At the Strathmore CEO To CEO

This evening was an exceptional night celebrating the fantastic work of outgoing CEO Kathy Russell and welcoming the new CEO Jennie Lucca for the NIH Children's Inn in Washington DC held at the beautiful Strathmore in Bethesda, Maryland. 

Two years ago I blogged about Kathy being name "Washingtonianof the Year", and she was also highlighted in "People" magazine for her tireless work in helping families in crisis with sick children. Kathy was very instrumental in helping our family, especially our son Ryan, who battled childhood cancer for 10 years. She knew just the right thing to say to us at any given time, and for that, and the countless words of wisdom (along with Special Love Camps and trips to the beach) bestowed on us, over a very long period of time, incredible kindness and empathy and generosity. We are forever grateful to her and her family through the years...

In conclusion and in Kathy's infinite wisdom, she groomed her successor in Jennie Lucca, who takes over the reins on Friday. May these two incredible women find joy and happiness on their new paths in 2015!

BSoleille! The bright side of a beautiful "changing of the guard" CEO style of the Children's Inn. 

Terri

Kathy Russell: Washingtonian of the Year

Washingtonian Magazine named Kathy L. Russell, founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Children's Inn at NIH, a "Washingtonian of the Year" in its current issue.  

 

Congratulations to Kathy for receiving this prestigious recognition as a champion of children facing life-threatening  and debilitating illnesses.  

Photos from tonight:

Fun in the Snow

That certainly is not me, but one dog that lives with us, Lucy-Loo, it certainly is!  She seems like she can't get enough of the snow and bitter cold temperatures, bless her part husky soul!  Warm hearty soup and lots of hot tea is something to be thankful for today across the land. 

BSoleille!

Terri

Photo by "The Best Daughter"

Every 25 years....

I am thankful that my first pair of hiking boots lasted 25+years (purchased from LLBean), but really they are on their last leg and are not waterproof any longer. If my new "waterproof" Merrell's last 25 years, I will be one happen camper. And with cool and wet weather moving into the area, this is a great time to wear 'em and get that broken in feeling quickly!

BSoleille!

Terri

Awesome January Sunset

Four days into the new year and it seems like the days are lighter longer, and I am thankful for that. Just think...it will be spring in less than three months. But in the meantime, watching out for super wintertime sunsets will get my attention as today's did, and here to share as the photo of the day!

BSoleille!

Terri

Food+Friendship = Fun

A combination Possibilibee Christmas "party" and sew day on a rainy Saturday was just the ticket to get those engines, er sewing machines, humming once again (at least for me on the sewing machine). Then mix in show and tell, a hearty breakfast and lunch and "seven sewing sisters stitching" (sounds like it could be part of the song "12 Days of Christmas") and it made the day fly by all too fast to start the year on a positive note "quiltily". A big thank you to Susie Stevenson for hosting us once again.

The cool loot included: Best Press Spray Starch, post its and candy (me); a knitted sock with a thumb drive with 70's music (Mary); a large clear plastic zippered bag (Cappy); two bean bag type neck warmers made with rice (Shelley and Janet); a fabric bowl to use under a heated/hot bowl (Susie), and a sock monkey bottle holder (Carrie)!  Very clever....and so thankful that these ladies are in my life. 

BSoleille! The bright side of a rainy day!

Terri

Photos include Shelley's Batik Spectrum Quilt and the Six Sister Sock Monkeys 

Empty Shelves

It seems that New Year resolutions are in full swing, especially when it comes to eating well. This evening I had to get a few things from the grocery store, and lo and behold came across almost empty shelves of produce. I hope there is genuine interest in America to eat healthy, and I will check back in a few months to see if the produce section is still a "hot" aisle. 

BSoleille! The bright side of fresh carrots, broccoli, lettuce, zucchini and squash!

Terri

1-1-15

Wow, another start to a brand new year!  I do plan on continuing this blog, hopefully on a daily basis (may miss now and then), but this daily dose has certainly become part of my "fabric". 

Interestingly enough, the kids desired "experiences over things" for Christmas. So this afternoon they experienced the "first" experience with The Winter Classic (outdoor) NHL hockey game -Caps vs. Chicago Blackhawks at Nationals Stadium in DC. Thankfully, they enjoyed the entire day, taking it all in, and a bonus of an exciting finish of a WIN (Caps 3-2 over Blackhawks in the last 12.9 seconds of the game).

Planking for two minutes, running/walking the Crofton Parkway with the hubby and setting and updating myself up on various social media sites made for a productive day I must admit. 

BSoleille! The bright side of a wildly connected world of six billion people!

Terri 

Happy New Year!

May 2015 be a stellar year no matter what!  So many new things to think about and try and I am thankful for a "new clean slate". And since this past year I did not read as many books as I wanted to (lots of playing on social media sites), I hope to bring that "old fashioned" endeavor back into the fold. 

BSoleille!  The bright side of a Happy New Year 2015!

Terri

Photo of "The Best Daughter and Son" in downtown Annapolis from this morning. 

Thank You

Many thanks to all the quiltsfromtheheart blog readers in 2014!  I am truly blessed in so many ways, and love to find gratitude in each passing day. I hope my readers have found daily gratitude as well, even if it's a just a can of peas!

BSoleille!

Terri 

Photo is a turtle bar square that is sooo delicious and an exact opposite to a can of peas (but I like peas too!)

Changing of the Purses

There are the changing of the seasons, changing of the guards and tonight, a complete "changing of the purses." As I was changing the old one out for the new, it really baffles me how men get by in life by "just" carrying a small wallet.  I guess some men supplement space by also carrying a briefcase or backpack, but there are so many "essentials" I think I need to carry for everyday use that a purse is about the only thing that encompasses this concept. 

BSoleille! The bright side of finding loose change at the bottom of a bag!

Terri 

Weekend Wrap Up

A five mile hike with my cousin Shelli and her friend Bonnie jump started this good day. Though cloudy and grey and very muddy, our spirits soured by the surroundings of the beautiful Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Penisula, Ohio. I was thankful of the quick clip in the hopes of "breaking a sweat" and "detoxing" the body from all the cookies consumed this past week. Haha

A visit to meet up with some childhood friends concluded the weekend and I am really thankful for the time we spent together, both in our formative years and today. 

BSoleille!

Terri

Photos from the hike and at the home of Dave Gentile with his sister Ann Kukucka, and my sister Kimberly. 

Social Media Fest

YikYak, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and that was the start of the social media session the Tomoff's had today at the Hoffman Group, compliments of Don, Bill and Brett Tomoff!  Whew, a lot of information (at times overload), but all good to be "in the game" for what's hot now in the social sphere. 

Photo of most of the group hard at work on our phone and tablet!

BSoleille!

Terri

Gleaming Harwood Floors

After spending the final Christmas celebration with my family, we all headed to North Royalton High School for their half time salute. Nephew Nathan Kocan and the rest of 2014 boys varsity baseball state finalist team were honored by the school during the boys varsity basketball game. I could not help but enjoy the beauty of those gleaming hardwood floors, and the squeak of sneakers cutting all over the floor. 

BSoleille!

Terri

It is All About the Family

From my family to yours, I hope you had a wonderful celebration!  Happy Christmas to all!

Merry Christmas

Wishing all my blog readers a very Merry Christmas with family and friends!

He is the light of the world....

Christmas Spirit

Gifts are nice, giving is better and getting together with friends and family is best!  So, I am thankful to have had the chance to celebrate the season with the Rhodes High "Girls" for lunch, family Tomoff for dinner and decorating holiday cookies!

BSoleille!

Terri 

Franek: Food, Farm & Fitness

I am thankful that we had big bold plans today that were executed and we are all still "standing".  The girls started the day with 4.6 mile run, then strengthening exercises with the boys in the barn (lots of core), and ending the morning in the hot tub (30 degrees air temp/102 degree water temp). After lunch we all headed out to hike at Nelson Ledges State Park, taking the "difficult" trail that included hiking through some very tight crevices in the rocks -Whew!

The late afternoon back at Butternut Hill Farm included full body (Bill) and back messages from massage therapist extraordinaire  Rosalie Franek (Right Path to Fitness and Health), and hot tea and cookies if the mood struck. Simply a fitness and spa experience for sure all compliments of the Franek's!

Lastly, we all headed to the Welshfield Inn in Troy Township for dinner. Their Monday special of $5 burgers were delicious!

BSoleille!  The bright side of hitting the sack hard on a day well "spent"! Thanks Tom and Rosalie. 

Terri

Butternut Hill Farm

An Hiram, Ohio "tradition" is taking a ride out to Butternut Hill Farm to select a wonderful home grown Christmas tree, take a scavenger hunt/hike, and finish back at the barn with hot chocolate and ornament making. Of course, the chestnuts roasting on an open fire is truly one of my favorites with hosts Rosalie and Tom Franek (Tom did the roasting). What a wonderful way to usher in the Christmas spirit for the week. I am thankful that three families got to share in this goodwill: Franek's, Misencik's and Tomoff's.

BSoleille!  The bright side of a hike at dusk!

Terri

CCC'S

AKA, chocolate chip cookies, a favorite of mine and the family and, I believe, world wide appeal. They are certainly something I try to make during the holidays and this year "The Best Daughter" helped out, and I am thankful for that!  Can you beat that "just out of the oven melt in your mouth" taste?Heaven!

BSoleille!

Terri

Black Hole

That proverbial black hole has reared its ugly head once again. My household was doing fairly well with finding and recovering "lost" and misplaced items. Recently, my favorite pair of denim jeans have disappeared without a trace or clue. How can one lose a pair of jeans I ask myself over and over? So, of course  I called every hotel, retreat center  and persons stayed with over the last two months to no avail. My husband says they will turn up and I hope he is right! Thankfully, I have spare pairs!

BSoleille! The bright side of "a pair of jeans that fit just right", as the song by the "Zac Brown Band" goes. 

Terri 

Photo of an awesome December setting sun. 

Santa's Elves at Work

We are known as wrappers and wranglers, and had a very busy day at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, Maryland, making beautiful packages all benefitting NIH Charites (including Special Love, Inc.). 

Funny thing, I actually broke a sweat "wrestling" with a huge awkward box containing an iMac computer. I put my quilting skills to work, taping two long sheets of paper making a "center seam, then carefully wrapping and overlapping the paper until the box was covered and looking good. (Customer very happy with the result)!

BSoleille!  The bright side of working with such a strong team for six hours!  

Photo includes (l-r) Olivia, me, Sharon Johnsen, Dave Smith, Ryan and Robin

Farewell to Dr. Gabriel Hauser

How do you say goodbye to one of the best doctors that treated your child in the PICU at Georgetown Universry Hospital? And that we served together on the first PAB (Pediatric Parent Advisory Board) for 10years? My best guess would be, "see you later", and, of course, "best wishes" at your new gig at St. Christopher's in Philadelphia? That was all said by many but he is so much more than all the accolades bestowed on him tonight at his farewell party. His commitment, loyalty, expertise and "super star" clinician sets him a part from his peers, but his great passion to help and heal the thousands of kids who passed through those C52 doors (including my son Ryan) truly make him an outstanding human being!  

Our family was honored to be a part of Dr. Hauser's evening, and unbeknownst to us, we solely represented all the patients and families he treated for the past 25 years as chief. He truly set a high bar for his staff, but everyone rose to meet it day in and day out to make the 

best possible outcome for all his patients. This is really remarkable for sure.  

So, Dr. Hauser, "so long", and "best wishes" on your new journey at St Chris. You WILL be missed in DC by many!

BSoleille!  

Terri 

Photo of Dr. Hauser and Ryan

Teamwork

As we all know teamwork comes in many forms, usually for the common good. So I am so thankful to capture a moment this afternoon when "The Best Daughter" and "Best Son" banded together to empty the dishwasher, clean dishes in the sink, and start prepping dinner all with little fanfare!

Teamwork at its best during holiday break. Now if they would do this daily....that would border miraculous!

BSoleille! The bright side of a clean kitchen and delicious chicken fijatas. 

Terri 

Last "Race" of the Season

A reasonable 10:00am start for the Annapolis Strider 15K was a great way to kickstart the morning. Apparently, this event is run with less than desirable weather, but not today, and I was thankful it was clear and dry. About seven miles in, all I could think about was a hot shower and a nap once home, even though we were running through the beautiful Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis, Maryland. 

However, once I turned on my street, smack dab in front of me were men and work trucks parked everywhere and a big hole dug out on the street. At first I thought this could not be good, but also did not think this would affect me. Haha to that thought but muscled my way through the "maze" anyways. 

Of course once in the house I beelined to take that one thing that kept me going- hot shower!  I got all the sweaty wet clothes off, leaned in to turn on the hot and cold water....and nothing came out!

Well, I thought if I put on a lot of dry clothes I will warm up and postpone that delectable, er elusive (by this point) shower. (Those darn trucks and water break!)

I was just about dressed, and for the heck of it, tried the water one more time and it WORKED!  A yippee moment for sure. All was right in the world once more. 

BSoleille!  The bright side of that second thought -a much deserved nap!!!

Photo of fellow Croftonite Rich Flanagan and me. 

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

In Maryland there is no snow, but two hours up the road there was this morning on a fabric acquisition road trip with buddies Mary Nielsen and Cappy. That white stuff was everywhere upon crossing the Maryland-Pennsylvania border, and actually looked quite pretty all around Lancaster County. 

Of course the trip included a stop at Obie's, where once again we took our life in our hands upon entering. The creaky floor to ceiling filled with heavy bolts of fabric did not disappoint and we thankfully left the store unscathed except a little lighter in the pocketbook!

BSoleille! The bright side of a full day road trip with great friends!

Terri

Christmas in Washington

On my drive over to Georgetown University Hospital this afternoon for a meeting, I could not help but notice the pretty decorations on a row house in Georgetown off "Q" Street. My initial reaction was to stop and take the photo but there was no parking at that moment. I then thought if I could park for a minute on my way back, I will stop and take a few photos. I must admit it looked great from the street and my photos do not do it justice, but pretty nonetheless. I was thankful to stop and get the photos for a few brief moments. 

BSoleille!

Terri