Meeting old friends face to face for the FIRST time!

( Four bags waiting to be given to 4 great friends)

I am so far behind on my blogging.  That's what happens when you spend 15 fabulous, wonderful, beautiful days in the Appalachian Mountains. More on that in the days to follow. 

It was also a chance for me to meet 4 of my fellow bloggers face to face for the very first time! 

Tipper of   Blind pig and the acorn  and I became friends about 4 years ago after I found her blog when returning home from John C. Campbell Folk School. I was searching for more information on that area. She writes about the history and customs of the people of Appalachia. Tipper's entire family is very talented and musical. 

Our face to face meeting was during the Contra Dance held on Tuesday nights at the folk school. 

Chitter and Chatter came along too. After all, the girls were doing the dancing. 

Tipper was the recipient of the bag #1. The family later invited to us to their lovely mountain home on Saturday night for dinner. The food was delicious. The Deer Hunter grilled venison tenderloin. Tipper added a variety of dishes, along with warm homemade bread and warm apple pie!  

On Saturday morning I drove to Bless my stitches quilt shop in Murphy NC. There I would get to meet Dana  of Old Red Barn company, in person. She was having her first book signing. Her quilt, Bubbles, is featured in the book titled Modern Baby. I was afraid walking into the store  she would recognize me. Especially since I wore a University of Missouri shirt, her Alma mater. I completely surprised her, when she asked how I wanted my book signed and I replied, Osage Bluff Quilter. She screamed in delight!

Dana received bag #2.

Then there was Jackie!  Jackie who scared the #@?!#!! daylights out of me. She took took me up a mountain in her two wheel drive truck!  It was a white knuckle ride! But in the end, her friend Pete came to the rescue and drove her truck up the mountain road. (That is after I bailed out on her)

This is Pete's little cabin in the mountains. 

Here is the view from his deck overlooking Brasstown, North Carolina!

Pete was so gracious in showing us his property, including his adorable little cabin and the dance hall in progress.  Be sure and check Jackie's blog out, Carolina Crafting. Click on her videos as she interviews some of the craftsmen in her area. 

On my last day in North Carolina, I went by to tell Jackie good bye at her craft booth. She received bag #3.

The last of the four friends that I got to meet and the recipient of bag #4 was Lise (pronounced "lease"). She drove an hour to meet the blacksmith and me. Her blog is Lise's Log Cabin Life. She talks about the first year of living in her little cabin in the mountains. She and Johny love the outdoor life. They are gardeners too. She has a camera and carries it almost everywhere she goes. Her photography is beautiful!  

She had been wanting to visit the campus of John C. Campbell Folk School. We visited every studio and saw their works in progress. I was her personal tour guide.

She was able to join us in the dining hall for lunch. I was so glad, because I didn't know what the main dish was, but she did. A pasta dish with asparagus, swiss chard, and a creamy white sauce. So yummy!

The afternoon flew by as we talked non-stop. Soon it was time for dinner. Lise inquired in the office if she could stay for dinner but it was too late to make reservations. When the blacksmith was finished with his class he asked her to join us for dinner and to help us celebrate our 43rd wedding anniversary. He was really needing a "meat fix", so he chose Rib Country, featuring some of the BBQ North Carolina is famous for. 


What a great time it was to finally meet Tipper, Dana, Jackie, and Lise in person. We all met through our blogs years ago. Please take a little time to get to know these girls. They will tell you all about the people of the Appalachian mountains and their life styles. 

THANK YOU girls! You made my visit to North Carolina complete!

A bloggers lunch

I have been blogging since July 2007.  In the five years, it's always exciting when I get a call or an email from a fellow blogger who wants to meet up. 


In   May 2009  it was Tammy from Flat Creek Farm. 


Next month,  June 2009 it was lunch with Betsy from Giggle & bits. 


Almost a year later, March 2010 Becky from Sewing4him  and I had lunch. 


A week later, March 2010 Nicole at Missouri Gal and I went with some friends to a quilt show.


In June 2010 Deanna at My loves, my live and I met quite by accident. 


Just last month I met Nancy  and Gerry. That is after Claire took me to her quilt guild.


Last night I got an email from Marlene at Stitching by the lake.  She was going to be in town for a few days.  I quickly fired an email back to her and we made plans for lunch today. 


I was only waiting a for minute or two at Panera's when Marlene and her sister Sherry walked in.  We all exchanged hugs and ordered our food as if someone was starving.  Okay, the two sisters were starving!


Gosh did we bond quickly.  From canning, to cooking, quilting, antiques, kids. . . the conversation was non-stop. 

Sherry snapped this picture before we walked out. 

It took a  92 minute lunch to get this shot!


Thanks girls, we must do lunch again!

3 days until Christmas

What does Adam Puchta Norton . . . .

Pirtle Chambourcin . . .

and Les Bourgeois Riverboat Red wine . . .

All have in common? Yes they are all Missouri wines. But that's not the correct answer.

They were all enjoyed this afternoon by these two bloggers (picture taken last summer)
and their husbands.

Thanks Deanna and hubby for a very enjoyable afternoon. Good friends, good wine and good times. I love the holidays!!!

A surprise at the ball game!!

The blacksmith and I are on parenting duties this weekend. That included taking 8 yr. old Brady to his ballgame.

The night air was hot and humid. So humid in fact I put my hair up in a ponytail. Never thinking I would meet a blogger friend in person for the first time.

I climbed up on the bleachers and sat down. Soon the blacksmith joined me and just as I was asking him if that was Jim sitting across from us, Jim waves.

We met Jim last year at his part time night job. Okay, it can be a day job too. Anyway, during that conversation one thing lead to another and some how his wife Deanna (My loves, my life) and I met on the blogosphere a few days later.

After Jim came over to visit with us, Deanna asked her daughter, "now who is Dad talking to?" He then motions for her to come over. As she walks over, she recognizes me. The rest is history.

So here are two blogger girls with hair styles to support the humidity.

We had a great time talking during, between, and after ballgames. We are going to make a date to get together. Deanna agreed to show me how to use my borrowed serger. The blacksmith and Jim will check out the shop and maybe even get in a little fishing.

Anyway, back to the game . . .

Here is Brady running to first base.

Here Brady plays catcher for one inning.

After the game we came home for some watermelon. Our first one this season. Little E. enjoyed it. Sorry the picture is blurry, but I just had to show you the juice drip on her chin. Precious!

Stover Gathering, day 2, with peeps group #2

The trip to Stover Missouri started promptly at 11:45 when I met 3 gals in a local grocery store parking lot. Nicole, aka Missouri Gal was our chauffeur. Marilyn and Brenda were her
co-workers. I was the new girl on the block.

It was fun to chat with 3 new quilting friends. The talk never stopped, or the laughter.

Our first stop was in Versailles Missouri at Shady Gables tea room. We did not have reservations, however they said they could take us right in. Our server before seating us asked if we knew about the tea room? (I could see mink capes on all the chairs in the dining room). She said it was not an order off the menu thing. I asked how long high tea would take and she told us 2 to 2 1/2 hours. We quickly opted out. After all we had things to do and places to go.

After we grabbed a quick bite at McD's (I know a far stretch from high tea) we arrived at the Stover gathering.

This was a two story building full of a quilter's dream. I counted 29 vendors. You could buy anything quilted related plus some wine, pottery or lunch under one roof.

I snapped a few pictures of things I really liked today.


This rabbit quilt, with the carrot borders was beautiful.

This was the booth of Quilted Oak. See the dress quilt on the wall. I so wanted it! The dresses were made from reproduction feed sack material.

Nicole found fellow blogger Katie aka Primitive Woolens. Katie had told us via email where to look for her. All three of us being bloggers had to take a picture with their respective cameras! Too funny!

This was Primitive Stitch's booth. They are from Warrensburg Missouri. I loved all the felt pictures.

This was the raffle booth. Don't the two ladies look thrilled to be sitting there? Anyway I took a couple of chances on the quilt and a few more on the sewing machine. Hope I win.

I think this was Patches Place of La Monte Missouri. I just loved all the embroidery items.

Now if I could have gotten this picture without the ladies, you could have seen the quilts better. It just goes to show you how crowded it was.

I even found a pottery booth with a butter bell I have been wanting. Unfortunately it was black pottery. I just can't do black.

The 4 of us all had packages to take home. We stopped at Stover Quality Quilting just a block away. So much to look at there, even a bargain back room.

It was time for some refreshments. So Nicole knew the way to Grey Bear Winery. The long winding blacktop lead us deeper into the countryside.

We arrived just as owner David was putting out his open shingle. It was time to sample some wine. We tried samples from many bottles. From Chicks and Tiggers, Bushwacker, Bear Claw,

Trail of Tears to Smoke Mountain. David was so much fun. With every sample he poured us, he would ask 'mind if I drink with you'? Sometimes he'd fill his glass and forget about ours.

After we purchased a couple of bottles, we made our way to the bar. There he served samples of beer. He was even into adding liquor to beer. I passed on them all. I'm not a beer fan.

We decided it would be nice to eat again. So we purchased a sampler platter and found a table for us. It was my first time to have breaded fried pickles and breaded fried cauliflower. The beer battered onions rings were the best I've ever eaten.

It was about 4:45 when we left there. We would make one more stop at Linda's Cotton Patch in Versailles. There I finally broke down and bought 4 yards of fabric. The girls were so glad I finally gave in.

We arrived back at our parked cars about 6:00. What a great way to spend a day in the country with fellow quilters and bloggers.

Thanks, Nicole, Marilyn, Brenda and Katie!

Lunch with Peeps, group #1

Today I met fellow bloggers Betsy and Becky at Arris Cafe for lunch.

Lunch was wonderful, both with friendships and food.

The B's had Nachos,which had tortilla chips, jalapeños, diced tomatoes, scallions, melted cheddar and Jack cheese, fresh guacamole, sour cream, and pica de gallo. Covered with a lime-marinated chicken.

I had Fijian Salad, which was grilled chicken, layered with mixed greens, cucumbers, green onions, red and green peppers, tomatoes, macadamia nuts, sesame seeds, cranberries, parmesan cheese, shredded carrots, and crisp wontons. Tossed in Arris’ Creamy Vinaigrette.

We the blogger girls have decided next time to skip lunch and go straight for the dessert. They have 2 jam packed cases full of desserts. From Red velvet cake, to tiramisu and even baklava.

Thanks girls it was great!

Stay tuned tomorrow for peeps, group #2!!!!??!?!

Friends

I never knew when I started blogging almost 2 years ago how many new friends I would make. With 348 post and over 10,000 vistors later.

It's amazing how you run into bloggers that seem like they are part of your family.

You compare kids, grand kids, dogs, quilts, recipes, family issues, good days, bad days, hot days and rainy days and much more.

Today was another one of those days.

I took the 4 wheeler up to the mail box. (It's about a half mile jaunt, and in the 93 degree, cloudless day, there was no way I would walk.) There waiting for me were two packages, both from blogger friends.

If you read my post yesterday you will remember me telling you about Sara. She and hubby Mark had mailed us a package.

I'll say one thing, he is good with tape. I thought I'd have heart failure before I could get it open. There were honey sticks, a jar of honey and a note indicating we might have been sisters in a former life. Oh and did I mention, 4 pieces of sugared fruit candy. What? You only see 3 in the picture?. Darn, I am going on a hunt for that other piece. The jar of honey is from their Farm and Fruit Market, made by their own little honey bees. Thank you guys!


As for the other package, it was a quilt ruler rack that I ordered from Nancy's Etsy shop. Nancy and I are both into quilting. We live about 2 hours apart in the same state.


Remember the post just a few days ago where I won an apron in the "Pay if forward" game from Marlene? Today she is talking about her grandmother's rain lilies. We too have rain lilies from BT's grandmother. If you read the link about her, it's not the only flowers we have from her.

Here in Mid-Missouri we have to take them into the basement before frost and let them die down. Early in spring we start watering them and put them outside after frost is over. They pretty much bloom all summer long.


So fellow bloggers out there . . .thank you! I am enjoying this ride.

Lunch with Betsy!

The day finally arrived. It was time to meet another blogger friend in person.

I was about 10 minutes early when I arrived at Betsy's office. I walked in and they asked if they could help me. I said I'm here to take Betsy to lunch. Betsy was in the third desk and gave me a wave, saying she'd be ready in just a minute.

We gave each other a big hug and headed out the door to Arris's Cafe. This is the newest hot spot in Jefferson City. It is not only a fabulous Mediterranean restaurant, but in it is also a world market featuring wines, cheese, olive oils, pasta and spices. It is also a coffee shop and dessert house. What more could you ask for in our little town.

Betsy knew right away what she wanted. It wasn't her first time here either. She ordered the Vegetarian pita. Roasted red pepper hummus wrapped on pita bread with tomatoes, onions, cucumber, and authentic feta cheese and drizzled with spicy Tuscan olive oil. I saw Lasagna on the special and went for it. (I don't get that at home, the blacksmith doesn't like it) However, that was the dinner special, so instead I ordered the Spinach salad. French spinach leaves, boiled eggs, tomatoes, warm bacon, Parmesan cheese with Arris’ Blue Cheese Pecan Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing.

She ordered a diet coke with lime, just like I like with my Mexican food. We girls are going to get along!

Lunch went way to quickly, we never shut up. We learned we knew a lot of people in common. I have to say this . . . my husband even went to grade school with Betsy's Dad. Okay so I'm old enough to be her Mom, but young enough to be her friend.

Before I took her back to work, I gave her a small gift the blacksmith had made. It's a Friedrich cross made from a railroad spike. By coincidence, the gift card I enclosed matched her hot pink shiny purse.

I dropped her back at her office and we promised to meet up again in blogger land. Thanks Betsy, it was great!

Before heading off for my grocery shopping, I stopped by the Yellow Moon Antique mall. I am on the search for an oak sideboard. I happened to find this awesome dresser for only $275. So far, I am nixing it in hopes of a bigger piece of furniture. But . . . it's still a possibility.

It was then my usual shopping. TJ Maxx, where I found a pair of gold hoop earrings. Then on to Kohl's, and finally the dreaded Wal-mart. While shopping there I got a call from the DIL, she needed to make a quick trip to town, would I watch the kids for her (all three kids). It's not very often that we get to watch the grand daughter too.

When BT came home he grilled some big fat hot dogs and I made beef and noodles. After dinner the boys wanted to roast marshmallows. BT had won a hot dog roasting fork in a blacksmith exchange and it worked great to roast 6 marshmallows at a time. I like to say one for each grandson and two for each grandparent!

It was a great day in the midwest!

8:40 PM 72 degrees.

Two bloggers meet

I awakened this morning at 5:00 AM with strong winds blowing. Rain started falling shortly after that. As I lay in bed, I said a prayer for the rain to stop. Today was the Blacksmith Association of Missouri meeting and I was to meet blogger friend Tammy in person. The event was for the most part outdoors.

We left the house before 8:00 and drove in a light rain most of the way. The meeting was in Ham's Prairie, Missouri. Shortly after our arrival the rain stopped and the skies cleared. The sun came out and a strong breeze blew all afternoon.

Hostess Ester was showing several of us ladies how to do copper relief, when I saw Tammy and Mr. W arrive. We quickly exchanged bear hugs and began talking a mile a minute. We soon realized that we had actually met many, many years ago,

possibly 20. I'm sure neither one of us had changed much.

As we walked and talked we came upon Ed's tailgating display. How he can cram, I mean place, so much stuff in that little trunk

is quite a mystery. I'd like to see him grocery shop with that trunk!

Here is Doctor Johnson blacksmithing. He was one of the demonstrators for the day. In his other job, he is a general surgeon. I'm sure his real

job pays more than a general blacksmith.

Ester and Ned served a wonderful lunch of BBQ brisket, baked

beans, 2 different cole slaws, chips and several delicious desserts.

After lunch, the business meeting was held. At the conclusion of the meeting the trade items were exchanged. As you can see in this picture there were some interesting things. BT had made a pinwheel. In exchange he received Ester's enameled anvil plate.

Sorry, the picture doesn't begin to do it justice. We are thinking we are going to hang it on a post at the end of our driveway, just under our house number.

After the business meeting many members headed home.

Tammy and I said out goodbyes, but not before Mr W and BT took our cameras and snapped a few pictures.

Those that stayed were treated to a demonstration of Ned showing

how he makes (in this case), aluminum castings. Here he is packing

petrobond into a wooden form.

This isn't a hobby that would be fun in July in Missouri. He is suited up completely in leather, including steel toed boots and face protection. The aluminum is heated to a liquid of 1550 degrees. He uses a heat sensor gun to see what the temperature is inside the foundry.

Pouring the molten aluminum into the mold.

Here it cools for 10 to 15 minutes before he breaks it out of the form.

The casting cooling on the ground. It will need to be trimmed and buffed.





Here is one of the signs Ned cast. BT won it in the "iron in the hat" drawing. He proudly mounted it as soon as he arrived at home.

BAM meetings are always a good time with good food and good fellowship. Today was extra special with meeting Tammy. Enjoyed the visit girlfriend!

And more this week, it looks like blogger friend Betsy and I are meeting for lunch!

Childhood fun

Remember those days when you made tents over the dining room table with blankets? Or use the cardboard boxes that the new electric dryer came in for a hide out? How about being a ghost, with holes cut for the eyes, made from an old sheet? Playing jacks on the front concrete porch. Mixing up poke berries and dyeing sand. Pitching a tent in the backyard and playing with a flash light on the ceiling until you fell asleep? Oh the joys we had as kids.

Well the above pictures show the boys making their cabin from Grandpa's scrap pile. The little one said "Grandpa leave this here for all the time." Even Bentley the 82 lb black Lab had to check it out. We should have realized how much fun they would have and had them move it to somewhere beside in front of the barn door. The big drive-in the barn door. Oh well they say they don't stay little long. Maybe by the time the snow flies they will have found something else to play with.

Over at Happy@Home, she showed a picture of what I am guessing is her childhood stove. I just had to show a picture of mine. Looks like mine was used more. It was all those soda crackers we cooked in Pepsi. Right Roseann?

Here are my Moss Rose china dishes. Luckily a few years ago, Mom found me a few replacement pieces that had gotten broken.

Ah! this is dish cabinet my Daddy built for me the Christmas I was about 5. I had seen him building it. He told me it was for Santa. So Christmas morning when I saw it near the tree with the moss rose china on it, I said "Oh look, Santa put my dishes on his cabinet!

This is the washer that I washed all my doll clothes in. Then wring them out before hanging up to dry.

In closing I just wanted to remember my front flower bed from this year. After all the frost tonight will probably do it in.

(Sorry this isn't lined up correclty, it's a blogger problem!)