Just a couple more stops...

I have to hurry and get this post finished because in real time, today is my 25th wedding anniversary and we're getting ready to take off for a couple of days.

This was my second time in Ireland...and like Scotland, there's just something about that place that makes it very hard to leave.
We did tour Belfast and the surrounding areas and while it has some beautiful scenery, it's the area around Dublin that I really love.

I did have to take a picture of this little house along the road outside Belfast...we were told that it's for sale and needs someone to clean it up a bit. Don't you think it would make a great sewing cottage?



When we were in Dublin 2 years ago, my dad and I chose the tour that's called "Powerscourt Gardens and Shopping" because the name has two of my favorite words. I loved it so much that this time I promised him he could pick all of the other tours as long as we could do that one again. Not a hard sell.

Here's what you see if you glance up when you first walk in...if there was any way to carry that home on my lap I'd have done it.


They've got some roses...



And fountains...and hey,what's that through the gate over there? I think we should go see...








It's a great place if you have hydrangea-love...





And what about the shopping?



If the girl on the left looks a little chilly, that's because the sweater she was wearing now belongs to me. And yes, it was on sale.



Avoca is an amazing shop...food, beautiful Irish wool...darling clothes...and even a touch of Cath Kidston and Greengate.
And if you noticed on my sweater's tag, Avoca has been around awhile.

Well, sadly I did have to leave Ireland. But how's this for cool? I've got a quilt top that is getting ready to head on over there! (more on that later!)

Where shall we go today?

How about the Isle of Man?
OK?
Good!

I've really got to speed up these posts--I've been home for 2 weeks now.

Like everywhere else, the Isle of Man was totally charming. AND they have great shopping. If you ignore the exchange rate and pretend that the dollar is worth more than virtually nothing, you'll have a wonderful time. I know I did!



First stop was a totally touristy one. This is the biggest water wheel in the world (I think). It was quite a hike up to the top, I can tell you that. But I preferred spotting the foxgloves that grow wild pretty much everywhere...


admiring the sheep...



and my favorite part was the lovely walk back to the bus.



Hey, Pam! You need a set up like this for Binnie.



Finally got inside a Marks & Spencer. Our tour guide said he really doesn't understand the American fascination with the store, and after shopping there, I'd have to agree. It's kinda like a JC Penney, don't you think? I did get a cute bowl that I'll be turning into a pot for some ivy (once I gather the courage to drill a hole in the bottom) and for reasons I cannot explain I bought a couple of pillow cases.

Next was Thornton's for some Special Toffee. And yes, it is indeed SPECIAL. It'll stick to your teeth but boy, is it worth it.

Stopped by the bookstore to gather up a crazy quantity of magazines--both home dec and car magazines for my guys.

Popped into River Island...a shop I sure wish would come to Livermore! Darling clothes and really reasonably priced--again, if you ignore the exchange rate.

And everyone was SO NICE.



Check out this garden we passed on the way back to the ship...sigh...

Here's the only tourist I'll allow in a pic--why is he so happy? He's got the bag with the toffee in it.

A wee bit of Scotland

While I thoroughly enjoyed everywhere we stopped, there were certain places that were very difficult to leave. Where I just did not want to get back on that ship. Pretty much anyplace in Scotland fits that description--and I felt the exact same way when I was there 2 summers ago.

WARNING: COMPLAINT APPROACHING
What I could not get over was the number of people, and I'm sorry, but it was mostly women, American women, who complained endlessly about the weather. Here's an idea: if you want a vacation filled with sunshine and heat, avoid the British Isles.
END COMPLAINT.

There were only 2 days out of 14 that had no rain...but only one day when I really felt I needed to use an umbrella. That was the day we were in Edinburgh--which is a city I'd love to go back and explore. The castle was amazing--museums aren't really my thing, but the view of the ancient city, even in the rain, was incredible.



And there are always beautiful flowers and lush greenery to be found pretty much everywhere...even in car parks.





The only disappointment was the fact that I was unable to make it to the Cath Kidston shop there. We went past it on the tour bus, but the shuttle buses that were supposed to be at the dock to take people into and out of town never showed up and we were warned that cabs aren't always easy to come by on a Sunday.



The disappointment soon faded as we cruised up to the highlands. As a kid I loved poring over maps and atlases...I remember seeing the Firth of Forth and finding that name particularly amusing. Well, here we are on the firth and that's the famous Forth bridge.
Later we got on a bus and drove through the countryside and saw the gorgeous just-blooming heather...and hills and mist and water...



Next we went to the town of Dornoch. Normally any place that meets with Madonna's approval might cause me to roll my eyes, but I can certainly see why she chose the Dornoch cathedral for the baptism of her son. Here's the side of it--couldn't get a pic of the front without including a bunch of tourists in the shot, and I prefer my photos tourist-free.



The town is so charming--like something out of a movie.

Next to the cathedral I found this wonderful bed and breakfast (pictured at the top of this post).I took a pic of the sign in case any of you want to make a reservation--not sure if you need to be fluent in Gaelic or not.



I was told the house is about 200 years old. Sigh...

The shopping was nice in Dornoch as well. I got a cute wool tartan/leather bag at a shop called Jail--you know, it used to be the jail?

My dad insisted I get back on the bus and then back on the ship...which is probably for the best, but I can pretty much guarantee that if my father hadn't been there to make me, I'd still be there today.

I'm back! (well, sort of)

Yes, I'm back home...and I brought home a super cool souvenir from the ship. A REALLY NASTY COLD. Cruise lines have many positives: they do the cooking, cleaning, laundry, and provide neat tours. It's a terrific way to get a taste of what an area is like so that someday you can come back for a more in-depth visit. Without involving another cruise ship.
One of the downsides? The number of people who don't let being sick interfere with their vacations. If I had a nickel, or a euro, or some sort of pence for every time I was directly coughed upon, I could now be ordering all the items from the UK that I'm convinced would make my life ever so much better--starting with a conservatory.

But that's enough complaining.
For now, anyway.
Everywhere we went was wonderful. I've got a long list of places to visit again someday.

And to set the record straight, Melvin didn't really go with me. He gets seasick.
I was invited by my Dad so that he'd have a traveling companion--for awhile anyway--I'm home, but he'll be on that ship for 3 more weeks!

I really dislike flying. Just ask Pam. She probably still has my claw prints in her arm from the first time we flew to Houston.

However, the flight to Amsterdam was wonderful. The plane was immaculate and roomy. Couldn't spend much time being nervous because flight attendants were constantly passing out food, drinks, and warm towels.
Not to mention the fact that I was able to sit in comfort watching one of my all time favorite shows, Top Gear!

I'm pretty sure that's Ireland down there below the wing of the plane, but if I'm wrong, you can let me know!

After getting on the ship in Amsterdam, our first stop was Newcastle, England.


The tour bus took us through the city, where I got this picture that I knew I'd want to research later. It's actually now a museum, which I didn't know at the time--all I knew was I loved the odd little girl.

Next stop was Durham Dales. Here are some photos from a simply wonderful garden.






And this gate? Don't you think Anne needs one of these?

Next we went to the charming village of Corbridge--where I went completely nuts over this shop window!



The shop is perfectly straight--I was the wonky one, but hey, it was raining, people!



There are lovely flowers absolutely everywhere...sigh...

More later!
Time to go back to bed for awhile.
Grrr.

We're on vacation!

We're flying to Amsterdam tomorrow...where we get on a ship and have an adventure!

We'll be visiting England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

I'd better hurry up while there's still room in the boot for my suitcase...Melvin is famous for packing way too much stuff for these sorts of trips.

Golden Threads

Whew! What a wonderful weekend!
Pam and I arrived in Sutter Creek on Friday for the Mother Lode Quilters Guild "Golden Threads" quilt show.

First of all, I have to say, the MLQ guild has the greatest ladies ever. You might want to disagree with me--because perhaps you feel YOUR guild has the greatest ladies ever. Sorry. Yours comes in a close second.
It just does.





I've always loved Sutter Creek...it's like you've stepped back in time to the Gold Rush days.
Except with fun shopping and nice restaurants.



Of course we had to shop...and I have a new favorite store! (Like you didn't see that one coming). It's called Tomorrow's Heirlooms and I can't wait for the opportunity to go back.



This pic should give you a hint of what it's like...



Here's where we stayed--the Sutter Creek Inn. The main house was built before the Civil War...the room we stayed in had been added on later and it's claim to fame is that the bathroom was the very first bathroom in all of Sutter Creek. And yes, it's been remodeled a bit since then.

Shopping and dining is great...but we were here for the QUILT SHOW!! I was so honored to be the guild's Featured Quilter and Pam enjoyed being the Featured Friend.

Their opportunity quilt, which I posted about earlier, is so gorgeous. The photos don't do it justice.




Here are 3 of their previous opportunity quilts on display...sorry, my feather tree is blocking the view.

I hope Pam got a good pic of some of our Livermore (and formerly of Livermore) friends. Including my favorite Barbara in the world. It was so great to see her!

They had a great turnout and I was glad to have the chance at the last minute to get some pictures of my favorite quilts from the show.



This quilt was made by Lola--she'd just gotten it finished in time for the show.



Here's a ribbon-winner: "Bees for the Fields" by Barb. Wish I could have gotten the whole quilt in the picture...



Here's my absolute favorite quilt from the show--"My Rose Garden" by Beverly Kelly-Swift (who is a blast to be around, btw). She used her own rose garden to pick the colors for this beautiful piece.



Finally, here's a lovely quilt by Sue. Are you ready for this? It's her FIRST QUILT EVER.

I really want to thank Anelie and everyone from the Mother Lode Quilters Guild for making our weekend so memorable!

It's Summer!

So when husband's baby sister came to California for a visit, her one request was to stick her feet in the Pacific ocean. Can't say no to Julie, so off we went to the beach. Hadn't been to Santa Cruz in ages, but we sure picked a great day for it.


I warned her that the water is COLD, but she did what she had to do.


My husband was quite taken with the sea lions...and it appeared one of the locals was rather interested in him as well.


Apparently being at the beach is more exciting for some people than for others.



It was so much fun to sit on the pier and watch the sea lions do their thing. They know how to argue and fuss at each other, but they also sure know how to relax.


In the spirit of summertime, let's all take some time, with


and for a


just tip our faces to the sun and relax.



Don't forget your sunscreen.