Trunk Show at Winterfest 2014

I was a little worried about having the right kind of quilts to share with ladies that love quilts as a passion.  But when Amy asked me to do the trunk show, I was a wee bit flattered.  After suggesting several other quilters that would be more prepared, she still insisted that my quilts would be awesome...and I relented and said "yes".  I shared over 35 quilts and this one is the quilt I taught as a workshop as well.  It is definitely an heirloom quilt and I love the "happiness" that it evokes in me.

This the whole quilt...there is one star that was made by my friend, Kris M....if you squint, you will see which one it is...the value of her star is somewhat different than mine and can only be noticed if you train your eye to see the subtle changes....for some of you, it will pop out very quickly.  (Don't cheat....but it is the star on the right in the second row from the top)

Bougainvillea Blossoms

My boss has several of these vines potted and on display in the atrium part of our waiting room.  They are messy and get unruly in the summer when the light doesn't get low enough to hit them.  Unexpectedly, in the wintertime, they are at their best...sending out blossoms to remind us of warmer days.  I particularly love the light hitting the petals making them transparent with sunshine.  They are lovely to behold....and our patients love them.

Begonia Escargot

My Snail Begonia enjoying the warmth of the sun room 
                                                                          during the cold days of winter....

Easy-to-care-for Begonia 'Escargot' was named from the charming way its leaves curl back into themselves -- not unlike the shells of a snail, made all the more vivid by colored bands of pewter, chocolate and green; the pale pink flowers are a subtler pleasure. 

......and snow blankets the ground.  The pale blue of the sunrise gives 

a hint of shivery light.

Wellsville Mountains

Missing Miss Julie

My niece, Julie, has been living with us since last April.  She was assuming her stay would be brief...short and sweet.  But best laid plans always seem to have a way of not going the way we think they will.  It is now January and Miss Julie has decided to move into her own apartment and rejoin the life of the single people.

We are excited for her new adventure, but I'm feeling a little sad.  As I walked past her room, it is very apparent that the change is for real and I won't be able to leave a light on at night for her to know we care about her and that she has arrived at home safely (when I wake up in the middle of the night...if the light is still on, the children are not home yet!...  when it's 3:00 am, I'm in panic mode).  I can't ask her to clean the bathroom and vacuum upstairs...since she isn't making any messes anymore.  And I will miss the "girl talk" and the late night sewing parties.

I'm glad you decided to live with us for 8 months instead of 4-6 weeks...and please come visit us soon.

 Last of the belongings

Remnants of a bedroom dresser in use

We love you, Julie!

Ali Jane's Posing Talent

Ali Jane is pretty good about posing for the camera

...once in a while, you'll get a great "cheeser".

Celeste and I took a single run without the little kids today at The Beav...a tree run.  Well, the trees got the best of us.  Celeste lost a ski....just for a second...it was hiding under the snow.  But my little 5" diameter quakie didn't move very far as I straddled it...My knee decided it was a pretty sturdy tree...

It doesn't look too bad, but ice has helped the swelling.  

I hope not to meet up with another tree this season.

Yogurt at Grandma's

The kid loves this stuff....