Shoulda Been

I've often thought that I should have been born Italian.  I love the food, I love the wine, I love the culture.  Alas, I was not.  I make up for it by consuming everything I can that's Italian in nature.  I found a great website courtesy of Worldstart.com again.  This one is called Great Chicago Italian Recipes.  Full of delicious sounding and looking recipes, I think I'll be visiting that website often.

Whoooooooooo!

I finally got fed up with the birds crapping on my new car.  I have power lines that run across the side of my driveway and through my backyard so the birds have been hanging out long before the Focus arrived.  Not one to spend a small fortune at the car wash each week, I bought one of these and placed it on the post by my gate:

Before you laugh yourself right off your chair, I have to say there's been no new bird do-do on my car ever since this plastic hooter took up residence.  Even Maggie barks at it, thinking it's real.  I haven't seen a single bird perched on the overhead lines.  I wish I'd done this years ago!

Happy Easter/Passover/Sunday!!

I hope everyone is having a fabulous Sunday.  The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and I'm cleaning my desk today!  I had brunch with my Mom and roommate this morning so my tummy is full until dinner time.

When I was a kid, many moons ago, Easter always meant getting a spiffy dress with matching coat and hat, and new patent leather shoes.  I was never allowed to wear the shoes until the special day arrived -- but no one said I couldn't sleep with them on and so I did!  I loved the baskets of candy, visits with my grandparents, and a wonderful ham dinner with everyone.  Each year we'd have a family picture taken by my Mom in front of our magnolia tree.  Like I said, so many moons ago.

I found a website by Jamie Oliver that is full of great recipes and tips.  Watch the 'Health and Safety Activity Video' and see how many things you can point out that are just flat-out wrong in the kitchen!  Bet you wouldn't eat at this gal's house!

Good Beds/Bad Beds

When I stayed at the Darby House week before last, I shared a room with two twin beds with my friend Sue.  It was a cozy, comfortable room:

All of the rooms looked great but since I go to bed earliest of the group I chose this bedroom since it was the farthest from the work room, hence a bit quieter.  I slept like a baby.

When I traveled to Atlanta to visit my niece I stopped on my way down at a Red Roof Inn in Kentucky.  Lousy bed, creepy room, chintzy amenities, prank calls after 11 pm, and breakfast offerings that were so bad the only thing I had was a small glass of Tang (yes, that Tang!).  Got my real breakfast at a diner down the road.

On the way back from Atlanta I stayed in Berea, KY at the Boone Tavern Hotel.  I called them from the road at about 10:30 pm and was lucky to get their last available room -- woohoo!  It was 1000% better!  No more hittin' the roof for me!  

The Boone Tavern is on the registry of historic inns and I can see why.

I had such a good night's sleep there, everything was perfect.  I'll make it a point to return when I'm passing through that area again.  Maybe I'll make it a destination!

Too Darn Cute

Darby House Retreat

Week before last my Chicken group had a quilting retreat at the Darby House in Oxford, MI.  It was a wonderful home with room for all of us to do our thing, sleep, cook, eat -- perfect!

We all had our own projects to work on:

Diane, Kathy, Joyce, Carol, Mary, Sue and I all worked on our own projects.  I finished a fabric book for Denver and gave it away before taking a photo.  I will tell you, though, that it was an unmitigated success as it went immediately into his mouth upon receipt!

Sue and I worked on a fabric bowl but I had to abandon it when I did not have the proper foot with me for my Bernina.  I believe it is in the house.  Somewhere.  Not sure just right now.

The Darby House was the perfect place for a group like ours.  If you live in the Detroit area you should get your group together and book an outing there.  It was so nice to get away without have to drive hours to get there!

Our rooms were fantastic, we did our own cooking, and were never starved!  We even had a chicken to watch over us:

Too much fun !!!

For now I'm going to call it a night.  I'll probably be asleep before my head hits the pillow!!!

I'm Back!

I returned home late last night from my visit to Georgia to see my niece Carla.  More details coming later today.

When I returned to the office this morning I had 202 emails in my mailbox!  I've gone through them all and now I can start doing real work!

Here's a cute link I found today for tying scarves.  Sometimes you need a new 'pop' to spruce up an outfit and here's a great way to do it!