Back with Pictures

This is that pink flowering tree I mentioned in yesterday's blog. It is kool, no?

I was unable to attain membership in the aforementioned cult and have returned to IL to drink my watered down homemade coffee with no foam, and no soaring peaks of caffeine rush. You can take a gal away from the midwest but you can't take the midwest outta that gal. It is not good manners in OC to gape in awe at Landscapes like this one:

HUGE mansions every where you look. I was on one side of a ravine or canyon or whatever they call it there and took this shot of the neighborhood. The first days there were overcast, to prevent me from going blind from the grandeur I assume. Eventually I became accustomed to the largesse and my drooling ebbed.

Of course I was there to teach two quilting workshops and give a lecture, and I did manage to pay attention to my students and had a thoroughly great time. I am pleased to announce that I behaved and never once knit in class. I am so proud.
However, the very first day I was introduced to the most intense yarn store I have ever seen.

Welcome to Velona's.


Mr. Velona changed the lightbulbs while we were there.

Although I am not interested (yet) in needlepoint, the wall of Paternayan yarns were so colorful that I had to include this shot.

Not to mention all the DMC.


And buttons and samples and boxes yet to be shelved.

It was overwhelming. I admit I did not leave unscathed.

I bought a dozen in this colorway and another dozen in a great blue purple combo called Bachelor Buttons. It must have been the altitude...

I went back to the store on the way home and managed only to shoot these digitals, and snuck out without a purchase.

O the yarn she has in inventory! It astounds. I saw yarn there that had to be 30 years old, and also the very newest things too. One could barely walk between the shelves and touching anything prompted a domino effect with boucoup skeins dropping all around you.

My hostess Phyllis took me everywhere and was so gracious and such a good cook. I was even given a tour of Newport Beach, Balboa Island and the great shops and boutiques that one usually visits on vacation. I have the best job.

Now to return overdue library books and laundry. sigh. It's good to be home. Yeah right.