Austin was great!

We rolled into town February 17 for Bonnie's QuiltCon adventure. That's where today's modern quilters convene to show, view, learn, and generally swoon over everything modern quilt related. More info at The Modern Quilt Guild website. www.themodernquiltquild.com

Below is the 2015 Best in Show "i Quilt" made by Kathy York of Austin. Nice job, Kathy!

The 4-day conference left me saturated with color, design ideas, and eager for more! 

Mardi Gras = Serious Bling

It's my impression that Mardi Gras is celebrated along the Gulf Coast all through February. Here is one doorway in the small town of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. I was impressed! You will also see Mardi Gras trees (like a Christmas tree, only decorated for Mardi Gras). And, of course, beads. Lots of beads. And, parades. Lots of parades. It's a festive time of extreme partying before Lent. And, New Orleans embraces the partying spirit all year long, but especially now!

Louisiana is a blast! Bourbon Street in New Orleans is debauchery, but we enjoyed viewing it from a balcony table at Le Bayou restaurant, watching the parade of people on the sidewalks below. We had a nice dinner at Deanies and the best part was red potatoes served with butter before the meal, instead of rolls. They cook the potatoes in the spicy low country boil, making them delish! It's all about the food!

We also enjoyed the beignets (French donut/fried dough, heavily dusted with confectioner's sugar) and cafe au last at Cafe du Monde. Iconic. Of course this, and many other treats contributed to Bonnie's Weight Watchers' overage today at weigh-in. Only a couple of pounds up. I'll take it!

New Orleans

We made it to Louisiana and the Big Easy. We are staying in an RV Reaort within walking distance of the French Quarter. What a crazy place. Oh, but the FOOD! I'm a fan. The weather has been kind to us. We chose a good winter to leave Maine for a couple of months. 

On the road again

So, the Roadtrek is repaired.and we are on our way again. We left Bonita Springs Wednesday and stayed overnight in Perry, just into the panhandle of Florida. We are now in Panama City Beach, FL and will be in Mississippi for an informal Roadtrek gathering, I'm so excited about "Shrimpin' on the Bayou" with about 20 other Roadtrek units and 30+ people. We will have a "low country boil" Saturday night. Can't wait!
Meanwhile, back in Maine, our son checked on our condo and sent this picture of the patio view out our back slider. Um. I'm glad we are here!

An extra day in paradise

The bad news: A dead RV. The better news: we weren't far from a Dodge dealership. The best news: it happened just before a visit to friends we can stay with while it's being repaired. 

So today we kicked back and visited manatees. Tomorrow we might be on the road again!

Bonita Springs visit

Chefs du jour, college buddies Tom and Fred. Our travels brought us within range of a quick overnight visit. Good friends, good food, good wine. Thanks to Fred and Janet!