Back from Branson

Hmmmm....I wonder if anyone will read this, since you have all probably given up on me! We returned a couple of days ago from a vacation in Branson, Missouri, the entertainment mecca of the Midwest in the Ozark Mountains near Tablerock Lake. We went there on that particular week because the Silver Dollar City theme park was hosting their annual Bluegrass and BBQ festival. We got to enjoy 6 bluegrass groups and eat a wonderful beef brisket lunch.

When traveling I always carry a bag full of applique projects, and this trip was no exception. I finished Block 5 in Susan Guzman's free block of the month series as well as several daisy blocks for a quilt for our second granddaughter, who will be born in about two months. I'm also making flip flop blocks. They're going to be "designer flip flops" because I'm using my novelty fabrics to make each one different--animal print flip flop, western flip flop, ladybug flip flop, etc. You'll see!

Another of my favorite things on the trip was getting to see Yakov Smirnoff, the smiling guy on the left. Yakov is a comedian who immigrated from Russia at the age of 26, having little money and knowing no English. His perspective on American life from the immigrant perspective is insightful and hilarious! (He has made a darn good living with it, too!) We went back to the theater another night to be in the audience for a talk show pilot hosted by Yakov. We got to give feedback, and I really hope that his show will be picked up. It wouldn't be all comedy. Two years ago he earned a Master's degree in Psychology from Penn, and he is very interested in using it as part of the show.