Quilt to 'Blankie'

For years now, I've been making quilts for every baby in our family -- for grandchildren and now for great-grand children. It's my personal gift to welcome that new babe into our family. From the choice of fabrics and pattern -- to the final stitches on the binding -- for me each of those baby quilts have been a labor of love. And, one of my greatest joys is when those quilts are used beyond the baby years. That's when a quilt has become -- a 'blankie'

This picture was taken over the weekend of my great-neice, Jorja -- although, she may be in PreK this year -- she knows that sometimes you still need your 'blankie'

Happy Day

Comfy clothes (aka MoMo-made pj pants with t-shirt to match) is what he wants to wear every day - - -

He thinks garage sales are just as much fun as a trip to Target - - -

And, having a snack on MoMo's bed while watching a Scooby Doo movie is pretty cool.

Our sweet 'little guy' is turning 6 years old today.

Happy Birthday

Joe-Joe Bean !!

Love

MoMo & Papa Bill

This & That

Grandson Joe's set of summer pj pants with matching tops -- or 'comfy clothes' as he calls them. Finished a couple of weeks ago -- now I'm working on summer shorts for his little sister.

Scooby Do pjs because our Little Guy loves that pooch. And, a pair of tropical sunset pjs for Joe's trip to Florida with his Daddy's parents. And, Rt 66 pjs - the fabric even had an 'Oklahoma' on it so I bought a yard of it -- now, I have a bit left over for a new tote bag. Which is a good thing because I just bought the pattern for Alicia Paulson's "Jane Market Bag' - check it out at Posie Gets Cosy over at http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/posie_gets_cozy/. This just might be my '4th of July' weekend project. Heaven knows, it's going to be too hot to do much more than stay inside and sew (or watch movies or knit).

Our two cats, Muffin (AKA The Terminator) and Libby (AKA Libby LouLou). This is a rare sight at our house. Muffin doesn't allow Libby to share this rug in the entryway that often; and, even though Libby out weighs her by a good 10 pounds, Muffin is the Boss of the house! Maybe it has something to do with age -- Muffin is the grand old age of almost 19 years old -- while Libby is a mere 4 years old.

Spotted in the parking lot of our local library. If you look close -- you will see that this VW Bug is sporting a 'rhinestone' frame for her tag. Now tell me, how 'girly' is that !!

A few words about 'Mothers'

My Mother had a great deal of trouble with me,

but I think she enjoyed it.

Mark Twain

Mother Nature is providential.

She gives us twelve years to develop love

for our children before turning them into teenagers.

William A. Galvin

All that I am or hope to be I owe the my angel Mother.

I remember my Mother's prayers

and they have always followed me.

They have clung to me all my life.

Abraham Lincoln

For the Mother is and must be,

whether she know it or not, the greatest, strongest,

and most lasting teacher her children will have.

Hannah Whitall Smith

Making a decision to have a child - it's momentous.

It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking

around outside your body.

Elizabeth Stone

Note: The picture is my Mother holding

her youngest great-grandchild

(and my youngest grandchild).

Happy Mother's Day Mom --

I love you !!

Fact of life

Acres of dry grass and cedar trees
Very low humidity
Southwest winds gusting at 50 mph

40-50 Fire Depts dispatched

Hundreds of homes lost
Whole communities evacuated

Grass fires are a fact of life here on the Southern Plains -- along with tornadoes, floods and ice storms. We Oklahomans are children of the prairie; and, over the years, one thing we've have learned is this: with our faith in God and the help of family, friends, and neighbors-- we will survive.

And, if you would take a few moments today to say a prayer for all those affected by the fires -- it would be greatly appreciated.

Note: As you can see by the cell phone close at hand in the picture above -- our family is still waiting on news of family/friends homes and livestock in southern Oklahoma.

This past week

It all started with a checkup -- routine visit to my GP. Here's what I looked at for over 20 minutes - knitting and waiting for the Doc to come in. (And, why are all the magazines in doctor's offices all at least 6 months old ??)

My GP scheduled some tests. One of the tests was a date with this handsome machine - - - the entire process brings new meaning to the old saying: Getting your tit in a ringer !!

And, after two 'dates' with the handsome machine -- there was a little procedure that required me to lay very still while being punctured by a very large needle. Afterwards, I got to spend an afternoon holding ice on my right boob, while indulging in these - - - -

After a very long 24 hours -- I found out that all the test results were negative. Although I'm still very sore, it's getting better every day. In time, all the pain/stress of the past 7 days will be forgotten --- but, what I won't forget is all the thoughts/prayers of friends and family -- that love and my faith carried me through and for both, I am truly thankful.

P.S. By the way, I now have a 'marker' inserted inside my right boob. My doctor told me the marker will show in future mammograms that this site has already been biopsied. But, I really think it's really one of those 'locator micro-chip thingies' so the government can find middle-aged grandmothers with a love of chocolate, Big Gulps, knitting books and Chick Flicks !! I know this just might be the Valium & pain meds talking -- but, you just never know !

At MoMo & Papa Bill's House

You can color and draw as long as you want . . . . .

You can wear MoMo's knitted shawl while you play with your Brobee . . . .

And, at the end of the day -- MoMo will rock you to sleep.

Cat Rules

1. The cat is not allowed in the house.
2. Okay, the cat is allowed in the house, but only in certain rooms.
3. The cat is allowed in all rooms, but must stay off the furniture.
4. The cat can get on the old furniture only.
5. Fine, the cat is allowed on all the furniture, but is not allowed to sleep with the humans on the bed.
6. Okay, the cat is allowed on the bed, but only by invitation.
7. The cat can sleep on the bed whenever the cat wants, but not under the covers.
8. The cat can sleep under the covers by invitation only.
9. The cat can sleep under the covers every night.
10. Humans must ask permission to sleep under the covers with the cat.
    
    

Pictures of our oldest cat - Muffin. She's 18 years old and very frail. She spends most of her time sleeping on my bed in a patch of sunlight. Muffin's never been much of a 'lap kitty' -- in fact, she's tends to be more 'prickly' than pet-able -- an independant, aloof little cat. But, despite all that -- she's brought much joy into our lives and we will miss 'The Cat' when she's gone.

P.S. With all the snow here today, a nap in a patch of sunlight sounds pretty good to me !! (yep - it's snowing in March -- big fluffy flakes and temps hovering around 30 degrees. But wait, it's Oklahoma and our predicted temp for Sunday is 60 degrees !!)

A little bit of sewing . . . .

Standard pillowcase with matching 'prayer pocket' ( even though the lighting is bad - the colors are fairly accurate ).

Made for the wife of my nephew -- she will have brain surgery on the 21st of this month. I thought she might enjoy something colorful & girly while she's recuperating at home. The Prayer Pocket will hold the thoughts and prayers of family and friends for Kyla and Jon.

A few years ago, as we fondly remember.

A little girl was born. on the 18th of December.

She grew and had a birthdays year after year.

And, celebrated with family all gathered near.

Today that little girl is grown

She's married and has a family of her very own.

And, this past year on her birthday,

she received a very special gift.

A little girl to share a birthday with . . . .

Wishing you both

A Very 'Happy Day" !

CCC

There's been a lot of bad economic news lately -- and, one of the solutions has been talk about creating agencies like the WPA. This past weekend I visited my Mom and we found these pictures dated in 1939 and 1940. When my Dad graduated from high school, there were no jobs to be had -- and, the future for many of those young men in the class of 1939 was very bleak. The government had to do something. The CCC was just a small part of the programs/projects created to help this great country to get back on its feet again. Below is just a small part of the history of the CCC --

During the Great Depression of the 1930's, the 73rd Congress by Public Act No. 5, March 1933, authorized the Emergency Conservation Work (ECW) program. The continuation of this function was provided for in the Congressional Act of June, 1937, which also officially changed the name of the ECW to its more popular designation, the Civilian Conservation Corps.

The CCC was one of several federal relief programs which sought to alleviate distress caused by the massive unemployment of the 1930's. An Act for the relief of unemployment through the performance of useful public works and other purposes. The program achieved this through the establishment of camps where young men worked on forest and conservation projects throughout the country. The motto of the CCC was: "Save the Soil, Save the Forests, Save the Young Men"

I'm proud to say that my Daddy was a CCC Enrollee. He is in the middle, second row.


Picture of their CCC camp in Montrose, Colorado.

My Daddy was a cook in the CCC and tomorrow I'll share some of his recipes (including some for Thanksgiving) all the recipes were taken from his handwritten cookbook.

If you are interested, more information on the CCC can be found in the archives of the most of the Western states (especially Colorado & Utah).

20 Years

Twenty years ago today --

Willie Jay and I were excited, a little scared:but, also very hopeful.

We had just said 'I do' before our combined families and our friends. And, I can truthfully say that our relationship could not have survived without the love and support of our children (my son and daughter & Bill's daughter), our extended family members and wonderful friends.

We both are very blessed

Last Game of the Seaon

Joe and Cade, waiting their turn to play - - -

Put me in coach - - -

Joe scores a goal - - -

and, runs to the sideline for a quick hug from Mama - - -

While Baby Laney watches from the sidelines.

Eleven years ago . . . .

Early in the morning -- eleven years ago this week -- I was almost running down a hallway at Baptist Medical Center, trying to find the correct room number. Suddenly I passed the viewing window for the nursery and I glanced in -- there was my son standing by a little bed and holding the hand of his first child (and my first grandchild). I cried because the sight was so sweet.

Since that day I've watched that little one learning to walk - - - - and, I have some very special memories of watching her 'march' through their house -- she was so proud and stepping so high with those short little legs.

I watched as she began drawing at an early age -- pictures of her family were her particular favorite. We have a picture she drew of her Papa Bill standing by me with our cat, muffin at our feet -- very detailed for a child -- but, she's like that -- very observant.

I can't believe she's 11 years old. Today, she's a combination of many things -- 'little girl' things (stuffed animals & toys) and 'almost teenager' things (cd's and lip gloss).

She's such a joy in our lives -- and I look forward to seeing spread her wings and fly.

Happy Birthday Sophia !!

P.S. Did I happen to mention that she's learning to crochet and latch hook ?? Another crafter in the family !!

A Grand-babe Afternoon

An beautiful Saturday afternoon with two of our grand-babes - Joe and Janalyn.


Waiting their turn for the slide at the new Route 66 park --


All decked out in aprons and ready to bake cookies . . . .



Nothing better than a warm chocolate chip cookie and cold milk --
especially if you've had a hand in the cookie baking.




Playing an exciting game of Candyland that ended in a close finish --
the 'boys' won -- but, the 'girls' came in a very close 2nd !




Not much creating with fabric or yarn this weekend -- but, we had lots of fun and 'created' some memories too !!

Summer Postcard IV :: Traveling

Two of the OKC grandbabes, their Mommy - (Laney, Joe and Jessika) and I traveled north for a visit with the KC branch of our family tree - (Uncle James, Aunt Emily and the KC girls: Sophia, Phoebe and Chloe).

Cousins played -- meals were shared-- and, memories were made -- We had a great time.

Here's Uncle James and Joe reviewing the finer points of a correct baseball swing as two of the KC girls waited their turn.

Our oldest grandchild, Sophia, demostrating the proper way to pick tomatoes for dinner.

All of us discovering that dinosaurs were roaming around at the Legends Mall in Kansas City.

Those large prehistoric critters were everywhere -- from the fountains --

to the dining rooms -- and, we were all suitably impressed.

But the biggest surprise was just how much the grandbabes loved cracking rocks (geodes to be exact) in the T-Rex Gift Shop.

Who knew that those dusty rocks could hold a beautiful treasure of sparkling crystals !!

Just goes to show that sometimes what is truly beautiful is on the inside.

A good lesson for us all !

SUMMER POSTCARD III :: Memories

Summer is filled with so many 'memory making' moments to treasure. Just a few of our 'summer memories' from the past few weeks . . . .

Cousins celebrating with 'poppers' over the 4th of July weekend.

Stitching a pretty quilt on a summer evening with the house all quiet --

Sharing a special 'Happy Birthday Meal' with a just-turned-5-years-old grandson and the Transformer, Optimus Prime.

And, just this past weekend -- watching grandbabes cooling off after a hot summer day

Are you making 'summer memories' too ??

SUMMER POST CARD II: Enjoying . . . . .

Watching milk, cream, sugar, and vanilla become ice cream.

When seen through the eyes of a 4 year old --

this is a magical process !

Creating a colorful 'Pooka Critter'

Such a fun project and all the fabrics were from my 'scrap bag'

I'm so loving my new sewing corner

A visit to my office by my youngest grand-babe.

Sitting on her blankies, playing with her toys,

babbling to herself -- such a good baby !

Hope you all are 'enjoying'

all the delights of Summer !!

Game Day

The fans --

The picnic for the fans --

Victory tunnel for the players --

And, the best part of the game --

picking out that 'just right' snack !!

Details:

The Hornets Soccer Team

Crossing Church - Oklahoma City, OK