This Past Sunday's Excursion

This past Sunday we stopped picked up a couple of sub sandwiches and drove up to Lake Jocassee in the later part of the afternoon. The lake is so low, just shows how desperate the south is needing water even the thou this lake has plenty of depth to it. Pretty quiet afternoon at the lake, a few families down by the water and a few boats that came up to the ramp where we were at. I have posted the rest of the pictures on my webshots page.

Unfortunately my next Sunday's excursion will be to work - nothing to take pictures of.

Mary

Taxes Are Done and Filed

Today I finally finished our taxes and for once I'm not writing a check - YIPPEEE!! I did start on them about a month ago so I knew that we were in pretty good shape but I still procrastinated to almost the bitter end - thank goodness for e-file.

After I finished the taxes we took off to the mountains to get away for a few hours. The first stop was what I thought was a winery, fields and fields of grape vines, a nice looking Inn and Restaurant that had a real Tuscan feel. Stopped in the Inn for some information. No Winery, they sell their grapes - ??? - nearest Winery 14 miles away - ??? - looked like a real miss on their part - prefect place to open one up, should have taken a picture.

Ok back in to the car for more riding decided to go to Tryon NC and then back home. Stopped in Tryon for dinner at the local pub, they had a live band playing loudly for a small place. A couple of beers and a quick meal we were on the road again to go around Lake Lure. The picture above is the lakes version of Charleston's Color Row. Its a very peaceful lake even though just about every foot of shore line has a building on it or near it. I uploaded more pictures of the lake on my webshots page in the album 2008.

We were home by 6 and getting ready for the work week ahead and there still is laundry to do.

Mary

Been Busy

Wow can't believe its been along time since I posted last. Can't really think of anything specific that I have done but the month has sure flown by.
Spring is coming along here in the Upstate, different varities of trees and flowers take their turn with their show of colors. Its a beautiful time with all the different colors that spring brings to life. The days have been warm and the nights still cool which makes for enjoyable days.
Mary

Thirteen Years

Today is our 13th Wedding Anniversary, can't beleive it - its gone so fast and I have not regretted it one bit. I wouldn't change anything through the years - its never been boring.

To Jody - I love you and looking forward to another 13 years times 13.

Mary

Spring is Finally Here!

Thought I would share a few pictures of the cherry tree in our yard and could not pass up the first dandelion of the year. The bradford trees in the neighborhood should be in full bloom soon. All the trees are budding out - everything is coming alive again.

I wasn't sure after Tuesday night's storm any blooms would be left on the trees. Jody called me at work and while the storm was going thru and said he thought part of our roof was gone. But lucky enough not, they did report 60 mile an hour winds that went thru. Oh yes, the springtime storms are here again.

Mary

IT'S FINISHED!!

There it is - its finished - my first embroidery digitalizing challenge. Glad I had a chance to do this otherwise I don't think I would have tried to challenge myself like that (I'm sure I would have given up awhile back). File is sent on to the "Embroidery Lady" and my job is done.

The past week sure has been busy for me and has flown by, other than work not sure what sent it flying. Still waiting on the

Maytag repairman to fix my washer. Had the repairman here on Friday and he was talking with Tech support and hopefully figured out what the problem was. Said he would be back on Saturday to finish up - forgot to ask him which Saturday. So today was traveling laundry again - its getting a little old.

The weather has been pretty mild the past few days - high 60's yesterday but cooler today. I noticed today that we have a tree that is just starting to bloom - not too long now before the trees all start to come alive again. Spring is one of my favorite times of year when the days are warm and the nights are cool, all the trees and flowers start coming out of their long winters sleep like they are being born again.

I was catching up on reading my sister's blog today (link to the right) and she talk about being immersed in a creative activity is a sacred time, how being involved in your craft is relaxing and renewing. How true that is, I know I can find relaxation and calming effect after a tough day after a little time at the machine.

Mary

Isabelle's Quilt

I finished the hand work on Isabelle's quilt this morning, unfortunately a day after I wanted to but still time to ship on Tuesday to make it by the weekend. The quilt started with the idea of a simple log cabin layout and the embellishments

were added after Kim mentioned Isabelle's mother likes elephants. So an applique elephant and flowers were added to decorate this colorful quilt. I used soft and bright poly batting and simple machine quilting to finish it off. This is the first time I did praire points on the edges and I think theycompliment the quilt just beautifully. I must say I am pretty please with it.

Every now and the take on online class thru Quilt University to learn a different technique, classes on EQ software and various other things in the quilting world. The one I am taking now is on Bargello Quilts, this is my 'homework' from the first lesson. I thought it turned out quite nicely and it together really easily. There are 3 more lessons to this course, so we'll see what I can come up with next.

Mary