Thursday, July 04, 2013

Independence Day 2013

Summer is in full swing... Today is a great day to catch up---

May 31st - Mr. Ripley turn One year old....

While some may think this a face only a  mother could love-- he warms my heart.  When Ransom died, I thought my world ended-- enter stage left - Ripley... Good Natured.... eager to please.. the Gentle Giant. He's beautiful.

And He loves Bruno....

And truth be told-- sometimes Bruno is not easy to love....;)

Today is a holiday.. We spent half the day at the lake with friends.  Good food and company.  Don and I both have to work tomorrow so we're home cooking ribs on the grill as I type.

Summertime is filled with porch time for us.  We had a rug under our grouping...but Ripley sometimes"redecorates" and gets a little destructive. So I did not put the rug down this summer.
Don built me a coffee table in its place.  I love it.

We went on a weekend trip a couple of weeks ago to Prairie Du Chein Wisconsin.  I found a set of used wheels for my buggy out front.  So We spent the night at the northern end of the Mississippi River.  We could see it from our hotel room.  I did not even 'google' quilt shops.  I didn't want or need anything. I was grateful for the wheels-- enough.

But.... On the way home--- out of know where--- I didn't even see the shop on the way down---

This shop appeared.  It's only been opened about three months the owner said.  It had the biggest selection of vintage machines I had ever seen.  I saw this book and noticed I had almost every quilt pinned in my Pinterest account.  It's a great book and to support the shop--- I purchased it.  

The shop is so big. I said, "You must have a really impressive guild in the area." 
The Shopkeeper said, " No-the owner just has a real  love of  quilting."
The shop is in the middle of a really small area surrounded by corn fields, but twice while I was there two quilters came running in frantic, " I was just a quarter of a yard short--- can you cut me a yard of this " and laid a bolt on the counter.  This shop is a gift to those quilters... If you ever hit the area -- it's completely worth the stop.

9 comments:

Karen said...

I like those dishes. I used to have patriotic dishes but I just did not have room for storage when we moved to a smaller home. I would have several sets of dishes if I had room to keep them. For all the holidays would be oh so nice.

Bonnie K said...

Ripley is a real beauty. It must be something with the breed, because Ella just wants everyone to be happy. I can imagine your joy at finding a matched set of wheels. I love old wheels. As for the quilt shop, I would be in heaven. Thanks for sharing.

Bonnie K said...

P.S. Our water tank started leaking so I filled the bottom with junk, put down a layer of straw, and then compost. I planted pumpkins and zinnias. So far so good.

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

I am really liking that table your Sweetie made for you. Maybe I can talk mine into one as well. I think Ripley is adorable!

MARCIE said...

So good of you to support that new shop. Lol! It does sound like a winner! Nice that you had such a lovely little trip. Love your display of patriotic dishes! And i would love to find a wagon wheel. I need to visit the midwest again.

Kindred Quilts said...

I'm so behind on reading blogs... hope you had a wonderful 4th of July!
Looks like I will be adding another Wisconsin quilt shop to my list of places to visit! Thanks for the info.
Ripley is the most adorable looking dog... or should I say handsome!

Primitive Stars said...

Hello, you found my blog now I came to see yours, love it.....what a beautiful fur baby, happy Bday Ripley......Love the name of your blog, things I do adore, Blessings Francine.

Unknown said...

I just purchased that book too...love everything quilt in it!

Lorraine said...

Ripley is gorgeous and looks every inch the gentle giant. Love the book - love the internet - love that now I have ordered the book and am looking forward to it arriving in my mailbox soon!