It's hard to believe that I've been home from the ANG national seminar for almost a week now.  There was so much to do after being gone for a week and life has just picked up speed.

Here are some of the sights from my hotel room.

Yes, that does appear to be grass on top of the Burberry Building.  There were several buildings that had greenery on the tops of their buildings, along with the usual HVAC stuff.

And this was part of the sights from my classroom.   These pots are much larger than they look and each contains a single type of herb that the hotel restaurant uses.  This view does not include all the pots either.  You can tell that it had rained earlier as well by the big puddle towards the back.

And this shot is of the bee hives/boxes.  Yes, the hotel raises bees and creates it's own honey and a specially made beer with the honey as well.  I admit that I had no idea some of the major chains did anything like this but I am glad they do.

I know this has nothing to do with the seminar and everything to do with location.  Chicago was quite a nice place to have the seminar.  Lots of food choices within a few blocks and easily doable with two hours for lunch.  I stayed away from the chains and found some nice local places and ate great for a reasonable price. And then tried one "chain" (all of two US locations) - Eataly.  Definitely the best Italian I've had - reminds me of the East coast where I used to live and finding good Italian food was easy.  Not so much in the Midwest.
Only drawback was the noise level - deafening!!!  A few sound barriers would be welcome.

More later on the seminar itself.

"I am so very sad to tell you that Beth Robertson has passed away.  Beth died Monday from complications following a recent cancer diagnosis.  I'm in disbelief because the diagnosis was so recent.  

Beth was the co-author (with Suzanne Howren) of Stitches for Effect, More Stitches for Effect, Even More Stitches for Effect, and also co-wrote Knots, Fur and and Turkey Work with Meredith Willett. She also team taught Embellishment Classes with Meredith Willett, Tony Minieri, and of course, Suzanne."

This notice has been posted numerous places and well worth repeating.  Beth and her talent will be missed.

Here's my unusual TUSAL.  On the left is my usual stitching.  On the right is the from a new design that i am working on.  I do tend to have more since I may rip out more and move portions of the design around a few times.

A few folks know that I taught at Rocky Mountain Regional (EGA) at the beginning of August.  Here are a few photos.

Tjis is what I taught.  Creme ala Creme - a needlework evening purse (clutch)

This airplane greets you after security at the airport.

 I couldn't resist taking a photo of this t-shirt.

 One of the views from my hotel balcony.

 The area right beside the previous one.

 Then on Friday evening, a delightful surprise.

I had a bird's eye view of the wedding and never heard a thing.
Turns out that Saturday evening, there were two weddings at the hotel.  One of the brides was having her photos done just down the hall from the classroom, so the class took an extra break and went down to admire her   She was gorgeous!  (no photos though).

The mini-seminar went well. The only rain showed up during the opening meal - which was an indoor picnic.

National Aviation Day

When : Always August 19th

National Aviation Day is in honor of the birthday of aviator Orville Wright.

The Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, were pioneer aviators in the United States. Orville was the first person to successfully fly an airplane. His first flight was December 17, 1903 at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. This inaugural flight was soon to change the skies forever.

It's heavier than air, and it flies! National Aviation Day honors the accomplishments of Orville and Wilbur Wright. It is sometimes called Wright Brother's Day. To a lesser degree, National Aviation Day sometimes honors other early aviation and space pioneers. This day was selected, as it is Orville Wrights's birthday. (August 19, 1871)

 

My husband loves anything aviation.  And yes, we have been to Kitty Hawk (more than once).  We have been to several aviation sites and museums.  You might be amazed where there are some obscure airports.

I admit I forgot to post this when I posted about Book Lover's Day.  My stats for 2014 so far.
I have read 55 books for a total of 19,501 pages.   In 2013, I had read about the same amount of pages but 61 books.  Looks like this year I'm reading larger books.  Actually I know I am.  Last year I read 7 chunksters (meaning 450 pages or more).  This year I have already read 7 chunksters.

I'm keeping busy doing the final prep work for the ANG seminar.  There are lots of thing going on at home - concerts we had scheduled, grandson #1's birthday, hubby's birthday, youngest daughter being home for a very short visit, volunteer work (that is definitely keeping me busy!) and of course life in general.

I'm glad that I am a multi-task person.  How boring for those who can't or won't multi-task.  Off to another task!

Book Lovers Day

Book Lovers Day

When : August 9th

Book Lovers Day encourages you to find a place in the shade to relax with a good book.

Book reading is a great hobby. It's an important one, too. Employers look for it on resumes. Reading is educational, informative, and relaxing. It makes us both smarter, and happier people.

Book Lovers Day is a great day to celebrate. Just grab an interesting book, find a quiet, cozy place, and crack open the cover. Celebrating Book Lovers Day in August is pleasurable on the deck, under a shady tree, poolside, or in a cozy hammock. If you fall asleep while reading, that's okay. It's all part of the relaxing benefits of being a book lover.

 

I love books and actually track what I read, how many pages, etc.  Sometimes I even share my data with you all who read this.