Optical Illusion Quilts

This year the quilt show had so much beauty, I divided it into smaller groupings to appreciate.  These are not the groups that they have designated, but my choices.  I found it quite interesting that there were a number of optical illusion quilts.  These are not new, they have been around quite a while, not all I am sharing are really optical illusions and I did not include all from the show.  One very popular quilt showed 3 different faces depending on where you were standing.  One direction was Jackie O., then Oprah, then Mother Teresa. I am sure this quilt will be at many shows.

Quilt Show 2019

This is the first good sized quilt show I am attending this year.  It is the Mountain Quiltfest in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and it is the 25th Anniversary.  What I am  sharing today are a few of the modern style quilts in the show.  This is not a modern show, it does have a modern section, but in this grouping of quilts I selected some of my favorite modern quilts.

These are quilts that spoke to me on some level and none of them are mine.  I know a few of the people who made these.  I am not a judge, just enjoy the beauty. These quilts are a variety of sizes and were in a variety of categories and one prettier than the next.

Airport and Airplane Tips

This post has been rumbling around for a while and I am glad to finally get this out.   I have had the ability to do some travel to various parts of the world and I have picked up a couple of tips and tricks.  Some things have changed over the years and some ideas are timeless.  Some of my tips will apply more to business travel and some for that leisure trip to see your favorite aunt.

Be prepared to wait.  If you are traveling alone bring some work, a busy time project or some form of amusement other than electronic.  It can be as simple as a crossword puzzle but it helps time pass while you wait.  If you are traveling with children this is doubly important.  In spite of all the good planing on your part as a traveler and the airlines part, stuff happens that cause delays and cancellations and it is necessary to be flexible as possible.

I occasionally am bad at allowing the two-hour arrival time at smaller airports.  Recently that came back to bite me since everything that could go wrong did.  Traffic getting there was extra heavy,  the lines were long at the counter and I wanted to check a bag.  The line for TSA moved at a snail’s pace and only 1 person was  checking ID’s.  They needed to do an extra pat down on me at the checkpoint.  I ran in stocking feet to the gate and they had already boarded everyone.  I had just enough time to put my shoes on before I boarded the aircraft.  I did have to gate check a bag and held my breath that my electronic item inside would survive intact.

If at all possible pack everything for that long weekend in a backpack.  For children all their entertainment and snacks plus one change of clothes, for a domestic flight, in their own backpack.  Even a 2-year-old can handle that and it empowers them to know they are in charge of their own stuff.  I have done 4 days in London with just a backpack and it is liberating to not have to lug everything you own along.

Try not to bring  shampoo or hand lotion at all if possible.  Hotels have that available, if you are staying with family or friends just let them know  if you have a special need or brand that you can only use.  Also offer to send money to cover the cost for that designer  shampoo you need.

I know some of these sound like pretty basis suggestions, but unless you travel a lot you may not think about the fact that you will have to pay 3 times more for that candy bar at the airport.  Put it in your purse and have it when you are seated on the airplane, also remember that empty water bottle to fill at the nearest fountain once you pass through security.  I always have some kind of snack in my bag so I don’t have to wait for the flight attendant to bring water and pretzels.

I Almost Adulted Today

I think I earned my gold star for adulting today.  If you saw my last post about our 9 month long winter, well, that is very difficult to work around.  So today the temperature finally got a few degrees above freezing, but the wind picked up something awful and there was no sun out, still it was above freezing.  So I went outside for a walk.

 

Almost I have always heard only counts in hand grenades and horseshoes, but today I’ll take it. I bundled up and walked a mile outside.  I know people who work outside and walk their dogs daily, that’s not me. So this gets me  a gold star in my book.

Now, I am off to take a nap to help me get over the side effects of the switch to daylight savings time. That is also hard work and a subject for another day,  It must be hot chocolate and nap time so I can dream of my next adventure somewhere.

 

 

Dressing For Winter

Since here in the Midwest we are in the 9th month of winter this year, I thought I might talk about what we wear. Layers, layers and more layers. Start with socks, I pair wool and 1 pair of cotton or whatever, then the boots.  Leggings with pants over that.  At least a t-shirt type with a heavy wool sweater over it.  Next comes the outerwear.  How many layers of puffy coats are too much?

I was recently waiting for a friend at the train station and was just looking at what all the people coming off the train were wearing. Most, male and female, were wearing puffy coats, some with hoods, most without.  About 80%, with no accurate data to back up my percentages, were dark colored.  The pale blue and grey and white really stood out.  About half wore boots and the rest gym shoes, I guess they are easier to wash the salt off.

In my half hour wait I saw 2 people with no outerwear, neither coats or hats.  The outside temperature at that time was +5 degrees F.  I thoroughly enjoyed the people who wore unique hats or totally coordinated pants and jacket and gloves.  They really looked put together and still stayed warm.

Do you have a favorite look for winter?

Is it cold now in your part of the world?