Last Of The Butterflies

This is the last of the butterflies and dragonflies blocks in the round robin.  It's Arlene's, and I think she picked lovely colors for her block.  There wasn't much room left, so I ended up filling in little odds and ends.

One caterpillar, one butterfly, and one dragonfly later, the piece is on its way home.

Dinner In Destin

We visited Florine, Saint, and their daughter Alexandra during home leave.  It was such a hardship, as they live in Destin, Florida.  Surprisingly, this was my first visit to the state.

Second night there, we walked to McGuire's Irish Pub.  The place was packed and noisy, but the food was delicious.  They had a loaf of dark wheat bread with honey butter for the table.  My plate and some others came with unremarkable salad.  Andreas had the sausage plate, which had four different kinds of sausage.  He couldn't finish it all, but each had a distinct flavor.  I had prime rib, a huge slab of meat which I shared around.  The asparagus was mine, too.  Asparagus was well cooked but not overcooked, and obviously steamed, as it should be.  Prime rib was flavorful, juicy, and not very fatty.  Saint had the barbecued ribs.  Normally, I don't like pork ribs, but these were an exception.  They have a smoker that they use to cook them, and the difference was noticeable.  Florine had the chicken pot pie.  We walked around Destin's small harbor afterwards to let dinner digest and to look at the water.  A very wonderful ending to a wonderful day.

One More Hurdle Crossed

Fourteen parts done, and only a few more left to go!

Lackluster Lunch

 On our way to Florida, we stopped for lunch at a McAlister's Deli just past Jackson, Mississippi.  It'd been ten years or so since we'd stepped foot in one, and I believe that's a pretty good amount of time between.  This is a chain throughout at least the southern US, and, frankly, it's not very good.  The food is obviously precooked and nothing seems fresh.  Andreas had soup in a bread bowl and half an Italian sandwich.  I had a French dip.  Not even the pickle spears were crisp!  It'll be another ten years before we stop in at another one of these...

Need Moar Green

I've got the house well underway, but there needs to be more green for the yard.  Time to get more work done!

Un-Whitework All Done

One more challenge piece done!  I think it came out well, and I'll be making it into an ornament soon.

Last Of The Flowers

 These are the last of the flowers from the American Rose Center.  Yes, the roses in the pictures are beautiful, but we had to look hard for them.  The plants were not well pruned, dead headed, or watered regularly, from the looks of it.  The  grounds are unkempt (notice the lack of landscapes in these sets) and the place has the general look of falling into dishabille.  Thank you to Andreas for being able to find the golden flakes in the dross.