SEWING GATHERING AND TRIP TO NEW YORK

Well my exams for the first term of my College course are over so I had 5 of my Quilting friends over for dinner on Wednesday night. It was so hot......in the 90's and we don't have air conditioning, but we all had a great time. I made a big pan of Lasagna and garlic bread with cheese. I also made a garden salad with strawberries, red onion, and cherry tomatoes. And of course we had wine with dinner and strawberry rhubarb pie for desert or lemon cake. After dinner we all worked on one of our sewing projects.

The next morning I left for Syracuse New York as I had to Judge a horse show on Friday. It took me about six hours to get there. The show was great, and very large. I enjoyed it. I was fortunate to be able to work with some really nice people. It was a long show that started at 7 am. and finished at 9:30 pm. In the Judging world, we call that a "Marathon". I went back to my hotel room and got a good sleep and got up early the next morning and headed home. I decided to take the scenic route home, 5 and 20 instead the Interstate 90. I had a beautiful trip home with some beautiful scenery. I got to travel along the finger lakes. The small towns I went through were very quaint. I stopped at some nice shops and even some quilt shops. I went into one quilt shop in Caledonia New York, called "Chestnut Bay Quilt Shop" The shop owner was so nice, she owned some horses so we had a nice talk. I purchased a Quilt Kit for "Banner Day", a Jo Morton design. I have always liked the American themed fabrics and Quilts so now I can make one. It came with some beautiful civil war fabrics. so I will have to get that made this winter. I didn't arrive home until after 5 pm. It took me twice as long to get home as it did to get there.

The dinner table set with my crow dishes

Brenda is teaching Michelle to hand quilt

Shirley, Mary and Linda working on their projects

Brenda is hand piecing quilt blocks

Shorty taking a nap....................it is so hot!! and I have had enough of watching all those ladies sewing :)

The pattern for "Banner Day" by Jo Morton

Civil War fabrics that are in the kit.

SOME THOUGHTFUL FRIENDS

I thought I would show this picture of the cards we received from some thoughtful friends after Gemini's passing. One of my favorite shoppes, "The Bayberry Shoppe" in Bayfield, ON. sent me a beautiful card with a German Glass Christmas tree horse ornament to remember her by.

There were also numerous emails. Thanks to all. It is never easy to loose a friend, but all of the support helps.

~Janet

CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENT

CARDS OF SYMPATHY

DELICIOUS BROWNIES

Here is a great brownie recipe. Last month I took a batch of these to one of our quilting get-togethers and everyone loved them!

BROWNIES

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

1/2 Cup of Butter

8 oz. Bittersweet Chocolate

1 Cup of Flour

1/4 Cup of Cocoa

1 tsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp Salt

2 Cups of Sugar

3 Large Eggs

2 tsp Vanilla

Melt Chocolate with Butter.

In another bowl, combine Flour, Salt, Cocoa, and Baking Powder.

Wisk together Eggs, Sugar, and Vanilla, then pour in the cooled Chocolate mixture and combine well.

Using a spatula, stir in the flour mixture and scrape into pan.

Bake until toothpick comes out clean. Top will be shiny and mixture will start to pull away from the sides of the pan. Baking time depends on the size of pan.

You can put this mixture into two 8x8 pans and it takes 30-35 minutes. I have found that if I put all the mixture into one 8x8 pan, it usually takes an hour. So it depends on how thick you would like them. I usually do them in one 8x8 pan.

Enjoy!

A VERY SAD DAY

Well today I had to say goodbye to a very, very special old friend.

My horse Gemini that I have had and loved for 40 years passed away during the night. We were blessed to have had her for that long, as horses do not live to be that age. She was such a special horse, so kind and gentle. She greeted me with a nicker every morning when I went in the barn, but this morning it broke my heart to find her gone. We almost lost her 4 years ago, but with extra care and love she pulled through. She loved eating her apples every day and her special friend Sylvester the cat used to like to sleep on her back in the winter to stay warm.

Rest in Peace my friend.

We will always love and remember you.

Your family

The Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Gemini with DH last summer 2009

Gemini on the day she was born June 10th, 1970

Gemini and me at the Horse Show at our town Fall Fair 1981

Gemini and my sister Audrey at the Horse Show at our town Fall Fair 1981