Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Oh my! Its been a while...

Sorry, its been a while since my last post. And here I thought I was going to routinely keep up with this blog...NOT! I'm so bad at this. Everyone I know who has a blog does such a nice job. They routinely post updates on their family, craft projects, even favorite recipes! I guess I'm hopeless.

Ok, I've wallowed in self pity long enough...I'm done.

It was a busy August. The first week in August we visited several Iowa colleges: Grinnell, Drake, Pella, and Luther. Grinnell was the winner, so far. Lauren wants to do an overnight visit there in November. She also will be checking out Beloit soon.

Lauren turned 17 in August!!! OMG! Where did the time go? She's this beautiful, young woman now! Not a little girl anymore. She is a joy to be around (most of the time..)! She's articulate, poised and has a great sense of humor. How did we get so lucky? Love you, sweetie.

I got to go to the annual Door County quilt event this year. I missed last year's event. What a fun time! and what a beautiful setting. Its soo relaxing up there...Thanks Miss J. for having it!

Lauren's French exchange student stayed with us for almost 2 weeks after I returned from Door. Lola was a charming young lady. Quiet but very sweet. I hope she had a great time! We certainly enjoyed having her visit.

School started in August,too. Big Senior this year! Early-bird PE first trimester..yuck. Lots of homework. Not enough sleep...

I started Water Aerobics in September. Its not a pretty picture but its a great workout. And considering my fear of deep water...its quite an accomplishment! I also signed up through December..just to keep up the pace.

I had Gourmet in September. We usually have the summer off and then return in September. The menu was chicken Marsala, Parmesan Smashed Potatoes, Peas with Prociutto, Asian Pear and Arugula salad, and No-Bake Creme Brule. It was pretty tasty!

Its almost October. The weather is turning a bit cooler these days. I love it! Lauren gets senior pictures taken soon. Hope the leaves are beautiful by then.

Homecoming was last weekend. She looked fabulous! Looked like she had fun with her friends, too.

I'm working on a quilt I started in Door. Its called 'Garden Trellis" I hope to finish it soon. We'll see, I still have to add some applique.

Finished up 2 pair of socks and a 3 scarves for knitting projects. The scarf pattern is Fringed scarf. Gave a pair of socks and one scarf to Lola before she returned to France. Lauren got a pair of socks and a scarf and the third scarf went to a friend of Lauren's as a birthday present.

Got the new Fons and Porter "Quilt Celebrations". It has all Patrick Lose projects in it. I made a small wall hanging of a spider. Its at Common Threads Quilt Shoppe. Forgot to take a picture....

Later....

Monday, July 12, 2010

Mid-July ALREADY!!

Wow, its the middle of July, already!!! We picked up Lauren on Saturday from Kampsville, Illinois. Her 3 weeks at the Center for American Archeology were amazing! She was so enthusiastic and energized by the whole experience. All she could talk about was 'next year'!

She gave us a tour of the grounds (the dorm and surrounding area). After we packed the car with her stuff..her giant duffle bag, pillow and blanket, and box of books, we drove a couple of blocks to the excavation site. It is located behind the convenience store in this little town. In the 1970's they were building in this area and unearthed some artifacts and it has been a 'dig' site ever since. In fact, it is likely that most of the town sits upon ancient Indian artifacts dating back to the Middle Woodland era.

We then stopped at a fresh fruit stand in someones front yard and purchased some yummy fruits and vegetables. Kampsville is located in Calhoun County in Illinois and is well known for its peaches, blueberries and plums.

Next stop was at the American Archeology Museum. It is located in what used to be the general store when Kampsville was in its infancy. It is situated along the Illinois river (which was out of its banks). Lauren showed us around the museum and shared her knowledge about the ongoing archeological digs in the area....fascinating! We couldn't leave before we bought a couple of more books....

Oh, and did I mention that in order to get across the river at kampsville you must take a ferry?? And that Lauren and her fellow campers took this ferry twice a day for meals?? Remember how I feel about Bridges? Well, double that for ferries.....Lauren asked if we would like to cross the river to see where they had to go to eat, but the ferry had just left and it would have meant quite a wait for its return so we opted not to go (Oh darn...NOT).

We then left for home. Stopped in Hannibal and had lunch at the Mark Twain Diner and visited a couple of shops. Hickory Stick Quilt shop for me, a book shop for Lauren and an antique car place for Bob.

I have been working on a few projects the last couple of weeks. I finally finished the New York Beauty Goes To Hawaii. That was painful, but it is now hanging in the living room. I am starting a quilt with some embroidered blocks in it. I got the pattern from Quilt Life magazine.

Time to close and get on with the day. So glad Lauren is home!!

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

June

So, June is almost over. Where has the summer gone? Its been a pretty good one so far. Dear daughter is in Kampsville, Illinois for an archeology camp! She is having a really great time! We've talked a couple of times and written letters....there's a lost art! She will be there for 3 weeks total. She is in the second week.

Good friend J. and I took Lauren to camp on the 21st of June. We stopped in Hannibal at a great quilt shop! I left there a few bucks poorer... We visited the museum and had lunch at the Mark Twain Diner (they make their own Root Beer!). Then across the mighty Mississippi into Illinois and about a 35 minute drive to where this camp is. We got her settled (it was sooo hot and no air conditioning).

J and I then started our adventure to St. Louis, Mo. In case you don't know , and why would you, I HATE BRIDGES!!! So naturally, we had to cross every major river in a America!!!!!Several of which were only 2-lane and questionable in structure (by my way of thinking). Especially when we are forced to wait for the bridge in question to raise so a barge can pass. Oh, that was a highlight....

When we finally get to St. Louis, they were having a HEAT WAVE!! It is 95 degreesF. We arrive at our motel, and get checked in and settled in our room. It is about 7 pm. We decide to go to the Mexican restaurant, attached to the motel, for dinner. A nice margarita sounds yummy....

We walk in the restaurant, and there is NO AIR CONDITIONING!!!! It is like an oven in there. We order our food 'to go' but we have to wait for it so we have a margarita while we wait. Get the food, go back to our room, and eat it there.

Next day we are off and running to quilt shops and yarn shops in the greater St.Louis area. Several are not open because it is Monday. We went to Eureka, Mo. to a shop, Susie -Q's. It was very nice. The folks there were very helpful and informative. After that, we finally found Loopy Ewe, and on-line yarn shop that you have to call to set up an appt. to visit. Well worth the time and effort!

Ate lunch at Canyon Cafe in Fontenac Shopping Center. Fish tacos...YUMMY!! (Don't forget the Mango margarita!) Went to Williams Sonoma, Sur La Table (another broken Air conditioner!!), Bassinger Chocolates, and MAC makeup. Nice shopping, very upscale. The bathrooms alone were worth the visit! Each stall had its own toilet AND sink!!(I sound like Gomer Pyle...Gollie!)

Next, we went to the Quilted Fox. Across the road from the Fontenac Center. It was nice, but located on the second floor of a building...weird. Then on the the Container Store....OMG!! What a fun place.

Then we met with a friend of J's and his family at a coffee shop in Kirkwood. Had a nice visit. Then back to our hotel. Snacked on some chips and dip from the night before, knitted with some new needles and sock yarn I got at Loopy Ewe, watched a little tv and went to bed.

Got up in AM, had a so-so breakfast at the motel and back to Iowa. Had a great time, just wish it hadn't been above 95 degrees the entire time...

July 10 Hubby and I will go back to Kampsville and pick up dear daughter. Crossing a few more rivers, no doubt.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Memorial Day Weekend

Holy Smoly....Its Memorial Day weekend! Where has the time gone? Sorry for the lack of blogging. I have been busy but I'm not sure I've been so busy that I couldn't have written a little something.

School is almost out. They have to go til June 7 because of the snow days last winter. Everyone loves a snow day until its the end of the school year.

Daughter had a wonderful time in France! She was there over spring break plus a few extra days beyond. A week in Paris and then on to the south of France to spend a week with a host family. The experience was terrific and I know she would go again in a blink (who wouldn't?). In late August we will be hosting the French girl that daughter stayed with..how cool is that?

We've also been busy with more JazzEnsemble competitions and performances. The Jazz band is really exceptional. And we are all quite grateful that the school district hasn't cut any of these fine programs.

Prom was in May. Daughter's first. She wasn't all that terribly impressed. I think the most excitement comes from the preparation more than the actual going to the prom...oh well.

Been getting some planting done in our yard. We live in a condo, so there isn't much yard to deal with. But we split up several hosta and spread them around a bit. Everything is looking very lush now.

Finished knitting a top for daughter. She actually liked it! Haven't seen it on yet.

I've started a quilt for daughter. It is from a Kaffe Fasset book called 'Quilts In the Sun'. Its the one on the cover. I've got it cut out, but still working on assembly.

I finished up a quilt that was made with my embroidery machine. Its the first time I've done something like this. It was a block of the month and I realize I really hate block of the month quilts...it takes forever! But the finished project is cute and I certainly learned alot about using the embroidery side of my machine.

In fact I guess I learned so much that I traded in the Brother embroidery machine for a new Brother Quattro machine. It has bigger hoops and still is a fabulous sewing machine.Just got it about a week ago.

Patrick Lose was in Iowa again. What a fun guy! He taught a class for the quilt shop. They made his poster quilt, Upward Mobility. I had made the piece earlier so it would be in the shop to entice people to take the class. Its now hanging on my front door...cute as can be!

Have a great weekend, everyone. Hope all is well.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

More Snow

Man, will it ever turn into spring? More snow today and another snow day from school! Everyone is hunkered down for the day. I woke up early when the school system called at 6:15am! So I changed the bedding on the guest room bed so I could show off my finished Exclamation Point quilt. I got the pattern from a Better Homes and Gardens quilt mag a couple of years ago. Finally finished it up and have it on a bed! Looks great, if I do say so myself.

I have been working on a quilt for the shop that I will be teaching. Not going so well....I keep avoiding working on it because it brings me no joy. I gotta snap out of it!!

Daughter dear has to have ear tubes inserted before she flies to France. She leaves for France on the 11th of March and her tube surgery is scheduled for March 5. A few years back she had a ruptured ear drum from a plane landing and we certainly don't want to repeat THAT incident!!

Traveled to Pella Iowa this last weekend to hear daughter's Jazz Ensemble play in a competition at Central College. They were fabulous and took first in just about all catagories! We also met my brother and sister-in-law there. They enjoyed the performance as well.

Of course we couldn't leave Pella without getting some Dutch Letters...YUM! What a charming town. We ate in a Greek resaurant (go figure..)that was delicious. The name was Kaldera (I think).

Ok everyone...THINK SPRING!!!

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Happy New Year!!

Well, here we are in 2010! I'm still having a hard time writing the new date. Man, do I feel OLD!

More crappy weather has visited the area in the last few days. Freezing rain and sleet...nice combo. Daughter had no school yesterday , but had to trek in this morning. Tomorrow should be better and then more white stuff on Saturday...

I moved some stuff around in my sewing room. I got a new embroidery/sewing machine and I needed to rearrange things to make them a little more useable.

Man, do I like my new machine! Its a Bother 2800D. It does a wonderful job and I also got Floriani embroidery software that is fantastic! What fun!!

Since I was snowed in yesterday, I decided to make something with my new sewing machine. So I made an abreviated version of Pop Heart poster quilt by Patrick Lose. I love his designs and they are quick to do.

Didn't have to work today, but I will tomorrow.

Happy sewing!