Hello Old Friend

You may or may not remember this project of mine. I started it a couple of  years ago, thinking it would be quick and easy.  I pulled it out last week and am determined to make some serious progress on it this spring/summer. All of the hexagon flowers are finished, they just need to be added to the main body of the quilt. I've decided that it will most likely be a smallish blanket. If I can find some fun coordinating fabrics I might add a bigger than usual border, but first things first. I'm sure I'm going to love it when it's done, but until then it feel a bit like "work".
I hope you are "working" on something fun and enjoyable.
Sally

Sunrise and Balloons

 There was a beautiful sunrise in Louisville this morning and Alan and I were lucky enough to witness it. Today was the Great Hot Air Balloon Race, one of the Kentucky Derby Festival events. The balloons take off at 7:00 and drift to a designated location where each pilot drops a bag of bluegrass seed trying to be the closest to the target. This is our third year watching them take off and it really is a sight to see. We pack some coffee and muffins and wait. You never know exactly where they are going to go, because it all depends on the wind. This year we probably could have seen them from our backyard, but who knew?
This is our third perfect weather weekend in a row, which is kind of a problem because next Saturday is Derby Day and What are the chances of four beautiful Saturdays in a row? The prediction is for it to be much cooler, cloudy with possible showers. That's a week away. Today I'm going to just enjoy the 83 degrees and sunny forecast.
Sally

Happy Birthday David!

Cutest kid ever! David turns 26 today. OMG it's so hard to believe. Where has the time gone? It must be true though, because we got a letter from our insurance company saying that he would only be covered until the end of the month. Good thing he's in medical school and already has it figured out. What do you give a 26 year old for his birthday?. Thank goodness we made these adorable pop-up cards at my last card club get together. I sent a different one to my Dad for his birthday last week. My Dad's didn't include the money candles, his was a bit more sophisticated, cause you know he's 83 and celebrating that accomplishment just call for sophistication. I also sent David a one person microwaveable cake with real birthday candles. I hope he really lights them and makes an extra special wish, like maybe winning the lottery, or something along those lines. 26 years ago I became a Mom and I think it's been the best 26 years of my life. Love you David.

A Pinterest Keeper

Just in case you happen to have some leftover Cadbury Easter Eggs, or your grocery store has them marked 75%,  here's an idea that I saw on Pinterest that actually turned out pretty well.

All you do is wrap your eggs up in refrigerator croissant dough and bake according to the package directions. These were especially good right out of the oven, but I ate one cold the next day and still greatly enjoyed it. How can you go wrong? croissant, chocolate and caramel. Yum!

Sally

Urban Easter Hike

Hope you all had a lovely Easter. It was a beautiful spring day here so of course we decided to go on a little hike. Not wanting to venture too far from home we decided to try some of the trails at one of our local city parks. Cherokee Park is a very large very popular, urban park. I call it urban, because honestly it's a busy place. If you are looking of peace and quiet, this is probably not for you. Even out in the "woods" you can still hear traffic noise as well as the occasional airplane overhead. If you look closely at one of the pictures above you can see the exit sign for interstate 64. All that being said, this park is less than 10 minutes from our house. not a lot of gas was wasted getting there and we were still able to enjoy many colorful nature sights. Next weekend is the Great Hot Air Balloon Race, one of the best Kentucky Derby Festival events as far as I'm concerned. Weather permitting we will be up extra early to watch the start of the race before we walk at the zoo. Can't wait!
Sally

Happy Easter

 

 Are you ready for Easter? Do you have your Hot Cross Buns? Ours are from the Fresh Market this year. I love it when they do all the work for me. You are probably wondering why I'm showing you our grass full of violets and dandelions. I took that picture yesterday, because I knew Alan was going to mow the grass today. I love those pretty purple flowers. He hates them. Says they are just weeds and killing our grass. I made a little posy for the kitchen. To each his own.  It's a beautiful day here and we've been enjoying it. A walk at the zoo, coffee and knitting on the deck while admiring my new red geraniums. I bought 4 of the giant pots at Costco yesterday. only $18.95 a plant. This is the 3rd year I've purchased them and I can promise you that they last all spring, summer and fall long.  I know that I said I was only going to knit with my handspun yarn during April, but Grace says that knitting socks doesn't count. She and I are both knitting with China inspired yarn from Desert Vista Dyeworks. My color is called "Cherry Blossom" and her color is "Tiles of the Forbidden City". I love how my socks coordinate so well with my little gnome project bag. It's things like that that just make me happy.  Hope you are finding lots of things that make you happy today.
Happy Easter!
Sally

Couldn't Be More "Springy"

Have you tried these? Did you already know about them and you just forgot to tell me? I heard about them at the nail salon, where all good things are mentioned, and rushed to the store so that I could try them for myself. Since I pretty much love all things LEMON  I give them a thumbs up. They go great with an afternoon cup of  tea,
Sally

A Little More Spring

Are these carrots not just the cutest? When is the last time you saw carrots with their tops still on? You can't buy them that way at my grocery store, not even in the organic section. I'm not sure why carrots remind me of Easter. I guess it has to do with the bunny. These bright orange beauties along with the zucchini and golden delicious apple came in our GREEN BEAN produce box last Friday. The funny thing is that I had just pinned a recipe on Pintrest that needed all three of those ingredients. I baked the Carrot, Zucchini and Apple Bread on Sunday and it was delicious. I made 2 smallish loaves and 2 tiny loaves. Grace and I ate one of the small loaves and I stuck the other in the freezer for Easter morning. The tiny loves were given to neighbors with a little container of honey pecan cream cheese. Save this recipe just in case you find your self with an abundance of zucchini this summer. It's a keeper.
Sally

First ZOO Walk of 2014

What a beautiful spring morning at the zoo. We have been waiting patiently for the weather to improve and finally today presented itself, sunny and warm. Perfect zoo walking weather (finally, did I say that already?)

Many trees and plants were in bloom adding to the loveliness of the day.

We were especially glad to see all of the new meerkats including a tiny little baby. 

"What's with all of the bugs"? you may be asking,

well, not that many animals were out for viewing this morning, but the  

giant mechanical insects were out in full force.

Not sure how long this exhibit will be here. It's called Big, Big Bugs and that is truly what they are. Not all of them were turned on this morning, but the ones that were were a bit creepy. You could see them breathing and bobbing their heads. The giant tarantula was not my favorite. I think I'm more partial to the lady bugs and bumble bees.

Hope your weather is just as gorgeous.

Sally