"Walk This Way".....

I just finished the 378 page rock 'n' roll memoir by Steven Tyler, "Does The Noise In My Head Bother You?"  Let me just say, it is one wild ride, just like the MGM ride down in Disney-Orlando!  From the first page, like the ride itself,  takes you on a 60 mph journey of American Rock and Roll from the late 60's until today.  Steven Tyler is VERY CANDID about everything in his life that includes sex, drugs and rock and roll, and in that order.  One thing that surprised me was just how candid he was on each of those topics-no holds bar (and he came from a very loving and stable home with a mother and father who loved him unconditionally!)  He is one crazy dude, but honestly, a very likeable guy through all his trials and tribulations.  Fasten the seat belt if you decide to read this wild and crazy book.

BSoleille! Finding the bright side of American Rock 'n' Roll!?

terri

Food made in advance

Isn't great to have some food packed away in the freezer in case you are not feeling up to par and can take it out for later?  When I can cook enough and freeze something for use at a later date, it's all good.  Today is one of those later days, and a family meal wtih no muss or fuss!

My photo though was taken a month or so ago at the Grand Opening of the new Target in Crofton.  I especially liked the color 'wheel' and took this photo!  What's your favorite color?

BSoleille!

terri

Skyline Drive

After a nice JMU soccer banquet, and much to the chagrin of my travel mates, "we" decided to take the looong way home via the Shenandoah Skyline Drive from Harrisburg, VA to Front Royal, VA.  It was a breathtaking drive, but we cut off about half way through because the speed limit is only 35 mph, and the guys did not want to prolong the trip home any longer.  I was able to get out to take some photos at a few vista points, with the highest elevation at 3500 ft.  Interestingly, there were no leaves or blooming trees at the 3500 ft. elevation, and the forest was still kind of brown.  Once down about 1000 ft., the land was much greener and in full bloom.  I bet you can reach out and touch the sky (Southside Johnny lyrics!) at 3500 ft.! Beautiful....

BSoleille!

terri

Jmu Spring Soccer

Thankful to get down to Harrisonburg,VA for some spring soccer.A JMU win vs George Washington. (2-0). Not only a nice drive down on a beautiful spring morning but the mountains are just brilliant. After the CAPS game we will head to dinner with some JMU parents! Good day....

BSoleille,
Terri

Roses are yellow....

I love red roses, but the ones blooming in my yard today are yellow!!!  I guess since Maryland had such a warm spring, then a little cooling (and will now be warm again),  everything I see is blooming prolifically!

Photo of yellow roses from my yard.

BSoleille!

terri

Caps in the NHL Playoff's!

After playing 82 games a season, NHL hockey gets no better than the playoff's; the ice is fast, the players skate fast, and the games are fast from the first blow of the whistle in the first period.  The Washington Capitals made the play-off' s by the skin of their teeth, but hanging tight in their first match up with the Boston Bruins tonight.  Go Caps!

My photo today is from Feb. 2012, boats on the West River, MD.  The water is so clear and calm, like ice! Beautiful....

BSoleille!

terri

Back for some Bowie Baysox Baseball!

Thankfully, I was able to sit in the front row at the Bowie Baysox early game at 11:00am!  It was good to grab some great "action" shots of Ryan doing his job as the hometeam's batboy today!  Crazy weather day and chilly, as I wore layers of clothing like going to a fall football game (yes, 2 pairs of pants, turtleneck, wool sweater, fleece jacket and down parka!) Wow...

BSoleille!  The bright side of "spring" baseball!

terri

Back to my "Sewing Room"

Well, I do have a sewing room, albeit a quite messy one, but I like to sew in the dining room because it's nice and sunny and I am in the heart of the home at the dining room table.  Today I got back on the proverbial horse to "create" some tshirt quilts (cutting) and hem a prom dress!  Love it!

BSoleille! 

terri

A Good Conversation....

I love connecting with an "old" friend, and I did just that tonight with my friend Bernadine from our neighborhood where we grew up in Old Brooklyn in Cleveland, Ohio!  We talked about two hours catching up with our lives.  Her Mom died recently, and I wanted to express my sympathy to her.  The two hours slipped by as we cycled through about 20 years of people from the "old" neighborhood including neighbors, siblings and parents and our own kids and husbands.  It was really quite powerful, and the blessing learned today was the power of prayer, and how she and her family prayed for my son as he battled childhood cancer all those years ago.  I am so thankful for those prayers today because I know they helped tremendously!  We plan to get together over the summer!

Photo of me and my son at the recent quilt show!

BSoleille, finding the bright side of childhood friendships!

terri

Technology at it's finest tonight....

Got to love the "face to face" iPhone function utilized tonight as I sat with fellow guild member Susie working on the last month's quilt show.  For the past three years, I have put together a slide presentation of the entire show, from set-up to take down, and everything in between.  Susie lays out the show, so we were able to discuss and talk the quilts and who did them so I have the correct combinations of people to their quilts.  We did not miss a beat, and the best part was showing her an unfamiliar quilt on my computer with my phone, and then have her shuffle through her photos to match the quilt with the quilter!  Awesome!  

Susie on the iPhone!

BSoleille!  Finding the bright side of "Facetime"!
terri

100th post today!

I can't believe this is my 100th post since the new year, but here it is.  My daughter, Olivia, came home for the Easter weekend, and she also came requesting that we shop (hunt) for some business clothes she needs for a presentation later this semester.  We spent a good part of two days looking for "just the right" suit.  The suit was easier than the blouse/shirt to go with it that's for sure!  But thankful we were able to fulfill her request, sans shoes (those are mine and she's going to use them for upcoming events)!
p.s. she cleans up well!

BSoleille, finding the bright side of clothes shopping.....

terri

Good Friday fish dinner

Growing up we ate lots of fish on Good Friday, but my family will only eat salmon.  So we made our "famous" baked salmon (sans the rice) for a great meal!  Could not resist taking a photo of this meal before it hits the oven to bake!  Happy Easter Weekend!

BSoleille!  Finding the sunny side of fish......

terri

1st pitch of the season- Bowie Baysox

Thankful that my son Ryan starts his second season as batboy/shagger for the 2012 campaign. The Baysox are a AA team for the Baltimore Orioles playing against the Harrisburg Senators (farm team for Washington Nationals)

Flowers for front porch

But alas, I did not take a photo of the red geraniums I bought that will sit on the stoop of our "front porch" because I was drawn to these huge gerber daisy's at Lowe's this afternoon!  I know my soil/birds/dogs will not let these beauties survive all summer, so the next best thing was to take a photo of one of them.  I hope someone can grow them and they survive, as their heads are quite large and may droop should they get any bigger!

BSoleille!  Finding fun flowers.....

terri

A good book finished

The Girls From Ames by Jeffrey Zaslow is a book about a 40+ years of friendship between 11 woman.  If you believe in the power of women friendships (as I do), I suggest to put this one on your reading list!  Interestingly, the book was written by a man, and he really nailed the nuances of friendships, especially through the years and across the miles, yet let the reader reflect and reminisce on their own friendships as well.  I found myself laughing and crying (yes, crying) through the book.  This particular microcosm of 11 friendships is what life is for many of us, and that's the blessing found throughout the book while getting to know the "girls" from Ames, Iowa!

Flowers sent from a great friend across the miles that I truly cherish!
BSoleille!  Finding the sunny side of friends!
terri

A little of this, a little of that....

My friend Wendy and I got together today to do a little quilting (cutting), a little lunch and a little shopping (for quilting fabric).  It was a great day for all three, bright blue skies on the drive,  Pad Thai ordered for lunch and a little novelty fabric purchase for my flip flop quilts.  And to round out the day....a little Caps game on TV and the championship game for college hoops!  UK or KU???

BSoleille!

terri

A Shout of Thanks

The quilt show 2012 is over, but I wanted to take a moment to thank my sister Kimberly for rearranging her flight to come to this year's show (mix up with dates originally).  We had a great time, and she was able to meet a lot of my quilting friends and see all their wonderful works of art!

Photo of us at the show from last weekend!

BSoleille!  Finding the power of sisters.....

terri

A visit to JMU

To catch a couple spring JMU women's soccer games tomorrow, we drove down today and stopped at 1623 finding Olivia and her roommates playing bananagrams! We then took the girls for dinner at a Greek restaurant in downtown Harrisonburg. Fun and good food all around!

DC Cherry Blossoms

Last of the beautiful Cherry Blossoms on the Ellipse in front of the Jefferson Memorial. It's the hundred year anniversary of that special gift from Japan. .

The Lucky Dog gets sheered!

Thankfully, our 10 year old poodle mix, Lucky, was very patient with me while I sheered off six months of very thick matted fur growth of his "winterized" coat!  Ah, I bet he feels 10 lbs. lighter and he's still quite cute.  When we first got him I was adamant I would do all his grooming, and was "fired" by all the neighbors for bad hair cuts on him all those years ago!  But I persevered, and he looks pretty good today (and he takes in all in stride and never complained once of those bad hair cuts anyway!).  Of course, I miss a few spots here and there and will cut a few loose strands over the next week when I see them....He's a "Lucky" dog!

BSoleille, finding the bright side of doggie hair cuts!

terri

Tip toe through the Tulips

On a dog walk this afternoon I noticed some beautiful tulips popping up all over the place that I simply had to take photos of their sheer beauty.   Here's a red beauty I could not pass up; a small blessing for sure!

BSoleille!

terri

$1 off coupon used

I went to do a little grocery shopping today and bought one of those already made rotisserie chickens that are quite delicious, but the best part was finding a $1 off coupon on the shelf above them in the case!  For $3.99 it fed a family of 3 hungry souls!

BSoleille!  Finding the bright side of shopping!

terri

Behind every good quilter....

Is an equally good and supportive husband, or significant other.  My guy is the best when it comes to supporting my quilting "habit", thankfully keeping good humored on crock pot dinners (or no dinners), the laundry piling up when the hours slip away from me while at my machine, quilt meetings or retreats and not caring or really asking about my "stash" of fabric and other quilting accouterment must haves to keep me stitching!  My photo today is the two of us at the quilt show over the weekend.

BSoleille!

terri

Wonderful Quilt Show Weekend!

A big thank you to the Southern Comforters Quilt Show Chair and everyone who made the 2012 Quilt Show a spectacular event this past weekend!  I had a ball talking to everyone who came into the Featured Quilter Booth and was delighted with an outpouring of love and support from my local friends, quilters and non-quilters, staff members from Georgetown, and my biggest supporters of all, my husband Bill, my kids Olivia and Ryan, and my sister Kimberly who flew in from Cleveland, Ohio to be here for the weekend!  I also want to thank the many well-wishers who sent me wonderful messages and flowers because they could not travel this weekend from afar!  I cannot thank you all enough!

My photo is in a quiet moment from Friday night set up (I am too tired today to download all the photos taken from today to include, but will tomorrow)

BSoleille!

terri

Southern Comforters Quilt Show Underway!

A great crowd of people came today to see the beautiful quilts in our annual show!  I had the chance to visit with many people in the "Featured Quilter" section of the show which is an amazing experience.  I am humbled to share my "life story" in quilts from the past 25 years and will do more of the same tomorrow.  Surprising me was my daughter Olivia who drove up from JMU to make the day complete!  I am loving every minute of this....and very thankful!

BSoleille!

terri

Visitor from Cleveland!

My sister Kimberly Kocan flew in to town for the upcoming quilt show this weekend.  We hustled down to one of my favorite restaurants in Eastport, MD - Boatyard Grill!  Crab cakes sandwiches all around (except for Ryan).  That's a double blessing for sure!  Later today, set up!

BSoleille!

terri

Daughter done with teenage years....

A big shout of Happy Birthday wishes to my baby girl, Olivia, who is 20 today!  This beautiful, kind and compassionate young lady is truly a wonderful blessing in my life, and I am proud to be her Mom!

BSoleille...children, the best gift of all!

terri

Flowers for Olivia

Thankful that the beautiful tulips sent yesterday arrived at my daughter's apartment safe and sound on the eve of her birthday! She loved them, that's the true beauty!

BSoleille!
terri

On Capitol Hill

Today was a special day, not only the first day of spring, but that I was invited as one of the six parent panelists in the Mattie Miracle Cancer Foundation Symposium encompassing leading psycho-oncology researchers and clinicians and members of Congress regarding the state of psychosocial care for childhood cancer patients and their families.  It was simply a powerful day, and I am truly honored that the founding members of the Mattie Miracle Foundation, Vicki and Peter Brown, extended the invitation for me to be a part of the first Childhood Cancer Psychosocial Symposium and Congressional Briefing on Capitol Hill.

I am including two photos today, one of the Capitol Dome around 7:45 am with the rain clouds blowing away and the "bright" of day breaking through, and the parent panelists with Vicki (in purple suit) and Peter (with orange tie).

BSoleille! Hoping to find bright solutions to cancer fighting families!

terri

My Mom's 3rd year Anniversary

Thankfully, my Mom celebrates three years of successful living in assisted living in Cleveland, Ohio, today!  Initially it was a tough move, but it has been the best decision for all of us knowing she is safe and well taken care of with three squares and nice view of Lake Erie from the 6th floor dining hall.  Can't beat that!  Photo taken this past December at her 80th Birthday Party.

BSoleille!

terri

Tacos in a bag!

Due to the warm temps, my family suggested a summer favorite for dinner - taco-in-a-bag, a swim team staple during the summer months!  Ground turkey, lettuce, salsa, onions (not today), cheese and salsa over chips (fritos, or doritos, or tortilla) that was delicious!  Thankful for that.

My photo is one more from the yard..... BSoleille!
terri

Brilliant sunshine, loud chirping birds and

Flowers are all in bloom...everywhere you look.  Today I grabbed my camera and took photos of of what I had in my yard, and I think this is the last of the daffodils because it has gotten too warm!

BSoleille!

terri

Show ready!

We are one week away from the Southern Comforters Quilt Show, and I think I'm show ready!  My photo today is from the other night, but the flag pictured is where I got my start in "quilting".  My Mom taught me how to crochet, instead of quilting,  and I crocheted this flag as my 'visual' for an 8th grade civics report on Betsy Ross, the flag maker of Philadelphia! And the best part, I still have the report and received an A+ for my efforts!  Actually, this flag was displayed in the front showcase at Charles A. Mooney Junior High School in Cleveland, Ohio!  (I wish I had a photo of me with it in 1978 too)

BSoleille!

terri

No Spring?

The weather in Maryland the last few days have been near 80 degrees,  and I love the temps being this warm; so nothing wrong with that except that we are technically in winter and had no spring yet.  But one cannot help but look at the bursting of buds that are really full blown flowers (at least on the trees) - on March 15th no less?

My photo today was taken at almost sunset, it's a weeping willow tree budding out, and terrific under the setting blue sky!

BSoleille!

terri

Trunk Show at the Guild

My quilt guild's program chair asked me to do a trunk show of some of my quilts for a sort of "preview" before the show the weekend of March 24, 25 in Bowie, MD.  I was quite nervous at first, but then was able to be "me" and talk about how I got interested in quilting, showing quilts and giving tidbits about my life in quilts over the past 25 years!  The blessing was bestowed 14 years ago when I joined the Southern Comforters Quilt Guild; as many friendships were built with incredible women from all walks of life- our common bond - quilting.....

Photo was taken tonight at the meeting during the trunk show!  This is an Ohio Star block quilt that was made in 1992, machine pieced and hand-quilted!

BSoleille!  Finding the bright side of  quilting over the past 25 years!

terri

Glorious Day!

Not only was I able to work on quilt show related stuff,  I was able to get outside this afternoon for the first bike ride of the season, albeit a little rusty (not the bike, me!)  Nevertheless, it was a nice ride with the wind at my back (for half!).

Photo taken on the Crofton Parkway while riding-love the long shadows right now!

BSoleille,

terri

Cookies from Jan!

As much as I love technology, there is something a sewing machine, iPad, iPhone or computer cannot do- and that is to make COOKIES!  Today after my run, I went to check the mail, and lo and behold, on the doorstep was a fairly heavy box from my sister-in-law Jan!  Once inside, 2 packages of our favorite cookies (oatmeal raisins and blonde brownies) were opened to delight!  Cookie blessings, yummy!

BSoleille!

terri

Technolgy at work!

I just had to include this post today regarding the iPad and all it's glory from the business side.  Yesterday at  the Hockey4Hope benefit, I purchased a candle from candlesweetie.com.  Not only was the candle delightful, I was certainly impressed when the very kind lady who helped me whip out her iPad with the credit card "attachment" and swiped my card for the transaction!  No muss, no fuss, e-commerce at work.  I suspect we will be seeing a lot more of this in our near future!

BSoleille! Finding the bright side of technology!

terri

Hockey4Hope

Today I took my son, Ryan, to a benefit in Laurel, MD, for a fund-raiser to support Late Effects of Childhood Cancer and MS through the Hockey4Hope.  Former NHL Capitals Alumni played against the U.S. Secret Service Hockey Team; U.S. Naval Academy Alumni and Firefighters/Police!  It was a fun day, and Ryan was prepared to have some of the former Caps players sign blank hockey pucks (he bought a dozen yesterday for the occasion!)

My photo today is of Ryan and former NHL player (and Caps player) Joe Reekie signing his puck.

BSoleille!

terri

Love my Sports Car!

I need to give a shout out to my wheels that I have had for seven years now.  It was bought with 56,000 miles on it, and now I'm pushing 200,000.  So my ride is a "little big" for a sports car, but let me tell you that thing  can haul......stuff!  Man, I can haul a bunch of soccer players, gear for a family of 4 to the beach, debris and big branches from my trees (when I take out the seats) and two quilters and all their gear (including two office chairs) when going to a retreat!  I bet you guessed it's not a Miata, but a Honda Odyssey!  Keep my ride alive!

BSoleille!  Finding the bright side of transportation...

terri

Shorts and Tshirt!

Had a good run around the Crofton Parkway with the pups this afternoon, but the best part was wearing only shorts and a tshirt, not all the bulky sweats and sweatshirts like all winter long.  My little pup, Lucky, the poodle mix, was breathing hard so I walked a little bit so he could "catch his breath".

BSoleille!

terri

A favorite quilt....

Today, going out to lunch with my hubby was certainly a highlight and blessing!  Not too often we get to go "out to lunch", but today we did and we went for Chinese!  Good stuff.

My post yesterday regarding the quilt show mentioned a few of my favorite quilts, and today I am posting the photo of the two-color "Whimsy" quilt I did in 2009 in pinks and yellows (my design).

BSoleille, the sunny side of this quilt.....

terri

Featured Quilter Article in Today's "Capital"

I am very thankful for the nice story written about me as the upcoming featured quilter at the Southern Comforters Quilt Show the weekend of March 24-25, 2012.  The piece was written by Jennifer Ginn of Crofton, MD, and she did an excellent job articulating my story and history of quilt-making through the past 25 years or so.  I am including this piece in my post today, along the photo that was taken at retreat a few weeks ago!

Around Crofton: Quilter's works to be featured at show

By JENNIFER GINN, For The Capital

Published 03/06/12

Inspired by Betsy Ross and the bicentennial, Terri Tomoff took on her first fabric project in junior high, when she crocheted an outline of the original 13 colonies for a school project. She was instantly intrigued by the material arts and has since created more than 200 quilts.

Courtesy photo
Crofton’s Terri Tomoff was selected as the featured quilter for the Southern Comforters Quilt Guild’s Annual Show to be held March 24 and 25 in Bowie.

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As the featured quilter for the Southern Comforter’s Annual Quilt Show, Terri’s colorful creations will take center stage at the show, which will be held March 24 and 25 at C. Elizabeth Rieg School in Bowie.Terri started quilting as a young adult after taking a sampler quilt class in her home state of Ohio but soon after, she put her hobby aside to focus on her marriage, her children and her career.
Soon after moving to Crofton in 1996, Terri’s two-year-old son Ryan was diagnosed with cancer and that altered her course even further. When Ryan was able to start pre-school, Terri met a fellow mom who was a member of the Southern Comforters Quilt Guild and invited her to join.
“That was in 1998 and I haven’t missed too many meetings since then,” said Terri. “Quilts consume me.” The quilting guild gets together twice a month to hone their skills, share ideas and serve the community.
Terri said that during her son’s nine-year battle with Leukemia, she started making and donating quilts to support cancer research and the medical centers that treated Ryan. “Instead of donating money, I made quilts that were then raffled off.”
Terri also made more than 200 quilt bags gifting them to everyone from the doctors and hospital staff to the parking attendants who worked at Duke and Georgetown University Medical Centers, the facilities that treated her son and saw him through to remission.
Terri’s quilted tote bags have also reached the stars. Terri gifted Bob Barker, former Host of the Price is Right, and singing pop star Miley Cyrus with canine-themed quilted bags since both are ardent dog lovers.
At the upcoming quilt show, 30 to 40 of Terri’s quilts will be on display. “I like to work in bright colors and tend to make a lot of happy quilts.” said Terri.
One of her favorites, which will be featured at the show, combines varying shades of solid pink and yellow fabrics and a complementary floral fabric. Terri is also fond of one she made with a maple-leaf imprinted fabric. “It is really thick and heavy,” she said, noting that that the flip side of the quilt is patterned in squirrels.
“I love that quilts have a dual purpose since they are designed for both beauty and comfort,” said Terri. “I also love to see the joy in people’s faces when they receive a hand-made quilt and I think it is an honor to receive one. They are a labor of love — you just can’t knock one out.”
Terri said that she was humbled and honored to be selected as the featured quilter for this year’s annual show and that she looks forward to continuing to color the world with her quilts.
The Annual Quilt Show of the Southern Comforters will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 24 and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 25 at C. Elizabeth Rieg School, 15542 Peach Walker Drive, Bowie. Admission is $5 per person. The event will include a wide variety of quilted items, workshops, demonstrations, children’s activities, a merchant’s mall and a silent auction. Hand-crafted items and refreshments will be available for purchase.
The Southern Comforters Quilt Guild meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at the Christian Community Presbyterian Church, 3120 Belair Drive, Bowie. Doors open at 7 for those who wish to socialize prior to the meeting and new members are warmly welcomed.
For more information about the show and the guild membership, visitsoutherncomforters.org.

Be kind....

I would rather make mistakes in kindness and compassion than work miracles in unkindness and hardness. ~ Mother Teresa

I saw this quote on another friend's blog tonight, and I just loved it and wanted to share it.  Watching the news with my son tonight, it seems like our world is filled with hate and ugliness and it does not have to be that way.  We notice the hard edge of so many stories, but we are thankful for the good stories even more!  

My photo today is from my archives and it may bring a hint of good things to come, like a warm summer day....soon, and I am ready for warmer weather!  Photo taken at the Hershey Botanical Gardens, Hershey, PA

BSoleille!

terri

Does anyone borrow eggs from their neighbors?

With such a fast paced society we live in today, it was a pleasant phone call this afternoon when my neighbor LuAnn called me to "borrow" some eggs!  I met her half way down the street to give her the few I had, like "old-fashioned" neighbors used to do, and thankfully today to 2012.

Photo of Lu with the eggs!

BSoleille!

terri

A fun night in Laytonsville, MD

Enjoyed an evening celebrating a young man's 30th birthday!  Ah, to be 30 again.....But the best part was catching up with some friends that we don't get to see too often!  Good food, good times and one good beer out of the keg (Doghead Fish on tap, love it!)

Photo:  L-R: Sandee; Kathy, me and Marilyn.
BSoleille,
terri

A Visit from 1623!

Thankful today that all that cleaning and prep work yesterday, paid off today when "the Best Daughter" arrived this afternoon with her roommates from 1623 (they refer to themselves as this and it's their apartment number back at JMU!)  A favorite dinner was prepared, and they will all be up early to head to Costa Rica tomorrow morning- and guess who's thankful to wake up at 5am to take them in the morning?

Photo of the girls: from left to right; Olivia, Haley, Sam and Kate!  Ciao'

BSoleille!
terri

A Clean House!

The Best Daughter is coming home tomorrow with three of her college roommates, so you know what that means?  Cleaning the house and buying groceries to make her favorite meal tomorrow night!  The "boys" and I spent a couple hours cleaning up (like Ryan's room that was a total disaster!).  And the hubby picked up the slack with cleaning the bathrooms!  Now that is what really makes me happy!

Guess what's blooming now?  Beautiful daffodils and my photo is of one from my yard!

BSoleille!

terri