My new friend Carri died suddenly and unexpectedly last week. Her funeral was today. I’m so glad that we got to know each other. We talked at length about my affirmation quilt which says, “I am safe, warm & loved.” It’s a comforting message. I’m going to donate that quilt in her honor. I don’t know where it’s going yet but will update you guys when I do.
Thanks for the memories Carri. I love you and hope you’re happy wherever you are now.
I’ve been a California girl for a long time now. Still, Connecticut is home. It’s where Katie is. She’s been my friend since 5th grade at Sandy Hook Elementary School. I was the new kid who had just changed schools (again) and decided not to make friends this time. Well, she would have none of that nonsense. She was gently persistent and soon I had someone to sit with at lunchtime and to play with at recess.
Last weekend marked her first year anniversary of getting married. I’ve been working on a quilt for her and her husband. It isn’t quite finished yet but includes paper-pieced numbers on a green background. Of course I’ll share photos of that once it’s complete.
Here we are goofing off in high school. At this time we had boyfriends who were friends before we knew them. Lots of double-dates to the movies, dances, and bowling. Then we’d ditch the boys for a sleepover, ice-cream fest, and chick flick night.
I spent my summers away and then left for college in Illinois. Still, we kept in touch. It’s one of those friendships where we don’t need any time to get to know each other again. We just pick up where we left off, even if we haven’t seen each other in years.
Katie flew west for my wedding. She’s a high school math teacher and took time off at the beginning of the school year (September 6th) to be here for me. She stayed at my house, helped with all the preparations, and celebrated with us. Here she is walking me to my bridal dressing room.
I found out recently that I have some food allergies, including a mild gluten intolerance. I’m a little bummed. You know what cheered me up quite a bit? Katie wrote a food blog post inspired by me. Here’s her recipe for crust-less spinach quiche. I can’t wait to try it!
My husband and I have a food garden this year. This watermelon looked like it hadn’t grown any more in about a week. So we called it ripe and cut it open. Not so much. Well, now we know to let the others mature a bit longer. As for Katie and I, we’ll decide just how mature we want to act as adults. It probably involves lots of ice cream. And dancing.
Inside jokes are fun, but I can’t resist sharing these two with you. They came up yesterday on the retreat where I spent the whole day with good friends. We had a potluck lunch, sewed all afternoon, then went to an Irish Pub where I tried something new: a lamb shank. Soooo yummy. Anyway, here are the funnies.
I was poking at two of my friends who had stayed overnight at the hotel for reading my last blog post… because they’re on vacation. Then I realized how ridiculous it was for me to have anything negative to say about someone reading my blog. So, collectively, we decided that a great name for a blog would be, “Don’t Read this Blog” with the by-line of “I have nothing to say.” I’d check that one out at least once.
The other one happened when we were walking around downtown and came across a shop called, “Truffle Hound Chocolates.” Aptly named. I offered an alternate name which would not work from a marketing standpoint but meant the same thing. “Oink Schnauzer Delicacies.” Don’t think I’d shop there.
Alright, time to go back to binding a gift quilt and my Hulu shows. Grimm’s first in line.
Does anybody else write notes to themselves? My sewing machine has making the ker-thunk noise that indicates the needle is bent or dull for (embarrassingly) a few days now. So after my sewing session last night, I wrote myself a nice little note. See, it’s hard to make myself get up and go find the container in the closet where I stashed the needles until I find a more permanent place for them after I’ve sat down to sew. So I just don’t, and deal with the ker-thunk. But this note reminded me before I was ready to begin, so check! Needle has been changed and the machine is purrring along nicely.
My friend Melissa has become local, since I moved to her area. Last night she invited me to check out her guild and generously even offered me a ride there and back. Yeah, she’s awesome like that.
So, new experiences are scary. I’m a member of what used-to-be my local guild still, and make the trek back there every few months to participate and catch up with my friends. So the guild thing wasn’t scary, but the room full of people that I don’t know and want to is. So I put on my big-girl panties and introduced myself around. After I was emotionally exhausted from putting myself out there (with mostly positive results) I saddled up next to Melissa at her table in the back and pulled out some handwork.
Then, the most amazing thing happened. People started coming up to me. They wanted to see what I was doing and it was a great conversation starter. Plus, this particular handwork project, my crazy hexagons, is uniquely mine. It showcases my skills and preferences, and is something I’m passionate about. It’s easier to talk about something I’m passionate about than attempt small-talk with strangers.
The results of the evening speak for themselves. I joined the guild. Also, I have multiple invitations from potential new-friends to sit with them next month. And I’ve been asked to bring some quilts for show-and-share… which I’m sure will just lead to more conversations and companionship. Love it.
QUILTArtbymegan 
