Happy 2011

Now that we get a chance to start a new calendar, let me wish you all a happy 2011. We still be the same people tomorrow with same friends, families, and life; but I hope this will be chance to make everything better. May 2011 be a great year for all of us.

Agora que temos a chance de começar uma nova agenda, quero desejar a todos um feliz 2011. Seremos as mesmas pessoas amanhã com os mesmos amigos, familias, e vidas; mas eu desejo que esta seja uma oportunidade de fazermos tudo melhor. Que 2011 seja um ano maravilhoso para todos nós.

December work and play

These are the 2 quilts I am working on this month. Who needs to get stressed over the holidays?

Photo below is the mystery quilt by Bonnie Hunt from Quiltsville blog. It is called Roll-Roll-Cotton Bowl. From left to right are my samples of steps 1-4. I am making half of the recommended number of pieces because I don't want a bed size quilt. My fabrics are 1930's reproduction given to me by a dear friend.

Roll-Roll- Cotton- Bowl 30's

Stars and Sprigs

The appliqué blocks above are blocks 13-15 of my Starts and Sprigs quilt; and a few stars that will go among the sprigs. This is a design by Kim McLean.
I am not baking cookies and all that this year. Just trying to keep the health and weight in check for the year. Making delicious soups to keep this cold out of the bones:-)
Just focusing on friends and family and moderation on the food intake with  fewer desserts. I hope it will work.

Netherlands2- Amsterdam

The little movie is Harllem, a town just outside Amsterdam. It is beautiful, lots to see and do. This mill is a museum. We were lucky to be there when it was operating on a Sunday morning. The other 2 pictures are of the breathtaking Amsterdam. These are 2 of over 400 photos that DH took. My favorite canal is the Prince Canal. If you are coming from the center (Dam) the 3 canals are Lord, Emperor, and Prince. All way too gorgeous! Their Dutch names are very long, so I just think in English.
Amsterdam is an easy city to walk or take the trams. I am not brave enough to bike there. It is hard enough to walk among cars, bikes, trams and tourists. Plus, 2 wheels and below freezing temperatures together are not my idea of fun anyway.
The last picture is of the famous Dutch pancake (pannenkoeken). One was with bacon (speck) and the other apples. DH and I shared them, that is why I have 2 halves. I also recommend the banana one. Add "stroop" or syrup and have a wonderful meal. If you go there in the winter time, make sure you eat the split green pea soup "Erwtensoep." It is only available in the winter and is delicious. It is not a vegetarian dish.
A few years back when I spent some time in the Netherlands, I became a fan of the "La Place" which is a food court for the V&D department store. I don't usually recommend food courts of any kind; but this one is really good. Give it a try if you are in the area.

O filminho acima é de Harllem uma cidadezinha encostadinha em Amsterdam. Este moinho é um museu. Tivemos muita sorte de estar la no domingo de manhã quando ele estava funcionando.
As fotos seguintes são de Amsterdam. Duas das mais de 400 que o maridão tirou. Meu canal favorito é o do Principe. Se você está vindo do centro (Dam) os canais são Lorde, Emperador, Principe. Todos belissimos!
Amsterdam é uma cidade para andar ou pegar um bondinho. Não tenho coragem de andar de bicicletas la. Já é dificil o suficiente andar no meio de tanta bicicleta, carro, bonde, e turistas. Além do mais, bicicleta e temperaturas abaixo de zero não são minha idéia de diversão.
A última foto é da minha panqueca favorita, uma metade de bacon e a outra de maçã que dividimos. Coloca-se o stroop por cima e fica uma delicia. A de banana também é divina.

Se você for la no inverno não deixe de comer a sopa de ervilhas verdes. Não é prato vegetariano e só tem no inverno.
Alguns anos atrás quando morei por la, eu fiquei fã da area de refeições da loja V&D que se chama "La Place". Nunca recomendo areas de refeições, mas esta vale a pena.

Star and Sprigs 2

Photographer I am not! I see a New Year's resolution coming up. But this is my progress on my blocks for this quilt. The photo on top shows some of the finished appliqué blocks and 3 of the pieced stars. I have more stars cut out just need time to sew. The photo below shows blocks 11 and 12 completed on a trip to Europe and back. They were missing for 24 hours. They were on my carry on bag that was checked in per airline request; but did not come home until 24 hours later. So happy to see them back. The third one on the right is block 14 all cut up and ready to sew. Block 13 is not pictured yet.

Netherlands 1- Rotterdam

Last week I was in Rotterdam and Amsterdam with DH. It was a lot of fun to be back. This is my favorite view of Rotterdam. I love the "Cube Houses". The bridges are also wonderful, of course; but these buildings speak to me. This city is lovely. You just want to walk around a look at all the buildings. Rotterdam was destroyed during WW II and the rebuilding of the city became a major pride and joy today. It was cold; but the coffee is outstanding, so it is worth it. If you go, don't rent a car. Parking in the center is very expensive (30.00 Euros per night). Meters are .75 Euros for 17 minutes. (Why not 15 minutes I ask?) The traffic jams to go anywhere between Rotterdam and Amsterdam (Gouda, Delft, Den Hague) are huge. So take the Train, Tram, or anything that can move instead of a car. So remember to pack lightly. You have to carry your stuff and the places will be small anyways. Yes. I did buy fabric. More later.