Merry Christmas Everyone

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year.

A Quick Getaway

About three weeks ago we decided to visit Leavenworth, Washington for a quick getaway and enjoyed our time immensely.  It's a touristy town but done well in the Bavarian theme, though we missed he Oktoberfest weekends it was very much in evidence.

 Waiting for our ferry from Sydney pictured above which will take us to Anacortes WA, it ended being just over a 3 hr sailing and was very relaxing and therefore I got in some great hexie time.

 

 This is at the top of Stevens Pass and yes our heads were in the clouds but so picturesque and fortunately no snow, whew!

 Here is our bed for the next three nights, The Bavarian Lodge and we decided on it because of how centrally located to all the happenings.

 Views from our walkabout.

 Oh yes, I would've loved to bring this home but at $110.00 I left it behind.

 Now for those who don't now I'm a Snoopy aka Peanuts fan from my childhood and it's stayed with me so this brought a big smile to my face.

 So cute for anyone who is talented in this type of craft.

 All I bought was this pack of cards but at least I could say I helped support the store in my small way.

 We decided to browse through a couple antique malls in Cashmere, WA which isn't far from Leavenworth and had a great time.

 Many quilts to view but I wasn't in the market for any, prices were also a little high for my Canadian dollar too.

 

After a long day or browsing it was time to think of dinner and we decided on this amazing place which was over the top delicious if you like Southern BBQ.  Everything looked so good on their menu we couldn't decide so they offered us a sampling of the BBQ pulled pork and Beef Brisket, sold!

 We also visited the Nutcracker museum back in Leavenworth before we left which was over the top and you were't allowed to take pictures except for a select few.

 We enjoyed a 11:00 AM wine tasting thinking it's 5:00 PM somewhere and a couple of bottles came home with us.  I found a little quilt shop and secured three fat quarters, prices not great but new designs that caught my eye.

 A friend who had previously visited this Oil and Vinegar shop asked if we could pick up a couple of bottles for her and they were safely tucked away for transportation.

Well, time for my daily walk so will go breath in some fresh air so I can quilt the rest of the day.

Two Important Things Happened

The first important thing, at least to my oldest Granddaughter is that she's now officially taller than me!  She will be twelve in January 2017 and she's loves to draw, swim, read and so much more.

Secondly I've gotten back to working on my Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt blocks and I think the time away has worked in my favor as they don't seem to frustrate me as "much".  Here's a sampling of the blocks and I can't wait for the day when I can finally put the binding on it.

 Have a great Tuesday and I hope you get to do something today that makes you smile and takes you to your happy place.

A visit to Lori's Country Cottage, Sherwood Park, Alberta

On our way back to Lloydminster a stop was made at Lori's Country Cottage in Sherwood Park, Alberta.  About an hour out of the city I quickly posted on the Canadian Quilters FB page to the effect if you only had the chance to stop at one shop in the Edmonton, AB area what it would be?  Several shops came up as favourites but Lori's Country Cottage was the one we decided on and it didn't disappoint.  
Once inside I asked if I may take pictures which is a must when you enter any quilt shop and they were very obliging so here is a few pictures of the inside of what turned out to be gem of a quilt shop.

 This is such a cute wall hanging but alas the pattern didn't come home with me, no pun intended.

 Sorry this is so dark, it's their classroom and it looks like there is going to be many great classes on the horizon.

 Back now to the shop and if some of the pictures are blurry it's because I was shaking with excitement, yes...we've all done it!

 OMG, they have wool and it's reasonable priced, such a score!!!

 Ha, Ha, I'm back to the wool section and guess what, it's by Buttermilk Basin, kits, patterns and I discovered they even carried the teeny, tiny buttons for eyes that Stacy uses,  which I had to order from the USA but not anymore because I know Lori's Country Cottage now carries them!

 See, those cute little Vintage Truck patterns and I had such a hard time choosing just one, please I'm retired now and on a budget!

 When I made a final decision on all my treasures I was asked if my name was in the system which it was not so sure add me I said.  Well, guess what?  If you're in their "system" when it's the day before, day of or day after your birthday you get an extra 20% off your purchase!  Be still my heart as the day before was my birthday so I happily allowed them to give me a discount, wink, wink!  The bear in the picture below is played for those with Birthday savings!

I'll show you my goodies in the next couple of days once life gets back to our normal, enjoy your Wednesday everyone.