It was a busy weekend at the Florida Keys Quilter's Show this weekend. Set up was Thursday and we opened Friday, did the tear down last night. Here are a couple of before and after pics. I should say, the show is held at San Pedro church.

Before

After

Before

After

And now without further ado, here are some of the quilts by our talented members:

This is my mom's quilt, Cornucopia Flowers. It took her three years to complete and is all BY HAND. I obviously have not inherited her patience, preferring instant gratification in a quilt!

 Here is a close up. Beautiful.

So, another good show. I did not do nearly as much as some of the others. Very grateful for those hard workers. Am also happy to say I sold quite a few things in the Country Store. Yay!






As I quiet down and focus on the beautiful things in my life, I open myself up to my own healing powers.

I had the most fabulous afternoon on the water with the Red Hat Rippers. I jumped at the chance to go on the new 78-ft paddlewheel boat, Island Time, out of Key Largo. This is the only picture of it I could find.Very cute. We couldn't have asked for a more spectacular day: the weather, the company, the crew. Wonderful time and I highly recommend it. My only complaint? A little pricey.
We shoved off among all of these go-fast boats. Very cool to look at but trust me, I speak from experience, a huge PIA to be anywhere near when you're on a sailboat. Way too much yucky testosterone hanging over them like a toxic cloud.

This is our grand poobah, Jan, showing us how it's done in the Keys. You go girl!

Some of the rippers on deck...

and, the irrepressible Carol Ann (of shooting-her-aunt's-remains-out-of-a-canon fame) Love her!

It was wonderful to be on the water again. I really do miss being on a boat. We were out for about 2 1/2 hours with no worries.  Great way to live in the moment.

Change and surprise are evident everywhere I go. I am delighted with all I see.

Getting ready for the show

8 dozen eggs, hard boiled and peeled. (never again)

 Car packed up. Ready to hawk my wares.

Can't wait to see everyone's quilts - I'm taking 4 of mine and one of Mom's. Will keep you posted.










My job is perfect for my schedule. It is easy and fun for me to be productive and organized at work.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY FRIEND, LU-ELAINE!

  MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY WITH LOTS OF LOVE!

my gift to Lu

 Did you know that giraffes have seven bones in their necks, just like humans? Well, they do.

well, whaddya expect - it's my first giraffe!

I used leftover fabric I got for the fireplace in my mom's birthday picture quilt. I did not realize it was actually giraffe hide. Perfect.  :)





I am independent in my thinking. I choose thoughts that make me feel free.

So, I spent Saturday volunteering at the Health Fair for the hospital. I conducted vision tests and let me tell you, if you knew what I know now, you would stay off the road. For good. OMG, I would say that over half the people I tested were lucky if their vision was 20/75, and that was in the good eye!!!  Anyhoo, hopefully they will follow up with an eye doctor now - not holding my breath.  And, the few of my friends I saw there who were blind as bats - and you know who you are - get thee to an ophthalmologist!!!

This one's for you, Susan.

Had a bit of a revelation this morning around 3am.  I was thinking about how one goes about buying a car.  Thinking, well, who makes that decision for you - I mean is there some database you can access that will allow you to fill out the questionnaire and then it tells you bing bing You should buy a whatever . . . ?

Same thing I've had to do about banking and taxes and insurance - oh lordy the insurance - and I find myself looking for someone to tell me what to do - (and thank goodness my mum and da are on this earth. )

My husband did all that. I would think that would be a lot of pressure but when I look back, he had no interest in involving me in the decision making and I never questioned, only trusted, that he knew best. Look where that's landed me.

signed:  Lizzie Alone but getting a clue . . sort of.

What a fool. yuck






Play is important. Today I allow myself to do something fun. My inner child teaches me how to relax and just enjoy life.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm passing this on because it worked for me today.A Dr. on TV said to have inner peace we should always finish things we start & we all could use more calm in our lives. 

I looked around my house to find things I'd started & hadn't finished, so I finished off a bottle of Merlot, a bottle of Chardonnay, a bodle of Baileys, a butle of wum, tha mainder of Valiuminun scriptins, an a box a chocletz. Yu haf no idr how fablus I feel rite now. Sned this to all who need inner piss. An telum u luvm .

The whole world is my valentine. Love is everywhere.

Ok, I'll take a break from the kindle covers for now but first just had to share these sweet batiks with decorative buttons.. I whipped them up while I watched the Grammy's last night.

Ok, so the Grammys. Here it is - BAM:  Bruno Mars - need I say more? Except that he was fabulous! Also loved Willie Nelson covering Cold Play in the chipotle commercial. It was AWESOME.








I love my job. My work is one of my greatest joys.

Woke up to a frigid 50 degrees this morning!! But look at the sunrise from my house. Gorgeous.

5 things I'm loving right now

2.Diana Krall's Live in Paris album. Fabu

3. The rain, rain, rain, rain. I love it.

4. $7.99 sale on Landing Place chardonnay.

5. Sweet little kindle sleeves. So much fun to put together and perfectly skinny for slipping in your bag or pocket..

I rode my bike over to the fisheries yesterday to buy some shrimp and watch the boats come in. Look at these little beggars waiting for some scraps. Gotta love a pelican (his beak can hold more than his belly can.)

Sue and Florence came by to talk over some plans and I must say our futures are looking rosy!

That's all I got.

Kute Kindle Kases!

I am so in love with my Kindle, I just think everyone should have a sweet little cover, I mean kover!

We had a majestic visitor to the tiki yesterday.

Unfortunately, Miss Lucy was not in a welcoming mood.

He flew across the canal and squawked at her for about 10 minutes while she looked quite smug.









I experience glorious dynamic energy today. I feel active and alive.

Went to my monthly Florida Keys Quilters meeting. So inspiring to be surrounded by all of that creativity! These women are awesome, fun and oh so talented.

Like an idiot, I once again signed up to make about a zillion hard boiled eggs for the upcoming quilt show. Open the windows and turn on the fans!!



I am always at the right place, at the right time, doing just the right thing. There is no "wrong" in my life.

AT LONG LAST . . .

my car is mine all mine, baby!

I really enjoy the present. Every moment today is special, and I choose to celebrate it.

it's the simple things . . .

so many sweet little moments in a life . . . a yard of red polkadot oilcloth, Sophie's movie star eyes.

 Here she is waiting patiently for the popcorn to pop.

And, I wish I could take credit for this idea but I saw it at a quilt show last year. It is my own interpretation and I think it will be fun at our quilt show this year. Can you see the chains?

In other news, I wanted to report that I had a dream last night that we chartered a boat in the Caribbean. It was fabulous and the islands as beautiful as I remembered. What is remarkable to me is that there was no sign, no suggestion, not even a hint of my former husband. I was with my parents and sisters! This is huge for me. Could it be that at long last he is leaving my dreams? Yes!





As I quiet down and focus on the beautiful things in my life, I open myself up to my own healing powers.

Here is what Louise Hay has to say about February:

This is a month to look within. I notice which thoughts, ideas, and concepts are brewing within my consciousness. I know that I am filled with wisdom. I allow myself to be still, and I am amazed by what I discover. Life is waiting to share its secrets with me. I trust the Universe, and all is well.


I, for one, am taking this to heart.









I stand in truth, and I live and move in joy.