Laura & Zac

Feast or famine. 

Usually, my social calendar is pretty much empty. 

I like it that way. 

Imagine my surprise when I wound up having 2 things in 1 day. 

Laura, an awesome friend from my Ann Arbor life & mom to one of my favorite people, retired in April.

To kick off her new life, she decided to bike her way across the USA.

I snapped this picture while I was waiting for her in the lobby of her hotel.

Look how far she's ridden!

Just looking at this makes me tired.

From San Francisco to New Hampshire. 

On a bike

Like a 2 wheeler

With no motor at all

Just her legs

Pedaling

I can't imagine

Anyway, she stopped in Liverpool yesterday. 

I figured she'd be passing thru here, so I contacted Hannah and was going to surprise her. 

The surprise didn't happen cause she remembered we lived nearby and texted me.

We were thrilled to see her.

She looks fabulous. 

I think all this pedaling agrees with her. 

Murray & I took her to Santangelos for some delish Italian. 

And great conversation about her journey.

Twas fun.

We're trying to arrange a pilgrimage this fall for a UofM game. 

I hope it works out.

I'd love to see Rex, and hear more awesome stories of her journey. 

And drink more wine with her. 

Safe travels!

After we dropped Laura off, we caught the 2nd set of Zac Brown Band at the new amphitheater.

It was a nice venue. 

There was a spectacular sunset over the water. 

But it was dusty.

And hot. 

ZBB did play some awesome covers.

Baba OReilly, Jack & Diane & Lets Go Crazy. 

The Who, John Mellencamp, Prince. 

Great choices Zac. 

It's a good thing they do good covers cause Murray is obsessed with going to thier concerts. 

And how much 'Toes' can one girl take?

Remember the Kindness

Hens Night & Nugget

No quilts in this post. 

I went with Susan to NYC to celebrate her future daughter in law, Michelle. 

The city is really spectacular. 

I had t been in quite a while. 

We had a bite at the Rte 66 diner....

I thought of mom winning on Regis with #66. 

The night had a 70s theme.

They had a company come in and we acted out parts. 

Susan was a florist & I was a 'Carol Brady'.

The bride and her Grandmother, Judy. 

Nancy. Susan & Alex. 

The bride with 2 of her Australian buddies. 

Table shot at dinner...MIUSA. 

Nancy, Susan, Miss Mary & me. 

Blue eyeshadow...looking scary. 

Sunday morning, we walked off the party. 

Central Park. 

Horse drawn buggy...PURPLE!

Columbus Circle

Then a lovely & delish brunch at Nancy & Michaels. 

No pics, but they have a delightful place and are great cooks.

The wedding is next weekend at the newly renovated Hotel Syracuse. 

I had a great time. 

On the 4th, I got to celebrate with my Nugget. 

She has no idea how happy she makes me.

She's rolling over at 3 months...yikes!

Here's a video..

http://youtu.be/dRb_4rpc5Rs

And loves to eat. 

http://youtu.be/2HUnFckyaqU

She's just perfectly adorable. 

I love being with her. 

I'm trying to motivate myself to hit the studio. 

It's hard when the weather is so nice.

It's freezing down there as the air conditioning is on.

Basement studios are poopy, especially in the summer. 

Kindness folks!

First Annual Fort Myers Doe Week

The cast of characters

And me, of course.

Some of the fun...

And too many games of Liver to count!

Not enough pictures including Terry...

But trust me, we had fun!

I have no shame. 

Now, it's back to the studio for some fun of a different kind. 

Stay tuned. 

****spread kindness like confetti****

I thank God for my life...For the Stars & Stripes

On 9/11, Murray and I were married for 33 years. 

I'm not sure how that happened.

Surely it can't be 33 years ago that we were these kids 

This whole aging thing is very mysterious.

Anyway, we made some drunken decisions regarding our Anniversary when we were n Floriday back in February. 

Usually drunken plans don't turn out that well.

Not this time...

We drove to Ann Arbor on Friday.

We dined at The Earle with Sherry, Mike, Laura & Rex. 

4 quality people and delicious food. 

Perfect!

I had duck....the waiter said it was what they were known for & no one rose ordered if. 

It was REALLY GOOD. 

Although, I will remain very choosy about ordering duck, cause I have had disgusting duck.  

Laura had scallops...yum.

Sherry had whitefish...again, yum. 

I love these people.

We stayed with Sherry & Mike.

They're home is so beautiful & full of love. 

You can't help but feel good there.

And buzzed..yes, I spent most of the weekend buzzed...but that's for later. 

Barb & Tim arrived late Friday. 

Saturday morning, after I gorgeous breakfast, the guys went golfing. 

So, what else could we do?

After a CHILLY walk, we went shopping....first for wine.

Let me recommend The Rock cab sav....I managed to suck down quite a bit of this. 

Then to Viking Sewing Center....

Let me say, Barb had never been there so I felt she should.

I wasn't going to buy anything. 

That's one of the funniest things I've ever said, isn't it?

Of course, I immediately ran over to the Kaffes and with Sherry's help, managed to find these beauties.

Kudos to Sherry...she isn't even a quilter but she can shop there.   (Mike may never forgive me for introducing her to the wonderful world of Minkee)

Did I NEED the new Kaffe...probably not.

Could I leave WITHOUT them, apparently not. 

Science should study my brain post mortem and figure out WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON IN THERE,

In my defense, they do have a great Kaffe selection...but, still...I'm pretty sure I have an affliction. 

Then, we hit TJ Maxx. Lalalalalalala

It was cold in A2, so all 3 of us bought something to keep us warm. 

Barb got a cute navy sweater. 

Sherry got a great creamy tan suede number and a  warm colored oversized scarf. 

I got a cool colored oversized scarf. 

We needed these to look great with our stud dates...

And to keep warm in The Comerica Park luxury box for Zac Brown Band!!!

Yup, Mike was able to pull these tickets pit of his a$$!

I stepped in a huge pile of awesome friends...just sayin'. 

What a great concert....I ate, drank wine & danced the WHOLE time. 

My legs were cramping all the way home today in the car. 

Murray & Mike managed to consume quite a bit of GG with a twist. 

Thank God for our designated driver.

ZBB did most of their best hits...

And had a kickass Motown tribute....

Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica & Queen covers for good measure...

I think we may have been at the best concert of their entire U.S. tour!

This is Murray's favorite band, he loved it. 

We all did.

It was a great 33rd Anniversary spent with awesome folks...

I'm a lucky lady. 

On top of all this, we found a great babysitter for Frannie. 

'Life is good today'

****spread kindness like confetti****

Labor Day

We had a real nice weekend. 

Barb & Tim & Lexie came up.

(No Lexie pics, she had her head in the candy dish all weekend...trust me, she's still adorbs)

The guys golfed everyday. 

B & me hit Slaneateles on Friday & Mission Rose on Saturday. 

I may or may not have acquired some new textiles.

Mission rose is getting good again...thank you Quilty gods. 

We spent some time in the studio....I finished a flimsie & longarmed another Christmas flimsy.

We ate well...very well.

2 nights here...one night at Francescas thanks to B&T. (Seafood Riggies for me..oink...oink)

Sunday, we were joined by our newlyweds. 

Murray grilled steaks perfectly, & the grill potatoes were yummy.

Jenn brought a strawberry pie...😋

As if this wasn't enough....

Look what Tim made for me!

My very own quilt rack...I wuv it!

I still squeal every time I see it....

He fashioned it after a quilt rack we saw in our Brucefest rental....

I've wanted a display for my quilts for so long....

To have one handmade, specially just for me....well...

****SQWEE****

He even hung it for me!

Here I am, posing with Gepetto, aka Tim, and his creation.

Thanks, Tim.

I'm thrilled!

Stay tuned for some REALLY BIG (non Quilty) NEWS IN THE NEXT WEEKS!

***spread kindness like confetti***