Well this last week was pretty busy revolving around alot quilting things. Each meeting I attended was filled with inspiration and food for thought as to why we quilt. Last Tuesday I had the pleasure of attending the Gooding Sewing Group in Gooding Idaho. It was a potluck meeting that the girls decided to honor Pat Dailey for all her efforts keeping this group going and her continued support of women who quilt and sew. The great thing was the way they totally surprised Pat. They told her that they were celebrating Elaine Quinn’s birthday a few months early and but she was to tell the group that it was really for Joan so Elaine would be surprised. At the last Desert Sage Quilters meeting she was trying to explain to me how the upcoming surprise was suppose to work and I was trying to keep a straight face because I knew she didn’t have a clue it was for her. Anyway back to the Tuesday potluck. We all arrived with our potluck dishes and Pat explained that when Elaine arrived we would yell surprise. Meanwhile we were sneaking around trying to sign the card for Pat and also a birthday card for Elaine. Finally Elaine arrives and we yelled surprise looking at Pat and of course she was shocked to say the least. She was completely surprised. It was great. As you can see from the pictures that we had a lot of good food and plenty of laughs that day. Check out the quilts they used for the tablecloths on the food table. Included are some of the quilters and their projects worked on that day. To me this is one of the best things about living in a small town. There is a common bond to support and honor each other. Quilting and sewing seems to bridge the bonds of living and continues to enrich our lives. All of these women have had there challenges through the years with one of them being hit by a car on vacation and the ensuing recovery and Pat Dailey husband passing away earlier this year. I believe the heart strings are very strong in this group and it is an honor to be able come and sit for a while and hang out with them….Lastly thank you Barb Stratton who organized this little get together you are truly a blessing…