Friday, August 30, 2013

Back in the Saddle Again!!

We are indeed, back in the saddle again!

We returned home late yesterday from a very fun & exciting week in

Austin, Texas!!!

As many of you know, Dennis & I are looking at Austin as a potential retirement spot and we were not disappointed in what we found this week.

We stayed at a great boutique hotel called Vintage Villas.
We had a fresh Texas Hill Country breakfast prepared each morning.




We hit the ground running from the airport.

We took a chance for a local lunch

and stopped at a restaurant called

Jack Allen's Kitchen.

OMG!!!

If this a a sign on how our entire week was to be, we could not have made a better choice.

The waiter was so friendly and the food was all farm to table and was superb!!





We went back one night for Happy Hour - Yeehaw!!

Red Chile Fries & Crunchy Catfish with Coleslaw

Thirsty Goat Amber Ale

The Blondie for Dessert

I think the photos tell it all!!

We did see some great planned communities in South Austin.

Some of the ideas in the model homes caught my eye!!


Yes, this is a swinging twin bed on the front porch!!





And these two photos are of a fantastic craft room!! 


And an awesome new product for countertops -

a dull finish granite with a rough edge - in many colors!!!

Dennis did not want to leave Texas without some BBQ
so we made a stop the last night at the famous

SALT LICK in Driftwood, Texas!!

Dennis finally got his six pack of cold Shiner Bock.



 The place was huge and a real classic from the 60's.


And look at those meats in the pit!!


And we must not forget another awesome lunch spot we found.


OMG!!

This couple has lived everywhere and came to Austin from LA to get into the food business.  Walla - pieous!!

Fresh salads, pizzas and pastrami that is homemade right here!!

The pizza crust is from a sourdough starter the owner has had for 20 years.

They make fresh mozzarella cheese everyday. 

We can't wait for our next trip in October.

Stay tuned.

Friday, August 23, 2013

I'm IN!!!


I am excited to say that I will be a new artist for

INTERWOVEN EXPRESSIONS EXHIBIT & SALE!!!

Details below!!





Thursday, August 15, 2013

Happy 1st Birthday!!

Think back to one year ago 
when I told you about some very special identical twins.

Guess what?  They just had their 1st Birthday!!


Annalise and Alivia - or is it Alivia and Annalise???

Sweet, sweet, sweet!!

I did not know what to take them for a 1st Birthday gift
so I went to work at my sewing machine and this is what I came up with.



I made fabric paper chains!!  2 1/2" strips of fabric worked great and velcro on the ends make it a quiet activity for the girls - not to mention eye hand coordination and things like that!!

Then I found the cute bubble container, so when opened,
each girls have a half.  How clever!!!

It is a perfect convertible day here in the Chicago area.

And it is sure to be a beautiful evening by the lake
attending the Chicago Bears home opener - 
the preseason game with the San Diego Chargers.

We are meeting the girls at Soldier Field for a great evening!!


Sunday, August 11, 2013

Hot August Night!!!


Here we are at 

the RED Dance

on our 39th wedding anniversary!!


There was red lighting at the dance hall.

Dennis is actually wearing a white shirt with a red tie.

And for me, I am wearing a hot over the shoulder red dress!!

Smokin' hot!!

We had a great time - dancing the night away!!




Friday, August 9, 2013

Finish It!!

August is my month to get some quilt tops finished.

See what you think.  So far so good.







Wednesday, August 7, 2013

What have YOU Been Doing?

Wow!  It has been two weeks since my last post!  Holy Cow!!

I have been busy - finishing projects!!

I did send a sample quilt to Free Spirit
featuring a quilt designed by Heather Bailey
using her new fabric line - Lottie Da.


This is only about a third of the actual quilt.

It measures 82" X 82"!!!

I have been going through my cupboard of quilt tops
and have sent several out to be quilted.

You will be surprised!!