ocean lover quilt

jelly fish quilt block, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Since the weather is so horrible I have taken advantage of doing inside projects which include quilting. I have quite a stash of fabric to choose from and am using a pattern from Vintage Quilts to create my new hand appliqued quilt. Who wouldn't love working on a jellyfish or sailboat quit block when it is 10 deg and snowing outside. I must bundle up soon though and retrieve wood from the garage to feed by yummy fire.

Gifts from the Sea, watercolor

Gifts of the Sea, watercolor, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

I have joined the sketchbook challenge (see right). It has encouraged me to sketch more often and try something new. There are prizes involved but so far there have been well over 1000 sketches posted. Each month is a different theme. This month is "highly prized" which intimidated me at first but came to realize that anything you are willing to sketch is a prize. I love to walk on the beach....so many things to distract the frenetic energy running around in your brain.....there is the ocean, the sky, the people, the birds and if you look down enough and are lucky there are shells. There are not too many on our beaches any more making them highly prized but through the years and after many walks you can end up with a little collection. I hope you find a good shell on your next beach walk

Happy 1st birthday, Gabriela

Gabriela and birthday cupcake, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Was it a whole year ago that this precious little girl was born? 1/11/11 marked Gabriela's "1" birthday. She celebrated in her frilly pink dress with friends and family and yummy cupcakes with pink cream cheese frosting. Although she has no interest in walking she scoots around fast with her classic crawl.

Gabriela, Amber, balloons

Gabriela, Amber, balloons, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Gabriela loved her cupcake but the balloons made her giggle walking along the ceiling

1st portrait sketch, Gabriela

This is my first portrait sketch, pencil, done on the airplane home from Seattle. Taken from this photo. on my iTouch.
sketch, Gabriela, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Walk on the Beach 1

Salt Creek beach, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

I had to get away from the cold and I was homesick for my California beaches and some of my dear friends and family so I took a few days away from Denver and visited California. I told my friends that what I missed the most was my walks on the beach so they all rallied around to make that happen.
The first morning (and every morning) my uncle's wife, Irmgard, and I headed off to Salt Creek in Laguna Niguel. We walked from their home down to the beach, gazed at the view and then returned....about 4 miles round trip with some serious ups and downs. This first beach walk started a string of wonderful times on the California coastline with my dear friends and family.

Salt creek, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Walk 2

Laguna Beach, Montage beach, sandpipers, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

My friend Sue and I decided to walk the beach at the Montage Resort in Laguna Beach on Saturday. This is a public beach below a fabulous resort with many paths to walk above the bluff as well. We walked both up and down and honestly were waiting for the local residents to invite us into their luxurious homes for wine. We ran into several families of sandpipers looking for their evening meal. The beach walk to
Aliso Creek and back is about a mile on the sand. You can walk for miles on the bluff paths and when it is time for sunset either sit on the beach or have a glass of wine up top

sunset at the Montage

sunset at the Montage, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Sue, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Then it was time for some wine

Walk 3

Crystal Cove, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Crystal Cove. Cherie, Sue, Edie and I decided to walk the beach at Crystal Cove on Sunday. We parked the car and started down the steep path at the northern end of CC State park just south of Corona del Mar. The beach ends just north of Emerald Bay in Laguna Beach....6 miles round trip on the sand. This walk took us almost 2 and a half hours. Beautiful day to walk. Wonderful women to walk with

Edie, Sue, me Cherie, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Beach power walkers half way through.

Rock climbing

Rock climbing, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

When we reached the end Sue and I just climbed up the bluff

Walk 4

richard henry dana, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

The Dana Point Marina. We started at the northern most end of the harbor and walked flat for over an hour. Well it is kind of a stroll but still very California and very beautiful. Richard Henry Dana, Jr. wrote "Two years before the Mast" as is the namesake for this harbor, the town and many local establishments. My uncle Dick and his wife walk this path daily. I was lucky to join them Monday and Wednesday

Dana Point Marina, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Still water and blue sky

Uncle Dick and Irmgard, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

My dear sweet Uncle Dick and his wife Irmgard walk the path daily and I was lucky to join them a couple of days

Sketchbook challenge

Laguna lifeguard station, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

"Highly Prized" is the theme for January's sketchbook challenge. The theme is in itself a challenge and I have sat 6 days trying to think of something appropriate, meanwhile following other posts that seem so different.
I lived in California for 62 years before moving to Denver. As I sit inside wondering when the warmest part of the day will be to take my big Akita, Sophie, out for our walk I remember warm sunny days and barefoot walks on the beach. The ocean and beach are my "highly prized" favorite place to be. I hope to return soon to refill my senses.

Blueberry/cranberry crostada

Blueberry/cranberry crostata, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

You can't see the cranberries because they are overpowered by the "blue" but you can taste them. This is a nice combination of sweet and tart. I used the recipe for the filling from "Bon Appetit" Thanksgiving issue but my regular crostata crust. This is great warm or cold with a little cinnamon whipped cream or ice cream. Enjoy!