Trick or Treat

Trick or Treat for Halloween

Trick or Treat for Halloween

Trick or Treat for Halloween

I'm knocking at your door.

Don't know what songs kids sing today while out on the streets Trick or Treating, but as a young girl this was the song that we sang years ago. I only remember two Halloween costumes. My cousin Peg and I were Beatniks. Easy costume - large white sweatshirt and black tights. The other costume, I remember, was putting on a sheet and becoming a Ghost. Again, we may have had awesome costumes as kids, but I don't remember:) Of course, when you work in an elementary school, there were many Book Character Parades on Halloween Day. My favorite was the year many of us wore white shirts, white pants, black dots, dog ears and were 101 Dalmatians. 

Of course, DS was a dalmatian that year, too.

We are getting lots of mileage out of Rusty's costume. Yesterday, we attended a Halloween fundraiser. He was quite the star in his hotdog costume.

Wishes you with lots of treats!

"Treat!"

"Treat."   Rusty here. That Mom doesn't she know that this is not "Treat."

This is "Treat." and Daddy is the one who gives me two treats after they sit at that place and  eat.

Alright. I'll make Mom happy and eat a piece. Hmmm. Ginger snaps. I love Ginger Snaps.

What's that you say? Happy Birthday!  Oh, Mom, can't you get it right. Yesterday was my birthday. Yea, I know I'm now  8 years old (56 in human years. I'm trying to hide the fur that's coming out in a lighter color)

Oh no! Not Blackie again. Blackie likes to get in "MY PLACE."

Much better! That's MY PLACE, Mom's Lap. I was here first Blackie :)


Happy Birthday, one day late, to our dear Rusty! You've made us laugh. You have us enslaved. Enjoy your birthday treat, your favorite Gingersnap cookies.


Luv,
Mom, Dad and Michael

My "Pet" on My Quilt

The fun has begun! Sewcalgal's Pet's on Quilts Quilt Show has begun. Our Pet is Rusty, a short-haired miniature dachshund. He has me trained :) Rusty joined our family five years ago. He has added lots of laughter and affection to our home. Rusty believes that all things belong to him. All quilts belong to him, but his favorite is this neutral one that coordinates with his rust colored coat. He insisted it belonged to him; although, he reluctantly agree to allow my SIL to keep it one Christmas holiday.

Join in the fun, by posting a picture of a quilt that you made for your pet or your pet on a quilt by Saturday, August 21st. See the other entries on SewCalGal's blog. Thanks so much to SewCalGal for organizing this awesome quilt show.

Secret Blogger

Rusty, here, reporting on a strange event. It began on Saturday morning. I like Saturday mornings. My people sleep until I remind Mom that it is time for her to let me out into the backyard and serve me breakfast. On Saturday mornings, the weird beeping sound at "dark thirty" is not heard. Well, most Saturdays that is. This morning, my Mom did strange things. She got up at "dark thirty" when the beeping sound went off. Michael and Mom loaded me in that blue noisy box in the garage and we left our house. We arrived at a place and they put this puffy thing around my body. It would have been intolerable except that my "BFF", Coco, who lives across the street joined us. She had a strange hat and cape on her, too.

I heard someone say she was a cute little witch, but they must have confused the words and meant b....

Lots of other people were in this place, too. Some of the other people especially the little people were in funny clothes, too. After a while, we began walking down this wonderful trail with lots of people and doggie smells. I was just hitting my stride when the wet stuff began falling on us. My bottom side got really wet. Even my "buns" got wet and were dragging.

I wonder if Mom has been getting some of these strange ideas for all those books she reads. I got a good look at one of her books. I didn't like it at all.

Home, Again

Knowing that my Summer break will soon be over, last week we headed to Louisiana to visit with my Dad and Marion's Mom. They both live in assisted-living facilities, but in different areas of Louisiana. We spent a bit of time in both places wishing we had more time to visit. Michael made the trip with us, too. With his college schedule, it may be some time before he is able to visit again. We were blessed with my cousins who helped us during our visit. Many thanks to Bob and Niki (also a quilter) who introduced us to an awesome pizza restaurant very near Dad's facility. It was wonderful visiting with them again. They had never met our son, Michael. He loved connecting with family. Bob's brother and my cousin, Glen, welcomed us into his home. We normally have to sleep at a local motel because Dad no longer lives in his home. Relaxing at Glen and Mary's home was absolutely perfect. It helped us to feel connected to family. We talked, laughed and ate lots.

While in Lafayette, I made a quick detour to Bourne Quilters. It is one super shop! I visited with Renee, the owner. They are in the process of moving to a larger location (wonderful news) in the same strip shopping center. The week previous to my visit, they celebrated their first year anniversary. Many bolts of fabric were on sale for 40% off. Because of their anticipated move, the sale was still in process. I purchased a white with black dot print from Lakehouse and Beatles fabric to make Michael a pillowcase. He is enamored with the music of The Beatles. He's also anxiously awaiting the new Rock Band video game featuring the music of The Beatles.


While visiting Marion's Mom, we were also able to visit his childhood friend. Mike was best man at our wedding. Most trips we're not successful in coordinating a visit so this was a treat for all of us. We normally book rooms at the Casino that is near his Mom's place, but the Casino was completely booked. We tried a local bed and breakfast. This was a first for us, staying at a B & B. Honeysuckle B & B was quite nice. It was very quiet which is not the case at the Casino. It was truly in the Country. I don't think I could find the place on my own.

Our Rusty stayed home with our oldest son, Jason. He was over-joyed to have us return. He's a bit neurotic. I'm hoping that he relaxes. I don't think he ate the entire time we were gone. He's definitely off his schedule. I found it rather amusing that the pastor of the local church near Marion's Mom's assisted living has the same name as our dog, both first and last name :)

A Walk With Rusty

Sunday, the weather was just about perfect here in the metro Atlanta area. Trees and bushes are just short of bursting with color and flowers. After giving Rusty a bath, monthly flea medication, and cutting his nails,  his reward was a walk in the neighborhood.

Flowers needed sniffing. 

He really wanted only a stroll around our cul-de-sac. I thought it would be good for both of us to stretch our legs for a longer walk. You can tell from his body language that Rusty had enough of getting my attention (bath, flea stuff, nails, too long walk)

Finally, he made his point. Enough of this fun!

Quilt Shop Grand Opening

Today was the Grand Opening Celebration at our newest quilt shop, Patchwork Cottage in Lawrenceville. Quilt designer extraordinaire, Pat Sloan was at the shop to help launch the celebration. The shop has Pat's new line of fabric Arabella as well as some of her Sweetbriar line. The quilt in the background is Pat's new pattern "A Secret Garden" using her Arabella fabric.It was fun visiting with Pat. Pat's blog was the first blog that I followed and read religiously. She spoke at the Gwinnett Quilter's Guild several years back. I took time off from school to attend her lecture at the guild event. I've followed her blog and numerous Yahoo Groups since then. 

It was great fun visiting, eating, and shopping. There were quite a few ladies there that I had not seen in a bit - Jane V., Linda K., Marty M., Jayne B.   Lots of fun!

Look at the fun bag that was given to the first 50 shoppers. I think I was number 49. Of course, Rusty has to check out everything on "his" sofa. I purchased some light prints for the 16 Patch and Pinwheels project. I don't have what I need for that upcoming project. The navy print is for a project in "the plastic boxes." I looked at it the other day. It could use a couple more indigo pieces.

Back Home

How good it is to be home. We spent most of yesterday driving home from Louisiana. Marion, Michael and I arrived home about 7:00.  Our oldest son was not able to travel with us. He had bar-b-que chicken wings and fries waiting for us when we drove in the drive-way. 

Today, I've spent most of the time dealing with clutter. We still had remainders from opening presents in our family room Christmas morning. There was luggage to unpack. Clothes to wash, dry and fold.  I've begun collecting some of the Christmas decorations, but will probably wait until this weekend to put it all away. Rusty needed lots of cuddle time. We (Rusty and I) took an extra long nap. That should hold us over until bedtime. 

This was a difficult trip.  My Dad is in an assisted living in our hometown. He is having health problems, physical and mental. He sleeps lots. I did sit with him in his apartment most of the time that we were there. Marion and Michael ran errands. We picked up meals and ate it with him. It is a blessing that he doesn't realize that things are not good. 

 I did get to work on a wool applique project while visiting Dad. It is one of our Sisters projects, Antique Pomegranates. This is my first wool applique project. Looking at my work, you can see some improvement from one  section to the other. In fact, I made sure I didn't work from left to right on the project so that my work would be a bit even. I'm really liking this project. 

Old friends .... New Friends

I'd like to introduce you to one of my "new best friends", my walker. I've been home from the hospital for a bit over a week. Adjusting to my new body part, my new right hip, has not been bad. The prescription medications are handling the pain (mainly from the incision and my right knee) My walker has made it possible for me to be mobile at home. I use it to go up and down the stairs (usually once a day). Don't you just love my husband's addition to my walker? He was so proud of himself. He definitely is an LSU fanatic. I have three "potty chairs" in important places in the house (thanks, Pat for sharing) The physical therapist/nurse visits me at home twice a week. Yesterday, she showed me how to use another new friend, "my cane." Using the cane will be a bit easier in the house especially around the furniture in our family room. Saturday, she removed the staples on the incision. That helped tremendously!!!

The support from "people friends" especially quilters has been fabulous. Thank you friends! I love each day when one of my sons brings the mail in the house. My mailbox has been filled with wonderful "get well" cards. I've received visits at the hospital (thanks, Paula, Nancy and Kathy), plants (hoping they survive) a prayer shawl from my cousin Peg in Houston, and delicious meals. My husband is the cook in the family. Adding my care to his duties has added stress for him. We were blessed that he was able to take eight days off of work and take care of me at home. It just helped not to worry about what to feed us. Poor dear! He even burned the chicken and "missed" on a pot of soup all in one day. He was a bit discouraged. So meals for the "disabled" has helped tremendously. My school friends paid for a lady to clean my house. Bless them! Having a clean house, has been a blessing and helped me relax.

Karen from Life-In the Slow Lane and Cindy from Knapsack Quilts were my "babysitters" on Friday evening. My husband loves football, college and high school. Our high school team had a game on Friday evening. Karen and Cindy came to my house so that Marion could attend the game with his "buddies." It was wonderful to hear "quilty" talk. Patterns, fabric lines, "Bad Melisa" shopping trips, Moda fabric lines, jelly-rolls, Quilts, Quilts, Quilts, etc. Thanks Karen and Cindy!!!!!!

Perhaps, my most devoted friend has been my dachshund, Rusty or "Dr. Rusty". He has been constantly at my side providing warmth and companionship. I worried that he might trip me or jump on my incision. No problem! He has been a constant companion, a devoted friend.

And The Winner Is.....

Sorry about the delay in my birthday give-away drawing. It's just been "crazy" busy here. In addition to a hectic schedule, we've had some computer issues. 

I put everyone's entries on a slip of paper. Put the

 paper in a bowl. I attempted to have Rusy, our Dachshund, do the honors, but he was more interested in the "

treat" I hid in the bowl. Finally, my son did the honors. Sue R. from North Winds Quilting in Maine is the winner. Sue, please send me your address. I'll get the package in the mail.

Thanks to everyone who helped me celebrate my birthday! I loved visiting your blogs. I loved seeing which quilting book/magazine/quilters that you chose for your favorite.

Happy Quilting!

Rusty, the Dachshund Meets Clovis

Yesterday, we celebrated my husband's birthday which is actually on Monday with a crawfish boil. Both Marion and I grew up in South Louisiana (Cajun country). Springtime especially 

Easter or Mother's Day  was crawfish (pronounced craw fish not crayfish) time. We'd buy crawfish by the sack. I can remember Dad buying 75 pounds and boiling them for our family. Here in the Atlanta area we are fortunate to have a seafood market that makes weekly runs to Louisiana for fresh seafood. Marion called "Boudreaux" earlier in the week and reserved a forty pounnd sack of live crawfish. 

 

Crawfish are boiled outdoors.  We  have a special pot and burner to boil them. Red peper, salt, onions, corn, potatoes are all boiled at the same time.

 Rusty, our minature dachshund loved the smell. We had to keep him indoors so that he didn't get too close to the gas burner. We served the crawfish in aluminum pans. Here they are cooling a bit so that we could eat them.

Rusty actually took one out of the pan and tried to eat it hard shell and all. 

Who may you ask is Clovis? Clovis was the star and main character in a series of books written by Mary Alice Fonenot. The first book was printed in 1961. Here is the Wikopedia entry on Clovis the Crawfish:

Clovis Crawfish is the lead character in a series of nineteen children's books written by Mary Alice Fontenot published between 1961 and 2004.

"Clovis Crawfish and His Friends" by Mary Alice Fontenot, illustrated by Keith Graves, Pelican Press, 1961

Clovis is a crawfish who lives in the bayous of Louisiana who speaks in English with occasional Cajun words or phrases. Several volumes have also been published in French editions, usually translated by Fontenot's daughter, Julie Fontenot Landry.

The Clovis Crawfish books are beloved by generations of Louisiana children and have a following throughout the world as well.

A Fix of Sorts

Our home computer has a temporary fix. We've disabled the router. Only one computer is connecting to the net. Since my internet time was restricted, I've gotten a bit of sewing done :) I have the dark and light strips cut for the Orange Crush Mystery Quilt. I'm almost finished sewing the rows to the Sunshine/Crossed Path project.  The best news of all is that Spring Break has officially begun. We are staying home. I can play on the computer, sew and read for an entire week. YES!

I was planning on sewing this evening, but we are having thunderstorms in the Atlanta area. My dog Rusty is terribly afraid of the weather so I have him in my arms trying to keep him calm. 

Tomorrow is my sewing day at the quilt shop. Our group meets the first Saturday of every month. Can't wait to see my sewing Sisters! My portable machine is in the car. I'm deciding on which projects to bring. Happy Day!