Project Update and Questions - Help!

I've been quilting with my walking foot inside the edge of each block and  outside the edge of each circle.  I am 80% finished with the border.  I have two questions - well many questions but I will keep it to two!

1.  How do I hide the ends of my thread when my quilting does not go off the edge of the quilt?
2.  Where do you start when you are filling in the background of the quilt?  Quilting the field of the quilt is the part I have been the most nervous about.  I am planning to either stipple it or do swirly lines that make circles.  These were both taught in my class in October.

Any help is greatly appreciated!