Hope you had a good holiday celebration!
I have some good news and I promise I will get to it. But please let me whine first. After all, if I don't do it here, where can I?
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| In Yorktown |
Paul and I decided to visit Colonial Williamsburg so we made hotel reservations a few weeks in advance. The plan was to spend July 4th in Yorktown, July 5th in Williamsburg, and July 6th in Jamestown.
I booked us a sailboat cruise (6:30 - 8:30) on the York river, after which we could watch the fireworks. As we drove from our hotel to a parking garage (near the waterfront), as recommended by our hotel concierge, we were looking forward to a great evening.
Alas, there was no way we could drive to the waterfront. After 45 minutes of driving in circles and being rerouted by cops, we parked in a battlefield. We had to walk about 25 minutes in 90 degree heat to get to the sailboat tour location. It was crowded but everyone else seemed to be in a party mode, dragging coolers, herding kids, pushing strollers. Many folks were scantily clad, ready for a day at the waterfront.
Hot and sweaty, hungry, thirsty and wiped out, we were relieved that we made it to the location in time just to find out that the stormy weather had led to the cancellation of the tour. The sailor graciously agreed to refund our tickets. Thank goodness!!!
Paul suggested we seek refuge in one of the upscale restaurants on the location. After a 45 minute wait, we were seated. Finally, we were comfortable. So we lingered as long as we could, since it was pouring outside. When we stepped out around 9:00PM, we were just in time to watch the fireworks, over the York river. It was a double delight because the fireworks not only lit up the sky but the reflection on the water surface was just as beautiful.
Then we walked back to the battlefield. I almost lost my left shoe in the mud/muck, thanks to the rainstorm. By the time we returned to our hotel, thanks to the traffic and cops routing the cars, it was 11:00PM.
I begged Paul to abandon our Colonial Williamsburg plans for the next day. It is going to be 96 degrees, I pleaded my case. We can revisit in Fall, I added. Surprisingly he did not need much persuading.
We began July 5th with a complimentary breakfast where I played with my mediocre food (see pictures below) and Paul left the dining room hungry.
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| Boiled Egg - Yolks with Salt & Pepper |
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| Cream Cheese and Hot Sauce added |
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| Mixed Well |
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| Deviled Eggs |
I suggested that he go find breakfast while I stayed in the room and watched TV. When he returned we spent some time at the indoor pool. Just something to do on a hot day. Later in the afternoon, we decided to catch a movie, followed by dinner.
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| Outside the movie theatre - Paul looks cool, I look visually handicapped :-( |
The movie (Despicables 4) was fun but the food at the stylish DoG Street Pub was disappointing.
Paul ordered Shepherd's Pie and I got Pork and Broth.
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| Pork and Broth |
The Shepherd's Pie was bland and heavy on the potatoes. Paul added salt and did not complain. The Pork was flavorful and the broth was savory but the dish was overloaded with thick undercooked noodles. Paul ate half of his while I stopped as soon as I ate all the pork I could find.
I guess the pub was a beer haven and the food was an afterthought. We should have left just then but my disappointment saga had more in store.
When I saw Eton Mess on the Dessert Menu, my mind conjured up images of
Hannah Waddingham and Drew Barrymore having a blast. Sadly my dessert was overloaded with meringue, with less than two strawberries in it. It lacked the summer freshness I was seeking.
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| The lone strawberry in the Eton Mess |
I dutifully complained about the entire experience. They dutifully apologized and removed the dessert from our check. Small mercies. I had made reservations in advance and the place had decent reviews. May be we just ordered their worst dishes.
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| At the College of William and Mary |
After dinner, we walked around a bit around the College of William and Mary before returning to our hotel.
Historic Jamestown was captivating. Paul was particularly interested in the maritime aspects, since he was in the Navy, albeit briefly.
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| Paul, the seaman :-) |
We watched a movie in the cool indoor auditorium :-) I learned that colonists had a difficult time as they tried to manage in a new place while they dealt with disease, starvation and a hostile environment away from home.
Such reverence for the colonists' struggles while many of us loathe the immigrants who are trying to do much the same - searching for a better life and fleeing persecution. How do we pack so much double standards in one place? Will America ever self-examine?
I'd had enough so we visited the gift store.
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| Surprising Find in the Gift Store |
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| No, I did not Buy :-) |
Paul still wanted to see a bit more. So we walked across the pedestrian bridge, over the swamp to the James River, where we saw remnants of an old church and the statue of Pocahontas. All I wanted to do was dip my feet into the river as the hot sun was beating its hammer on the earth's anvil. But the shore was stony and there wasn't a safe way to do so.
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| Too Hot |
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| The Swamp |
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| Once upon a time Church |
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| Rocky Shores of the James River |
We ate lunch at Sal's by Victor. In spite of the snooty waiter, we had a good meal. I got a Burrata Salad (too hot to eat anything more substantial) while Paul got Spaghetti and Meat Sauce. Just before leaving, I asked for ice in a to-go cup. But the snooty waiter wasn't a good listener. He brought iced water in a to-go cup, which melted even before we got to our blazing hot car.
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| Goodbye Jamestown |
It was time to return. I drove with A/C on full blast, while Paul napped. We got home shortly after 5:00. I have never been happier (or more heat exhausted) to be home.
Me: Paul, if we ever travel in the summer, let's go north, please.
Paul: Like Chicago?
Me: Or Boston or upstate New York.
Paul: No guarantees that those places won't be burning.
Me: I know. But we stand a better chance.
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I came home to a new magazine by Annie's - the special publication - Perfect Precut Quilts. And now the good news. My quilt Shanvi is in it :-)
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| Shanvi, 60" by 80" |
Shanvi is a layer-cake friendly pattern. Designed in EQ8 and made with Island Batik fabrics Fire and Ice, an original collection by Claudia Pfeil, Shanvi finished at 60" by 80".
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| Scrappy Pieced Border |
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| Published!!! |
I used the bright fabrics to make the focus blocks and used the subdued colors to make the alternate blocks. The scrappy border completes the look.
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| Here comes the Sun! |
The binding is Island Batik light grey solid and the backing is an Island Batik Basic (BE33-E1 Tin Dot). I used Thermore Batting by Hobbs. I quilted a 2" grid using my walking foot and the trusted squiggly stitch.
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| Binding and Backing |
I am loving Shanvi. Hope you will check out the magazine. It contains 11 precut friendly patterns.
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| One last sideways glance! |
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In other news, Angela has announced the Rainbow Scrap Challenge color for July - Turquoise. Here are my picks - all leftovers from Island Batik fabrics.
We have just received our second shipment of boxes from Island Batik and some supplies from Missouri Star Quilt Company. That blogpost is next. I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties (see full list on the sidebar) and Angela's on Saturday.
Please stay cool and hydrated.
