Gengenbach im Kinzigtal

We ventured over the hills of the Black Forest today, checked out the Open Air Museum with the old Black Forest Farm Houses (www.vogtsbauernhof.org), then we went to the beautiful town of Gengenbach where I attended the Vorbeck Schule (Foreign Language School) a long long long time ago.

Casey is enjoying a 'Radler'!

Thermal Springs in Zurzach and the Rhinefalls

I started out the day with getting a hair cut and highlights, then we were off to soak in the warm water of the thermal springs in Zurzach. The lunch was delicious at the Gasthaus Engel in Rheinheim, and then the Rhinefalls in Neuhausen! They are beautiful. So we crossed the border into Switzerland several times today. The temperature is in the mid eighties, the weather couldn't be more wonderful! Black Forest tomorrow!

SIG (better known in Sig-Sauer) is the company that transferred us to the Elgin, Illinois. It sits right on top of the Rhinefalls.

Visiting the Father Land

We are having a wonderful time visiting with the Shoemaker and all of the family. We've been eating a lot of German food, visited my sister Karin and Ernst, today we climbed up to the Kuessaburg (castle ruins), or the 'Kissing Castle' as my sister calls it, and even checked out the furniture store. Tomorrow I'm finally getting my hair cut! Then it's off to the Thermal Springs.

Back from the Hamptons

Once again I went to one of our retreats at the Hampton Inn in Aurora. What at one time was a once a year 'sewing with friends' occasion now happens every other month (almost). Lots of laughter, lots of sewing. It's just plain fun! I only have a couple of pictures this time:

Good Bye Summer, Hello Fall

Well, the pool is closed. You always feel a little sad, because it will be a long 9 months before it'll be sparkling blue again.

The week started with 85 degrees and today it was only in the 60's and a little rain. The sun came out again in the late afternoon. It seems that Fall is here.  I love the Fall colours, but we'll be in Germany and most likely miss the changing of the leaves. But no complaints! Yesterday the air smelled like autumn, so I thought, but then I heard on the news that the smoke from a forest fire in Minnesota traveled all the way down to the Chicago area.

I quilted a couple of  very cute quilts (in the spirit of the season) today:

I'm off to Quilt Retreat tomorrow!

Quilt Expo in Madison

My friends Mary Beth and Sandy joined me to check out the Quilt Expo in Madison. This was my first visit to this show. It was packed with quilters shopping, shopping, shopping! We enjoyed all the vendors, the beautiful quilts, and meeting lots of friends that made the same trip! I was so excited to personally know two people that won ribbons: Claudia Moore and Sharron Evans! Congratulations! Their quilts were gorgeous!

I also finally met one of my favorite authors in person: Marie Bostwick! We have been friends on FaceBook for a little while! It's so much fun meeting one of your 'imaginary' friends! I have read 4 of her books! Her new one is coming out on April 28!

We made a stop at Acorn Quilt Shop on our way back to Illinois. They have wonderful selection of fabrics, we'll be back for sure!

Happy Labor Day and Merry Christmas!

For a longarmer Labor Day signals the beginning of the Christmas Season! Although I usually take in quilts until around Thanksgiving, the Christmas Projects are already coming in. So enjoy the hot weather and the end of summer parties; Thanksgiving and Christmas (and the snow) are right around the corner!