Easter Sunday

Aren't these eggs cool looking?  Dawn and Paul and I dyed them over at my friend Sara's house Saturday morning, using pieces of old silk ties.  You wet the silk, wrap it around the raw egg, then wrap the egg a final time in muslin, tie it all up and then boil it like you would for hard boiled eggs, except that you add a healthy doss of vinegar to the water first.  The process makes the colored pattern from the silk transfer to the egg in often very surprising ways.   It's a neat thing to do with a gang of friends, and Sara hosts such a gathering each year, which is lots of fun.   

We enjoyed a relaxed Easter morning, getting out for a walk with That Handsome Dog Gus, who is visiting, and then Ben and I did the first bike ride of the season.  It was quite successful, as I was able to ride most of the way up the Boulder Canyon bike trail and most of the way up the hills back home in our neighborhood.  Ben, of course, rode all the way without stopping, but I was happy with what I was able to do.  Next goal:  all the way!  Later in the afternoon John and Dawn and their boys came over and we had a  pleasant time together and Dawn grilled her yummy lamb chops for us.

It's been fun having Gus here.  Hosting him is a family affair, though he sleeps in Paul's room, Paul gives him his afternoon walk, and he and does some "mental stimulation" with him, like getting him to sit while Paul has a tempting Popsicle in his hands.   Do you see the little dog on the table?  His name is Simon and I really like him.  He's one of several "rescue" dog being hosted by our neighbors right now.  We've been toying with the idea of getting a dog and have been thinking of  a Labradoodle or Goldendoodle in the 30-60 pound range.   I was mighty tempted by Simon's calm personality,  pretty coloring, intelligent curiosity, and the very fact that he was in need of rescuing.   But after having him over for a visit Saturday afternoon we realized that he is just way too small for us.  There isn't a part of the fencing that he can't slip his seven pounds through! 

Here's a fun photo I took of our neighbor surrounded by the five little dogs she rescued from a shelter in Texas (and her big dog, Bubba).   There are several rescue groups in Boulder and I'd guess that about 75% of the dogs you see here mixed breed.  Still, I'm mighty attracted to the "doodles," so I'd be surprised if we end up with a rescue.  Along with a dog there may be cat in our future.  I suspect that "all will be revealed" this summer.   

The past two weeks have been very full ones and I haven't had much time for quilting.  The time I did have I used to finish up this year's Outreach quilts, the quilts I make for two of my quilt guilds to pass on to worthy causes. 

 The one shown in the left side is the front of a quilt for a foster child who will attend a summer camp sponsored by an area church.  When the kids arrive at camp they find a handmade quilt and matching pillowcase on their bed; theirs to take home when they leave.  Isn't that great?  The guild makes forty every year.  The back of this quilt is shown in the photo on the lower right.  I know you can't see it well, but the front is a mix of African animal fabrics and the back is a fabric showing an African village alternated with some solid colored fabrics.   

The two in the middle right photos are ones that will go to Blue Sky Bridge, and the upper right is for Quilts for Kids (children in hospitals).   I enjoy making quilts for these programs, but I try to get them done by June so I can concentrate on art quilts the rest of the year.   It was a real tick to get them finished early.

Talking about biking and walking reminds me that I found this fun image online somewhere this week.  A good reminder!

It's a rainy day here which is needed and welcome.  Later in the week it will be sunny and in the seventies, perfect weather for spring gardening.  Meanwhile, I'm catching up on desk work this morning doing some quilting this afternoon.