This past week was spring break for my son and it was the first time we have been able to travel during the break, so we hopped a plane to Austin, Texas — his birth place and one of my favorite towns. It has grown so much since we left. When I was driving in Austin I could picture where I wanted to go in my mind, but sometimes I couldn’t remember the route to get there because the landscape has changed so completely. My best friend Dawn offered to show us around to speed things up a bit and we had a wonderful few days indulging in the local cultural scene like at the Lydon Baines Johnson Presidential Library. I got to go for a walk and, although I missed my beloved bluebonnets by about a week, the scenery was still beautiful.
![IMG_1826[1]](https://i0.wp.com/graybarndesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/img_18261.jpg?w=203&h=270&ssl=1 "IMG_1826[1]")
![IMG_1830[1]](https://i0.wp.com/graybarndesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/img_18301.jpg?w=203&h=270&ssl=1 "IMG_1830[1]")
![IMG_1831[1]](https://i0.wp.com/graybarndesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/img_18311.jpg?w=202&h=270&ssl=1 "IMG_1831[1]")
We ate some delicious food — seriously, this ramen was soul satisfying.
![IMG_1823[1]](https://i0.wp.com/graybarndesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/img_18231.jpg?resize=510%2C680&ssl=1)
And we both jumped off one of the hill country hills at Austin Zipline Adventures (so exciting and so much fun!). I got to visit one or two more friends, but missed a whole bunch more. Oh, well, I guess that means a return trip must be planned.
I came home fired up to do some spring cleaning and decorating.
![IMG_1852[1]](https://i0.wp.com/graybarndesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/img_18521.jpg?resize=620%2C827&ssl=1)
Excitingly, my roommate was inspired to shampoo the carpets while I was gone! Woo hoo! What an awesome welcome home gift!
I’m working on True Blue — I’m approximately half way done.
![IMG_1853[1]](https://i0.wp.com/graybarndesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/img_18531.jpg?resize=538%2C718&ssl=1)
My chunky monkey quilt is waiting to be picked up from the fabulous Ms. G (and I heard that the other Sandy’s baby is due this week) — perfect timing! I’m almost done with writing the pattern too.
Did you see Lori Kennedy’s post today about keeping a stash of quilt sandwiches available so when you are avoiding housework, you have something handy to work on? I’m pouring over my scraps right now — what a great way to put some of my least favorite fabrics to good use! Now I’m also thinking I need to find another utility machine so I don’t have to keep rethreading…
Good Morning!
I love those True Blue blocks! So cool and I love the fabrics – I cannot wait to see these comes together in their final layout. I’m still giggling over the second machine comment to cut down on rethreading. HAHA! I cannot tell you how often I think that. ~smile~ Roseanne
Roseanne: I’m glad I’m not alone! Look out — I’ve found a used Pfaff that I’m going to take a peek at! Now…I might need to buy another piece of furniture to set it on ….
Austin…my favorite place. I am sure you had a great time there. My sister lives there and two of my sons live north and south of the city. My next visit will be in a week.
I love the idea of keeping a stash of quilt blocks. It would help me with practicing FMQ.
Chela — Central Texas is such a great place! I love your city too and everything in between it and Waco 🙂
I like how your Best Press has its own stand 🙂
Austin is fun – we used to visit there when we lived in Houston, TX.
Looking to see how True Blue looks when you lay out the blocks!
Ah T, just another thing we have in common — former Lone Star staters! I love it there too when it’s not hot and humid 😉
I do keep a small quilt sandwich handy to check out motif ideas and tension, etc., but somehow my practice stitching never looks as great as Lori’s! Hmmmph. 😉
Same! She’s my idol!
I love Austin, too, but it seems about 10 times as big as when we lived there. Oh well, we moved on and I guess Austin did, too!