Monday in AZ!

I’ve been in Arizona for almost a week now, and I know I’ve only gotten one post out during the time that I’ve been gone – but there comes a time when family time is the focus. And that’s where I am.

Knowing that my brother was only going to be with us until Saturday, I just dropped the ball of staying in contact, let all social media and blogging go and just settled in to that family time.

I don’t know when the last time was that it was just my dad, me and my siblings. Since we’ve become adults, it’s rare. Extremely rare.

So what did we get up to? We did some history stuff. You see, these apples didn’t fall far from the tree, my brother and I. We are history nuts, and love having our feet in places where amazing things happened in the past.

The weather has been fantastic – in every way. Our first historical outing was Heritage Square where you can do a self guided walking tour with audio being played through your phone. I love how times have changed making audio things so easy!

We were not able to get in to the Rossen house as we were there on Thursday, but the walking tour info from the outside was great.

We walked around looking at hold houses from the outside and learning a bit about the people who built them and imagining what life was like here in the late 1800s when folks were trying to claim this desert wasteland.

Life was harsh. But people’s determination was even harsher.

Downtown backdrop!

Photo op in the pavillon –

And so many selfies trying to capture the moments and make them last –

As far as keeping my hands busy – Look at all of the aqua hexies that have been added to my “blocks!” Can you call them blocks when they are weird shaped like this? I think I can.

There has been a LOT of movie watching going on here.

We watched all THREE of the Dan Brown Movies from Angels & Demons to Da Vinci Code and to Inferno. (I love me some Tom Hanks!) and I’m so glad I brought handwork with me or I would frankly have gone nuts.

Is this why there are so many unfinished hexagon projects from history? Folks had to have something to keep their hands busy, but they took so long that they were often unfinished as life stepped in and took over?

Close up of this one –

It’s got fabrics reminiscent of my September trip to Kenya – (The hurricane happened on the tail end of that one – just as I got home and I feel like I left Kenya in the past unmentioned. But the Zebra!)

And no, those aren’t pickles in the dark green. It’s Saguaro cactus from a previous visit to Phoenix, gifted by a student friend while I was teaching. I love it.

Having my brother here until Saturday afternoon has kept me from retail therapy as far as fabric goes. And that’s okay. I have fabric coming out of my ears at home.

That didn’t stop me from doing some online damage because – when stressed out, girl’s just gotta do SOMETHING and have a few things waiting for her when she gets home.

Guess what happens Friday 11/15/24?

Moonflower release day and gift-away!

I’ll be hitting the ground running to get this ready for you, and yes – there will be a gift-away! I’ll be drawing for two winners who will each receive a Moonflower PDF pattern from me, and a Moonflower fabric roll from Cotton To Quilts!

It all begins just a week before we start in on our Old Town mystery on 11/22/24.

How are your fabric pulls coming?

Quiet, peace and serenity.

While I can still enjoy it, I’m taking long walks around the lakes here in Sun Lakes, AZ.

Today I’m headed over to visit my sister in law in Gilbert. We’ll spend a few hours catching up.

Tomorrow morning I’ll be heading to the airport – not sure if I can get another post out before I get home so if you don’t hear from me tomorrow, check back in on Wednesday.

I also want to put out a call for extra kindness right now. No matter how you feel over things that have happened over the past week – no matter your fear over what may happen in the future, these are things we can all hold on to.

If we can do all of these things (or just pick one for today) and keep showing up for each other, we can make it through whatever comes. We CAN make our own communities a better place.

You may be happy – there are others who are devastated. Just be aware. Everyone you meet is facing battles you know nothing about. Give them grace, give them space.

Remember why we do this mystery during the holidays? I have had so many messages from folks reiterating that they now understand and this year they need it, and the community we have built together more than ever.

Just be kind. Always.