I just returned from teaching for the Birmingham Quilts Guild in Alabama, http://bhamquilters.com. What a pleasant group of ladies to be around. What they say about southern hospitality is so true. I witnessed things that prove that southern hospitality is still alive and kicking! I made some wonderful new friends and got to see some old friends as well. My guild contact, Judy, did a great job of organizing my trip to her guild. Everything ran smoothly.
Unfortunately I did not get out and about much to see more than just the Hampton Inn. The guild held their workshops in the conference room at the hotel where I stayed. Even though I did not get to see much of the area it was wonderful to just ride down on the elevator each morning from my hotel room to the classroom. I loved it.
On Tuesday evening I had the pleasure of dining out with Penny and M.E. at Brio’s. I am here to tell you that if you are in the Birmingham area, where I am certain there are lots of great restaurants, you should really check out Brio’s. The atmosphere and the food were to die for. I had a crab encrusted mahi-mahi that just melted in my mouth. The vegetables under the mahi-mahi were asparagus, sweet potatoes and tomatoes done to perfection. Is your mouth watering? It should be. And the lobster bisque was heavenly. Here is the website for Brio’s http://www.brioitalian.com/location.html?id=4
For those of you who read my blog often you know I frequently write book reviews. And when I am teaching I usually ask my students, while they are sewing, if they have read any good books lately. When I asked my applique classes held in Birmingham I could not believe the list of books I brought home with me. These ladies gave me lots and lots of new titles and authors. I can hardly wait to investigate some new authors based on their recommendations.
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I recently finished listening to one of James Patterson and Neil McMahon’s books called “Toys”. When it first started I was a little skeptical but as I continued to listen I got into the story. The story line is certainly a little different, but interesting. Hays Baker has the prefect life. The perfect family. The perfect looks and is one of the Elite. The Elites are above humans. They look down on humans. Just when Hays thinks he’s on top of the world things come crashing down. He’s now in the fight of his life trying to save the humans.
On my drive home from New York I finished listening to Lee Child’s newest book, “The Affair”. This is another in the Reacher series. This book takes us back in time to 1997 when Reacher was still in the army and he was sent on a mission in Mississippi. A young woman is dead and a soldier is suspected of murdering her. Reacher is part of the military police and investigates the murder, which leads to other murders and things get exciting. The local sheriff and Reacher have a nice little fling and things get pretty heated. I am a big fan of Lee Child’s writing and the Reacher character.
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I was only home for two days before I headed back out. This trip took me to Long Island, New York. If I said it before I’m still going to say it again…I really do not like driving any where around New York City. They are the world’s most aggressive drives. My jaw hurts from clenching my teeth while trying to stay out of the way of people who are in a hurry to get no where important. I’m sure of it.
But, my trip to the Long Island Quilter’s Society was worth it just to see the quilt Joan Engel made from my now out of print book, Applique Basics: Flower Wreaths. I taught a workshop many years ago at this guild and Joan took the workshop to make one of the blocks. She purchased the book and went on to make this fabulous quilt. Thank you so much for sharing your quilt Joan. It really did make my trip.
In a couple of days I’m off to North Carolina. I’m heading to Raleigh. And then I’m going to be home for an entire week. I won’t know how to act!