168 I Like Thursday Posts

 Welcome to my 168th I like Thursday posts.  For the past few years a number of bloggers, encouraged by LeeAnna of Not Afraid of Color have created I like Thursday posts, or Thankful posts.  Our way of adding some positivity and beauty to the universe which has seemed topsy turvy.

One night as I was walking through the store I spied this potato.  Hanging out by the Vodka in the liquor aisle.  Do you think it is has high aspirations?

I guess if you are going to dream, dream big, aspire to be Absolut Vodka!  

While at my parents house I grabbed a box of Cheerios and they made me giggle.  

Some of the Cheerios are shaped like hearts!  Part of a heart healthy breakfast!  

 I saw this little red truck bird house and it made me smile. I love the old trucks, don't think that will ever change.

In fact I love old trucks so much imagine my delight when having breakfast with my middle daughter in Portland I spied this truck.

What is it about old cars and trucks that bring a smile to your face?  Is it because they bring back memories of simpler times?

Perhaps that is why I love seeing old windmills too?  

I know I have shared that my health plan through work encourages you to have check up, dental, eye, lose weight, test for diabetes, and many other things.  If you log in to their app, and synch it with your phone and log 10,000 steps a day you get points to spend in the "mall".  I bought myself a FitBit with my points.

What I have learned so far wearing it?  I don't sit still long enough for it to buzz at me to move.  I don't sleep enough, and I need to up my exercise regime.  

Back in November I started the On Grassy Creek Mystery Quilt by Bonnie Hunter.  I finished step one, and two and then stalled out.  After finishing the pineapple quilt it was time to choose a new UFO to work on so I grabbed the fabrics and started reading step 3.  I cut all the neutrals I needed, and then discovered I had not done a complete fabric pull.  I had the neutrals, golds, greens, and grays, but I had not pulled any of the reds or oranges.  I went shopping, stash shopping.  I hope it works out, some of the fabrics I don't think there is enough difference in the value but I am determined to not buy any fabric for this quilt.  

This is as far as I have gotten on step 3.

While cutting I spied this selvedge and it made me smile.

A local girlfriend is hosting a SAL on Facebook, she got the swap, SAL bug a year or so ago.  She really wanted me to join the group.  I joined but with the understanding I would not participate in any swaps.  I grabbed some scraps though to participate in her QAL.

Block 1.  I think this is a Pat Sloan block.

See a theme?  Yep I am using the fabric I have out and sitting around for this SAL too.

So far both of these blocks are made from 2 1/2 inch strips and a background fabric.  Super easy, even with partial seams. 

On the way home from Oregon I decided I wanted to visit Devil's Tower.  I don't remember ever stopping there before.  

I was very impressed.  I loved the picnic area nearby that had this sign with the Lakota story.

And an art installation called Circle of Smoke. 

I am definitely going to have to return for a visit in the future.  I hear they have an awesome after dark program.  There was a sign with a staggering statistic that less than 10% of the world's population has actually seen the Milky Way in all its glory due to ambient light and light pollution.  

Books....oh after figuring out how to use my phone I have almost averaged one book a day.  Remember my comment earlier how I stated I don't sit still long?  Well that also translates to not reading many actual physical books, other than at bed time.  But as I am at work, doing housework, working in the yard, working out I use that time well.

The Chelsea Thomas Apple Orchard Cozy Mysteries.  With Amazon Prime and Kindle Unlimited I could borrow the box set. 

Candy Apple Killer--Chelsea and her Aunt May have solved 3 recent murders in Pine Grove and are happy to have hung up their sleuthing for work at the orchard and the upcoming Candy Apple party.  Enter a new family, The Turtle family who are a couple of the most disagreeable people you can imagine.  When Mrs Turtle is left for dead at a corner table at the party after getting a "specially made" apple from K.P, Chelsea and Aunt May have to clear him, and fast. 

Berried Alive--A new developer wants to build a mega store in downtown Pine Grove, elbowing out many of the businesses that have been there for many years.  But before the first big protest by the local town fold he is found dead, face down in Aunt May's Berry Pie.  

Granny Smith is Dead---A History walk, hidden tunnels from the Revolutionary War and a love triangle, and town historian Granny Smith is discovered dead in a tunnel.  

Candy Slain----The Mayor has hired one of the most odious Santa Claus' imaginable.  So it is no surprise he is found murdered with a sharpened candy cane stuck through his heart. 

Shot Through the Tart---during a community production of Phantom of the Opera the lead actor is shot dead, everyone thought it was part of the play, except he does not get up to the standing ovation for his final bow.

Peaches and Scream---this is the first year the orchard is ready to sell peaches, so of course there must be a big peach party.  Later that night a person is found dead in the locked bake shop, a tarot spread before her, and Chelsea's keys to the bake shop are missing?  

Dread and Butter---Pine Haven's mayoral debate is anything but civil.  But then the deputy mayor is discovered dead with wads of bread shoved in his mouth.  Did the other mayoral candidate do in her competition?

The Smoking Bun.....There is a new hot chef in town working at Pete's Land and Sea.  He is thoroughly detestable and Chelsea discovers his dead body with a sticky bun lying nearby.  Death by sticky bun?

 

Bonefire of the Vanities by Carolyn Haines is book 12 in the Sarah Booth Delaney Mysteries. Sarah Booth and Tinkie go undercover at a retreat center where the leadership hold seances, with people who are on the periphery of Washington power brokers.  Is it all a scam to cheat Marjorie Littlefield out of her millions?  

Smarty Bones by Carolyn Haines is the 13th book in the Sarah Booth Delaney Mysteries.  Olive Twist has came to Zinnia to study "the Lady in Red" a body that was discovered decades before in an unmarked grave.  Olive declares that she has secrets to share that will upset the Richmond and Falcon families.  When Olive's assistant is found dead from a cup of coffee who really was the intended victim. 

Now head over to LeeAnna's at Not Afraid of Color to check out the other I Like Thursday posts!