Summer in Baltimore - Part 4 and Fairfield Bay, Arkansas

June 10, 2019 - June 19, 2019

First order of business this week was to finally complete the back rests for the cockpit, thus completing my long drawn out cockpit cushion project! I spent most of the day in the boater's lounge working on this project. After several missteps the project was done. If I do say so myself, they look great!

The end product was worth all of the frustration!

We had a couple of cruiser get togethers; a couples get together in the boater's lounge on Monday (6/10), our usual Wednesday morning breakfast with the ladies, and an impromptu one on C dock on Saturday night. We had lot's of fun conversations with new and established friends (I am always reluctant to use the word old these days).

Jessica and Joe went to Johnstown, PA for a few days to finalize her contract for her new job as Orchestra Manager of the Johnstown Orchestra and find a place to live while there.  They made the big step of putting an offer in on a house. It should be a great adventure for them.  I had cat care duty and went over to their apartment to feed and clean up after their three cats on Wednesday (6/12).  Of course, I took advantage of being there and cut out some tops which I sewed up later in the week.  Jessica had inspired me to use fabrics left over from previous projects and it was like getting clothing for free.

Jessica and I had our pool day on Saturday.  This summer we have had great weather on the weekends so Saturday pool days has become a regular "date".

It was a great pool day!

On Sunday, I left bright and early for Fairfield Bay, AR to spend a week at a Wyndham lakeside resort with my son, Karl and his family.  I had never been to Arkansas and wasn't sure of what to expect, but it is a beautiful area.  

This is the view from our second story deck.

You're probably wondering what  a beach bum like me doing is in Arkansas. In an effort to get all of my children together I googled "what is the mid-point between Houston (Karby) and Chicago (Rachel)" knowing that Jessica (Baltimore) would not be available this summer because of moving and Grace (Portales, NM) had just started a new job.  Google came up with Eastern Arkansas and I found this resort through RCI and my time share.  I have to say it is the best resort I have ever stayed in with RCI.  It's huge but spread out enough to not seem like a huge resort, the units are large and recently updated, the pool is within walking distance, and the lake is beautiful. Although I was not successful in getting anyone but my son's family here this year, I hope to get everyone together here next summer.

Monday we took the shuttle boat to Sugar Loaf Mountain to hike to the top.  It wasn't a mountain climb, but it was a bit strenuous.

The path up to the peak was
bordered by huge rocks. 
Maddix and Acen are posing
atop a smaller rock.

The "fam" - Maddix in the background
Acen, Karl, and Brandy

Wow!

The view from the top was spectacular.

It was Karl's 35th birthday and we celebrated with carrot cake and ice cream.

Everyone sang a very out of
tune "Happy Birthday!"

On Tuesday we started the day at the pool - Acen would stay in the water all day if he didn't have to stop to eat.  

Fun in the pool!

After lunch we headed back to the Marina to rent kayaks and explore the lake.  The water was clean and clear.  If I thought I could have climbed back into the kayak easily I would have gone for a swim.  

Fun on the lake!

We'll be here a couple more days and then it is on to New Mexico for me to visit my youngest, Grace.

Thank you for reading my blog!

Summer in Baltimore - Part 3

June 2, 2019 - June 9, 2019

The weather this week was mostly sunny and most days had a cool breeze except Wednesday (hot) and Sunday (rainy).  After a trip to Annapolis on Monday to buy some zippers needed to complete the back rests for the cockpit I stopped by a marina acquaintances boat to measure his mattresses so I could construct fitted sheets and fitted mattress pads for him.  It won't be a major job, but will entail lots of measuring, seam ripping and resewing. Custom sheets are always a must for the odd shape mattresses in boat berths.

On Tuesday, I planned to complete the backrests for the cockpit only to discover that I needed to order more of the nagua soft fabric. Next project was to add a zipper to the binnacle cover which I couldn't complete because I didn't have the correct type of zipper (I needed an opening zipper).  So, after completing a small repair on our neighbor's encloser
doorway I decided to make the new grill cover.  I just wanted to have one project completed by the end of the day!  While I was working in the lounge our custom canvas maker, Dan, was on the boat patterning the new dodger windows and bimini cover.  His technique of using tape and translucent plastic was brilliant.  It is clear he is a very experienced canvas maker.

 Finally a project completed.  I lined the cover with plastic to
prevent grease from the grill wicking through the sunbrella fabric.

 Wednesday was "boat ladies" breakfast at Captain James Restaurant.  It was quite a large group of 13 ladies.  Sharing the same lifestyle we automatically have a lot in common  even if we just met our conversation flows easily. That evening I went to Jessica's place to help her host an end of year party for her colleagues and student workers. After eating we played a very fun card game.

Thursday morning we decided to drop boat projects and drive to Glory Bees Sewing Center to research a new sewing machine for me.  My current machine was 30 years old and had been used for my bridal and formal wear sewing business for almost 15 years so it was ready to be retired.  I was looking for another Elna, but learned from the very knowledgeable owner of the shop that Janome and Elna were the same company.  I settled on a Janome 4130 style electronic machine which has some amazing new features that suit my sewing style perfectly.  Even though we hadn't planned on purchasing a machine that day we decided it was perfect for me and bought it on the spot!

Isn't it beautiful!

The next couple of days I spent getting to know my new machine after my regular chores.  I created a tank top and a maxi dress which I had cut out the week before a Jessica's house.

After scrubbing the grill on Saturday Jessica joined me at the pool.  She had just talked to her new boss at the Johnstown Orchestra where she accepted the job of Orchestra Manager.  It is an exciting job change for her, but I will miss having her so close by in Baltimore.

Sunday was the Annapolis Quilt Guild yearly show.  My neighbor, Mary, who is an avid and expert quilter, asked me to go along with her.  I agreed right away as my desire to create quilts has just blossomed.  My plan is to make quilts for all of my children in the next three or four years. It helps to have Mary close by for advice. Let me just show you some of the amazing quilts that were on display.

This stained glass window quilt changed my
mind about black fabric in quilts.

The unusual placement of the quilt
squares makes this quilt unique.

This quilt shows the importance of square arrangement,

This quilt is a variation of a log cabin quilt.

This quilt is a two fabric bargello design.

This is a whimsical basket design.

Thank you for reading my blog!

Summer in Baltimore - Part 2

May 13, 2019 - June 1, 2019

Projects:

While Bob has made progress on many of his projects (often with my help) the only project I have been able to work on is recovering the cockpit and helm seat cushions. I ran into several snags in completing this sewing job. First, the snaps on the cushion covers did not match up with the snaps attached to the cockpit.  After removing, adjusting and resewing the snap tabs I finally got the starboard side cushion to fit.  Bob had to remove the snap and reapply a new snap in a new spot to get the port side cushion to fit.  The helm seat cushions fit perfectly the first try.  Another snag was in designing the back rest to go with the seat cushions.  My first try was a complete bust.  I hadn't allowed for the curve in the coming which the back rest will attach to.  Bob came up with the idea of covering a pool noodle and attaching it to a redesigned back rest. We also had to use a different foam insert for the back rest as the type of foam we purchased from Sailrite was too soft.  I made a mock up of this design and with a few adjustments it should work perfectly.  That part of this project will be finished next week.

How do you like the color we chose?

Outings:

Most of our outings have been to Annapolis to procure items needed for boat projects.  Each trip to Annapolis includes a great lunch at one of our favorite restaurants; Italian Market, Jack's Fortune, Carol's Creek, Boatyard, and Storm Brothers Ice cream. We seem to visit our storage locker each time we go to Annapolis as well.  

One day we went out to lunch at On the Border in
Canton Crossing Shopping Center.  Bob had fajitas.

Jess and Joe joined me for an afternoon at the pool Memorial Day weekend and on this past Saturday.  The weather has been great for the pool!

Travel:

On Saturday May 26 Claire's husband, Fred, passed away.  His daughter Sheryl was with him.  The apartment that they were living in at the end had to be cleared out by the end of May.  I flew to Sarasota on May 29 to help Sheryl with this overwhelming task.  Sheryl and her friend Lori had made a lot of progress and when I arrived we finished sorting through items and taking what we couldn't use to various charities.  It was a sad, but necessary task.  

I returned to Baltimore on Friday, May 31 exhausted physically and emotionally.

Lori, Sheryl, and I are standing in front of Lori's car that is
packed full of the items Sheryl is taking back to Michigan.

Thank you for reading my blog.