Day Trip to Leavenworth, Kansas

Me ... the grown up kid riding on a restored 1913 carousel. It is also the second fastest carousel in the country. 

 

 

 

In our local paper there was an article full of places to see in Leavenworth, Kansas.  http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2012/nov/19/daytripper-first-rate-attractions-first-city-kansa/

One place they recommended was the C. W. Parker Carousel Museum.   It was named one of the "Eight Wonders of Kansas" by the Kansas Sampler Foundation.  C.W. Parker was once the largest manufacturer of carousels and amusements rides in the world.

 

 

Above is a photo of the worlds oldest working carousel. It is an 1850 hand cranked carousel.  This is a look but not ride carousel because of how old it was.

 

 

Both K-State and KU were represented on carousel horses.

 

 

 

You can go just for the carousel ride on the 1913 carousel or take the tour like we did.  The tour was at least 2 1/2 hours long but we really enjoyed it.

 

We also stopped by three other stops featured in the article.  The Corner Pharmacy which has a old-time soda fountain.  The Pullman Restaurant where we had a nice lunch amidst all the train memorabilia.  The Book Barn where we bought some great books. 

 

Not on the list were the two really nice antique stores that we visited also in the downtown.

 

We had a great day and I recommend a day in Leavenworth, Kansas!

 

Show and Tell

Barbara Ross just emailed us these photos today of quilts that she made off my patterns.....and you know I just love show and tell!  At my Quilt guild it's not the business meeting that I am excited about it is the SHOW & TELL.  When we finally get to stand in front of our peers and say Wa-lah!   I did it!  I finished it!  We as fellow quilters (unlike some of our family and friends) know exactly the time, toil and cash that it took to complete this amazing feat.  Yea us!  Yea Barbara and thanks for sharing.

Nutcracker

Josephine just shared this photo with me today.  She made her own version of the nutcracker quilt to fit her wall above her stairs. 

Gingerbread Houses

 

My Granddaughter Rowan and I went to see the Gingerbread House display here in Lawrence, Kansas. We are never disappointed.  The houses were great!   I can only imagine the time involved to make each one.  It is so generous that the artists/bakers of these houses donate their time to help out the Big Brothers Big Sisters here in our town because we all so enjoy it!

If you pushed the button the water wheel would go around.

 

 

I loved this guy!  I loved that they put nuts around his base.  They used the curved part of the candy cane for his arms.

Have a great week and remember to stop and put your feet up and have some hot cocoa and chocolate between shopping trips.  Amy

A lot to be thankful for

 

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I know I did.  I made sure I didn't have just one piece of pecan pie ...but two!  When you only get it once a year you have to live it up. 

I even talked some of the football viewers into playing a board game.  Score!

After the big dinner a bunch of us went on a walk through the pastures to look at a group of my husbands Herefords.  My four year old granddaughter Rowan got to drive the old Ford tractor for the first time.  She did have lots of help from granddad John and our nephew Ben.  She also got to throw hedge apples in the pond.  She was in heaven.  It was in the 70's, sunny and beautiful here in Kansas.

I even ventured out on Black Friday to one whole store.  I bought a sequined sweater....so unlike me.

Have a great weekend!!!!!  Amy

Back from St.Louis

 

I just got back from St. Louis, Missouri where I was invited to give a trunk show and workshop at Merrily We Sew Along.  http://www.merrilywesewalong.com/bernina/   This shop is only one year old but you would never believe it if you walked in the door.  This shop is lovely!   What a bunch of fun ladies.  Merrily Parker has now invited me to both her shops.  I went to her other shop Merrily We Quilt Along in Springfield, Missouri.  http://merrilywequiltalong.com/  I love her customers.  I would go back to both of her shops in a heartbeat!!!

Fun Show and Tell

First thing I want to tell everyone is that my Mom is recovering wonderfully from her quadruple heart surgery.  Family and friends have come through with visits, meals, cards, flowers and plants.  It is nice to have such caring people around because my Mom is at the top of the totem pole for "caring about others".

Every once in awhile I get a surprise in the mail from a fellow quilter.  This is my granddaughter's new doll quilt that Juni Bailey sent me to give to her.  It is an "I Spy" doll quilt.  She makes "I Spy" quilts for charities and she made a miniature one for Rowan.  I love "I Spy" quilts and have been saving scraps to make one some day.  My "some day" list is HUGE!

Thank you Juni!  My granddaughter Rowan gets this tomorrow when she comes to visit.  She will love it!

Jennifer of  http://thequiltedcat.wordpress.com/  just completed my Happy Halloween design.  I love the cool block background material that she found.  She finished it in time for Halloween 2012. Yea!

Thank you Jennifer for sharing your photo!

Christine Fager sent me a photo of my Cowboy design that she made for her grandson.  Lucky grandson! I have not seen the pattern made up in the cowboy twin quilt.  I made up the twin quilt pattern in the cowgirl design for the pattern cover so this was really fun to see.

Thanks Christine for sharing!

Three weeks ago my electric hedge trimmers and I were attacking my bushes in front of my house.  At least that's what these two praying mantis thought as I took off the top layer of their home.  My husband hates how I make neat little squares and circles out of our bushes.  He likes the natural look and I think this couple would agree!  What exactly were they up to under those leaves!!

This is my go-to-bar for scrumptious delicious calorie laden goodness!  They are called S-more Bars and you can find the recipe here.  WARNING:  do not make these for home consumption!!!  Take them somewhere to share.  Your thighs and hips will thank you.  http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/S-more-Bars

Have a great week!  Amy