Sister's Choice Quilts

My interests are quilting, reading, cooking, family, decorating, and matters of style. I post regular quilting tutorials and book reviews of current fiction.

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Where To Begin…

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I do not even know where to start, Monday was such a big day!  I had the day off and drove up to Sunnyvale, where I used to meet regularly with a group of lovely women for a sewing get together we called the UFO (Unfinished Objects).  I really need to do that more often.   Gosh, I had a great time!  I finished nine Belle Meade blocks (I was doing a LOT of talking–could have made way more), for a total of 17!  Woo hoo!  I am making tracks with these!  How are you doing Thelma?

I wasn't going to tell you this, but I made a swerve off the freeway on the way home and stopped at HomeGoods, just to see if they had any dishes that would go with my Valentine's table topper.  I know.  Don't scold.

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Seriously.  These dishes are wonderful and cost $24.  (I had a merchandise credit).   How fun is that?  I need to get out my pink napkins and the red crystal glasses, and I could enter Naps on the Porch's Tablescape Thursdays.

Got home, and Ahren made dinner.  We have been watching Worst Cooks in America, and he is determined to try the chef's recipes each week and show us that he can make the recipes successfully.  And he can.  Yes indeed.  My weight loss regime is ruined if this keeps up.

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Before.

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After.

84 responses to “Where To Begin…”

  1. No scolding necessaary – those dishes are lovely – make me think of summer, especially these days when we have been having below normal temperatures. Enjoy the dishes and Ahren’s meals – lucky you.

  2. No scolding necessaary – those dishes are lovely – make me think of summer, especially these days when we have been having below normal temperatures. Enjoy the dishes and Ahren’s meals – lucky you.

  3. The dishes really pull out the red in the centerpiece or is it the other way around. You have created a little masterpiece!!!

  4. The dishes really pull out the red in the centerpiece or is it the other way around. You have created a little masterpiece!!!

  5. “Don’t worry, I am not going shopping for more dishes.” – Nicole, 2011
    Hahahahahahaha!
    (I love the new ones, but actually I loved the old ones too.)

  6. “Don’t worry, I am not going shopping for more dishes.” – Nicole, 2011
    Hahahahahahaha!
    (I love the new ones, but actually I loved the old ones too.)

  9. What a pretty table, I agree they make me think of summer and considering the amount of snow and frigid weather we’ve been having I need the reminders.
    Supper looked very yummy too!

  10. What a pretty table, I agree they make me think of summer and considering the amount of snow and frigid weather we’ve been having I need the reminders.
    Supper looked very yummy too!

  15. Yes, those dishes are gorgeous and would be hard to pass up. I always hate it when my car swerves into Nordstrom’s parking lot too!! 🙂

  16. Yes, those dishes are gorgeous and would be hard to pass up. I always hate it when my car swerves into Nordstrom’s parking lot too!! 🙂

  17. Great score on those dishes. Home Goods is my favorite haunt. Nary a week goes by without you finding me in there. You got a great bargain!

  18. Great score on those dishes. Home Goods is my favorite haunt. Nary a week goes by without you finding me in there. You got a great bargain!

  19. Nicole that was $ well spent (or store credit well used). Those dishes look fabulous with that table topper and you have a great look going there for Valentine’s Day. I’m sure you can change things up and perhaps use the dishes in the summer or spring as well. Awesome find. Good eye!! Love Home Goods myself.

  20. Nicole that was $ well spent (or store credit well used). Those dishes look fabulous with that table topper and you have a great look going there for Valentine’s Day. I’m sure you can change things up and perhaps use the dishes in the summer or spring as well. Awesome find. Good eye!! Love Home Goods myself.

  21. oh those are just right. Although I do like the rooster ones, but then again I have a thing for roosters! dinner looks yummy too

  22. oh those are just right. Although I do like the rooster ones, but then again I have a thing for roosters! dinner looks yummy too

  25. The table setting is gorgeous! And gee, if you used a store credit it really doesn’t count as a purchase, right? LOL
    Dinner looks scrumptious!

  26. The table setting is gorgeous! And gee, if you used a store credit it really doesn’t count as a purchase, right? LOL
    Dinner looks scrumptious!

  27. I liked the old dishes, but the new ones are great! Flowers are always great for Valentine’s day.

  28. I liked the old dishes, but the new ones are great! Flowers are always great for Valentine’s day.

  31. Oh wow Nicole I LOVE your new dishes. I was just at Home Goods on Saturday, and ours did not have anything like that!!! Or I would have scooped some up myself 😉

  32. Oh wow Nicole I LOVE your new dishes. I was just at Home Goods on Saturday, and ours did not have anything like that!!! Or I would have scooped some up myself 😉

  37. What happy, pretty floral dishes! They match your little quilt so well, too.
    Well done, Ahren!!!! A man who cooks and is good at it is a treasure, indeed! I know. I’m married to one and it’s difficult to shed the pounds I wish to shed with our menus, too. Serious yum!
    So glad you went to play with quiltie friends yesterday. There’s just nothing better than that. Your blocks are looking great!
    Hugs!

  38. What happy, pretty floral dishes! They match your little quilt so well, too.
    Well done, Ahren!!!! A man who cooks and is good at it is a treasure, indeed! I know. I’m married to one and it’s difficult to shed the pounds I wish to shed with our menus, too. Serious yum!
    So glad you went to play with quiltie friends yesterday. There’s just nothing better than that. Your blocks are looking great!
    Hugs!

  41. Nicole, You are so lucky to have a cook in the house. How nice would it be to have a delicious meal served to you every night at home. Does he do dishes?
    Marge

  42. Nicole, You are so lucky to have a cook in the house. How nice would it be to have a delicious meal served to you every night at home. Does he do dishes?
    Marge

  43. I *heart* Home Goods! It’s a great place to get inexpensive baskets & boxes to put gifts in — or stash projects in. And I LOVE their quirky dishes.

  44. I *heart* Home Goods! It’s a great place to get inexpensive baskets & boxes to put gifts in — or stash projects in. And I LOVE their quirky dishes.

  45. You are making great progress on those blocks. They are turning out lovely.
    I will join the chorus and say that the plates are really outstanding. I have to ask though… Where do you keep so many dishes? Do you buy them in sets of 4 or do you dip in and get 6? I would need a separate pantry just for my tableware if I had a weakness for Home Goods like you do.
    🙂

  46. You are making great progress on those blocks. They are turning out lovely.
    I will join the chorus and say that the plates are really outstanding. I have to ask though… Where do you keep so many dishes? Do you buy them in sets of 4 or do you dip in and get 6? I would need a separate pantry just for my tableware if I had a weakness for Home Goods like you do.
    🙂

  47. Those dishes are beautiful! And just think how absolutely lovely they would look for a “spring” or “Mother’s Day” tablescape with green placemats and table topper?? Oh my!
    Ahren appears to be a fabulous chef and you will miss those talents when he moves; along with, of course, how a mom misses a son.
    Glad you were able to have some quilting time with friends.

  48. Those dishes are beautiful! And just think how absolutely lovely they would look for a “spring” or “Mother’s Day” tablescape with green placemats and table topper?? Oh my!
    Ahren appears to be a fabulous chef and you will miss those talents when he moves; along with, of course, how a mom misses a son.
    Glad you were able to have some quilting time with friends.

  53. Sewing with friends is the best! And it is surprising how easy it is to talk and sew, LOL! Reminds me of my first sewing teacher in middle school, who forbade us to talk to each other while sewing. She was a meanie.
    The dishes look lovely with your table topper! And also with that yummy dinner 🙂

  54. Sewing with friends is the best! And it is surprising how easy it is to talk and sew, LOL! Reminds me of my first sewing teacher in middle school, who forbade us to talk to each other while sewing. She was a meanie.
    The dishes look lovely with your table topper! And also with that yummy dinner 🙂

  55. Sometimes our cars just can’t be controlled – it’s not us at all, Nicole – LOL! I love these dishes – couldn’t be more perfect – unless of course, Ahren’s fiance was there to enjoy them with you all!
    Cheers!

  56. Sometimes our cars just can’t be controlled – it’s not us at all, Nicole – LOL! I love these dishes – couldn’t be more perfect – unless of course, Ahren’s fiance was there to enjoy them with you all!
    Cheers!

  57. I love your dishes, they are perfect for your tablescape! I love Home Goods… I would have done the same. Actually, while the hubs was in the hospital I made quite a few stops in HG’s… it was JUST around the corner!

  58. I love your dishes, they are perfect for your tablescape! I love Home Goods… I would have done the same. Actually, while the hubs was in the hospital I made quite a few stops in HG’s… it was JUST around the corner!

  61. I love the new dishes and your table looks beautiful!
    The blocks are looking so pretty…love that you’ve used the woven’s in the mix.

  62. I love the new dishes and your table looks beautiful!
    The blocks are looking so pretty…love that you’ve used the woven’s in the mix.

  63. Those dishes are just perfect for your table! I just LOVE homegoods!
    Congrats on completing 17 quilt blocks. I can not wait to see this quilt done. It is going to be stunning!

  64. Those dishes are just perfect for your table! I just LOVE homegoods!
    Congrats on completing 17 quilt blocks. I can not wait to see this quilt done. It is going to be stunning!

  65. Whoa they are way cool and just what the table topper needed for that ‘just perfect’ look! Good job!
    Marsha

  66. Whoa they are way cool and just what the table topper needed for that ‘just perfect’ look! Good job!
    Marsha

  69. The new dishes are beautiful, especially with the table topper. Good job! Glad you had a fun day with friends.

  70. The new dishes are beautiful, especially with the table topper. Good job! Glad you had a fun day with friends.

  71. Yum-o! Yes, the new dishes trump the white with red wine glasses look. Of course, I would not have been swayed to change my mind if you hadn’t added the rose. So, rose+rose plates+plus valentines quilt=Winner! Dinner looked delicious.

  72. Yum-o! Yes, the new dishes trump the white with red wine glasses look. Of course, I would not have been swayed to change my mind if you hadn’t added the rose. So, rose+rose plates+plus valentines quilt=Winner! Dinner looked delicious.

  73. My car does that too! When we’re down south, our car can hone in on a Ross within a 20 mile radius. It’s amazing!
    We watched a few episodes of Worst Cooks. I really couldn’t believe how clueless some people were. But some of the recipes looked yummy!

  74. My car does that too! When we’re down south, our car can hone in on a Ross within a 20 mile radius. It’s amazing!
    We watched a few episodes of Worst Cooks. I really couldn’t believe how clueless some people were. But some of the recipes looked yummy!

  77. I stopped in at Prairie Queens on Saturday!!!! Lovely store and the girls are so nice – April and Becka helped me. I even got a military (Mom) discount when I mentioned my son was in the Navy! I just wish it were closer to where I live.

  78. I stopped in at Prairie Queens on Saturday!!!! Lovely store and the girls are so nice – April and Becka helped me. I even got a military (Mom) discount when I mentioned my son was in the Navy! I just wish it were closer to where I live.

  79. I love the dishes Nicole- they look gorgeous with the rest of the decor- You do have the knack of finding great combinations.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Regards,
    Anna

  80. I love the dishes Nicole- they look gorgeous with the rest of the decor- You do have the knack of finding great combinations.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Regards,
    Anna

  81. I love the dishes. They look so pretty with the topper.
    I have this thing for dishes and glassware. I would have so many sets if I had somewhere to put them all.
    Your meal looks great. What did he cook. I’ve watched that show and enjoy it.

  82. I love the dishes. They look so pretty with the topper.
    I have this thing for dishes and glassware. I would have so many sets if I had somewhere to put them all.
    Your meal looks great. What did he cook. I’ve watched that show and enjoy it.