Design Wall Up! ::::CHECK::::

It is good to act as if. It is even better to grow to the point where it is no longer an act."
– Charles Caleb Colton

Mornin`!Its been a long time coming, but the new design wall is up and its fabulous! It measures five foot x seven foot, with a nice wood trim with a quilt design of vining leaves travelling! Ms artsy fartsy and bob the builder spent our Sunday hard at work:) This, much like the IQ will make my work life easier and increase, read: improve production! Thanks Mufasa!
This one is made from Insulation foam, one inch thick. It was adhered by that far out nail gun of his with nail brads. Covered in marbled flannel, and trimmed out with the pretty wood. It too was nailed in with skinny brads right in the spot s as not to show.  I oil paint sticked the leaves in meadow green for a natural pop of color. I L.O.V.E. to bring the outside in!
The flannel was put on with Loctite spray adhesive, lightly, and allowed to dry. This wall is considerably smaller than the others, but it works!
Check this one off the list, and onto the next!

Happy Monday dear blog readers! i gotta move my butt right now if I Will get through this list!

M 7 M's include:

IQ Arrival!

Design wall up!

A partner in projects

Date night

A really cool birthday month, yeh!!! October!!!

Talking to Shawn and Jamie after they received their pillowcases and sleepy time books!

 Airfare to classes! ::::Phew:::

It's An IQ Official Announcment!

"If people only knew how hard I work to gain my mastery, it wouldn't seem so wonderful at all."
– Michelangelo Buonarroti

Good morning! So I have waited this long to tell ya that Dear Gina is going digital! IQ  Yep yep yep... I am now not ONLY hand guided, but digitized too! I am still a bit deer in the headlights about it all, however I am so excited to add this to the mix! It will relieve physical ailments, increase production, and you wouldnt believe the boost in the brain to go with it!

Now... lets discuss the learning curve. OMGoodness.. I just did 8 hours of training and I feel pretty stupid trying to remember it all. So... that brings me to this... I am going to MQX West for a weeks worth of training!!! :::Happy Birthday to me::::singin:::::

Hopefully by the weeks end, I will be Proficient ( on the outside eh) on my new lil computer!

The beauty so far for me is that I can not only work better, faster... but still indulge my artful side and hand guide my custom quilts:) I am just THRILLED! ( and a bit nervous, but more thrilled, so I will concur the nerves,...)

I have a week to get my self together because I'M REALLY GOING!!! Colleagues, and teachers, and vendors, OH MY! :::::: I did not mention hot tubs, no I did not:::::Nor wine:::::

I havent been to a teaching convention since MQS 07!!! Well... I suppose life pretty much came to a screeching halt after that eh? CLIC

Ok, second cuppa... Shoot.. I have no Foodie Friday for you people! Thanks be to my BFF Linda, I'm walking much more than cooking! Last night I just threw chicken on the grill and tossed a salad! I'm a bit bored with foods, but its ok cause Im working on the weight loss. and the cirrculation, and the sugar levels... Just working on me.

I miss my kids. I wish to go see some of them, tell them the news, and love up on them for a day, then come back and stick my nose back in quilts... maybe I will go for a day.. We shall see. I missed Justin's birthday yesterday due to much training craziness here. He liked his gift, however its just not the same for Nonni.

I better move it.. I slept in and man I'm gonna pay for that one!

LYG!!



Happy Birthday Justin!

He is an officail TEENAGER!

Where did thirteen years get off to anyway? An btw, I SO DONT FEEL THIS OLD. ( today)

Happy Birthday Dear Grand Teen O mine! i am glad you liked the gift, wish I could have been there... altho it was pretty noisy when we spoke! I'm glad Mom made you Halibut too! Nonni loves you!

No White At Night

I figured out why I'm fat. The shampoo I use says, "for extra body."

I should use Dawn dish washing liquid. It says,

"Dissolves fat that is difficult to remove."

Yep

This is my arsenal to do warrior battle with this new found problem O mine. All of them are quite the YAWN, save one. No White At Night. (center) It's easy, its sensible, and its working.
The most difficult for me is getting in the 30 minute walk, and omitting the starch at dinner. I believe that if I were to follow the American Diabetic Assc diet, I would be failing. I weigh, nor measure nothing. I count nothing. I read labels, and I am mindful of what goes into my mouth.( sugar!)  That's it. I pray everyday that I keep going. I pray that it lasts. ( I'm not so good of a "closer" )
A good woman knows her limitations eh?
The good doc has 3 easy rules.
Eat 3 meals a day ( no skipping) *for me I must add in a few healthy snacks
Eat the right amount of protein at each meal.(3-4 oz)
No white at night.
Period.

Ma was right about the "white" evils...(sugar, flour, starches)
I can still have a bread or a pasta or a potato.. I just have to have them for breakfast or lunch.
The most remembered words of the doctors for me is this.
Eat like a King for breakfast,
 a Prince for lunch,
 and a Pauper for dinner.
My previous menus were just the opposite. My bad.
I learn everyday eh? I hope that I always will.
Gives a whole new meaning to Eat, Pray, Love I tell ya!
Keep me in your prayers, and thanks for the continuous encouraging emails! I need ya!
Love yer guts!
G

"When patterns are broken, new worlds emerge."– Tuli Kupferberg

MM Catch and Release Fun

Mornin`. What does this MM bring?
<---hopeful, as always.
What did you peoples do over the week end? You already know what I did! Burnt myself out on pillow cases! lol No way! Im still on them! I have a stack going now for the Womens Shelter in my area. I havent done stuff for them in about a year. Its time. I hope my Elna holds out. Its about dead! I dont know, it screams bloody murder at me and I've done everythig to fix it... escapes me. Today I have a panto and then my BIGGO Love letters from the cival War Quilt. I need a design wall for stand and stares. Altho I did find some cute stencils in my stock. 121 blocks, its going to be the sampler to end all samplers...lol
I'm sippin and shopping... I need a Nano shuffler for walking my butt all around town. Its so cool, small, and downright techy!

Linda came in with one the other day. I darn near squealed! I 'll put it on my L.I.S.T.

 For now, I best get busy... my Fitbit is telling me that I'm sitting too long! Have a marvelous Monday!
PS: I was invited to guest blog at Mom About Town! Go over and read it! And then send me a "Ya done good Buttercup"...LOL
MM Include:

 Pillow case fun
A good stash for gift giving
Gifts coming by Fed Ex to thrill me!
Guest Bloggin`!
Reccomendations from local LQS
Battle buddy to walk with
Fresh tomatoes on the vine everyday!

It's Raining Pillow Cases!

Throw Your Hands In The Air ------And Wave `Em like You Just Dont Care!

And make a bunch of pillow cases for no particular reason!

So I'm obsessed with them.. I admit it.. Its super fun, quick, and I think I'll just use them for gift wrapping! lol

Anyway, heres the directions if you peoples want to become hooked with me. Or... maybe youve moved on to postcards, hand dyes, etc... Remember when I couldnt move away from the Swarvarski crystals? Wow.. I have an addictive personality me thinks. Thank God I dont live in Vegas! Whoa!

Standard pillow cases:

Cuts are selvedge to selvedge approx 42 -44  inches

Sleeve: 9” x 42ish

Accent  2” x 42ish ( fold and press lengthwise)

Body     27” x 42ish

Lay sleeve face up

Lay body on top of that… face up

Lay accent piece on top of that raw edges on top, folded edge on bottom

When all pieces are lined up straight, Pick up end of body and fan fold it on top of all creating a tube.

Now pick up sleeve and cover all. All raw edges should be even at top. Pin, do not grab the fan fold. You should be pinning 5 layers of fabric total.

Stitch ¼ inch across top, where pinned.

Now pull the center fan fold out, keep pulling until all out. Press.

Square up getting rid of selvedges.

With wrong sides together, pin and stitch down long side and pivot and stitch across the bottom in ¼ seam. (Make sure your accent seams match up)

Poke corners after turns to have a nice square edge.

Turn pillow case right sides together and stitch again ½ “ seam on top of under seam.

Turn pillow case again.  This has created a flat fell, or French seam. (No raw edges)

* Be mindful to back tack your opening when you begin to stitch.

Great Grand gift Ideas! 

 I'm sending Shawn a little sleepytime book,and a car, inside a pillowcase! Funnily enough the car says excedrin pm     LMAO!!!!!

Favorite Prayer On My Way To Lights Out

I know I have probobly written this before but I am certain that it bears repeating from time to time, in case you're getting old and crotchety.. oh geez did I say that? mercy. Sometimes the "funk" gets me, and I need to remember my faith. My love. (S)

May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you..May you be content. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

It is a prayer of Saint Theresa who is known as the Saint of the Little Ways, meaning she believed in doing the little things in life well and with great love. I think it was Sandy Quilts who actually gave me its author! Must be leftover from childhood days for me eh? ( No, Im not regressing, shuddup)

Then ya add a lil G "ism" LOL

"Do what you feel in your heart to be right, for you will be critized anyways."

Eleanor Rosevelt

I think I need a kid fix. Or a new Pandora charm... something?

Carnita's Con Pico! ! MQX! Blima! Oh My!

My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry;

to get my work done and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return.
-- Maya Angelou

Well said Maya:) Ditto...........

Morning! Just sat down for my second cuppa in front of my think tank and notepads. I have already been over to SLO, then to a friends, and now, I'M ON IT! I must get this roast roasted... I'm singing Happy Birthday to my BFF Blima, and TRYING to make ready for my trip to Machine Quilters Expo conferance in I think 17 days??? WOW! I dont have a thing to wear! I think I need a new piece of luggage! Too bad, bigger fish to fry eh? Lately, I have been running full throttle Mach one with my lion mane flying and I dont feel accomplished! Last evening after our power walk I had the biggest headache in my eyes that I truly thought I was having an attack of some kind. I am such a boob too... pain "handling" is not a longsuit of mine. Its still with me, albeit faint. Press on I must.

Happy Birthday to Blima

and I so wish I was tripping to Montreal too :( I love ya Blim.

Ok, foodie Friday....I'm making some Carnitas. I cant have white at night per my new book..( No White At Night)  however I found some wheat tortillas that are low in carbs with no sugar, so I'm giving them a try. ( I'll get back to ya on that one) I have also reduced fats and Now the recipe of Moms will be in my range. ( 40/30/30) We actually SHOULD have this for lunch as opposed to dinner, so I may very well keep it in the fridge til tomorrow! Drilling in my head every moment of every day is Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a shopkeeper, and dinner like a pauper. Frankly, I'm becoming quite bored with dinners, which used to be a great love. I pretty much sing while preparing dinner, wine in one hand, spoon in the other. Changes they say.... Ok... in the words of Charlie Sheen.... WINNING!

• 4 pound pork shoulder roast 
• 4 cups (or more) chicken broth 
•  1/2 cup fresh orange juice
• 6-8 garlic cloves, peeled
• 2 teaspoons sea salt
• 1 teaspoon grated orange peel
• 1/4 cup brandy
• Lime wedges

Cut off any chunks of fat from pork and reserve; leave small pieces of fat attached to pork. Combine pork, reserved fat, 3 cups broth, and next 4 ingredients in deep 12-inch skillet. (or dutch oven) Bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until pork is tender, stirring occasionally, about 2 hours, adding more (hot) broth or water by 1/4 cupfuls if necessary to keep pork partially submerged.

Uncover; boil pork mixture down until liquid is reduced by half, about 10 minutes. Stir in brandy; boil until liquid evaporates and meat browns and begins to get crisp, stirring often, about 15 minutes. Cool meat slightly. Discard any loose pieces of fat and garlic cloves. Shred meat into strips; return to skillet.

Add 2 tablespoons water to skillet. Cover and crisp pork over medium heat, stirring, about 5-10 minutes. Season with more salt, if desired. Serve with warm tortillas, squeeze of lime,Guacamole, fresh pico de gallo ( tomato salsa) OMGoodness our celebrity garden tomatoes are so good its snack worthy anytime!!!

You can also serve with sour cream, but not looking for extra fat here.....lol

Also Im skipping the chips, the beans, the rice, the margaritas...:::SIGH::::WINNING:::::I will, however make a nice salad. ( Thank God I adore veggies eh?)

(Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill, when ready, do the last skillet step.)

KIDS: Grams secret ingredient? Cumin... not fond of it..lol This Nonni prefers extra garlic:)

X Factor Premier

Did you watch it? I couldn't wait to see Simon and Paula again:) That Pop star chicky Cheryl, sure is pretty eh?
What was that Siamese character about? And they said yes? :::Shiver:::: I went to bed scratching things.. however, entertaining it was. I cant figure out how in the world they filter those thousands of people who turned out to audition! Wow, what a job!
SIDENOTE: I'm sitiing here reflecting on the show..sipping my first cuppa... HURTING from the punishing walks I'm taking daily. Everyday I SO dont want to go... but I go... I hope I go everyday. But not today. Cause I hurt. But I'm going. Grunt.
Okay I'm back.
I hurt last night too... during the show... oh jeez...did you just feel like a pooch wanting to break out into a HOWL a few times??? Mercy.
I think the commercials beat the show! I am partial to great commercials though.
I'll give it some time, but I dont think LA Reid compared to the DAWG. I see they are trying to recreate his personna eh? Still, it was good to see the dynamic dou together again:)
Today I have the nerve conduct test. I'm in hopes that someone can turn off my toes! Have a great day blog readers, I'm in the shower!

See! On a Tell All Tuesday

Quality is not cheap.

Cheap is not quality.

So.......what (good stuff) happened yesterday that  I just felt?? Two quilts were accepted to compete at PIQF in October! Woohoo! Bubbling Beauty and Oriental Bliss!

Told ya!

Other Tell all Tuesday news.............Not a drop in the bucket but I'm down a few pounds and I'm walking my lil legs off!

Just in case ya wanted to know?  I dont know if its sheer fear or the FitBit, but I'll take it! And BTW, freaking H.A.R.D.

Did you know that if you drink iced water instead of tipid, we actually burn more calories? Yep, yep , yep.. the body, once ingested, has to heat up the water, therefore keeping metabolism reved up... I didnt know this? Learn something every darn day. Now if I can just un bore myself with foods. I am craving pasta.. or a baked potato...oh! no! CLIC

What are you peoples making for Christmas gifts? I'm stumped. I am a bit obsessed with pillow cases right now, but Walt and I would like to delve into the dye world... I think Vicki should drop us some tips for beginners. (hint hint)

I know! Fit Bits All around!  LOL I do get a bit tunnelled sometimes eh? Hey, enough chit chat... I'm burnin daylight on a wool quilt and a custom breathing down my neck... gotta go! ( oh I wish I hada Go! )



Be Who You Are

"Be who you are and say what you feel,

 because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.”

 Dr. Seuss

Good Momday morning:) I feel something good will happen today! No clue why.. I just do. Check back with me tomorrow...lol

I spent the week end sewing/quilting and mindful food intake.. ok, and pricking my fingers. grunt. ( Lord I hate that) Now one would think that since I prick myself all the time on the long arm, I'd be used to it eh? Nope.

I've lost a few pounds and taken a few walks. I think I'm on baby steps with a fire alarm pulled. Yes. Thats what it feels like. A constant alarm going off in my head. I had fun with two new toys this week end.

One... I have become a little obsessed with making sausage pilllow case! Yep, Making adorable pillow cases for all the grands, in a tube shaped way. Serious fun. Secondly, My sis in law Sheena sent me a great lil motivator and to my surprise the darn things working on me!

FitBit is its name. Its a little techy toy personal trainer. It measures my activity, sleep patterns, and food intake. I think its quite comforting to know that by lunchtime I can know how many more calories Im allowed for dinner instead of playing Russian roulette!

I thought it was a glorified Pedometer, however much to my surprise, its much much more! After three nights I am already trying to adjust my sleep because I dont like my pattern!

So I wear this lil thing clipped to my bra and everytime I walk by my computer, it syncs automatically and records all my stats.One of the cool things too is that it also KNOWS all the nutrition facts of the foods I put in, so that I can see if Im getting the correct amounts of each food group. One night I ate a bit of fruit in the evening and shot my blood sugar off the charts. NOT GOOD. I now know that a handful of nuts would have done better. Baby steps. grunt.

Now I dont know if this will last, or if its just the new tech toy, but I'm going to give it my best to find out. Thank you Sheena for the encouragement! One day at a time.
I'm off to get my fatbut  FitBit moving...lol !

Marvelous Mondays include:
New tech toys!
Sausage pillow cases, what fun... ( simple girl)
Caring blog readers who send me encouraging emails.. LYG
FINISHING a project
Fresh yummy greens here on the coast
fabric stashes to play
Hope on a Monday

Happy Birthday Jake! 27 OR 7????

You don't raise heroes, you raise sons. And if you treat them like sons, they'll turn out to be heroes, even if it's just in your own eyes.” ~Walter M. Schirra

Mom will take age seven, for a dollar:)

Happy Birthday Lovie!

Ellen Degeneres Should See This!

"If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading."
– Lao-Tzu

I'm tellin` ya... I dont know why Ellen hasnt contacted me yet! I have so many strange things to tell her!
Okay... Look at this... Do you EVEN BELIEVE that Marshalls could do this to their patrons? Come on! Throw some donations in this jar while salivating over cookies and candies below! I personally spied the shortbread cookies and my eyes traveled up only to get the big SMACKDOWN of my recent diagnosis. While the cash girl was ringing me up I was fumbling for the camera in total disbelief. She asked what I was doing and I told her that this is soooo wrong on Soooo many levels. She, on the other hand, was clueless.
As I looked down the stretch of cashier stands, every single checker had the same candy/diabetes donation display units. W.H.A.T. 
 T.H. E.  
H.E.L.L.????
OK, so I'm over it... But if any of you peoples have a direct pipeline to my Ellen.. please tell her that I KNOW that one day we will meet and chat about these wierd things in life.
Love yer guts,
 G

Back To It

You havent seen the last of me is my current year long theme song!

Ok, how about... I get knocked down, but I get up again, and you're never gonna keep me down?

So its Monday, new day, new week, she lives.

How are you? Did you get ENOUGH 9-11 remeberance-ing? I did. Sheesh. Like I really needed another emotional roller coaster! I swore I wouldnt bawl the brown out of my eyes, but who wouldnt? I did. It was the children singing NY to the firemen all over the city. Clic

I'm working on a sweet restoration quilt of Beatrix Potter. That will be after I spend a few hours giving Greta Gammil a badly needed spa treatment. I really dirtied her up last week and the lint is atrocious! When I use the Perma core threads its a good bet I'll be cleaning a lot more than if I had used GLIDE eh? You betcha.

I'm doing quite well on the new food intake from NO WHITE AT NIGHT book. I havent cheated at all, but the scale refuses to budge as of yet. I look down there in total shock every other day. WTH???

The excercise hasnt come yet. I am talking myself into it. I cant believe, nor can family members, that I used to be such a power walker and these days my ass will not get out the front door. HmmmmI sure could use a cookie I tell ya...  clic

OK, so... Im off to the list and I'll make it a Marvelous Monday. You too:)

MM include:

*Great tension on my machine!

*WWF, good temp distraction

*Kids calls, keeps me connected:)

*Thousands of Bolts, and only one nut! ( love the finds!)

*Fresh tomatoes in our garden

*Walts encouragement:)

*the ability to now bounce back quickly from a meltdown:)

Happy Birthday Munz

Happy Birthday Jamie. I will forever celebrate this day. 9x9=81 will ring my ears for the rest of my days.I hope that 27 years loving you is enough to sustain me until I can hold you again. Today I will work on our quilts again.  I do try, Son. I do. I find good stuff and I think good thoughts, but still I wish to share them with you. You've missed so much I tell you! I know that you would love playing Angry Birds, and hated Words with friends. You would been first to have a IPAD tablet, and taught me to use mine. I drove to Idaho alone and you would have laughed at me. Justin was in the hospital and sick as ever! You would have been very upset.You would have been Shawns favorite toy, and your neices would have you so wrapped. Your Dad has had such a rough road, but Im sure that you had a hand in his recovery. I've won some great awards this year Munz. While you would be so proud, I know that you would also chid me for not having your Wooby restored yet. TV would tickle you with all the reality shows. I can see you coming out of my bathroom telling me to "Respect the roll and cover my naked toilet paper!" I miss your your funny good timing.
Maybe a true love would be yours by now. Maybe even a grand Munzy for moi`? Everytime a new song comes out that I know you'd love, I make that little eleven frown in my forehead that you tease me about. It's because I'm missing you. Theres so much to celebrate, or think about today.... Kendalls birthday, friends birthdays, Rudy's birthday, 9-11 tributes... but I can only celebrate the first time I saw your big blue eyes look into mine. I pray that I never lose that memory.
I'm getting better James, but I'm missing you.

Bad Habits

"A bad habit never disappears miraculously; it's an undo-it-yourself project."

– Abigail Van Buren

Forgive me Dear Blog readers for I have sinned.

Now dont start emailing that I am making fun of this confession prayer. Im just writing a tell all Tuesday for ya.

I'm sorry that I have been away. I have been busy re adjusting. A.G.A.I. N.

My fAamily wonders why I hate doctor appointments. I tell them because its ALWAYS un nerving. Drama ensues each and every time. A few weeks ago, same thing as last years mammo scare. Only this time, I am not so fortunate. After my exam I was told that I now have Diabetes. I was listening to the good doctors words and looking in a side mirror at the same time. I saw my Mother. A.G.A.I. N.

While Diabetes is not a death sentence, it is a dibilitating disease that I DO NOT WISH TO DEAL WITH. It looks like I must. I am currently on an emotional roller coaster, determined to win, sad, resolute, pissed off, afraid, and about 10 other emotions thrown into the mix.

I have been on a mission to get better, get things accomplished, get better.... and now this. GRUNT. I know I allowed this to happen. I am not fooling myself. Maybe I thought I was exempt from such a fate. I mean come on... hasnt enough crap happened that I can have some good stuff happen now? I find it ironic that in the same week I had great news, I had this news just after. I am SO not calling bad things to happen! WTH? Ok, so... the resolute Sybil appears. I'm all over this. I will irraticate this from my life. Seven days of the perfect life change in food intake. Check. Excercise, not checked yet. I freaking hate excercise. My idea of good excercise is a couple good hours whirlling a cart around Costco. Grunt. But I will. I'm scouring Craigslist for a treadmill, and Ginger is pumped and ready to do Mommy battle. I need more battle buddies. Come walk your friend, K?

 I swore on myself that I would never suffer the pricking pain my Ma and Grandma did.. but I never DID anything to prevent it. Shame. I spoke to Ma about this. To Munz as well. To Walt, to Karebear, to friends, to all who will listen to me Kvetch. As I said, I go from being determined and strong, to planning my own funeral next to my boy. Its really NUTS I tell you. NUTS.

Okay, so as not to bore you, I will get back to my quilt. Which by the way is the ONLY thing keeping me together. A.G.A.I.N.

Thank God for quilting.

Wish me luck in this quest of mine dear blog readers. For you prayer warriors, please throw me on your list.

Adjusting Priorities

"Desire is the starting point of all achievement,

not a hope, not a wish,

but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything."

Napoleon Hill

I need to adjust my desires.Some of them are off the mark.Sometimes these darn quotes make me ponder so much, I cant write! I'll come back tomorrow and try again.

I'm thankful for friends who pull a chuckle out of me when I need one the most.

Pandora Charms (5)

Speaking of being "hooked" on things.........................

My newest obsession in accessories, my Pandora is growing!My Sissy brought me the platinum sun from the Bahamas, ( my sissy went to the Bahamas and all I got was this charm?) And Jake and Stephanie gave me the Murano glass Cheetah in Idaho! I need Jakes birthstone... I think Walts... and whatever else that makes my head twirl! Im hoping that when its filled its worth the price of a new car or something... lol
Linda and I met a lady in a jewelery store whose Pandora was upwards of 20K!!
I started my Sis on a bracelet, she loved it, opened the box and squealed "U went to Jareds???" LOL
I think its going to be a Christmas gift for many from yours truly!

Anyway, my wrist makes these European charms look great!

Pioneer Woman Meets Food Network!

One of my favorite morning reads 

(after my cat laugh)

is The Pioneer Woman.

Now.... she will be on TV!

 GO REE!

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Last year she had a "throwdown" with Chef Bobby Flay and she won!!! Go Ree!!

Last year, Ms Heather and I had the pleasure of meeting her in SF at her latest book signing there. GO ME!!!
 Ree is going to have her very own cooking show on Food Network! GO Ree!!!

The show is slated to start this Saturday, August 27th. Check out the link to her show for more information and check your local listings for the time!

Go Ree!!!!

PS: Ya think this PLUG will finally net me my all time wish to win designer colorful kitchenaid mixer from Ree? COME ON REE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!It's so me!!!

Guess Who Finally Watched...................

How To Make An American Quilt? I see you shaking you're head. WTF was I doing in 1995 anyways??? Why am I always behind in movie views??This one takes the cake though..I mean really G..... No wait.. I think it took me longer to see The Joy Luck Club! LOLOL

There's much more to a quilt than fabric and thread .But we quilters already knew this eh? Each  design has its own unique story (or stories) to tell. All the sorrows, joys, longings, sufferings, and loves of these women are sewn into their quilt and, as their bittersweet memories are given life, one young woman applies these lessons of the past to her own uncertain future.
"Where Love Resides":::SIGH:::( Best line)
 How to Make an American Quilt presents a distinctly feminine perspective. The "chick flick" to beat all chick flicks. The "quilting bee" consists of seven stitchers. Sisters Gladys (Ann Bancroft) and Hy (Ellen Burstyn); Sophia (Lois Smith), a woman known for scaring kids; Emma (Jean Simmons), the timid wife of a perpetually unfaithful ( read: P.I. G.) man; Constance (Kate Nelligan), who has been having an affair with Emma's husband; Anna (Maya Angelou), the leader of the group;( Or at least the one who points) and Marianna (Alfre Woodard), Anna's daughter. The project they're busy with is the wedding quilt for Hy's granddaughter, Finn (Winona Ryder), who is about to enter into wedded bliss. Or not. She's spending the summer with Hy and Gladys, and away from her fiance, to decide whether a lifelong commitment is really what she wants, and whether it's better to marry a friend or a lover. ( I loved that question)
One of the greatest pleasures I had comes from watching flawless performances by a most impressive cast. The costumes and period settings were so exciting!. From Winona Ryder, Ann Bancroft, Ellen Burstyn, and Maya Angelou to minor players like Claire Danes, and Kate Capshaw,and this hunky guy I dont know the name of... this film is oozing talent. In fact...... There are probably too many characters. So, instead of really getting to know a few of them, we are presented with quick glimpses into a defining event in each of their lives. We learn about the resentment between Gladys and Hy, and are told the reasons why Emma stays with her husband and Sophia is so "pissy" all of the time. There are other episodes as well: the love of Anna's life, Marianna's never meant to be soul mate, and a look at the reasons why Constance had an affair with her friend's husband. ( remember the p.i.g.) The reason for these tales is meant to provide the answer for Finn's cold feet questions: whether to go forward with her marriage or fool around with a six pack smoldering hot Latin hunk.
I personally was left wanting much more of each woman's story.Sequel?
It made me smile inside validating every one of my sentiments on what a quilt is really all about. The story each one tells.Where love really does reside.
Totally inspiring to go in there and fling fabric everywhere trying to design the perfect story Quilt.
PS: I am almost certain that I was born in the wrong generation.

Hooked On Things

"Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip."

– Will Rogers

Good morning:) By the time I was on my second cuppa this H.O.T. morning, I had a light bulb moment about my Ma's lil addictions through out her life. I could never figure out why she got attached to certain things, and they would come and go within several months. During those months she was obsessed with said addictions. It was especially a butt scratcher when I appeared with her latest attachment, only to find that she had moved onto a different one and didnt know WHY I would serve her such a thing. I can (off the top of my head) cite grapefruit, pink, with splenda, cherries, enough to make her ill. rootbeer in the half sizes.Cherry tomatoes with a salt shaker. Barbie sized juice glass with fresh squeezed orange juice. Popcorn nightly in same barbie bowl. ( Mom was hooked on teeny tiny barbie sized things forever)

 This may not seem odd, until you make it a MUST HAVE issue. On a daily basis. Now you might be wondering why the heck I'm chit chatting about this eh? Well, they say that every woman one day wakes up and discovers their own Mother in the mirror. I know you are all grunting right now, me too. For the last month or so I have been eating the SAME breakfast, and enjoying the SAME popsicles for dessert at night.Yep yep yep. Even while visiting family, in each place I ran to the store to stuff the fridge with my current... needs shall we say? Last evening I ran to the corner store for my favorite popsicle becuase we ran out? This morning while arranging my three little peache slices, cottage cheese cup, and peeling my hard boiled egg, all on a paper plate so that I dont have to wash the dang thing.. it hit me. Bingo. Its in the freaking genes Gina!!! Look at you! OCD? no! Ma!!! (Side note...do we blame all things on Moms or what?)

As soon as I complete this post I'm calling my sis and asking if its happening to her yet too!

Why cant I get hooked on excercise????? No... small kitchen gadgets is more my speed...little teeny whips, lemon juicers, garlic tools... yep yep yep... if I wait long enough, the answers come. thanks Ma.



Marvelous Monday, On Time!

"They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself."– Andy Warhol

Good mornin`. Yep yep yep, its Monday. One more cup and I'll be on my feet. Which is a good thing since I have much to do! I think I have been Mach three since I got home. This morning Im making THE LIST with a strong cuppa and The Eagles on the stereo. Ahhhhh I sure wish I could see them in concert. Hey! Maybe I'll ask Mufasa for another LV Birthday! They are in my top ten BESTIES.How about you? I suppose while everyone was grooving to Elvis or the Beatles, my choice was Eagles or Elton!

<---hard to be me member?

Okay, so back to Marvelous Mondays.....You know when I get behind in the blog my brain goes a bazillion miles an hour and I cant figure out what to say! I'll say this.... while driving to Idaho was cathardic in that I pondered a great deal,sawbunches of family, and stopped at the resting spots for my Mama and son, I shall fly next time. DAMN! I didnt even see a jack rabbit out there! A whole lot of nothing on I-95 I tell you. Nothing! I am actually missing the kids already, so I need a new game plan for spring. Maybe I should just buy myself a mini motorhome and take off when the bug bites?

Today I'm only road tripping over the hill to my home town of Arroyo Grande.:::sigh::: I wonder what trouble I'll get into?

I have 3 quilt projects going on!! A new restoration, a simple panto, and yes... Jake scolded me for taking so long on the Tee Shirt quilts. I'm on it!!

Marvelous Mondays include:

Safe travels for Me. G!

Squirt gun wars with the baby grands!

cuddles on couches with above mentioned

much needed coffee chats

Home sweet home

a restoration project to re make!

H.O.P.E.



Marinated Lamb Chops With Cherry Tomatoes

I have an abundance of cherry tomatoes! I pop em in my mouth all the time! Think of all the good lycopene I'm getting right? Of course right. I think its a "G" popocorn.
I am running out of quick and easy ideas for the little prizes though. Here's tonights pick after I pick! I think I will forever grow cherry tomatoes! Now if only my red peppers would do something for me:(

• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 4-6 rib lamb chops
• 1  lb cherry tomatoes (a bunch of em!)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Mix together honey, red wine vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper and transfer to a large ziploc bag. Marinate lamb, turning occasionally, at least one hour. Bring lamb to room temperature before grilling.

Remove lamb from marinade, reserving marinade. Grill lamb on lightly oiled grill pan over medium high heat, turning once, about 4 minutes for medium-rare. Transfer to a platter and keep covered and warm. (* Can be done on an outside grill or bbq also, but this is quicker for me.)
Cook cherry tomatoes in the lamb roasting pan, covered, carefully turning, until softened and just beginning to split. Drizzle balsamic vinegar over tomatoes, turning to coat, then cook, uncovered, until vinegar is reduced by about half, about 2 minutes.

Bring reserved marinade with any lamb juices accumulated on platter to a boil in a small heavy saucepan, covered.

Drizzle lamb with reserved marinade and serve with tomatoes.

I'm serving this atop Israeli Couscous, my personal pasta fix:) I'll get a pic for ya tonight!

Manja!

Say No To Shark Week!

There are things six year olds should NEVER be allowed to watch on the history channel! Shark week being one of them.While Aviana was visiting we learned all about several species of sharks. She spoke quite knowledgeable about them, citing lemonheads, great whites, tigers, bulls, etc....Lil Miss larger than life didnt seem to be frightened in the least about the creatures. Just a bit obsessed eh?

So one day while Emily too was here, we ventured over to Avila Beach for a day trip. It was then that I put my foot down about her shark education.

 Both girls played happily the day away and loved especially wave jumping with Pappa.Sharks were never mentioned or given a thought to.Until..............

 While hopping around on the waters edge and Nonni only steps away, Aviana lets out the most blood curdling scream I have EVER heard come out of her lil body!She is running in circles flaling her arms, and my eyes NOR legs couldnt even keep up with her! I gave chase to a child in circles while I noticed Mothers pulling thier children out of the water in just as fast as a foot race as I was in. This was all happening so fast that no one understood what was going on, we were all just frantic. Except Pappa whom out of the corner of my eye was shaking his head. Emily, who had been building a sand puddle was oblivious to it all because she was focussed intently on where the poured water was vanishing to in the sand. ( Nonni told them it was on its way to China).
I caught my lil drama princess and finally made out her screams...CRAB! CRAB! CRAB! She was white as a ghost, tears POPPING from her eyes, and pointing to the surf.
Side note: Thank God I took my blood pressure pills this morning!
I planted Aviana next to Pappa and ran back to see the dick dastardly creature that scared my Lovie....
Here's a picture of the big meanie... Its a pair of burnt orange short pants, washed up and wrinkled in the sand.
As I looked around in disbelief I noticed felt burning eyes fixed on me. Every Mother on the beach wanted to smack me? I think little kids hated me.........so because poop runs down hill, I wanted at that moment to smack my dear daughter for allowing Shark Week to be viewed. Ya know what? Nonni thinks swimming pools with squirt guns are much more fun! As for my lil Lovie... she forgot all about the big bad crab, and went BACK in the water!!

We ended our day with Avila Barn, a petting zoo that we could feed and touch nice lil goats and ponies. We enjoyed hot dogs and some ice cream... A much safer stroll for a worn out Nonni!

Hi Honies! I'm Home!

"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe."– Anatole France

Are these the cutest kids ever? I know!

This is whereyour bad blogger hasbeen.

I did a road trip by myself to I.D.A.H.O.!!!!!! yep yep yep... I done did it. I am so glad that I did! An ever so grueling 2000 miles, but well worth the trip! I'm sorry I have been AWOL, thank you for all of your caring emails. I have a HUGE list of things I wish to accomplish by years end. ( very goal oriented here) I just knocked a BIG one off my list!

I am thrilled to be home,thrilled to have seen my baby grands, thrilled to have school starting!

Time to get busy! Christmas is coming!!! 

Big Red Quilt is On Her Way! MM

"Failure seldom stops you.  What stops you is the fear of failure."

– Jack Lemmon

LOOK!

Not only first place, but Judges specialty award too! I am so very tickled!!!

A serious boost to the confidance department:) It was so worth all the mind boggling pebbles!

Marvelous Mondays include:

Pretty ribbons saying I am good enough!

"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.