Yep. Still traveling! :-) Today, I headed up to northern Utah to stay with some friends. Tomorrow and Wednesday, I am attending a conference in Logan, UT. I'm doing another presentation on Wednesday.
When I knew I was heading up here, I e-mailed Amanda Herring, The Quilted Fish, who lives not too far away to see if she'd want to meet up. She said some friends of hers had opened a quilt shop in Logan and that she would road trip up here to meet up with me. So, we made plans to meet today.
I emailed Amanda the other day to confirm our meeting location. It was a funny conversation. Here is how it went (something like this):
Me: Amanda, can't wait to meet up with you. What's the name of the quilt shop where we're meeting.
Amanda: Me, too! It is my girlfriend's quilt shop. See you there!
Me: Great, but what's the name of the quilt shop?
Amanda: LOL! The name is My Girlfriend's Quilt Shoppe! (The link to the shoppe works, but it looks like the site is under construction. Find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/mygirlfriendsquiltshoppe.)
Haha! What a riot! It was like a Who's On First routine!
So, Amanda was at the shop being "Designer of the Day," doing a trunk show, etc. I was supposed to meet her this afternoon at the shop. But we had a slower than expected travel day, and I got to town sort of late. So, we met up at The Bluebird for dinner.
The Bluebird is a really old restaurant in Logan that has pretty good food. I sort of like the ambiance of the place, too.
We had a wonderful time chatting about just about everything! I felt like we were old friends from the moment we hugged and said hello. It was a wonderful time! I really enjoyed getting to meet and know Amanda better!
Then, Amanda dropped me of at my friend's house here in town. We got a chance to snap a photo in front of my friend's amazing irises! I'm so sorry, Amanda! I didn't realize when I checked the photo on my camera that your eyes were closed. I can't see anything without glasses any more! Oh, well...I'm smiling wayyyy to big in this photo and I look like crap! And for the record, I feel like I've gained back all the weight I lost!
See the necklace I'm wearing? It was a gift from Amanda! She is so amazingly sweet.
Here are the lovely charms on it! I just love it. What a thoughtful gift! Thank you, Amanda! The whole time we were having dinner, she kept telling me how grateful she is for the Design Team. I told her we were the ones who were grateful to her for providing us with such a wonderful opportunity. It's really been a special thing to get to know everyone. Amanda is such an impressive woman. I am so glad I got to meet her today and to talk with her about things. I tell you, the courage it must take to start your own business in this market.... !!!
I feel bad, but I didn't get to the fabric store today. I will sometime this week, so I'll report back to you about that later. I hear it's fabulous!
I have to leave you with this photo. Our friends run dogsled races. One of their "retired" sled dogs is Skardu...a Husky mix of some sort. Our friends got him at the pound some 14 years ago. He turns 15 this year! Anyway, he is the BEST dog...he was their lead dog for a long time and now he is retired and gets to live in the house with them. He and Sweet Pea have always had a special bond. One time, we were camping with our friends, and Sweet Pea was about 2 years old or so....maybe even younger. Skardu was camping with us. In the morning, Sweet Pea came out of our campsite, all bundled up (it was chilly) and wearing her first pair of hiking boots. (She walked like Frankenstein in them because she'd never had shoes with such hard soles and so stiff in the ankles.) She ambled toward our friends' campsite to see Skardu. Skardu woke up, saw her, and ambled over to her. They met up in the middle and were nose to nose. They just stood there, having a moment. Then, they turned and ambled down the trail a little bit together. It was so cute. Sweet Pea always hugs him, and he just loves her. (Skardu sends Sweet Pea e-mails sometimes, telling her great stories of his adventures.) Today, on the way to our friends' house, Sweet Pea said to me, "I can't wait to see Skardu. He loves me." Yes, he does! Tonight they were all cuddled up together....but Skardu was a little freaked out, because usually nobody sits in his chair with him. He didn't quite know what to think of that, and Sweet Pea was blocking the pat to the pillow he usually lays his head on! The two of them were quite a sight.
Well, I better get to bed. It's late. But I wanted to jot this post before I went to bed. Good night and more later!
Until next time,
Mama Pea
What a wonderful time! And great picture of girl and dog!
Posted by: Maggie Szafranski | June 21, 2011 at 07:51 AM
So, so glad that you had such a grand day!! Jealous too ;0
Posted by: Brooke | June 21, 2011 at 09:10 AM
Well I think you both look adorable - how lovely to get to meet up with friends! The necklace is just gorgeous that Amanda gave you.
Darling pic of Sweet Pea and Skardu!
Posted by: Allie | June 21, 2011 at 11:27 AM
Stpehanie, I have tears in my eyes and a big grin on my face as I read of your visit with Amanda and see you smiling with her and then Sweet Pea. I cannot explain with words the connection I feel with you since I was able to spend time with your family Sunday eve. YOu are an amazing lady and your smile is so infectious and jubilant. LOVE TO YOU AND FAMILY!!!!!!! My response of seeing Sweet Pean with the pup in the chair solidifies that she has a new "auntie".....
Posted by: Em | June 21, 2011 at 02:00 PM
It looks like you and Sweet Pea are having a good time as you travel visiting & meeting people. Really pretty necklace Amanda gave you, how sweet of her! And the picture of sweet me and her friend, Skardu, is so touching. (I've been on vacation, so I'm just catching up with you.)
Posted by: Linda in Calif. | June 21, 2011 at 03:11 PM
OHHHH, I am soo glad that you got to meet Amanda... sounds like she is as wonderful as you!
Posted by: Jackie | June 21, 2011 at 10:50 PM
Great dog, great name for dog, great pic of Sweet Pea with dog!
Posted by: Terri | June 21, 2011 at 10:59 PM
Don't worry about your smile -that's just how it is -you are a very happy smiley person. But Swt P sure doesn't look any too happy -or maybe she was just tired. SAFE TRAVELING TO YOU.
Posted by: sisLH | June 22, 2011 at 12:27 PM
Have fun traveling. If you ever make it to Montana there are wonderful quilting shops there!!!
Posted by: Weekend Cowgirl | June 28, 2011 at 07:00 PM