It's been a long and busy couple of weeks.

Like this woman, I was scratching my head-you know, just another weirdo that makes it all okay.

We've returned from NYC for the 4th time this year. We were there for a week and then my mom visited for a week, so I've got a lot of work to do, but, I just don't wanna do it! So, I'm catching up on my blog writing.

I took over 600 pictures, with my trusty, indestructible camera so I have a lot to write about and will do so over time. But, to begin our time in New York, one of my new discoveries was Brooklyn. It's only a short walk over the bridge. The industrialists took over Brooklyn first, they left, artists moved in. The artists are currently in residence. But the rich and wealthy are saying, hey that's our Brooklyn, so they are buying up all the artsy places and the artists are protesting. I hope they can hang on to the rustic beauty of Brooklyn, but, in the end, money will win, so you better get there while it still has a lot of inexpensive charm.

After crossing the bridge from NYC, we had pizza at Carmichael's, it's under the bridge-classic NY pizza-thin crust and real Mozzerlla cheese in squares, not shredded and thick crust, like I'm used to, I didn't care for it that much. I musta been the only one that didn't like it, cause that place was jam packed with people. I guess I'm a deep dish girl at heart. After our very pricey meal, next we continued on to explore Brooklyn.

Brooklyn Botanical gardens is my one of my new favorite places in NYC. I guess, technically, it's not NYC, but, it's only a hop skip and a jump across the Brooklyn Bridge. Then a short walk from there.

There are many different types of gardens, some formal and some not. We went in the fall, so there's not a lot of flowers to see that are not in the water, but, don't let that stop you from enjoying the tranquil Japanese pond garden with a large artistic structure jutting out of the pond, imposing itself in every photo like Santa Clause in a parade. One of my favorite things about the BBG is the Bonsai museum. Some of these plants are over 100 years old. You know I'm a quilter and that is an art form that requires the patience of a butter churner. I'd like to learn the art of bonsai. It's sculpting plants-so artistic and lovely, like a statue, almost.

We were given directions to walk up to the BBG by way of this fountain that is in front of the Grand Army Plaza.

I hope you have enjoyed one segment of our week in NYC. Tomorrow, I'll pick a new topic to write about, maybe my mom and me making a quilt for my DD #2's geology club's fund raising raffle quilt. I call it Paris Kitties.

It's back to NYC for me...smile...

Well, finally, we are going to NYC in decent weather. So far we went in record high heat of the summer and record low cold of the winter and now I'm in hopes of going in October to enjoy a few walking tours of Brooklyn. It's off the beaten path for me, but, not too far, cause you know there's some weirdos there.

I'm taking my trusty old camera which is way out dated by now and probably 1/3 the price I paid for it 2 years ago, but, it's totally indestructible. I think I've dropped it at least 5 times, on cement and it's still clicking away with nothing broken. So, no fancy smancy SLR that ways a ton and no doubt takes much better pictures than mine. I think I'll save the 1000 bucks and buy some fabric and make beautiful quilts that are in demand. Of course that's free demand-dare we ask a price that China products have so undercut our beautiful value of really great fabric in quilts.

I'm rambling on. That's what blogs are best for, getting things out, I suppose. A cub reporter not quite ready for the Daily Planet, but, you know it's somewhere deep in us.

Ah well, we are leaving on Tuesday and will be gone until Sunday, when, we will be picking my mom up from the airport the same day. We live about a 14 hour drive from our original home in Collinsville, Oklahoma and so we don't get to see relatives often. My folks have moved from there to Oologah, Oklahoma, which is not far from C'ville.

Anyway, we are planning to visit old historic homes in the area, of which Louisville, Ky abounds. Also, Abraham Lincoln's boyhood home is not far and there's lots of little day trips and maybe even a visit to the French Lick Casino, cause my mom really likes to play Keno-whatever that is. Me, not much of a casino person. At one time, I liked tried playing craps and it was fun, but only when you win and the casinos don't look like they do because they win.

I've got to go clean house. There's nothing like having company over to make me want to clean house...you know pretend it looks that neat all the time...smile.

It's almost here....smile...

At last, I think, it's almost here. The leaves they are a falling...smile...We've been having record high heat and I just heard that we will be getting some cooler weather tonight. That's none too soon, because tomorrow, our quilt group is going on a trip to the Louisville Stoneware andHadley Pottery stores. We'll finish up with a trip to Bear's fabric store. It should be lots of fun and just in time to buy a gift for my MIL.

I had hoped to finish the Diamond in the Rough quilt but, have been in need of a purse so I made these 2 cute clutch bags that my DD #2 grabbed and I'm keeping my favorite.

Oh yes, I've been busy of late and am now a National Geographic Scuba Diver. Yeah me!! It's a great sport? hobby? I don't know, but, it's a lot of fun and great exercise. I can't wait to go to the ocean and dive at a reef.

We did our testing in Mermet Springs, Illinois, right outside of Paducah, Ky, yes, that Paducah, the quilt capital of America. But, alas, woes me, I went on Sunday to quilt shop-ain't nothing open on Sunday in the quilt world in Paducah, so I go this, everywhere we went

Also, went to another concert-Arcade Fire and LCD Soundsystem. We left before the main act, Arcade Fire-DD #1 had too much homework so we left a little early.

Nope the book case did not fall on my head!

Whew! It's been a busy time around here. I've been to a concert with my DD #2 and saw Andrew Bird at the Brown. We sat in the front row and I got great pictures of his striped socks-so cool. A man really has to be secure to kick off his shoes and wear striped socks! Of course it really helps to be cool if you are playing a violin and guitar, practically at the same time.

Next we went to an auctiongot this beautiful quilt for $110.00. It was a lovely day started about 10:00 and we got to the quilts after many, many tools and other old estate items from a probably 100 year old farm. I really wanted this but, you know when you go toe to toe on the bids with one other person, and you've already gone over your limit, you live in the satisfaction that you made them pay for it. I was quite happy with my wonderful Cinderella find. There was no label and no one attending knew the story of the quilt. Once again-put your labels on!!!

After the auction we signed up for scuba diving lessons. We are on board to learn how to dive here and then we plan to go to a reef somewhere in January or February. I can't wait. I've always liked the water. We used to have a boat, but, I was the only one that wanted to go out on it, so we sold it. Now, my DH wants to do this and so far so good. We are having a crash course hopefully before the weather gets too cold. We have to have 4 open water dives in a quarry before we are certified-there's wet suits for cold water but, warm water, I think is probably always better...smile. Then we played poker with guys and spouses at one of the fellows from Bob's work. We didn't win, but, you know I hear their names and it was nice to get to associate a name with a face for a few hours at least...kinda fun. And last but not least, my super sensitive, of late, DH surprised me with Salsa dance lessons just in time for us to dance on the rooftop of a club downtown for the Latino festival. It was nice viewing the Ohio river from a different perspective, feeling the breeze and watching the talented dancers. Then it was our turn, we got up and remembered our steps, quick, quick, slow, quick, quick, slow and did that for a while. We tried our turn and walk through, but, it was so crowded, I just knew I was going to elbow some one so we left kind of early. Quite enjoyable that my husband would put so much thought into surprising me...touching...smile.

Organizing Cd's and Books are next!

Every once in a while a blog I read, turns on the light in my brain, that's a great topic to write about. I was so inspired by Bloomin' Workshop, where I read an interesting bit about a bookshelf and some of her favorite books. So, I thought I would show some of the disorganized bookshelf that soon won't be-disorganized that is. When I rearrange the bookshelf, I'll tell of my favorite books on my shelf.

I noticed when I was posting about the Kentucky State Fair, there were several blogs that wrote about their own state fairs and I don't know if I was the first to write about it or not, but, it appeared a lot of quilters share the passions, for quilting, books and their state fairs.

I've lately been nesting and recently was stuck in Costco while waiting for my tires to be fixed. These are a couple of things I came home with: A media shelf, which I'm still filling with CD's I'm downloading into my PC and will soon burn a back up of some of them so I can play them in the car, without the possibility of losing the original. I'm sure I'll fill this shelf up with many CD's still to store-off the floor. I think I'll get a shelf in the closet and fill it up next.

I also bought a chair for sewing. You really want to invest in a good chair with lumbar support and a lift so you can sit at the proper height while sewing.

Along with these items, I also got lots of groceries, enough to feed an army-cause that's the way it's sold there. The produce is the best at Costco, I think the perishables as a whole are the best.

Well, need to finish up my organizing, CD's and books.

Make it a Great Day!

Organizing and Waterfront Wednesday today.

What is it in us that makes us need to organize sometimes. It just feels good and best of all, doesn't cost a thing. I really am a nester. I like to organize and rearrange furniture. It makes me feel good. I don't know why, it just does. Yesterday I was stuck at Costco for an hour while I waited to have my tires rotated and balanced. Warning: never be stuck in store when nesting. I left after getting tires done for free but bought $440.00 for organizing. Now the work doesn't cost a thing but, my oh my, what beautiful shelves I have for my CD's. Yes, I think I'm one of the last people in the world that still buys the CD's, cause I think the artist deserves to be heard in whole.

Like reading a book, I like to give the author a chance and read into it, before I give up. The same is true with a CD. I think the group or artist has attempted to create a cohesive work. I imagine it's late hours spent deciding just where a particular song should be heard on a record. In case some of you don't remember what a record is, in "the old days" music was put on a vinyl record and played on a turn table. Most music people still refer to records and their music but, it is now recorded on a compact disc or CD. I suppose in the end, CD's will become obsolete because people don't want to spend the money on a whole CD when it's only one song they really want. Thus the gargantuan success of Itunes. Genius Steve Jobs.

The list

We quilters have our lists of UFO's, WIP's, etc., but, does everyone have the other list?

On my other list is:

Travel to Minnesota and stay in a cabin on a lake and listen to the loons.

Go on another Carribean Cruise

Go to NYC during Christmas time to see the window displays

Visit San Francisco

See the Red woods in California

Go to Hawaii

Visit Seattle

Stay in Philadelphia and study more historical sights

I'm sure this list will be added to as time goes by and blogs don't cost anything, cause then we'd have to choose between quilting, travel or blogs...hmmmm...

Good Day!