Sewing Catch Up

 

I spent Tuesday afternoon quilting Ruby Jubilee.  Then managed to get the binding finished on Wednesday.  It looks better quilted, but it's still not my favorite.

Esme did her part by supporting my efforts from her window perch.

Cici did the same from the pillow pile on the couch downstairs.

And Sarah's cat did the same while taking over Esme's spot close to the sewing machine.  She didn't sleep the afternoon away though.  After a short nap, she thought she might be of more help.

First she decided to help hold down a design board.

Then she moved to hold down the pattern.  One must lick a paw to turn the page.

Then she read the pattern and started pointing out mistakes.

Then she thought she would inspect the stitching.

And then maybe cleaning the needle would help things along.

We parted ways after she disagreed about a design layout and dumped it on the floor.

You know what they say about too many cooks..........

And speaking of cooking, Willow was on hand to lend support in the pie making efforts Wednesday morning.  She sat faithfully right behind me as I made crust.  When I discovered that I had made way, way too much crust, she was on hand to alleviate the mistake by disposing of scraps of dough that weren't needed.  I didn't even turn around, just tossed dough scraps behind me and it never even hit the floor.  She was very helpful indeed.

Well, the Christmas decorations are up and the tree will follow soon. 

Christi

Time Travel

 We're going to travel back in time just a bit to last weekend when it was much colder and we spent the night in Hermann, MO.  This was to celebrate our 30th Anniversary (which is actually this coming Sunday).  We stayed at the Hermann Hill Spa and Resort, probably the fanciest place we have ever stayed.  We had a beautiful view overlooking Hermann and the vineyard.

We were trying to get some family photos which we haven't had in a long time.  Let's just blame all these bad photos on the wind, shadows, and the fact that it was 17 degrees out, not the fact that there really wasn't much to work with as far as subject matter.

Sarah and Aaron drove in from St. Louis on Saturday to meet us and help with the picture taking.

This is a good as it gets, and yes, it was really, really cold.  Aaron was braver than us.  He went short-sleeved for his picture with Sarah.

Hermann was a cute little town.  Our first stop when we arrived was lunch, then a quilt shop!

The Quilting Bee was a cute little shop with lots of neat stuff and the lady running it was very nice.  She was dealing with a customer when we got there who was what my DH would categorize as "high maintenance".  DH even had to help out and offer his opinions.

I liked this quilt hanging on the wall.  I did make a few purchases, but can't show you because they are for gift and that might spoil the fun.  I will post photos after the gifting has been done.

Then we wandered through some other shops including several antique stores.

DH was very curious about this tool........

I liked this bench made from a sewing machine base.  

In one of the stores, there was the most interesting collection of items including a display of vintage Playboy magazines.  Sorry, I didn't take photos.

At Red Barn antiques, we found another of those places where you might want to have your tetanus shot up to date before entering.  It was definitely a barn, actually more than one barn, and the collection was spilling out the doors, and there was no heat.  We braved it long enough to squeeze through the little path in both barns.  We did discover this wonderful little Singer 99 in a cabinet.  I really pondered it and was promised we could return on Saturday if I decided it was necessary.

We plugged it in and it ran, and all the decals were still there.  It was a 1957 model.  In the end, I decided I didn't need it.

It was a fun little trip even if it was very cold.  Today seems almost balmy by comparison.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that your turkey coma was short-lived!

Christi

Tipsy Turkey Day!

 Happy Thanksgiving Day everyone!  My outside turkey decoration must have partied a little early this year.  He was put to rest a couple of days ago to avoid a mess on the pavers.  We are hosting Thanksgiving for David's family this year, so the turkey is in the oven, pots and pans are on the cooktop ready to go, pies are made, rolls are made, cranberries are in the fridge.  Sarah is watching the Macy's parade.  David is sleeping through it.  

Sarah has been here all week.  She brought our car back and was able to trade for her new car..............

A 2023 Chevy Trailblazer.  We even made a trip to the license bureau yesterday and got the tags switched, so she's all ready to go.

She worked from home on Monday and Tuesday.  Here's what it looks like.......

One doesn't need to use a comb or brush or dress well to work from home!

The "office" cat.........

Playing Peek-a-boo..........

and a cat nap!

It's a hard life!

There will be more posts to come, but right now, We are Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

Christi

Girls' Weekend!

Sarah and I left home early Friday morning to pick up cousins, Susie and Pam in Columbia and then head to Galena.  We stopped at a Steak & Shake for a quick lunch.  

I noticed as we were walking in that Sarah didn't have her purse with her.  I asked how she thought she was going to buy lunch?????  Mom, of course.  

We met up with my mom and sister at the hotel and then headed to the historic downtown area to shop and have dinner.  We had reservations at Vinnie Vanucchi's.  It was good and it was nice to sit down inside where it was warm.

When I had made the reservation, I asked if there were steps and the person told me just a few but that there was a ramp at the side.  The building was 4 stories and the entrance was on the third floor. 

Here is Pam looking up from the main street to the third floor (the sign way, way back there), and my photo doesn't do justice to just how steep the "ramp" was.  She braved the steps, and then we were informed that if we had entered from the back street, there was an elevator!  We used it when we left.

Back at the hotel it was hot tub time.  Sarah hadn't brought a coverup, so borrowed my quilt guild shirt.  Never thought I'd see her wearing something with a sewing machine on it!

We spent most of the next day shopping in the historic district.  It was cold and it SNOWED!  Big beautiful flakes just like in a Hallmark Christmas movie, and it didn't stick to the ground.  

Back at the hotel, we played cards, ate pizza, and told stories.  But those stories will remain with the participants!

It was a really fun time and we enjoyed the drive back with some car sing-a-long to the oldies before listening to the Chief's game.  My mom and sister stopped in to see another aunt and uncle before making an impromptu stop to see the Iowa women's basketball game at Drake.  It was a really good game and went into overtime.  

I spent Monday doing laundry, cleaning, catching up on the bookwork  for the church and the community center and doing piano lessons.

Tuesday dawned to the most beautiful snow.........

After Willow got a nose to tail massage, 

I headed to the sewing room for a NBS day.  Since I still had gold thread on the longarm, I put this quilt my mom had given me on and quilted it and a couple of table runners.

And, it's deer season.  We have people hunting on our farms.  Here is one of the trophies!

Some of the hunters come from Florida.  They bring fresh shrimp up with them, so we are invited to the shrimp boil Thursday evening.  

Sarah has our car in St. Louis.  Hers is here and will be fixed on Friday.  David and I are going to Hermann on Friday (in the farm truck like the true rednecks we are) to stay all night for our 30th Anniversary.  Sarah and Aaron are meeting us there on Saturday.  We are anxious to meet Aaron and give him the third degree.  I'm also hoping to take some family photos is the weather is cooperative.

Sarah will be coming for Thanksgiving week on Sunday afternoon.  She has a new car ordered and should be able to pick it up sometime that week.  

I made the first round of grocery shopping for Thanksgiving week this morning.  Sarah says she is going to help with the cooking.

Well, more piano students arriving soon........

Christi