The Deschutes River Runs Through It

Last month, the Hubster and I spent a couple of weeks housesitting for our son and his fam in Yelm, Washington.

We took a couple of day trips to nearby Tumwater.

Founded in 1845 and originally named New Market, Tumwater is the oldest permanent Anglo-American settlement on Puget Sound and served as a final northern terminus of the historic Oregon Trail.

It just so happens that the salmon run takes place every fall in Tumwater. We hiked the Riverwalk Trail a couple of times while we were housesitting.

Tumwater River Walk Trail

*Clicking on a photo will give you a closer look!

Tumwater River Walk Trail

That walkway that you see people strolling on is part of the salmon run. You can look down through the grates to the water.

Tumwater River Walk Trail

The fish ladder that corrals the Chinook is a concrete formation built along the edge of the Deschutes River.

Tumwater River Walk Trail

Tumwater River Walk Trail

The walk is pleasant and peaceful. There are benches to sit and contemplate if you wish.

Tumwater River Walk Trail

I highly recommend clicking here.

The link will take you to a page where you can view a short, gorgeous video of this park. There are two videos; scroll to the second one.

After viewing the video, I bet you will want to take a walk in the park!

Tumwater River Walk Trail

Deschutes Falls Park

The same Deschutes River that runs through Tumwater also runs through the Deschutes Falls Park.

The park is close to Yelm, so it was an easy day trip.

Deschutes Falls Park

Deschutes Falls Park

There was no one hiking here the afternoon that the Hubster and I visited.

Deschutes Falls Park

There is a gorge, a canyon, waterfalls and cool rock monoliths to explore!

Deschutes Falls Park

This was such a serene and lovely place to be!

Again, if you click on the link above, you will see a short video that shares more than I can in this post.

Deschutes Falls Park

I was looking for an easy pattern/idea to cut a kit for myself to sew while housesitting. Something that I wouldn’t have to concentrate too much while sewing.

I made the hourglass blocks at my son’s, and sewed them together here at home.

Hourglass Quilt

Amy Smart graciously shares her free pattern at her site, Diary of a Quilter. Thank you Amy!

See the world around you!

Pillowcases and Trivets

Since the fire/smoke season hit (it used to be called summer), I lost my sewing mojo.

Who wants to sew when it is 100 degrees in the sewing room? Who wants to turn on the iron? And if you do turn on the iron, you have to turn off the window air conditioner (the only one in the house, and it is upstairs), because the iron and the air conditioner do not play together.

And the smoke is so thick that one cannot open windows at night and early morning to cool off the place!

Enough of that whining. Things could be worse.

Ever since summer became fire season a few years ago (this is our 4th year of drought), we pack our Go Bags and try to be ready for evacuation, should there be a need. It has come close a few times.

But we are so blessed.

This year, it was my oldest sister who had to evacuate. This was so unexpected! She lives in the big city. Spokane. All of my sisters (and myself) were born in Spokane. And thankfully, another one still lives there and took in our evacuated Big Sis.

Eight long days.

And then she received word. Her home is still standing, and she can go back.

So blessed!

I live 2 hours north of Spokane. The air had cleared and the blue sky was fabulous! For a brief respite, all the windows were opened.

But fire season isn’t over. The smoke is back.

I adjust, like we all must to our circumstances.

I really like making pillowcases because they are so quick, easy, and make great gifts!

If you would like to see more pillowcases, you can click here. I have made quite a few.

And sewing something, anything, brings back the sew mojo.

Pillowcases

I have also done some scrap sewing.

More trivets (potholders or hotpads).

Trivets/Potholders

These are also quick and easy and make great gifts!

Click here, and you can see how I make them. However, I don’t make a circle template anymore. I just draw around a plate. Faster and easier.

Trivets/Potholders

Have fun and carry on!

Charms from the 90’s Finish 3

Back in April, I cut and sewed these tumbler blocks from charm square swaps with other quilters (a thing of the 90’s).

The plan is to use up all of those 90’s squares. I think they have finally collected the appropriate amount of dust.

90's Charm Squares

They stayed on the design wall until after vacation.

Long after, but not too long.

90's Charm Squares

I sewed these up into another sweet little table topper.

90's Charm Squares

The quilting is super simple.

Just machine stitching along the seams.

90's Charm Squares

And now I have another little project hanging out in the gift box until it is needed.

That is so much better than a stack of uncut squares collecting dust.

A lot of dust.

90's Charm Squares

Have fun and carry on!

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