Saturday, July 30, 2011

Michigan is so famous for it's cherries that the airport in Traverse City is called Cherry Capital Airport! So, I usually try to pick up a piece or two of cherry themed fabric.






I have pondered making a hexagon quilt for several years. All that work plus hand sewing seemed overwhelmingly daunting until week six of this long traveling adventure when I felt desperate to sew...anything? Really? YES!



Even tiny hand sewn hexagons!

Surprisingly, I am totally enjoying the first steps of basting the fabric onto the paper templates. There's time to play and dream. It's quite peacefully meditative.








Saturday, July 23, 2011

My husband's family has been going to Watervale, up north by Frankfurt, Michigan since forever. It's a unique location in that beautiful Herring Lake meets the sandy dune filled shores of Lake Michigan through a warm shallow outlet. It's hiking, sailing, swimming, kayaking, reading, star gazing heaven. The sunsets are the most beautiful I have seen. Here's one from our first night.




This shop is in Traverse City. I just love when the shop workers are helpful and friendly.
































Tuesday, July 19, 2011

A last few random pics as our trip to Spain comes to a close. There were lots of traditional fans in use due to the heat, I liked this one!



Again, one of my favorite themes has been the attention to detail builders had once upon a time. How about this door handle?



Spain was very "green". We were told 80%of there power is generated by wind...nice!



THis man, in Tangiers, uses an old bicycle wheel to wind thread onto a bobbin..oh my...



We heard the call to prayer from this beautiful mosque. Hopefully the boys have learned a little more tolerance...that people all over the world are more alike than different.



Last sunset in Spain through train window, spectacular just like Spain!



Sunday, July 17, 2011

Tangiers, Morocco...the color is off on this photo, but we were there! Rocking the Kasbah!!! It was a fantastic day with our gracious tour guide, Aziz Begdouri who I found through the Rick Steve's Spain book. A jam packed ten hours with all senses tingling. Nothing left to do but smile smile smile!







Inner courtyard







All olives!



Spices



Great juxtaposition of modern and traditional in the market as the lady talks on her cell phone while the Berber lady sells her herbs and cheese like food with whole chickens facing Mecca for sale in the background.



Peace between roaming chickens and cats?!



Lots of front door steps had beautiful tiles



Fish market



Meat market stall



Buying a carpet



Inlaid wooden chest



Fabulous tiles everywhere



Arabic writing on our coke



Lots of groovy doors











Friday, July 15, 2011


Bolonia, Spain has Baelo Claudia, ancient Roman ruins unusual because they are mostly intact. A whole city with temple to Jupiter and famous in Roman times for yummy fish paste factories!







HIppie shacks



Swimming



Castle building



Look what was in the canal by the parking lot!



Rock of Gibralter