Quilt Guild Retreat

Estes Valley Quilt Guild's annual retreat is going on this week-end and it's just as fantastic as ever! I hadn't planned to participate this year because I wasn't sure just where we'd be in the process of moving mom, but I was able to spend all day yesterday with those talented, friendly and enthusiastic quilters. I hand quilted, ate way too much delicious food, visited with other quilters, participated in games, laughed a lot, took photos of many inspiring quilt projects and thoroughly enjoyed the day.

Rams Horn Lodge at the YMCA Estes Park Center was the scene of this four day event. It's a perfect venue, one that we will undoubtedly use again. Mary Ann worked her culinary magic with endless delicious snacks including made-from-scratch, multi-flavored Twinkies and pink champagne cupcakes as well as dinner last night.


The theme was "A 1950's Slumber Party" and many of the quilters spent the entire event in pajamas - a very comfy way to sew. There were prizes, gifts, plenty of chocolate and delightful adult beverages and, because no one was driving, indulging wasn't a problem. Here are some photos of the sewing/quilting room.

I hand quilted on my "Shadow Skeptic" quilt until my fingers were too sore to continue.

In my next post I'll have photos of many of the projects that participants were working on during the retreat.

Tragedy in New Zealand

Christchurch Cathedral Tower

Window in Great Hall - Art Center

World Peace Bell - Botanic Gardens

The above images were taken by me in beautiful Christchurch in February, 2009.

We drove home to the mountains on Wednesday - an uneventful trip. While in Nebraska we didn't see the news - just too busy with our grandchildren and Bailey, the rambunctious puppy.

Now that I've had an opportunity to watch the news out of New Zealand I am feeling sad and anxious for those who have been directly affected by the earthquake and its aftermath. Seeing the images of so many beautiful landmarks and historic buildings which have been destroyed is also sad. We were in Christchurch at this time two years ago and loved the city and all of New Zealand that we toured. We've heard via e-mail from one of our tour guides who writes that he and his family are physically uninjured and safe - the mental and emotional stress, however, are great.

In disasters like this, those who are not directly involved have a desire to do something to help and all I can think to do at this moment is to send heartfelt wishes for resilience of spirit and a better days ahead for all New Zealanders and especially those who live in Christchurch.

New Quilt Project

A rare quiet moment has occurred so I'll fire up my computer for a brief post. We are "kid sitting" (they definitely aren't babies anymore) for three of our grandchildren in Nebraska since Thursday morning, February 17. It's been a whirlwind of activities including volleyball, play rehearsal, basketball, a movie, sleep-over, dinner out, etc. In addition to the children there is the new puppy who loves to chew almost anything within reach and isn't fully house trained yet. She is adorable and her favorite playtime activities include fetch, tug-o-war, and "kill the teddy bear." Spending these few days with Bailey has reminded me that I love puppies but don't want to own one.

I took a wee break from my duties yesterday to visit the closest quilt shop, The Quilted Moose, which happens to be one I like a lot. I was lucky to find several books and fabric I had to have. I even joined a block of the month club and got kits and directions for the first three blocks. The finished quilt is called The Night Before Christmas by Bunny Hill Designs. It will give me a perfect opportunity to perfect my hand applique.

Our daughter and her husband will be home late Monday night. We'll go visit my mother-in-law on Tuesday and go home on Wednesday. Then it will be full speed ahead with completing my mom's move. I think I may be able to rest after that is complete.

Happy Valentine's Day

I've had a lovely Valentine's Day. Wayne gave me some flowers and chocolates. I made brunch for Wayne, Mom and myself trying a new quiche recipe using Gruyere cheese, eggs, cream, green onions, leeks, bacon and spices. It was wonderful. Wayne said it was "too rich" but I noticed that didn't keep him from taking a second helping. The recipe for the crust is one that I found in Cook's Illustrated Holiday Baking magazine. It's secret ingredient is vodka. If followed exactly as written, it makes the most delicious, flaky crust I've ever tasted. For my quiche, I chilled the crust (in the pie plate), lined it with foil, added pie weights and baked it at 400 degrees F for about 15 minutes until it was barely golden brown. Then I added the egg, cheese, cream mixture and popped it back into the over at 400 for about 40 minutes ... ummm good! Croissants with raspberry jam, fruit, hash brown potatoes, cranberry juice, coffee and chocolate hearts completed the meal.

Tonight we plan to watch Chocolat, one of my favorite movies, perfect for a romantic Valentine's evening.

Valentine Flowers

Wayne gave me this elegant bouquet of flowers as an early Valentine's Day gift. My gift to him will be a delicious brunch on Valentine's Day. The way to that man's heart is most certainly through his stomach. I've been planning the menu to include several of his favorite dishes.

Back to Quilting

Although it has been a cold and snowy day, I felt the need to attend Trail Ridge Quilters this afternoon. I miss these friends and I haven't attended for several weeks - I've been busy with Mom. My Explorer was up to the challenge of plowing through the snowy driveway to the road which, thankfully, had been plowed. It was slow going but I made it with no problems.

We had a good turnout for such a wintry day. One of our tasks was to decide how to proceed with a lovely, large quilt top which had been donated to us several months ago. It depicts a Rocky Mountain scene with mountains, pines, aspens, elk and a river. We'll be sewing sky fabric at the top and adding a couple of borders. We'll have it machine quilted by a local quilter on her long-arm machine. We are working with the medical center foundation board on the best way to make money on this quilt once it's finished ... perhaps a raffle.

Our Anniversary

Our wedding day, 46 years ago. We look like a couple of kids, and I guess we were.

This is our forty-sixth wedding anniversary. It's a cliché , but it's hard to believe our wedding was that long ago. In so many ways, these are the best years of our lives. We have reasonably good health, a loving family, no financial problems, a lovely home in the Rocky Mountains and few real worries. We may be retired but we both have meaningful work and plenty of chances to play. We feel like we are making a difference (small, but real) in our world. If this reads like a gratitude list, I guess it is just that. As I sit here counting my blessings, I'd have to put my six wonderful grandchildren and their parents at the top of my list. We've had our share of problems, as every married couple has, but we've managed to get through them with the help of love, committment and humor, lots of humor.

Cold, But Beautiful Sunset

This was the sunset I captured this evening - it took my breath away. The lowest temperature recorded on our outdoor thermometer during this extreme cold spell was 25 degrees below zero yesterday morning which is the lowest temperature since we moved to Estes Park in 2000. It was warmer today - mid 20s.

15 Below Zero

Our outdoor thermometer read 15 below zero when I got up this morning. Wayne made a hasty trip to the end of the driveway to retrieve the Denver Post and called it a "crisp" morning. Our little birds will have seed and suet and nothing but solid ice in the bird bath. The humans plan to stay inside, drink hot tea, read our books, watch episode 3 of Downton Abbey and have soup for supper. I will also do a little quilting. Everything outside is so still it looks like a painting. I wonder if we'll see the sun today.