Home Sweet Home

Posted on May 16, 2011 by Barb

Today’s blog is for Carol.  She’s my Mom’s very special friend in Colorado.  And she reads my blog.  I knew she’d love to see pictures of their new place in Texas.  So I took these pics with her in mind.  The rest of you just get to come along for the ride.

Here’s half of the living room.  With a glimpse into the master bedroom on the right side of the pic.  And that’s Mom’s new bathing suit draped over the end of the couch.  Because we’re going to do water aerobics at the apartment.

They’ve moved into one of those fancy retirement centers and they have all kinds of activities that I intend to take advantage of.  Like free movies in the movie theater.  And games and cool outings.  And meals prepared by a fancy chef.  Dear Hubby and I considered renting an apartment down the hall.  No yard work was sounding pretty good the other day.  And water aerobics without any personal pool maintenance.

Here’s a pic from the balcony that overlooks a nice courtyard below.

This is the other side of the balcony.  Complete with bird feeders.  There have already been hummingbirds feeding there.  Not the millions of hummingbirds like they used to have in Colorado.  OK, maybe not millions, but they had a lot.  Here they have two.  At least that’s all we’ve seen so far.  Much easier to name them though.

Mom loves hummingbirds and has a huge collection.  She decided to display them all in the bedroom in this new apartment.

See?  Here’s a display of a big chunk of her collection on the chest of drawers in the bedroom.

There’s even a mobile of a bunch of them hanging in the corner.  A friend in Colorado put it together for her.

These beautiful vases were all made by my Dad.  Out of aspen wood.  It’s Colorado wood.  And it makes fabulous vases.

Love this cool hummingbird on the wall too.  Mom has collected a lot of really cool things over the 20 years they were in Colorado.

Another part of the living room.  With a view of the fridge in the kitchen.  Looks like they’ve moved in and made themselves at home if the fridge is any indication, doesn’t it?

This is the second bedroom which is being used as an office and a place for their antiques.  All family pieces, including the high chair that was my Mom’s when she was a baby.

The other side of the room.  And more antique things.

This is command central in the office.  The magnasight machine magnifies things super huge.  My parents both have macular degeneration and reading is difficult.  This machine allows them to read things that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to see.  It’s a very good thing.

There’s a really cool exercise room just downstairs from their apartment.  Dear Hubby and I went to check out the equipment the other day.  That’s me on the bike, taking our picture in the mirror on the opposite wall.  While peddling.

Maybe a closer look would help?  Dear Hubby was intent on walking on that treadmill.

Here’s Dad sitting at the bar on a new barstool.  He’s smiling, really he is.  At least I told him to smile for the picture.  I think it might be better labeled a smirk.

Remember how he looked when we first got him to Texas?  This picture was taken back in March.  You saw it on this blog on March 26th.  He’s lost 60 pounds since then.  SIXTY pounds.  That’s a whole person!  At least it’s a child-sized person.  He’s now working on getting his strength back.  I’m just glad to have him still around.

The other day when I took these pics he was just focused on eating the watermelon that he’d just cut up.

Here’s Mom.  I think she’s thinking about putting on that new bathing suit and going for a swim.  Or watching Andy Griffith.  In between Bonanza and Little House on the Prairie, their 2 favorites.

They’ve had lots of challenges coping with all the changes in their lives.  But I think they are now settling in and making friends in their new home.  And I am so very glad to have them nearby.  They love visitors too.  So if you’re in the area and have a  few minutes, just stop by for a visit.

You can tell them you read all about them on my blog.

Hugs,
Barb

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Showin’ & Tellin’ at Retreat

Posted on May 13, 2011 by Barb

I know you’ve all been waiting very patiently for more retreat pictures.  Well, wait no more!  You can now go back to being impatient again.
 

This is Pam not showing her cute star block.  The star has a bit of a problem with its points.  And I won’t even tell you that she stitched it again and had to rip again.  Just flipping that top row did not yield the correct results.  But the third time was charm.  And Pam was very happy to set that block aside and call it done!

As you can see from this pic, she was successful in getting the block together.  And she pieced together this entire quilt top too!

Cindy pieced together this beautiful partial top.  She probably has the whole thing together and half quilted by now.  Hand quilted.  She’s a whiz, that Cindy is.

Just give me a call when you need some rhyming poetry written.

Cindy put this one together too.  A nice way to show off a novelty print.

These incredible appliqué blocks belong to Maggie.  Her work is impeccable!  And she was a Newbie at this year’s retreat.  But she was taught by the best…… Susan!

I couldn’t resist showing you a closer look at one of the birds.  Maggie’s appliqué is the best!

Suz made nine patch blocks at the last retreat for an exchange with another Bee.  You remember the video we made, right?  For a good chuckle, you can watch it again here.  This retreat Suz added sashing and put together this fabulous quilt out of her exchanged blocks. 

Madelyn had some great fabrics to show us that she picked up in some fancy foreign country. 

One of these was given to her by our dear friend and used-to-be retreater, Dianne.  She’s living in one of those fancy foreign countries now.  I can’t remember which one Madelyn got as a gift.  You’ll have to talk to her to get the whole story.

In the meantime, here’s a closer look at that fabric.  Pretty cool, isn’t it?

Madelyn also pieced together this one.  These girls are amazing with what they produce at retreats!

Pam made this one from a kit that Karen gave her.  She worked on it at the last retreat too.  You might remember pics of how organized she had to be to get this one together correctly.  It was a puzzle!

And Pam also made this little tablerunner from a charm pack.  Nice job!

Sue made this gorgeous blue & white quilt this retreat.  Now I want to make a two color quilt!

Davene made a bunch of fun things.  This cup buddy for storing all your tools close by….

……………..a big bunch of books for grandkids……. with cool piping.

And Christmas stockings too!  She was a busy girl, that Davene was.  And her laughter filled the room.  Can’t you just hear it, fellow retreaters?

Melinda made six of these little bags for the gals in her other Bee.  I hope they weren’t supposed to be a surprise and she hasn’t given them away yet.  I may have just let the cat out of the bag.  Or the bag out of the bag.  Because those gals read my blog too.  Ooops!

We’ll just move right on to Melinda’s other quilts.  She whipped out quilt tops right and left!  Everyone wanted the fabric for this fabulous snowflake one.

And how about this great floral one?

Loved this great black, white and red too.

And everyone wanted to take the fireflies home.  This one sparked a lot of conversation about “where have all the fireflies gone?”  Or is it lightning bugs?

Patti made this great batik quilt.

And also these cute pink hearts!

This one was Betty’s.  I wanted to take it home and give it to my Dad to cuddle up in.  Isn’t it a nice, manly quilt?

Betty threw this one together too.  While I had my back turned for 6 seconds.  She’s a wonder when it comes to piecing tops.  I need to take a lesson.

Karen made this one.  With help from her friends.  Who all wanted to claim this one and take it home.

There are no pics of my project from retreat.  That’s because I carefully did not take any!  Because I worked the whole time on my niece, Janna’s T-shirt quilt.  I was hoping to complete it to give to her on Easter Sunday.  And surprise her.  So I didn’t want to accidentally show a picture on the blog for her to see.  But alas.  I needed one more day to get it finished.  And one more day I did not have.

I told Janna about it at her house on Easter Sunday where we had a fabulous dinner.  Janna, who knows me too well, said, “But Aunt Barb, you won’t have another day for at least six months!”  Sigh.  But I vow to surprise her one of these days.  When she least expects it.  And I’ll be sure to have my camera to document the moment.

Here are a few other pics I took around the retreat room…..

Just what a retreater needs next to their Brother………

Such colorful bottles.  With fabric lurking in the background.

Brands I’d never heard of.  But then again, I don’t like beer.

And for a teetotaler in the group….

This pic looks as if it was taken after a few of those other bottles were consumed.

And for the morning after?

And now you know the secret of fabulous quiltmaking.  Beer, Dr Pepper and Advil.  Bet you’d have never guessed it in a million years.

Here are the shining faces of the whole group from this year’s retreat.  I’d tell you who they all are, but I have a T-shirt quilt to finish.  Shhhhhhh.  Don’t tell Janna…..

Hugs,
Barb

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Chickpeas Rock!

Posted on May 12, 2011 by Barb

I’ve found a great new snack.  A very healthy one.  Because I’m stuck on that healthy kick.  And enjoying every minute of it.  And every meal.  And now I’m enjoying a new snack!
 

Spicy Roasted Chickpeas.  Very yummy.  I used a can off chickpeas.  Or is it garbanzo beans?  Actually, I believe they are exactly the same thing.  Just different names for different parts of the world.  To totally confuse the easily confused masses.

Anyway, I used a can.  I drained them and rinsed them well.

Then I laid them out on a towel to dry. 

These are the spices I used on my chickpeas.  Curry, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, allspice and salt.   Notice I used whole nutmeg.  I grated it in.  I used 2 teaspoons of cinnamon.  And about a teaspoon of salt.  Everything else?  1/2 teaspoon.  Next time I’m substituting in chili powder and cumin.  I liked these so much I’m already planning another batch.

Aren’t the spices pretty in the bowl?  Wonderful mix of colors and smells.

I added 1/4 cup of olive oil to the drained, rinsed, dried chickpeas.

Then I dumped in the stirred together spices on top.

Oops!  I almost forgot.  Preheat the oven to 400°.  And make them at 11:27 a.m.  And yes, you do want to start.  And when you start eating this snack you won’t want to stop.

Gently stir the chickpeas, olive oil and spices together until the beans are well coated.

Dump them onto a cookie sheet.  Notice I lined mine with aluminum foil.  That’s because I hate clean up.  This way I can just toss the foil when finished and put the pan away.  I’m lazy that way.

Bake (roast) them at 400° for about 30 -40 minutes.  I did mine about 45 minutes and I thought that was a bit too long.  And about half way through the baking time, give the pan a little shake to toss them around a bit.

These are incredibly yummy.  And high in fiber and protein.  And low in all the bad stuff.  Healthy snacks, here we come!  I plan to fill my pantry with cans of chickpeas/garbanzo beans.  And when I’m not eating these I’ll be eating the hummus I’ve made from these little healthy beans.  I might have to start a garden of chickpeas in my back yard.  Do chickpeas grow on trees?  We might need a whole tree in my back yard.

I have oodles of pics left from retreat to share.  And I do plan to share them.  Besides double oodles of pics from other quilty things that have been going on in my life these last 3 months.  I’ve been itching to blog about them all.  So check back soon!

But right now it’s Wednesday Waffles Day.  And my waffles are calling.  OK, OK, I know it’s Thursday.  But Thursday Waffles Day just doesn’t have the same ring to it.  And this is the story of my life these days.  A day late and a dollar short, that’s me!
Hugs,
Barb

Posted in food, healthy, recipes | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

A Stormy Night

Posted on April 20, 2011 by Barb

OR…. “How Many Cars Can Fit Under Cover at Retreat?”

It was a stormy night.  Or we thought it was going to be one.  Desperate measures were needed.  And I wish I had videotaped the event.  A new retreat game was born this year called “The Moving of the Cars.”

It started with a weather report.  Severe thunderstorms on the way with very large hail expected.  And all our cars out in the open.  Not for long.  Did I mention I wish I had videotaped the event?

So here are the results….. without pics of the process.  I’m a sorry excuse for a blogger.  Please forgive me.

The owner of the Retreat Center said she thought 6 cars could fit under cover when she gave us the weather report.  Six?  We fooled her.  Try twelve.  Because that’s how many cars are here.  We even parked them on the porch.

The sky looked like this:

And it grew more and more ominous.  Or to use Dori’s words “beautiful.”  She was hoping for a Texas-sized thunderstorm.

I was just hoping to capture a really cool picture of the lightning.  Do you know how hard it is to photograph lightning?  Hard.  Really hard.  I tried.

These cool cloud pics were the best that I could do.

And I don’t think it ever even rained, let alone hailed.  But our cars are protected.  And it’s very hard to walk out the door without squeezing and holding your breath to get through the cars.

But it was a fun new game for retreat time.  And now we’re ready for anything.

Still dry and not a hail ding on a single car,
Barb

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Secret Sisters Rule!

Posted on April 20, 2011 by Barb

You’ll remember that yesterday’s blog left poor Sally with log cabin blocks hiding all over the retreat sewing room.  Well, the day began with Sally finding and retrieving as many blocks as she could.

Go Sally, go!

Of course, just as soon as she recovered them all, they got hidden from her again.  She’ll never find them this time!

We also were pleased to know that the Star Patrol was on the job and delivered stars and A+s to everyone’s projects while we slept.

I took pictures of all of them, but if I show you them all we’ll be here for a month and a half.  And besides, I have 34 pics to show you even though I’m only showing you two of these special notes.  So we’d better move on.

Shortly after breakfast Dede and her beautiful daughter, Kerry, had to hit the road and leave us.  It was a sad time, but you sure can’t tell it from this wonderful picture of the two of them!

Once again for retreat we decided to draw names for Secret Sisters.  It is such fun to see the cute gifts these creative ladies come up with!  Nearly every time you leave your workspace for a minute, there’s a cute little gift awaiting your return.  And these gals are sneaky about getting them there without being seen!

Pam got this cute little bug candle holder who got to live on her sewing machine.

Madelyn got this fabulous notepad – LOVE the saying on it!

Cindy got a tub of cotton candy………

…………… and this darling little bunny.  Don’t you just love his big eyes?  He reminds us of the movie “Gremlins.”

These were Betty’s SS gifts.  I’m going to find her shower in the morning to use some of those cool bath things.  Shhhh – don’t tell her.

Patti hit the SS jackpot with this wonderful stash of fun things.  One gift even had her name spelled out in cool letters!  How did she do that when we didn’t even know who we’d have before we got here?  These gals are too prepared.  And yes, I realize the magazine is upside down in the picture.  But I’m sure you can figure out what it is.  Or you can stand on your head or turn your computer upside down.  Unless it’s an iPad which would then turn the picture over.  How does it know?

These are Lani’s things….. notes, cherry blossom starch and shampoo/conditioner.

And these are Sarah’s.  I tried and tried to get her SS to ‘fess up to me privately because I wanted to know where she got those cute little bowls.  I want some!  And I want to know where to buy them.  But no dice.  Guess I’ll have to wait until the Big Reveal tomorrow night to find out.

By the way, Sarah also brought along her pin cushion that she won in the blog giveaway last year.  A bit of JustSayingSew at retreat….

Newbie Barbara got these cool things.  And some bubble gum too, but she already chewed it.  Too bad I didn’t catch her with a big bubble.

Several are not participating in the SS fun this year and Newbie Dori was among them.  But she got all these cool things anyway.  Did I mention what a fabulous group of women these gals are?

Dori also brought along her family to retreat.  Aren’t they a handsome group?

By the way, tomorrow we absolutely, positively are going to make a special trip to town to bail Dori out of jail.  Note the flowers above.  Texas wildflowers.  Protected.  And she picked them for this floral bouquet on her table.  When she told her hubby on the phone about them, he said, “Well.  Just protect them!” 

And just kidding about the jail part.

These are Karen’s SS things.  A pin cushion, a floral necklace and some cool bubble wands.  Which we absolutely must try out tomorrow.  Don’t forget Karen!  I’m hoping for pics of bee-shaped bubbles.  Which could be just a bit too much to hope for.

This cute bunny pail is Judy’s gift.  With popcorn.  Movies and popcorn at Judy’s next week!

I should add that every time anyone finds a SS gift, there is much oooing and aaahing over the gift.  Like they are all worth a million bucks or something.  These gals are pretty easy to please.

By the way, I got this cool elastic cord and alphabet beads to make bracelets.  Which quickly escalated to talk of making bracelets for everyone.  Which then prompted Sally to start a spreadsheet to determine how many of each letter was needed.  Which led to a determination that we were lacking enough A’s to do them all.  Which resulted in conservation of letters.  And substitutions.  Sally got the first bracelet.

Fitting, isn’t it?

We also ALL received these cute little boxes filled with Easter egg candy.  From none other than Silly Sally.  She is over the top with blessing our socks off each year.

I believe LaLa asked for more pics of people on the blog.  So here’s a smattering of random pics of everyone hard at work.  Just for LaLa.

Pam with her nose to the grindstone on her new HQ Sweet Sixteen.

Betty……………….. reverse sewing.

Cindy.

Newbie Maggie.  Or is it just an Ott Lite with arms?

Lani.

Patti.

Karen.  Red-faced after her 4 mile run.  Which is all true except for the 4 miles and running part.

Newbie Barbara.

Linda.

And last, but not least….. Suz.  Or maybe I should say Suz’ Hands.  Which you should recognize.  They starred in a YouTube video at the last retreat.  And if you missed it, you can watch it here….

Nine Patch 101 – starring Suz’ Hands

More pics and stories to come……. including people actually looking at the camera!  Just for LaLa.  They were too busy to look up, LaLa!

Hugs,
Barb

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