NYC Continues

This morning I had time to sleep in. So as you know, I got up and blogged. Finally DH got back to the hotel and we took the 1:30 er, I mean 2:00 (they have not been on time once yet) bus into the city. It was gray and drizzly but I didn't care as I was with my sweetie and we were going to explore the city. So much for that, it began to POUR and us with no umbrella's. YIKES. Originally we were heading for Central Park, but it was just too far in the rain and what were we going to do there in the dounpour anyway right? I mean I had water dripping off my entire face! So we headed for this place, Carnegi's deli.

Many of my friends said to go and eat here. Just make sure you bring lots of cash! The sandwiches were very expensive and they did NOT take anything except for cash. Here is what we got. The first one is mine, corned beef with swiss cheese and DH got the Woody Allen (corned beef and pastrami) I have to say this was one expensive meal but there is enough for BOYH of us to eat lunch and then some tomorrow! Now we have a deli in Ann Arbor called Zingerman's Deli. I happen to think it is every bit as good as this deli and not quite so expensive. If you are ever in Ann Arbor you need to try it.


We were so stuffed there was no room for dessert. I could not believe my eyes when the people next to us (who all got a sandwich and shared onion rings, french fries and mashed potatoes too, there were 4 of them) each ordered dessert. 3 pieces of cheesecake and one chocolate mousse. I really wanted to try the cheesecake but I was so stuffed and one piece was like $9!! so we passed. I will probably regret it tomorrow, but what's done is done.

Now the rain had stopped and we were on our way again. There was a very beautiful church, St. Thomas that we found on our way to St. Patrick's. There was a wedding and the groom must have been a Scotsman as the entire grooms party were wearing kilts. *SIGH* what is it about men in kilts that gets my blood hot??!! TMI?? Sorry, *giggle*. Anyway there are more photos on Flickr if you want to see. I even snapped a shot of the men in their kilts!

Next stop St Patrick's cathedral. This one did not disappoint! It is very grand and very beautiful! I didn't even wait for DH just ran up the stairs and into the church. The inside was just magnificant!

The photo on the left is the alter, the one on the right a shrine to St Brigid. It was so amazing. I love old churches anyway and could have spent a LONG time in there but DH gave me just enough time to go up and down the isles. I did sneak in a few minutes to kneel and say a quick prayer, but how could I resist?

Then we moved on to Rockefeller Plaza and the ice rink. Some gentleman was nice enough to take our picture. Now mind you I had done my hair and makeup but pfffttt, stupid rain, 'nuff said!

As we were walking away, we passed the ginormous tree. See all the scaffolding around it? That's how they decorate it! Then I looked up. WOW! What an amazing photo opportunity! How spectacular does the Rockefeller building look in this pic??

We were certainly seeing all the "sights" and as we passed the Radio City Music hall I quickly snapped this pic to show you too.

I really wanted to go the the American Girl Place. I know, my girls are not *that* age anymore but...there were 2 things I wanted to get for DD2. You have to promise not to tell...oh I better not, I know she sometimes reads this. I'll show you at Christmas time, sorry.

Now I was really excited about this. We found the FOX News studio and guess what? Bret Bair was actually doing the news. I would have liked to see Sean Hannity or Glann Beck but I don't think they are around on Saturdays, bummer! I t was exciting none the less to see where some of my favorites hang out to do their work! Hi Glenn, Hi Sean!!

Last but not least we were back in Times Square and on our way back to the bus station. I was exhausted! Again!! Even more so tonight because we did even more walking than I did the day before and my feet were screaming "no more" by the time we go to the bus station. And of course we went to the wrong floor and then had to hurry back to the right place (they make you go in a circle and it is like trying to find your terminal at a LARGE airport, there were 3 floors!) So when we finally go there I was so happy to get on the bus and sit down!

DH and I were trying to decide if we want one more day in the city or if we should leave for the Finger Lakes tomorrow after he finishes his school. It would give us a little more time there to explore if we leave tomorrow and we would be there all day on Monday. I am fairly confident this will be the end decision so, as we were traveling down the Lincoln Tunnel (of which there are 4 so I have no idea why it is not tunnel(s) plural) I say a fond farewell to the Big Apple! I had a great time and look forward to returning some day, maybe when there is not a hurricane dumping TONS of water on the city, but you never know.


DH is snoring away so I got up to write this before I go to bed tonight. Hope you are all enjoying the trip. I know I am. I am going to go to bed now, more with our adventure tomorrow so stay tuned. Like I said more photos on Flickr.

Day 3 in NYC

So my big adventure continued yesterday in a BIG way! I was so exhausted that I couldn't upload or post yesterday, so sorry, but I got to sleep in this morning (yes 6:30is sleeping in), had some food and took a shower and am now ready to share my day and virtual tour with you. Ready? Grab a cuppa and here we go. I caught the bus over to NYC and the first place I went was the Empire State Building. I apologize but the day was extremely dark and gloomy and rainy so the photos are very gray. All that being said, here was one of the views from the top of the Empire State Building. Also, there are a ton more photos on my Flickr account if you want to see them all. Because I went so early there was no line at all and I got to go right up to the top. the view was breathtaking (and it was very windy) I was afraid my bag would blow off the top!! Here is one view, you can see the Chrysler building. (The pointy one) and the Manhattan skyline that is so famous.

This is actually the tippy top of the Empire State Building (wow the things I do for you guys!)

I was totally fascinated by the floors in this building too. This is one of the medallions put into the floors. The wood? or tiles that looked like wood were amazingly beautiful (maybe only quilters will appreciate these insights, eh?) My photos don't even do justice to how beautiful this and the rest of the floors were. There were cool quilt patterns all over their floors (see Flickr). also, in one of the elevators the wall was made of marble and there was a marble version of the Empire State building. I felt a little foolish taking a photo of the elevator wall but, thought you might like to see it too.


Well, there is just so much you can do there is just so much you can do right? So I started walking and trying to find my way in the Big Apple. first stop, the Garment District. That meant a stop at M & J Trimmings. It was truly an amazing shop. Tons of trim and buttons and crystals and whatever you could think of as "trim". Prices were not as good as I had hoped so I left without purchasing anything, but it was fun to look! (More on Flickr)

Then as I was heading to The City Quilter I found a bead shop. No big deal since I don't bead but amazing stones caught my eye. Ut-Oh. I LOVE rocks and stones, hmmm lets just go inside and take a peek (sorry I forgot to take a photo as I was so enthralled with the stones). I got some beautiful things for gifts that I can't really share here as photos but there was some glass pieces and some amber pieces and that's all I can say.

So *now* off to City Quilter. YEAH! I found it on my own! It was not a very big shop but it was a nice one. I asked if there were any others in NYC and they said yes, but it was much smaller (smaller? really? Obviously they have not seen a BIG shop!) I bought a few things but no pictures yet. I think I will take pics of my purchases when I get home and share them with you then.

So I left City Quilter to find the bus stop to go to Ground Zero but on my walk I saw this, a Home Depot. The Home Depot near my house sure doesn't look like this!

Next stop Ground Zero. In case you don't know what that is (not sure who wouldn't know but just in case) this is were the twin towers of the World Trade Center stood before the terrorist attack on them September 11. What you see here is the rebuilding going on. The shiny building to the right is one of the replacement buildings, I think they called it the Freedom Tower. The gaping holes there were incredible to see. I took an audio tour where you take a machine and walk while someone narrates then I went into the visitor center which is where they have info on the terrorist attack and the people that died there. There are many more pics on Flickr. Interestingly there is a little church right next to where this all happened and it was not touched...at all. I did not get a picture but it was incredible since most of the other buildings near ground zero had windows blown out or some kind of damage. Survivors were taken there after the attack. Very faith inspiring!

I did the audio tour first, then I went into the visitor center. It was an incredibly moving visit. I did not know anyone that was killed that day but as I walked through the center, I cried. I cried for the loss of life, the changes of those families, the change for America, and it was very overwhelming. There were the posters people put up looking for their loved ones, things found at the site like a teddy bear, shoes, lunch receipts, personal effects and lots of pictures and videos. Just amazing. I am so happy that George W Bush was our president at the time. He summed up how we all felt in this quote,

They had this photo of 2 waterfall pools that will be where the twin towers once stood. The waterfall will drop 30 feet into a reflecting pool. It will be beautiful when it is finished and a peaceful way to remember the tragedy that took place here.

Also inside were all these paper cranes. You may know the story of the young girl from Japan (Sadako Sasaki) that made the 1000 paper cranes hoping they would find a cure for her cancer. (Read about her here) These cranes were sent by Japanese children, in an effort coordinated by this girl's brother, and sent to comfort and send hope to the families affected by the attack. He even sent one of the original cranes his sister had made for him and it was about half an inch tall. These were beautiful. It was a very emotional time in there!

Then I had to catch the bus back to the ticket office so I could get back to NJ. I didn't get a good pic of this the other day, so now you can see the United Nations building. I know, there are no flags out, that's because they take them down at 4pm each day.

The last photo of the day was a shot of the Chrysler building as the bus zoomed past it. I got off by Rockefeller Center with some really nice Irish people I met, and I had to make a mad dash for the bus back.


I made the bus and made it back to the hotel. I am now done with my tour for today. I have to go and get ready to go back into the city with DH. He will be finished around 1 and we will go on the public bus back to the city for some shopping! I am excited to go into the city with him. He said as he left this morning, "but you have already seen everything", Oh but I haven't! I still have a few places on my list as well as some places to eat.

Hope you are enjoying my virtual tour!!

NYC Day one

Today was my first day in NYC proper. I took a bus from my hotel in NJ and got onto the Gray Line bus express to go to the Statue of Liberty. Here I am waiting at Times Square. See the New Years Eve Ball in the background?

First stop, Battery Park. This monument is a piece of the Wrold Trade Center. Amazing how damaged it was.

Nest was to board the ferry to Liberty Island. I got there and found out that my tour included the ferry but not the inside of the statue. Oh no!! all this way and I can't go into the museum? Well, I went to the National Parks building and spoke with "Larry" (a park ranger.) We spoke and he gave me a pass to go up in the base of the statue. (no one could go up to the crown today as the ellevator was broken.) It was COLD and rainy but she was beautiful! So interesting to see her in all her glory. Again, more photos are on my Flickr. (see previous post). There was a mock up of a quilt that was made to commemorate her too. It is just paper now as the original is old and put away for conservation. Quilts seem to be everywhere in history, huh?

In the museum was this. Know what it is? A torch you say? Well duh! But it is the original torch. The one she is holding now was from the renovation. It is HUGE!


Next stop was Ellis Island. Immigrants came through here for many years including (I think) some of my own realaives. This is how the island looks as you approach it. This is a view of the Statue from Ellis Island.

Inside the processing building is the Registry Room. It was enormous. All immigrants processed through here. Truly incredible. I wish I had had more time to tour through it. I had to be at the bus station at a certain time to catch my bus back to my hotel so I had to leave only spending about 2 hours there. I could have spent so much more time there!

This is the front of the building. It was a beautiful building. Looking at all the exhibits makes you realize how frustrated our ancestors must have been and how difficult coming here was. Obviously they came for better lives. You can appreciate how much freedom meant to them after viewing this whole exhibit. Makes me even more concerned over the path our country is not taking.

Then back to the bus and around the loop of the city. There are lots of pics but here are the highlights. The tree went up at Rockefeller Center today.

Here is a view of Central Park.

Remember the pic of DH in the chairs outside of Cheeseburger In Paradise? Well they contacted me and want to know if they can use that photo on their Facebook fan page! Wild huh? DH will be a star!

The adventure continues tomorrow!!

We made it to NJ!

We left our house around 7:30 this am and headed out for NJ. Our hotel is in Secacus, NJ, just across the river from NYC. We stopped in Pennsylvania (PA) at the information rest area and I took some photos there. All the pics from the trip will be on my flickr so you can go and see them all if you want to, highlights only here! It was a gorgeous sunny day and I was with my honey and I got to listen to Glenn, Rush and Sean all the way here! We saw lots of dead things on the way including a porcupine!! What a day. In addition, DH made a stop at a quilt shop for me too. I bought a half yard of some black fabric and I will share it soon, I promise. It is black on black cat fabric. I also got a book that I have been looking for "Make any block any size." Pennsylvania is a beautiful state. We drove though some amazing country taking I80 including the Pocono Mountains. Just breathtaking. I need to come back and do some exploring here for sure!!

We arrived around 6pm at the hotel. Wow you NJ folks need to settle down a little bit when you drive! The drivers here are crazy, crazy!! They just go, and you better get out of the way. Everything is fast and furious like your life depended on getting to wherever you are going and you need to have been there like half an hour ago. I could NOT do that every day. I thought Detroit was bad, we look like a bunch of grandmas compared to the drivers of NJ and DH says it is much worse in NYC. I'll take the bus or walk thank you very much!!

We went out to dinner at Cheeseburger in Paradise and here is a shot of DH enjoying a chair on our way out. Aren't they neat? Nice eye candy too ; )


I booked a 48 hour tour with the Greyline tours. You can hop on and off and I am on my own for the next 2 days so thought this would work just fine for me. The first place for me tomorrow is the Statue of Liberty followed by Ellis Island. Then I will play it by ear. Found a Gossip Girl tour but I think I can figure it out with a map, we'll see. I definately want to go to City Quilts too but that may not be tomorrow. So much to see and do!!

I leave you with the view from our hotel room window. See the red, white and blue lit building? The Empire State Building! Good night everyone and I will talk to you tomorrow!!

Hey There

Time to catch up, ok? On Friday Cori came by and picked me up and then we got PTM and we all went to Checker. Cori has an online shop and PTM and I are now the buyers for LTW (and for ourselves too, of course). PTM and I picked up our pre-order and then I did something I have never done before, take a deep breath...I bought 4 bolts of fabric!!! You read that right, 4. Now I feel the need to explain. I had purchased a bolt of Kona Snow the last time we were there in August, but I have used it all up! One of the bolts I bought was another one of those. Then there was a snow colored pin dot by Lakehouse that I needed. I think the embroidery for Vintage Halloween will look great on that. Then, on a total whim, I bought a bolt from a line by South Seas Imports line called Castles and Carriages (I got the ivory one). If you haven't seen it yet go to SSI and check it out. ADORABLE. Not sure what I will use this one for but I like using these kinds of neutrals in other projects. I had a Peter Rabbit one that I used quite a lot. The last one is a University of Texas orange. I am thinking about writing the pattern and maybe either having the fabrics available or kitting it up. It is difficult to find that orange.

ACK! I spent a lot of money. I hope I can recoup soon!!

I have been working on my Swanky UFO and have 5 rows done so far. Progress, even if it is slow.

DH and I are definitely going to NY on Wed. He has school in NJ but I can go out exploring NYC while he studies (wow, which one of us got the good end of that deal hmmm???) So for all you folks that live in or near or just love NYC I need some ideas of what to do. I have some of my own mind you but suggest away. Dinner places, lunch places, quilt shops whatever. My plans as of right now include the garment district, Rockefeller center, Central Park, the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island. I may try to go the Soho (DH says that is where Gossip Girl is from). I will most likely be on my own for lunch so any suggestions would be appreciated. Any shopping places I *need* to go? I am on a budget too you know so just remember that. Probably no Broadway show but maybe next time. One friend suggested the red Apple Tour busses. Is there one tour bus that is better than another one? So much to do and so little time!

To that end, I went and got a hair cut today and she highlighted it too. Makes the gray blend in with the blond and now I don't look so frumpy and old. Then I went to a shop to get a few new shirts and a new pair of pants. While I was there I went to the makeup dept. I ended up buying some skin care products and some new foundation (can't remember the last time I did this, so I was WAY over due!) She also did my makeup. I should have taken a pic, I looked like a hoochie! Wow, WAY too much eye stuff going on. YUCK! My skin feels great now though! Good enough that I spent a couple of hours outside doing yard work. Now that is hard work! I have so much more to do to get the gardens into winter shape! Have you all put your gardens to sleep already?

Oh well, enough blathering on, back to working on Swanky and the laundry!

To Bee or not to Bee?

First I wanted to let you all know, in case you didn't already, the next installment of the My Neighborhood blocks for the month of November are posted on the website. The button on my sideboard should take you there. I hope you like them.

Next, I am skipping out on work tomorrow to go to Checker with PTM and our friend Cori (crazy quilt girl online fabric shop). It should be a fabulous day!

Looks like I am going to get to tag along to NY with DH when he goes to Flight Safety training in NJ next week. He will go to school and I get to explore NYC! Any tips?

Now about this Bee thing. I am intrigued by the notion of an "on line" quilt bee. I am seeing pictures and I am liking what I am seeing. I am still investigating the possibility of (maybe) hosting something like this. Now, all that being said, do any of you have any experience with this and if so please share with me. In addition, is anyone out there actually interested in joining in with me to do something like this?

I need to investigate here first. More later as the Vampire Diaries is on followed by Supernatural and then BED!!

Let me know what you think of the Virtual Bee idea!

Seeing Stars

OK, I just had to share this with all of you.I have been stunt sewing for LTW for the last little while and one of the things I was doing with this light house star quilt. Wait, what I meant to say is that this is the first of 2 of these quilts. This one, using Kona snow for the background was supposed to be for the raffle at U of M, OOPS, my bad. I just could NOT get my act together to get it finished in time. It is off to LTW tomorrow. I hope she likes it.

She had enough of the light house blocks for 2 (well almost) see the star in a star blocks? I was 3 light houses short so I made those up instead. I have to say I really like how this came out using the snow. Now the other one is on a Fossil Fern that has a blue/purple cast to it. It is pretty too but I think this one is my favorite of the 2.

Tonight I had quilting with the CHV ladies (just like every Wednesday) and so I brought the blocks to lay out for the second one. I was able to lay them all out and then get up and down to sew everything together. Well PTM decided she didn't have too much to do so she pinned and brought me the blocks and amazingly they became rows. Eventually those rows became the top!!! Now all I have to do is add the borders and the top will be ready to give to LTW!! I am not going to be at work on Friday so it will have to be when LTW gets back from her vacation but, these babies are almost hers!!!

Wait, what am I going to do once I hand these off? Sheesh, guess I will have to look at the UFO list now and make a plan. All too soon I will have to pick it all up and get ready for the holidays, I need to try to get a couple more in before then.

The Day After Halloween

So yesterday was the day after Halloween. Kind of a let down type of a day for me since I LOVE Halloween so much. We didn't get very many trick-or-treaters how about you? DH and I were home alone too which doesn't happen very often. DD1 went to a friend's up north and she took the dog with her, DD2 was at college and DS went to E. Lansing to see DD2. So I put a few decorations out and we waited for the kids. It was so slow. So few kids, maybe because it was so cold.

Anyway, on Sunday DH had to leave for work and will be home on Tues night so I was alone. I met my friend Shelby and her mom for lunch which was nice. It was good to catch up. Once I got home though I had to decide what to do. I still needed to do laundry so I started there. Then I got to sew while I was waiting for the laundry. I walked into the sewing area to see Mosen laying on my sewing basket. How helpful!


Then I looked around and here was Autumn laying on the computer watching the screen. Oh, she must have gotten bored because she fell asleep there. Maybe she is trying to tell me I need to turn the heat on in my house, eh?


Now on to an idea I have been toying with. Do you remember this quilt I made for my son? He is a HUGE University of Texas fan and wanted that for his quilt. I designed this for him.


I met up with LTW today and she has had several people ask her if she would make this quilt for them or if she had the pattern for it. I can make a pattern for this, (It would be my first attempt at this). I am toying around with kitting this up also. What do you think about that? Selling the pattern and then selling a fabric kit to make the quilt? Do you think anyone would be interested in that? I hate to buy fabric and figure out yardage and all if no one would buy them. Let me know what you all think of my 2 ideas.

Oh...and happy 2 days after Halloween! VBG

It's That Time Again

What time is that, you ask? Time for the annual Pathology Quilt Raffle of course. That's right. The University of Michigan Pathology department will be hosting a fabulous quilt raffle. Last year the quilts raised $13,000! The department raised $33,000. That meant that 33 needy patient families we able to receive $1000 each! How great is that?? If you click on the link it will take you to the raffle site. You can print tickets and send them in the mail to me if you are interested in any of the quilts. There are 30 beautiful quilts, so it's like 30 individual raffles! Neat huh? Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5. Go take a look, it's like a virtual quilt show! (I made #4 along with the CL's)

Go on, you know you want to! = )