Stormy skies!

Oh shoot --- I woke up at some point in the night, and then I couldn't get back to sleep. I had not closed the blinds, and there were lights across the way. I was a bit hungry, although I'm not sure why. So I resolved both issues, but by then I was wide awake! I read for a bit, and well, I slept in this morning. Hence, the blog is much later than usual. 

It was hilarious when I finally woke up. I looked at my watch - 9:00 AM. WHAT? I never sleep in that late. Oh, yes - I forgot that my watch won't sync to the correct time because I have a new phone and it hasn't been paired yet. The complications of "new" technology!! I must sync that phone, then transfer the steps from it, and retire it. 

It was another great day of presentations, and then it was over, time to pack up! I purchased a couple of minor things, but I didn't take pictures. NO fabric, and I didn't even stop at any of the three quilt stores in town. I'm cured!!!! I grabbed some images from around Saskatoon on my morning walk. It's not like the suburb I live in, but typical of older cities and towns. 

There are the back allies! Yes --- so much "wasted" land in the back. But that was how you accessed the garages and where the garbage is set out. 

A back alley

Or the garages were tucked behind the house, and again, look at how much "wasted" space there was, but you could park a lot of cars in those driveways! No one wanted the garage out front, like in my area, but it's pretty efficient space-wise. 

Long driveways to the garages

But I love that the streets in the older part of the city look like this. Yes, they are peaceful and serene, and there are so many trees! WAIT -- why are the garbage carts on the street and not in the alley?

Tree-lined streets

In one area, the sidewalks were all decorated with chalk, and how could that not bring a smile to your face?

Thank you - I will!

I spotted several free libraries, but since I didn't have a book with me, I didn't bother looking inside. 

Free library

When it was time to pack up my suitcases, it was pouring rain outside. Rain is welcome, although perhaps a bit too late for some crops. But it poured! Thankfully, by the time I was putting my bags in the car, it wasn't quite as bad. 

It rained on and off for about forty minutes as I left to drive to North Battleford. Pouring one minute, and nothing the next. It was a very bizarre storm. I could see dark clouds behind me, and this was to the right. I stopped on the side of the road to take this in case you think I took it while driving. There were so many interesting sky formations, but I didn't want to keep stopping. 

The stormy skies

I spotted several streaks of lightning and one loud boom of thunder that scared me! The clouds were moving fast, and by the time I arrived, the sun was shining! I know -- the weird world of weather these days!!! 

It was later when I arrived at the hotel, and I hadn't eaten, so I threw my stuff in the room and walked to the restaurant, which was a short distance away. On the way back, I spotted an ice cream place. Just a small trailer in the middle of nowhere. I stopped and had ice cream. YUM!!! By the way -- while it is warmish here, it is not hot, and it was cool as I sat there eating my ice cream, 

Yummy ice cream

As I sat there, I contemplated why this ice cream shop was where it was. I glanced over and saw a building where you could wash your car, truck, RV, or your pet. This is also where you fill those large bottles of water. It was a busy spot, and it's all part of the same business. They also rent U-Haul trucks. I guess it just made good use of the corner of the parking lot! No one else was having ice cream when I was there, but I bet on a warmer night, that the place is probably packed! 

The ice cream shop and the car wash! 

Back at the hotel, I read a bit before going to bed. I brought a book with me, and it's been slow, but now it's picking up. I won't get to that until later tonight. 

I'm listening to a book on the drive called The Art Thief. Oh my goodness — this couple was bold in their thievery, stealing over 200 art pieces from European museums. Incredible. Oh dear - I read this article and sadly, many of the art pieces he stole were destroyed!!!!! 

I'm off to spend the day with Mom, as Dad will be going to the museum. I told him to do so as I'll be here for a couple of days. I brought some handwork that I hope to complete, so I'll be stuck in the house for a couple of days and hopefully get it done. I'll share it with you tomorrow. 

I have to tell you about the rental car I have. Your car probably has safety features that beep or flash when it gets too close to something. And yes, in this car, I have sensors that flash on the mirrors. BUT, there are vibrating sensors in the seat!!!! OH MY GOD - the first time it happened, I was like - what the heck was that? It has sensors on the left, right, and center. I'm not sure I want that on my car!!! A beep is good; however, if you have hearing issues, these are perfect. It's a Chevy Equinox!!!

Well, time to get moving. Have a super day!!!!!

Ciao!!!!

What happens at retreat stays at retreat!

It was a great day weather-wise, but we were in the house for most of the day! I was a bit delayed in heading out for my morning walk, so I had company on the walk, which was fun. We were off to the local general store to see if we could find a few goodies! 

And we scored on the goodies!!!! What do you think? 

YUM YUM

Yes - it was barely 9 AM, and we were devouring Black Cherry ice cream in a waffle cone! All I can say is that it was amazing! Life is too short to not eat ice cream when you want it! I have been craving a good ice cream for several weeks, and the wait was well worth it! 

We picked up a few fresh produce items, jelly, and a few other things. We stopped at the goat dairy farm and picked up some fresh goat cheese. Does it get any better than that? 

I had been up early in the morning, and I managed to complete this quilt top. It's the same pattern as the one from the day before, but with different-colored sashing. The fabrics were black on white, while the other one was white on black. 

Quilt top - done

And that means another project will not have to return to a retreat ever again! I'm madly working on the next quilt top, which is a scrappy one for Quilts of Valour. I've made good progress on it, and I should be able to get the top completed later in the day. 

I'm doing well with the projects I brought, and I should be able to finish this one and at least one more. That will make me happy!!!

I went back to InSeason. Okay -- this store is fantastic, and I could have spent hours in there! However, I didn't, but I did buy some incredible things, which I'll be sharing with you later this week. I'm eager to get home and install them!

The owner was in the store, and we had a chance to chat with him. The store has just celebrated its 12th anniversary. Here's a picture of the store when it was a hotel, back in the 1860s or so. What a treasure to have that photo, and the building looks practically the same! 

When the store was a hotel!

This was some advertising for the building. How fun!!  

Hmm - I don't really have a picture of what it looks like today, but I'll take one later. If you check out the link, there is a shot of the building on the landing page. 

We had a great day yesterday, and everyone accomplished a lot of things! However, you know what they say: what happens at retreat stays at retreat, so I can't share any further information with you. 

Technically, I'm writing this the night before it gets published because something came UP, and I need to be up very early in the morning and won't have time to write the blog. It involves quite the adventure and, well, duty calls. You'll see what I mean tomorrow!

On that note, I'm out of here. I'm tired because I went to bed late last night, and I have to be on the road very early in the morning. 

Have a great day!!

Ciao!!!!