A Tadd More

Apple time…..

It’s almost the end of APPLE MONTH here at TTD and I just realized that I have not yet posted about the local apple orchard that I have been to, now a couple of times with the kids. It’s called Kuipers Orchard and it’s about 20 minutes from me. There are several in the area, and my favorite is probably Jonamac Orchard in Malta. Here is one variety of apples. My favorite variety is Honey Crisp. They are just like their name, sweet and crisp!

Here is my youngest daughter Haley, at the fudge counter. She’s just like her mother; she has a sweet tooth! Cookies and Cream would be her flavor of choice! Mine would have to be Butter Pecan, which they didn’t have!! Saved me a few calories and fat grams!

Although I had my share of apple cider doughnuts! My favorite ones are the frosted ones! Yummmmm!

And look at this! An apple cider slushy! Oh my goodness!! the only thing better than fresh apple cider is FROZEN fresh apple cider!!  My kids love these! Mom is pretty fond of them too.

And last, but certainly not LEAST! Caramel Apples!  Do these look absolutely fabulous or what?  I might mention that I took plenty of these home for everyone as well as doughnuts and oh yeah, an apple berry pie! What’s that saying? “an apple a day, keeps the doctor away”, I’m pretty sure that would include the apple in ANY form right?

***Thought for the day***

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9

We all know the principle of sowing what we reap. If a farmer plants corn he doesn’t expect to get beans. Think about what you are “sowing”. If you sow good things you will reap good things.

Have a great day, and God Bless,

Tammy

Simply Posh…….

One of my favorite pastimes is SHOPPING! Wow, surprise there, right! This little store opened earlier this year in DeKalb, and has quickly become one of my favorite shops.  I have always loved antiques but don’t always like regular antique shops. A lot of the time they are dark, cluttered and “smelly”. Sorry, but you know what I mean… you get all of that old stuff in one place and it just smells old and musty.

Well, that’s what’s so different about this shop… it’s bright, uncluttered and imaginative!  As the owner, Kathryn Colvin aptly puts it on her business cards; “reimagination”, “one soulful treasure at a time”. Needless to say, I have already put several of her pieces to good use. The other really great thing about this little shop is, the prices are GREAT!

Here is my new friend, and owner of Simply Posh, Kathryn! Isn’t she the cutest little thing? And right here in front of the counter you see two of my purchases; both metal stands in the bottom left corner. The taller one is now outside my door at the store with flowers in it, and the other one has become a great display container for fat quarters.

Kathryn is not yet a quilter, but there is hope for her yet. She has been to our store and loves fabric, so it’s only a matter of time. AND, she lives near my store, pretty big coincidence right?

We are at the Madison Show until next week. I will post a blog when I get back.

              + + + Thought for the Day + + + 
"Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within the reach of every hand."     Mother Teresa

Have a FABULOUS day! God Bless.
Tammy

“The Dazzling Dozen…….”

Hey everyone! We all know it's ALL ABOUT THE FOOD don't we! Even for us quilter's. In fact most of the quilter's I know are really fabulous cooks. Well, my friend Holly Holderman from LakeHouse Dry Goods is hosting her first "Blog-able Feast", aka: "A Dazzling Dozen Delicious Desserts", aka; "Hollycakes" beginning today! Holly will feature a dozen favorite desserts, along with photos by some of your favorite designers, as well as photos of what new designs they are currently working on. So check out her blog everyday for a new recipe and some sneak peaks at new projects that will be introduced at Fall '07 International Quilt Market in Houston.

We are "on the road again" at the Madison Quilt Expo and will be taking lots of pictures to share when we get back.

              + + + Thought for the Day + + + 
"Here are some facts and trivia about apples, according to www.foodreference.com. Some of them are pretty amazing!"

The U.S. produced 10 billion pounds of apples in 2006, more than 1/2 were grown in Washington state.

Washington state produces more apples than any other state in the union.

The world production of apples is more than 40 million tons.

Americans eat about 19.6 pounds of fresh apples annually, compared to about 46 pounds consumed annually by residents of European Countries.

China is now the world's largest apple producer, followed by the U.S. in second place.

The "Flower of Kent" is a large green skinned apple variety, and is thought to have been the variety that struck Sir Isaac Newton.

So have a fantastic day and eat an apple or two, we can't let the Europeans be "outdoing" us on this "apple thing" can we!

That’s all for now!
Tammy

Cameo Appearances……

For those of you who aren't aware of it yet, I introduced my very first line of fabric at market this spring with Camelot Cottons. It is called Cameo Appearances. I have to tell you, the first time I saw a piece of the fabric with my name printed on the salvage, it was pretty exciting! Here is the entire line on display in our store. The quilt hanging up is our Vintage Rose and Cameos pattern that we introduced in the spring Quilt Market in Salt Lake City in May. You can see several of our purses as well. "Cameo" has a whimsical/Victorian feel. The colors are not as bright as I normally use, but they are definItely not pastel.

Picture Perfect, is another new pattern from Spring market. This is one of those quilts that looks a lot harder than it really is. It's actually a pretty easy pattern.

Here is another one of my favorite quilts from the AQS show in Nashville. This one is called "She's a 30's star". I wish I could tell you who's it is but my photo wasn't quite clear enough to read when I enlarged it. I love the Trapunto effect with the machine quilting, and what's not to love with these great 30's prints.

Remember it's "apple month" here at TTD. Send me you favorite apple recipes! My favorite apple recipes involve getting in the car, driving to the local orchard and BUYING whatever I want!!! Can you tell I don't like to cook!

              + + + Thought for the Day + + + 
"Reach for the highest apple, you can always get the lowest ones later!"     Anonymous

Have a FABULOUS week!
Tammy

Even more Nashville...

This cute little couple are our friends from The Scrappy Appleyard, Johna Lee and Kenny Roy. I met Johna at a show a couple of years ago. I loved her booth and admired an adorable lamp that was in her booth. Would you believe, after the show was over, she brought the lamp over to my booth and GAVE it to me!

This was one of my favorite quilts on display at the show. I think even though it's dark, you can see ever so slightly where the quilt stops and the curtain begins. This quilt is named "Ringed" by Inge Mardal of France. This picture really does not do justice to this beautiful, lifelike work of art. I think it's incredible the way the shading is done in fabric.

Here is another favorite. I just could not believe these quilts! This quilt which received an Honorable Mention Award from AQS is titled The Apple Queen and Her Court - A Study in Body Language by Linda Ostroff of Mill Creek, WA. It was certainly worth honorable mention wouldn't you think? BEAUTIFUL!

September is one of my most favorite months. It's when, here in the Midwest most of the apple orchards open. There is nothing better than fresh apple cider and apple cider doughnuts hot out of the oven! So, I am declaring September "National Apple Month" here at TTD and will interject "apple stuff" all month like apple recipes, apple trivia and apple orchard photos. Watch my website for some great recipes, and if you have a recipe you would like to share, go to my website and send it to me. I will try to put as many as possible on the website.

              +++ Thought for the day +++
"A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver"     Proverbs 25:11

That's all for now! 
Tammy

More Nashville……..!

My new “blogging friend” Amanda, is a friend of PamKittyMorning, and has commented on my blog. She came by the booth in Nashville and told me who she was. I have to say, I am so amazed at how many people I meet that are just SO sweet. I aspire to being sweet. It’s not my nature, but I know a lady who’s name is Mary Border that I have gone to church with since I was 20 years old, (she now lives in another town with her daughter) who has always been my example. I pray all the time “Lord help me to be sweet like Mary” and to be kind with my words. Some days it just comes easier than others if you know what I mean. Well, Amanda is one of those “sweet by nature” people. I didn’t have to talk to her for long and just knew how sweet she really is. Thanks to Pam for introducing us. I really hope I get to see Amanda again. Until then, we’ll have to talk in “blog land”.

Here it is…. Haley’s new machine! I have the little blue Hello Kitty machine in the store, but it’s really a toy. Doesn’t sew as well as this one. The guy that showed this one to me actually sewed through 6 layers of denim!! Couldn’t believe it!  The price was great too. She was pretty excited about having her own machine, even though it’s a little girly for her. She’s my tomboy that is playing football this year. But she wants to learn to sew, so mom is happy!! Now, I just have to make the time to teach her. It might have to wait until football season is over. Too many games and practices right now. I just have to find her a little case on wheels and she’ll be all set!

Had to include another photo of the beautiful scenery. This is my husband Gary's favorite spot. This picture is taken from the restaurant right on the edge of the water. The circular floor rotates very slowly, so the whole time you are sitting here, you will get to see the scenery changing. I love the waterfall sound. It is so relaxing to just sit and talk, and have a snack and cold drink. Beautiful isn't it?

More later...

              +++ Thought for the day +++
"...I have learned that to have a good friend is the purest of all God's gifts, for it is a love that has no exchange of payment."     Frances Farmer

That's all for now!
Tammy