A "Trip" - both in and to Texas

My darling sister did what we all dread...got in a hurry, tripped and broke her femur. She's fine and getting around but nothin' is easy!  We took a quick trip to Canyon and tried to help out as much as possible.

Keeping the girl in bed was a challenge. 

She's really not one to be still.

 Shhh don't tell I published these pictures.

Sweet hubby moves a chair a into the bedroom.

If laughter helps heal, then we did our part. The two of us can giggle  till we  hurt.

The Bee's Knees

Canyon (population about 15,000)  is a beautiful little college town in the panhandle of Texas. Some of my favorite people live there!!  My niece and sister just opened a little store front on the square, called
"The Bee's Knees".   We went for the store's grand opening and the Fair on the Square.

Cute, Cute, Cute! 

Nikki's skill is home dec. She is a talented artist and has an eye for color, texture and textiles. She thinks so far outside the box and has no fear! Just look at her painted furniture, which is the feature of the store.  She's also in high demand for custom work. She has completed  murals and custom walls all over the panhandle.

I wish I could get her here for a re-mix on my house.

Notice the painted chandeliers  behind the polka-dot chest.

That black & white piece is too cute.

Oh...I so want this piece!

Pewter and pink - stunning!

Nikki painted the pillows

I didn't take enough pictures! Her mom had darling owl pillows that flew out of the store. Their lamps are incredible. They added just the right amount of unique merchandise around the focus furniture.

Nikki - my cutest niece...except for Kristi her identical twin sister!

I wanted to stay forever!

Back to Texas!

Ahhhh, what a sister can get you into!  She has attended the Ogallala Quilt Festival for years!  I promised to go with her and that day arrived -- yikes, so soon!  Dimmit, Texas was the festival location - population about 4,000.

One  preoccupation in this area of the Texas Panhandle is weather watching! Dimmitt is a 45 minute drive from Earleen's house. No traffic, of course, just flat---------------plains. (No I didn't really see a tornado!)

  

And what is Ogallala you might ask?  A huge underground water table for the high plains. A highly abused source of drinking water and irrigation for farmers and ranchers in about 8 states. 

The festival was absolutely wonderful!  Talented quilters, friendly people and qualified teachers.  I very nearly had to have an interpreter our teacher's Texas d-r-a-w-l but I worked though it. Thank goodness for visual clues.

Remember to click on a picture for a close look.

 Beautiful quilts!

We were impressed with a  display of re-engineered old quilts. Several ladies appliquéd flowers on slightly damaged antique quilts. Some took the blocks apart and re-set them. The original quilters would  be pleased.

Stunning quilts! Unbelievable work - this one was hand work. Quilts were submitted  from all over the plains area - TX, OK, NM.  Friday's night banquet and auction attendance was over 200. 

Take a close look at this fascinating quilt.  She scanned pictures of old clothing patterns and family photos.

 Melinda Bula was the featured speaker. Wow! Check out her quilts and blog. A truly charming, funny and talented lady. 

Melinda was in Phoenix back in Jan. I'm way too intimidated to attend Quilting In The Desert events.  (I'm rethinking that.)

 So which was my favorite quilt? 

This one sure steals my heart.

Texas Trip Part Two

Back in the summer, when Ella took her trip to Texas, she saw some interesting things! She has been pretty slow to get her pictures up on the blog but here you go.....

Ella's version - Texas trip.

They put up big signs to let you know where you are.

Actually I don't read that well.

Perfect strangers in New Mexico stop you just to chat!

I help out all I can.

My cousin, Nikki, painted my portrait.

I bathed in the backyard. (At home I use the bathtub.)

My aunt's herb garden was very lively - so is she!

Strange creatures show up unexpectedly. Unfortunately, the grams would not let me play chase!


They have fun parties in Texas.

Look at my masters acting all cute & shy....the party was for us!

I don't remember any gifts for me though.

My cousins lost Dad's Frisbee a lot. I tried to help them.

In Texas you take off your boots to climb up trees.

I had a swell time! Texas makes you dang tard!

Ella's Trip to Texas

Lots to post but no time right now....so just take a look at Ella in her aunt's back yard! Brody is the other star of this video.