Summer Stitching



When I've had a stressful/hectic day - nothing calms me more than a bit of hand-work - especially hand sewing quilt binding.  Something so restful about taking my time to finish a quilt with some stitching.  I may machine piece my quilts and send them out to a long-arm quilter - but, for now, I still hand stitch the bindings down.  It just feels like the right thing to do. 

 

Notes:  'Four Corners'  made for my brother and his wife.  Started  Fall of 2014 and finished Summer of 2015.  ( I like to stitch - didn't say I was quick about it )

 



Snapshot: Cousins

Cousins at the Lake House - swimming off the dock  

Inspired by 

http://soulemama.typepad.com/

Mother's Day Eve - country roads, family and catfish

May 10th - Highway 76 - between Lindsay and Ratliff City, Oklahoma.  I've driven this road so many times, in so many seasons and Spring is my 2nd favorite (Autumn is my very favorite).  Spring in Oklahoma is a mixed blessing - beautiful shades of green, blue skies, flowers blooming and the sound of bird song in the air. And, spring also brings fast and furious storms that can bloom and blow across the state - some bringing much needed rain and others leaving a path of destruction along it's path.  It's the price we pay for living on the Southern Plains and the reason we keep a watchful eye on the skies (and pay attention to our local weather wizards).  But this day, was breezy and mild for a day trip to see my Mom.

Lunch out with Mama and my oldest sister, Sue (or Sue-Sue as Joe and Laney call her) in Wilson, Oklahoma.  Catfish, coleslaw, red beans and hush puppies all washed down with large glasses of iced tea with lemon.  Dessert was a large serving of peach cobbler, topped with ice cream and served with three spoons - yum!  As you can see, we were warned about parking in the wrong spot - thankfully, we all are catfish lovers from way back so we were in good shape (and not fried !)  

Just down the road from the catfish place is a local nursery - and, they were having a sale! Something we three couldn't pass up.  That's my Mom below checking out the plants and helping me pick out a few plants to take home with me and for her garden too.  Sweet potato vine and portulaca in yellow and dark pink are now growing and blooming in pots on my porch and patio.  

A pretty drive south, a good visit with family, a catfish lunch and a trunk full of pretty plants -- I'll say that was a very good day.

These things I know are true . . . .

I'm glad to be at an age that knows the following statements are true . . . . 

 

 

 

 

1. It is much more fun to decorate the tree, than to un-decorate the tree

2. Knitting in December is best done by the glow of twinkle-lights

3. Christmas cookies with coffee (liberally laced with half & half) make a fine breakfast

4. Candlelight Christmas Eve Service shared with two grandbabes and their Mama is very special

5. Christmas is (and always has been) about much more than 'things' !

 

 

One step at a time . . . . .

Food security occurs when people have consistent access

to sufficient safe and nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life.

For too many people, food security is a dream and food insecurity is their reality. 

At the present time, one child dies from hunger-related causes every 5 seconds. 

 In the U.S., more than 43 million Americans don't have enough to eat.

Sunday afternoon, Joe, Laney and I turned in our donations, picked up our signs - and started walking at our very first Crop Walk sponsored by New Hope UMC.  As we walked, we held up signs for passing cars to read - and some even honked their horns.  Very exciting for the grandbabes.

When Joe and Laney got tired of all the sign-holding, they raced ahead of MoMo until they heard  'freeze' - the took off again at  '1-2-3 Go'

And, even with the walking and running - we still were lagging behind.  I discovered that walking with two little ones requires many stops --  to look at bugs, to pick flowers and to chunk rocks into the water -- all of that, might have slowed us down a bit. 



Which means we were the very last ones to cross the finish line -- and even though the crowd had thinned out a bit - they still cheered us thru those final steps. 

Later, as we enjoyed a sweet treat at Braum's Ice Cream - we all agreed that walking 3 miles was further than we thought it would be (if you look carefully - you can see Laney in her white jacket waiting for Joe and I to finish the 3 mile walk - her short legs only lasted 1 mile).  We also agreed that we were very tired -- but, we felt good that we collected donations and walked to raise awareness to World Hunger.  And, on that walk, we made some sweet memories too.  Plus, they both want to do it again next year.


To learn more about Church World Service's efforts to End Hunger One Step at a Time in the U.S. and around the world - click on this link:
  http://hunger.cwsglobal.org/site/PageServer?pagename=events_find

Growing up before my eyes . . . . .

The western view from my patio - corn.  Growing by leaps and bounds. 

It is, as the song says, 'as high as an elephant's eye'!

Also growing way too fast -- our only grandson, Joe.

This sweet boy turned 9 on Monday.

Time needs to slow down a little -- my grandbabes aren't babes anymore!

Which brings me to my last photo of this post.

Our youngest grandbabe, Laney-Bug, at VBS for the first time. 

Can't believe she's 4 - wasn't it just yesterday that she was born?!!

Battles, Birds, & Ballerinas

Joe and I scored big on a Saturday garage sale run:  lots and lots of Lincoln Logs.  Which, of course, led to the purchase of tiny Cowboys, Indians & Pirates for an epic battle at MoMo/Papa Bill's house. So worth the $2 price tag.

I've always wanted a bird bath for our backyard - but, the really nice ones are very dear. After a little internet search, I bought a large clay planter saucer, sprayed it with a couple of coats of  clear spray paint -- our neighborhood birds have a little 'splash park'.   It took them almost a week to get used to this new addition to the back patio - but, now it's in full use.  I like to think they know the value of a dollar and appreciate my thrifty effort -- or maybe they just like my terra-cotta chicken!

A tired little ballerina, after her first performance as one of a troup of mice in the ballet 'Peter Pan'.  She had an entire row of family cheering her on and we all agreed she was excellent (and so cute in ruffles, velvet, & tail). 

Yes, May has been a busy month - can't wait to see what June has to offer !

Turning 62

I had a birthday over the weekend - didn't know how I would feel about turning 62 - but, decided to just roll with it. 

My day started with breakfast out with my hubby. Breakfast is my very favorite meal in a restaurant -- maybe that's the reason I like places like IHOP and Denny's?!  As soon as we finished breakfast, it was onto our grandson’s last basketball game.  Just look at those boys hustling !   That's Joe in the black headband - Go Joe - Go !!

After the game, there was lunch with Joe, Laney and their parents -- while we waited on our food, my favorite 4 yr old and I did some serious coloring.  Our meal was followed by a warm chocolate chip cookie topped with ice cream for dessert – so much better than cake & candles!! 

After lunch, it was time to run errands, with me riding 'shotgun' -- there were stops at the market for fresh fruit/veggies and also a stop at the local yarn shop for some 'fiber therapy'.   At this point, a nap was needed by the hubby so we headed home.  That evening it was take out pizza and a movie (The Ides of March - we both gave it a 'thumbs up').   Thanks to my family, turning 62 was so much fun --now I'm really looking forward to 63!   

It's a process . . . .

Grief - like most things in life - goes through a process. 

Denial - Anger - Acceptance - Remembrance  

They all play a part -- some linger longer than others - but, in the end, we need to choose to move on from one to another.  Right now, we are both working through our loss of Muffers and for the most part - we are doing fine. 

In the meantime, our sweet Libby-Lou is helping in any way she can -- she even tried her feline powers with the computer -- she thought Dad needed some assistance.  

Libby thinks we should get a Mac -- she was a huge Steve Jobs fan !!

Muffers

Muffin  1989 - 2011

AKA: ‘Muffers’ - ‘Muffer-Duffer’ - ‘Muffkin’ - ‘Terminator’

She was a true Diva.  

Cranky and vocal  -- when she didn’t get her way. 

Loving and sweet  - especially when you knew where to scratch her head in the just the right spot. 

Resilient and brave – losing her sight and most of her hearing over the past 3 years slowed her down a bit; but, she was still the ‘alpha’ cat in our house.  

Goodnight little girly-girl – you will be missed !

A walk with Luigi & Snow White

Monday night, Mama & MoMo followed two little 'munchkins 

on a walk through the neighborhood.

The evening sky was clear and cool, with a definite hint of fall in the air.

Up and down every street, you heard children giggling and shouting --

"trick or treat" (and 'thank you' too).   

 

Such a sweet memory, one to hold onto and treasure ---

and I will 

In my genes . . . . .

There were ripe bananas in the house this week - which meant it was time to bake Banana Bread, using my old standy by recipe from Southern Living: 

Hawaiian Bread 

In a large bowl, mix together: 

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 cups granulated sugar 
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

In a smaller bowl, mix together:

• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 3 eggs
• 2 cups ripe bananas, mashed*
• 1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple, drained
• 2 tsp vanilla

Add wet ingredients to dry, stir just until no more flour is visible.  Pour batter into regular size loaf pans (sprayed with PAM). Bake at 350 degrees for 55 minutes or until bread tests done with a toothpick (adjust baking times for smaller or larger pans).  Cool in pans for 10 minutes before turning out onto wire racks to cool completely.  Keeps very well for 2-3 days at room temp or can be frozen (well wrapped) up to 6 months. 

* 2 cups of either grated carrots or zucchini can be subsituted for the bananas 

 

Note:  The above picture is proof positive that I am my Mother's Daughter.  I've stopped buying crushed pineapple in those small (and expensive) cans that are the correct size for this recipe.  Now I buy the larger economy size (read: cheaper) and use half for a batch of bread. 

And, if you need more proof - I save the remaining crushed pineapple in a recycled peanut butter jar that goes into the frig until it's needed.  Believe me, I thought of my Mom when I reached for this jar and smiled.  If you could see inside her refrigerator - you would understand -- which is the reason I put the date on my jar !!!!

Joe Cool

The 'little man' in our family turned 8 this past Saturday and I can't quite believe it.  I'm sure it was just a few weeks ago that he was a toddler, helping me decorate a cake for his Mommy's birthday. 

But, there he is -- eight years old and such a cool kid!   We love you Joe-Joe Bean !!

Note the reflection in the aviator sunglasses -- Mommy & Daddy (and MoMo with the camera). 

Long weekend

Over the long holiday weekend, we enjoyed watching the OKC Babes & KC Girls jump around . . . .

 play a game of Wii . . . apparently they are all very proficient with those remotes . . .

and, most importantly . . .  we remembered who we have to thank for our independence . . .
and we honored them by flying our flag.