Happy Birthday Dad!

My brother and his wife, along with Jim and I drove down to Illinois to surprise my dad for his 81st birthday. Boy did we surprise him! Enjoyed a quick two day visit at their new home. My brother had 30 years of 8mm films converted to DVDs. Some of which I had never seen. Can't wait to view all of them.

School again

Every year the summer seems to disappear so quickly. This year was no different. With many trips and adventures in July and August, no wonder why school crept up on us!

Minnesota State Fair

Every few years I try to get to the fair. I love looking through the Creative Activities building. Beautiful quilts, knitting, stained glass, woodworking. Love it all. Motivation for me to start working on projects again.

This year Kevin, Haley, Lucas and I decided to go to the state fair on a "cold" day. We hoped people would stay away. Not the case. Quite a crowd! We still had a wonderful time. Ate a variety of foods and enjoyed many exhibits including the Lego Mindstorm robotic one.

Next year we will need to pick a nice, sunny day.

Quilts on the Lawn

A week ago I was lucky enough to see the outdoor quilt show in Bozeman. Margo Krager of Reproduction Fabrics Inc posted the show to her email list, which I am a part of. Seeing that the show was near our motorcycle trip, Jim was kind enough to head north to Bozeman our last day. After a great steak dinner in town, and a great night's sleep at a small local hotel, we headed to Reproduction Fabrics Inc in the morning before the show. Jim dropped me off at the show, which had perfect weather for an outdoor event. I took many photos. Here is a sampling of the quilts from the show. Many more photos on my Webshots site.

Images

Throughout our ten day trip west on the motorcycle, I had a lot of time to see the country from the back of the bike. Difficult to sleep, so kept my eyes open and took in all the sights. I have posted many photos on my webshots page, so please go take a look.

I decided to go through the last few days worth of photos and grab a few images . Beautiful sunsets, quilt shops we passed, flowers in full bloom, horseback riding across hills we normally ski on. And of course all the quirky signs! It was a great week. Glad to be home, but can't wait to do it again.

Quirky signs

Sheridan to Cooke City

Today we drove from Sheridan Wyoming to Cooke City Montana. Anyone familiar with this part of the country, you have to go over or around the mountains to get to most towns. After checking out of our hotel in Sheridan, we headed into town to fill up with gas. On our way out we drove by The Quilters Fix. Sunday morning, so definitely not open. Jim was sorry to hear that.

Rest of the day was spent on windy roads over different mountain passes. Temperatures ranged from 30F to 70F. And that is without the windchill factored in!

Tonight we are resting in Cooke City, which is at the NE end of Yellowstone. Relaxing and enjoying the ability to walk instead of sitting on the motorcycle. Time for dinner. Then will try to download all the photos from the REAL camera. Here are two from my iPhone.

Mystery fabric

Again, this is nothing special. Just a batik I bought years ago. And then I went and used it in my one daughter's wedding quilt. The other daughter asked if it could be in her's too. Didn't have any more, so the search began about 3 1/2 years ago. I have carried a swatch of it with me to every quilt shop I stop in. And here out in the middle of nowhere, I find it! (Sorry about the photo. Not the best.)

Happy quilter!

Happiness is driving across country on a motorcycle with your husband, stopping in a small Wyoming town at a quilt shop, and finding the piece of fabric that you have been searching for for nearly four years!

Tiny, tiny blocks

Anyone want to join me and make this miniature quilt?
Each nine patch is only 1 1/2", so each little square is 1/2" finished. Can't wait!

Blue Plate Diner

During our visit in Salt Lake City area, we decided to eat lunch at the Blue Plate Diner. This diner was featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-ins & Dives.

I had reuben soup and fried ravioli with marinara sauce. Yum!!!!!

Definitely a diner I will visit again when in Salt Lake City.
Now to find more diners from Triple "D" that we can visit!

Road to Utah

Earlier this summer, a dear quilting friend invited many of us to her home in Utah for a retreat. We are having a great trip, with many sights along the way. It has been filled with many interesting road names. A few extremely slow construction zones, and some very curious prairie dogs. All in all, it has been wonderful so far. More to come!

Goodbye Mount Prospect

Officially my parents have moved 2 1/2 miles NW of their home of 46 years. They no longer live in Mt. Prospect, now residing in Arlington Heights. It is difficult to get used to a new address and a new telephone number. THAT hasn't changed for as long as I can remember.

I had to take a few last pictures. My bedroom, which is bare down to the wood again, and Door County rocks along side the garage, which have found a new home in my Minnesota garden.

I am hoping my parents will love their new home and be able to enjoy the activities that are offered there.

Afternoon games

Not to be outdone by his big sister, Lucas had a great afternoon at the tournament, and scored his first soccer goal. I didn't get a picture of the actual goal being scored, but did get the kick and the celebration that followed.

Tonka Blast

Soccer season over for another year. Each year there is a tournament after the regular game schedule. Luckily the weather cooperated this year. We also lucked out, and grandkids games did not overlap. Girls' teams played in the morning, boys' in the afternoon.

Coach Jim talking to the girls about strategies.

Trying to take away the ball and SCORE!!!!

Watching sis play.