Wednesday's Wanderings #11 - Bitty Kinna's

It is hard to believe that this is the first Wednesday  in 2012 that I have been at home in Pennsylvania.  I have to say that it is so much easier to find a theme for my block of the week while I am on the road.  I still could do a bunch of blocks from visiting Israel, but my goal has been to "be in the moment".  The block should represent my week.

This week I headed out to Intercourse in Lancaster County.  I must have been a farmer in a former life.  I certainly wasn't Amish.  I love the farmland and seeing the Amish travelling the roads in their buggies and plowing their fields with their team of horses.  It is soothing and relaxing and mitigates some of life's stresses. 

A horse and buggy parked outside of Zooks - a great fabric store.

A shop with many beautiful hand made Amish quilts.

Farm country road

An Amish farm up ahead

A ram ready for a Spring haircut

I visited a few quilt shops and my favorite quilt shop owner.  Gina of Bitty Kinna's is one of the sweetest and generous women that I know. She greets many of her customers with a big hug.   I do have to say that I am quite biased.  She carries most of my Judaic patterns, OyVey! Quilt Designs.  She hangs the sample of each pattern and they sell like blockbusters.  It is always a wonderful excuse to replenish her stock for a trip to Lancaster.

So I chose to showcase her shop, Bitty Kinna's - Where Quilters Gather and an Amish buggy for my Wednesday's Wanderings.

(Addendum - Unfortunately, Bitty Kinna is no longer in business.  I hate to see a quilt shop close.)

Sonoma Rose - New Winner

When you enter a give-a-way, remember to make sure that your e-mail is available somewhere from your comment.  many, many people do not have an e-mail address associated with their blogger signature.  Most bloggers doing a give-a-way do give a warning as I did.  Next time I will remember not to include the no-reply commenters from the drawing.  So, the first person I chose to win "Sonoma Rose" by Jennifer Chiaverini was not reachable.  I gave her a couple of days to reach me, but she hasn't.  So I have chosen another winner.
ugolfiquilt is the new winner.  I will send an e-mail right now.  Thank you everyone for participating.

Photos For My Foodie Friends and a Book Winner

I am what I call a conservative eater.  This does not connote quantity, it is about the types of food that I will eat.  I knew I would not have to worry about starving in Israel (ha ha).  Most of the restaurants are Kosher and most strange foods are not Kosher.  Here are photos of some of my favorites.

Hummus, to be eaten with the most wonderful pita bread I have ever had.

Isn't this a beautiful tomato display?

Hamentashen.  Delightful and delicious cookies.

Chocolate croissants

I met with a group of quilters and look at all of the beautiful food they served. Yum.

Shwarma - my big adventuresome meal - but not really.  It's chicken.

This is what it looks like on pita.

The winner of Jennifer Chiaverini's newest boo, Sonoma Rose, is ldlombardo.  Congratulations!  The publisher will send you a copy of the book as soon as you e-mail me your address.  If I don't hear from you in 2 days, I will have to pick a new winner since you did not leave an e-mail address:(

Wednesday's Wanderings #10 - Childhood Memories

It's interesting what is important to you upon reflection as opposed to what is important to you at the moment. On one of the last days of I\my Israel trip, our group headed to a remote area to plant a tree under the guidance of The Jewish National Fund (JNF).

Kids, as well as adults, in synagogues all over the world have been donating money to plant a tree in Israel. Sometimes it is for a special holiday and sometimes it is to commemorate an occasion. These trees have turned some parts of Israel from a barren wasteland into a forest.

So it was appropriate for us to plant a tree. I have to say it was a little kitschy. The guide from the JNF talked in a disinterested monotone trying to finish his speech as quickly as he could because he had other groups waiting. Our group was given this flat of pistachio seedlings to plant in pre-dug holes.

This week while trying to choose a topic for my WW, I chose this tree planting. The tree planting connected my childhood to my long awaited trip to Israel with my current life. Those dollars we sent helped to make Israel green. I am a part of that country. So the insignificant event became so significant to me in retrospect.

A Book Give-A-Way, Not just For Quilters

It was the best timing.  Dutton Books contacted me to see if I was interested in reviewing Jennifer Chiaverini's newest book called "Sonoma Rose", right before I was leaving for Israel.  I hadn't chosen a book for the plane ride, so I said "send it to me, quickly".  And they sent me an Advance Proof. This made me feel quite important!

Jennifer Chiaverini is a NY Times best selling author.  This is the 7th book in her Elm Creek Quilts Novel Series.  She also has published several quilt pattern books.  Quilts are frequently mentioned in her book, but you don't have to be a quilter to read them.

"Sonoma Rose" takes place during prohibition with a strong woman character.  Some of her children have Celiac's disease. It took a long time to diagnose them and this reminded me of my friend, Nancy. 

The good news is that Dutton has offered a copy of "Sonoma Rose", hot off the press, to give away. Leave a comment and make sure that you leave an e-mail where I can contact you.  I will pick the winner on Weds, leap day.

Wednesday's Wanderings #9 - My View of Jerusalem

I am still wandering but heading home tonight.  Leaving this beautifully complex country will be so difficult but I can't wait to start making quilts inspired by this amazing trip (and sleeping in my bed and seeing Bailey girl). Here's my little quilt for this week.

My view of Jerusalem

In case you were wondering, I brought bits and pieces of fabric and fusible web with me.  My husband and I had a light dinner one night. Afterwards, I called the front desk requesting an iron and ironing board and then spent the evening creating.  I'll stitch it down when I get home.

Photos From Israel

I promised more photos and here they are, albeit a bit disorganized. We have been so very busy trying to cram in as much as we can and it has been hard to get on-line. I'll keep at it.



A happy sight after an 11 hour plane ride - Welcome to Israel at the airport.

 

Apartment buildings located on the typical rocky terrain.



Camels grazing on the side of the road.

Pretty skinny!

Surprisingly, this is the desert.  It is rock, not sand.



The Dead Sea.



Safed - a very European looking town.

 

There are soldiers everywhere in Jerusalem, but most of he ones we have seen are in training.  Everyone has to serve in the army .  They usually do it after high school.  Girls serve 2 years and boys serve for 3 years.