July Sparklers

Did I mention that I have a new venue for my Tuesday night quilting classes?

Well, I do. It's here. It's a brand new shop, although not exactly a brand new business--the owners have been selling wonderful fabric and ethnic textiles at quilt shows and online for a few years now. They've found a wonderful space and revamped it completely--what was a dark and atmospheric mystery bookstore is now a light, bright, inviting quilt shop!

So we've been settling in, learning where everything is, checking out all the amazing and delightful fabrics.

It's not just quilts, either--they've got some really wonderful garment teachers on board too. Well, the owners have been very active with a local Wearable Art guild, so I'm expecting to see some interesting ideas coming forth!
Anne was finishing up a Fourth of July wall hanging for the dining room at Westminster Gardens,. which will certainly give the place a little patriotic flair!

These other pictures were taken around the shop, just to give you an idea of what's there and what kind of ambience it has.

Then there was the Fourth itself.

Yummies were the order of the day. I really should have taken more food pictures, but I was sidetracked by the firecracker cupcakes.

Baked in our very own new oven, I might add. D4's first culinary experience with the new stove.

It was slightly hampered by the fact that we are still living with dozens and dozens of boxes.

I will not make any further allusions to the frustration of having to sit and "rest" while looking at the work that needs to be done.


In fact, let's just look at cupcakes for a while.

Yummy. Really.



See? A little blurry,but still tasty, no?


Then there was the swimming pool. Cousins Nate and Garrett cheerfully loaned Cousin Audrey their new swimming pool for the day.

Audrey approved. So did the rest of the crew.

Nate was really trying to get into the spirit of the day, He even wore his hat.

And Garrett had to do a little posing and flirting for Memere and the aunties. He and Dad had matching shirts to get into the spirit of the day.

D5 lives within easy viewing distance of the Fairplex, which was having their annual fireworks show. We had prime viewing space on the front lawn. However, we think that before next year's 4th of July extravaganza, a couple of neighbors are going to find us offering to trim their trees.
Audrey and Nate slept through the fireworks, but Garrett loved them. He was ready for more! Mom says she may have to take him to an Angels game soon, since they have fireworks there!

We had a good celebration, and I hope you did too! Now let's see--I wonder where we can find Bastille Day fireworks?? (True story: I was in Chicago one year for a Bernina convention, and we heard fireworks outside. It was the hotel next door, a Sofitel, celebrating Bastille Day!)