Brand New Day

I decided to start a new "Quilt" category since I'm working on a few quilt blocks now for our family's annual Quilt/Sew.  I've made very few quilts, but luckily my Mom LOVES to make them, so a few have come my way.

I did make this Log Cabin quilt though.  Well, I pieced the quilt.  I had Mom's neighbor, Sally Hussell, to quilt it for me.  If I'm not mistaken, this was the last one that she quilted before she passed.  The stitches are lovely--so very tiny.  I had always wanted a yellow quilt and this one is really sunny!

Move out, Move in, Move on.

Yesterday we moved E. back to college.  We have been making preparations all summer for her Senior year.  She has lived in the dorms the past three years, but this year she is living in an apartment.  For her birthday this summer, she got measuring spoons, an apron (from her sister) a Rachael Ray 20 minute meal cookbook, etc.  Between Mom and I, we have gone through our kitchens, browsed yard sales and Target stores and conferred on what we had collected and what she would need.  This work was left up to us seasoned homemakers as E. has been pretty clueless as to what she would need to take. 

The move went relatively smooth.  We took sisters along to unload and unpack.  There is only one set of stairs to navigate, so the move didn't beat us up too badly.  Our van was loaded as well as E's car.

I had to pack her some of our own chicken eggs--by the way, we got 5 today!

This place could use some pictures and drapes and "what nots" on the tables.  I keep telling E. that she has not brought enough "what nots." (she hates "what nots")  Her two other roomies moved in today, so I'm sure there will be decor galore before long.

I can't help but think back taking E. to school her freshman year.  I remember driving home and no one talked.  I wondered if she would come home to visit (she did) and if she would call (she would) and how we would feel "normal" with one of us gone.  I know it's pretty dorky, but we're pretty much together a lot.  We like being together.  We live in the country, as far as country goes anymore, and we entertain each other.   You know...sisters love, sisters fight, sisters scream, sisters laugh 

sisters toast "no more sharing their bathroom."

All in all it was a good day, not painful at all.  E. is excited about getting back and seeing her friends.  Her boyfriend lives down the street.  Matt Nathanson is playing a free concert this weekend.  Her first class of the day isn't until 12:30 pm.  When she's so enthusiastic about her school year, well, I have to be too.  So, I re-potted a houseplant today sat it back on her dresser.  I fix dinner and wonder if she's eating junk.  Should I take the extra leaf out of the table? 

Yeah, she's moving on and it's always fun to watch our children meeting their milestones.  I've changed a little too since that freshman year.   I don't worry quite as much.  Our relationship has become one that I truly enjoy.  In her teen years, she used to hate for me to look over her shoulder and see her facebook, now she begs me to get my own--she calls me to tell me to get on her facebook and see her latest pictures.  And I text now, yes I do!  I didn't think I ever would, but I do like it and it's another way to keep in touch.

So last night when I was lying in bed trying to stay awake to finish a chapter in my book, I wondered how things were going with her.  And then I remembered how relaxed she looked as we said our good-byes and took a final picture of her in front of her new digs, and I knew that she'd be fine.

And then I texted her good-night.

XO

Mom

What's going on here

G. without braces...

G. with braces.

Hens are doing their job.

Tomatoes are growing.

Nav. Man's watching Alton Brown on the Food Network and grilling pork tenderloin.

B. and E. are being treated for poison ivy!

E. is leaving for college tomorrow.  She takes only her essential shoes.

I make my annual "Back to School" cake.

Billie Holiday and Lady Bird Johnson live in harmony

and for the most part we do too.

Door #1, Door #2, or Dork #3

Girl's Weekend

 

Mel, Lindsey, Mel #2, Sonja and I spent the weekend in Mel's cabin in Kentucky.  We spent a lot of time on this porch rocking and telling stories.  No tv, internet, or air conditioning.  Guess which one I missed most?  It was 90 degrees and hot, but tolerable with the fans and trees.   We ventured into town on Saturday to visit some antique stores and had a nice "country" meal on Saturday evening.

   

Mel admires a piece of artwork at the Kentucky Art Museum Exhibit.

  

This piece of artwork was rather disturbing.  The artist was a 80-something year old man who's primitive looking paintings and dimensional art had deep religious tones.

   

Interesting, yes?

Wedding Cake Topper

Do couples really use these anymore?  I'd really like to know.  The weddings cakes that I've seen recently had fresh flowers or nothing at all.  Anyhow, "back in the day" these were all the rage (and maybe they still are?) for wedding cake attire.  This happy couple were actually perched on some kind of plastic gazebo looking thing with white netting around it.  The rest was damaged in a packing/moving error, but the couple was saved. 

I've seen these in antique stores and I was reading a Country Living or Cottage Living or some magazine in the last year--and a couple in Chicago actually collect these and had them all across this wide mantle.  There were some interesting ones that were popular after WWII with service men in service uniforms and their bride.  My happy bride's dress looks yellow in this picture, but it's actually still white.  As I look at this now, it looks like the bride is looking into groomy's eyes, and he's looking over her head?  No eye contact.  In fact, I'm not digging his body language at all now that I'm really looking at it.  Oh well, the cake was good!

Pretty Lady Vase

    

I'm going to be posting some of my pretties--things that make me happy--emphasis on THANGS.  Of course it is the people IN my life who make me happy, but pretty dishes, yarn, knitting needles, books, pictures, quilts, and antiques make me smile too. 

The above vase belonged to my Mother in law and she always kept it on a shelf in the "boys" bedroom.  Her sister, Aunt Dot, had it sent to her after she had surgery--it was full of flowers then.  I have another pretty lady vase that my Aunt Carol gave me.  I keep these in a china cabinet.  I had them out on a table several years ago, and the G. complained that they gave her the creeps!  Go figure.  With her earring/necklace ensemble and her "come hither" ruby red lips, I think she's lovely!

Pretty Ribbons

 

G. entered cupcakes in the youth baking, B. entered peanut butter cookies.  E. entered the quilt that she made, I entered socks I knitted and a rooster picture I painted.  Ribbons are put away in the "Fair Box."  Until next year...

I HAVE 60 FIRST COUSINS

 

As I've journaled before, my Mother is one of 13 children and my Dad had 5 siblings.  Where my children have 3 first cousins, I have 60!  It is so much fun to be a part of a large family.  We are spread out in different parts of the country and there are cousins that I haven't seen in years, but there are several of us who live within a 3 hour radius. 

Several of us got together Saturday night to celebrate Cousin Scot's birthday and well, just because we like to get together.  These two gals are not sisters, but can you see a family resemblance?  They are more fun than a barrel of monkeys, and although I've never been in the same room with a barrel of monkeys, I just imagine they'd be fun.  These two like to pose for "senior pictures" whenever they're at Scot's.

 

This is the birthday cake that Scot's wife made.  Talented, huh?  The theme was Luau--think tiki torches, leis, bright clothes, etc.  FUN!

   

Now these two cousins are ornery!  They could get in all kinds of trouble together given the chance.  They like to talk about chickens and goats and knives. They also have been together various school years since the first grade.  They have traded lunches and arm punches.  G. looks like she's giving Seth a hard time, one of her hobbies.

  

Group shot.

   

See Hawaiian theme, told you.

It was especially fun sharing Cousin Scot's birthday with him, as he never forgets to send a card on my birthday.

Besides sharing the same Grandparents, we have shared baby clothes, advice, laughs at get togethers, tears at funerals.  I'm so lucky to be a part of my big family.

 

Apparently, I didn't get the "pretty fingernail" gene though;)