Five Years Ago

Five Years ago I sat and watched you as you slept....
fitfully, struggling, tossing.
I sat beside you......
praying, meditating, watching
God nudged me to get up....
go and get something to eat.  You need some nourishment
I went as directed.
I sent Jim off to get himself something to eat
I went back in to the room...........
While I was gone, you left for heaven.
It was your time.
I think I knew all along that this was the day we would say.....
Good-bye.

Today I still miss you.  I'll love you forever,
forever you'll be,
a child of my heart.  

Love, Mom

The Best Birthday Party Ever

     Ah February!  Finally rain for a few days but now it has gone and we are back to cool and mild and blue skies.  The little bit of rain helped but we could use more.
     The big event for February was Makayla's 9th birthday.  She chose a Downton Abbey Tea Party theme.  It was great fun with little girls all dressed up in party dresses, tiaras, and gloves.  They played parlor games and did sewing crafts.  We took pictures of everyone against a backdrop and they made jeweled frames for the pictures.  We would have moved outside to play croquet but the rain prevented that.  Instead, they played an invigorating game of musical chairs.  All the while they snacked on lemonade, strawberries, tea sandwiches, scones and muffins.  It was a great party.

Table ready for "tea"

A stop at the studio for a portrait

Parlor games to begin the afternoon

Auntie Cheryl provided pearls, gloves and tiaras for everyone.

Activity station for jeweled frames and embroidered hankies

Dad played the butler

Home From The R2CA

     What a treat to be able to make it to Road to California Quilt Show this year.  I was on a roll going every January with my good friend, Linda until last year's broken wrist episode.  But we are back on the plan again.  
     This year I took 2 classes.  Both had a sewing machine available.  We used Baby Locks and they were great but I was not enticed to give up my Berninas to buy a new one.  My Eleanor Burns class had a kit to use. Everything was measured and cut and ready to go for $68.  If you didn't like her color choices, you  were stuck but she offered two different color-ways.  
     First up was the Hole in The Wall with Eleanor Burns.  I've done a couple of El's QinADay patterns so I was basically familiar with her technique.  It worked up fast and I managed to complete 9 15" blocks in class.  Since I was feeling enthused, I finished up the last 3 blocks in my hotel room.  Today I finished sewing it all together with the sashing strips so it is ready for a backing.  It finished up at about 56" X 72". 

     Next up was a class on Modern Improvised Log-Cabin blocks.  It was taught by Jackie Gehring.  It was a really fun class that got me out of my box.  I decided to give a try to several different block styles using the same fabrics.  With some additional sewing back in the hotel room, I got 7 blocks done.  I'm still thinking about what to do with them.  The original idea is to use a grid and place them in a pleasing manner.  Then you finish out the blocks with sashing and put the quilt top together.  I really like the fabric colors in these blocks but I'm not sure I'd like a modern quilt.  We'll see.  The ideas need to percolate.