge garment rack I finally tracked down. That, paired with a wide angle lens for the Canon, has given me a whole new excitement about photographing the quilts.
btaylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200566602202712855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979547306411247643.post-81909093376637337022013-07-01T08:26:00.000-04:002013-07-01T10:16:09.285-04:00Away - Summer<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We find ourselves lucky enough to be able to break away for a week here and there and go someplace different. Here are some images from our favorite place to stay on Cape Cod. Commissioned by James Lechay, the house was built by Hayden Walling in 1959. James and Rose Lechay lived here full time after they retired (I believe that was in 1978). You can see <a href="http://yellowfishliving.blogspot.com/2012/12/getting-to-know-james-lechay-notebook.html" target="_blank">James Lechay's paintings here</a> and read an interview with him as well. Some of his paintings hang in the house.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is a view of the studio from the front entrance of the house.</span><br />
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Studio from the back deck</span><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Fuz-rRN7QpkUK-yg1G-OVS0HMnZPBzWgEKZeNyAK1Ok?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="480" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XfrLStwexuo/UcoUnPjU6SI/AAAAAAAABiI/BPLaNaYziQQ/s640/studio%25202.jpg" width="640" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Looking towards the back deck from the front</span><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ozz8PXwl6mpCfbbFonPLvS0HMnZPBzWgEKZeNyAK1Ok?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="800" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fDBkQFww3_s/UcoTvMcg3CI/AAAAAAAABfE/8rSWyagCGaY/s800/deck%25203.jpg" width="600" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We call this the "infinity deck"... no railing. It's a beautiful place to relax. We've seen a fox cross the deck and also are frequently visited by raccoons at night. They climb the tree emerging from the deck and drop down onto the top of the house. We've called it Cirque d'raccoon.</span><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MXTEUKuGidrPS5DN4B39JC0HMnZPBzWgEKZeNyAK1Ok?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="800" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CciCZRFFnds/UcoTs7gqJkI/AAAAAAAABe8/wZ1BJDP2aS0/s800/Deck%25201.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is me after paddling my kayak like crazy against the incoming tide to get out to the National Seashore from Hemenway Landing. Some of the most fun and exciting kayaking I've done. We had the tides all wrong this time and had to fight to get out there and then fight on the return trip back to the landing with the tide going out. I'm still smiling. Can you believe it? My arms never hurt so bad ever in my life as they did that night! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Below is a scene from the tidal flats out on First Encounter Beach. This beach is on the bay side of the Cape and when the tide goes out, you can walk out for over a mile...even further if you don't mind going in past your shorts. </span><br />
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/oXqlLJPMwH-T8vE-khMMBC0HMnZPBzWgEKZeNyAK1Ok?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="480" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ko835FZfZMM/UcoUNBAFf4I/AAAAAAAABgk/mpEsL0FQPS0/s640/flats.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jeff on First Encounter.</span><br />
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</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hoping this video link will work. If not, I'll continue to try and embed the video here. The crab below should be a video link to the amazing hermit crab video that Jeff made for me. I begged him to get some footage of the hermits. And he did not disappoint! Music by <a href="http://twink.net/" target="_blank">Mike Langley of Twink</a>.</span><br />
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<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/69464819" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/69464819">Tidal Pool FB</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user9892784">Briana Taylor</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Does anyone know what kind of flowering tree this is? We fell in love with it outside The Flying Fish restaurant in Wellfleet. It smelled soooo good, and the bees were going crazy over it.</span><br />
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yGYazdziA_ghMROi_ZdutC0HMnZPBzWgEKZeNyAK1Ok?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="800" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-s08xmMtdIi0/UcoUP_geobI/AAAAAAAABgw/ZZwT1btOB20/s800/flower%2520tree.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are giving away all our secrets! Here is one of the most hidden and wonderful hikes on all of the Cape. You'll find the entrance to the trail off of route 6 before you hit Provincetown. THIS is in the first 50 yards! A straight climb up a dune that spills down into a beautiful shaded Cape woodland forest.</span><br />
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Oxj6uhxiv3SMfwK5cumCaC0HMnZPBzWgEKZeNyAK1Ok?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="800" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ffi8azVW8cw/UcoUxhqRNnI/AAAAAAAABiw/AASySDSBjLQ/s800/uphill%2520dune%2520hike.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the top of the first dune you can see the ocean off in the distance. You can meander and wind your way all the way to the water from this point. Along the way, you can see the fabled <a href="http://www.nps.gov/caco/historyculture/residency-programs-dune-shacks-of-the-peaked-hill-bars-historic-district.htm" target="_blank">Cape Dune Shacks</a>. If you go, bring some drinks and some snacks, and don't forget your hat. It is truly desert-like and in the hot and blazing sun it can be daunting. We visited twice this year, and the first time it was a beautiful, overcast day. The next time it was hot and sunny! Don't be afraid to go if rain is threatening. It's actually better with some cloud cover.</span><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/AyM5E0SduxuZexM7g8RdnC0HMnZPBzWgEKZeNyAK1Ok?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="480" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RCeNb2h_P_g/UcoT628C5vI/AAAAAAAABfs/ortJjVXeAuI/s640/dune%2520hike%25203.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From the basin you cannot see the ocean, which is straight ahead in this photo.</span><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gCK9qg386HYn6NLM2WNZ9i0HMnZPBzWgEKZeNyAK1Ok?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="800" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2YNfAkSqljc/UcoT-Y2Ya3I/AAAAAAAABf4/CvNmkyaOZIw/s800/dune%2520hike.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0GoubRiyKS7OByP-b8vrgy0HMnZPBzWgEKZeNyAK1Ok?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="480" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-N8apOFPSeQ0/UcoUbZsdPhI/AAAAAAAABhg/z4248rgk1Ww/s640/sand%2520dune%25201.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/id2BmZkEeFWzAIUG2ABtGy0HMnZPBzWgEKZeNyAK1Ok?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="800" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZVg-cQH7Cq8/UcoUArPUChI/AAAAAAAABf8/hp1JEjBLG5Y/s800/dune%2520jeff.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There's the ocean and also some fox prints in the foreground.</span><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/O7Gd1b0VRWcJ4Cm1EGMPFC0HMnZPBzWgEKZeNyAK1Ok?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLLm-8-pfAeS1MguIz7w_WVwOACmaXHD-TgnwjZF_EI6YshUeXsjVzHyR_G5efLNI6ipPB-36yZbISOtCL6n7JXEfplOLU2S8w1MHoCkhQ31SyvMKsPwi4tK7F2q37bi8B8WcdYI8n94/s800/dune%2520foots.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sand Frog! We got lucky to spot this little guy hiding out in the sand. This was on the sunnier day and his eyes shone like gold.</span><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/F7aH8dt5rtshwm-asixJAC0HMnZPBzWgEKZeNyAK1Ok?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="800" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mQbGk4RsOZc/UcoUhOfi20I/AAAAAAAABh0/FRFivYThCnI/s800/sand%2520frog.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The old dead branches crumbled on the ground sometimes look like bones.</span><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/B6H3cOJolFlXxYlNjG20Ii0HMnZPBzWgEKZeNyAK1Ok?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="800" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kS7BjNyhcIg/UcoUurGrkPI/AAAAAAAABik/Da3j8IkILHw/s800/tree%2520life%2520dune.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not sure if this is a shack that you can stay in in the residencies program, but through the windows, it did look like someone could actually sleep in there. </span><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/jeruG4vKfZaXlPeEUITrzS0HMnZPBzWgEKZeNyAK1Ok?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="800" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FdC2dlbscEI/UcoUGht65VI/AAAAAAAABgQ/iNuxLZN1tvY/s800/dune%2520shack%25202.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the photo below, I am standing at the crest of the dune cliff down to the beach. I didn't get a shot of it! This is looking back at the tiny shack.</span><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RSM2dE5QuiK-9KIcE6n6zS0HMnZPBzWgEKZeNyAK1Ok?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="800" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cHvMXz8Jelc/UcoUEuwZEdI/AAAAAAAABgI/P75wRImZqOc/s800/dune%2520shack%25201.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After climbing down the dune cliff you are finally dropped down onto the beach. This is the Atlantic Ocean. It's really cold, and these days you can see seals swimming along about 40 feet from shore fishing.</span><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wtG0InQ94BQI5JN9YTwt8i0HMnZPBzWgEKZeNyAK1Ok?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="800" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-AEAoNwTPY94/UcoUbPiK5RI/AAAAAAAABhk/EWHARNVb6rE/s800/ocean1.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We brought this gorgeous loaf of pain au fromage from PB Boulangerie, and also a hunk of cheddar cheese and lots of ice water. Why does food taste so good after a long walk in the hot sun?</span><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/EDKJkwNzw4Bcdmi_a22pji0HMnZPBzWgEKZeNyAK1Ok?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="800" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ODGcroi45jA/UcoUWOm4paI/AAAAAAAABhQ/TDbFa7WYIuo/s800/food.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jeff was taking a nap, so I was playing around. Here's me with the ocean. This was on the overcast day...it was colder so I had my jacket all synched up.</span><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9VyvTJr35_mvVVKqBoqBOi0HMnZPBzWgEKZeNyAK1Ok?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KH6BYgpbWIM/UcoUV0o55SI/AAAAAAAABhE/amapkQ0uHeA/s800/me%2520cold.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I found this little June Bug beetle (actually not that little) and didn't realize that it was still alive (a little). After another search around the beach, I found a few others in various states of dying. I'm not sure of the lifespan of a June bug, but there were many of them scattered around.</span><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Qw1bgNibYHtbDMKqT7XrwC0HMnZPBzWgEKZeNyAK1Ok?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="800" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MGppbaiFwUc/UcoTsDsO8tI/AAAAAAAABe4/pYrDOxk-X64/s800/beetle.jpg" width="600" /></a>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I recommend the dune shack hike. If you are a little out of shape, just take your time climbing the several dunes you have to traverse. It's worth it.</span>btaylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200566602202712855noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979547306411247643.post-86011334212496789192013-03-03T14:07:00.000-05:002013-03-03T14:07:02.814-05:00Cat Canoe, and another cool thing<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What's a <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/90366971/st-patricks-day-kitty-bed-the-cat-canoe?" target="_blank">Cat Canoe</a>? Only the coolest cat invention there ever was. Jennifer over at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheCatBall" target="_blank">TheCatBall</a> on Etsy created this amazing cat accoutrement and she should be commended! Yay! As you can see, one size fits all:</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/90366971/st-patricks-day-kitty-bed-the-cat-canoe?" target="_blank"><img height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOfAchRT-rZL12nN8_vwPd-DOktV1YHzpPQssoQzQi5hKYLb1Mu-0fF1QEdwoGVzb3GvPibo-83tCf9ZbTLoMS94JNoueLBuod22VsrYkBDGdgJsm6RxpCGf_5_UoY0vXIlbPyXIplcA/s640/untitled-1-406.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, mostly anyway :)</span><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3PfbCO2rqyO68FuurD5ofHLUaW8iKMXBufHShWZpfwg?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQ-0bwmFdB7ZfP0PNi1pZcpkfzc7sNBbvRAhutKJIEhztQbCIo9XexZLHPrBSPIzMWdTxlAhN5imoQaI_dlrwrI_1v8RLIrU2mSFos6CPegbfh5aFYz7KsiWxo8YXUWLKPHSAQheQ6t0/s640/untitled-1-408.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thomas does fit in it, actually, if he lays in it the right way. He's a cat with his own agenda, however, and always manages to think outside the box.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We need to get two more. The musical Cat Canoe is sometimes a little stressful and jealousy causes some bad feelings. </span><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/prRFKKe66zHT4qDYj9XyaHLUaW8iKMXBufHShWZpfwg?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsARG-g_c-Y_JExOVjFTdaBWXrNK6vUgWlVZvheG5lmd1vQJg4j9AqTdMaL6iK7P8Qz3jUyLKnLnaT0QM5xyphBSunqzhk-MW9V30p8l69hibfYguw3koeEsyK3ewS-Q787Gu3NsKAM8/s640/untitled-1-407.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were also visited by this Barred Owl the other day. Here he/she is just outside of our bedroom window in the river birches. This was right around 5 p.m. I was just saying the other day that I'd never seen a live, wild, in the wild owl. One thing I noted, was this particular owl had one raised eyebrow and was the fluffiest, cleanest bird I've ever seen.</span><br />
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<img height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DDye8dj7ZebTnJ7zs7S5hJ_wMTnUlPCi7iblXfSLTlkt6EAeRkkDRT6KXkHU1gxjvLd57utOB1GPXCg50Eyrv3qx0rRj9h6tzdnr8tE2SWMtYl80A8zrv8LJcSle0ka5wkCxfk5T8Mc/s800/barredowl1.jpg" width="640" />
btaylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200566602202712855noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979547306411247643.post-22407446421150807952013-02-03T17:21:00.001-05:002013-02-03T17:22:03.380-05:00SALE - All iPad and Kindle sleeves are being discontinued!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">It's become clear to me that I cannot keep up with technology! I've decided to discontinue making iPad and Kindle sleeves...AND SO, I'll be having a big sale on them in my shop until the inventory is gone. So far only the iPad sleeves are listed. Click on the iPad sleeve below and it will take you to the SALE section so you can check them out. They were $29, but now.....$15!!!!! nearly 50% off!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/btaylorquilts?section_id=13026537" target="_blank"><img height="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhkEw9RSEkuj4akyVyFN2uqs-2BtZJiT7pSRBna0By_NxmgIeGqPFFFiPNtrgdkD3las15woEfWtb4D1IY_m8CQqd19lcOzOBtJw2rtm9b07IprJnG3HcC0ZL7_6Tvp_i1xqJLH8uXmE/s800/ipad1.jpg" width="534" /></a>btaylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200566602202712855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979547306411247643.post-27883909187699999542012-11-19T06:12:00.002-05:002012-11-19T06:18:36.382-05:00Black Friday / Cyber Monday Sale at BtaylorQuiltsVisit <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/btaylorquilts">BtaylorQuilts</a> this week for 10% off in the shop. Sale ends Monday night (11/26) at midnight! Use CYBER10 in the coupon code box during checkout. (cannot be applied to previous purchases, custom orders, or layaway payments...thank you)<br />
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Lots of great gift ideas including lap quilts, table runners, pot holders, coasters, fabric jewelry catcher bowls, ipad sleeves and more.
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/106537438/quilt-quilt-vintage-rose-ready-to-ship" target="_blank"><img alt="" height="640" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IUgquX0fgVs/UAlaC2PJUWI/AAAAAAAABTA/t338IUB4JZs/s640/-1-168.jpg" title="Vintage Rose throw size quilt" width="427" /></a>
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/111328332/quilted-table-runner-woodlands" target="_blank"><img height="640" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Pm_Hjw-1Dmk/UKoR_3ViSOI/AAAAAAAABVw/MT0srPWyXLE/s640/untitled-1-9.jpg" width="427" /></a>
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/btaylorquilts?section_id=5284090&page=1" target="_blank"><img height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-EwylmGJWJMfyMdztDf9ESzpGdYyAz1KuNJIHGeNbM7kGcewfXbNKXM4H92T-xdrXDdHkMEdDudrXkJ1_MfX5uMX2JBCHw9XLWrYS2EGHR7Nv1-81zhTs1s84FweRv6Qf5FgbKW9n6Y/s640/untitled-1-174.jpg" width="427" /></a>
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/btaylorquilts?section_id=10765686" target="_blank"><img height="427" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-TIazgBzP_8Y/UKoSQAeaYHI/AAAAAAAABWA/uRcqxUG6GhE/s640/untitled-1-359.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/111761990/quilt-throw-size-plum-toile-harvest" target="_blank"><img height="427" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Ya4fAniKk7g/UKoSGhxNxjI/AAAAAAAABV4/utkGQO8Le1E/s640/untitled-1-110.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/btaylorquilts?section_id=6650712" target="_blank"><img height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmNkV0-8evEoFR47U-33Bo9fcTSpb_7vpI74esI6C6bmv4dal5tUKOg-FiOxjUluZ4GfMUm3p7nNIQje4GeL4mJFA-7g9g9vxG-ULkWUqE2EbVtlI7-EItT3zGuWRU5J-jPCzq-lvQh0/s640/untitled-1-230.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/btaylorquilts?section_id=5841278" target="_blank"><img height="427" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-akj6EoBN52w/UKoSsswUk5I/AAAAAAAABWg/EKZ5JDxvN6o/s640/untitled-1-128.jpg" width="640" /></a>
btaylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200566602202712855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979547306411247643.post-44761234732226883252012-11-18T18:22:00.001-05:002012-11-18T18:22:30.274-05:00Fall / Winter<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/arsfoa5FjUAtKiPaQg3928H-_0il7YdwThFhACJIkjc?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UgRpUnVqe8Q/UKlsCRqzJFI/AAAAAAAABU4/mrnB7Aixeac/s800/cornfield-3.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a>
(Photo by Jeff Derose 11/18/12)<br><br>
I am reminded that it is not winter yet ... but still autumn in New England.
btaylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200566602202712855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979547306411247643.post-53455008634555987452012-10-24T11:22:00.005-04:002012-10-24T11:23:45.179-04:00Slippers by HandmadeByAde on Etsy!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HandmadeByAde" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLjqSQFaoAhyphenhyphen6tUzbiUknoXihW__a4moEiUpAvr1AhrbBGIc3RK5vqT2YbBiUVGjeA65bbkAgujBZ8HE_gGDvsB4VvSgit4Jg3fcooQFGtODZS7ltXzKNckxSxMl3HZHrupX-pFlbAkvc/s400/slippers1.jpg" title="HandMadeByAde" width="400" /></a></div>
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This has been a long time coming, mostly because I'm a master at procrastination, and it turns out that I'm really bad at photographing slippers.<br />
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Last year I won the most fantastic pair of felted slippers ever! Adrienne from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HandmadeByAde" target="_blank">HandmadeByAde</a> had generously hosted a giveaway from her <a href="http://www.facebook.com/handmadebyade" target="_blank">facebook page</a> and I was the winner! Lucky for me, and now I've been wearing these beauties every waking moment as it's getting colder here in the Northeast. </div>
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I cannot recommend these slippers enough, especially if you tend to have cold toes all the time like me. My feet are so toasty and the slippers fit my feet perfectly. Need the perfect Christmas gift? This is it! </div>
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Tell Adrienne I sent you, maybe this'll make up for my delayed gushing about them.</div>
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(I did NOT take these photos. I lifted them from Adrienne's Etsy shop, where you will find many more options for amazing slippers for the whole family)</div>
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HandmadeByAde" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJhgBU8qVEZiYmwyrQQ7wl5u08cfgbgUFLd3DSn8Ye1Bj9fnpU2oY7q9xrN0e6_lWI4J-oDWVWgA4DKLV6cWWPXBuPSwwvj3Wu-rwA5g8TZdgMVYIxeUxoB5mq7sDwtEw6CawOxS6u-0/s400/slippers2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HandmadeByAde" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivgsD9RA4PoEOb7WamnRRW90pUjNJi-I8EvhtdLYkaTtUlL6cWzpyoHmd2yD1BCr-T1ESxUA8DbVZ8hBVQwTKB766k3N5KfZeQmcZgoJ-SrxpO_0nxvx2T6BifUTj6XpwiQMBToN3-RA/s400/slippers3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />btaylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200566602202712855noreply@blogger.com0