VISITORS & QUILTING THERAPY

My granddaughter and her friend spent their spring break from college with me this week.  It is always fun to pick something new to do with company.   On Monday evening, we took in an olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting in Pasadena.   Of course all of us forgot to pull out our cameras.  It was a great event and we left with some uncommon “California” gifts for them to take home.

They did the usual trips to the beach (even though it wasn’t all that warm) and shopping at the shore.  They even drove themselves into Hollywood to walk along the “Walk of Fame”.  Yesterday we spent time in Downtown Long Beach to see the Queen Mary and Shoreline Village.

Then on to my favorite haunt for dinner.

Isn’t it pretty with all the fairy lights?

This morning they took off early dark early because they have a long drive ahead of them.  I already miss them.  And since my therapy is quilting, today I am getting out that half-quilted quilt, and just maybe I’ll get it finished.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn 

SUNDAY SNAPS ON MONDAY

SUNDAY SNAP SYNOPSIS (March 26, 2012)

I was gone part of last week and didn't get all my photos I had planned.  But, I do have these.

The word was "Funny".  My Poochon, Gracie, likes to keep a tab on what goes on in the backyard; but, she wants to stay in the house.  I love seeing her this way.

The word is "Before".  I love a plate of This and That for lunch.

I sure do.  Here is the word "After".

My breakfast is often a yogurt smoothie and it is "Delicious".

 Word is "Kitchen Sink".  'Nough said.

Last is the word "Moon".  It was a hard week to get a picture of the moon here due to the weather.  But, I love this picture.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

RETREAT UPDATE

What a great retreat we had with Frances Moore, instructor extraordinaire.  Here is the group of happy quilters.

The next Two Wacky Women retreat is a

Quilt-Til-You-Wilt Retreat, April, 27 - 29, 2012. 

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

QUILTING RETREAT

Two Wacky Women are hosting a Machine Quilting Retreat featuring Frances Moore this weekend.  Frances is a great teacher and everyone is  doing great.  Here are a few pictures of the rapt students:

While the class is going on, Robin and I are machine quilting in our room.  I am stitching in the ditch before I start my free motion quilting.  Yes, that is ESS, Every Stinkin Seam. 

  Quilt happy,

Marilyn 

SPRING HAS SPRUNG

Today is the first day of spring.  We have been on the cold, wet, and windy side around here.  But, I went on a hunt for signs of spring.  Here's some of what I found.

Pluot tree flowering

 Avocado tree flowering

 Geraniums in bloom

 Volunteer tomato and parsley next to trash container

Think I’ll put a cage around it and see what happens.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn 

SUNDAY SNAPS

SUNDAY SNAP SYNOPSIS (March 18, 2012)

Fork

Sign

Clouds

 Car

Sunglasses 

Greeen

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

FRIDAY FLIMSY

It’s Friday Flimsy.  I told Pat over at Pat’s Patter, that I wanted to participate in this challenge, hoping to get more accomplished.  So today I am quilting this flimsy for the Veterans.

Here is another soon-to-be flimsy.  I made 160 half-square triangles.  Yes, I counted them. 

 Quilt happy,

Marilyn 

NO QUILTING HERE

I don't have anything quilty today.  I have been on a dry spell lately.  No quilting going on around here.  But, I have something to share.  You know how most of us are always looking for ways to add those veggies into our diets.  I recently have been using Cauliflower in place of either potatoes or rice.  It is reported that:

Cauliflower contains allicin, which can improve heart health and reduce the risk of strokes, and selenium, a chemical that works well with Vitamin C to strengthen the immune system. Cauliflower can also help to maintain a healthy cholesterol level.

Of course, cauliflower is an excellent source of fiber, which helps to improve colon health and can even help prevent cancer. And, most recently, it has been discovered that cauliflower, as well as other cruciferous vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts and cabbage, contain indole-3-carbinol, a substance that can affect the metabolism of estrogen in the body, and prevent breast and other female cancers.

I don’t really know all about that stuff; but, I do know that Cauliflower fried “rice” is pretty darn yummy.  And since a picture is worth 1000 words, here’s about 3000. 

What goes into it (yes that's bacon)

Raw cauliflower pulsed in food processor until mealy

Stir fried until soft but not mushy

Quilt happy,

Marilyn 

SUNDAY SNAPS

SUNDAY SNAP SYNOPSIS (March 11, 2012)

Bedside

Smile

5:00 P.M.

 

Something I Wore

  Window

Red

Loud

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

HOUSES & WEDDINGS

The Orange Grove Quilters Guild is collecting blocks for their 2013 Opportunity Quilt.  This is the block I am making.  The door and windows still need to be appliquéd down.  It’s a bit different than the usual house block.  I like it.  It’s interesting don’t you think?

My granddaughter, Rachel, is getting married this summer.  Of course she is getting a quilt.  I had her select a pattern and color way for her quilt.  She selected Robin’s Lattice Patch pattern using black and white with red as her colors.  Here is the collection so far.

Think I'm going to have fun with this one.

Quilt happy, 

Marilyn 

SUNDAY SNAPS

I am enjoying this photo a day exercise.  Learning a lot here.

Sunday snap synopsis (March 4, 2012)
 

Something I Ate

 Money

 What I'm Listening to

Up

This Week's Produce

Neighborhood

 Corner of House

 Quilt happy,

Marilyn

A FINISH

My Quilt Guild (Quilters by the Sea) gives out over 350 quilts per year.  It takes a village to reach this goal.  We have those who like to piece, and maybe not too hot on quilting.  Some like to quilt, and others like to bind.  I like to piece and quilt.  So, our Community Relations group gave me a few flimsies to finish.  This is one of them.  I hate to turn it in until it is finished right through the label.  But, not being a huge fan of binding, I have become pretty good at machine binding, especially for charity quilts.   

I did an overall scallop for the machine quilting on this quilt.  Good practice and it went fast. 

It is done; and done is good.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn