Hometown Meme

I am not a big fan of memes but I thought this one was neat because it gives everyone a little sneak peak into everyone else's "neck of the woods". I saw this on Amy's blog, http://www.thecalicocat.blogspot.com.

Imagine you’ve made a connection with another blogger who lives in a completely different part of the world than you do. This blogger is about to take a trip and the connection you’ve made is so strong that she is going to make your house one stop on her trip. (Yay!) Unfortunately she can only stay at your place for 24 hours (boo!), but she’d like to see some nearby sights while visiting with you.Keeping in mind that time is quite limited so you have to stick pretty close to home (although not necessarily right IN your town - just anyplace you could go as a day trip), try looking around you with the eyes of someone who has never seen your area and tell us some things you’d share with…

A Visitor to Your Hometown

1. Your visitor wants to see something historical. Where would you take her and why?

I live in the center of Connecticut and every destination is 90 minutes or closer. I work in Hartford, CT so, If it's wintertime (BRRRRR! and UGHHH!) I would take her first to the Mark Twain House and then around the corner is the Harriet Beecher Stowe House where there is an awesome quilt display right now. Then we could go to Bushnell Park and take a ride on the one of the oldest carousels in America. If it's the summer, (MMMM! Sunshine!!) we could head for the shore and visit Gillette's Castle and the Goodspeed Opera House. Or maybe you're a gambler, we could stop by Foxwoods Casino or Mohegan Sun Casino and try our luck!!

2. She wants to see something hysterical…well, mildly amusing anyway. She’d even go for cute, quirky, odd, or unique. Where would you take her and why?

Just an aside, There is a house across the lake from where I live in Wolcott, CT, that is shaped like the hull of a boat, which is kind of neat and on sale for only $850,000!

3. She wants to take some beautiful and/or interesting photos to fill her albums when she gets home. Where would you take her?

While we are in Hartford, we could go to Elizabeth Park (if it's springtime) to see the fabulous rose gardens and a picture of the Mark Twain house is a must-have! Of course if we head for the shore, Gillette's castle will be an awesome picture both inside and out and we would definitely stop by the ocean for a view of the waves!!!

4. She’d like to buy a souvenir that will remind her of your area every time she sees it. What would you suggest and where would you go to get it?

I'm sure we would find something at the Mark Twain House. If we stop by the Casino, which is not far from Gillette Castle, there is tons of shopping there or we could stop at the Outlet Stores!

5. Wow, it’s been a long day and you’re both ready for a snack, or maybe even a meal. Where would you take her to really get the flavor of your area?

If we are in Hartford, I would take you to Max's in West Hartford for the Raw Bar. If we are on the shore, the Griswold Inn is the place to go! It has been in operation as an inn since 1776!

Wowww, I always think of Connecticut as boring but there is some good stuff here! I think I need to take a road trip!!

A half hearted attempt at blogging

I haven't been feeling very bloggy lately but I have been visiting everyone and leaving my 2 cents here and there!

The last week or so has been rough. On Monday of last week, I lost my favorite aunt Angelina, better known as Aunt Angie. She was 85 and had been ill for some time. It was a blessing but I was really sad. She was the first Italian to enter our mostly Irish family, and Sicilian to boot!! She was so full of life and loved to laugh. Of course, she was an awesome cook. She was married to my mom's baby brother but was much than he. But she had the most beautiful skin and never looked her age. When I married my DH, she was thrilled to have another Italian in the family. She always had an extra special hug and kiss for him.

On Monday of this week, I lost my uncle Norman. He too had been ill for some time. He was my dad's little brother. He married late in life and had lived with my grandmother right down the street from us when we were growing up. He and my Dad used to sit on Sundays and watch football. In the summer, he would come to our house and play cribbage or horseshoes with my Dad. My Dad passed away 10 years ago. I guess now he has his cribbage partner back.

It seems to me that more people pass in the winter than any other time of the year. I wonder why?

On the brighter side, I am preparing for my quilt retreat with 15 gals from my guild. We leave early Friday morning. This is my birthday present to me. My birthday is Sunday and I can't think of a better way to spend it than quilting with my girls! I have two lap quilts cut and ready to go, some flannel squares that I am going to make into HSTs for kitty quilts, one in cowboy prints for Bailey and one in pinks for Holly. (They need separate accomodations in front of the propane stove. Holly is not a good sharer!) I am also bringing the ill fated hat I have been working on for Alex. It is moving along slowly. Hopefully, I'll have it finished before the snow melts!

My camera has been on the fritz so I don't have any pictures. I know I am long overdue to post some quilty pictures but it is supposed to be ready for me to take on the retreat so I will have pictures to post after the weekend.

BTW, I want to wish a Happy Birthday to Amy!! http://thecalicocat.blogspot.com
She and I are both Aquarians and Dandylions! (She knows what I mean, tee hee!)

Sewww, everybody try to stay warm (or cool, if you are in Australia) and quilt til you wilt!

A New Year but not much is new

Although we are into the second week of the new year, I can't say much is new. Holly and Bailey are now established members of our family. Holly seems to be able to squeeze herself into the tiniest sliver of space between my DH and I to sleep at night. She has an enormous fascination with the toilet and basically runs the show. Bailey is more aloof. He sleeps at the bottom of the bed. He just follows his sister around and deliberates over whether to get involved in her hijinx or not. They seem to be keeping each other amused during the day and we haven't had any huge kitty catastrophes...yet. :)

On the quilty front, I finished my Christmas quilt for Bob this weekend including sleeve and label. LOL. Well better late than never. I will post a picture this week once we hang it. I am putting together a class demo for my friend, Diane's shop on the use of Angelina Fibers. Having lots of fun with that!

I am planning my projects for our quilting weekend at the end of January. I cut two lap quilts last night from a pattern called Crazy Eights. It uses 8 FQs. I cut one from homespun and plaids to give my DH for our anniversary. He has been complaining the quilt on our sofa is too short. I also cut one from lighter plaids for the spring.

I have picked out my medallion pattern for our Round Robin which starts in February. It's not supposed to be larger than 18' on a side but mine is 16 by 24 and I AM IN LOVE WITH IT. So, I will have to do a little whining to the other members when we exchange.

I also picked up a Moda panel of Valentine postcards which I cut up and will be playing with over the next couple of weeks. I got some groovy Art Glitter that I want to try on them!

And, I am starting a Art Journal class on Saturday at a cool quilt shop in Northhampton, MA. which is about an hour from my location in CT. There are three of us going from my guild so we will take turns driving. It's a once a month class for a couple of hours on a Saturday. I'm really looking forward to that.

I also am knitting a hat for my son which I promised him last year. I've had to start it THREE times but I seem to be on the right track now. If I can only get my kitties to stop swatting at my needles!!

Sewww, I guess I have a few things in the works. I find the winter months difficult. The lack of sunshine, the early setting of the sun, not to mention the cold weather (though we have escaped the cold so far here in CT). The winter has an adverse effect on me. I have a hard time motivating myself to do much of anything and feel grumpy most of the time. I wish I could hibernate til April. Ironically, my birthday is in JANUARY.

Well, enuf of this!

Maybe, a gratitude will help. I am thankful for:

1. my new little kitties,
2. my patient husband,
3. my quilting friends here at home and the internets..