Home Again

I took this picture of Mom and Dad at their doorstep just before I hopped in the car to return back home to NC yesterday morning, we always have a lot of fun when we visit them in New Hampshire; the time goes by much too quickly and it's never easy to say good-bye. I'm happy to report that they're doing great and we'll be back again in a few short months. Where they live now is not the home that I was raised in, they moved "up country" (from Massachusetts) a few years ago. But, for me, being back in New England and with my parents is going home again; wherever that place happens to be.  We spent time together over meals, at quilt shops, touring the area, playing cards and on a sunset dinner cruise on Lake Winnipesaukee's Mt. Washington last Friday evening along with my sister and her husband; it was just spectacular.
Here we are: me, Mom and my sister on the top deck, before dinner. I took the shots below as we progressed on our three hour tour (no Gilligan's Island reruns for us.... the weather was perfect).We disembarked "the Mount" to a vibrant fireworks display!

Of course, no trip to New Hampshire is complete without a stop at Mosquito Bridge in Winnesquam

for fried clams. This may be the single reason I am now on a cholesterol reducing drug. 

It's okay, it's worth it; this only happens once a year. Oh. My. Goodness... were they GOOD!

Life is Good!

Cheers!

Out with the old and in with the new... let's talk about New Year's resolutions: I resolved to eat better and exercise more in 2015. On our way home from visiting my MIL at the rehab late this morning we turned into the parking lot of the brand new Dairi-O restaurant for a milkshake. Well, it's not my fault that this happened... after all, it is "in with the new"... right?... and, since I had only just vowed to eat better this year what's better eating that a chocolate-cherry shake? C'mon, really.

I guess we'll be taking a long walk this afternoon.

Hi-ho... here we go...

Cheers!
Life is Good!

Dinner and a Show

We loved NBC's The Sing-Off last fall, it was a reality competition show that featured a cappella artists; our favorite, by far, was this group of five guys from Minnesota who call themselves "Home Free", they just happened to end up the series' winner.  I downloaded their first CD as soon as it was released. Their trademark tight harmonies and terrific arrangements are easy to listen to, believe me... I listen to them a LOT!  A few months ago my husband and I learned that they were going to be in concert last evening approximately 100 miles away, we purchased our tickets and patiently waited. We left early enough to eat dinner along the way beforehand; stopping at a fabulous Italian restaurant not too far from the theater. It's been a very long time since we've had a "dinner and a show" date! I could go on and on about how wonderful the concert was; we had great front row seats in the first balcony, coincidentally very close to friends from the local ski club (they, too, have been following these guys ever since "The Sing Off") but, instead, I'm going to link here to a video that will give you just a taste of what we experienced. After all these years (we had our first "dinner and a show" date when we were in high school, in 1970; then it was a sandwich and a milkshake before the Beatles' movie "Let It Be") it's a true blessing to still be sitting beside the same guy and enjoying each others' company on a fun evening out together.

Life is Good!

...and oh, so harmonious...

A Public Service Announcement

You're all familiar with these machines; let me warn you, however, about what to look for before you stick your cup underneath to dispense your beverage of choice. Make sure that the spout (black tube apparatus pointed out here) is, indeed, present and accounted for before you proceed to fill up!  How do I know? After choosing strawberry lemonade last week I was showered with red food coloring spraying out in all directions covering my arm and white pants (glad I wore those for the occasion!).  I looked like I had been through a massacre for the rest of my errands that evening. The manager, upon being informed of the machine malfunction, indicated that those spouts sometimes blow off, being under pressure, and can end up in an unsuspecting diner's cup! He did canvas those eating there at the time, all cups were clear except for drinks and ice; a "to go" customer likely carried away the prize!  The good news is that my pants did come clean! I soaked them overnight after treating them with Carbona's Stain Devils for coffee, tea and juice; I have a full complement of these specific stain removers and can whole-heartedly vouch for their performance; no laundry area should be without them, especially if you like strawberry lemonade!

Life is Good!

C'mon Along...

My husband and I had the opportunity to attend a quilt show just outside of Asheville a week ago last Friday. I am including here a photo-log and inviting you to ride along with me on a visual excursion of the highlights. I don't have the quilter's names or quilt titles (except for one); if you know these works and can supply me with any information that would be wonderful. This is a random sampling of quilts that appealed to me. There are some whole quilt shots, some details and a few photos with both, as indicated. Enjoy!

This quilt (Country Sunshine) was made by a friend if mine, Sandra Garrison;
 it was quilted by Theresa DeWalt. This is a detail shot, it is a nine block masterpiece.

All batiks, this was put together by the quilt-as-you-go method, I loved it!

This quilt (l) was the Best of Show... detail (r) shows ruching and hand quilting.

Stunning Baltimore Album (l) and incredible quilting details (r); two different shots, top and bottom

I love the bold, graphic visual impact of this organized scrap quilt, with detail shot(r).

How to top off a perfect morning? Lunch!
Homemade. Italian. Oh, yeah...

Wasn't that fun?

Life is Good!

Mid-Atlantic Musings

There is much to report from my recent time away. First, this photo was taken in the vendor's mall by Marcie's friend with her camera. Marcie posted it on her blog over at Patchalot and I lifted if from her! What a huge delight to run into my bloggy-buddy early on Friday. The Princess of Patchalot is fun and friendly; we picked right up where we left off when we last saw each other... two years ago! In fact, we lingered together at a table where we compared purchases and traded tips on products and patterns. I introduced her to my friends and she did likewise to hers, the conversation was easy and free-flowing. It was a great meeting of minds and hearts; hard to believe that we haven't been longtime, real-life, friends. Cultivating friendships is what Quilt Festival is all about.

The first purchase that I made on Wednesday evening at the Vendor's Mall preview was this book. I shopped from a list (much less dangerous that way) and this newly published one was first on my list, I found it right away. The remainder of my purchases were slow and methodical, all from that same list; threads, needles and a few long arm tools. The impulsive buy was limited to a few clever short-cut rulers, (and a few unplanned fat quarters), I easily rationalized those: better tools, more quilts in a shorter time! Shopping fun is what Quilt Festival is all about.

There was time for dinner out with long-time friends, and not just any dinner either; Surf Rider serves up the very best Crab Cakes I have ever tasted. We waited outside, in the rain, for an hour just to get a table inside this restaurant... that's how good the food is here! Do any of us look unhappy or disappointed in this photograph? Time spent strengthening old friendships in familiar places over delicious meals is what Quilt Festival is all about.

I attended a lecture presented by Ami Simms: Living With Quilts... A Survival Guide, it was fun and humorous, she shared photos and told stories of her quilting life at home. Ami has a wicked sense of humor. There were door prizes awarded before the lecture began and I was the lucky recipient of this book. I already have a copy here at home and would like to offer this prize to one of you. If you find yourself burdened by blue ribbons or overloaded with cash awards from entering your quilts into judged competitions this book covers the finer points that will help you out of that dilemma! Leave me a comment and I will draw a lucky name on Friday morning. Surprises is what Quilt Festival is all about.

This is a small portion of a the AAQI traveling exhibit that was part of the quilt show. This exhibit, "Heartbreak to Hope" raises funds and promotes awareness, through art quilts, of the dreadful disease that is Alzheimer's. The long purple banners bear the names of those who now have, or have had, Alzheimer's or a similar dementia diagnosed. These panels represent friends and loved ones; seeing them displayed, row after row, is a powerful visible reminder of the people behind the diagnosis. This exhibit had a profound effect on me; I couldn't take it all in at one time. I visited "Heartbreak to Hope" in several different time segments, going slowly and reading each and every story one at a time. Quilts with a purpose is what Quilt Festival is all about.

I took a class on Saturday, String Quilting, from Ami Simms. The class was relaxed and educational all at the same time! I learned a new technique for piecing some fast (and cute) string blocks and came home with this stack of twenty-five blocks all ready to set together. Learning new tricks and gaining inspiration from knowledgeable instructors is what Quilt Festival is all about.

As usual, it all went by too fast! I can't wait to make plans all over again for next year; it's always good to get away and yet, even better to come back home again. My quilt battery is fully charged and my energy level has been boosted through all that I saw and experienced; because, like the hokey-pokey, that IS what Quilt Festival's all about!

Life is Good!

Update: The book giveaway is officially closed, a winner has been chosen. Congratulations to Liz A.!

Are You Thirsty For Something Different?

Check this out, click on Freestyle the link:

My daughter and I stopped for sandwiches on Friday afternoon at a newly opened Firehouse Subs; I was intrigued by this machine inside the restaurant. We didn't get any drinks at the time, we brought our sandwiches home with us. Since then, though, I've had a minute to research the Freestyle Coke Machine. Apparently we're in the test marketing area, have you seen these machines where you live? I'm definitely making a trip back there, the sandwiches were delicious and I MUST get create myself a beverage. I simply cannot pass this up a second time!

Life is Good!

Restaurant Rendevous

I met a guy for dinner the other evening, he was passing through town and called me. Could I arrange a Restaurant Rendezvous? Could I? Are you kidding? Of course I could! Dropping everything, I zipped on over to our local Soda Shoppe, it's just off the highway and we connected for a quick dinner there before he had to take off, sigh... he had another pair of adoring grandparents waiting on the other end! Oh, don't get the wrong idea, Mr. Goodneedle came along with me. (Mr. G. is always my number one dinner date; for one thing, he's a much neater eater. He doesn't rub peanut butter and jelly in his hair.)

I'm so lucky!
Life is Good!