nashville Quilt Show 2008

Sorry about that video, the quality was awful.  When I get more time, I'll post pictures and describe.  The best picture in my video is of Elenore Burns, arguably the Queen of Quilting...if not the Queen, then certainly one of the most successful.  

Nashville Quilt Show 2008

pictures of the quits, the venue and my traveling

AQS Nashville Quilt Show 2008

Some days you need your quilt fix.  Yesterday was that day for me.  So I set my cruise control, and angled the radio to the left of the dial, because you know that's where all the good public radio stations are and off I went down South 65 the 3 hour drive to the lovely Gaylord Opryland Hotel.  I was alone in the car, but had lots of company along the rode...I felt very safe.  

It is really an easy drive unless you run across some of this.  Yep, highway construction, down to a  single lane, but this did not deter me.  Nope I was on a mission to see the AQS quilt show in Nashville for the last time held at this venue.  Next year it will be in Knoxville, Tennnessee, which I think is a little farther than Nashville from Louisville.  Ah well, I'm sure it all came down to money, but, I really do like the Nashville venue.  There are so many beautiful flowers and rivers and fountains all in a covered dome.  The orchids are beautiful and the restaurants are plenty.  Of course, be prepared to pay for all this beauty, parking is $16.00!! Luckily AQS had parking available for $5.00, about a half mile walk away, but, I'll walk for fabric.  I walked for 3 hours straight and drove to Cracker Barrel for my comfort food-a veggie plate woohoo!  So many lovely things to see along the highway, I think this farmer had a change of mind, I've never seen a criss cross crop like this.  Then at the end of the day I was treated with a beautiful sunset.  Yes, even though we are given our trials, it is all in how we handle them, come what may.

More Kentucky State Fair, 2008

Oh my goodness it's my favorite time of the year, state fair time.  It's the kitchy coolest time to celebrate.  I usually enter a quilt in the event, but, not this year.  Next year I'll try to enter one again.  

But, we got to see lots of pigeons-"My chest and feathers are bigger than your chest and feathers...hmph!!"

and bunnies "How about a little Barry White?"

a most adorable duck with a small beak,"There ain't nobody here but us chickens", I think he was the only duck in the place.  

The piglets were all worn out and grouped together with the most likely exhausted mother at the other side of the stall taking a very deserved rest.  

Of course Kentucky and horses are synonymous.  We are not only known for the thoroughbred horses but also the saddlebred horses, of which this gentleman, Tom Moore, trained quite a lot of them.   The poor cows and 4 H kids are left on cots to spend the night, while the horse industry resides in comfort in the new wing of the fairgrounds.  Ah well, they've earned the right, I suppose and no doubt about it horsing is an expensive hobby, if not business.  

Food is always big business at the fair and here are some more cakes.  Jennifer loves red velvet cakes and here is a spaghetti cake-how do these people come up with these things.  We had a corn on the cob, roasted and a wonderful brisket sandwich at this place.  I highly recommend it.   

Here is my prescription for a fun day at the state fair.  Come around 10:00 and park near the Broadbent Arena, between the West Wing Hall.  Enter the WWH and walk around the current display of animals in this building.  Exit into the parking at the front of the WWH, between it and the BBA where you will find all the Kentucky proud eating places, have your early lunch here and then walk to the left through the market hall, which houses the agriculture and 4H exhibits.  Then go outside and watch the alligator show, if it's on or any of the many free shows that are floating around, or just say hello to Freddy the mascot of the fair.   

Last but not least, I had to take this photo of the wig booth.  There are large blown up photos of the fair in the past and this is 1970.  Be sure to check out you local state fair.