NO TIME TO COOK

I can't believe it's been so long since I posted. We took a weekend trip to West, by God, Virginia for my beautiful great-niece's second birthday. She was born the day before my mom's birthday. Since we lost mom in June, I really wanted to be there to celebrate this new little life that meant so much to her.



Back home, we are finally getting a good, soaking rain, much needed. I have lots to do to get ready for our short trip to Longboat Key where I've been busy redecorating. I have my Daring Bakers' challenge to do, but will wait until tomorrow when it isn't so damp. No, I can't tell you yet what we're making; that will wait until 9/27 when we all post our challenges. I wanted to bake Larry something this morning, but I'm all out of butter and have just a few eggs. I thought I might grocery shop today, but was invited to lunch instead, so will do that. Yes, retirement is grand.



This runner that I've posted was supposed to be part of a queen-sized quilt. I unfortunately signed up for this class before I knew what I was in for. I knew we would all make the same quilt, but I didn't realize the fabrics were already selected for us. I also learned that I do not like Thimbleberries' fabric. So, while I kept up with all the blocks and trims, I decided not to throw good money after bad and make the quilt. Instead, I'm using various blocks and trims to make runners, small wallhangings, and pillows. I decided to use one of the yo yo makers a friend gave me to make a different kind of trim for this runner. I didn't use the pattern that the club provided either--I don't generally follow recipes to the letter either, but that's a pattern in and of itself, isn't it?



I hope to do some baking tomorrow and get back into food blogging, but in the meantime, I'm having a great time checking out everyone else's recipes.

QUILTING: MY OTHER PASSION

I began quilting in the 80's, hand piecing and hand quilting, as a way to be more sociable when we were cruising. I had a tendency to bury my nose in a book unless we were at a meal or on an excursion. Since I couldn't knit and didn't like to crochet or do counted cross stitch, I decided to teach myself to quilt. Being the cerebral type, I bought a few books on the subject--I know, initially my plan had a flaw--and then bought a kit for my first effort. I still have that small Ohio Star quilt on a stand in our bedroom. Because I was working full time, my output over the next 20 years was small. I loved quilting, mainly because it wasn't something I "did in my head." It relaxed me--yes, even making teeny, tiny stitches with a teeny, tiny needle--and I began to take classes and buy more quilting stuff. You know that stuff is part of every hobby; it's not just a man thing. Probably my most ambitious project from my hand quilting days is the twin sized applique quilt I made for my sister's son, my Godson. He still has it; I haven't seen it, but hope to one of these days.

In 2000 or 2001 , Larry bought me my first sewing machine, an inexpensive Brother. I had asked for just such a machine for Christmas, figuring if my efforts at learning to machine quilt didn't pan out, we wouldn't be stuck with an expensive clothes hanger. That machine sat in the box for over a year, which makes me recall it was 2000. In 2001, I was in a bad car accident and while I was recuperating, thought I'd give the machine a try. My efforts to thread the bobbin and the machine very nearly made me give up. Seven years later, I own 2 Pfaff machines, one an embroidery machine; the walls of our log home will probably not hold any more wall hangings; a generation of babies at the school where I was principal have grown up with one of my baby quilts; and, I am in the process of finishing a rather difficult queen-sized quilt for our bed.

Machine piecing is "the bomb." I don't feel as passionate about machine quilting, though I've done some simple stuff. I now have a sewing room where I can store the many books and quilt-related stuff that I've accumulated and it just doesn't get any better as a hobby. I just made and donated 2 lap quilts to the nursing home center where I volunteer (and mom resides) and I still take classes whenever possible.

I love quilting as much as I love cooking and it's surely less fattening!

Check out my friend Susan's blog on the subject:

http://www.susansews.blogspot.com/