Weekend Quilt Retreat

Last weekend our Dear Jane quilt group went out to Batiks Galore in Joshua Texas for a quilt retreat. The property has the a wonderful quilt shop full of wonderful batiks and patterns. We all enjoyed our shopping. Out in the pasture they have a couple of horses, 3 adorable donkeys and llamas.


It was a lovely weekend of working a large variety of projects - just not our Dear Jane quilts! Andrea was sewing up a storm and we expected to see smoke coming out of her machine.

Andrea's Wild Goose Chase - A Buggy Barn pattern

I was working on my Judy Niemeyer Wedding Ring Star quilt. I had hoped to have the arcs and melons finished before I go to Judy's retreat in Montana in June. I made good progress on the arcs. A sampling:



Getting the rows right on a bright batik sampler. The blocks were part of a year long lock exchange.


Glynnis trying to get out of the photo of her quilt for her niece.


Mindy hand quilting her quilt for a friend

A Great Sports Day

First was the De Ronde van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders). A great cobblestone classic. The race set up perfect for my favorite rider - Fabian Cancellara. He broke away from the lead group with 65K to go. Tom Boonen tagged along. On the final and steep climb - Muur- Cancellara left Boonen in the dust.



And after a long winter wait - Play ball! It is the first game of the season. The Red Sox are playing the Yankees. Beckett is looking a little shaky, but only behind by one going into the bottom of the third.

And It Did Snow!

Wow - a new record for Dallas. When it finished snowing this morning we had 12.5 inches, smashing the old record of 7 inches. The wet heavy snow was more than many of the older trees could handle. The big live oaks with all their leaves were bent to the ground in places. Many trees and big branches came down. We are lucky to still have power, but most of our neighborhood doesn't. The main road into the 'hood is blocked by a downed tree. Sure hate to see that - it was over 50 years old.


A look by our back fence.


It was eerily beautiful last night. It was very light even at 9:00pm.

Let It Snow!

What a wonderful day. It has been snowing steadily all day. We may get as much as 6 to 7 inches, which would be a record for Dallas. I've not seen this much snow in the 12 years that I have lived here. I am working from home today, sitting in front of a nice fire and surrounded by sleeping kitties. They are very happy since we have turned the thermostat up!


View from the front porch


Of course we built a snowman, complete with chocolates for his Valentine.

Spring is in the Air - Truck Day is Friday!

Pitchers and catchers report on the following Thursday, so Spring can't be far behind. Although with snow in the forecast for tomorrow that may seem questionable. About this time of the year winter in New England is looking rather bleak. Truck Day is a sure sign that things are going to get better.


(Globe Staff Photo / David L. Ryan)
Wally the Green Monster, Red Sox team mascot, directed traffic next to Fenway Park as the moving truck that has transported the team's spring training gear from Fenway Park to Fort Myers, Fla. since 1998 prepared to leave.

Tragic or Amusing Story?

Saturday started with an unfortunate kitchen mishap. Joe heard a dismayed "OH NO!" and came to the kitchen to see what was up. Fortunately he heard me laughing or there might have been a moment of sheer panic. I was making a red velvet cake for my Dear Jane meeting that afternoon. I absentmindedly poured a bottle of red food dye into the batter while the mixer was running. A Lady Macbeth picture opportunity ensued. It looked like a gruesome crime scene - red dye everywhere.

A House Divided

Last Sunday's game between the Eagles and Cowboys ended badly. However this Saturday is all about redemption. GO EAGLES!

Pearl is sucking up to Daddy


Myra shows her good taste