It's about time....that I got back to blogging. Life has not been the greatest at my house. Some of you know that my husband mysteriously contracted a staph infection (MRSA) in his knee joint and muscles of his leg. It has been a long haul, but we are seeing light at the end of the tunnel. After three surgeries, LOTS of physical therapy (and PT continues), he is SO MUCH BETTER. He can drive now and isn't near as dependent on me. It was/is a joy for me to be my hubby's nurse as he is definitely my best friend. Working full time and then coming home and taking care of hubby, taking care of the house, laundry, etc. has been very demanding. I've hardly done any sewing and it's quite obvious I've not done any blogging. Why, it has been 6 weeks since I last posted. In fact, the last time I posted was on September 11th, the day he came home after a 16-day hospital stay.
I have missed all of you!!! I've not been visiting blogs or posting what I've been doing. Well, we now have a "new normal" and life is getting better. I will be posting more and sharing more of my activities. I will be going on a retreat in about a week -- oh, how I need one! SEW, ya'll all stay tuned as the Humble Quilter is 'COMING ALIVE'.
I have read The Shack and I rank this one right up there with it.
Kathleen was determined to get some of her WIP's completed.
The following are the BOM's from the internet that Kathleen has been working on. She is really doing a great job "keeping up".
Of course, we have to EAT while we are at retreats! This is the group at the Durning House Bed and Breakfast. The placed was really neat and I loved their decorating.
The following is the group at a local Mexican Food Restaurant (don't remember the name right now). The food was "okay" but the margaritas were to die for!!!!
Kathy and Molly loving those 'ritas!
MARSHA, MARSHA, MARSHA! 9/16 inch, 9/16 inch, 9/16 inch. We kept hearing someone muttering these words over, and over and over. We realized it was our Wacky Buddie, Molly. Molly is a pattern tester for Marsha McCloskey testing a new feathered star pattern. Here she is working on that block. Lookin' good Molly!
TA DA!!!! The block is done!
And here is the completed block. Way to go Molly! We are sew proud of you!
Of course, you have to drink a glass (or three) of wine while retreating. Here is Kathleen enjoying the wine. Really...she drank it out of a glass and not straight from the bottle but it sure makes a great picture!
Molly and Rhonda are taking a break from sewing and checking out the world wide web.
That's all for now folks.......I'll get some more pics posted later.
Notice the metal rooster on the shelf of this quilt rack. My Hubby made the rack years ago.
The rooster candle holder and shade sits on a really OLD ice box. There is also the rooster picture on the wall and of course the chicken wallpaper. Actually, this wallpaper has been on my walls FOREVER. I'm ready to change the walls up but still keep the rooster/chicken theme. Any ideas????
Simple little rooster holding a chalkboard that I purchased on EBay.
Another "Hill Country" purchase -- Americana rooster which hangs on the side of my cabinet.
The centerpiece on my kitchen table is made from an old plow blade with the rooster feet. It really looks better than the picture shows. BTW, that's a candle with fruit around it.
A rooster in the corner of the cabinet, a rooster picture frame, and a small rooster hanging from the cabinet knob. Also, please don't be offended by that cookbook -- it stands for Babe In Total Control of Herself -- a gift from a quilting friend who has at the big quilting bee in Heaven.
Rooster rug at the entrance to my kitchen; there are several more througout the kitchen.
My 'prim rooster/hen" sitting in the basket.
A simple metal rooster than hangs from a beam in the kitchen.
My favorite rooster -- Jim Shore -- it stands about 2-1/2 feet tall.
Here is a crooked picture of the rooster that roosts on the mantel.
A big metal rooster that sits on the floor of the kitchen.
My rooster chandelier that hangs over my kitchen table.
These are some signs that I made "many moons ago".
A whole string of roosters that my buddy, Kathleen, gave me.
In my kitchen; my hubby made the cabinet.
The Inn is just wonderful and is located in a house that was built in 1884. The original house was approximately 2,300 square feet and the Alford's added an additional 3,000 feet. You CANNOT tell where the old stops and the new begins. The renovation was absolutely wonderful. There are two rooms that sleep 6, one that sleeps 4 and another with a queen size bed. There are beautiful quilts on all the walls. The Inn is decorated just beautifully. We sit out on the wrap-around porch and enjoyed a wonderful Texas evening. The quilt shop had great selections of fabrics that catered to almost any taste.
We had a wonderful time laughing, sewing, eating, and shopping in our Jammies. It is a great place. Alford Inn can accommodate a group of 12 or a small group of six. I highly recommend that you check it out. Be sure and tell Cindy that Kathy with the crazy Wacky Pac group sent you!
What do you give a person who has everythin??? Well, I gave him a case of his favorite beer (guys always like that) and then gave him this string quilt. I can't take complete credit for it as it was a Wacky Pac swap and after putting it together I decided that it had to go to my brother. The pictures are not real good, but maybe you can see part of it.
The following is a picture of the entire wallhanging.
This is a kit that I purchased from 
