Third Time's the Charm - I Hope!

I refuse to let this pattern get the best of me! I've done two quilt tops using this Whack-N-Stack star and I dislike them both. The first one (see "another Opportunity for Creativity" Nov. 17 entry) had fabric and color choice issues - so I made a second top using beautiful shades of green (frogs!) and blue - with orange accent - that went together beautifully. Then I tried to machine quilt it myself. What a disaster! I apparently had issues with the sandwiching part as I have puckers on both the back and the front. The stars just didn't want to lay flat for me. In my eyes, it's ruined, but I'll finish it anyway as it's nice and warm.

Refusing to be defeated, I'm trying it again. This time, I have a proper template for the diamonds and I've changed the foot on my machine for the piecing. I was using a 1/4 inch walking foot instead of the regular 1/4 inch foot. Both of these changes seem to be working as my blocks are coming together MUCH better.

In these two images, I'm "auditioning" fabric for the triangles. I've stolen the term "auditioning" from my older and much wiser sister who is currently working on a much more complex version of this pattern - and doing it beautifully. (see http://quilterb-bethsblog.blogspot.com/) I will never be in her league - but that's okay. I'm having fun and learning lots.

Both of these fabrics had issues when I put them together with the diamonds as they were too similar and did not highlight the stars enough. I found a beautiful teal batik that looked great - but I only had a yard - so off I went in search of more. The original yard was purchased in Denver and I didn't expect to find more - but at the third shop, I did!

This is as far as I've gotten. I don't know yet whether or not I'll include the blue and/or purple blocks - they are being "auditioned" on my design wall. I'm making this one like a One Block Wonder and leaving off the outer circle. If this turns out - maybe I'll move on to one of the more advanced blocks.

My dear, sweet, wonderful, husband drove me to the three shops yesterday as I've been under the weather and we heard on the news that you shouldn't drive when you have a cold. On the way back, we spotted a group of Sandhill Cranes. Then I saw a larger white bird with the Sandhills. I couldn't believe my eyes - it was a Whooping Crane! Naturally, I didn't have my camera - but we are heading back to where we saw them later today and maybe, just maybe, they will still be there.

Down the Shore

Apparently, I sound like a Philadelphian. People will stop me mid-sentence and ask where I'm from. Bill still teases me when I say "water," and "chotskies." When we were kids, we went "down the shore" which is apparently a very localized phrase - but it sounds right to me - and that's just what we did!

I love this picture! The Ruddy Turnstone looks like it's admiring itself in a mirror.

I wish you could see the bright yellow feet on this Snowy Egret.

As always, the Sanderlings were playing at the ocean's edge - running back and forth as the waves licked the sandy beach.

I always have to look up the plovers to see which one it is. This one, I believe is a Wilson's Plover.


This Pine Warbler doesn't belong on the beach! But I liked the picture.

In Our Own Backyard

Our lanai looks out on a preserve with woods on the other side. The other day, Bill saw this young coyote walking just on the edge of the woods. I grabbed my camera and headed out to get some pictures.

He spotted me as I inched closer - but didn't run into the thick brush until after I got some good shots. I was still quite a distance away from him and close enough to the house to run back in if he looked aggressive. (He didn't) We can hear them howl and scream in the evenings, but we've only seen them during the day a couple of times.

Another sighting on the OTOW property. This guy was along the side of a dirt/sand road back by a cattle farm. He was large - 5 or 6 feet long and quite stocky. I could be wrong, but my online research has led me to identify this guy as a Florida Pine Snake - a rather rare snake - "of special concern" by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Whenever I moved, he stuck his forked tongue out at me and shook his tail. He had no rattles. Bill stayed in the car as I checked him out closer.

Further down the road we visited with some woodpeckers. This is a common Downy (or maybe it's a Hairy) Woodpecker.

And this, of course, is a beautiful Red-headed Woodpecker.

One of the more common birds here on campus is this Chipping Sparrow.

We always enjoy the hawks! This Red-tailed Hawk was flying overhead trying to get the attention of another hawk in the area. I hope they didn't see our Pine Snake!

Naples Botanical Garden

On a recent trip to Fort Myers, we took a day to head further south with friends Bob & Peggy to visit the Naples Botanical Garden.

According to their literature, In 1993, eight Naples residents founded the Garden with the dream of creating a world-class botanical garden. In 2000 they purchased a 170-acre site with seven different habitats just south of Old Naples. Today, what was acre after acre of melaleuca, Brazilian pepper and other invasive species is now beautiful gardens, lakes and restored natural areas.

Near the front entrance is this pineapple - the symbol of welcome. I had never seen a pineapple plant so I found this really neat.

This place is fabulous - one beautiful vista after another.

Look at the blooms on these pond lilies!

We weren't the only creatures that appreciated the beautiful flowers.

Look at the way the sunlight dances on the bloom creating some magnificent colors!

They have a very nice butterfly garden. Unfortunately, we only saw a couple of butterflies. This one was small but extraordinary.

This is a Eucalyptus Rainbow Tree - nicknamed the most colorful tree on Earth. The reason for the name is obvious. It was really cool!

Peggy, a Master Gardener, stopped often to read the signage.

Geckos swell their throats to intimidate visitors or attract a mate. I wonder which one he was doing?

I think all our walking wore the guys out!

Butterflies for Megan

On a recent birding exposition we saw more butterflies than birds - and I have no idea what most of them are - but I'm sure Megan does. So Megan, these are for you.

I actually took this picture in our back yard. This pretty little guy likes our Bottle Brush bush.

Butterflies are difficult to photograph as they rarely sit still.

I love the way this Long-tailed Skipper blends with the background of dried leaves.

This must be some kind of Swallowtail.

We have lots of Bluebirds here in Florida - and I loved the way this one looked with the bright red berries.

We also have our share of spiders. Bill was giving this big boy (he was HUGE) a closer look.

A Yellow-rumped Warbler - fairly common around here.

This is the first Eastern Towhee I've seen this year. He was off in the distance - but identification is easy with his distinctive markings.