On to New Hobbies, Old Places, and New Friends

Handmade Beaded jewelry.
I took a weekend class at our annual Quilters of SC Retreat at White Oak.

These are the stiches we learned how to bead.

I learned how to make the bead encrusted button in the middle.

My newest friend Kira Bishop.
Kira's Dad is the new chef at White Oak Conference Center.  They moved here two months ago from Long Island, New York.  I invited her to join our class on Sunday and she made a beautiful necklace and a bracelet (and threaded my needle a "few"times).

This is the bead encrusted necklace I made.  I cannot figure out how to turn the pic.  Maybe my blog designer (aka daughter Gabby) can fix it.  I have one more chain of beads to add to the necklace rope (for lack of a better term).  The things that hang down from the pendant are called fringe.

I bet my granddaughters will like my newest hobby :)

Have you taken up any new hobbies or interests?  Tell me all about them in your comments.

Reunion and Redskins

This is the ballroom where our 50th high school reunion dinner and dance was held.  It was fun reuniting with old friends and making new friends.  We stayed with a Kathy and Bill Glotzback.  Kathy and I met in 10th grade when we were assigned each other as biology lab partners.  (I got lucky on that one....she is a smart cookie.)  We became high school sorority sisters; were in each others wedding and have attended each other's children's weddings.... Bill and Hubs decided to skip the reunion to watch the Maryland Clemson football game.  Bill thoughtfully hired a driver to take Kathy and I up to Washington for the reunion and bring us back.  It is a two hour drive each way and involves the DC Beltway and traffic from the Maryland football game so it was very nice to sit in the back of the Lincoln and chat away not worrying about finding the country club.

 The best part of the whole weekend for me was getting to go to the Redskins game on Sunday.  Bill has season tickets and invited us to share the fun.  This is Bill and his son Billy as we arrive and start to set up for tailgating.

 I loved walking around the parking lot and taking pics of the tailgaters.  This was a happy family group.

 A lot of tailgaters had corn hole games but this was the nicest with the Redskin football field on it.  I know a certain 5 year old who would love this.

 Here I am at the field with hubs and Bill.  Kathy loaned me her Redskin garb so I fit right in.

 I have video of the team coming on the field and the Redskin Band which I will put on Facebook.  My uncle and cousin Ted played in the Redskin Band so I learned the fight song at an early age.

Unfortunately, it was not our day on the football field.  The Eagles won; if this Eagle fan would have sold me this hat I would have bought it.  The "eagle" that looked more like a seagull flapped his wings as the guy walked around.  So me!

This lovely turkey and pumpkins were given to me by my hostess as a b'day present.  See how perfect they look on my fall table runner, Kathy. Thank you again for the presents and the wonderful hospitality.... it was a weekend to remember forever!

Celebration Countdown

This Friday, October 14, is my 68th Birthday.  Hubs and I are headed Nawth for my 50th High School Reunion to be held the next night at Columbia Country Club (aka High Cotton).

In honor of these events I decided to polish my shoes.  These are not my dancing shoes for the dinner/dance those will be gold sandals :)  Do you or anyone in your family polish shoes any more? I thought not.  My shoe shine kit was inherited from my father who was an impeccable dresser...his shoes were shined and as long as I lived at home he shined mine every Saturday night.  I did shine my weejuns in college but I can't remember when I last shined a pair.  Hubs occasionally shines his.

 Our quilt guild had its annual auction last week and I bought myself a birthday present....this darling doll who looks like my husband.  He is even reading the Major League Ball Scores in the newspaper he is holding.  Actually my husband spends hours reading blogs about The Atlanta Braves...in the Atlanta Constitution bc our paper doesn't carry nearly enough info. I smile every time I look at Papa Pootsie :)

Yesterday, "birthday week" officially began.  Granny took me shopping for my birthday present.  You know you are old when you choose a new pair of slippers and a new mattress pad for your gift.
Today, Hubs made my Birthday Mud Pie...as you can see I have already had one piece....Yummo.

I don't know what else is in store but I do know he is making the apple caramel bundt cake that was on the cover of Southern Living last month.  We are taking it with us Friday on our trip to California.  Actually, we are going to California, Maryland to stay with my high school biology partner and her husband.  Kathy and Bill have remained great friends and we can't wait to catch up.  Bill is even taking Hubs to a Redskins game on Sunday.  Kathy and I have some other plans....but I do feel a little sad to miss the Skins.  My Uncle and Cousin played in the Redskins band when I was growing up and the team often came to our house after the game.  I can still sing the Redskins fight song!

All in all I should have lots to report when I return home.  So how do you like to celebrate your b'day?

Nearly Insane ?

This is my nearly insane quilt all quilted......a guild mate quilted it for me....I am not insane enough to try to quilt it myself.  She did an awesome job.  I pick it up tomorrow and can't wait to snuggle under it tomorrow night.  It has wool batting and wool backing......Warmo!

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This is so true and so nearly insane.  I spend a lot of time giving God advice on how to handle different situations :(