"People usually fail when they are on the verge of success. So give as much care to the end as to the beginning."– Lao-Tzu

I think more often than not some of us do set ourselves up to fail. I wonder why? Why would we be afraid of success?

 I'm quilting today. Happy Sunday:) My cousins were here this week end. Sisters on a roadtrip! I want to go on one of those real soon too! Here is a tired shot of us at Madonna Inn for dinner. Joanne and Virginia from the Terranova side of the family. Utah and Colorado. See! I need a roadtrip! Imma gonna talk my sis into it.

For now, I am trying very hard to get to Idaho, Montreal, then Oregon. Yes, she likes to drive. Grunt.

Maybe I will pick up my baby grand girl and haul her around with me. Do you think there are any great quilt shops in Boise???? Hmmmmm

Freaky ( not foody) Friday!

"Victory is won not in miles but in inches. Win a little now, hold your ground, and later, win a little more."– Louis L'Amour





Look closely! Yes it IS my lil grand girl Aviana! The little dare devil!

Wasnt she just two years old yesterday? Time is moving at an alarming rate of speed and I do not like it!I know what my Mom felt like when I was young evil Knevil with my motorcycle. I also KNOW that it skipped a generation because Avi's mom was NOT a dare devil. A swimmer yes, but like Aviana? Nope. She was far more careful at this age. Me? I thought that I was immortal until I had children of my own. At that point, pigs would have had to have flown before I did anything scary. I hope that Karen keeps her blood pressure under control! LOL

Its warming up over here. I would love a fair day today but I'm having company. No playing in the earth for me. No Midway corn on the cobbs either. Grunt. My cousins are coming and I cant wait to see them! I suppose I better get a second cuppa in me and move my butt. Have a great week end, and no high diving you peoples!

LYG!

G

Coming Soon To A Hoarders Episode Near you!

My nails! My nails! My nails!
Is there a 12 step program for planting an unusual and eclectic garden? I cannot stop! I just seem to find the perfect plants no matter where I go! Friends! Nurseries! Side of the road???
Its really cutting into my blogging quilting time I tell you. I will take pics of the entire Eden when I can....Here are some photos of my recent finds. ( ok, and Walts recent inventions too) He is great, I point, he builds! What a team!This rope pot thingy we saw in a nursery for a hundred bucks... pppffftttt! The redwood planters... 40 and up! He is a bit handy. I may keep him yet.
I gotta go quilt make dinner.

LYG!

Where Is She? Maybe At The Fair?

"The most wasted of all days is one without laughter." 

e.e. cummings

I know, I know, I'm SO sorry!

<---bad blog girl.

It's summertime!! Just when you think its safe to love summer, ya go and marry a teacher and have another 12 year old under foot! (no offense Babe)

No routine, no lists, no IDEA of whats gonna go on next, so yep yep yep... the blog suffers. (amoung other things).

I can only laugh. It gets me through it. Sometimes, it not only gets me through it, but its kind of fun. interesting. curious. Something.

Things that I find hysterical this summer.

Angry Birds.

Swamp people

The climate differance from here to Arroyo Grande. ( not)

Words with friends

Two and a Half Men

Ginger in the pool

A fake dead cat in my garden

Squirrels snatching the bird seed ( and torturing Ginny)

Walt hunting down a new commuter car

And the funniest, happiest, tickle this summer so far....................

Linda B and Me

SCORING

THREE  count em THREE BLUE RIBBONS

AT THE STATE FAIR

 WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*Red White and Blue

*Oriental Bliss

*Coffee and cream!

And a lovely SECOND place for Houses!~

GO SEE EM!!

Something To Do.

"There is always something to do.

 There are hungry people to feed, naked people to clothe, sick people to comfort and make well.

While I don't expect you to save the world I do think it's not asking too much for you to love those with whom you sleep, share the happiness of those whom you call friend.

 Engage those among you who are visionary and remove from your life those who offer you depression, despair and disrespect."

Oh man when I read that I heard my Mama say

" Tell me who you're with and I'll tell you who you are". How about.... "If you're bored, you're just boring, go find what there is to do for someone!....LOL

And I smiled at her comfort. Isn't it so true that we just dont have the room in our hearts for those who wish to ruin the WORK of a happy journey through life? Isn't it also as true that when around those who are encouraging if not visionary, we too become motivated?Isn't it  so comforting to do for others and relieve yourself of your own little pity parties?

 I miss you Ma. I wish to pick of the phone and yak your ear off, make you laugh, and be scolded. I wish to tell you of my sorrows and listen to yours.

I suppose she has none now eh? I'm happy about that.

Ok, so I have no idea why I am on this brain wave.. I suppose it was reading the above quote today...lol
Today is a quilting day. Finishing up a Christmas quilt, then hopefully loading Avianas treasure for her Dad. Hoe Hope... Im having difficulty with this quilt as it has many layers and the joining seams incredibly tough! I have now gone through 3 needles ( sz 18). Maddening I tell you! Remember its what I believe jumped the timing last week. Today, I WILL win.
Have a great week end, and I will too:)
LYG
G

Dreams

"If one dream should fall and break into a thousand pieces,
 never be afraid to pick one of those pieces up and begin again."

I think Mr. Wizard must have written that. Or Heather. Not a clue. But I do it daily.

You peoples dream much? I am a dreamer. Literally. Good, bad, ugly, funny, wierd, I dream. I dream about quilts, patterns, ideas. I dream about homes and everything in them. I dream about baby grands and smiles.

I also dream unspeakable monster dreams. Lately, I've been trying to analyse when which ones occur, so that I may manipulate them accordingly. I fail miserably. Try as I may I cannot force myself to have the dreams that I enjoy. It escapes me. I'll try harder. I wish to dream what I love, and love what I dream.Click.

I'm still working on my friends Christmas quilt. I cannot for the life of me figure out why oil is getting onto my thread as it goes through the hook race. Its maddening. White thread, white fabric, black crud. ACKKKK. Its making this a not so fun project. What could be wrong? We timed it last week ( the machine) and ever since, the oil is appearing every so often, and then you KNOW what must happen next right? Frogging!!! Grunt.

I must get Aviana's quilt finished and this one just wont go away! lol Sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes, you're the bug. This week, I am a pretty Narley Bug.

Anyway, so that I dont take yall with me, have a great hump day, and I'll see ya when I see ya:)

G-OUT

The BEST Part

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."
– Aristotle

I did it again. I'm not happy about it either. I have cornered the market on doing dumb things with my smart phone. It dead. It got wet. My pants pocket has proven to be a very dangerous place. This time it was the potty. Yes, I am a dumb ass. GRUNT. I am already missing Words with friends and I wish to know WHY its on phones and Ipads, and I cant have the app on my PC. I wrote a letter to the developer. We shall see.

I had a fabulous week with Aviana! She had a blast too. Three play dates with her cousin Emily, and lots of one on one time with Nonni. I bet she misses me too:) ( or Pappa cause he seems to be more fun). I asked what was her "best"part and without hesitation she exclaimed FROGGIES! Come on... the kiddie store in Cambria? Sheesh. Not cuddling or reading with Nonni? Not swimming or quilting with Nonni? SHOPPING????  (must be in the genes). Now if only I could get lil Jamie over here! Maybe I should just roadtrip to Idaho?

Truthfully, I must get back to quilting. I find that if I dont keep my hands in motion, my skills get a bit jiggly. According to the above qoute, I am correct. My hands in motion is by far my best habit! I pray never to lose it.I have been trying to figure out how to make a little sewing station upstairs here. I cant handle idle hands while watching TV. I just cant? Humming machines seem to be the most relaxing technique that I use. It must stem from childhood. All of the machines in my parents shop just humming away still play in my mind. I guess its my turn to plant that sound in the grands minds :)

Have a marvelous Monday peoples!

Love yer guts!

M & M's:

Seven different activities with Aviana, the "best" part, sewing!

Grilled Artichokes With Garlic Aioli Sauce

"It's never too late to be who you might have been."
– George Eliot

Who might that be? I wonder. How about a great novelist under a pen name? How mysterious would that be? LOL You never know.........................It could be Ms Chef extrodinaire...Naaaaa too damn much work. I'll stick to quilting, thanks:) But I have been obsessed about these artichokes for quite sometime now. I first enjoyed them at the Hitching Post in Solvang. Since then I have been wanting to steal  perfect the recipe. I just LOVE them for an appetizer! ( They pair well with wine:) But its a great side dish to any grilled meat. I'm doing them again tonight with Pollo Asada! I think I 'll be making myself sick on these things! LOL

For Aioli:

• 4 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Pinch cayenne pepper
• 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 large egg yolks
• The juice of a half lemon

In a food processor, pulse garlic, salt, cayenne pepper, and 2 teaspoons oil until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add yolks and lemon juice and blend until smooth. With motor running, very slowly add remaining 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons oil in thin, steady stream, blending until aïoli is thick, about 2 minutes. Refrigerate until ready to use.

For artichokes:

4 Atichokes

1/4 cup Olive oil

3 minced garlic cloves

 Cut off stem and top quarter of each artichoke. Bend back dark green outer leaves and snap off at artichoke base.

Steam artichokes until tender, about 20 minutes. Cool and cut in half. Remove any purple-tipped leaves from center of artichokes.

Prepare barbecue (medium-heat). Stir olive oil and minced garlic in small bowl to blend. Brush garlic oil over artichokes. Sprinkle artichokes with kosher salt. Grill artichokes until slightly charred, turning occasionally, about 8-10 minutes, brushing occasionally.

Serve with Aioli.

Can You Stand More Grand Quilt Pictures?

With one day left to spare, Aviana completed her first ever quilt top! A birthday gift for her Daddy she says:) Its not perfect, or even straight, but it was done by her alone:) She is now an experianced frogger! (she loathes this btw)
After a long day in the shop, her reward was dinner out in Cambria and of course a trip to FROGGIES, her favorite over stimulating kid store. She shopped for what seemed to be 2 hours and came out with a new dress, pixie dust, hair bobs, and body glitter... sheesh... I kept my mouth shut and my wallet opened... ( what else could I do?)
By the time we finished dinner, Nonni's Pandora store was closed:( sniff sniff.
Today we are cleaning our huge mess and then off to a matinee. Enjoy the pics! Karebear, please do not show Daddy.

So SHOCKED that she did it!!! Priceless photo indeed.

RELISHING IN HER ACCOMPLISHMENT

Wrapped in Love

Her reward at Madelines. Sea Bass with slipper lobster on top. She was in heaven. Who needs pizza? lol

Busy ----HOT----Days

Okay, U.N.C.L.E   Thanks for all the caring emails, I'm really okay, just busier than a one armed paper hanger?
Aviana has me hopping?
We had a great time on the beach for the Fourth of July, Until........................Walt had an accident on the way home. He is fine, the car is not. It was a dramatic night, ( after the fireworks) and we all made it through with flying colors. ( no pun intended).
I am able to jot down a few lines now only because the lil early riser is still asleep! WOOHOO!!! She is having a few play dates with her cousin Emily and between the two of them, guess who is worn out? Yep, yep, yep...They have done the pool, the park, zoo, swimming, beaching, and on Thursday will storm the theatre! lol Ahhhh playdates.....
So, how are you peoples? Did everyone else enjoy the holiday? Hey! I have to type up a great recipe for ya .. I have been obsessed with grilling artichokes, and I think I've got it! Stay tuned:)
On the quilting front, I am doodling on a Christmas quilt while Avi pieces her first top. Its going well! No blood yet! I have but two days left with my lil squirt, as she is demanding to see her Mommy already. GRUNT. Here are a few pics, and I'll see ya when I see ya!!!
LYG!
PS: What will I do now that the O.J. Trial is over?

M & M's Include:

Absolutley blessed to have Walt walk away from that wreck.
Baby grand visits
A quilting buddy
cool ocean breezes

Saturday Morning At Nonni's (pictures added)

Avi intercept at Harris Ranch!

 If ya cant have em all, GO GET ONE!

And then talk til late night and pass out.........(with Ginger in protect and defend mode)

Then walk her a mile or so til she thinks Nonni is NUTS, ( and her foot hurts)

Give a slight reward at the play ground.........

Then have her help with watering chores out back! (yes, Mom, I fed her too)

We are now quilting as to beat the heat... later, swim time! Be back soon!

PS:  Nonni's got a baby grand here!!!!

And even though we sing the "right sides together" song.. still it goes together backwards? Ahhhh Spawn of Nonni, the Frogger....lol