Viva Las Vegas!

Last weekend I went to Las Vegas for a conference for work.  It was my first time in Las Vegas, other than a couple of layovers -- and those times I was only in the airport.  Between the gate and baggage claim, I passed a bunch of slot machines and at least two Starbucks.  I think I had to walk two miles to get my bag.

This is baggage claim.  I thought I was in Times Square in New York.

The view from my room .. on the 32nd floor.

And another view, this time of the bamboo pool on the 14th floor.  Didn't go swimming but the weather was nice enough. 

This is from inside the Venetian.  They have canals too with gondolas and everything.

I would go back, but I am definitely NOT a Vegas person.  There is too much.  Just too much.   I found it over the top.  I'm glad I went, but not planning any return trips.

Favorite Things Friday

My favorite this week is being home.  I've searched my computer and picasa for a picture of home, but couldn't find one, so let's just leave it at that.

I was in Las Vegas last weekend and two weeks before that in Indianapolis.  I had a good time in both places but "there's no place like home".

So if you want to see other favorites, click here and go to Quilting in My Pyjamas .. or link up and share your favorite. 

The List

So, last weekend I completed two more items on my list for 2011.

I completed #51"go to the Shreve's wedding", which I posted about in one of my previous posts, and on the same weekend I completed #23 "Try a different color of toe nail polish".

excuse my feet but I needed to show the polish!! I normally stick with red with a flower, or even blue with a snowflake, but I chose purple with a tornado on it.

I will complete another this coming weekend when I go to Las Vegas for a conference .. I'm quite excited.

Favorite Things Friday

I have two favorites this week .. soup .. and special surprises.  I came home from work only to find out that I was going to have the house to myself tonight.  I should be sewing but instead I'm cooking (and blogging).  

After my last post where I said I made butternut squash soup, I got a comment about pumpkin soup -- apparently butternut squash goes by the name of pumpkin in Australia .. so I decided to make pumpkin soup tonight from a little orange pumpkin.  I've never made pumpkin soup before but I imagine it will be very much like the butternut squash soup.  I'm also roasting the seeds for another tasty treat.  I want to make apple crisp too .. we'll see.  Maybe I'll sew instead.

Having the night to myself is a real treat .. 

Check out others' favorites at Quilting in My Pyjamas, here.  Or better yet, join in and share your favorite.

Weekend in Indianapolis, Pt. 2

Also, while in Indianapolis this weekend, my niece Katie and I collaborated on a quilt.  and, tada, here it is ..  shades of purple is finished .. 

front

back

On Sunday, after working on the quilt, we took a tour of Indy, which took us to the library.

The library! Amazing!

Jay is almost too big to go to the library ...

The view from the library ..

We stopped for ice cream and then we went to pick pumpkins to have a "harvest" party ...

We had two different soups for dinner -- Chili and Butternut Squash.  It was supposed to be a cook off, but the soups were so different that we couldn't judge.  I worked on sewing the binding of shades of purple while the cooking was going on.

Unfortunately, we ran out of time and didn't get the pumpkins carved.  But we did finish the quilt!

Weekend in Indianapolis, Pt. 1

I spent this past weekend in Indianapolis for my nephew Joe's wedding.  The weather was beautiful and the wedding was too!

The centerpiece on the table.

The lovely corsage that I was given.  I was so honored to be even a small part of the wedding.

And somehow I didn't get any pictures of the bride & groom or the mother of the groom, so I stole this picture from here.

The Back

Katie sent me some fabric to make the back for a quilt she's making, and here it is.

For me quilting is like reading, I get started (sometimes slow, sometimes faster), then I really get into it, and then get anxious to finish, then I finish, and then I wish I spent more time enjoying it .. or wish I had another one to do ..

15 Minute Challenge - Oct 4

Tuesday - crashed on the couch
Wednesday - crashed on the couch
Thursday - four "out of time" blocks
Friday - nothing
Saturday - nothing
Sunday - eight "out of time" blocks
Monday - planned quilt back*

Another disappointing week.  I had planned to spend a lot of time on Sunday, but ended up just lazing around most of the day.  Watched a lot of football; took a nap.  I think I need a shot of motivation.

I think I might be a day late this week with the challenge, but to see what other people have been up to, check out Life in Pieces..

*Katie is letting me help her with a quilt .. I get to make the back.  She sent me the fabric and I get to put it together.  I hope she likes what I'm doing.  Anyway, worked on it tonight .. almost finished it.  Will post a picture when I get the "okay" from Katie.