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This is another try at using an inprov quilt using pieces in my stash. Once again, I used 2 1/4" strips, alternating random length pink prints with random length pink Kona. I kept sewing until I had about a 30-yard strip, which I sewed together jelly roll race fashion. I usually make my NICU quilts 30" x 36", and I had about 10 inches of horizontal strips left over.
Next up, blue. And then I'm thinking alternating blue and pink prints.
Other than that, I haven't been making much. Last week was a bit of a break, but it's been hot upstairs in my Cape Cod house.
I try to live in the moment and enjoy the moment, but I have to admit that I've been dreaming of fall weather with open windows. This week is going to be hot, though, and I'm thinking that it might be a good week to put blacktop dressing on my driveway. We'll see about that
Helen and I went out to lunch and admired the art on the way to Taft Ale House. This was part of a grouping in one of the windows.
And this on the side of a building. For those of you who don't live in Cincinnati, the city is called the queen city. The cut in the hill is on I 75 in Kentucky where, after going around a curve, the city view opens up.
I love Taft Ale House, in a former church. The building is a stunning renovation and the beers are great.
Nellie's Tap Room is in the basement. It wasn't open yesterday afternoon, and these chairs were upside down in front of a viewing window. Nellie was President Taft's wife, and they were from Cincinnati.
I am a terrible day drinker, but couldn't pass up Nellie's Key Lime Ale.
I took this from one of my friends' facebook posts. Thanks, Diana and Kissing Fish.
I am so tired of all the religion/politics debates. When did religion and politics become so enmeshed again in this country? Didn't we settle that in the very beginning?
When I think about all the money to be spent on politics in the months to come, I feel overwhelmed and sad. So many things will be misrepresented. And then there is all the "news" that is more commentary than news.
I feel like I can't just let this happen, but I feel very small. I guess that next time my church sends around a plea for helpers at Community Meal I'll sign up. I don't know what else to do.
Last night I got to tag along with the family for the kids' open house at school. How fun to meet the teachers the kids will have this year. This will be Nora's last year at the elementary school.
And last week I dog sat for Maggie while her family went to the beach. She is a really sweet dog with a nice smile. We walked and walked all over the neighborhood. She had a pretty good time with me, but her reunion with her family was joyous.
When I went to pick up Maggie, I stopped at a yard sale in the neighborhood and scored this dress. It needed just a little altering. I think that dresses are so hard to find so I was happy to find this one,
So, this week . . . the kids will be off to school, the dog is home, and I am off to work today. I plan to catch up on yard work and sewing tomorrow. Surely some quilting.
It's August and the grands are off on a week's vacation with their parents. The class lists have been posted, as well as as the supply lists. We're in the last days of summer.
On Friday we got in one last zoo trip, our second of the week. We burned through the 3D movies that came with our zoo pass. Sponge Bob was the clear winner. There were actual bubbles blowing around the theatre with both movies.
We took a little path and stumbled on the Consevervation and Research of Endangered Wildlife building. We just happened to be there during the noon - 3:00 p.m. public exhibit. There was a delightful guide, who gave the kids cards after the tour. The Public Exhibit is open Memorial Day through Labor Day and is definitely worth finding.
When we got back from the zoo, my wonderful neighbor invited the kids to go swimming. I had bought swimwear at the end-of-season Target clearance so we'd have them at my house. I told Nora that I could shorten her swim shirt sleeves but she liked them long. She said she felt like a surfer.
This selfie is from my Asheville trip, just before I headed for home. I can't remember the name of the restaurant where we had breakfast. Sarah, help me out. I can only remember that the lady beside us on the patio ordered a side of chicken breast and a side of bacon for her dog. She served the dog on the patio, the dog didn't eat off the plate.
The grands always enjoy lunch at The Gruff in Covington, and I love that they love it. There are those billy goats on the wall and the floor is grass green. Part of the experience is pouring water from the glass bottles on the tables. There is the glimpse of the Reds stadium across the river and the bridge to walk across if there's time that day.
Nora always orders the soup of the day. She was a bit taken back this time when she learned that it was sausage chicken noodle. At first she said she was going to skip it, but then tried it after all. It got a good review.
I've learned to order Nora's soup and an order of fries right away. That way the kids are content to wait for the wood-fired cheese pizza. One or the other will usually mention that the food is worth waiting for because it's fresh.
We had a short zoo trip, just long enough to ride the train and visit a few animals. A longer zoo day is in the future.
Of course I love the North Carolina Arboretum because Winnie and Sarah work there,
but I also love it because it's so wonderful.
I was amazed by the clean walkways, the new banners, the lovely planters, and the beds without weeds. How do they do all that, day after day?
There were also quilt and silk painting displays to admire.
After the Arboretum, we went to Tupelo Honey for brunch. With fluffy biscuits and fried green tomatoes, not pictured. I didn't read the menu well and got this pretty piece of Canadian bacon under the poached eggs. It was easy enough to slip out and ended up in Winnie's dad's go box with his extra chicken, for another dinner. And I'm wondering, why aren't my poached eggs that nice looking at home?
The weather was so perfect during my Asheville trip, reasonably cool with low humidity. Perfect for sitting out side at Cedric's Tavern at Biltmore, listening to live music playing nearby. They comped our salads because the wait was long, but really, it was lovely to have an excuse to just sit and enjoy.
We hoped that the long, long row of sunflowers would still be in bloom, and they were, with new ones coming up. Next year I want to try again with sunflowers in the back yard, this year's just didn't do well.
Biltmore ice cream.
This isn't at Biltmore, and isn't even the same day, but it was near by on the French Broad River. Tubing has become super popular, with a few paddle boats, kayaks, and canoes in the mix. A nice green way runs beside the river. Another reason to love Asheville.
