River View, Tiger Lily and Tiny Stitches

The Historic Columbia River Highway has been closed from just before the Vista House and in front of Multnomah Falls area due to the Covid19 virus.  People Were not being careful at these popular attractions so the USFS and State Parks made decisions to block them off until further notice.  For new readers, this is the Columbia River which separates Oregon from Washington (on the left).

On Wednesday Dayle and I went on some errands - to pick up my cross-stitching supplies, fill the gas tank and do a drive-thru lunch.  On the way home we visited Portland Women's Forum which was recently opened.  I can't tell you how happy it made me to see this view once again.

A zoom image of four huge barges being pushed by a big tug boat.  These are common on the Columbia River.  I'm guessing they hold wheat from Eastern Oregon.

About a month ago this huge Douglas Fir in Portland Women's Forum State Scenic Viewpoint was hit by lightning, look close and you can see half of it missing.  I wonder if the tree will survive?  I have been a member of Portland Women's Forum for many years and served as President for 4 years and am currently serving as Treasurer.  

Then.. I pulled up to the barricade heading to Vista House and asked the State Parks Ranger if he would let me through to get a photo of my beloved Columbia Tiger Lily wildflower which grows near a turnout on the way.  I told him that I was the Executive Director for the Friends of Vista House for 15 years and one of the founders of the group.  :-D  So, he pulled the barricade aside and let me pass.  I drove down the road and noted where some flowers were in bloom and then down to VH to turn around and head back and snuck a photo.  My beloved historic building is taking a well-earned break from the hordes of visitors who flock here.  

I was dismayed to only find ONE stem of the Columbia Tiger Lily in bloom.  Many times there are swaths of them in several locations.  The other flowers were all spent, I'm so happy this one was in perfect bloom.

Dayle actually had to do some climbing up into the bushes to get these photos for me using my iPhone.

I am absolutely in love with this amazing wildflower.

These are small and the circumference is the size of a silver dollar.  I do hope they re-seed widely for a good bloom next year.

Dayle snapped this cute little wildflower too.. it's a wild native Penstemon.

And now to my new project.  I have a wonderful blog friend named Helen Philipps who is a quilter, stitcher, designer and book author.  I am always amazed by her beautiful work.  On her current blog post she showed this adorable pin cushion and you can buy the pattern on her Etsy shop for an immediate download.  This design spoke to me with the red house, the flags and patriotic designs.  So, I went straight to her shop and bought it.   

I ordered the supplies via email from Craft Warehouse and they did the shopping for me and all I had to do was go in and pay for it. 

I got to use my new tailors scissors to cut the Aida fabric.  My friend Taci made the cover for it and gifted it to me one year.  

I saw some cool black scissors on Amazon and had to have them.  They're very sharp and only cost $16.99.  The handles are rubberized.

I cut the cloth bigger than I needed so I wouldn't run out of space.  :-)  Then I set to work.

I have to admit I got rather obsessed with working on this tiny little house.  LOL!  I blame my blog friend Vera who has been sharing her cute little cross stitch samplers she makes.  :-)

I changed the color placement on the roof, putting the blue on the outside edge.  The pattern calls for 2 strands of floss but I wish I'd used 3 strands as the 2 strands seem thin on my piece.  I see more stitching obsession again today.

I hope to get this done quickly so I can use it in my 4th of July decorations around the house.  I also must say that it did my blood pressure good to concentrate on this stitchery and not think so much about how dire the C-19 situation is in the USA.

Please wear a mask when out in public, Please wash your hands often.  PLEASE stay home and only go out for necessities.. (ok ok, floss isn't a necessity.. or is it?)  BE SAFE AND STAY WELL.

((hugs)), Teresa :-)