A Saturday in the Mountains and I Received Mug Rugs

On Saturday we drove up into to the north Georgia mountains to scout out a fly fishing spot for my DH and DS for a future fishing trip.  It was just beautiful outside and a great day for a drive.  The spot they were interested in was 85 miles away. Part of the drive is highway and the rest is country roads that are at times  curvy with very slow drivers on them.  We made a stop in a Bavarian town called Helen for lunch.  Here's a couple pictures of the town.

This is a mini-golf course and hotel at the edge of town.

This is the main street, lots of tourists and this is the off season.

It's a cute little village but very commercial.  However, it was a great place to grab lunch before getting back on the road.

Next stop was a place called Smithgall Woods-Dukes Creek Conservation Park, they have excellent catch and release fly fishing for trout.  So, we took a little hike along the creek to check it out.  The creek is not very wide where we were but apparently further downstream (2 1/2 miles) is where the 'big' ones are caught.  We've seen the pictures of the fish and some are 20" - 24"  that is large for Georgia trout.  Here is the best picture I got at Dukes Creek.

The water was crystal clear. 

It was a gorgeous day so it made for a great ride except driving back straight into the sun - ouch! 

When we got home there was a package for me from Ava.  Ava got my name in the Quilting Gallery Mug Rug Swap.  I received two beautiful Mug Rugs and in the mug envelope is some hot chocolate, a candy cane, and a little tag that says "cheer".  Thank you Ava!

These are just so sweet!

All in all it was a great weekend.

Hope you have a pieceful evening,
Karen

View from the Treehouse and a Heart Block

We are having incredible weather, yesterday it was 72 degrees outside and we were able to eat dinner in the treehouse.  I guess I should explain about the treehouse.  We have a wonderful screened in porch that runs the entire length of the back of our house.  It is especially wonderful in the summer when mosquitoes, bees, and other bugs are running rampant.  (Right now there aren't any such critters.)  We also have a wonderful view of the lake but only in the winter - once the trees get leaves the view will be gone.  When you sit on the porch you feel like you are in a treehouse, hence the name.  It is also where the name Karen's Treehouse Quilts comes from.

View of the lake at sunset from the treehouse.

Heart Block
First I cut my squares.

Next I put everything together and here is my heart block.  It measures 8" x 8".

I'm pleased with how it came out.  Now I have to figure out if I want to make more - I cut tons of 2" squares so I need to do something with them.  This was a fun block and really looks pretty when it's done.

So, sad to here about the earthquakes down in New Zealand. Please keep them in your prayers.

Have a pieceful evening,
Karen

A Lost Giveaway Received and My Mug Rugs Have Been Sent!

Last week I received this wonderful quilt pattern from Terry Atkinson of Atkinson Designs  called Four Square Farmhouse.  I won it in a giveaway in the Fall-O-Ween Blog Hop last October and it had been lost in the mail.

I am so happy it has found it's way to my house.  Thank you, Terry!

 Yesterday was the last day for mailing my mug rugs for the Quilting Gallery's Mug Rug Swap.  I finished mine in the wee hours of the night before (I have a good excuse).  I ended up with my two grand kids in tow at the post office to mail my mug rugs across the pond.  I have never mailed anything overseas before so I didn't know what to expect but it was much easier than I thought it would be.  It was actually harder to keep the two grand kids in one place than it was to mail the mug rugs.  The grand kids were fascinated by the post office.  Here is a picture of the mug rugs I sent to my secret swap partner I really hope she likes them.

Oh my excuse for pushing the mug rugs right up to the deadline - our granddaughter has had pneumonia for the better part of four weeks.  She finally made it back to preschool yesterday (Monday).  She seems to be doing much better but is still on antibiotics (her third course), two inhalers, and her nebulizer.  Our grandson (her brother) had a ear infection with a ruptured ear drum.  So, two previously unhappy, grumpy, sick grandchildren are happy and healthier again - YIPEE!!!

Have a pieceful evening,
Karen