Pork products and a promise kept.

For a very long time, DH has wanted to attend the Best in the West Rib Cook-off held each year at the Nugget Hotel in Sparks, Nevada.  He's a huge rib fan--and so am I--so we took off last Thursday and drove what ended up being uncomfortably close to 8 hours to meet up with some family, friends, and pig.  It took no time to realize we weren't the only ones with this great idea...when they claim that about a half-million people attend over the course of the 5-day event, I don't think they're over-estimating.  This is an Event.  With a capital "E".  Not for the faint of heart, or for the vegetarian. 

We went during the "less busy" times of Friday and Saturday late morning/early afternoon.  Even then, it was a sea of people floating through a gajillion pounds of meat and almost that much BBQ sauce prepared by 24 different rib cookers from all over the country.   Hog Heaven.  If you're ever in Euless, TX, check out North Main BBQ...they won my vote!

As impressed as I was with some of the ribs we sampled (not a lot of photos of those; my hands were too messy by then...), I was really struck by the elaborateness and sheer size of some of the booths these people haul all over the country (for extra credit, see if you can spot the table-full of trophies...they were at EVERY booth):

 

 Yes, this is a smoker in the shape of an armadillo.  He's 24 years old.  They're very proud of him.

My favorite oxymoronic sign of the day?

Now, for the promised knitting update:  I've done it.  And it didn't even take a week.  Just a day, really, to select the pattern and find some suitable yarn from the stash. 

Granted, it's just a scarf...but I think it's going to be a pretty pattern that will keep my interest.  Plus, I realized while I was looking at past projects that I've given away each of the previous six scarves I've made.  I might actually keep this one.  It's an 8-row repeat with every other row being mindless purling.  I found the pattern on Ravelry (Naturally. Silly question.).  It's called the Best Friend Scarf in case you're interested.  The yarn is Rowan's Wool Cotton in Riviera. Amazing what a little self-imposed pressure combined with a desire to knit can accomplish!

Dear Colin

You've probably noticed that I've tucked references to Bermuda into a couple of recent posts, whether or not it was really relevant.  That's because mentally, I'm still there.   I'm not sure what it was about that trip in June, but the sights and feel of Bermuda have stayed with me more than any "tropical" vacation I've taken.  We've been lucky over the years to have traveled to Hawaii, the Mexican Caribbean, and the U.S. Virgin Islands...all beautiful tropical destinations.  But Bermuda...ahh, well, it's just special.

Of course, it may have been the very special wedding; seeing your daughter so happy is bound to make for many fond memories.  

But, there was really something more than that.  From the time we stepped off the plane until the time we left five days later, I was mesmerized by this little island just 650 miles off the coast of North Carolina.

By the beautiful waters in so many shades of turquoise.

By the lush greenery and the colorful houses with their pristine white roofs (for collecting the rain water).

By the incredibly friendly, accommodating, and gracious Bermudians, who seem to have eluded my camera...

Bermuda's tourism slogan: "Feel the love".  It's truth in advertising.  I can't wait to go back.

So, dear Colin,

Please leave my island alone.   Thank you.

Beach, Coast, Ocean, Shore...

We just spent a very enjoyable long weekend traveling around parts of Oregon with our neighbors.  And not just one set of neighbors; two sets!  We are incredibly fortunate to live in a place where you can actually get to know your neighbors.  Believe me, I know that doesn't happen everywhere.  And in this case, I really have to give credit to my DH.  The man doesn't know a stranger, and every place we've ever lived throughout our married life, we've collected neighbor-friends.  Right now, we happen to be very fortunate to have fun neighbors.  Neighbors with similar interests, good taste in beer, and a beach house.

We set out on Friday, and following a stop for lunch at P.F. Chang's in Tigard (lettuce wraps...yum), we did a mini-tour of McMenamin's properties west of Portland: Rock Creek Tavern, Cornelius Pass Roadhouse & Imbrie Hall.

Burl mushrooms at the Rock Creek Tavern.  Tried the seasonal Copper Moon here.

The grounds at Cornelius Pass Roadhouse are worth wandering. 
Enjoyed my favorite McMenamin's brew (Hammerhead) here.

From there, it was an overnight stay at McMenamin's Grand Lodge.

 

The view from our room at the Grand Lodge.  I love hydrangeas!  Can you tell?
If you don't try the Terminator Brownie Sundae here, you're nuts.

Saturday morning, we took off for McMinnville and the Evergreen Air and Space Museum.  The drive through some of Oregon's Wine Country between Forest Grove and McMinnville is just beautiful, by the way. I suddenly found myself planning another trip:  definitely need to check out the Sip 47 Wine Route.

The Museum is home to the Spruce Goose, a very fine B-17 (my uncle flew on these during WWII), and the SR-71, among many, many others.  If you have even the slightest interest in flight, this museum shouldn't be missed.  I won't go into all the details, but you can certainly find them here.  The IMAX "Legends" movie is worth every penny, also.

It's ridiculous to even try to capture the entire Spruce Goose in one pic without a decent wide-angle lens.

Absolutely nothing to do with flight, but the rose hips in the museum parking lot are the biggest I've ever seen.  Seriously.  Like big cherry tomatoes.  Or small apples.

And then, we were off to the beach! From these photos, you might think we had three days of clouds.  Not so!  It was gorgeous and sunny most of the time.  But on Sunday morning when we hiked out to Cape Kiwanda, the clouds were a little slow to burn off.  And by evening, they were back just long enough to enhance the sunset.

Clockwise from top left:  View of Pacific City and beach from Cape Kiwanda; a view of the "other" Haystack rock on the Oregon Coast; bonfires at sunset on the beach; the beautiful, rugged point at Cape Kiwanda.

All during my growing-up years in Very Northern California, we would take trips to "the coast".  Some of my friends called it going to "the ocean".  After living in Central Oregon for the past few years, I've noticed many people here call it going to "the beach".  I've heard some of my east coast acquaintances call it going to "the shore", but I've never heard it called that out west.  So, now I'm curious.  What do you call it?

All kinds of inspired

Last Saturday was the 35th anniversary of the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, and my fourth year of attending.  One of my cousins came over from Eugene for the weekend, and we picked up my friend Sue on Saturday morning and headed for Sisters.  We left Bend a bit earlier this year (8:30-ish), which made for a much shorter sit in traffic on the way (although a normally 20-minute drive did take 40...).  I have to say, if you must sit in traffic, the highway to Sisters is the place to do it...

Life imitating art.  Well, sort of...

In recent years, the number of quilts dressing Sisters' buildings seems to hover around 1,300.  I dare you to see them all (and remember them!) in the one day they're up.  I can't imagine going to this event without a camera; by the end of the day, I was literally on sensory overload...in a good way, but still, without the camera I'd be woefully inept at recalling some of the incredible artwork we saw that day.

Jean Wells Keenan, owner of The Stitchin' Post, started this little event.  I wonder if she had ANY idea the impact she'd be making for the town of Sisters and the surrounding area over the years.  It's reported that some $2+ million comes to the area over the week of the show and its surrounding classes and events.   That's a nice little economic shot in the arm, don't you think?  And all because Jean had an idea to hang some quilts outside.  Inspiring.

  Exterior wall of The Stitchin' Post, featuring quilts from the "Employee Challenge". 

One of Jean's designs.

Each year, I go there thinking that I won't see much new under the sun; that it will be the same techniques, same patterns, same, same, same.  And happily, again this year I was wrong!  Here are a few that made it onto my camera.  I wish I'd done a better job of noting the artists' names on some of these.  Really amazing work.

 Fabric and paint on wood.

 "Leaf Me Alone" by Tonye Phillips

No surprise...I was really attracted to flower designs

See what I mean?

And taken with this one...one of the few quilts I saw that a gentleman had made.  Loved his color choices.

Here's the raffle quilt I (sniff) didn't win.  Love that fence!  Beautiful perspective.

Not to be out-done, the street corners in Sisters were dressed in their finery, too.  More inspiration.

So...another year down, and I'm inspired...seeing some of my favorite fabrics used in new ways and color combinations....by the sheer beauty I saw all around me that day, both hand-crafted and natural...by the incredible talent that participates in the show each year. 

If you'll excuse me, I'm off to go create something.  Maybe a quilt depicting this:

Bermuda.  Also inspiring.

Check with me in 2015 and see how it's going.

New Season(s).

It's the first day of summer!  After spring pulled a no-show, I'm thrilled to see summer starting off with blue skies and warmer temps.  It feels like we're getting a fresh start and putting a long, cold winter and spring behind us at last.  Seeing a forecast that calls for near-80's this week makes me very happy.  I think I've mentioned it before:  I'm a Bend-in-the-summer girl.

Today is actually beginning a few new seasons for our family.  After a magical wedding and honeymoon in Bermuda, our youngest daughter and her new husband are starting a life together.

Hitched!

After five years in New York City, our oldest daughter and her family are re-locating to Birmingham, Alabama for a year, while our son-in-law completes his fellowship in sports medicine. 

We're looking forward to visiting them, to see if we notice any differences between NYC and Birmingham.  Ha!

Here at home, we're looking forward to what might be a little bit quieter season.  The past three months have been filled with lots of travels and many very special family events, none of which I'd have ever considered missing.  But, I'm ready for a new season...to garden, create some new bag designs, reconnect with our friends and neighbors, curl up on the front porch or back deck with a good book or knitting project, take some hikes, have some picnics, catch a Bend Elks ball game or two, and just enjoy beautiful Bend.

 I hope your new season holds warm and wonderful things!

Random reflections on September

1. The Minkler Cash Store. Do. Not. Miss. It. Of course, you have to find yourself in central CA, east of Fresno. But, still...completely worth it.
   
2. If you leave Fresno, CA at 5:20 a.m., you can reach Bend, OR by 4:00 p.m. The same day. While driving relatively close to the posted speed limit.
3. Enjoyed my first rugby game. Of course as a spectator. That is one rough sport. Just like football, without the helmets and pads. Ouch.
4. Rugby players are a wild bunch.
5. I wish someone would've told me sooner about the wonderfulness that is Aloha Cafe's Lava Chicken. Wait. I may have been better off not knowing.
6. I should play golf more than once a year.
7. I get to be a MIL again! So very happy for DD#2 on her engagement.
8. Guess I'd better get back to a regular workout schedule. And lay off #5.
   
9. All this cool weather makes me think it must be time to fire up the needles.
10. Do I finally finish the sleeves on that blasted sweater, or find some new inspiration?
    

Watch out for that blind curve. It's seriously deadly.

Above the bar at Minkler Cash Store. Yes, you can have a beer before you do your shopping. Or after.