Two Fat Quarter Bag Expounds

After a few days of nonstop action with Linda, Linda, her giddy take away was the making of her very own tote bag sewn right on my dining room table. Luckily, she had the skill set and knowledge of operating a sewing machine so the teaching part was easy for me. It was cool to see her "ah ha" moment because she accomplished something new and totally unexpected with pretty fabric and the "ta da" moment with the completed tote!

BSoleille! The bright side of learning something new unexpectedly. 

Terri

Richmond Half Marathon 2015

For an entire year I could never let go of the fact I ran a 2:01 half marathon (13.1 miles) in Richmond in 2014 (and was "this close" to breaking 2 hours...), so I "vowed" to myself last year to run a little more and run a few longer runs and signup to do it again this year with the hope of breaking that barrier. Mind you, this is in the "new era" of running and "racing" over 50!

Fast forward exactly one year ago to today and my goal at the start was to smash that time. Thankfully, with a little help from my friend, Linda Misencik, we not only beat it, but shaved off five minutes from last years' time. It was a fabulous day of perfect temperatures for November with brilliant sunshine and a good course through the city of Richmond, Virginia. Our "team" also included "The Best Daughter" and friend, Ryan Collier, who both finished fantastically.

In order of finishing: Ryan 1:31; Olivia 1:40: Linda 1:55 and me, 1:56!!

BSoleille! The bright side of a PR in the "golden era"! And the fans who came out to cheer us on: Laura and Liz!

Terri

Paris

I had another post today all ready to go, but it pales in comparison to the tragic events happening in Paris, France today. Prayers for Paris is what is needed at this time, and I am sorry the world is in this very sad place today. Hope for a better tomorrow world-wide. 

I Can Blog if I Want To

When it is your birthday, you can do "anything", right? The best things being some thrift store shopping with Linda Misencik, lunching  in downtown Annapolis (along with birthday buddy, Kathy Cook), and catching a movie with the family made today a perfect day to celebrate! I am thankful to love and be loved....

BSoleille!

Terri

Photo at the movies: "Bridge of Spies"

"Armistice Day" 11/11

Armistice Day, also known as Veteran's Day, and a very special day indeed to thank those men and women in uniform (and retired) who served our nation in time of war and beyond.  Freedom is not free, and I would like to take a moment to shout out THANK YOU to all those who served: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine and Coast Guard.  Our entire nation is indebted to you!

Terri

Getting Strung Along

Chain piecing, or sewing two pieces of fabric together, is a quick method of making blocks for various pieced blocks. Depending on the size of quilt, chain piecing can go on for "miles", or at least seem to. But it is efficient and I am thankful when I can employ this method when working on various quilt projects. 

BSoleille! The bright side of stringing units of fabric along!

Terri

A Difference a Day Makes

I am thankful for a splendid quilt retreat on the West River with 19 quilt buddies all working on multiple projects. The hum of the machines, and the chatter over those machines, is what makes the weekend tick. So while the work is being done inside, it is so nice to check the outside, and nothing beats being on the waterfront. I took the two photos on the two consecutive mornings at about the same time this past weekend and what a difference one day makes. 

BSoleille!

Terri

One Exception to "No Frills" Weekend

My quilt guild's fall retreat is typically in November and it is fairly low key. That means no mystery quilt or secret sewing sisters (think secret Santa), or anything extra. Pure sewing and quilting on your very own projects. However, the only "frill" was the demo of the 2Fat Quarter bag I made and posted last week. We had six or seven make them and they were a hit (or at least in my estimation). Each bag was "unique" simply because of all the different color combinations of the fabrics used. A fun little tote for sure!

BSoleille!

Terri

Lucy Loo in the Leaves

Pretty Gingko leaves had our dog Lucy Loo hanging out in the leaves (though she is not rakin' them!). And since her black coat against the bright yellow leaves, with no veins in the leaves mind you, was so striking, I had to take several photos. It is too bad she does not like it when we take her photo, so we have to be sly and quick to get a decent one of her. I am posting two that captured her best this morning. 

BSoleille! The bright side of a black dog and bright yellow leaves. 

Terri

Friends and Sponsors of Georgetown Pediatrics

I am thankful to have been invited to the Medstar Georgetown Friends and Sponsors dinner held at a new location: Sequoia on the waterfront. Lots of familiar faces in the crowd for Georgetown to thank the many people who continue to support their programs and initiatives to heal the children of the greater Washington DC area. It is a great feeling to give back whether its financial, time, or in my case, the many beautiful quilts made by my guild, Southern Comforters of Bowie, MD, for every newly diagnosed pediatric cancer patient. Pat Scully, president of my guild, accompanied me to this spectacular evening, and who is, I may add, a huge proponent of making and rounding the other guild members to donate quilts to this worthwhile endeavor!

BSoleille!

Terri

Fallen Oak

A new house was built on my street this year, and the owners kept two large oaks in the front yard. A good thing I thought at the time. However, I wonder if their roots wreaked some havoc on their new underground systems since they took one of the trees down today. The cut "logs" are all over their yard, as it was a very large oak. So when I went past it today, I stopped to "read" the years/circles on the stumps, which I could not do. But I thought this photo was very cool of those lines....

BSoleille!

Terri

Welcoming Reception/11 Years!

My family and I were honored to attend a reception welcoming Dr. Aziza Shad in her new journey in treating pediatric cancer patients with the Herman & Walter Samuelson Children's Hospital at Sinai, at the Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, Maryland. Many like-minded people were in attendance to support Dr. Shad's initiatives in all pediatric care for the Baltimore region. 

The three of us were also honored to say a few words about our relationship with Dr. Shad, and to exude all the goodness she brings to her patients and families (they run in the hundreds!), formally at Georgetown, and now at Sinai. 

And not only did we celebrate with her on her new journey, today we celebrate Ryan's 11 year anniversary of his pediatric bone marrow transplant from Duke University Hospital!!! 

BSoleille! The bright side of Scott Harris, who graciously donated his marrow 11years ago so a 10 year old boy had a second chance at life!!! We cannot thank you enough....

Terri

Photo from tonight's event: Terri, Bill, Beth and Eddie Goldberger, Dr. Aziza Shad and Ryan. 

There is Always One in the Crowd!

Even in nature, there is always that one renegade flower, animal, or in this case, a tree, that refuses to change color. The "funny" thing it stuck out like a sore thumb, so I had to take this photo of the one green standout. Maybe one day this month it will magically turn color, but I unfortunately, won't be there to see it. Cheers to all renegades out there that refuse to do what everyone else does, even a single tree in a forest!

BSoleille!

Terri

Trick or Treat on Old Rag

Nah, but the four of us dressed up in "Halloween costumes" like hikers (with boots and day packs), and climbed up to the summit of 3291 feet! And  although  there were throngs of people enjoying what we were enjoying, it was still a thrilling experience ablaze with color and panoramic views of the valleys below. Interestingly, the colors leaned toward oranges and yellows with a few reds sprinkled in for good measure, but beautiful nonetheless. Of course my favorite thing was the two mile rock scramble over granite boulders besides the long waits of getting through. 

BSoleille! The bright side of a glorious hike with Mark and Linda Misencik and hubby, Bill!

Terri

Shoreline Seafood

Although Maryland is known for their crabs, Ohio friends Mark and Lil Linda Misencik wanted the "Old Fashion New England Clam Bake" with two lobsters, oysters, clams, shrimp and all the fixins' from their favorite East Coast carry out. I must admit that it was all good, and I especially like the Maryland crab soup, but ate a little of everything in the platter. Interestingly, the menu states this dinner is for two hungry mates, but realistically, it fed four mates with plenty of food to spare in leftovers. 

BSoleille! The bright side of a red lobster!

Terri

Myriad of Color

Autumn season joyous colors abound everywhere. It is a cacophony of reds, yellows, oranges and deep burgundy that set off the trees and shrubs for endless feasting on the eyes. It is intoxicatingly beautiful and to appreciate it is all is the best. I took this photo just a couple of days ago. All colors of the autumn rainbow on center stage, and the brilliant blue sky certainly sets it off nicely. 

BSoleille! The bright side of the hues of fall!

Terri

"Scrap Fabric"

In quilter's parlance, when life gives you scraps, make quilts. So when my friend, Trish, gave me 1.5 yards of "scraps", or more aptly, unwanted fabric from her stash, I made two tote bags. One for each of us; our 2Bee bags!

BSoleille! The bright side of making two totes with fun fabric!

Terri

No Foolin' Poison Ivy

While running and walking the dog, I could not help notice all the "colorful" poison ivy hanging around just about everywhere. I cannot say it's "pretty", but it does have a pleasant yellow hue nowadays. It will still wreak havoc on your body with its oil (urushoil), but I learned today that the plant I try to rid of in my backyard all summer long, is actually a plant that feeds wildlife in many parts of the world. Many deer and songbirds eat the seeds of the flowers, hence the many plants growing along fences! I am not a fan, but glad to know it does provide a service to something, and I love the melodies of songbirds!

BSoleille!

Terri

A New "Toy"

About two weeks ago, after much research on sergers (a heavy duty type machine that makes a finished edge on a garment or seam), I finally purchased one. And just like when I got my Handi-Quilter Long Arm machine, initially I just "visited" it, and looked at it, of course wanted to try it, but really became terrified of turning it on and quilting with it (knowing full well it was the best thing for me to get along my quilting journey). But I slowly got the hang of it and now it is plain easy. I hope the same goes for this new piece of equipment. Funny thing too, when it first arrived I sat the box on the table. Two days later I opened up the box and set it up, looking at it and organizing all the doodads that comes with the machine. But I never turned it on until today. I pretty much sewed all day with it, making mistakes, taking out the mistakes and learning how to operate this new toy much to my delight!

BSoleille! The bright side of a new learning curve!

Terri

It is Hard to be "Perfect"

A perfect football record of 7-0 for JMU prompted ESPN's College Game Day to descend on the campus this weekend for its weekly Saturday show. The predictions were in for JMU to beat the stalwart squad of the Richmond Spiders, but in the end, they could not do it. Final score: 59-49. But excitement and electricity surrounding yesterday's Game Day was terrific, and it was fun to be a part of the large crowds of football fans. A sea of purple was prominent wherever you went or when the cameras rolled!

BSoleille! The bright side of College Game Day. 

Terri