April 16th

I haven’t died or anything, but with all this pollen I wish I could have a few times.  I’ve never taken so much allergy medicine in my life.  Itchy eyes, itchy throat, sneezing, coughing and general feelings of misery pretty well describes it!

When I went to put my pictures in Picasa, I found that I had collected 77!  That’s pretty well unheard of because I always write in my blog and take the pictures off.  I had some pictures of my last day with Mom and Ray.  I watched this mallard pair swim right to me from a ways off.  I had no idea they were coming to see me till they got out of the pond in front of me and then proceeded to walk up the grass and stand in front of me.  I played with the movie feature of the camera and got them walking around a little bit, but it wasn’t worth posting on youtube. 

After I got home, the pollen came and I haven’t done much of anything.  I did finish my second baby quilt.  I had the same blocks, but I picked a different pattern for the blocks.  I’m not sure that I like it as well, but it did turn out nicely. 

I’ve made a few hankies as well, but they weren’t good enough to photograph.  I’m having a hard time mastering the rolled hem foot that I bought.  I have added about 8 hankies to my own collection.  I was hoping to sell some, but if I never get good enough at it I will have a good amount of hankies.

When I was waiting for my Joann’s Fabric store to open a goose walked right in front of the store and kind of looked into the window.  I laughed to myself and said he must want to go shopping too!  Then, I remembered I had my camera so I got a picture of him.  I’m not sure where he was heading too, but he seemed to know. 

Well, I’m sorry I haven’t written in such a long time but I hope this fills in the gap a little.

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/April16#

Cookie & Pelican

Yesterday we went to my sister Jean’s house to use her fax.  We found Cookie asleep in her bed.  She did not want to be moved, but then decided to come out and visit.  She’s a nine year old English Bulldog. 

Ray and I went out for dinner because Mom had her card playing girl friends over for several hours.  On the way to Red Lobster, we stopped at the ocean park and I took some pictures.  It seems so odd to me to see cars on the beach.  A child was hit this last week, so it seems that it really isn’t a safe place to let cars drive either.  I got an awesome picture of my favorite bird, the pelican.  I love to watch the pelican in flight.  It is such a stately bird.  Forgive the pontificating!

Red Lobster was great.  I had one of their lobster specials and was delighted with it.  We asked for cheese cake and they had forgotten to thaw it, so we went in search of the ultimate cheesecake.  Two restaurants later we found it.  100% Italian was the name of the place.  The cheesecake was fabulous!  The highlight to the day was the cheesecake and right behind it was the pelican!

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/CookiePelican#

Bald Eagles & Hawks - Elaine - Picasa Web Albums

Picasa didn’t work the usual way, so sorry for the different format.

This morning we were delighted to witness a bunch of bald eagles.  They were vying for a fish one of them caught.  I have only seen bald eagles in Dollywood in captivity.  It was an awesome sight!

I put a few other pictures in that I have taken.  One of which is breakfast that Ray makes for me.  He will either make me a wonderful omelet and bacon or sunnyside up eggs and bacon. 

I’m working on a baby afghan while I’m here.  I will try to take a picture sometime soon.  It is growing quickly.  I don’t have the time to sit around while I’m home so I take advantage of the quiet time to crochet.  I have been buying flannel for my other baby quilts that I will be making in between crocheting.

I will be leaving here on Wednesday night on the train.  Ray’s knee is not going to need surgery for quite awhile, so I’ll be able to head home.  We were glad for the good news!

Hope this finds everyone well!

 

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/BaldEaglesHawks#

to be continued...

I’ve got two different sets of pictures for you today.  The first set I took yesterday and the second I took today.  There is a lot of wildlife near Mom and Ray’s yard so there is a lot for me to take pictures of. 

I had two days to visit with my Aunt and Uncle.  They mean the world to me.  I was so glad for the opportunity to visit with them.  We hardly ever go back to NY, so this is the best way for me to see them and visit with them. 

I got Skype running for Scott, so now we can see each other as well as talk to each other each night.  It makes the time away from home a little better.

I got up early this morning and took a walk with Pixie and Ray.  Sunlight was just beginning to peak through.  It was a warm 50 degrees.  After walking in Raleigh’s coldness for so long it felt almost like a heat wave!

Ray made me a wonderful omelet and bacon for breakfast!  I always get so spoiled when I come down here.  Ray took us out to Chili’s for a late lunch and I got their ribs.  I’ve been craving ribs, so they really hit the spot.

Hope this finds you well.  I’ll write more as I get the time. 

My little netbook is working out real well.  I had a much easier time getting on the train and off the train. 

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/MomS#

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/Cormorants#

trip to Dad's - Elaine - Picasa Web Albums

We had a very good trip down to my Dad’s at Murrells Inlet, SC.  We arrived Friday night close to 9:00 and then left Saturday at 5:00.  We went out for breakfast at a place real close by, that I can’t remember the name of.  Then, for lunch we went to the River City Café for burgers and fries.  They were nice about not giving me a bun.  The food was delicious and the company was even better.  I hadn’t seen Dad and Joan for awhile, so it was good to see them again. 

Scott noticed the turtles in the pond in front of Dad’s place.  There were more, but they ran off when Scott showed up with the camera.

I took Scott’s picture and then he said he had to take mine to be fair, so here we are. 

I love pelicans, so I had a blast taking these guys’ pictures.  I also like sea-gulls, if you can’t tell!  My Dad always finds me neat pelican post cards which I’ve got over my desk to inspire me (right next to Dwight Schultz). 

Well, I guess that was all the fun for that trip. 

Next trip will be posted probably tomorrow.  I’m in Florida with my Mom and Ray and also my favorite Aunt and Uncle.  I got some cool pictures of cormorants this morning.

To be continued…

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/TripToDadS#

quiltnightgown

I did get started packing for my Florida trip, but got distracted with wanting to sew my night gown.  I had a bear of a time cutting the fabric out.  I couldn’t get it to lay without wrinkles.  I thought I was going to have trouble sewing it too, but it went really well.  In fact, so well that I finished it already.  It was way too big, so I had to take in the sides.  I will need to get a smaller pattern if I make it again.  I do have more fabric for another nightgown, but I have a v-neck pattern that may be prettier.  This one looks like a huge t-shirt.  It is comfortable though.

This afternoon we are running down to my Dad’s place in Murrells Inlet, SC.  We haven’t been able to get down there this winter because of the kitchen remodel and also all the storms we had.  We’d get done with one storm and then another would head our way.  We will spend the night and come back tomorrow afternoon.

 All my laundry is done and that is most of the job of packing. Now I just need to gather everything.  The suitcase is out and the dogs are depressed.  I feel sorry for them.  They are always with me and when I go they are very lonely.  I always miss them terribly too!

The pictures of the quilt are after washing it.  Washing and drying it makes the edges fray.  I was surprised that they fraying kind of makes it looks lacy. 

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/Quiltnightgown#

quilt - baby

 

For the past three days, I’ve been cutting and sewing a baby quilt I’ve been working on.  Elisha’s sister, Anna, is having a baby shower on April 3^rd.  I wanted to have her gift ready before I left for my Florida trip.  Now it is in the washer doing the fraying thing. I also hope it is getting the chalk line off.  It was supposed to wipe off with a wet wash cloth, but it didn’t.

I really have enjoyed sewing.  It made me think of my grandmother.  She taught me quite a bit.  As a teenager, I didn’t want to iron the fabric and other things that would make the process go smoother, but I’ve found myself listening to her advice now. 

I’m supposed to be getting packed.  I think I will start now that my project is done.  Maybe, I will cut out my nightgowns and try to get them done.  I could be pushing it, but I’ll see.

I do need to get lunch as I’m an hour late for that!

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/QuiltBaby#