March 16th was National Quilting Day – to honor this day and to have some fun, 10 friends – some new friends and some old friends loaded into 2 cars and went on a road trip. We started our journey at 7:00 AM. We all live in southern Maine not far from the coast, our destination was the mountains of New Hampshire. QUILT SHOPS!!!

Our first stop was the Attic Cat which is in Effingham, NH. The road or roads to the Attic Cat are windy and hilly. I am not sure if I would have ever found it if I didn’t have capable co-pilots with me. What an adorable little shop, the Attic Cat was offering a 25% discount off of your total purchase. Loads of lovely fabrics, books and tools. We all did some damage to our bank accounts when we stopped there. We left inspired to quilt and to shop some more.

Next stop was a quilt shop known to many – Keepsake Quilting (www.keepsakequilting.com) in Center Harbor, NH on the coast of Lake Winnipesaukee. Many of you, I am sure have seen their catalog, flipped through the pages looking longingly at the quilts and fabrics. The first place we headed was the SALE room. We wanted to snatch up any wonderful kits, fat quarters or yardage that was not only on sale but also 20% off. Such bargains, such dreams of wonderful completed quilts. We all did some damage in this area as well. I bought several kits to make quilts with. One is very intricate and sort of modern, the other is very traditional and made with 30’s fabrics. I can’t wait to start both of them.

Quick break for lunch at a lovely restaurant called the Canoe which sits on the edge of the Lake. Very nice views of both the lakes and the mountains. We were all hungry but also anxious to get back to shopping. We had so much fun discussing our purchases and our quilts and getting to know each other better.

Back to Keepsake for the final hit of the day. Purchases made, bags stuffed into the car and off we go. One friend mentions that there is another quilt shop that maybe open just over the bridge in Laconia. The Quilted Frog. Ladies, do we want to stop? Of course, we are here, why not? As we piled out of the car and into the shop the owners thought that maybe a bus had arrived. Once again purchases were made, and bags were stuffed into the car. We decided that this had to be the last stop because there was no room left in the car.

We were headed home – laughing all the way. What a wonderful day we had. Good company, beautiful fabric and quilts and lots and lots of laughs!

Thanks Ladies for a wonderful time!

The next part of my journey took me to Florida to visit family.  My husband and I traveled the day after a snow storm to Florida.  It was a trip that took a few hours longer than expected but we got there.  Plane de-icing and missed connections and all.

It was so wonderful to walk on the beach with our feet in the water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had some company for part of the walk.

This beautiful Heron decided to walk with us for a bit.  I think he thought we had some food foe him.  Since I don’t think Heron’s drink wine he was out of luck with us.  Isn’t he a beauty though!  The birds are so tame it amazes me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a wonderful but short vacation – we visited with family, laughed alot, ate good food and too many desserts but that is what vacation is for.

Have a very Happy Easter!  I hope where ever you are spring is on its way.  We may have to wait here in Maine because there is still alot of snow left to melt.

Be Kind…

Faith