Monday Meanderings 7 - 10 -2023

Another week has zoomed by. Did it go by fast for you too?  I spent most of it trying to get everything ready to go on retreat Wednesday.  I completed several things on my goals list but not everything.  But I'm ok with that.  And there is always another week to finish the items I didn't this week. Here's how I did on last week's goals.

7/3/23

Finish cutting out ✅Two by Two blocks & ✅String Bean Blocks. 

Make more blocks for FCQ Equilter — Nope - didn’t do anything on this.

✅Cut out more background fabric for 30 something.

✅Quilt something on Ruthie — the Moose in Winter is quilted. 

Figure out fabric in and out since I last reported it for 2022 — Nope nothing done.

Two by Two ready to be sewn.

And on to this weeks goals:  

7/10/23

Finish stitching on needlepoint 

Go to retreat and enjoy sewing with friends

Finish all Flower Song blocks, put the center together

Make progress on Two by Two, String Bean, and 30 Something blocks

One thing that wasn't on my to do list was buying a ridiculous amount of fabric at the JoAnn's sale last week.  Honestly, almost everything I bought I had a very specific purpose for. Kind of. I overbought a little bit because I liked the fabric. But I scored some Fabric Traditions fabric for $3.00 a yard.  Yes it's a bit old but it is new to me and I have plans for both color ways I bought. The blue geometric is a backing and the green speckle is part of a 3 yard style quilt. I'm not sure what I had planned for the blue speckle. I've been going through white on whites like crazy so I added some new ones. The top two solids I'm going to use to make some lotto blocks for the October retreat. 

When all was done I saved over $75. For some unknown to me reason I paid only $1 for the light blue solid - 1 yard of it. Weird. It's all washed and waiting for me to use it. 

Do you overpack when you go on quilting retreats?  I always have at least one or two more projects than what I need.  I use a list to make sure I bring everything I need.  I should use it to pack up too although I don't really pay attention to it after I get there.  And I must make a mental note that I make sure all tools are marked with my name. 

On to more pictures and information about Kiel, Germany.  We were in port for two days so we had more time to see the city. What was cool about our berth this time is the city center was within walking distance of the ship. Many times the excursions we take are bus tours. In Kiel we had a bus tour and a walking tour. First some information about the first tour on the bus. 

We visited the Laboe Marine Memorial. Originally it was built to memorialize those seamen who died during World War I. In 1945 it added those who died in WW II. In 1954 it was rededicated as a memorial for the sailors of all nationalities who were lost at sea and at the same time a memorial for peaceful sailing in open seas. 

236' tall Marine Memorial. There is a viewing area at the top. I am claustrophobic so I did not go up to see the view.  

We walked underground to the other side to view another part of the memorial. This was a solemn place with flags from around the world and little displays of artifacts. Very moving. 

Walking back to where the bus was parked I snapped this photo at what looks like a pine tree. 

This is a Monkey Puzzle tree also known as a Chilean pine. According to The Spruce website it has been on earth since the dinosaurs. It can live up to 1,000 years. One fact I found interesting is the leaves are not needle-shaped. "Instead, they are leathery, broad, and dagger-like and can remain on the tree for 10 to 15 years." I wish I had seen the leaves up close. 

Laboe is situated on coast of the Baltic Sea. It has some lovely beaches that were in full use when we were there.  The weather for most of our trip was mid 70s to low 80s. One weird thing we found in Laboe was that most small food stands didn't take credit cards.  We didn't travel with Euros so no ice cream for us that day! 

Kiel was hosting Kiel Week, or Kiel Regatta, is the largest sailing event in Europe.  There were quite a lot of boats out and about on the waters that we past.   "While Kiel Week started out as a ship racing championship, it has long since become a large festival with many popular bands playing on public stages." (You can read more about Kiel Week on Wikipedia where this quote came from.)  Evidently across from our berth was one (or maybe two) of the public stage as we could hear the music from our balcony. 

Pat said these were full size hot air balloons but they sure didn't look it from the balcony.  

Next Monday I'll tell about our second day in Kiel when we took a walking city tour, went to a beer tasting and did a little shopping. I was surprised how little free time we had so not much shopping was done. 

Now, I'll be linking up with my favorite Monday Linky parties. 

Oh Scrap! 

Design Wall Monday

Monday Musings

To Do Tuesday 

Happy Quilting All! Bonnie