Wisconsin - Sandhill Cranes

We just got back from Wisconsin, where we had a nice visit with Don's cousins and their families in Waukesha, and went to Northern Wisconsin for Don's 50th class reunion.

The first day there, on the way to breakfast with cousin Bob, we spotted a Sandhill Crane in a small park along the Fox River, right in town. Everyone assured us that the cranes were everywhere, but just in case, I had to stop and get some pictures. This was the first Sandhill Crane that I have seen up close - such excitement.

Then when we were in Northern Wisconsin we saw a lot more Sandhill Cranes. Mostly they were in fields of hay that had been recently cut - looking for food. They would sometimes be close, and sometimes far, but with my 140x zoom on my camera I got some great shots. It was so exciting to listen to them and watch as they walked about, finding tasty tidbits in the hay. Those birds can move fast, with those long legs. I often had to focus the camera ahead of them to catch them as they moved forward.





In the nature preserve we saw a big flock of the Sandhill Cranes in hay fields. We counted over 45 in the flock - but were only close enough to get a picture of these.

This crane seems to be eating something off the plants - berries I suppose.

This is the only picture I got of them flying - their wingspan can reach up to 6.9 feet.

Their beaks are so big they look like swords. I was told that they are vicious and will attack if you get too close - we stayed a good distance away.

Mrs. BrownDirt Goes to a Lodge in the Mountains

First - let me introduce you to a good friend - a blogging friend - at Brown Dirt Cottage. She and I have so many things in common, even though she lives in Texas (and I grew up in the BIG state of Alaska). We both love iced tea, hate making ice cubes, we love quilting, collecting old dishes and vintage linens. We both have owned an antique shop at one time and we like to refinish furniture.

A while back, a friend of hers did this fabulous post - about Mrs. BrownDirt, and going camping. I thought it was so cute - so I just had to have a Mrs. BrownDirt doll too. It is not as good as a visit from the real Mrs. BrownDirt - but it is sure fun.

After Mrs. BrownDirt went camping, I thought it might be nice for her to go to a lodge, which is more to my taste.

First I had to make a Mrs. BrownDirt doll - like the one that went camping.

Hi - I'm Mrs. BrownDirt - I have a lovely patchwork dress, you didn't expect any less, did you? My hair was cut from fabric scraps with pinking shears - quite in style, don't you think?

I heard we were going to a lodge - I'd better get packed right away!

Oh no - stuck in the suitcase - I was so wiggly the photo came out blurry.

This packing is hard work . . .

I get tired on long trips - so sometimes I nap in the glove box - wonder why they call it the glove box - I find some scissors in here, and some napkins, a book about the car, some wet clothes to wipe up with - Don't wash me with those - I stain easily - but no gloves. At least it is soft and cozy, until "she" puts her camera on top of me - I really don't appreciate that.

We are heading for the lodge in the mountains - but we all got very hungry so stopped at this nifty Diner - it has all sorts of interesting old things in it.

We had to leave our Hula Hoops and Pogo Sticks outside . . .

Here I am posing with Lucy - I was going to pose with Marilyn Monroe but I didn't want her to be sad, because I am so much prettier than she is, with my velvet button eyes and painted on nose.

So we ordered sandwiches - they were big - and delicious, I have to say.

Big, and thick and yummy - I'd show you the milkshake, but someone drank it all up!

When they bring the bill, they clip it to this very old record - it is just the right size for a bracelet for me - don't you think?

Oh that frog - he's such a show off! It was him - that's who drank that whole milkshake - I'm just sayin'

Outside the Diner they had some big chairs - just my size . . .

I think I could go for another 2 napkin burger - how about you?

A ride on a bike - just the thing for after dinner . . .

Oh dear - I hope this isn't our lodge. Whew, drove right on past - what luck . . .

Here we are at last - what a long trip . .

A nice place to sit in the evening after traveling all day . . .

Here is our room in the lodge -don't you think this is better than camping in the dirt?

I think I'll take this bed . . . talk to you later, we have a lot of adventures coming up, but a girl needs her rest, if that frog would just quit hopping back and forth between the beds. G'nite

Another finish - The Farm Folks

Again - you have seen parts of this quilt before - and here are the blocks, finished , with the embroidery and set in the red gingham sashing

And here is the completed quilt. The outer border is scraps of all the tans and beiges that make up the backgrounds in the blocks. I think the binding will be gingham - cut on the bias.

And Cupcakes

And in between the quilts I've been finishing, I've been making cupcake pincushions. They are super fun to make, and cute as can be.

A friend and I are going to be doing a craft show in November. I have several other things I've made for the sale and decided to add the cupcake pincushions. It was a good choice - I've already sold a dozen of them, and it isn't even near the time for the craft show.

They are in different colors, with different colored cups too . . .

And one with whipped cream and a strawberry on top - looks almost good enough to eat, don't you think?