Where does the time go?

Today the STASH group met at my house. I was going to take pictures so I would have something to blog about, but I forgot until we were nearly finished with lunch. It is such a nice group and we have a good time together. There are usually 6 of us, so it is small and we are not a critique group or a very-serious-about-anything kind of group. I have those more serious groups in my life. STASH is really just a group of good friends who are all quilt/fiber artists. We show what we are working on. Today we talked about our plans to go to the Pacific West Quilt Show in Tacoma in August and planned a beach retreat in early May.

The hostess usually makes lunch. Sometimes we go out. We do love to eat! Half of the group are vegetarians, so when we cook it is vegetarian. Fine with me. I'm not a vegetarian, but love all kinds of food and certainly don't need meat with every meal. I experimented on my friends today. I made a dish called "sweet potato walnut quinoa." It seemed to be well-received. Tasted good to me. I was a little dubious as I dished it up. Looked kind of gloppy, if you know what I mean, but the flavors were really good. I also made a salad with greens, pears, almonds and blue cheese and a loaf of my no-knead bread. Fresh strawberries and dark chocolate crisps (from Trader Joe's) for a simple dessert.

I can't recall what Reva was explaining here. Looks like "then the two parts come together and..." About that time Gerrie looked up and noticed a deer laying in the grass in my backyard. By the time I got my camera she knew we had seen her and she was on her feet prepared to flee.

So pretty. Another deer joined her and they both ran off into the woods. I think the same two deer have been in the yard a lot lately. I saw them out front the other day. They drive us crazy in the summer, eating the roses and the garden, but I still love to see them. I don't know what they are finding to eat right now. Daffodils? Oh, I hope not. I am really looking forward to the daffodils.

I can hardly believe how time is flying. Wasn't it just Christmas? I seem never to be caught up and always working against deadline. I produce the newsletter for Columbia FiberArts guild and got that done and out yesterday. I have some small design jobs and a quilt I need to make soon for an invitational and a couple of volunteer chores that need to be attended to. I have a lot to do. But for the moment I am enjoying the quiet in my house. My friends left a couple of hours ago and I have cleaned up the kitchen and the dishwasher is running. I am snacking on the bowl of trail mix I put out with our coffee this morning and remembering the good conversation and the sounds of my friends' laughter. The sun is pouring through the windows and I keep hoping to see that the deer are back. All those things I need to do can wait until tomorrow. I am enjoying today.