I have come face to face with a couple of ladies whom I have admired for years and years and years and we are getting along so swimmingly ---tonight I kept pinching myself, why am I here? Do I really deserve to be here?
This whole trip is like a dream come true, and Quilters are gathering from all over the globe to partake of this event – SO MUCH WORK has gone on behind the scenes….you’d have no idea how much unless you were given a glimpse over the past year to see just how much has gone into it continually ---and this is it. It’s happening.
It’s really fun to get dressed up and be driven off to a fancy place! The reception gala was held at the beautiful Galway Bay hotel. We mingled and schmoozed and got aquainted with those who had come from near and far – champagne and cocktails were served for those who imbibed…there was juice and other beverages for those who didn’t ---and then we were ushered into the banquet room for the evening's festivities.
So beautiful! Oh boy, here we go with all that silverware again…yes…I know…work from the outside in!!
Our host, Jim West, mingling with the lovely ladies!
My beautiful friend Sherry Denton sitting across the table from me!
Cheers, everyone! Yes, we are REALLY HERE!
The wait staff was taking very good care of us!
All around the room Quilters were talking about their tours this day ---We had spent the day at Kylemore Abbey – more photos of that to come as soon as I get a chance to really sit and edit and write!
Much discussion over the menu from Table 5, the Batting Babes!
If you could be here which entrée would you choose?
Being as I did the salmon last night, it was the prime rib for me…..DELICIOUS!!
Pam Holland, announcing the winners of various show awards!
((I can’t wait to see the quilts at this show!))
And the most fun of all ---
Eleanor Burns getting her lifetime achievement award!
Look! Eleanor and I are color coordinated! :cD
But the most fun of all was watching her with her Irish-Colored gifted Feather Boa…
Check this out!
It’s just a short clip…I fumbled with the camera and it cut off the end of her speech…
After that, we had a fabulous time with the Trad on the Prom Show – Irish Music, Song & Dance at it’s Best! Think River Dance – only better….and we had front row seats!
Okay, so this explains why it’s after midnight and I’m still so jazzed…..
I better shut it down now though and get some sleep because classes start tomorrow morning ---
More love from Ireland!
Looks like you are having a lovely time.. and YES you deserve to be there silly! You are a quilting great! Kathi
ReplyDeleteLoved the picture of you and Eleanor Burns together! It's a treat to see and hear about this fantastic trip--can't wait for more from you.
ReplyDeleteTake care!
Thanks for taking us all with you Bonnie! Looks like a great time! Congrats to Eleanor too! Her patterns were the only ones I could follow before I found your blog and your fab directions! You gals have that in common--you make quilting accessible for so many of us!
ReplyDeleteYes ... I agree! You both are so down to earth! But Bonnie, I'm sorry... Eleanor was my first love! LOLOL
DeleteSounds like you are having a spectacular time. Enjoy every single minute, and don't worry about us .. we shall be envious from afar!! :-)
Thanks so much for taking the time to keep us posted on all the festivities! It's the next best thing to being there! Enjoy every moment---you deserve it!
ReplyDeleteBonnie - thank you for taking the time to share with us. What fun :)
ReplyDeleteJim West looks very handsome dressed up in a formal kilt. And, know what I noticed? Not a single hat on any of the ladies. Seems like everyone else had the same thought you did about that!
ReplyDeleteBonnie, I know you are having a blast! Can't wait to see more pictures of your trip.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are having a wonderful time! Thanks for sharing it with us! You deserve every minute of it.
ReplyDeleteKeep it all coming! I so wanted to do this trip but just couldn't make it work out. This way, I'll be living it along with you. Have a wonderful day tomorrow - or today - or whatever! And keep us updated!
ReplyDeleteWhat? no lamb on the menu at this time of year? Horrors! Enjoy Ireland, it's a fantastic country to travel in.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed reading you look like you are having a ball
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed reading you look like you are having a ball
ReplyDeleteLooks like you are having a fabulous time!!! I will forever be wondering what traveling with Eleanor was compared to!!! You so deserve this wonderful trip - have a blast!!!
ReplyDeleteLove traveling with you and sleeping in my own bed! :)
ReplyDeleteI can feel your excitement! Thanks so much for taking the time to post!
ReplyDeleteThank you! We all wish we were with you! Loved the pic with you and Eleanor! Deb
ReplyDeleteThank you! We all wish we were with you! Loved the pic with you and Eleanor! Deb
ReplyDeleteSuch an awesome experience for you! I want to go to Ireland some day! Enjoy your visit!
ReplyDeleteThat's too funny: my best friend Carol from Canada (and the one that got me into quilting ) is on your photo of table 5 Batting Babes. Certainly looks like you are having a grand time!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy every minute of it!
great!! I am having fun, watching you have fun.
ReplyDeleteKathleen from San Juan, Texas
Such fun Bonnie, thanks for bringing us along!
ReplyDeleteMary Ellen is right. No hats!!!!! Awesome.
ReplyDeleteKathleen from San Juan, Texas
Bonnie,I love it when you travel and take us with you. Thank you so much for taking the time to post all these wonderful pictures. What a fun evening. Great picture of you and Eleanor! So finish this line from the speech for us: travelling with Eleanor can be compared to . . . ?
ReplyDeletethanks for taking the time to post and share - love hearing of your travels and the photos.
ReplyDeleteSimply Wonderful! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteit sounds like you are having the time of your life over there! good for you! i just had to smile at that clip of eleanor burns. what a great lady she is! i've seen her in paducah and you just can't help but love her!
ReplyDeletetammy k. in illinois
No matter what happens later in your life, you will always have the wonderful memories of this trip to Ireland. Thanks for sharing the pictures and your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteTraveling with you is so much fun and it's very enlightening! Thanks for sharing your trip with us!
ReplyDeleteIt looks as though you are having an absolute blast! And, I can't believe it! Two of my most favorite quilters together in one photo! Be-still my heart!
ReplyDeleteYou are a super star Bonnie!!! Thanks for taking the time to share your trip with us! The room looks beautiful. I can see why you were still so pumped at midnight.
ReplyDelete