Farewell, Sammy!

Yesterday Sam left for college. She stopped by the shop in the morning for a quick hug, a last farewell and to say thank you for a gift a bunch of us gave her last week.

You may remember Samantha. We went to her high school graduation in June. Sammy has so much going for her....family & friends who deeply love her, valedictorian of her class (AND she graduated from JR. college the week before she graduated high school!), brains, beauty and spunk. She left for CalPoly San Luis Obispo yesterday.

Before she left a bunch of us had a going away dinner for her at The Ritz Teppanyaki. There were two grill tables full of us. We are like the big sisters & aunties. Sam first came into our store when she was only 11 years old.



Dinner was so much fun. The cooking of your dinner is the show too! We laughed and laughed. A man at the grill table next to me pointed out there were so many of us and no men. "Where are the guys?" he asked. I told him it was a girl's night out. At that moment a bit of broccoli was flung at my open mouth....one of these trips I'm going to catch it!

I forgot to take a picture early on, but here is a small portion of my plate. I couldn't begin to count the shrimp on my plate. And I ate the whole thing! Dinner starts out with a small salad with a citrus miso dressing. Yummo! They also serve it as a dipping sauce, it's the yellow one near my plate. Then came miso soup and I got steamed rice (and I put the citrus miso sauce on it too!).

After dinner Crystal presented her daughter with this quilt. It was made from Samantha's T-Shirts & Sweatshirts. Sydney had to run up and check it out too.

We were sooo bad.....after dinner we walked to Bon Boniere for an ice cream cone. I had Coconut Almond Fudge. I really like Coconut ice cream and they make a really good one.


We're rooting for you Samantha! Enjoy college and see you at Christmas. You'll be missed. Keep in touch!

Samantha's Graduation

Today I was invited to attend the high school graduation ceremony of Samantha. She is an amazing young woman I've had the privilege of knowing for the past 6 or 7 years. Sam was Valedictorian of her class. Pretty amazing in itself, but you see last week Samantha graduated from Jr. College.


It seems just like last month that Sam and her mom, Crystal, told us that she was applying to Academy of the Redwoods. Bill and Melinda Gates had given $$ for the start up of a local academy which would have those interested and motivated students go to high school AND college at the same time on the same campus. In Jr. High Samantha had begun working a little now and again at Scottie Dog Quilts and at one Quilt Show we were vending at she stepped up to the computer/register for a moment and then I stepped back and let HER do all the work. So I was asked to write a letter of recommendation for Samantha for this new school.

Some people thought this school would be fabulous for Sam and what a great opportunity and others said she'd miss out on all the fun a regular high school would bring. Samantha was focused on her studies AND having a great time, surrounding her with friends and good times too. Rarely have I known anyone her age with such talent, intelligence, grace, poise, maturity and the ability to relate to both her peers and adults so well.

So last week Samantha graduated with honors from College of the Redwoods and today from high school. Some say it might be a let down....after delivering her Valedictorian Speech, Sam met with friends and family (I was honored to be among those!) for a celebratory dinner and then with glowing face she and two friends ran off to the high school's Safe and Sober Graduation Party. Samantha will go far and be at ease in any situation she finds herself in.

September will be here soon enough and Sammy will be off to Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo where she was admitted as a Junior with honors and continuing with her dream of becoming an Architectural Engineer. Congratulations Samantha for a job well done. I wish you the best and am so very proud of you. And Crystal.....the empty nest is fast approaching.