Remembering the Beach...One Week Later

Well, here they are...the 3 little granddaughters in their dresses from Grandma. It was a gorgeous week at the beach...only one night of rain as we slept....who cares about that?? Friday we did the family picture early in the day, but still the sun played with our eyeballs. The girls were sweet....they thought they were really cool since they were sporting their hair braid/weave that they got a couple of days earlier.

This is hubby and I on the beach that morning also....what a lovely place to be.

Happy Father's Day and Summer....

Yesterday we celebrated Father's Day in sunny Duck, NC. Hubby was surrounded by the grandkids and loved every minute of it. All of the dads here got some gifties from their sweet kids.
We are taking turns for dinners...I took Sunday and we had a great grilled pork chop dinner with all of the fixins. It really is strange cooking meals for 17....some of them big eaters. This morning we scrambled 36 eggs....or rather Grandpa and Mia did that!

Away we go....

Here is one of many bags packed for our trip to the Outer Banks. Hubby and I leave tomorrow and will take 2 days to get there. Our Oklahoma son will leave tomorrow also and it will take them 2 FULL days to get there. The daughters and family are leaving sometime in the night tomorrow and driving straight through. I can't do that anymore....too stressful, plus I HATE night driving especially in strange areas....like mountains!!!

Well, God willing we will be laying on the beach (or at least walking on the beach) in a little less then 48 hours. Hope I have internet along the way also....will try to post. If not, see you back here around the 27th.

Ready for the Beach

Here are the 3 dresses for 3 granddaughters that I promised them I would make. We are doing the khaki/white theme for pictures on the beach. Hopefully they will like them...they are 6,7 and 9 years old....if nothing else they can wear them as nighties after pictures.

I wanted to show my new iron that I got from Sears over the weekend. Connie had shown a picture of this one that she had purchased for her retreat. Let me tell you, this iron is sweet! I really like the size for my little pressing area by my machine. It will be great for taking to the lake and/or traveling with my sewing. The very best part that I think is worth the whole purchase price of $22 is that it doesn't have auto off.....so much nicer when piecing and pressing.

Happy Flag Day

Today is Flag Day here in the U. S. In 1916 President Woodrow Wilson officially established June 14th as Flag Day. In 1949, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress. We proudly display our flag on that day and this year President Obama has asked that the whole week (6 additional days) be observed also. Sorry, no days off!
God Bless America!

Fun, fun day.

This is my sweet granddaughter, Mia. She turned 9 on the 6th of this month and she is a joy to be around. Her kindness and maturity never cease to amaze me. She spent the night last night after her softball game and we had some fun times together. She decided to clean for me. She did a really good job in the kitchen...it smelled very fresh when she was done. She also wanted to do a load of laundry here, to get her uniform clean for the next game, so I let her do a load of darks with the uniform. She did it all....after a little instruction on my machines....she even folded and helped me put away. She did have a motive for all of this help....it was to earn a little cash for vacation. I did give her some and she will save it for another week until we leave. Oh, and she brushed one of the dogs for us also...the shedder, Barney!

Both of these pictures were taken today at dinnertime when we met her mom (DD, Amy) and little brother, Oliver for dinner. He is getting so big....will be 2 in September.

It was a good day....no sewing with Mia this time, although I did trace some of the BOM embroideries that I am doing and she asked if she could do that. I think I will find an easy design to let her try. She already knows how to do the backstitch.

Finished....for who?

Well I am finally back to posting. I don't know where the last week went....we were out of town a couple of days....no internet at the lake. I hadn't sewn in a while and really missed it. It is the time of year with a lot of yard work with the weeds and wildly growing grass.
I made these for something special which I can't really divulge at this time but will tell you at a later date. It was a great tutorial over at Karen's TTT....Tool Time Tuesday. I just discovered this a couple of months ago and it is really sweet! I do look forward to what she will put together every Tuesday with odds and ends. These are car caddies made with a can inserted in the cupholders that fit into the window frame inside the car....so many ideas for them.....sewer or not!

Latest

This is my latest finish.....a prototype of the 3 dresses I will make for 3 granddaughters (9, 7 and 6 years) for our beach vacation the end of June. I wanted to make sure about the size before I cut into the white material that I have. The pattern is like a "pillowcase" dress that I have seen but is super simple thanks to Sue who was gracious enough to share her directions after I spotted them on her blog. The beach ones will be white with khaki ribbons and possibly some eyelet trim around the hem. There will be 17 of us and I have instructed the family that I want them in khaki shorts/capris/skirt and a white top....any kind of white top. I only have 3 granddaughters out of the 9, and they will be in the dresses. I hope it works like I think it will....keeping everyone focused so that we can get a good shot??? Maybe after I have a Margarita or 2!

Finished Blocks

I'm so excited to be all caught up with Gail Pan's Christmas BOM. All the blocks will be done and all I will have to do is put them together for a Christmas quilt....Yeah!!!

A little of this...a little of that.

Wanted to share a few photos from my birthday celebration....a day of work for everyone that loves me...LOL.....here is hubby, sons-in-law, and oldest daughter helping pull out (with a large chain and the 4 wheel drive pickup) 2 bushes that started out very small about 15 years ago. What a job...bless them.

Here are 6 of the 9 grandkids....what helpers they were also. It was fun for them, especially riding in the big wagon that attaches to the garden tractor.

And little Oliver wishing Grandma a Happy Birthday!

We have a trailer up by Lake Erie that we can go to between April and October. Hubby and I went up there for a couple of days, came home to mow, have appts., and do laundry. Then went back up on Saturday and returned today. It is so nice to get away, but equally nice to come back home. Here is a gorgeous sunset out on the dock the first night we were there.

I have lilly of the valley planted there also and figured it was a good bouquet for my birthday.

This is a robin's nest that hubby found in the boat yard....on the back swim deck of one of the boats...wow, right out in the open. I couldn't get a good shot of the 2 babies, but they were there, sleeping. Don't know where Mom and Dad were, maybe finding worms.

Getting Old

OMGosh....was just going to change my age (after Tuesday's birthday) and my profile age had changed automatically for me.....wow, technology is something, eh???

Giveaway

Head on over to Vickie at Mid-Ohio Knitter (now Quilter) and enter this great giveaway for this pattern and a charm pack....great treats.

Sewing and Sweeties

I finished May from Ellie's BOM and it is hanging....if only for part of the month. It's my birthday month, so had to get this one finished and up.


This is a girl's quilt-to-be cut and ready to start sewing. I'm not sure about the colors...I am bad at picking out what should go with what. I have seen so many stunning and cute quilts that had fabrics in them that you never would have thought could go together, so I am venturing out a little. I knew I wanted it colorful....that it will be!

My third level of projects is something that I thought was the cutest thing I had ever seen...at the time....I still love the idea and need to cut this and put it together. It is small so it shouldn't take too long. I LOVE these fabrics....Simplicity by Moda....the colors and the softness....yummo!!

Yesterday Grandpa and I went to watch our granddaughter, Hannah, perform in her first grade talent show. This first grade teacher does this every year for her students...it is her tradition. The kids were so cute. They did cheerleading, jumproping, teaching us a sport, magic, reading a book, and Hannah's singing. I don't remember the song title...it was short and cute. I give her a lot of credit for doing this by herself.....a cappela I might add! This is her sister Samantha, in kindergarten, posing for Grandma's camera. They got to come and watch.

And this is Hannah.....good job, kiddo!

Lovely Day

This afternoon I was working in the flower beds...pulling weeds (never ending) and adding some new mulch. It was a lot of work for hubby and me...me with a bad back and him with shingles. We made it though and I got some pictures of the lovely nature that is in our yard. I wish I knew the name of this flower...I can't even remember when I planted it....had to pull out some of the Lillys of the Valley, they were taking over.

I was sitting on a little stool to help the back and give me a break and I was near the cherry tree with the hummingbird feeder right there. I got up and got my camera and got these shots. Although before I went in for my camera there had been 2 together on the feeder...when I brought out the camera, of course they made themselves scarce!

This nest, I assume robins, had fallen out of a large pine tree in the yard after last weekends mega wind. It was starting to come apart after the rain this week, so is now part of the trash. The underside was a series of plastic mesh woven in and out....just wonder where they got that and it amazes me to see the construction of bird's nests!

Giveaway

Julie over at Tattered Threads and Willing Hands is having a terrific Blogaversary giveaway. Go on over and sign up, like I did.

Happy Mother's Day

I would like to toast a Happy Mother's Day to all of my good friends here in blogland and elswhere also. I am toasting with my Margarita on the Rocks at a local (really good) Mexican Restaurant where we had dinner tonight with family. Have a terrific Sunday with loved ones or doing whatever makes you happy!

He likes it...

This picture is a little fuzzy because it was sent through a cellphone. My daughter says that Oliver really loves his new blankie. Don't you just love that smile....what a little ham. I want to eat him up! Sleep tight, Ollie.

Treat in the Mail

Look what I got in the mail today. I opened my mailbox and this big envelope was stuffed into it. I couldn't remember ordering anything recently and was pleasantly surprised when I saw the return address.

Thank you so much, Terry. My first PIF received. I love the little quilt a lot!! Pink and green are some of my favorite colors. Also thank you for the sweet card, gift tag, floss and buttons. Everything is adorable and I love getting goodies.

Finally a finish...

Well, I finally have a finish. First, though, I'd like to share some more of the lovely Spring nature from my yard. This first photo is an apple tree loaded with blossoms. They smell so good also, and the bees LOVE them. Hopefully we can keep up with spraying and have a load of apples to share in the fall.

This next photo is a cherry tree with gorgeous blossoms. This tree started out as a Weeping Cherry that I was so excited to get. I don't think we planted it too deep, but it started sprouting other branches that weren't "weeping". We just let it go, and now it is a nice size tree that I am glad we have because it adds shade to our front living room window. Much appreciated in the heat of summer. We do get cherries from this tree also....yellow ones.

I had to add this photo I took yesterday while visiting our local quilt shop. This dog was sitting so funny behind the steering wheel waiting for his master. It really looked funnier then this photo shows, but I couldn't resist sharing.

These are one of my favorite flowers....Lily of the Valley. Maybe because it is my birthday month flower. I wish they bloomed all summer. I have even cut a little bouquet of them and brought them into the house because they are so fragrant. They really mulitple fast. Really fast!

And finally my finish. A more experienced quilter would have finished this in one weekend (or sooner). I did procrastinate quite a bit, but our grandson, Oliver is 1 1/2 and he now has his "baby" quilt done. Only 8 more grandkid quilts to go. Maybe by the end of the year?? I do get inspiration from all of you fellow quilters.....thank you....it will help me be more motivated....it already has.

Tagged by Connie

I was tagged today by Connie to do a meme of 7 random things about me that you might not know. I just realized I hadn't posted in one week. I think it is because I haven't done any stitching lately nor finished my baby quilt. The weather was really nice around here and I have been helping with the mowing and such since hubby is really in a lot of pain with his shingles. It is 3 weeks now and no relief yet. Thank goodness for Vicodin.
Here are the interesting ?? things about me.

1. I was and am an LPN. I haven't practiced as one for quite a long time but did work in dental and medical offices until I "retired". Once a nurse, always a nurse. I love the medical profession and still remember so much....

2. I LOVE Italian food. I probably could eat some sort of this everyday. I don't have a speck of Italian in me, but love their food. Especially tomato based anything.....

3. I hated sewing until I was in my late 20's. That is when I took a Stretch n Sew classs and I loved it. Our 3 kids had matching t-shirts for quite a while during those years. My mom hated sewing and I didn't have anyone to guide me. I hated it in Home Ec. My grandma crocheted, but with the thread for doilies and I was 10 when she passed away, so needless to say I never learned that...until I was older and used yarn and loved it.

4. Last year, 2008, was our 40th wedding anniv. and I stitched a crazy patch pillow with machine embroidery celebrating the date. I found rice in the bodice of my wedding gown from 40 years ago and incorporated those 3 grains into a pocket on the pillow.

5. I hate coffee, unless it is White Chocolate Latte, decaf with lowfat milk from Starbucks. LOL

6. I have never traveled out of the continental USA (except Canada). I would love to see Hawaii, but that is about it. There is too much in the other states I haven't seen yet and would love to.

7. In this day of moving a lot and having to relocate, we have lived in our house for 31 years.


I'm not going to tag any particular person, but please join in and let me know a little more about you. No pressure, just fun.