Daily Blog

  0

fShare

Tweet

Judith Baker Montano called to invite Justin and I over for some of Ernest's famous ribs! Would you say no? Just look at the spread! Interestingly enough, that table is sitting right on the spot where a pony was once living. Several years ago the house was a total derelict - a shelter for a pony. Now it's the perfect Victorian cottage.

Jude graciously gave me a copy of her new book, Fabric Montage. I got to share the progress of this book as Jude was writing it. I knew it would be special, but the final result surpasses special - it is AMAZING!. Check it out! Not only did she put about five book's worth of information, but the photography is beyond inspirational. You gotta get her book!

Jude will be featured in the first issue of The Quilt Life (the new magazine that Alex and I are doing with AQS). She has appeared in two TQS episodes - 201 and 507.

Okay, back to the ribs. What do you think the secret ingredient is in Ernest's famous rib sauce? And, if you don't have a guess, what is the secret ingredient in your sauce?

  0

fShare

Tweet

Okay everyone. Alex has been busting a button to get over to open her presents! How gracious and generous you all have been. She's opening yours now. What does she find? And why do you think it is the perfect Alex Anderson gift?

Did you see what I got her? It's in the comments.

  0

fShare

Tweet

Okay everybody - here she comes!

SURPRISE ALEX!!! WHOO HOO, THE TQS FAMILY ARE ALL HERE!

Alex jumps - is stunned and amazed to see so many of you here. She smacks me for making her think she was coming over to select projects next years shows and to finalize an article for The Quilt Life. Nonetheless it's time to sing happy birthday, make a wish and blow out the candles. Alex cuts the first piece of cake and gasp with delight when she discover it's...

p.s. Alex's birthday wish is in the comments.

  0

fShare

Tweet

Welcome to Alex's virtual birthday party. Come on in and make yourself comfortable. Alex will be here in a while. In the meantime would you like something to drink - or a snack? Did you have any problems getting here and did you find a parking spot? Okay - drinks/snacks - what's your pleasure?

  0

fShare

Tweet

Hey everyone! Thursday this week (the 14th) is Alex's birthday. She'll be enjoying all of the festivities at Road to California, but I've decided to throw her a virtual birthday party? Check the Daily Blog three times on Thursday to participate in the party. 

I knew you would want to know in advance because no doubt you'll want to virtually plan what you will wear, what you will bring, and what decadent treats you will enjoy. Alex virtually doesn't suspect a thing. It is a surprise party so be sure to park your virtual car on the next block over so Alex won't suspect a thing. Wink!

  0

fShare

Tweet

New Year's Resolutions! They say accountability is half the battle. So let's all be accountable to each other. Stating it and/or writing it down helps even more. So, here we go! Tell us your New Year's resolution? And, if you want to know what the TQS crew are hoping to achieve - read the comments.

  0

fShare

Tweet

It's Boxing Day (the day after Christmas Day). I'll let our friends from countries who celebrate Boxing Day tell us all about it. What do you do on Boxing Day?

Apparently more folks than usual had a white Christmas. I even had reports of snow in County Donegal in Ireland and my quilter friend in North Wales. Seems like today is a good day for a wassail.

About Wassail and Wassailing.

As is often the case during festive occasions such as Christmas, the holiday spirit seemed to make rich folk a bit more benevolent than usual. Small groups of beggars and orphans would dance through the snowy streets of England singing songs of good cheer. Supposedly, good fortune would come to the master of the house if he would share a drink from his wassail bowl. Often the master would offer a penny, a bite of pork pie, or allow the children to stand beside the warm hearth. The wassail bowl itself was a hearty combination of hot ale or beer and spices and mead, just alcoholic enough to warm the tingling toes and fingers of the singers. The word "Wassail" means good health.

Let's have a Wassail! Here's to health! Enjoy the video of Here We Come A Wassailing from last weekend's concerts. Length 3:55

  0

fShare

Tweet

Photo by TQS member hatshepsut.

My most memorable Christmas was when I was about 8 years old. My family and I were at my great aunt’s house for the traditional Christmas celebration. The night was cold and it was snowing pretty hard. The living room was filled with 3 generations of family and I remember staring out the front window looking for Santa. The room was dimly lit and my uncle would start the whole family off in singing Christmas carols.

I’m now 45 years old with 2 daughters of my own and we still celebrate Christmas the same way with the same traditions. The only difference now is I’m no longer the younger generation. There isn’t much difference between that Christmas when I was 8 and how I celebrate now. But for some unknown reason I will always remember that Christmas as being the most special. I think it has to do with people who were there that are no longer in my life. Rick Mahal from Lombard, Illinois.

  0

fShare

Tweet

Photo by TQS member eyeonquilts. Share your holiday quilts or holiday photos HERE.

I grew up in a town that sets the bar for the definition of small town. It had the grand total of no more than 2000 people when I was growing up. The town is called Juana Diaz, in Puerto Rico. We didn't have the changing seasons or the possibility of a white Christmas, but we did have a lot of Christmas cheer, music and food. 

The Town of Juana Diaz is known for the celebration of the Three Wise Men day (Epiphany day) on January 6th. On this day 3 selected residents dress as the wise men and join a parade of shepperds of all sizes down the streets of the town and ends with an outdoors mass and typical food of all kinds. It lasts all day. It was a safe celebration where everyone was looking out for the kids playing around. As a little kid in the 60's I don't remember a Santa Claus celebration - all the treats were saved for Epiphany day.

I can not be there now, but my mother keeps my spirit up sending me an image of the 3 wise men every year. I can not display them all now, because in 23 years living away from home you can accululate quite a few. Maria from Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico.

Read more stories like this and share your story too - HERE

Purchase Ricky's New Christmas CD HERE.

  0

fShare

Tweet

A photo I took from our driveway of our neighbors barn.

Listen to the entire Christmas In A Small Town record for FREE! - now through midnight on Christmas. My gift to you. Wishing you all a VERY Merry Christmas! Pump up the volume!

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN!