Lovin this sunshine!

And the unseasonably warm weather.

The grandkids came for the weekend and played outside till dark.

They love being able to run and visit the neighbor kids.

They're growing up so fast.

 The grandkids enjoy helping out in the kitchen.

We baked Chocolate Chip Cookie bars.

Found the recipe on Pinterest.

Where else?

Click on the photo for the recipe.

SOOO much quicker than cookies and just as good.

(Photo from Pinterest) 

Paid a visit to the Apple Butter House.

The barn is decorated for Spring.

So many vintage-prim beautiful things!

I found this vintage quilt pocket for my front door.

It's soooo me.

If you're in the area be sure to stop in and say hello to Caroline.

She's a real sweetheart.

I'm still working on yo-yos .

Had the longarm repair man "Ray"

(my new best friend) here 2 days last week.

Hoping "Violet" is fixed and ready to rumble tomorrow.

Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Enjoy the day!

Summer Love

Finally, it feels like summer.

And looks like summer.

Bird Feeders out.

 Planters filled.

Baskets hung.

 Flag flying.

Oh happy day! 

**************

 Here is the May Birdee BOM.

I know, I'm a little late.

June is already posted.

I'm going to catch up soon.

Since last weekend I pulled a tendon in my foot 

and have been sitting with an ice pack.

Poop, I hate getting old!

But, I'm fun to look at-wobble-wobble-wobble.

 **************

Have you seen what's going on over at Kelly's?

It looks like fun.

Be sure and check it out. 

I'm Baaack........

And ready to rumble!

Let the Christmas decorating begin.

My front porch WELCOME.
This is the treasure I found at
Apple Butter House on our girls day out.
He's just perfect with the twinkle lights.

I bought this large basket last year from Caroline.
Empty.
I arranged the evergreens and added the red polka dot ribbon.
I had it on my front door but since
we added a storm door it doesn't fit in between.
Do you have that problem to?
Pardon the large black nail.
It's just temporary.
Did you notice that "white stuff" falling?

This round wreath is on my back door into the garage.
There's those red polka dots again.
You know what they say
"Back door guests are always best"

My fireplace mantel.
I'm still not finished fessing with it.
Those never used white linen embroidered
napkins came in handy.
Thanks Kel.

Christmas wouldn't be complete without
my Moms' pink angel and Santa.
She loved Christmas (and the color pink).
The pink angel use to adore her tree top
and the snow globe plays Amazing Grace
her favorite hymn.

Pink Santa has kept watch for many years.

Our visit to St Louis was fantastic!
Family gatherings full of laughter & hugs.
I was so disappointed that BOTH quilt shops
in the area were closed when I was able to sneak out.

I've been busy the past couple days with laundry
(the worst part of travel) and
going thru my Christmas decorations.
But I have been working on a few projects I will share soon.
Still going to physical therapy 2 times a week.
My arm is improving but having a difficult time
with shoulder movement.
Which makes it almost impossible to quilt without pain.

Does anyone know where I could find directions
for crocheting over rick rack?
I've searched the web and can't find anything.
My grandma made the prettiest trims for towels
using this technique.
Unfortunately, I didn't appreciate it at the time,
and declined her offer to teach me to do it.
I thought it was "old lady" work.
Oh Grandma, I'm so sorry now......

Before I run off I want to share with you the
cutest, I mean cutest, Christmas video for children.
If your a Grandma (or mama) check it out.
Simple to do. You just fill in the blanks and
Santa talks to your child.
Here's the link to the card I made for my grandson
so you can see what I'm talking about.
Message from Santa to Aiden

Hugs and stay warm.

Front Porch Living

What's more summer than Popsicles?

Check out this tin jug!

Perfect for lemonade or ice tea on those humid summer days.

A great find at WalMart.

I've been spending the early morning hours outside.

Enjoying the sounds of Spring and my flowers.

Two beautiful hanging baskets of pink petunias

on each side of the porch.

Rockers out, just waiting for company.

The garage sale braided runner is perfect on the porch.

Railing planters filled with geraniums, snowballs and superbells.

A pot of purple petunias on the step.

Pink on the other side.



But this I'm afraid is going to be my problem child.
Tipsy pots.

Look at the mess after watering!!!
Luckily it's on the back deck.

I should have a few quilts to show you soon.

When the afternoons heat up my studio, in the lower level,

is the best place to be.

Cool.

Hope this finds you HEALTHY and HAPPY!

Hugs,

Surprise-Surprise!

Isn't it exciting to hear the UPS man drive up and ring your door bell?
I had been waiting all day for him.
My high school friend from CA sent me a birthday present.
Yep, high school.
She told me I had something coming and nothing more.

Aren't they beautiful!
8 dessert plates.
So delicate looking.
Thank You-Thank You.
Makes me want to have a tea party.

I came across this picture of my maternal grandparents
while cleaning out a box of old pictures.
Taken 85 years ago.
My grandmother was only 19 and had been married 2 years.
What surprises me is the comment she wrote on the side of the photo.
Written with white pen on the right side
"Somewhat happy"
For some reason it makes me sad.

I'm off to Milwaukee tomorrow morning.
To visit the grandbabies and give my DDIL some adult conversation.
My son is out of town all week for work.
Going to try and lighten the load a little.

I quilted some small customer quilts this week.
After that raffle quilt I needed a break.
I didn't get pictures of them. Darn.
I had to hurry to get them to UPS before they closed.
Alright, truth be told, hubby had to hurry to town.

Nothing much else going on.
It's snowing.
Like that is something new.

I want to leave you with a smile.

I finished my pantry door!

But let me caution you.

If you erase the liquid ink chalk (with water) to much

some of the chalkboard paint comes off with it.

I applied 5 coats of chalkboard paint on my door but will need to give it

a few more coats after I remove this poem.

It has white chalky streaks now

if you look real close.

I found the poem in one of my cookbooks, no author, dated 1977.

My Irises are blooming!

On Saturday Papa took Aiden to the Air Show.

Just the 2 of them.

Did they have a good time!

Aiden's favorite thing was taking the

bus from the parking lot to the air field.

He had never been on a SCHOOL BUS before.

Not much happening this weekend.

It's so nice today, just might go down and watch hubby fish for awhile.

Ohhhh....fresh warm air.

Aunt Ruthie's Influence

Who hasn't joined the Sugar Pie Farmhouse Forum yet?

Ya better run right over and check it out!

Lots of good ideas and information about

everything!

From kids to tomatoes.

Ruth Ann posted a blog post about her chalkboards

and the special chalkboard ink markers she uses.

Well, I was wanting to do something with my pantry door.

My first thought was a red screen door.

But I'd have to keep the pantry neat and tidy all the time.

And I KNOW that wouldn't happen.

So, I taped around the area I wanted to paint.

Caution, the chalkboard paint in the can is very-very thin.

I applied 5 layers directly on the door.

Then hubby painted and cut the molding strips

to frame it out.

I had to do something this week to keep my mind off my troubles!

I think I will put my Chocolate Chip Cookie

recipe on it for now.

I can always wipe it off and start again.

I did do a practice piece and the markers

are so smooth and easy to work with.

I purchased my markers at Michaels

with my half off JoAnn's coupon.

Do these canisters look familiar?

I found this red glass cutting board at the

Lange Outlet store last winter.

Perfect with my red tops!

Here's a few of my new cookbooks.

Two of the books are from my high school girlfriend Shirley.

The Farm Chicks in the Kitchen &

Susan Branch's Girlfriends Forever

signed and autographed!

Plus my favorite The Apron Book.

Oh, and don't forget

Old Time Farmhouse Cooking and

The Lost Art of Pie Making.

Here's were my sweet little red & white apron hangs.
Strictly for looks (it doesn't fit).


Well, this will be my last post for a week or so.
Tomorrow is the BIG day.
Just waiting for the hospital to call with the time.

(Hospital called, have to be there at 5:45 a.m.)
The laundry is done and my bag is packed.
Threw in a few magazines just in case and my MP3 player.



I want to thank everyone who is praying for me and my family.
The messages of support that you sent mean so much to us.
My husband "doesn't get" this blog thing
and was truly amazed at all the emails I've received.



Here is the prayer that sweet sweet Polly from Counting Your Blessings sent:


Oh Father, hold her in your hands.
Allow your Spirit to fill her with comfort and calm.
We know that you love her and her family.
We know that your plan for her life is for good and for a future (Jer 29:11).
Allow her to rest this week and gain strength.
Give her health and joy and more of you! In your name we ask.
~Amen~


I've printed if off and read it every time fear starts to creep in my heart.
God Bless.

A Tiskit, A Tasket.....

I need to share a FREE block of the month program

from Bunny Hill Designs with you.

A Las Vegas quilting friend sent me the link.

The January block is just adorable!

The link features several FREE patterns
all just as cute as can be!



I finished 36 log cabin blocks
and put them together in the barn raising layout.
Now I need to use the left over strips
and design a border.
Geez, I love a quick and easy pattern.


I bought a baby monitor to take down stairs
so I can sew when Aunt Polly is sleeping.
Just mindless piecing is all I can do.
We have had home health care nurses
in and out all week.
I don't know what I would
do without them.

And here's the view from my front door this morning.

Snow and more drifting snow!

Predicted all week.

Hope this finds you happy and healthy.

How many times have you written 2008

instead of 2009 in the past 2 weeks?

I have several times!