A little cereal for breakfast after a sleepover at Grammy and Gramps' house. Getting' the hang of it!

"I'm trying really hard to reach for that bottle, just can't quite get it"

Great smiles for Gramps!

Waylon has been working really hard on the backyard, the rocks lining the beds he got on freecycle, and loaded, transported, and unloaded himself.  LOTS of work, but it's looking great! Beds are lined in crushed granite.  We will add large pots of flowering plants as we go along for color.

This is the view looking from the driveway up toward the back porch. The pile of rocks in the top left is where the future fountain will be.

Our old lawn mower find at Trade Days, don't need to mow rock!!

This cauldron and ring holder are also Trade Day finds, this is placed right outside the back door and planted with drought friendly plants. The back yard doesn't look so much like a dog playground anymore, Waylon is doinga fantastic job - just slow going as we scrounge for stuff and he does the labor.  Cheap/free is good!!

I really have the 'crochet bug' these days - this is my latest creation:  An all cotton shawl, perfect for cool A/C summer rooms!  It worked up pretty fast, so fast that I think I will make a few more in other colors.  

Sure wish I could make a living creating things with my hands.... I do love my job at the church but sometimes wish I could spend my days crocheting, quilting, sewing or gardening.  I was spoiled with all those years of being at home!

Crocheted necklace, tones of bronze, black, tan - beautiful!

 I made these necklaces for a local boutique.  This one is called Rainbow Garden - they are crocheted with ribbon yarn and look like they are beaded necklaces.  Nice and light for summer - like wearing air!  Some of the other colors are a variegated blues (looks great with denim), a black/white/gray combo and another similar to rainbow that is called stained glass - it is teals, purple, greens.  They are fun to make and I was thrilled to sell them!

Happy girl!

Mother's Day 2009 at church

Chelsea, age 21

Chloe Grace, 3 months - 3 weeks

Connie, 52

Great day!!

Talking to Gramps, such a chatterbox!

Sitting up like a big girl in her Bumpo seat that she got from cousin Will, talking to Mommy!

Christmas Strings, block exchange with my online quilt group

Another block exchange with online group, "How Does Your Garden Grow?"

I put a considerable dent in my 1930's reproduction stash with this quilt.  This was a 2008 New Year's Day Mystery Quilt.  The quilt author would post instructions, updating them every few hours over New Year's Eve and Day.  I would just sew the steps as she posted them, and eventually ended up with this nice large quilt.  It is a great old-fashioned looking grammy quilt - but it is happily draped across the back of my daughter's couch. So they have a little touch of Grammy at their house.

                         New flower bed by the deck, all  'deer resistant' plants, we shall see!
First rock bed in the back yard, this was a dirt hole just a few weeks ago.... but with lots of work by Waylon it is taking shape!

Wow, it has been over a month since I posted!  So much happening in our lives these days.  Chloe Grace (our grand daughter) continues to grow and change each day.  Her mommy is back to work, half days, and I think doing well.

Waylon continues to do home improvements - progress is slow because we scrounge materials, and he provides all the labor!  But the rock work is starting to take shape in the back yard, a few new trees planted and some much needed rain have greened up the 3 acres of 75 Zeder Strasse.

My most exciting news is I am only 4 lbs away from my Weight Watchers goal - first time in over 20 years that I will be at a healthy weight.  I have applied and been accepted for a position as a Weight Watchers leader.  I will start training sometime this summer.  This will be in addition to my full time church job, but I know by standing up in front of people each week and leading WW meetings I will be motivated to maintain the healthy lifestyle and weight that it has taken me so long to achieve.

Of course, I continue to enjoy my hobby of quilting, particularly hand applique these days..... so fun!  Time to work on Christmas gifts!!