It was a bit of a relief to get the confirmation emails. Now I will have my fingers crossed waiting for the news that my entry has accepted---or not.
 | |
| Sunday-former salon turned into eatery |
 |
| Saturday--crowds at CY Festival |
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Art stuff, etc.
Today I dove headfirst into the modern age by entering a quilt show online. It was the first time for me and quite nerve wracking, I must say. Since I am not computer savvy, I'm always afraid I will spend an enormous amount of time typing in information, loading photos that I am never sure are the correct size (I still haven't figured out the whole pixel thing) then with the swift press of a button lose it all to the wasteland of the interwebs, never to be retrieved again except by some master hacker.
It was a bit of a relief to get the confirmation emails. Now I will have my fingers crossed waiting for the news that my entry has accepted---or not.
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning were spent in further celebration of birthdays in September. Virgo gathering at the Levitt Shell, with friends at the Cooper Young Festival, and yummy brunch with a good friend to celebrate her birthday. Busy weekend.
It was a bit of a relief to get the confirmation emails. Now I will have my fingers crossed waiting for the news that my entry has accepted---or not.
Monday, September 10, 2012
St. Louis Art Fair
What a great trip to the midwest!! The Noodlemans and I took the Mega Bus to St. Louis on Friday morning as planned and arrived there around noon. From Union Station, we rode the Metro Link train out to Clayton. The art fair is actually held in Clayton, MO, a suburb just to the west of St. Louis.
The hotel had my room ready early so we dumped the luggage and rode the train over to Brentwood shopping center and found the Trader Joe's after walking the Bataan death march it seemed. It was pretty warm on Friday and the humidity was awful. But being the bunch of big kids we are, we survived and bought snacks and wine for our stay.
On the way back to the Metro Link station we found the short cut so the walk wasn't as far. There was a little Asian restaurant near the station where we had a late lunch. And it was very YUMMY!!
Back on the train, we looked at the sky and saw the predicted thunderstorms rolling in. We got back to the hotel just in time, too. Thunder, lightening, buckets of rain, the works! The weather people on tv were reporting tornadoes in the outlying counties, kind of scary. The art fair was scheduled to open at 5 pm, but was canceled for Friday evening. Once the rain let up around 9 pm, we ventured out to a sushi place half a block away from the hotel and Mr. Noodleman ordered a roll that was served on FIRE!! Too cool...it is called the "Oh My God" roll. For good reason, I might add.
Saturday we awoke to a perfect day to be outside. High temps in the mid 70's, sunny and breezy. Lots of beautiful things to look at and purchase. Great music.Yummy food from local eateries and the most amazing people watching two judgmental women (Mrs. Noodleman and I) could ask for.
We took a break in the late afternoon, then went back for more art and music. Earlier we made reservations at the primo Italian joint near the hotel, so at 8 pm we were shoveling more good food into our gobs. Even though we had walked all day and a half, I think we took in way more calories than we burned off.
Sunday we headed out to catch the Mega Bus back at Union Station. We had a little time to kill there so we got to see some of the scenery there. Back on the bus and back to the real world--boohoo....now I have to starve myself to regain my svelte figure.
I have had one hell of a birthday celebration so far and it is not over.
The hotel had my room ready early so we dumped the luggage and rode the train over to Brentwood shopping center and found the Trader Joe's after walking the Bataan death march it seemed. It was pretty warm on Friday and the humidity was awful. But being the bunch of big kids we are, we survived and bought snacks and wine for our stay.
On the way back to the Metro Link station we found the short cut so the walk wasn't as far. There was a little Asian restaurant near the station where we had a late lunch. And it was very YUMMY!!
Back on the train, we looked at the sky and saw the predicted thunderstorms rolling in. We got back to the hotel just in time, too. Thunder, lightening, buckets of rain, the works! The weather people on tv were reporting tornadoes in the outlying counties, kind of scary. The art fair was scheduled to open at 5 pm, but was canceled for Friday evening. Once the rain let up around 9 pm, we ventured out to a sushi place half a block away from the hotel and Mr. Noodleman ordered a roll that was served on FIRE!! Too cool...it is called the "Oh My God" roll. For good reason, I might add.
Saturday we awoke to a perfect day to be outside. High temps in the mid 70's, sunny and breezy. Lots of beautiful things to look at and purchase. Great music.Yummy food from local eateries and the most amazing people watching two judgmental women (Mrs. Noodleman and I) could ask for.
We took a break in the late afternoon, then went back for more art and music. Earlier we made reservations at the primo Italian joint near the hotel, so at 8 pm we were shoveling more good food into our gobs. Even though we had walked all day and a half, I think we took in way more calories than we burned off.
Sunday we headed out to catch the Mega Bus back at Union Station. We had a little time to kill there so we got to see some of the scenery there. Back on the bus and back to the real world--boohoo....now I have to starve myself to regain my svelte figure.
 |
| Union Station interior |
 |
| Jazz band on the Main Stage |
 |
| Union Station exterior |
 |
| Mega Bus pit stop at Boomland |
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Labor Day
On Labor Day I had my birthday. I am 60 years old. Many days were spent beforehand wondering what I had to show for all these years. The conclusion to this pondering is that I have many good friends. They have helped me celebrate this milestone of my life on this lovely planet and have wished me well on the journey. In the perfect world, I will return all these favors.
Fortunately, I have very good health, and look forward to many more years, whether I like it or not. The last few days I have had more than my fair share of resources and there are celebrations planned for the rest of the month. woohoo!
On Friday, I'm off to St. Louis with the Noodlemans to attend the Art Fair and have an urban adventure. We are taking the Mega Bus and will be at the mercy of public transportation for three days. How socialistic!!! I have planned a side trip to Trader Joe's via Metrolink and who knows what will happen.
Fortunately, I have very good health, and look forward to many more years, whether I like it or not. The last few days I have had more than my fair share of resources and there are celebrations planned for the rest of the month. woohoo!
 | |
| a steak followed this hunk of lettuce |
 | |
| on the roof top of the Madison Hotel |
 | |
| the smoke alarm DID NOT go off!!! |
 | |
| this is what 60 candles on one cake looks like |
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Survived the himicane
Last night, what was left of hurricane Isaac passed through this burg. We were grateful for the rain we got, but had wished for a little more. And grateful the winds didn't do any major damage here, just a few branches knocked out of the trees. I broke them up and put them on the pile for a future date inside the fire pit the next time the grandson comes over.
I still haven't screwed up the nerve to post photos of some of my recent art work. Haven't even taken pictures of any of them. Maybe on Monday.
I still haven't screwed up the nerve to post photos of some of my recent art work. Haven't even taken pictures of any of them. Maybe on Monday.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Yardening
The temperature has been reasonable the last few days and I sat outside for a bit, or should I say bite, as the mosquitoes are still in full force.
The grill was pressed into service earlier in the afternoon to prepare a lovely boneless lamb leg. The lamb was marinated with rosemary, garlic, balsamic vinegar, a splash of olive oil and black pepper. Onto a hot fire made with lump charcoal for 45 minutes. Mmmmmm...a salad of fresh tomatoes, red onion, feta and fresh basil, a crusty loaf of bread warmed on the fire, made an excellent accompaniment. All I had was the last glass of a pretty good chenin blanc to wash it all down, so I had to make do without a nice red, but sue me.
The marinade was the same as I used for the lamb leg on New Year's Eve and the grilling made it very tasty, with a hint of smokiness. The rosemary branches I laid on the grill helped immensely to boost the flavor of the herbs in the marinade. I had my little dinner al fresco (also al solo--nobody else wanted to sit outside!?!) and wondered what the rich people were eating today. Of course they would have poopooed the white wine choice.
As I was feeding the mosquitoes, I glanced at the overgrown beauty berry bush/small tree, and realized it is covered in lovely berries and birds eating them. I figured I needed to get some photos right away as the birds will have it stripped in no time. Next February (if I'm still available for gardening chores) I plan on pruning the plant very severely. It has been growing unattended for a couple of years now, except for some judicious cutting this summer to make it easier to walk by this "shrub".
Since I was out at dusk, the four o'clocks were covered in blooms. This plant has loved me back in a big way this year. I snagged the seeds several years ago and just threw them on the ground, not really caring if they came up. Disappointment has been the rule with LOTS of plantings in this yard over the years, so I never get my hopes up.
These photos might look like I was out there at the dark of night, but I think it is the flash that makes them look weird.
The grill was pressed into service earlier in the afternoon to prepare a lovely boneless lamb leg. The lamb was marinated with rosemary, garlic, balsamic vinegar, a splash of olive oil and black pepper. Onto a hot fire made with lump charcoal for 45 minutes. Mmmmmm...a salad of fresh tomatoes, red onion, feta and fresh basil, a crusty loaf of bread warmed on the fire, made an excellent accompaniment. All I had was the last glass of a pretty good chenin blanc to wash it all down, so I had to make do without a nice red, but sue me.
The marinade was the same as I used for the lamb leg on New Year's Eve and the grilling made it very tasty, with a hint of smokiness. The rosemary branches I laid on the grill helped immensely to boost the flavor of the herbs in the marinade. I had my little dinner al fresco (also al solo--nobody else wanted to sit outside!?!) and wondered what the rich people were eating today. Of course they would have poopooed the white wine choice.
As I was feeding the mosquitoes, I glanced at the overgrown beauty berry bush/small tree, and realized it is covered in lovely berries and birds eating them. I figured I needed to get some photos right away as the birds will have it stripped in no time. Next February (if I'm still available for gardening chores) I plan on pruning the plant very severely. It has been growing unattended for a couple of years now, except for some judicious cutting this summer to make it easier to walk by this "shrub".
Since I was out at dusk, the four o'clocks were covered in blooms. This plant has loved me back in a big way this year. I snagged the seeds several years ago and just threw them on the ground, not really caring if they came up. Disappointment has been the rule with LOTS of plantings in this yard over the years, so I never get my hopes up.
 |
| crazy overgrown beauty berry |
Monday, August 13, 2012
Blah blah blah
The quilt I started for the SAQA show in Cincinnati (fingers crossed it would get accepted) is coming along very well. I put some hand stitching on it today and am pleased with how everything looks. The machine quilting is pretty good too. It's mostly words I stitched in a block style of lettering. I like doing that style more than script and it seems to be easier for me to stitch. The words go in all directions which looks fun to me. It is readable if you really try.
There is another quilt I've been sewing on that has the same style of writing on it and the words are pretty funny and harder to read. I'm loving that quilt. It also incorporates some of my deconstructed screen printing fabrics, which I totally love. When I get brave enough, I'll post photos of those quilts. There are some deep emotions stitched into those pieces, although most people wouldn't get it just by looking at pictures. So maybe I'll get around to taking photos and posting them soon.
There is another quilt I've been sewing on that has the same style of writing on it and the words are pretty funny and harder to read. I'm loving that quilt. It also incorporates some of my deconstructed screen printing fabrics, which I totally love. When I get brave enough, I'll post photos of those quilts. There are some deep emotions stitched into those pieces, although most people wouldn't get it just by looking at pictures. So maybe I'll get around to taking photos and posting them soon.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Recent Acquisitions
Thursday morning, I attended the Memphis Sewing Guild board meeting. Our gracious hostess for this get together lives in Olive Branch, Mississippi, and provided the group with delicious treats to help make the business meeting seem more like a party. Which is usually the case for any of the board meetings.
After we had thoroughly discussed everything relating to Sewing Guild (and a little that didn't) and set the schedule for upcoming programs, we went to have lunch in the Old Town section of Olive Branch. I will not expand on any opinions about that meal, except to say it was adequately filling and the company of my dining companions was most excellent.
The town square had many interesting shops, mostly antiques and "junque shoppes" and I wish I'd had more time to explore them. Now that I know where they are, I can always go on a different day to see what's available. I did go to the little nursery, which, sadly, is closing. Among the offerings there, I found two lovely concrete statues for my yard. I just love this stuff.
After we had thoroughly discussed everything relating to Sewing Guild (and a little that didn't) and set the schedule for upcoming programs, we went to have lunch in the Old Town section of Olive Branch. I will not expand on any opinions about that meal, except to say it was adequately filling and the company of my dining companions was most excellent.
 |
| year of the dragon |
 | |
| big fat bunny |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)