quilts, quilt books, chocolate

Hello Dawn,

Here is a report I wrote to the NG. Thought you'd like to read
about the chocolate especially!!! When ever I go to that
restaurant I think of you and wish you'd come visit so I could
take you there. Maybe someday, eh?

Yep, quilts, quilt books, and chocolate ... all in one lovely
afternoon. It doesn't get much better than that, even on a very
hot and humid day. A friend and I went for lunch yesterday, at
the Trellis Restaurant in Williamsburg, Virginia ... kitchen of
the famous Death By Chocolate Dessert and other brilliant food.
(You may have the books by Chef Marcell Desclaires?? ... sorry, I
can't ge that right!)

It is a lovely restaurant. The patio is very attractive and DH
and I especially like to sit out there and watch the world pass
by on the Square. Yesterday was too hot and humid though, so
Carol and I ate indoors. Good choice, given the high humidity.
The interior is okay. Simple furnishings occasionally sparkled up
with some Art on Consignment. This time there were some BEAUTIFUL
art quilts on display. Absolutely stunning work ... stunning
prices too! I certainly enjoyed those quilts.

We each had the salad with grilled chicken breast. Very good,
especially the red cabbage. Not too filling, as we wanted dessert
of course! It was a tough choice, but I finally decided to get
the Chocolate Temptation instead of DBC, for a change of pace.
Good coffee too. And, Carol paid for it ... a late birthday
lunch. (VERY late ... my BD was in January!!) Good food, good
conversation, good service ... fantastic chocolate cake with
ganache coat and a delicate raspberry sauce. Oh la la!

Then we wandered around the Merchants' Square and a few blocks
over. It was like walking thru a sauna, with that humidity! If
you know the Colonial Williamsburg stores your probably know the
Quilts Etc. Store that was upstairs from a general store. It had
lots of quilts ... some old, some new ... quite a few gift and
crafted items, and even a small selection of fabric and quilt
books. Well that store has relocated a few blocks over, near the
Seasons Cafe, by the old hospital. Now it has lots and lots of
giftables, the quilts, and some specialty clothing. No more bolt
fabric, only a few FQ and Half yard cuts at $2.25 and 4.50
respectively. Considering these are way outdated, the price is
too much. BUT .... all the quilt books are 50% off!! I found at
least 8 that I thought interesting, but narrowed it to just
three. I got the little Jean Ray Laury Organizer book called
Keeping It All Together, Quiltmakers of Australia by Karen Fail,
and Easy Art Quilts by Christiane Meunier. All that for about $22
.... woo hooo!! It was terrific to find this sale as I 'owed'
myself a new book for reward and had planned to spend about $25.
This reward was for good job with Weight Watchers. 8-)

Last evening I went to my small quilt group. We gave farewell
blocks to a member moving to Colorado. We swapped red 5" strips.
Got a demo on some easy 3-D blocks. Nice evening. Saw a couple
quilts and other goodies.

Quilts, books, chocolate .... a tough day, but someone had to do
it. Did I mention the humidity was a killer??

PAT in Virginia