Walking

This week, I made a milestone in my endeavor to remain reasonably healthy. I walked a total of thirty miles in the last seven days. And good thing, since I've eaten more this week than the rest of the month of November put together. These pesky winter holidays are upon us and all the well meaning folks abound, wanting us to eat their yummy food. And we feel so eager to comply, since the food IS yummy!!
  So as long as the weather cooperates, and the food fest continues, I guess I'll be walking a lot, a WHOLE LOT! I bought a nice warm sweatshirt, thermal underwear and colorful little gloves to keep me warm on these cold days.
   Anyway, I am determined to be thin and fit. Walking is the best. I love being alone with my thoughts and most days the sun is warm and invites me to come outside and wander. Thankfully I still can remember which way is home. Life is good.

Aftermath

The day after the huge feast. This day is completely different from yesterday--it's 30 degrees colder, I'm 200% fuller, the sun is shining and I'm waiting on the plumber to come back again. Old house, old pipes and the same could be said for me too (haha).
   Since I'm stuck here for who knows how long, I worked on the final online challenge quilt. The last theme is "Destination" which I think is very fitting for the final chapter. Notice how many references I make to the end of this exercise. I am very sad for the challenge to end. It has been such a rewarding experience for me to explore different techniques and put a little more of my heart into my art work. And the challenge helped me express some of the turmoil in my life this past year or so. (Lots of "ex" words too. Hmmmm....maybe I'm up for a little more exploring?)   Anyway, the quilt is mostly done, just some hand stitching left, and it seems to fit my conception of the theme in a non threatening way. Every challenge theme offered up a suggestion for the extreme in my mind. But my main goal is to keep the peace and I might have myself a personal challenge in 2011 to produce the quilts I REALLY wanted to make. At the very least I did get to think about how to make them and that was fun too.

theme of the day

veggies for poncit

noodles for poncit

a few dishes being served

  Enough of me, back to food. Every thing was yummy and there was lots of it. Bad Americans!

Oh Boohoo two

Okay, so I get the other rejection letter in the snail mail Saturday, after I had been by the art gallery on Broad Avenue on Friday evening and they had only two of my pieces up for the huge street party that was happening Friday and Saturday. Needless to say I had a tiny pity party complete with tears, then promptly got over it.
  Took Vincent to visit the Noodlemans on Sunday and what a wonderful relaxing day in the country. Donuts from Banky's. Barbecued pork chops and yummy macaroni and cheese--just like Mama used to make! Amy's fabulously strong coffee. Slight hiccup taking Mr. Man home. Then a huge dose of mental health Monday--there was cake, too-- followed by a surprise visit from my friend from the West Coast. This week is shaping up to be a good one. Fingers crossed!

Rejectee

frazzled

Here is one of the quilts rejected from the Form Not Function show. I like it and my friends like it too, so that's good enough for me.

Oh Boohoo

Yesterday the email came telling me I DID NOT get into the Form Not Function show. Now I have to wait for the letter in the mail to come saying the same thing. Adding insult to injury.
  But that's life. At my presentation on Saturday I mentioned that if you put yourself out there and enter shows, there's a chance you will be rejected. And I have the letters to prove it! I did get in that particular show a couple of years ago so I guess I should be happy with that.  I wanted to show you one of the quilts the jurors didn't like but blogger won't let me. maybe later.

Busy weekend

Last Friday, the group show at Wings held it's opening reception. Saturday I went to a lunch with several friends, who get together every so often to eat, chat, and share our latest projects with each other. This time the gathering was held near my neighborhood so I rode my bike. What a beautiful day it was. Fall is great here in Memphis. It makes you proud and happy that you are able to survive the heat of summer.

   On Halloween evening my husband and I went on a tour of Elmwood, the premiere graveyard of Memphis. I had never been there and was blown away with the monuments. It is also an arboraetum and bird sanctuary, so it was triple delight. 
   This coming weekend will probably be as busy. The Davies Plantation is having its annual quilt show and I have been asked to give a presentation of my art quilts. I am a nervous wreck right now, but plan on rising to the occasion.
  Sunday, I'm taking Vincent to a birthday party at Pump It Up. Never been there before either, so wish me luck.