Birthday Quilt - Revisited

I made this "funky" birthday quilt while at Red Dirt Retreats.  It was so fun for me to play with different colors, fabrics, etc.  I love that one pattern can look so different depending on color, types of fabrics, and methods used.

So, how is this different?

Clearly, the fabrics are totally different.  I went from calm and clean, to funky and wild.  The colors, are different too, focusing mostly on greens and blues.  But another difference is the cake.....the first one is made from wools.  Ahhhh, I love wool.   But, this time, I used raw edge applique, and wild fabrics to make the cake.  I love it. 

So, which is your favorite?

Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day

Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: The Discovery That Revolutionizes Home Baking

I have had this book for over a year now, and I have baked from it on previous occasions...but I got started again now that fall is here.  Don't be confused, it is still in the high 90's or 100's, but I am sick of it being "too hot" to bake.  So.....I said, too bad, I don't care, I am going to bake some bread if I want to.

Yum, yum, yum.  I love crusty, hearty, artisan bread.  It speaks to me in a way that not many things do.  It makes me feel warm, safe, and happy.  Yes, I am a carb lover.

This is the deal.  You make the dough (wet and sticky), and keep it in your fridge.  When you are ready to bake it, you take a chunk out, form it into a ball (in 30 seconds), and then bake.  It is simple, wonderful, and quick.

Then you go hug and snuggle your baby while you are waiting about 40 minutes for it to rise.  Oh....babies are cute!

Now the bread is ready for the oven, and it bakes for 30 minutes on 450.  Now you have the perfect bread you always dreamed of.  You should try it, seriously.  Go to this link for the master recipe, and try it for yourself.   You can thank me later.

 

Red Dirt Retreats rocked...

I have been waiting to post about Red Dirt Retreats because I was waiting for my photos....


You know me, I am the smart woman who took a bunch of photos (with my point and shoot, I was too scared to bring DSLR), and then left the camera there.  Yes, I am one big smarty pants.


So, I still don't have the photos, but the camera has been located and it will arrive shortly.


Yet, I have to share.  Arriving at Red Dirt Retreats, I came to amazing accommodations just an hour outside of Moab (La Sal, UT).  It was gorgeous.  We were totally secluded.  Not a soul in the world around, just a bear (I never saw it, just heard....), plenty of deer, and a very friendly cat.  Peaceful, beautiful, and for those of us who care....COOL.  It was perfect for me.  I needed a breath of fresh, clean, and COOL air. Ahhhhh.


As soon as I arrived, I had a class to teach.  Yep, I was a little nervous to teach everyone.  But, it was fun and wonderful.  Everyone was ready to learn, and laugh, and get silly.  After classes were over, we of course, had to eat.


HOT DOG!....No we didn't have hot dogs, but boy was the food amazing.  And I mean amazing.  Seriously, everything was homemade, beautiful, healthy, from the garden, and plentiful.  None of us were going to go hungry.  Krista (our host, and my beloved cousin), was constantly in the kitchen making our stay better than we could possibly imagine.  She made our weekend perfect!


That is how the weekend was spent.  Enjoying the splendor of nature, quilting, learning, and not having to worry about a thing.  Meals were prepared and handed to us when we were ready, friends were ready to be made, and the deer happily ate the leaves on the trees surrounding our dwelling.


If you live anywhere close to Southeastern UT, you have got to schedule a retreat.  You will thank your lucky stars you did.


***Have a family reunion you want to plan....it sleeps over 40 people.  Contact Hidden Oaks Lodge.

Home

I am home.

I had a great time teaching, learning, eating, cleaning, and loving at Red Dirt Retreats.  

It was so fun to work with my cousin, aunts, mom, and new friends.  It was crazy busy and wildly fun to be together with everyone.  I can't believe how much energy some people have.   I am only slightly embarrassed about how much I had to blow my stinkin' nose while I was there (yes, sinusitis joined me on my trip).  Oh well, life is like that.

Home is now my friend, and I have spent my time cleaning, doing untold loads of laundry, hugging, and tucking in..... to tell the truth, I am exhausted.  Happily exhausted.  

Oh....and that picture??? That is the fabric the Fat Quarter Shop sent me....laminated fabric that is needed for all wild and fun families.  I love it!  Too bad I can't iron out those wrinkles....let's just pretend they are not there.

Charming Gardens Workshop

I had a blast teaching my friends about quilting last weekend, and I have pictures to prove it.  I love that the quilting bug has been passed on, and hopefully the bug will grow into a monster.  I love monsters (as long as they are quilting monsters).

Currently, I am readying myself for Red Dirt Retreats this weekend.  I have cut and organized 11 kits, made worksheets, and ordered more fabric from the Fat Quarter Shop than I really should.  But I am getting ready.  Emotionally....not quite ready.  This is my first trip away from Noah, and my heart is palpitating.  I know, I know, get over it already...but he is my baby....sigh.  He just turned 1 yesterday....sigh again.   So, wish me luck in my preparations, and my teaching, and let's pray my heart stays in my chest.