Yesterday my neighbor on the other side of the canal waved me over so I could see a mama and baby manatee come to visit. I threw the hose in the water and they hung out for about an hour. So sweet.

 A kayaker passing by said oh your dog is so good. I didn't tell her there was no way Sophie was getting in the water with something twice her size. That dog is no fool.

"What the heck is that?"

off to visit the neighbors

And a shout out to Maria, who had us over for a lovely luncheon and a swim in her pool. Her new digs are quite wonderful and Sue and Florence and I had a fabulous afternoon with her.

The next few days are all about the quilt show and I am packing up my quilts this morning and heading to San Pedro to help with the set-up. Don't forget to come to the show tomorrow and Saturday y'all!

Not much time for posting lately. I've been a busy bee, buzzing around to tai chi, the pool, work, the hospital (volunteering, not sick) and my parents, not to mention getting ready for the upcoming quilt show. Mom is helping me to iron and measure fabric as I am determined to purge some of my stash and make a little money at the same time. Of course, I am NOT getting rid of any batiks. How could you even suggest such a ridiculous idea?!  hmph

It has been a warm and steamy winter, a little warmer than I like but the upside is the pool has been absolutely fabulous and I've been out in my kayak most days. I do so love the Fabulous Florida Keys!

That's all for now. I must get some laundry done and then get to services at Our Lady of Perpetual Mimosas. Cheers!

Sophie helps out

Well, I'm eating my words today because I got this beautiful valentine's day orchid from my friend, Rece, yesterday. Thanks, Rece!

And speaking of eating, listen to this: last week I made my first ever pork loin and it was fabulous, if I do say so myself. My friend, Lenore, gave me the recipe and it slow cooked in the oven with sauerkraut, applesauce and brown sugar. Yay! Tonight, I am making my first ever leg of lamb and although I was pretty grossed out touching the thing, and the netting is coming off it, and I don't have the right pan or a rack, it looks good sitting there ready to go in the oven. Slathered it in garlic and rosemary and olive oil and fresh lemon and put the potatoes under it to catch the goodness. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Found some wire net and folded it over a glass baking dish. Stay tunred . . .

ADDENDUM:  Turned out perfect and I didn't even have time to take a picture before Mom started carving and we devoured most of it! Shepherd's pie for the leftovers.  Yum

This spotted ray stopped by for a visit at my house yesterday. Beautiful. I saw him from my window where I was sorting fabric and ran downstairs to snap this shot. He hung out for quite a while, flying around in the current.

And yes, I'm doing a major purge of my fabric. . . . sob. . .  If you come to the FKQ quilt show at the end of the month, you just might be able to snag some for yourself.

RIP Shirley Temple

A man who shot a Labrador retriever as many as 100 times with a BB gun has made a plea deal. Aaron Armstrong was charged with animal cruelty after he shot the dog while drunk last summer, police said. An X-ray showed the dog had BBs embedded in its muzzle, head, body. and legs. WGME-TV reported Friday that Armstrong’s plea deal sentenced him to time served, more than three months, and two years of probation. Terms of probation prevent him from having a pet. The injuries were discovered by a veterinarian after the dog, now named Lady, was adopted.

3 Months??????  He should have been shot 100 times with a BB gun! I am ashamed to say that this despicable person lives in the same little town I do in Maine: Jefferson. He lives on 774 Mountain Road and his phone number is 207-549-5111 in case anybody wants to reach out. 

Had a super fun day yesterday at Merry May's "Groovy" modern quilt class. Groovy is the name of this quilt. I managed to finish the entire quilt top and let me tell you, my neck and back are punishing me for it today.

Merry May on the right; my friend, Nancy on the left.

My beloved Miss Elna hard at work

Groovy

 If a camera is present, Sophie shows up and demands I take her picture so here she is in all her glory.

"Circle Dance" quilted and all done but for the binding - Yay!

The back

So, I was reading the AARP online newsletter this morning and I noticed they have a section called, Flying Solo, Choosing to be Single. Here is what one man said in response to what single happy women were posting:  I never realized that mature women were content with sharing their golden years with pets, computers and daytime television. I dont plan to spend the rest of my life alone pretending to be content. Typical man. Why in the world would a woman in her 50's want an idiot man who constantly needs his ego stroked and to be waited on hand and foot? To be his mother and then his nurse as you both age? Fuggetaboutit. That's crazy talk!  

Two pictures for you today. The first is what sailed past the window while Mom and I were attending the monthly hospital auxiliary luncheon. What the . . . ? Some pirates out for a cruise, I suppose. In full costume.

The second is my water aerobics class hamming it up for the camera. Look at this beautiful day in the fabulous Florida Keys.

I'm off to an all day quilting class with Merry May today. Life is good!

Mom and I went to the monthly Florida Keys Quilters meeting -- and btw, our show is coming up at the end of the month so make sure you come -- on Saturday and here are a few of the quilts from show and tell. And, I don't know why I didn't take pictures of my own but you can see my funky nine-patch in the background on this first picture. Isn't it GORGEOUS!? Love Kim's fish too!

 My friend, Alison, paper pieced these next two. So cute! They will be in the challenge against mine.

 The bees have little yellow ribbon bows for wings.

To refresh your memory, here's mine.  I think I'm hosed.

And I wanted to tell you about my day yesterday because it was so fabby. After brunch at Our Lady of Perpetual Mimosas, I took my kayak out at high tide and the abundance of sealife was mind boggling. Parrot fish, rays, lots of shiney needle noses and when I went by the dolphin pens, they all came up to the fence to check me out and say hello. So wonderful. And note to self: get a waterproof camera! When I got home, I jumped in the water and after a shower, sat and sewed. A day doesn't get much better than that. My affirmation yesterday said "Today I remember that Life loves me and will reward me." Amen sister!

Borrowed this pic from the net.
Because I don't have a waterproof camera.

Sorry to hear about the six more weeks of winter up there in the frigid north, y'all!