Tail gating vs. Tail Wagging

We used to have NY Giants season tickets. I used to look forward to Sumday games, packing goodies in a cooler along with beverages, blankets if it was cold, and our collapsible chairs to do some tailgating pre-game. It was fun to watch how everyone gets set up and parties heartily before the games. We met some very interesting people at these games. Eventually, 45 minutes before the game we would secure the vehicle, walk the walk, and wander through the gates after surrendering our tickets to be scanned. I loved walking to our end zone seats in row 25. We'd greet our usual seat mates and eTch the goings on of warm ups, preparations and people watch. I loved the early autumn games, while it was still warm and sunny weather. I wasn't so crazy about the really cold, windy, wintery weather games. When everyone is bundled up like sleeping bags and the seating is really tight.

I really enjoyed the thunder of the crowds, singing the National Anthem and every kick off in the game. My most favorite part was hearing them play "Hells Bells" for a kick off. It really got me excited. Everytime I hear that song now I got back to Giants Stadium. You get a lot of exercise at an NFL game. You stand up and cheer many times each quarter, you have to if you want to see the play. Yes you can watch the plays on the jumbotron, but from where we sat, it was easier to watch the field and just seemed more natural.

Now that we are almost a decade older, we enjoy tail wagging it instead of tailgating. We stay home and watch them game from the comfort of our comfy leather sofa with our canines by our sides. I cook a variety of fun foods to enjoy and we never miss a play. Today we enjoyed hummus dip and chips along with home made pulled pork sandwiches and crunchy coleslaw salad on the side. The pork cooked in the crock pot all afternoon and it was delicious.

So while I miss being among the crazy cheering crowd and being outside on the nicer weather Sundays, I enjoy watching the games with my honey and one of my two dogs cuddled up next to me instead of some beer guzzling kid cussing up a storm and shaking his leg from nervous energy. I know the dogs like it also because they get our attention, playtime and yard runs better than if we were in East Rutherford. The way the Giants are losing so far this season, there is also the added bonus of being able to watch another game if their contest is too one sided.

Have you seen the latest AllState Mayhem commercial? The one with the SUV that blows up because the tail gaiter was in too much of a hire to properly put out the grill Hilarious!

Comment as you see fit!

Fantasy Flowers Quilt

This morning I decided the weather was perfect to take my newly quilted (yet still to be bound) Fantasy Flower Quilt and photograph it. It was a bit overcast, yet warm and this make perfect picture taking weather for me.

I'm lucky in some ways to live next to an elementary school. My back yard fence is super tall and high and wide, making it the perfect place to easily hang my quilts up to photograph them. Using
some wooden clothespins, I clipped it up, made sure it was flat and straight, and started snapping away. The quilt is not too big and it worked well.

Here is a photo of the entire quilt.



I decided since I had used different quilting patterns in the background of each block, in the border and on the outside, I needed to photograph each of the 9 flower blocks up close.



This was really my first attempt to make a bigger quilt (large wallhanging size) using my Accuquilt cutter and fusible raw edge applique.

I decided since each block fabrics and the placement of them varied, that varying the quilting in the background would be a great way to showcase my free hand quilting skills. I'm a bit rusty with the longarm, but this quilt really allowed me to play with the stitching designs and use the non-regulated, manual mode to create and finish the quilting designs. I'm happy with the results.

While its not my best work, its nice to have finally finishing something again and get back my quilting mojo.

Feedback and comments welcome.

Pumpkin, Pumpkin everywhere!

On Wednesday I went to my favorite grocery store, Trader Joe's, to shop for food. I was overwhelmed with the vast array of PUMPKIN flavored products on every shelf. I love pumpkin and before I knew it, my cart was filled to the brim with a myriad of pumpkin products.

I started with Pumpkin Coffee. Love this item and true to my hoarding tendencies, purchased 3 tins of this. Not everyone drinks coffee, so I also got the Pumpkin Chai tea mix and the Harvest Blend Tea Bags. In the spice aisle I found Pumpkin Pie spice which I used year round, so into my cart with some nutmeg this was paired. I found Pumpkin Cranberry Snack Crisp, said to be delectable with soft cheeses. From the frozen foods section, I grabbed some dessert Pumpkin mini pies for company dinners. Pumpkin Honey Raviolis, sure, why not? MMmm, dinner later this week for sure! 20 oz boxes of Cream of Pumpkin Soup? Yes, perfect to eat for lunch while long arming! Organic Pumpkin Puree in a cannp, yes, plunk, plunk, several of those tossed into my cart!

Holiday Pumpkin biscotti? Okay, got to try those! So my cabinets and kitchen are overflowing with these autumnal treats. I look forward to enjoying and sharing many of these culinary delights. If I don't share them, I will certainly become more pumpkin shaped myself! I think I will be wearing something in the orange palette today, don't you?

In case you are wondering, I did buy many non-squash food items as well. Now I am off to use my Pumpkin scented Wen and Autumn body wash and start my day!

Happy Indian Summer and may the Pumpkin be with you!