Conference and Shopping – Way Offtopic

I had a chance to go to a conference for work in the Wisconsin Dells.  Fall colors were abundant and the drive on a nice, sunny Sunday was a pleasure.  Even driving through the construction in Milwaukee wasn’t bad because I left the house around 10:30 am.  I learned a ton, got to see old friends that I hadn’t seen since 2014, and did some shopping.  Most of this post concerns the last portion of that sentence . . . shopping.  I’m not even a fan but look at these fabulous finds!

Fabric Shopping

The reason I left the house at 10:30 in spite of a 3:00 pm check-in and a 2-hour drive is an easy answer to your unasked question.  Quintessential Quilts in Reedsburg, WI opened at noon and I wanted to be there with plenty of shopping time.  Sue and Rosalie stopped there on the Road Trip post, but I had never been.  What a nice shop!  They have oodles of fabrics, patterns, supplies, and friendly staff.  I showed a bit of restraint and only purchased this fabric.

Just enough for the backing on a baby quilt that may or may not be needed in 2020. <wink>  I’m not telling.

Holiday Shopping

After dinner with friends, I poked around in the gift shop that was connected to the restaurant.  It was right there, after all . . . and I found some c.u.t.e. things.  Some came home with me, and some did not.  I can’t say, as they might be gifts.

These two sweet little dresses are obviously Addison’s size.  One is a Halloween costume of a giraffe.  It has a tutu around the waist and a headband with giraffe ears and horns.  Can’t you just her trick or treating in this tomorrow?!  For the second find, it’s a Cinderella-type dress with a sparkly bodice and just the perfect color of blue.  They had some ADORABLE outfits, and I have some good friends to get me out of that shop without buying all of them.

Hat Shopping

In the same shop, I stumbled upon a hat made by Addie’s company.  Okay, our Addi prefers to drop the “e” . . . but that polar bear hat is SO cute.  And s.o.f.t. and ready to come home with me, if I were to buy it.  I’m not saying that I *did* buy them, but IF I did, Dominic would also need a hat.  Nearby, was the brown bear hat that was even softer than the polar bear.  Both came with mittens, too.

Musical Instrument Shopping

Finally, in a completely different store, I found these musical instruments.  Sue and I both think they would be just PERFECT gifts for Dominic and Addison.  However, not yet.  They are just too little for these gifts.

Drums in either color would be perfect, plus a child-sized guitar as well.  Sue and I both would like to learn to play the guitar.  Available in the nifty camo version or the usual woodgrain, the guitar has software and lessons and everything!  We are THAT kind of aunts.  Around twenty-five years ago or so we gave our three niece and nephews a keyboard, drum set, and guitar.  Their delighted parents called us very early Christmas morning so we could enjoy the concert.  It was music to our ears, and we loved every moment of that concert.  So much so that we will repeat it again, if given the chance.

Conference Stuff

It was well worth my time attending the conference, as I did learn a lot.  I brought home a list of to-do items to share and check further on.  A breakfast of champions was enjoyed by me:  yogurt with fresh berries, a granola bar, and three slices of bacon. 

I never said it was healthy – just that any champion with a brain would eat it.  Missing from the photo is the huge glass of water and a separate mug of coffee.  YUM!  Lest you think I only shopped and conferenced, I also made a short visit to Ho-Chunk casino.  I’ll thank you to know that I left with $32.85 more in my pocket than I started with.  This was a win/win/win trip all around.

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