Thursday, January 16, 2014

HAPPY 2014 !

  I hope this year finds nothing but wonderful events for everyone !  Some of my Busdriver friends are finally able retire at the end of the school year ..... you guys are going to love it !  Our Holidays were quiet but fun.  We found curbside shops full of interesting items including the metal sculpture pictured here.

  We are currently in Santa Barbara and enjoying the 80* sunshine. This park doubles as a Guest Ranch with horseback rides, chuckwagon BBQ's & teepee's to stay in.  It's a great place to just be laid back and enjoy your hobbies as there is no cell service or wifi.  We found the family center, which is an old stone house built back in the early 1900's as a summer home, is haunted !  Many activities for the park are held here and so far we haven't experienced any paranormal activity !  That's OK with us !  

  We spend our days in Solvang, a Danish town similar to Leavenworth only about 5 X's the size & 24 miles from our park or on the beaches of Santa Barbara.  After many trips to the WA coast it is wonderful to be on the water and have the sun shining.  I wish I could send you the smells of the saltwater, kelp and warm sand.  

  I have been able to work on some of my projects.  What I have discovered is they tend to take on a life of their own !  My little chicken pincushions began as simple filled, fabric objects & now I found that quilting them changes their look.  I like it !  I also have made small cosmetic type bags that began similarly.  By quilting or embroidering them they, too, look different. Doing some free-motion quilting and applique helps me work on refining those skills and each batch looks better. I have added a label to the latest ones and they look so cute !  The craft sales at the parks help me sell enough to keep me in fabric.  

Norm stays busy visiting with the other campers, walking, tying flies and bugging me. Not much water around, this has been one of the driest winters in CA history, so fishing is not an option.  

 Tomorrow we leave for a TT Park near Chula Vista (Pio Pico).  It's only 5 miles from the Mexican border, as the crow flies, so Border Patrol are a regular presence.

 Norm just reminded me that that park doesn't have cell/wifi service, either !  What is the deal with these parks !  Oh well just a few more adjustments to make as an RV'er.