DARRELL AND THE TREE

 In 2005 we planted a tree in front of our house in Renton on Darrell's birthday.  And I've been taking a picture on this day ever since.

2025

2020

2015

Planting day 2005

PHOTO DAY

 Darrell just finished one of his projects and photographed it this morning.  Then I got out my quilt stand and hung Carpe Diem and he photographed it too.

His lighting is color temperature adjustable.  Its very interesting to change them and see what it does to the colors of the quilt.  But they do really show off the quilting.

CUSHION FOR NEW DECK TABLE

 Darrell has been busy designing and making a new table for our deck.  And of course, we wanted to incorporate a place for the cat or dog to hang out underneath like they did with the previous table.  I made a custom cushion to fit in the space.

Cutting out the pattern piece from paper

I sewed in a zipper, back view

Finished zipper, front view 

Sewing on the sides

Both top and bottom sewn to sides, along with some ties to keep it in place

Finished!  Just needs stuffing.

Cushion in place - table still waiting for glass top to arrive.

CONGAREE NATIONAL PARK

We left Savannah, headed to Marietta South Carolina to visit his Aunt and Uncle.

On the way we stopped to explore Congaree National Park.  We arrived about 9:30am, and went for a walk on the Boardwalk Loop.  They are doing construction on the boardwalk and a part of it was closed.  But it was still a beautiful walk - and no insects!  

We saw and heard a lot of birds.  We were told it would be possible to encounter some wild pigs, but we didn't see any.  Although we saw signs of where they dig and root up the mud and vegetation.   The Ranger told us if we encounter the pigs to yell and use harsh language on them and they would leave us alone.

 

ST PETERSBURG FLORIDA

 Darrell has been teaching at the Florida School of Woodworking this last week.  I flew in on Thursday night.  He finished the class on Friday night and on Saturday morning we headed into St Petersburg to the Museum of  the America Arts and Crafts Movement.  Darrell wanted to get some all around photos of the Blacker House Arm Chair by Greene & Greene.

I think he had great fun.  They have a marvelous collection of Greene & Greene, Frank Lloyd Wright and many lesser known artisans work.

MAKING LITTLE TREES

 I saw a free pattern from Ann Wood for Little Trees.  I cut the fabric and made the tree parts yesterday.  Today I'm making the trucks and bases.

Using Darrell's shop I used his disc sander to make the sticks for the trunks pointy at both ends.

And his drill press to make holes in the bases for the trunks.

I'm fortunate to have his expertise and shop at my disposal.  If left to my own methods it would have taken much longer and been more difficult to do this.  And I probably would have hurt myself trying to sharpen the ends with an exacto knife.

SPRUCE RAILROAD TRAIL

 We headed up to Port Angeles yesterday where we spent the night. 

We had a nice breakfast at Shirley's, which is completely packed with collectibles - license plates from everywhere, photos and memorabilia.  Plus it was decorated for Halloween.

 After breakfast, we drove west towards Lake Crescent.  

We went for a walk on the Spruce Railroad Trail in the Olympic National Park.  It was raining when we started out, but the rains receded a bit after a while. It is a Rain Forest afterall.

Coltsfoot

The lake's water is this very interesting blue color, apparently because of low nitrogen levels which inhibits the growth of algae.

A Rough-skinned Newt - they have a bright orange belly, which this one didn't show us.  Also, don't touch - their skin secrets a toxin.  Yuck.

Then we drove back into Port Angeles so we could stop at the Ranger Station and get our Passport Stamp.

Then it was time to head home.