Long Day

Had our monthly ACQP meeting today.  The "official photographer" was there to take our pictures as a committee and filmed parts of our meeting for posterity's sake.  Had to sign model release forms, so I guess I am a professional model!!!  Too funny.  After I got home, I spent the afternoon working on ACQP stuff, getting the minutes refined and coming up with a synopsis of our history.

I'm so glad I made a big pot of turkey soup yesterday afternoon.  Just chopped up the leftover turkey from Thanksgiving, poured in two cans of chicken broth, a big bag of frozen mixed veggies, some celery and onion and a cup of barley and let it simmer away.  The pot of soup always comes out bigger than I anticipate.  I think I should get a bigger pan, but that would only mean more soup.  We will be eating off it for a week at least, as it is.

It was cool and cloudy all day and we got some rain.  I love this kind of weather.  I could deal with it year round.

Happy Birthday, Mother!

Just want to wish my mother a very happy 92nd birthday.  I am so grateful that I have had her in my life for so long.  I talked with her on the phone earlier and she sounded really great.  They were enjoying 75 degree weather in VA, warmer than my 68 in Arizona!  Go figure.

Is it possible to read too much?????

I have decided to cut back on how many books I read each week.  Although I like nothing better than getting lost in a good book, I wasn't getting anything else done.  I have too many UFOs, both sewing and embroidery, to be doing that.  Now, if I could clone myself so I could do everything, that would be a different matter.......  I went a whole week without a book to read!!  But I did get a bit of stitching done.  Have to trade one pleasure for another.  Sigh.  My turn for the new Sue Grafton book came up, so I HAD to go to the library to pick it up and I HAVE to read it this week.  I have no choice in the matter.  rofl.

Musings

I love reading other people's blogs.  I love reading about what is going on in their lives.  Why is it we find someone else's "normal" life so much more interesting than our own?  Do we all have a bit of voyeur in us?  I also love to follow crafty blogs, specifically embroidery and quilting blogs.  I love to watch others' progress on their projects.  I keep telling myself I will start posting my works in progress, thinking that might motivate me to finish things a bit more quickly.  Still waiting for that to happen.  lol

The ACQP committee met yesterday.  Because of scheduling conflicts and lots of out of town traveling by members, we have not met since August.  It was a long meeting, but we got a lot covered.  The Commemorative Quilt has been officially unveiled.  It was also displayed at the state fair last weekend.  It will be on display at the Tempe Historical Museum starting next weekend and will be there until the middle of January.  It will also be on display at both the Tucson Quilt Show and the AQG quilt show.  So glad it's getting lots of exposure.

We're supposed to get some rain tomorrow so dh and I will probably go out 4-wheeling.  It should be a beautiful day for it.  The temps dropped to the low forties last night and should stay in the 60s all day, with it just a bit warmer tomorrow.

White Thumb Day

Yesterday was a "white thumb" day.  I was in the mood to bake.  Made 3 dozen snickerdoodles, a batch of blueberry muffins and a loaf of white bread.  Figured as long as I was making a mess, I might as well make it worth my while cleaning up!  All turned out yummy.  We had some cookies for dessert after dinner, a slice of warm bread with homemade butter later and blueberry muffins and coffee for breakfast this morning.

Going to spend a quiet day reading, then work on a quilt block (hand piecing) after dinner.  Planning sloppy joes and french fries for dinner.  Quick and simple.

The Commemorative Quilt has been unveiled!

The Arizona Commemorative Quilt was officially unveiled in Prescott, AZ a couple of weeks ago at the Sharlot Hall Museum. Sorry I'm so slow getting around to posting pictures. Hope you enjoy! It is really beautiful. The front and back were quilted separately, then joined together with the binding. The Arizona Historical Museum has graciously agreed to give the quilt a permanent home. It will be on display there beginning February 18, 2012 and should be on display for a year. Also on display at the same time will be the "100 Quilts - 100 Years" quilt display. I have seen some of the entries. It will be well worth planning a trip to view these beautiful works of art!!!!!

After the Arizona Centennial Quilt Project executive committee meeting (quite a mouthful, eh? lol) we got to see pictures of the quilts submitted for the "100 for 100" exhibit that will open February 2012 at the Arizona Historical Museum in Tucson.  All I can say is WOW.  There are some amazing quilts that have been submitted!  It is going to be an amazing show.  I sure wish I could give a sneak peek here, but ........  :)  I believe a virtual show will be available online after the physical show opens.  I will keep everyone posted.

I am stuffed!!!

We went to Anzio Landing for dinner tonight to celebrate Steve's new job that starts next month.  One of our very favorite restaurants.  Great Italian food.  Their desserts are awesome, too!  lol  If you are ever in the area, you should have dinner or lunch there.

Happy 4th!

Happy 4th everyone!  Hope everyone is having, or had, a great day.  It was hot here.  Steve and I were very lazy today, both of us spending time on the computer.  I also read a bit and finished James Patterson's "10th Anniversary".  I love the Womens Murder Club series.  Steve did steaks for dinner out on the grill.  I heated up some baked beans and made twice baked potatoes.  Now we are back to vegging again.  I am so ready for winter!

Great Day Today!

I had a GREAT day today!  Met a girlfriend for breakfast, then we went to a quilt show at the Gilbert Historical Museum.  It runs from March 1 to May 31.  This year's emphasis was on 1930s quilts.  Had some aprons, with little "stories" to go along with them.  Really neat.  Attended a hand piecing demonstration that was fun.  On the way home we stopped at a little antique store.  Can't get much better than that - good friend, quilts, antiques!!!!!

Arizona Centennial Quilt Project

Today was a great day!  We had our first viewing of the Commemorative Quilt as a private showing to those who helped make the quilt, the Executive Committee and various other "dignitaries" who are an important part of this project.  All I can say is, the quilt is amazing!  It will have it's public "coming out party" in September at Sharlot Hall in Prescott.  Can't wait!  We also got an up close and personal look at the fabric line that In The Beginning made for us.  The fabrics are beautiful!  I can't wait to get hold of some.  It is already appearing in some Arizona quilt stores, and from what I understand, some stores have already sold out and have had to reorder!  That is a great thing!  Feel free to follow us on Facebook!

We had hail yesterday.  Well, I think the more accurate term is graupel ( I learned that on the news last night!).  Here is a link explaining what it is.  http://blog.oregonlive.com/weather/2008/03/its_hail_its_snow_no_its_both.html

I know, more than you wanted to know!  lol  We had had rain most of Saturday and it was still overcast Sunday.  The sun finally came out and all of a sudden I started hearing a racket outside.  There was a dark cloud overhead and we were getting pelted!  Of course I had to grab the camera and get some pictures.  Really strange weather for this time of year.  Our temps are going to move up into the 80s this week.  What a change!  I would prefer to see the cool weather hang around as long as possible.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hope everyone has a great day today.  I thought I would post a picture of a piece I did for friends for their wedding.  This was a topic of discussion on one of the lists I follow - what to put on a wedding sampler.  This is the second one I have done similar to this.  I use the same hardanger house, but use different colors and a different Bible verse or quote to suit the couple.

It's a finish!

I finished something!  I made a quilt for a friend who had surgery last month.  The pieced block is double friendship star that I found on Quilter's Cache.  The hand embroidered blocks are from Aunt Martha's transfer for Death by Chocolate.  I hand quilted it, doing "in the ditch" around the stars and echo quilting around the embroideries.  I started it in November, 2010 and finished it night before last.  Fast finish for me!  lol

Don't think I have mentioned here before that I am on the Executive Committee of the Arizona Centennial Quilt Project.  This group is planning two quilt shows, plus other events, in conjuction with Arizona's Centennial celebration in 2012.  Arizona is the last continental state to gain statehood.  Hawaii and Alaska won't celebrate their centennials until the 2050s.  I don't think I will still be around then.  How about you??  lol  Anyway, we have a blog that I invite you to follow: http://azcentennialquiltproject.blogspot.com/