New Hampshire Boondocking! Publishing a little late. :)

 Summer In New Hampshire!

We are in Bethlehem ,  New Hampshire.   Gene's sister and brother in law have a wonderful house on  some lovely land overlooking the White Mountains.  We are here for a family gathering and came up early.  Oh the view!  Boondocking is a wonderful thing.    It is so quiet and peaceful.

Hello World!

 We have been back since May.  We came home to get the boat in the water and ready for sale.  Well, after 2 new batteries and some scheduled maintenance , the boat when in the water.  4th of July!  Washing the interior, exterior.....  The boat is ready.  Now we need to launch the rubber raft.  

South of Boston Quilts for Kids:

While I have been home I have joined a quilting organization called South of Boston Quilts for Kids.  Gene's cousin's wife has a friend that is always looking for quilters and gave her my # .  My first visit, I got a kit to make a quilt, all pre cut with material that had ben donated to the organization.  There were only about half a dozen of us but the number varies rom week to week.  I am learning from some very impressive  women!  I am humbled by the knowledge and skill of these members.  I watch and learn as these women sew, piece, and machine quilt material into beautiful, comfy, huggable quilts for kids, elders, homeless, premies,.........

I am learning how to select fabric for different patterns.  I watch as they free motion quilt.  I watch with envy as they use a walking foot for make such beautiful patterns of lines, circles, triangles and other shapes.  

I have make quilts before.  I have made tied quilts for each of my children,  more like comfort quilts.   Last year I started to hand quilt.  very relaxing.  

This was the first quilt that I made.  30 + years ago.  I was well loved and falling apart, so I hand quilted it together to keep it together for future generations, I hope.  Love it.

Well that started me on  a quest to hand quilt.  Next came a quilt that I made for Mom in 1985.  I gave that to my sister Maureen when it was done. 

This was pre hand quilting. :)

These are the quilts that I am working on for the organization.  

This is ready to begin machine quilting

This is the next on to be quilted.

I have also cut material for a Halloween Quilt that I will be piecing soon and then finishing to donate.  

All of the fabric that we use was donated at some point.  If anyone feels compelled to donate, we need lots of batting!!!!  :)

I quess more to come as I move along my road to learning, sewing, and donating quilts!!!

Deb 

 

Time for some great slide shows?

 We have traveled to some wonderful places.  We have gone from New England to the border of Mexico.  We have stayed on farms, at museums, at brewery s , and truck rest stops.  This trip has ben a blast. 

We have met so many fabulous people this time traveling.  Antique gallery owners, rig museum guides, farmers.  

Did you know that peacocks roost in trees?  Who knew!  They do and they sound like they are calling for help!  

I like showing videos of where we have been.  I am still trying to figure out all of the  ins and outs of video making but hear goes......

Jefferson Davis Home & Library in Biloxi, Ms

Monticello Florida

Cottondale, Fl

Coastal Texas

 We left the heat of Laredo TX and the Mexican Border for the wind of the coast.  We stayed in a beautiful state park, Mustang Island State Park, then stayed on the beach for one night on Magnolia Beach.  

Magnolia Beach

The beach was nice, and hard packed.  We were very close to the shore line but it never got to us.  It rained but it was still lovely to watch the rain on the beach and the waves going out.

 

Our neighbors

On the Bayou RV Park (above)

Angleton Tx.    This as a really neat place.  We were right on the bayou and Gene was able to fish right behind the rig!

Next stop was Galveston Island State Park.  Very nice! neat, clean and very windy.  easy ride into Galveston.

Mexican Border

I guess I never posted about our view of the Rio Grande and the Mexican Border!  We were staying in Laredo Tx. and of course had to see the border!

Road to the bridge and border

Along the Rio Grande

Rio Grande

Mexico

Trains going to Mexico

GPS of the border

It was very hot!  97 degrees!

Mustang Island and coast of Texas

 We have moved on from Laredo Tx and the 100 degree heat to the coast of Corpus Christi.  We stayed in a state park called Mustang Island.  very nice  not one the beach but just a short drive.  Beautiful.  Wind whipping!  It has rained the entire time we have been here.  Only views of the beach through the window.  That is really ok because it gives us time to just look around and explore by car.

Little critter welcoming us

Beach at Mustang Island

Port Aransas Pirate Ship!

Ferry from Port Aransas to  Port Lavaca

Our view from the Magnolia Beach in Port Lavaca

Rather that sit in the rain admiring the beach, we are going to leave in the morning and travel back to Galveston and slowly begin the sojourn back to Massachusetts.  We believe we will be back some time in the middle to end of May

My Son's Best Friend Vinny

 Katie called me today and said " I have some bad news.  Vinny died in a car accident last night"  

Vinny Rafferty was my son Jon's best friend.  Best man at his wedding. Yin for his yang.  

I always thought that as long as Vinny was around, I would still have a part of Jonathan to hug. The last time I saw Vinny was at Jon's memorial last June. It felt so good to see him and to have his hugs! Like an extension of Jon. Now he is with Jon.

I am so sad for his family, his wife Chrisi, his kids, and friends.

The pain I feel for Jon is still raw. This just adds to the sadness. I am grieving again, and so are Jon's friends. Most of all, so is my daughter, Katie. She lost her brother a year ago and lost his best friend yesterday . I am in Texas right now. I cannot hug her or cry with her physically, but she knows that I am with her.

Vinny, rest in peace my dear.

My heart!

At our pool!

Singing!

Vinny with a beard

Katie & Jon