CHOPPED SUMMER SALAD

I am going to a neighbor's for a barbeque today. My contribution is a salad, something vegetable. I like a chopped salad with a barbeque. I found a great assortment of heirloom tomatoes at Trader Joe's. Then I added some cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, avocado and parsley. For the dressing, I just squeezed some fresh lemons and added olive oil with sea salt and freshly ground pepper.

It just tastes better if made ahead. Looks good enough to eat to me. I hope everyone is enjoying the day!

TODAY IS MEMORIAL DAY

Please remember our fallen

soldiers today.

A GIRL AND HER QUILT

Annette loves her graduation quilt. It will be going to the dorm with her.

ANNETTE GRADUATED!

I went to Idaho to help celebrate my granddaughter, Annette Frances Hughes, high school graduation. Annette graduated with high honors. She will be attending Idaho State in the Fall. Her goal is to be a Nurse Practitioner.

Annette's brother and my grandson, Zach Hughes, is going to Montana State University and is studying English. They are both great kids.

MAY 2010 TWO WACKY WOMEN RETREAT

Back from the retreat and have just a small bit of time and wanted to share a few photos.

Some table set ups.

Happy quilters, Rob and Pat.

Our favorite appliquer, Margie.

Our fabulous Machine Quilt Teacher, Frances Moore.

What Margie was working on?

Judy with her finished quilt top.

Here is Sue with her new quilt top.

And then there were bags, lots of bags.

Off now to Idaho and will be giving Annette her new graduation quilt.

RETREAT TIME

This weekend (5/21/10 - 5/23/10) Robin (Robin Quilts Etc. )and I are hosting our Spring Two Wacky Women Quilt Retreat ( TwoWackyWomen ). We are hoping to try to sneak in some sewing for ourselves. I am testing a pattern for my friend Khristina ( Sew Prim Khris ). Here are my fabrics.



It calls for two charm packs, only I cut up some fat quarters I already had. I am using Anna Griffin for Windham Fabrics from my stash. Seriously, from my stash. What do you think? A cute kid's quilt? OK, stay tuned.

MY MOM HAS MOVED

This is one of my favorite pictures of my mom. She often napped with all three dogs. As you can see, she did the adjusting to fit in the group. That is Gracie between her legs, and Charlie (who is no longer with us) at her left. and laying across her is Trudy, the terror, at 5 months. Mom is 90 and took a fall in December that left her with a broken hip. It was clear that she needed constant care and because I often travel, my brother and his wife have moved her in with them. They live in Arizona.

Here is how the room looks now. Pretty empty. I made that Garden Twist quilt for her. Robin's sister, Melinda, did the quilting. You can see more of Melinda's gorgeous work here http://melinful.blogspot.com/. My brother is coming this month to pick up Mom's furniture and that will be a very strange feeling for me, as I can almost still see Mom napping from time to time. But, I am glad she will have her furniture; I'm sure it will be more comfortable for her.

Here is Trudy, now 11 months old, and if you look carefully, you can tell she is looking ashamed. More on that another time.

Another Great Outing

Robin and I had an opportunity to go see Laura Bush talk at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley. Mrs. Bush has new book out and this was part of her publicity tour. A great surprise to all in the audience was when Mrs. Bush walked in: on her arm was Mrs. Reagan. No matter what your politics are, it was lovely to see two of our first ladies together arm in arm.

Laura Bush read some passages from her book (Spoken from the Heart) and entertained questions from the audience for about an hour. She has such a gentle, calming personality and she seems to have the ablity to pass this on to her audience. It was a great day.

KEIKI QUILT

Several years ago I took a class on making these Origami folded Hawaiian Shirts and Mumus from Natalie Barns of Beyond the Reef (http://beyondthereefpatterns.com/). I was making it for my daughter who was moving to Hawaii and it was to represent each family member. It wasn't too long that she was pregnant with number 4 and the quilt never was put up again. Now in Florida and little Noelle being 3, it was time to add her to the quilt. Finding a likely spot wasn't easy and I had to remember how to do it. She is a little off in the border; but, she loves the pink fabric. I had found some Hawaiian slippers for each family member and when I hung it up, while visiting a couple of weeks ago, Noelle told me the pink slippers were hers. Someone must be going barefoot and it is not Noelle.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Khristina's Sling Bag

I promised a better picture of Khristina's new bag. Isn't it wonderful? I love everything about it, the style, the fabric, the flower. Khristina has used a broach pin to attach the flower so it can be used for other things. Thank you so much, Khristina, for the great bag. I can't wait for the pattern.

Mother's Day Swap

I received my swap package today from Australia. Yes, all the way from Australia. Look at those cute little owls. Khristina's current favorite collection is owls and I had no idea that owl gift wrap even existed. But, isn't is cute?
And, just look at how she spoiled me:


M - Money holder (homemade) and Aussie Money so I can buy a coffee when I visit
O - Orange Owl Bookmark
T - Tote, made by Khristina (I have the prototype for a new pattern)
H - Heather Bailey Fat Quarter and Hand Lotion
E - Emu Shopping Sack
R - Raggedy Ann Pincushion (I collect them)

A great big thank you with hugs for spoiling me with such lovely gifts. I need to get a better picture of Khristina's Tote for everyone to see. It is going to be a great pattern.

I hope she likes her gifts. I didn't make mine. Sigh.....................

I hope everyone has a wonderful, happy Mother's Day.

MOTHER'S DAY SWAP

I signed on for a Mother's Day Swap with my friends at C-R-A-F-T. We needed Six small items that spell out MOTHER. I packaged mine up and popped it in the post last Friday. It should be arriving in Australia in a few days. Hope you like the pressies Khristina.

GENEROSITY PROJECT CLOSED

Thank you Cyn, Naomi, Pat Brammer, and Frances for signing on for this. I have some ideas in my head. Stay tuned.

GENEROSITY PROJECT

Quite a while ago, I signed on for a Generosity Project. Here is how it goes. For those who sign on I will send you something crafty of my choice. I will have one year to get it to you. You in turn must agree to send a crafty something of your choice to whomever signs up with you. And you too will have one year in which to complete and send. I will take the first four (4) who would like to participate. Come on, let's play.