Day 2---Off to the Caribbean

End of line...2 1/2 hrs to ship from here

Another exciting day getting to where we're going! We slept for 12 hours---I haven't slept for 12 hours straight in I don't know how many years, but after getting up at 3 AM we were both ready to sleep by 5 PM California time.

Suitcases for the ship

Had a nice buffet breakfast at the hotel, then took a van to the ship, where queue has been raised to a fine art. First, the line to get into the building (think hot and humid already), then the line in the building to go through the security check (machines and pat downs), then the line to go through the passport check and room key acquisition, THEN the wait to get on the ship, which was the longest of all. Finally, on the ship.

Seems like a very nice cruise line, enough room to store things and a miniscule balcony which is worth every penny extra spent to have it. Nice to stick your head outside into the warm and humid air. We had a get together with the quilting group with free margaritas (nice) then went to dinner, also nice...prime rib with veggies and potato. Now it's off to bed early, as we're both tired again. At least we don't have to worry about getting anywhere tomorrow.

First dinner on the ship

SORRY ABOUT NO PICS, BUT THE INTERNET HERE IS PAINFULLY SLOW.  I WILL TRY TO FIND A TIME OF DAY WHEN IT IS FASTER.  ENJOYING MYSELF, ALREADY HAVE MY NEXT CRUISE PICKED OUT :-)  Now back at home, will catch up with pictures now!

Day 1---From Home to Fort Lauderdale

A snowy Denver

Up at the godawful time of 3:10 AM.  Actually only two choices when flying to the east coast, up early and get in at a reasonable time, or leave at a reasonable time and get in at 11:00 PM.  Pam and I went with the first.  Lorrie drove us to the airport with absolutely no traffic (of course, it was the middle of the night.).  Arrived in Denver in two hours and had was passed for breakfast, a strawberry  yogurt parfait and croissant.  Denver had had a snowstorm the day before and there was snow everywhere, although it was a bright sunny day today. 

6th floor view from our window

 Back on a different plane for the flight to Fort Lauderdale, four more hours.  Luggage arrived just fine, and the Renaissance Hotel is great.

Water-side dining
Bimini Boatyard

We had a wonderful dinner at the Bimini Boatyard Restaurant.  

Bahama Mama

Bahama Mama is a great drink, and the food was excellent.  

Seared salmon

Yummy shrimp on grits

Seared salmon with garlic potatoes and asparagus and shrimp on a bed of grits (yum) with a tomato sauce.  Since today is my birthday, Pam treated.  Thanks, Pam.

Anyone know what this is?  No odor

Day 5---Sadly, we leave

Shirley M and her paper piecing

Totally lovely day today...sun shining and very little fog.  Feels like the day after Christmas, kinda melancholy and sad.  We had a great time here in Fort Bragg, and although Claire is "retiring" from planning retreats, I certainly hope Linda steps up (We elected her "in absentia" to do so.) and plans the next one.

Cathy, Kathy and Susanna admiring the
"Angry Birds" patches of Shirley M

Strawberry pincushions (red testicles) that I made for everyone

Day 4---Sewing (and the beach) all day long

Everyone stayed home all day long and sewed.  Of course, we went for a walk on the beach (Yes, Ashley, every day).  Shirley finally learned how to paper piece, and we had great cheesecake for supper.

Claire's flowerbasket

Jan and her pin wheels

Shirley J and Jan contemplating infinity

Cathy's log cabin foundation pieced block

Whale rock and our last sunset
(It was wonderfully sunny all day.)

Solomon's home made cheesecake
Raspberry

Walking the beach

Fun in Fort Bragg

Day 3---Fort Bragg fog

Hash browns

and Chili Cheese Egg Casserole

Sorry for the late post, but I was too frazzled to post yesterday. A little more sun today, but the fog certainly made its presence felt. Cathy and I made breakfast today, hash browns with kielbasa and chili cheese casserole. Very tasty, if I do say so myself, which I do.

Whale Rock

After some sewing, we went into the Sew'n Sew Quilt Shop again, then back home for a walk on the beach.

The reason the beach is called Sand Dollar

Lucy on the beach

A community meeting re: Susanna's quilt

We all decided to go into town for dinner, and I ended up at Capt'n Flint's for a fish, scallop, prawn fry with cole slaw. Nice for a change, and the view over Noyo harbor was very peaceful. I was frazzled because when I got back to the house I couldn't find my phone! Looked everywhere but couldn't find it, called the restaurant, no phone there. Finally went online and had Google look for it, and it was located at the house where we were...tore everything apart again, not in the house, looked in car, not there. Finally looked alongside the seat of the car, too low to feel with your hand, too high to see if you looked under the seat, and there it was. A huge cheer from everyone, and a huge sigh of relief from me.   

Suzanne, Nancy and Shirley M---Selfie at the beach

View of Noyo Harbor

Day 2---Lots of sewing

Nancy can't take it!

Claire in the shortlived sunlight

Foggy day at the beach...only saw the sun for about half hour this morning, then foggy for the rest of the day.

Shirley J in her "working" uniform

Most of us went into town for a short visit to the Sew and Sew Quilt Shop and then back for sewing, laughing, talking and eating.  Shirley M. learned how to foundation piece correctly, while Shirley J finished iron totes for herself and her sister Linda, who is sorely missed at this retreat.

The iron tote

Mormon funeral potatoes

Supper tonight was ham, beans, pasta salad and funereal potatoes, so named because Mormon women make them for funeral dinners.  Very nice :-)

Lucy and the frozen margarhita

 Lots of laughter, and Lucy can't hold her liquor.

Jan preparing for more piecing

Lucy, Shirley M and Claire heating up

Flowers in Fort Bragg

Poppies are lovely this year

Day 1---Back to Fort Bragg

My goodness has it been a long time since I blogged.  Much has happened since last October:  Surani moved to her new home, Parm has a new job, Rob moved to Oakland, Serena's about to graduate from high school, and I am finally serious about moving to Santa Rosa, but enough of this.

What the road looks like on map

I am in Fort Bragg again at the same lovely house, Serendipity, that I was at in October, but with a different group of ladies.  I am working on quilts for my cousin Barbara and her husband Bernie for starters.  Time will tell how many other things I get done.  I will keep you posted as the week progress...and just think, at this time next week I will be in Fort Lauderdale about to embark on a two week cruise.

Road through the redwoods to Ft. Bragg

Cathy trimming "titties" usually called dog ears

Silly Shirley, she thought I wouldn't take the picture

Some serious sewing here

And Kathy hiding