Back in the saddle!

 On Saturday, I ventured out to a quilt shop and did a bit of retail therapy. That did the trick, getting me back into the studio and quilting. I started with this beautiful Kaffe project a friend made. Even the back is lovely!

The blocks are fussy cut and feature different flowers.

Did you spot the photobomber?

Its big!

I used a periwinkle thread and a spiky floral and leaf pattern for the quilting. Can't see it...

The backing is primarily this fabric with a band of leftover blocks down the center.

Next was this little table topper. It is perfect for the season, don't you think?

The little pumpkins frame the center perfectly!

Pumpkin patch panto in a rusty orange thread.

The backing compliments the top.

I've been following the hurricane recovery on YouTube, and it is heartbreaking. The area we moved from has been devastated again, and Pine Island is pretty much destroyed. I have been calling my two friends on Pine Island, but the phone just makes clicking noises. I'm guessing the towers are gone like they were in hurricane Charley. If Barbara and Betty read this, email me and let me know you're okay. I did reach my neighborhood friend in Punta Gorda. She had massive damage to her old house from Charley, but made it through Ian in her new home with only the carport blown away. She rode out the storm in her massive walk-in closet with her sister, a dog and a bird. She said the bird has acted funny ever since the storm, but hopes he'll recover soon.

This is a picture in Punta Gorda where I used to live. I am so fortunate to have moved away from there. I don't think I could endure the storm and aftermath again.

This is what's happening in our front yard! Fall is here, nights are crisp and cool and days are sunny and mild. My favorite season does not disappoint!

My girlfriend from High School has been in Australia and New Zealand the last couple of weeks. She has ridden a camel at Ayer's Rock, held a koala and climbed the Sidney bridge as well as other fun adventures. I plan to go visit her when she returns to get the full story and look at her photos when she comes home. Australia is on my bucket list along with another trip to France. I'm still working with my pain specialist on my back and hope to have a good result with this last treatment on Thursday. Learning to live with pain isn't easy. I have great respect for people who have chronic pain and keep on moving forward with their lives. At least I am still able to sew and quilt!