Gehring Road

the one where they told me to erase the hard drive

This lovely echinacea bloom is outside of our front door right now... I love it, it reminds me of the sunset and is my attempt at finding inner peace and "serenity now!" My brand new computer has been acting a little strange since... well... the day we got it. Seems like the data transfer from the old computer caused some trouble. Who would have thought? First, it wouldn't really allow me to make changes to the hard drive, then it wouldn't allow me to do anything without typing my password every. single. time. Then it wouldn't read PDF files. Then Safari stopped working after the Apple Care people walked me through a fix. All very troubling. We had to back up all of my files. I had a mild freak out. Ok, not so mild (serenity now!). I realized really nothing on my old computer (including all of our photos) are truly organized and need to be. I put that off for another day and restored the computer to factory settings. Which involved a man on a phone telling me to erase the hard drive. Our conversation went something like this... Me: "So I should push 'Erase' now, right?" Apple Man: "Yup." Me: "Right now?" Apple Man: "You backed everything up, right?" Me: "Yup... I think I did." Apple Man: "Go ahead, then." Me: "This is terrifying" Apple Man (laughs): "Yup, most definitely." Serenity Now!

Everything seems to be running as it should be. Oh me of little faith. Back with a bit more this week... I hope your weekend was as restful and nonterrifying as can be. 

looking forward...six things...

PHOTOS Taken by these talented ladies: 1. liberty of london, 2. Quiltmarket Diamond Ring and Lots of Dots, 3. AMH_feathers, 4. Chicopee by Denyse Schmidt for FreeSpirit, 5. Pearl Bracelets by Lizzy House for Andover, 6. Lotta Jansdotter's new Bella.

Today, I'm looking forward... to freetime and pleasure reading, to exploration and travel, but especially to sewing with those beautiful fabrics and trying out those amazing patterns. I'm afraid it's about to get a little quiet around here... classes are starting, exams are also starting and this lady is in just a little over her head for a while. As anxious as I am about what the next few weeks holds (three classes, one thesis in two months means probably much pulling of hair and little sleep!), I am also so aware that it means the end is near! I am most definitely looking forward to August 4th when my classes are done and vacation the sewing can begin! Happy Tuesday all, I can't wait to be back to this space more regularly!

snap snap

image at google.com

Did you google today? I love this one... Hope you are finding reasons to smile this weekend! 

quilt feast at denyse schmidt studio sale

We headed a bit south on Saturday and found ourselves stopping by Denyse Schmidt's studio sale. Like last year, I took a ton of pictures (it is impossible to take a bad shot in that space... oh to enjoy that light everyday!) and intend on sharing them all. And like last year, I also snagged some goodies, which of course, I intend to share. More on that a bit later this week... now for the images I snapped... this first batch was just in the hallway outside of the studio, amazing...

... and inside Denyse's Studio (I tried not to snap pictures of people grabbing amazing deals on beautiful quilts, last year I got a look from a little girl that told me that was creepy)...

...and those last two are of a quilt I thought about either snatching and running off with (the eighteen flights of stairs and a criminal record prevented me from doing so) or buying it with the tuition money for the classes I am taking in the spring (that was harder to convince myself out of than it should have been!) I ended up just staring at it... for a long time, it's gorgeous, no? So what did I end up buying? This...

... a stack of digital sample yardage from the upcoming release of Flea Market Fancy... a line I love, and just missed when I first started to sew. I'm more than excited about its release. So here's how this little stack became mine. At 10:00 when the doors opened a local photographer got a little pushy and wanted to take some photos of Denyse... so the doors were opened and I took that moment to scan... I saw dots on a little cart near the kitchen (which also had amazing little cupcakes for us... the shoppers) and decided to go there first... no elbows, no sprinting, I just walked over and picked this little bundle up. I then gave it to Rob to hold, who delighted in putting it down everywhere to fake yawn, sneeze... clearly someone was there to tease. Denyse, who checked me out (so cool!) said that she had to use the digital printing to create some of the sample items as she too is down to scraps of the line. I know all about that. Anyway, though it is a digital printing, I'm excited to be using the pieces in little projects here and there. And I hope you are too... today I'm going to cut little bundles of the sample pack (some of the pieces are quite large) and give them away on the blog later this week as a little Thanksgiving for a reprint, the end of stormy weather (for the time being), the start of the holiday season and most importantly for the readers who frequent this little space here. I'm always amazed at how patient and caring you all are... so have some Flea Market Fancy before it's released... just don't wash it! Happy weekend and I'm off to cut. 

scenes from our week

I learned a few things this week...

:: trees falling down around you in the midst of a storm in the middle of the night sound like a billard hall... 

:: ear plugs are essential to sleeping through those sounds...

:: my guy is a relentless provider, I don't think his mind stopped working, planning, gathering for eight days...

:: the fates have a way of making one smile... that same generator we plugged in two months ago, only to have our power restored two hours later saved us from the cold and dark this time...

:: our neighbors and community leaders are truly giving and supportive...

:: lack of television is not a loss, lack of news and connectedness is...

:: having school cancelled for five days straight is incredibly stressful...

:: power executives sometimes hide the truth and are not always good at communicating...

:: mother nature can be exceptionally surprising and relentless and beautiful all at the same time.

 

We're basking in the glow of the lights in our home this weekend, while wondering why most of our street is still without power. Feeling lucky, loved and ready to get back to normal. I hope this weekend finds you surrounded by warmth, light and all things you love. 

let's hope for light at the end of the tunnel...

Sigh... This is the end of day six without power for us. School has been out this week also due to the storm damage and the fact that our High School is being used as a shelter serving hot meals and a bed for those in the community. This has felt long my friends. Our spirits were buoyed by the arrival of a mi-fi so Rob can work, we're just hoping for a little movement and a little good news. I've been so impressed with the way people in our communities have pulled together... Hopefully this feeling of solidarity lasts. I have pictures of our days and a little glimpse into some of the damage for you, hopefully you're not stormed out by now. Keep good thoughts coming this way,fingers and toes crossed for us? Back soon...

love royale

Photo found here 

The best moment from today, by far, for oh so many reasons... that little bridesmaid made my day... did you watch? Happy Friday!  

new and noteworthy

Some Ranunculus flowers scored at Whole Foods... simple joys!

If you haven't noticed (and if you blink you might have missed them, really) there are some new features here on the blog that I've been waiting to share with you.  Now back from my little hiatus, let's take a look around... 

* Amazon... First, something you can't really see, so to speak, on the blog... a new Amazon affiliation. A little note about this... I've always recommended things on this little blog that I love and have always linked (for your convenience) back to the source where I first found them... sometimes Amazon, sometimes not.  I have recently been asked to take part in Amazon's Affiliate Program where I earn a (very, very!) small percentage of all sales made via links through my blog. So, how it works... If you head over to Amazon after clicking on one of my links, I earn based on your purchases. Nothing changes with regard to the content on my blog or the finds I choose to share with you, which is why I felt comfortable becoming part of this program. This just allows me to earn a wee little bit from this blogging I so love while still sharing things that I love with you all... and the program, I feel, isn't intrusive or overtly an advertisement, which is where I am right now with what appears on this site. If you have any questions about this please let me know, I'll be glad to answer what I can! 

* Email... Speaking of email, I've added a teeny tiny link to my email address on the very top right corner of the page. I love reading your comments but if you feel more comfortable emailing me, please do. 

* How Tos... I've added a new page to this little space, really an organized way to keep track of (right now just recipes, though I have a quilt-block tutorial in the works!) things that have been featured on the site. The links are at the header as well...

         

* Goodreads... and finally, I really haven't mentioned a new site that I just adore called Goodreads. The site is really an organizational tool for your book shelves... what you're reading, what you've read and what's on deck in your library.  Upload lists of your books and you can share your feelings about books or as I have done, read some reviews from like minded readers before you purchase/borrow a book.  It's fantastic.  If you join, make sure to send me a link to your page, I'd love to see what you're reading...

Happy Wednesday all... I hope this week finds you loving and embracing the newness of the season, and I so hope the newness on this little corner of my world is helpful and inspirational to you as well.  Enjoy! 

etsy finds tuesday... it's a royal wedding!

Commemorative Tote Bag of Royal Wedding Procession from House That Lars Built Etsy Shop

I'll be waking up on Friday (normal time for this lady!) at 5 am to catch a glimpse of the royal wedding... truth be told, I'm a wee bit excited about it and I haven't really a clue as to why.  We're planning some celebratory scones and tea for breakfast one of us (that's me) will be glued to the telly (it's a telly on Friday you see) faking a British accent and commentating on the dress, the flowers, the pomp, the royals, the Beckhams... and one of us will be rolling his eyes. Luckily Etsy has my Royal Wedding mini-obsession covered and someone needs to convince me that I don't need that tote bag for my knitting supplies, it's too sweet... here are some finds for your crack of dawn viewing party...

Royal Wedding Paper Chains Union Jack Pattern from Nicola Luke Etsy Shop

Royal Wedding Engagement Ring Dessert Plate from House That Lars Built Etsy Shop

London Town Earrings from Signature by Natonia Etsy Shop

Royal Wedding Tea Towel from The Screen Prince Etsy Shop

Set of Six Royal Wedding Souvenir Postcards from Claryce Design Etsy Shop 

Royal Wedding Wills & Kate Coffee Cosy from Cosy Up UK Etsy Shop 

Keep Calm Print from 3 Lambs Graphics Etsy Shop 

Vintage Union Jack Flag and Crown Bracelet from Rezin 8 Designs Etsy Shop 

William and Kate Royal Wedding Print from Taylors Type Etsy Shop

If you're watching on Friday, bleary eyed and barely awake... we're right there with you. I can't wait to feast on the pageantry, though I hope in the midst of it all, Kate and her Prince are able to steal a few moments for themselves.  My guy will likely be sweeping me off my feet with his scones... and our Welsh import will likely be alternately snuggling and sleeping and growling... not so glamourous but so perfect. Happy viewing... Cheers! 

special treat

Those mini banana cream pies were dessert tonight while we watched some basketball (go UCONN!). Rob spent the evening making pie crust, custard, candied bananas... to make the most amazing dessert... just because I asked... sigh. They were so tasty, so unexpectedly flavorful, think cinnamon and nutmeg custard not the vanilla/fake banana pudding I thought they would have at the base... (when I mentioned this to Rob he said, "did you read the recipe before you asked for these? Sheepish...) you really have to try these. Recipe found here. While we're not eating the spoils of Rob's kitchen adventures, we managed to get a closet cleaned, some words with friends games started (the waiting in that game kills me...), some papers graded and some pictures of fabric taken. Such a lovely, quiet and treasured weekend so far... I hope you are enjoying these days as much as we are!