Summer's Hummers

I just Love hummingbirds, they're just so entrancing! For such tiny things, they are absolutely amazing!

I have several feeders scattered through out the yard, and often, as we sit outside, we find ourselves mesmerized by their antics. Always busy, they flit from one feeder to the next, their wings moving at an impossible rate. Yet, occassionally, you see them at rest.

There are times when I feel like a hummingbird...finding myself flitting from one project to the next, always in a hurry, in a rush to get to the next best thing! But, like them, I find I also need time to relax, to reflect. As I rush from thing to thing, worry to worry, I wonder...am I letting my busyness overcome my joy? Am I not taking the time to "smell the roses"?

So this week I read a book, took a bubble bath, played Scrabble with the kids, watched the sunset, lived, laughed and loved. And you know what? I feel renewed, revived, refreshed. Ready now to get busy again, just like "Summer's Hummers".

Time Flies!

Why is when you're having fun, time just seems to slip away? It never seems to fail! My friend, Phyllis, came for a visit last week and it seemed like one minute she was here, the next, gone! But WOW! did we ever have a great time..and we accomplished quite a bit too!

She made two baby quilts, one with chenille, and one 'crazy' quilt, a pillowcase, and managed to get two bindings on! I only managed to finish a top from a pattern I'd written and make one Tumbling Blocks quilt for the expected new arrival!

Her last full day here was, by far, the best. Another great friend, Martha, took the day off from work and the three of us had a "sew day' A mini-retreat! Golly, between the three of us we laughed (side splitting), sang, danced (a little) and sewed (alot)! It was a great, wonderful, "chicken soup for the soul" kind of day.

If you haven't had one of those in a while, I encourage you to invite a few sewing buddies over! It's always fun, never fails to inspire, and greatly enriches your life! I simply can't wait to do it again. Thanks Phyllis and Martha for the love, laughter and friendship you bring!!!

Karen

My Best friend is coming to visit!

Today, I'm getting ready for a visit from my long-time friend, Phyllis! She and I have shared alot over the years, and she's just simply, always been there for me! No matter what, no matter where, and, no matter when!

I met Phyllis at a class I taught when I first started quilting. Back then, it was "see one, do one, teach one"! She and her daughter, Stacie, took the class, and we've been fast friends ever since. Fortunately for me!!!

Phyllis was there when I broke my arm doing a ballerina, tap dance, free fall on an icy deck. And I mean she was really there! It was 4 AM when I called her, and she didn't even ask what happened, just said "I'll be right there." (See what I mean about how great my quilting buddies are?)

She's also seen me through 2 shops, flying out to Washington to help me with a really big show, mailed packages while we were stationed in Italy...you know those things you really need...like fabric, books and notions, and oh yea! Splenda, and as always, been a non-judgemental sounding board for all my grandiose ideas!

I couldn't possibly tell you just how wonderful she is, but I sincerely hope all of you have a "Phyllis" in your life!

Now, I just want to make her visit special. Her daughter is about to have her 1st child, and we'll be working on a baby quilt. In the meantime, I'll post a picture of the guest bedroom where she'll be staying. It has watercolor quilts, significant because that was the class I was teaching when I met her. Gotta run, I'm putting a little basket together of goodies I know she'll enjoy.

Until next time,

Karen