All of these things minus one makes me smile!

This is why I like to be around my Grandkids-they are always happy and happy to be together.

The Eiffel Tower towel was sent to my by my Alaska airline flight attendant friend Susan. Anyone who knows her from my workshops, knows what a kind and fun person she is!She belongs to the "cupcake" group. I think this towel is amazing. It won't see any dishes. :0)

Above are the slippers that Terry from georgia made. These are the warmest, the prettiest and the most comfortable slippers I have ever worn-This was a lovely gift as my Mother used to knit all of us new slipper for Christmas-these took the place of the Christmas slippers and are oh so nice!

I admired Kathy Collin's bag years ago from the Rhode Island School of Design. This year while I was in Atlanta, Kathy gave me my very own beautiful bag to use-these colors are my current favorites-brown and Tiffany blue. Isn't their logo cool???

I love the image of the Eiffel tower and the story. Here on a shelf in my home is a small collection of boxes and things friends have given me. Susan Typpi just sent me the red card in the back and I loved it so I added it to the others. The Tiffany box? It just fits in there I think. Note the color of my wall-Tiffany blue.

Above is a photo of my two Granddaughters who have fun together spending the night here.

I just bought the printing machine above and I am taking it back. I gave up on good prints after five hours of fighting it.......

Above are the PJ's & Candy that Mark got me for Valentine's Day-but that wasn't the best gift......

I wanted a new carryon and this one is bigger than my last one and prettier-he's a great guy!

I loved this seashell idea above the gate to a house in Mel's neighborhood....great idea!

These were cookies in the window of a bakery, I always wonder how old these are-these sure are pretty though-this was in Truckee

I loved this coffee cup in the sidewalk and wondered if I could do a latte cup this summer in my backyard- I love this image and in fabric it sure would be fun!

OH CANADA!!! HOORAY, YIPPEEEE, WELL DONE, CONGRATULATIONS!

So Canada has finally broken it's streak of bad luck by not getting a medal for any of the Olympic s that they hosted. As of today, that is over! They have one and more on the way hopefully. This is happy for me since my Mother was a Canadian and my daughter lived in both Eastern Canada and Western Canada with her Candian husband and gave us our Canadian Granddaughter who was born in Calgary. I am so happy that the Olympics are in beautiful Whistler and that they won their medal! Without looking at the map above, if you are an American, I bet you don't know how many provences Canada has and I bet you can't name all of them. if you can, you are a rareity. And your may be interested to know that most Canadians know all 50 states and their capitals.

So tonight I watched as Alex the young man who won talked about the influence of his older brother with cerebral palsy. He said when he didn't feel like practicing in the rain he remembered his brother had to try hard each day to do what little he could do. His brother is his best fan. It was very touching and I am so glad such a nice young man won!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY-THESE VALENTINES TUG AT MY HEART LIKE NO OTHERS

As many of you know, my Mother died last April 26th. I am still not over it. I found these wonderful Valentines in her things. They are written to her from her friends in Canada that she went to school with. I think they are just charming and it makes me happy to know she kept them as she kept very little in the way of things like this. I hope you enjoy these as Much as I have. Do have a lovely day on Valentine's and if no one tells you "I wish you a lovely day and a lovely year in every thing you do." "For YOU are worth wishing nice things upon."

Close up's

These are most probably from the 1920's. I think the innocence and sweetness of these are wonderful. I would welcome some innocence back into our culture, wouldn't you?

Below, a little closer up. He's driving and she's playing. In our family, he is driving and I am quilting!

Carol Baker's Son is a good boyfriend!

I had to share this photo with you. My friend Carol Baker has a son that is grown and living in another city and is struggling like many people. He had a girlfriend and he decided since he could not afford a gift, he would bake her these chocolate eclairs. Now I don't know about you, but I think that is more thoughtful than just going out and buying a box of Whitman chocolates.....

Plastic Pop Bottle Flowers make Spring seem closer

Anthropolgie is one of my favorite stores for ideas for your home. These flowers are simply cut apart with scissors. I think they spray painted them first.....all together on fishing line, they look quite spring and spectacular! I think I am ready for spring and the first buds coming out and that wonderful smell and the sunshine....how about you?

The Beauty of Tahoe is just breathtaking!

I know I posted one photo of this already but it is so wonderful with Tahoe Lake behind the snow angels.

I miss the snow here but am glad it is so beautiful in Tahoe....I know many of you are dealing with your own snow problems- we had no snow and I already have ants coming to visit in my bathroom.....it is too early in the year to worry about that!

Above Robyn says let's get on the snowmobiles while it is still light!

Mel makes friends with a dog who happens upon us taking photos........

Sharon lives up in the mountain around Tahoe. It is in the middle of nowhere and her log cabin is huge and wonderful. Here is a photo of the icicles outside her window.

Here I am enjoying fresh air and friends....it is just wonderful at Lake Tahoe

DID WE WIN????

So this is my five year old Grandson. He plays hockey on a team with my Granddaughter 8 and my Grandson also 8. This past weekend while I was gone, they traveled 2 1/2 hours to play another team. When they got there they learned that the team was made up of 12 to 14 year olds. They put this little boy in goal the first period and the other team scored 19 points on him. After the game was over and the kids were getting their regular clothes on, my Grandson asked "did we win?" Never let it be said that my little Grandkids are not optimists.

Presents for my birthday and Valentines-thought you would like the ideas too!

So, this past week was my birthday and I got to spend it with my girlfriends. I am working on a new book with Mel and we went to her house first and then to Tahoe. Molly, my friend from Sacramento brought me this darling birthday pin....it is done in parts and think doable if you are into scrapbooking. I can't afford both quilting (and painting) and scrapbooking....though I love scrapbooking stuff.

Here are three packages of trims that Mel brought for gifts for us...there are a couple of these that did not make the photo. I love the bits and pieces and fun here and I think I may take this idea for my retreats and make my retreat buddies something like this for fun! Thanks Mel.

The purse above was my birthday present from Mel. I think I have to hide this from my youngest daughter who I know will covet this. Gorgeous Alexander Hanry fabric. Look for it on the blog Pink Chalk or Tennessee Quilts. I love buying fabric from these nice gals.

Above is the darling tin from Molly. Now if you are clever, I think you could do something pretty wonderful using fabrics, buttons, notions and stuff from the scrap book store. I am going to put mine in the kitchen where I can enjoy it. The tiara on top adds to the whimsy of it. And anything given by a friend is more special that something we buy.

Before Molly went home with a head cold, she left us all a Valentines treat to open. There is a candle and chocolate in each one. Pretty special to be remembered on the "Love" day by a good friend. Here is an idea for you to share with your girlfriends or family. Pretty aren't they?

This was the pretty package that Molly gave me-I have never mastered giving a beautiful gift that is wrapped so pretty.

Above are my birthday present to myself. I bought these fun shoes at Nordstroms. Very comfy and fun....though they need some bling which I plan to add to them....

Fun Bottoms on my new shoes.

So, I am always amazed at the money in the LA area and the fresh flowers growing everywhere NOW. It is a different world there and it is always fun to see how those people live. This is a shopping area called "the grove." It isn't like my little Mall here.

I thought this was pretty hotsy totsy with the statues and clock and dome....

I love Crate and Barrel and this one was quite wonderful....

Isn't this pretty? All of the red unbrellas and the beautiful people drinking bloody Mary's as we passed and eating fancy food. It is like something out of a movie. I clearly do not belong there...a simple person with a Target purse and Land's End vest. :0)

This is a photo of Mel's son who is waiting for us to get a table at a great breakfast place. I loved this photo and think it should be a greeting card. Her son has great style and is a young artist which is fun. Hang out with young people and you feel young. Not that he hung out with us but it is fun to listen to what they say. I will always appreciate kids not matter what their age.

This was a true treat for me. Mel's husband who collects cars just bought this "loaded" vintage volkswagon bus which has been redone and is beautiful. He took us to breakfast and on a nice joy ride through Manhatten beach and around the area. It is beautiful there and flowers growing and the beautiful ocean.

Isn't this a cool sign? Loved the patina and the design

I had to take a photo of the nachos we made during my trip. We had leftover pork roast and so we sliced it thin and cut it into small pieces. We also bought smoked peppers in the jar and cut them up. We put down the chips, the pork, the peppers, olives, half of them with jalapeno peppers and then topped them all with cheese. We had salsa and sour cream on the side and homemade guacamole that Robyn made. Wonderful. You should try it at home sometime.

Carol's Quilt Finished and Beautiful!

This is Carol's finished quilt which I just got a photo of. Isn't it wonderful? See the story below.

Carol from Panama's quilt before she finished it with quilting and other fun things

The quilt above is a quilt made from my angel block of the month pattern. It is very popular and fun to use your best and brightest fabrics with-note-you may order this pattern from me at Marylouquiltdesigns.com. Now these little angels have faces and other wonderful details. Please check out Carol's wonderful blog and also the Jackie who quilted it too!http://pananani.wordpress.com/

A GREAT Recipe to SHARE with GOOD Friends

Cherise's Marvelous Cracker and Vegie Dip
4 chicken breasts cooked and shredded
1 Jar of Marie's Blue Cheese Dressing
1/2 Cup Frank's Hot Wing Sauce
2 cubes Cream Cheese (8 oz)
Heat Blue Cheese and Cream Cheese in Pan-stir until smooth
Then add the chicken and the Hot Wing Sauce
Put in a buttered baking dish
Bake for 20 Minutes-300degrees
Serve with a variety of crackers and vegies you can dip.
This dip is wonderful and not that spicy (I am a wimp when it comes to heat)
Let me know if you try it!