Thursday, May 19, 2011

A great ride home - and Spike!

I've been trying to find time to blog ever since we got home. Market ended at 4:00 on Sunday and we were on the road by six. We drove (well, Pep drove, I sat and hooked - I'm making coasters out of homespuns for the 4th of July) for 3 hours and then stopped for the night.


It's a 16 hour drive from Salt Lake City to Cameron so that left us 13 hours on Monday. The trip through Wyoming was awesome. This is part of a windfarm that stretched across the horizon.


And of course, there were the mountains in the distance.

Nebraska, not to be outdone, had a dinosaur. This was a full size T-Rex beside the highway. Pep pulled off at the exit so we could take a picture. By the time we realized what it was we were past it and this was as close as we could get.

Back at home I unpacked, rested and started laundry on Tuesday.
Then on Wednesday I drove to Kansas City to meet Spike's breeder and pick him up. If you're in the Market for a bulldog, I highly recommend Nicole and Spring Valley Bulldogs. Along with his papers, she brought along a booklet of tips for training, vitamins he'd been taking and a small package of the food he'd been eating.

A healthy, happy, bouncy bulldog puppy is now part of the family. As you can see,
Bully is not exactly thrilled with the addition. I'm making sure that Bully gets lots of attention - more really than he required before Spike joined us. His attitude still is "so - when is he going back home?" I must say, it doesn't help things any when Spike tries to nurse. :)



Instead of showing lots of booth pictures (I'll show you mine as soon as I can find it) I thought I'd show the group picture Camille took for Moda. I did like the picture Sandy Gervais had on her blog of all of our feet - (Bruce couldn't get the camera to work) but this one is a little better.

Moda had a Schoolhouse at Market. Lissa had all of us design a 12" block and give her a recipe and a quilting tip. Then they had all of the blocks printed up on Recipe cards for us to have in our booths. Shops went to all of the designer's booths and picked up the recipe cards. I did too - I have a collection of 14 recipe cards (14 blocks) in all - - a sampler quilt. And I have a collection of the cards for you along with a scrap bag of strips from Together, the newest Brannock/Patek line that will ship to stores in August.
But there's a chore involved. A funny one. Awhile ago I sent a video to Lissa Alexander, if you watch it, you'll know why I sent it. I don'tknow how to put videos on the blog but she does. Go to her blog and watch it and make a comment, any old comment will do. Or you can comment about Spike. Or if you can't comment on the blog, email Byron at janpatekquilts@yahoo.com.
I'll draw a name from the comments, next Monday.
And I will end this with a contented sigh - It was lots of fun but it's good to be home.

24 comments:

  1. Spike is such a cutie!

    Cynthia

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  2. Funny video! I love Spike - hope Bully finds some love too!

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  3. Poor Bully, he has been upstaged by this young upstart, but it probably won't be long before they become good friends. Loved the video!

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  4. Spike is adorable and we can't leave Bully out;)
    Glad you made it home safely.
    I have seen that video, it is amazing how they did that.

    Debbie

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  5. I am totally amazed by that video for two reasons. 1. that they came up with idea in the first place and 2. that the sheep kept the lights on their backs. It just goes to show you that every one has a hidden talent.

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  6. Spike is a cutie! good luck to Bully - Laurie

    llsbaskets@comcast.net

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  7. All I can say is - those guys were having way too much fun!!! And I'll bet you did feel like those sheep at times during Market prep LOL! Thanks for the chance to win. Never tried a pumpkin smoothie, but I love all things pumpkin, so I'm sure I will try your recipe.

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  8. Spike is adorable! Market pictures and drive home pictures are wonderful! Thanks for sharing.

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  9. Spike is so cute! trust me he will be accepted by his new sibling. Bully is our "Elwood" and he did come around...love your trip pictures!

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  10. Spike is precious. Give Bully a hug for me. Change is hard,, but they'll be best buds before long.

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  11. I would love to win your fabulous giveaway!

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  12. I loved the video! It's amazing what those herding dogs can do. I also enjoyed the pics of your dogs. Too cute!

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  13. Fun video! Your dogs are too cute :)

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  14. Super video and pictures of Spike and Bully are so cute.
    They will be best buds soon.

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  15. I had not seen the video before. It is amazing. I've seen a few herding demos but never imagined anything like that could be accomplished. I enjoy seeing the wind farms when we travel in the midwest. Good luck with the puppy!

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  16. Oops! Afraid I posted over on your friend's site on Sunday, where the video was .... but regardless, I am thrilled to have found your site ... have purchased your fabrics for some time ... and I love how you share stories about your pets, in addition to the photos of your lovely quilts and patterns!

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  17. Great video, but Spike and Bully steal the show!!! I love your fabrics, patterns and pictures of the pups. Quilts and pets--you had me at hell-o ;0)

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  18. Spike is hot! What a handsome little pup :o) Bully will adjust to his new little brother in time.

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  19. You know we missed market - so much. Already thinking Houston! Missed you all.
    Love Spike and know Wooly Bully will also - keep the photos, there is not a cuter pup in all the world. Sorry Annie, but true.

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  20. Hi Jan. Glad you got home safe from market. Love the photos. When I spoke to Byron on Monday he was in the basement because of bad weather. Hope you are all doing well now. I would love to win and get to see your new fabric line.

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  21. LOL! Love that video - those dogs were amazing! But Spike is cuter.

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  22. I think you have chosen the perfect name for your dog - Spike seems to fit him!

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  23. I just love the video, so funny!!!!

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