I Think I Left Off With Vacation

When you stop blogging regularly it seems like it takes time to get back in the swing. 

I was out on vacation then got a nasty cold so that's why I have been MIA. 

 I have been posting in Instagram though as it is much faster and I don't need my computer to do it.

We stopped at 2 quilt shops on the way to NC.  The first one was in Nelsonville, OH.  

The Nelsonville Quilt Company

What a cool little town!  Very nice quilt shop too.

I thought this train was so colorful!

The second shop, The Fabric Shop, was in Pomeroy, OH.  

This shop used to be a general store and had crazy ladders they used to access the high shelves. 

 I made my husband model one of them, LOL.

We went to NC to visit our daughter and to be part of the celebration of my daughter's soon to be nana-in-law's 80 birthday. 

 It was nice to get to spend some time with her and with her future in-laws.

Me and my daughter.

Me with her future MIL.

On our way to Florida we had an unexpected stop to meet a long time Instagram friend of mine. 

 We met up for lunch and it was so nice to *finally* be able to meet her in person! 

 Please excuse my appearance.  I throw my hair into a ponytail when we travel.

  Makes me look bald, HAHA. Jenny sure looks cute though!

Then it was on to Florida!  We stay with my in-laws in Sarasota.  

They have a pool right across from their house too.

One of the days we went to Mote Marine Aquarium.  

It is not only an aquarium, but a research facility and rescue center.  

I think one of my favorite parts is petting the ray tank.

I was impressed by the Megaladon too.  Made hubby stand by it for size.

Then we stood by just it's teeth!  

YIKES!!!

I'm going to leave this here as this post is pretty photo heavy already.

I will post more tomorrow.

Including some more quilt shops!

~XOP~

Personal Shop Hop

I went on a personal shop hop with some of my work friends this past weekend.  

I planned the trip.  

Our trip went down into Ohio from Michigan.  

It was such a fun day spent with my friends!  

I packed up Mr Jack the cat and headed off to my friend's house to meet up with everyone.  

He was VERY excited to be going on his first shop hop!

First stop was the Star Diner in Maumee for breakfast.  

They had a HUGE menu and we all had great breakfasts!!  

The best thing though were the hand dipped onion rings 

(that of course we had with our breakfast).

The first quilt shop stop was the Quilt Foundry in Maumee.  

I made everyone pose for a photo outside the shop.  Mr Jack looks pretty happy on that fish!

He was beyond excited to find the Caturday line of fabric.  

He really wanted me to get this paw pattern but I forgot about picking it up before we left, 

sorry Mr Jack!

He did find some relatives and asked very nicely if some of them could come home with us.

We all found a few things to purchase in this great shop!

The second shop was the Busy Thimble in Bowling Green.

Mr Jack could not believe his luck when he found some new friends in this shop!

At first he was afraid of the monsters but found they were friendly.

The next stop was the Door Mouse. This. Shop. Is. Amazing!  It is a barn with 2 floors!!

Mr Jack liked this pumpkin quilt by Cluck Cluck Sew.  

Notice the cat in the upper left peeking around the corner. 

That is a pattern by Sew Fresh Quilts.  

You can see the lower level behind Mr. Jack.

I managed to catch these two while they were shopping!

This was our haul 

(although the fabric held by the women on either side of me belonged to the woman on the end). 

 Yes, we did some damage in this shop!

Mr. Jack what totally exhausted after this shop!  We let him nap on the way to the last shop.

We called ahead and scheduled a visit with Perfectly Pink Fabric and More.

We were so happy we did.  

This is a small shop but so much great fabric!

Mr Jack found his way to the Tula stacks of course.  She is one of his favorites (mine too).

We all had a great time shopping and hanging out.  We packed a lunch and brought snacks to share.  Isn't it so much fun to have friends to shop with?

I hope to take some pictures of my purchases tomorrow.

I tried to buy for specific projects, but didn't totally stick to that, of course.

(Insert eye roll here)

How was your weekend?

~XOP~