Movin' Movin' Movin'

We made one more trip to Denver this weekend.  

It was the final big push to get Don and Elizabeth moved.

  I think our part is temporarily completed. 

Fortunately, they hired " A Man with a Van" to move 

their furniture 

rather than "A Mom and Dad with a truck".

It's been a real family affair.

Ed planted their garden this weekend plus a few other jobs.

My sister, Jane, has helped, Martin and

Jessica, the painter, have all pitched in.

It's been one of those experiences that keeps a family

entwined.  It reminds us that we need each other.

We were just missing a couple pairs of hands from the Florida branch.

Break!

Elizabeth getting the kitchen organized.

Elizabeth and Don

May you always have walls for the winds,
a roof for the rain,

tea beside the fire,
laughter to cheer you,

those you love near you,
and all your heart might desire. 

Until Next Time-Kyle

Fabulous Friday

For today:

Looking Out My Window:  Are the millers back? There are 4 miller moths hanging on to the screen door. Yuk!

My Weekend Plans Include: One more trip to Denver.  It's the final moving day for Elizabeth and Don.  Monday will be a " let's relax and play day."

I’m Reading:  I had nothing to pick up this week from the library so I picked up Agatha Christie's,  Miss Marple Investigates, Sweet...
 

Movie Marquee: I'm watching the first season of The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency.  Then we also have The Ultimate Gift and the Bridge on the River Kwai.  Summer is a good time to watch some of the classics.

Something Quiltie: Quilting is both an solitary and social activity.  It's gives me the opportunity to balance the time I enjoy being with me and the time I can spend with my friends.

I’m Thinking About: I guess winter is officially over so maybe it's time to take the flannel sheets off the bed.  I'll make it a priority this weekend.

One of My Favorite Things: I enjoy watching the accomplishments of my family.  It's not just the big things but all the small things that add up.

What I’m Planning: I'm actually planning on planting some flowers, but I haven't even bought them yet.  Who knows, my pots may remain empty this year.

What’s For Dinner: Don't you love leftovers: Red Beans and Rice and Sweet Potato Biscuits. 

A Favorite Photo: 

Until Next Time-Kyle

I Think I Can, I Think I Can...

Do you remember the story, The Little Engine That Could?

 

It's a great story for motivation and the power of positive thinking.

The little engine kept going even when he had no help from the other engines.  

He knew what he needed to do and stuck with it.

 Persistence is the ability to maintain action regardless of your feelings. 

You press on even when you feel like quitting.

 I saw this  happening in a crack of our patio.

It was like an eruption. 

Dirt was forced out of the way and

something was emerging with determination.

Two mushrooms were up....

It wasn't long before more appeared.

It got me things about the characteristic of persistence.

That mushroom was very determined to emerge from under the dirt.

Where they saying, I think I can....?

Ed is persistent in his training for the Leadville 100.

He is a can do thinker.

One thing I have been continually working on are my 

Ocean Wave antique blocks.

Not nearly as physical as emerging mushrooms or running for hours.

But I'm getting there.

6 blocks to go!!!

I think I can, I think I can.

Until Next Time-Kyle

Springtime Flower Power

My favorite flower in all the world is the lilac. 

Our lilac bushes look like purple fireworks.

Explosions of  purple blossoms. 

The air is fragrant.

Our bushes are old 

and are in constant need of pruning and care.  

Some are not really in great shape, 

but we're slowly replacing them with new ones 

or allowing the younger canes to keep growing.  

I think the old varieties have a stronger fragrance

Wish you had smell-a-vision.

Until Next Time-Kyle

Fabulous Friday

For today:

Looking Out My Window:  The yard sure looks wonderful. That Ed is quite the lawn maintenance guy.  All of the rain we have had has sure helped.

My Weekend Plans Include: I'm heading back to Denver on Saturday, more moving, some painting, but having fun.  Sunday will be a day of rest.

I’m Reading:   I'm listening to A Duty to the Dead by Charles Todd.  It's narrated by one of my favorite narrators, Rosalyn Landor.
 

Movie Marquee: The Blind Side

Something Quiltie: One of my favorite notions is the Bobbin Saver.  It keeps all those little bobbins from tangling together and from getting lost.  It's a good thing!

I’m Thinking About: How important it is not to waste a precious moment.

One of My Favorite Things: has been collecting some nice antique furniture.  I love old things.  My mom was the champion bargain hunter for old pieces.  The furniture pieces I inherited  from her are priceless.

What I’m Planning:  I'd like to write a list of what I would like to do summer.  Kind of like a bucket list, but more short term.  What would I like to do?  It's hard to actually hard for me to think about.  This will be a challenge for me, to be realistic yet think of things that are exciting and interesting and reaching outside of myself.  Let's see how far I can get.

What’s For Dinner: There are so many kinds of sausages available.  I like the chicken basil ones, grilled.  Add some polenta and zucchini and you have dinner.

A Favorite Photo: 

"The Joggers"

1984

Until Next Time-Kyle

30 Days Left

A milestone birthday is fast approaching. 

I only have 30 days left in my fifties. 

Here I am celebrating my first decade b-day.  

Just look at all those presents. 

I'm sure I was pretty excited.  

This photo is one of the few 
birthday pictures I have. 

So in 30 days I will be crossing the bridge

over from the nifty fifties to the Super Sixties. 

But until then I am still fifty-nine.

Until Next time-Kyle

On The Move

I just got back from Denver.  It's the second weekend I've been there.

Elizabeth and Don are new homeowers.

They are so busy getting lots done before they officially move.

So what have I been doing?

Moving things

Pulling up things

digging

 Planting new things.

 Wow can I feel it.
Glad that I could help.

What?!?!

I need to do it again next weekend?

You bet!

Until Next Time-Kyle

Fabulous Friday

For today:

Looking Out My Window:  The grass is super green.  The snow brought a lot of welcomed moisture.  But I'm ready for spring!

My Weekend Plans Include: Maybe planting the tomato plants outside, heading to Denver on Sunday to help Elizabeth start packing, a friend's birthday celebration and a couple of hours at the store Saturday morning.

I’m Reading: Oprah, a Biography by Kitty Kelly.  I'm not sure if I can listen to the whole book, but her story is interesting.
 

Movie Marquee: Rescue Dawn and Lawrence of Arabia

Something Quiltie: Time for a bobbin clean-up.  All my bobbins are filled.  Time to use up the different colored threads, get the bobbins empty so I can start over again.

I’m Thinking About:  I heard this quote: "The older you get, the more important it is not to act your age." Never stop doing, never give up, always be an example to everyone around you, believe in yourself and in what you are doing, just keep on keeping on.  Dr. Wayne Dyer said," Refuse to let an old person move into your body!"  Amen.

One of My Favorite Things:  Mud wrestling,  OK, I was just seeing if you were paying attention.

What I’m Planning: The weekends are always so busy.  I always plan more than what I can ever get done. Time to be efficient.

What’s For Dinner:  Cabbage rolls, Ed's favorite.

A Favorite Photo: 

Kyle, 1979, First Grade Teacher
(The small chairs were a give away.)

Until Next Time-Kyle

Show and Tell for May

No, today did not feel at all like May.  There's been a couple of inches on snow on the ground all day, it's cold, and there could still be a few flakes in the air until tomorrow.

A picture would be too  depressing so instead I wanted to share a couple of quilts that made me think of what the month of May should be like.

 Wiggle Giggle 2008

Brighter colors and warmer temperatures are more like May.  I made this quilt using a pattern from Karla Alexander's books, New Cuts for New Quilts.

I haven't worked a lot with batiks, but I do love them.  The pattern is a rectangle cut on the diagonal, the pieces shuffled and sewn back together. Fun and easy!

Kate's Graduation Quilt, 2003

A bit of sunshine would seem appropriate for May.  I made this quilt from a kit that I bought at the Great American Quilt Factory in Denver.  I don't buy kits too often, but this one seemed appropriate for Kate and her bright future.   I actually made two, one for Jessica as well.

The pattern is a simple square in a square.

May Flowers, 2004

May should be full of flowers.Our poor flowers look a bit bedraggled today.

Hopefully, they'll bounce back.

A close up of this quilt would reveal all flower prints. 

Some very old flower prints.  This was a great stashbuster pattern from the book, Super Simple Strip Quilts, by Nancy Smith and Lynda Milligan.  I actually made a couple of these quilts to give away and to use up some older fabrics.  I had to keep one for myself to remind me of some of those fabrics that were popular in the early 80's. The colors sure weren't as bright.

It's interesting how styles and preferences change. Having my quilts documented is a good reminder and record of how tends come and go.

Until Next Time-Kyle

Hug a Teacher

Last week was Teacher Appreciation week.  If you know a teacher and didn't get a chance to say "thank you", stop reading this and give that person a call.  Right Now!

I just got back from spending the day in Jessica's classroom.  I barely dragged myself in the door, sat down, and almost had to have Ed feed me dinner.  Fortunately he cooked.

Today's teachers are amazing people, who love children, but are bashed about by the whims of the higher ups.  So much red tape, so many hoops, and so little help.

I watched Jessica today balance about 100 balls in the air at one time.  With the end of the year testing, maintaining a daily creative, challenging, and structured learning environment, meeting the needs of 23 special people, having your mother in your classroom, and no time to go to the bathroom takes a very special person to even want to do that job.

So tell a teacher "Thank You.  You truly make a difference."

Until Next Time-Kyle

Fabulous Friday

For today:

Looking Out My Window:  The lake is finally full.  The level of the lake fluctuates depending on the irrigation schedule.

I’m Hearing: The treadmill calling my name.

My Weekend Plans Include:  It's Mother's Day on Sunday.  I'm sure I will be honored in some way.  Oh, that's right, I'm going to Denver to help Elizabeth and Don learn about yard work and interior decorating. :-)

I’m Reading:   Tallgrass by Sandra Dallas.  It's one of her best.
 

Movie Marquee: Amelia and Charlotte Gray

Something Quiltie: If you like to applique, you need those baby applique pins by Clover in the cute little snap closed box.  Actually, they're perfect for a lot of pinning situations.

I’m Thinking About:  How excited Elizabeth and Don are now that they are officially homeowners.  We bought our first house in Petaluma, California in 1974.

One of My Favorite Things:  Going to the plant nursery and picking out the new tomato plants for the summer.  I got my 5 yesterday.

What I’m Planning:a visit to Jessica's classroom on Monday.  I was there in the early fall and now it's time to see how her little friends have grown and changed.

What’s For Dinner:  Bison burgers perfectly grilled.

A Favorite Photo: 

A Pantry Raid

Every once in a while you just have to do it.  It gets to the point where you can't find anything.  It's a mishmash of cans, dried stuff, and boxes of who knows what. Suddenly you realize that you have 15 cans of refried beans.  The Pantry has become a store house for all kinds of edible and non-edible items.

 Have you gotten this notice in your mailbox this week?  The National Association of Letter Carriers are having their annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive on Saturday, May 8.  If you need the specifics check out the website.

Plan a Pantry Raid

The Before

Time to sort, rearrange, and share.

The After

Much Better

I threw out a few cans of soup from the Carter Administration and now I am good to go.  I know what's in there and I don't have to get refried beans for awhile!

Until Next Time-Kyle

Colorful

Have you noticed how much more color there is around us?  That's what I love about spring.  It's a transformation to color.  Remember when Dorthy went from a black and white Kansas to the colorful world of OZ?  A few weeks ago here, there was just a hint of color outdoors.   You could see it in the faint soft green buds on the trees, the grass was zestier, the sun seemed a warmer yellow, some bright colored flowers had emerged, and we began to wear more colors as well.  It's a sunshiny, let's get outdoors and enjoy a colorful  and creative time of the year. 

I don't know if you have heard this song.  I love it. I think I should get out my boxes of ((̲̅ ̲̅(̲̅C̲̅r̲̅a̲̅y̲̅o̲̅l̲̲̅̅a̲̅( ̲̅̅((> and draw a picture of something that makes me smile.



Just COLOR me happy.

Until Next Time-Kyle