Some pictures

Not of quilts, though.  There have been wildfires burning in southeastern Arizona for the last week or so and some in southwest New Mexico.  We are over 200 miles from the fires but with the strong southwest winds we have been getting smoke blowing into Albuquerque for the last several nights.  It clears out during the day and blows back in at night.  Here is a picture my husband took this evening about 6:30 pm Mountain time.

This is looking West at the sun through the trees in the back yard.  The wind was blowing pretty strong and all we could see was an orange ball.

Next, looking East:

This is the view above the roof of our neighbor's house across the street.  You can just barely make out the outline of the Sandia Mountains.  Usually we can see the tiny shapes of trees and rocks up there. 

And finally:

This is from the web cams looking over the city.  That haze is all smoke and ash floating in the air.  Outside it smells like a campfire, a big one!  We could use some good rain out here but that is not in the forecast.  We have not had any significant rain in the Metro area yet this year.  Everything in the state is so dry.  We are almost always under Fire Weather Watches and a lightning strike, a tossed cigarette or a hot exhaust pipe from a vehicle parking in the grass is enough to start a fire.  I wish we could transport the excess water in the areas that are experiencing floods out west.

We are doing fine as long as we stay inside and keep the windows closed.  I wouldn't be surprised if the Arizona fire crosses the New Mexico state line if the winds keep up tonight.  I feel so bad for all the people who have to evacuate their homes that are in the path of the fires.  My prayers go out for them.

On the quilty front, I need to take pictures of my first five Henrietta Whiskers blocks, the pattern for the sixth one just came out yesterday.  I finished up a small tumbler quilt that I need to show off, too.  Maybe tomorrow I can get some good pictures of those.  I have been hand quilting the Jan Patek Snowbound quilt, it is almost half way along.  I am loving it and am anxious to get it finished up. 

Have a relaxing evening!