I Decided It Was Time to Return!

I have had a nice long blog break. I have gotten things done, but not really much to post about. I have done a complete house cleaning. We are ready for winter on the inside, not so much the outside, yet though. LOL The garden is done. We had a bad storm in August with lots of wind and hail. It pretty much destroyed what was left of the garden. We did dig potatoes during Labor Day week. Out of the 12 lbs or so of seed potatoes that I planted we got back about 3/4 of a  wheel barrel. I took 2 of my chore buckets full of potatoes for mom to have and share with other residents in her apartment complex. Everyone was so happy to get them. I was a bad blogger and did not get any pictures.

I have been working on my 36 patch quilt for our bed. I laid them out and decided I needed 12 more blocks. I have them almost done. After counting, I realized that I had 13 blocks instead of 12, so I will have an extra. This will be fairly large for me to quilt. I may need my head examined, but I am thinking about doing straight machine quilting on it with my walking foot. I really would like to have it ready for our bed in a few weeks. I may chicken out, though. (grin) It probably wouldn't take too long to hand quilt X's in the blocks. Anyway here are the first bunch of blocks laid out. I will rearrange these when I add in the next twelve blocks.

At the bottom, you can see portions of the quilt that is on our bed. Sorry about that.
I went and helped Hazel move. I grabbed this great picture of Noah and Izzie. Aren't they cute?

I won a few giveaways, but I'll share about them in another post. I got the Chicken Hearted wall quilt top done. I'm not sure needle turn applique is for me. I usually like hand work, but this seemed to take me forever.

The kit came with the backing and batting too. I now have it pin basted and ready to hand quilt.

Now I need to get off the computer and get some bread made. It feels good to be back. I will try to post at least once or twice a week. Everyone have a great day. Thank you for visiting and please come again.


Winona

Finally, the Grandbabies!

I decided that I had better get these pictures posted before all the kids have changed again. (grin) These were taken on Easter. They are all growing up. Look at Madison, striding across the yard. Her hair is finally growing. Looks like she has some curls.

Ashton was digging in to the candy he found at the egg hunt. He is getting so tall and grown up.

Ava looking through her goodies. Notice Ava used her mom's Bow Tuck's bag that I made her for Christmas. Glad it is seeing some use. (grin)

Izabella and Noah decided to share Carolyn's chair. How cute are they?

Izzie's hair is growing out after the hair cut Noah gave her last spring. Her 3rd birthday was last week. Hard to believe that it was 3 years ago when we were so worried that we might lose her. She is perfectly healthy and growing fine now.

Speaking of health.... I had blood work done last week. All of my results turned out great. My cholesterol is borderline, but no where near me needing meds for it. My doctor was very pleased with my healthier life style. I have lost 17 pounds now. I eat healthy (with a few splurges now and again) and exercise 5 days a week. I take the weekends off, but try to get a good walk in at least once. I am starting to feel better. I told my doc that I have 3 great trainers....Richard Simmons, Leslie Sansone, and Jillian Michaels. LOL She thought they were doing a great job. (grin)  I am still taking my meds, but hope to one day be able to get off them. If not, I am ok with that too. I just want to be healthy again, so I am working on it.

I have won a couple of giveaways in the past month. I will share about them next time. Thank you for visiting. Please come again. Everyone have a wonderful Memorial weekend.

Grandma Brag Post!

Boy! It's cold out today! It was 0* with a windchill of -15* when we got up this morning. It is up to 12* now, but since that was to be our high, I imagine it will start cooling down now. I am thankful that the grader went through our gravel road this morning. Poor Kevin had to walk in the last mile on our gravel road last night, then back out this morning. He will be relieved to drive all the way home tonight.

I am still not into the quilting mood, but I'm getting there. I have been trying to catch up on the embroidery of my Raggedy BOM. I just have 1 1/2 blocks to go and I'll be caught up. Yea! I have also found 2 more BOM that interest me. One is Henrietta Whiskers from Bunny Hill and the other is something about a little bird, but I can't remember right off hand who is providing it. I have it saved, though.  So on to more of my Christmas pictures. Today I'll share some pictures of our grandkids.

Here is Madison. I had not seen her in several months. She is getting hair now and is walking. I love her big blue eyes. She is daddy's girl.

Izabella looked like a doll in this cute little dress and her hair all fixed up.

She was sitting on Uncle Isaiah's lap. Look at the look she is giving him. LOL

Ava loved playing with Buddy.

Noah all cleaned up and ready for Christmas morning.

Santa brought him a remote control car. He could hardly wait to go out and try it. Here he is with his sister and uncles, Isaiah and Jon.

Ashton took time out from playing with one of his gifts to grin for Grandma.

Here are a couple of pictures of everyone opening gifts.

Well, I do believe that is enough pictures of the grandbabies. I guess you can kind of see that I am crazy about these kids. (grin) I will leave you here. The next time, I will post a few pictures of some of the small wall quilts I gave for Christmas gifts. Everyone stay warm and safe. Thank you for visiting. Please come again.

Update

I know it has been a while. I have been really busy. I may talk about that at another time, but for now I want to update a little. I think I promised to share some more bow tucks bags with you all about a month ago. This isn't a very good picture, but here is the beige/black bag.

Here is the inside.

Then I made a green/pink bag.

We have been busy getting ready for winter. Good thing. It is supposed to be frigid here during Thanksgiving. We dug our sweet potatoes. I sent Kevin to the garden with a feed bucket that holds about 1 1/2 gallons. Since I only planted 6 plants, I figured that would be plenty big enough. Wrong! He heard me come out to take the trash out and yelled that he needed the wheel barrel. I thought he was joking, but he was serious. We got way over a half bushel of sweet potatoes from those 6 plants. Several of them weighed over 2 lbs each and were almost as big around as a soccer ball. I told Kevin that I wasn't sure what I would do with them. One of them is way more than we need for a meal. LOL I guess we will have lots of leftovers. I forgot to take a picture of them. Bad blogger!

November 14th was Noah's 5th birthday. I even forgot to wish him a happy birthday on the blog. We did go to Kansas City on Friday the 12th to celebrate his birthday with him. We told the kids that we must really love them to come to Kansas City on a Friday night, during rush hour, in the pouring down rain, looking for an unfamiliar address. LOL We found them and had a wonderful meal and visit with the kids. Noah is doing so well in school. He is really coming out of his shyness. Izabella is starting to talk up a storm.

You didn't think I would forget to post pictures of our grandbabies did you? LOL

Izzie is getting so big. Hazel says Izzie reminds her of me all the time. Ahhh, now that made this grandma have a proud moment. (grin)

We sure enjoyed playing with our grandbabies.

Tonight was the ending of deer season here in Missouri. I cannot say I am sorry. We have had hunters all around us. I could hear shooting most any time of the day. I was afraid to let Buddy outside without me. He isn't real good about staying out of the road just yet. I am working on it, but he has a way to go. I didn't want him to get hit. We have had lots more traffic than normal during the hunting season.

I am ready to sew the binding down on Bob's quilt. I am half done on the borders of Jeremy's quilt. In the mean time, I have made a little Santa wall hanging for one of our girls. She requested it last year. Now I need to get it to her so she can enjoy it this season. I'll take a picture before I give it to her.

Our Thanksgiving will be very quiet and simple. It will just be Kevin and me. I wish I could have found a smaller turkey, but I guess this will give me lots to put in the freezer. I have been trying to cook less. I still find it hard to just cook for two people after so many years of cooking for 7. LOL I will make a pumpkin pie (instead of 4), fix mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, noodles, green beans, rolls, and dressing. This will be a very high carb meal, so I am sure I will sleep all afternoon. LOL

Well, I'd better end here. In case I don't get back to the blog, Happy Thanksgiving! If you plan on doing the black Friday sales (not me) please be careful. Thanks for visiting and please come again. Have a great day!

Winona

Fun with Noah and Izzie!

I arrived at Hazel and Ivan's apartment mid-afternoon Sunday. I do not like to drive in heavy traffic, so the Kansas Turnpike was not an option. (No matter how much quicker and easier it would be, according to Cath.) I researched and found that Hwy 92 was the perfect way for me to go. I took my time because it was the first time I had ever been on this road. Who said Kansas is flat? Hwy 92 is not flat. It is hilly and curvy, but nice scenery. I only made one booboo. That was in Leavenworth. I took a left when I should have taken a right. I only drove about a mile in the wrong direction till I figured out I wasn't getting any closer to the Missouri River. (grin) Once I got turned around and headed the right way, it was smooth sailing. I was happy to cross that Missouri River bridge cause that meant I was back in my home state. I love Missouri. I was born and have lived here my whole life. Anyway, by the time I arrived, Haze and Cath were on the phone with each other trying to figure out where in the world mom was. LOL I told them I could make it on my own.

Noah and Izzie were kind of shy when I first arrived. I am sure they thought my arrival meant their parents were leaving again. As soon as I got that straightened out with them, they started to warm up to me. Of course, the Hershey bar I brought each of them helped with that. (grin) I am not above bribery to get some loving from the grandbabies. Noah had to demonstrate his new Sponge Bob chair.

Of course, Izabella wasn't going to be outdone. LOL See the chocolate around her mouth. She really enjoyed that Hershey bar. She also insisted on the sweatpants under her dress, even though it was in the 90's. That girl has a mind of her own.

I had a terrible time getting a picture with Izzie's eyes open. Every time I tried to take one, she would close her eyes. See what I mean. I have about 20 pictures of her eyelids. LOL

Finally, I caught her all stretched back enjoying the cartoons.

We played cars, ball, train, but the biggest hit was the blocks. They played and played with these. Noah was constantly making another creation for my approval. (grin)

This shocked look on his face is because his blocks fell apart. LOL

There, that's better.

I actually got a closeup of Izzie, even though it isn't a head on shot. Best I could do with the little darling.

As you can see, her hair is finally growing back in over her right ear. Noah cut it straight across the top of her ear back in March while I was watching them. Hazel tried to straighten it up some, but we are all glad it is growing in again. I am thinking she either needs the bangs cut again or to start wearing a barrette. I don't like hair down in the eyes.

Noah built a bridge for us to play cars on.

They play very good together. They have their squabbles, but what brother and sister don't. LOL

I hope you have enjoyed my visit with the grandkids in the past 2 posts. I sure had a wonderful time. I got home about 7  Monday evening. It was good to get back home to Kevin.  Tomorrow I will show you pictures of my Jamesport goodies. I bought some good stuff. Sure makes my day to get to pet some new fabric. Today I had to make a quick trip to Wal Mart. Kevin needed something that we forgot yesterday. So I stopped by JoAnn's to use my coupons. I missed their big sale last week. I got the cutest little pair of scissors for snipping threads while I do redwork. I got them for 50% off. Can't beat that. I'll try to get a picture of them too. Of course, not everyone gets as excited as I do over a new pair of scissors. LOL Just bear with me. (grin) Have a wonderful evening. Thank you for visiting.

Happy Birthday, Izabella!

Good morning everyone,


Today is our little Izabella's 2nd birthday. I wish I could spend it with her, but I plan to call her in a bit.

She had a lot longer hair, but when I was watching them, her brother got hold of the scissors and gave her a haircut. I think she is cute with it cut up around her ear. I am sure it has grown out a lot since this picture was taken.

She had just gotten up in this picture. She was wanting to go outside to play. Little lady bug, if mama is reading this to you....HAPPY BIRTHDAY from Grandma and Grandpa. We love you! Have a wonderful 2nd birthday and be nice to your big brother. OK?

I was in Wal Mart this weekend. My first stop in there is always the fabric department. We don't have any quilt shops near by, so I depend on Wal Mart, JoAnn's, and Hobby Lobby. While there (getting some fabric cut, of course), the manager came up and told the fabric cutter that she is no longer allowed to order any more fabric. As of the first of the year, they will no longer sell fabric. Hmm, what is wrong with Wal Mart? I know you might not make a big profit selling fabric, but look at t he big picture. Ladies who buy fabric, also buy other products. Very seldom do I get out of the store with just fabric in my cart. So if they will no longer carry fabric, I might as well go to Target or K-Mart. Just a little rant I have about Wal Mart. So what fabric they have is it. I did buy some, of course.

We have some major rain coming in. We are already under a flash flood watch and it hasn't even started raining here yet. I did hear on the radio that it is raining in Topeka and Lawrence, so it is on the way. Once we can get the next 24-30 hours of rain out of the way, they are calling for a nice weekend, with maybe 80*. We won't know what to do to have a weekend without rain. Our yard is looking like a wilderness area. So I guess mowing will be on the agenda. (grin)

I got bindings made for 4 projects yesterday, so I need to get off here and get them sewed on. These are all baby quilt or table runner sizes, but still need to be done. Thank you for visiting. Please come again and have a nice day.