Disneyland Retrospective

There is no getting around it.  Disneyland (or DisneyWorld in FL) is the "Happiest Place On Earth".  It is almost impossible to go to there, especially with DGDs, and not have smiles on your faces.  I am always impressed with the kindness, respect, and efficiency that appears everywhere you go and with every "cast member" who greets you.  What I really like is that kindness seems to actually influence the crowds as they make their way through the park and in the lines.  There are exceptions, but mostly we felt like we were in a special place where people acted out the golden rule.......and most of them didn't do it purposely........That's just what Disneyland does to you.  You want to act nice and have a great time. I am savoring the happy memories of a wonderful vacation with my dear family. 

Off to ride, ride, ride.

What's more fun?  Water Slide or Theme Park?

A moment with a special friend.

Thank you Auntie Cheryl for coming along to share our fun.

Dad came, too!  A happy surprise for all of us.

The final dinner.  A great time was had by all.

Thank you Auntie Cheryl for sharing these pictures with me.

Remembering By Celebrating

It wasn't intentional to be at Disneyland on the third anniversary of Stephen's Heaven Date. It just sort of happened that way.  I think Stephen would approve.  I have such fond memories of his first time here.  I still treasure the picture of him looking up in awe at Mickey Mouse. The plans for this grand adventure seemed to change every 5 minutes but now it is Friday and Jon, Lissa, Makayla and Violet are all here with me and Auntie Cheryl.  Jim has been sick so he had to bow out to protect his health.  I'm sure if he were here, he would agree, that the noise level, crowds and confusion would not be his cup of tea.  But he wishes us well. Just a couple of pictures to document our time at the "Happiest place on earth!"  It's been full of memories of times past and the joys of seeing the wonder in the eyes of the DGDs.

How To Be Well

I truly believe a little sunshine and yard work can do wonders for one's sense of well-being.  Unfortunately I am not always drawn to mucking about in the dirt.  But today the sunshine called and I went out to weed out and clean-up a little around our tiny patio area.  DH generally loves that task.....well, not the weeding part, but he's still on the mend so no windy leaf raking and dust for him.  It felt good to look around and see some tidiness.  I do love my tidiness. 

Geraniums gone wild though I cut them back in the Fall

I am so excited to see 5 stalks of blooms on my cymbidium plant

The Hens and Chicks are trying to eat the Agave.

I bought this cute little garden bird last Fall.

Do Spider plants ever stop producing babies?

Weekend Wall

Just a few things new I've tried along the way.

Thanks to a sick husband and no interest what so ever in the Super Bowl, my design wall looks like this on a Sunday evening.  The blocks on the left were done a while ago.  I'm just waiting for inspiration on what to do with them.

7 Years ago today...

...........this little baby was born. 

7 years later and my how she has grown. 

I only have two grand-daughters.  This one will always have the distinction of being the first.  I'm so very very proud to be her grand-mother.  Happy Birthday Makayla!  May the sun always shine upon you and may God's blessings reign upon you.  Know that you are loved. 

I couldn't resist making a card to go along with her birthday present.  She is only getting a "little something" from us because in two weeks, her BIG birthday present from the grand-parents will be a trip to Disneyland. 

Snippet Fun

I was so excited about the snippets technique that I introduced my DGDs to it.  Once again I am reminded of how differently they approach projects.  First is the project of the oldest.  She likes to work fast but she has a very definite sense of order and design.  She was intent on making something similar to mine.  She didn't have the manual dexterity to cut the shapes she wanted so I helped out some and she place them where she wanted them. 

Fabrics selected and placed by DGD

As a good artist (and quilter), she signed her work.

Then there is DGD #2.  She is 5 and her approach to art tends to be one of abandon and fun.  No precise pictures for her.  She just cut and pasted fused pieces of fabric and then spent a great deal of time embellishing with marker. 

She also signed her work.

I have both pieces at my house.  They have given me permission to add thread art embellishments and then quilt them to make small wall-hangings for their room.  They are quite thrilled and proud of themselves.   It is so much fun to sew and create with the DGDs.

Back to my own project, I finally auditioned and came up with a border idea.  I have made some red piping that I'm going to add to the black border.  I still want to add thread embellishment before quilting.  I might donate this to my DGDs school for their auction. 

Tried green, blue, yellow, orange but red won out for the accent.

This is just a thin scrap because the piping wasn't made yet.