Cherry Limeade

Ok I'm back.

My friend Julie from the quilting store invited me to a lecture/presentation at the SF Quilting Guild meeting today. The speaker was renowned quilt artist, author, and teacher Frieda Anderson ( yeah, I'd never heard of her either.) Anyway, it was pretty inspiring. She dyes her own fabrics, which are the best part of it, and she does a lot of fusible applique and tiny itty bitty quilting. She passed some of her work around the room - one of which was the size of a postcard and priced at a whopping $50 buckeroos. So maybe there is money to be made someday. You can check out her quilts at www.friestyle.com/ .

I was easily the youngest woman in the room by about 15+ years - no surprise. I've really chosen a hip and happening hobby, huh? Oh well, you do what you love I suppose. I find it to be rather cool myself. It helps to a part of the quilt-along I mentioned because I've discovered how not alone I am as a thirty something mom addicted to fabric, crafts, and sewing.

Speakin a wich . . . here is my completed quilt top for Dana's quilt-along.

I think I'm calling it "Cherry Limeade" - my neighbor went to Sonic the other day to get one and it made me think of my quilt. I've finished free motion quilting the center and will be doing the border tonite. Now I'm on the prowl for my binding fabric which I want to be in the same family as the darker blue, tile-like fabric in the quilt. Strange, but I think every quilt I have made so far has a significant blue aspect to them. I think my blue bedroom walls are affecting me on some subconscious level. So anxious to paint that room!

I also had a breakthrough today because I finally took Andy's advice and went for a hike even though I felt exhausted this morning. It turned my world around! I haven't done that much since Lu-dog became unable to hike ( and since having babies). I forgot how cleansing it can be - just being out there breathing in the mountain air and feeling the warm sun on my shoulders. Truth be told, we went for an amazing hike with the kids last week at Kasha - Katuwe National Park, aka "Tent Rocks". I forgot how stunning that place is - the last time Andy and I had been there we had only been dating less than a year.

We were very proud of Finn because he hiked the three mile hike up to the top all by himself. Graham is still not entirely fond of hiking - except for the narrow canyon parts and climbing over big boulders. But we're proud of him too because it turned out that I was with him at urgent care that same night - poor guy had a raging ear infection all along. (FYI mom, he's fine)

Back in the Saddle

I don't know why it's so hard for me to get back into the blogosphere after vacation. I've been a bit under the radar since we returned from the beach, trying to catch up on various projects and brainstorming the next several. Now that the teaching job is out of the picture, I've been a little unsure what my next step will be - other than planning for the summer dessert menu change and keeping up with my rascal children.

Our vacation, by the way, was amazing. We all had such a good time with Andy's family and friends. The beach was beautiful and the boys were endlessly entertained. Finn conquered his fear of crabs this year and learned to love the ocean.

Graham, however, not so much. Surprisingly, my water-loving little fish refused to go within six feet of the waves. Impossible to predict a toddler's preferences. He was much more interested in the little pool we had back at the house, but hopefully next year that will change. And while we were still in Greenville, Andy took Finn and Graham "fishing" at his buddy's friend's pond. Apparently it was somewhat futile, but this photo had to make it all worth it.

Be back later tonite when the boys are (hopefully) asleep.

Pack it up Pack it in

Thank you to everyone who was pulling for me this morning. I think the good vibes really made a difference because I felt the interview was a success - even if I don't end up getting the job. Apparently there were 58 resumes sent for this position and only 10 of us were asked to interview, so that in itself makes me feel pretty darned fantastic.

We leave painfully early tomorrow for the airport. No DVD player this time - yikes! So what did I do? What any decent mother would do: carted myself over to Walmart and bought tons of junk food and small toys. Will it be 5 hours worth of entertainment? Doubt it - but a girl's gotta try.

May the force be with you (and us)!!