Did you know?????

The Pioneer Woman has her own show on the Food Network????

Thanks Bev for the head's up.

I have my DVR set for Saturday morning.

I see some GOOD COOKING in my future

....and maybe a few more pounds that I really don't need (G)!!!!

Quilting memories....

I love when a quilt is more than a quilt.

This one is a collection of memories....all of which are very special.

When my dear friend Marty passed away, her husband gave me this quilt pattern.

Marty had just bought it, and in true Marty fashion, she had pencilled in lots of notes.

I made this quilt in honor of Marty.

The fabrics were a collection I bought on a trip to San Luis Obispo.

Lots of memories of a fun place we like to visit often.

The cute bitty floral between the bright green was one

I used to make a dress for Clare.

Another wonderful memory sewn into my quilt.

...even the back is special,

because I used polka dots that remind me of my dear friend Cheryl.

AKA "Miss Polka Dot".

Another quilt for my collection, but this one seems Sew special in many ways.

This Oma.....

Loves when her little miss comes to visit...and brings Mommy and Daddy too.

Of course we need to do a bit of shopping

....and pick out some cute things for Donovan too!!!

We got to try on the dress that Oma made!!!

This dress is the "prototype" for the

Flowergirl dress Clare will wear next month.

I wanted to be sure the pattern fit properly.

Now picture the dress in a soft champagne fabric,

with a silky sash, and a full crinoline underneath.

I am sure Clare will be adorable!

How does Clare know I love her????

Well, I made the dress from my favorite stash of Urban Chik

....which I hoard and rarely use for fear it will all disappear!!!!

Our shopping trip included a great lunch,

some shopping for Mommy

and watching the train that soon enough Clare will be big enough to ride on.

The day continued with Grampie's spoiling our little miss

with Carousel rides and a great dinner in "Little Italy".

I love the days when the family can get together.

They are the BEST!!!

Inspiration....

If anyone is visiting from my sweet Meghan's blog....I say WELCOME!!!!

To say my daughter is an inspiration is to put it mildly.

She humbles me in her goodness, and each day I am reminded

what a gift she is in my life.

And now back to my blog (G)!!!!!

My sweet Jill mentioned that she wanted to find an

Angelina Ballerina book for our bitty Clare.

It made me remember this

sweet teeny version ( all in Dutch....like the original)

that my dear cousin Jacquie had shared with me.

Then I stumbled upon this fabric

and I knew I had to make a dress for Clare

to go along with the very special book.

I can't wait to see Clare in her twirly dress

....looking as adorable as she does in all things!!!

I really love the bow that ties the dress in the back.

SEW sweet.

The same pattern ( an etsy PDF) also made into a top.

Which just screamed for a fabric flower

( something I learned from a blog).

The next dress ( dresses) I will make will be using this pattern.

Clare and her cousin are going to be Flowergirls, and this just

had to be THE dress.

I love the crinoline petticoat underneath.

And FINALLY...speaking of inspiration,

is anyone out there as obsessed as I am with this????

One is closer.....

There is a saying that says

"One is closer to God in a garden, then anywhere else on earth".

I have to agree....and so does Clare.

This week we visited the Sherman Library and Gardens

...not far from bitty Clare's home.

What a fun time we had.

I am pretty sure that Oma enjoyed it the most of all.

Oma provided the snacks to a very grateful Clare.

There were beautiful gardens and fountains everywhere.

A lovely stroll thru the flowers and roses was a big hit!!!

Clare enjoyed the turtle pond.....

...and equally loved the Koi pond too.

There is such joy in sharing a love of nature with such a bitty one.

They even have the most wonderful place for lunch!!!

I am pretty convinced that we have a new member of the family

that is going to love gardening.

I couldn't be more excited!!!

Yes Please.....

If dreams came true...this would be MY house!!!!

It is located in Carmel, and just steps away from the beach ( oh my).

I nearly jumped out of our moving car when I saw it.

So if I win the lottery, I will knock on the door and ask if I can buy this house.

In my dream they say "YES PLEASE".

I would invite all of you to come thru my garden gate,

( decorated with fresh flowers...of course)

I could point to you the oar that says this is my "beach house".

....or you could come knock on my side door ( equally cute).

My Rooster on the wall would let me know you were stopping by.

Isn't this just the most delightful dream????

My garden would be abundant with flowers....

a cherrful yellow is a MUST.

But I guess the sign says that it already is someone's dream come true.

Oh well, I can only HOPE that they find as much joy living there as I would.

It must be delightful to live in a cottage by the sea.

Vacation Favs.....

My two vacation favorties....shopping and eating, and we did plenty of both!!!

How cute is this English import shop?

Had to take a fun peek at all of the William and Kate goodness!!!!

Taking time for wonderful meals in lovely settings is what our vacation is all about.

We had lovely picnics gazing at the ocean,

and coffee breaks to enjoy the lovely butter cookies my Mom made for our trip.

This is where we sat and had lunch in Montecito.

Piatti's is always a favorite romantic spot.

They begin your meal with a basket of the most delicious breads....

and a large bowl of dipping oil.

Yes you are seeing LOTS of garlic....

maybe not romantic, but it sure is delicious!!!!

It is always fun to find a new place to eat...

and this cute shop just opened its doors.

It is destined to be one of our new favorites!!!!

A bit of England in SLO....what fun.

Combining two of my favorites....chocolate and quilting.

Brilliant!!!!

Fun, friendly and lots that inspired me.

One of my favorite Coastal quilt shops is "Back Porch".

The shop is modern, clean and full of the best fabrics.

I had LOTS of fun!!!

The staff is always friendly and helpful...

and the fact that it is right by the ocean means Jim is content snapping photos.

So I can spend a quality amout of time picking things out to take home!!!

This jewel of a knit shop is on State Street in Santa Barbara.

Chock full of the most wonderful fibers ( expensive)...

and lots of inspriation ( free).

Speaking of inspiration.....I found this vignette at the Getty museum.

It transports me back to when we lived in Virginia

and our many trips to the National Gallery.

Meghan would always want to find her "favorite" piece of art...

and then stand in front and strike her similar pose.

Jonathan, Jill and our sweet Clare were just in DC.

Jill asked if there was anything I would want.

I simply asked for a photo of Clare in the exact spot I remember Meghan posing.

How sweet is this photo....and how much it touched my heart.

So....what did I come home with????

You can guess there was LOTS of fabric and patterns......and lots of gifts for those we love.

I love vacations....and can't wait til we can hit the road again!!!!