How It All Began

Every adventure has a beginning. Bingo’s began in our home in Switzerland, where he lived with his mom, Judit, a quilter and designer, and his papa, Bill, a retired lawyer, hobby jazz musician, devoted gardener—and frequent fence mender, mostly because Bingo considered fences more of a challenge than a boundary.

There were quilts in every room, music in the house, a garden that required constant inspection, and usually something delicious cooking in the kitchen—especially interesting to Bingo, who knew his mom could be relied upon to drop something edible “by accident” now and then.

With so much to keep an eye on, even the most ordinary day could turn into an adventure for one endlessly curious little Wire Fox Terrier.

Some adventures began on our family walks through the Swiss countryside. Others began the moment Bingo slipped through the fence, following his curiosity wherever it led—sometimes down a familiar path, sometimes somewhere entirely unexpected.

Over the years, those everyday adventures became some of our favorite memories—and eventually, the inspiration for these stories. Some are lovingly retold much as they happened, while others begin with a real memory and take an imaginative turn. And every now and then, imagination takes over completely, sending Bingo into a familiar fairy tale where he might meet Heidi, Little Red Riding Hood, the Three Bears—or whoever else happens to be waiting farther down the path.

Wherever his adventures take him, there is usually a quilt somewhere along the way—sometimes a picnic blanket, sometimes a gift, sometimes a treasured family heirloom, and occasionally the very thing that brings everyone together.