Busy Weekend

This weekend seems to have flown by.  Perhaps because
I kept myself busy working, working, and playing just a
little.

Finally, good weather came to visit and stay for a few days
so had to take advantage of it and work in my yard.  With
all the rain we have had things have gotten out of control.
Seems like everything has grown by leaps and bounds
and I still didn't have all the fall and winter debris cleaned up.

Saturday spent most of the day cleaning flower beds and
planting my annuals.  Then today cleaned and prepared soil
for pumpkin starts.  Decided it would be fun for the grandkids
to grown their own pumpkins.  We tried several years ago
and they loved it.  However, the pumpkins didn't get very
big as we were late getting the starts in the ground.

Tomato plants are in and since we had 26 of the 31 days of
May colder than usual, don't think I'm too late.  Probably
best to have waited so they didn't get frosted.  Hopefully
we'll have a long fall and they will produce a good crop.
Box woods and "burning bush" trimmed and shaped.

Today perennial garden is finally done.  Yeah!

Sunday after church headed into the cemetery to
pay my respects to my loved ones on my maternal side
of the family.  My sister and I usually alternate between
mother and dad.  It was a perfect day, blue skies with
a few wispy clouds, a light breeze and temperatures near 70.



















Mother, her brother, parents and stepmother
have their final resting place beneath this beautiful
cedar tree that stands as a sentinel.  My grandfather
brought the young sapling from their ranch in
Skull Valley and planted it when Uncle George passed
away at a young age.  If this tree is ever removed,
I'll be lost.  It is my landmark in identifying the
graves of my loved ones.

Looking across the way to the east to my great grandparents
site, my eyes are always drawn to the military graves.  It
is a tender scene to see all the white headstones and small
flags (like the one in the foreground of the picture) that are
placed at each final resting spot of those who
gave their lives that we might enjoy the blessings of freedom.

I am truly indebted to these courageous men and women
for giving their all.  To their families I express gratitude
and thanksgiving for the sacrifice they have made.

As I walk to my great grandparents graves and approach
these military grave sites, I feel great patriotism and love
for this country and the freedom we enjoy.  May we never
take it for granted!
Nola

A Day of Cutting, Sewing, Pressing

For two days I have cut and cut and then cut some more
2 inch wide bias strips in various fabrics and colors














then sewed and sewed yards and yards of the strips together














...folded the strips in half and ironed and ironed and

ironed them to make bias binding for the 55 pillow case dresses my friend, JoAnn and I have sewn.

Then I cut and cut and cut the folded and pressed strips into varying lengths to be divided and sewn around the
armholes.  The extra length will be used for the ties
after armholes are completed.  Now just need to calculate
the amount of yardage used.

And, while doing all that cut some more squares for my
charm packs and 2 1/2 inch strips for jelly rolls.

Used some of the strips to make this hour glass block
to put in my file for another time.  Really want to make
table runners as seen here:
http://www.pleasant-home.com  and here:
http://www.cluckclucksew.com

Also found a few minutes to cut and stitch a few
3 1/2 inch blocks for another project.

Now, I think it's time to give my arm, rotary cutter,
cutting board, sewing machine, iron and ironing board
a much needed rest.  Turn out the lights.

Goodnight!

Nola

Simple Woman's Daybook Entry

FOR TODAY...Tuesday, May 25

Outside my window...It is a glorious, beautiful morning!
Clouds, rain and snow have all moved on.  Sun is shining
and everything looks so clean and bright.  The air is
crisp and the day is inviting me to get out and enjoy it.

I am thinking... How the years have flown by.  Today
is my granddaughters 7th birthday.  Wasn't it just
yesterday we were all at the hospital vying to hold this
precious little infant.

I am thankful for...  A son, her father, who has raised
this special daughter.  He has gone above and beyond
the call of duty.  I am so proud of him and how he has
stepped up to the plate.


From the kitchen... Shredded wheat cereal topped with
fresh strawberries!  Yum!

I am wearing...  Do I really need to say.  Same old, same
old!

I am creating...   Pillowcase dresses and a little handbag
for my granddaughter.


I am going...  To Hailey's birthday party this evening.


I am reading...  "Elizabeth, Passage of Promise"  by  Tom
Roulstone


I am hoping...  To get my bedding plants in the ground in
the next couple of days.  With all the rain, snow and cold
temperatures I have been afraid to plant them being so tender.


I am hearing...  Peace and quiet. 

Around the house...  Morning household chores awaiting
me.  Can't I just skip them and go play in my sewing room?


One of My Favorite Things...  Watching the sun peek over
the mountain tops and seeing the shadows of the night
dissipating as I'm out walking.  


A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...
1.  Yard work
2.  Cutting more "charm" squares
3.  Visiting family graves for Memorial Day weekend
4.  Working on projects


Here is a pictures I am sharing...

Hailey, her father and cousin, Kohler.
Happy Birthday, Hailey!

Nola

Just One of Those Days...

Woke to continued rain falling this morning quickly turning

into snow.  It had started raining last night and temperatures

quickly dropped.  Seemed more like late February instead of

late May.  Weather man said we got about 1.37 inches of

rain and that this is the latest measurable snow in the weatherman's

history.  However, the snow in the valley has melted, but

you can still see all the fresh snow on the mountains. 

Since I couldn't get outside and work, decided I would head

downstairs and tackle "one of those days" projects I keep saying 

I'll get to.  Have wanted to empty several of my laundry baskets 

filled with left-over fabrics and cut them into 4, 5 and 6 inch 

squares making my own "charm" packs.  Almost got one basket 

emptied, but it took a good part of the day.  Am happy to say

shelves are looking a little more "bare".

Also took a few minutes for another "one of those days"
projects"...my first Klosjes.  Decided to quickly make one
from the scraps left over from my squares I was cutting.
I must admit, they are fun!  

Sewing these "pillowcase" dresses has really helped to use up

fabric and lace that has been stored.

  

Got most of the bias binding for the armholes cut and sewed.   

I think I'll have about 46-50 dresses for our  church's 

humanitarian evening in June. The ladies will finish the

casing at the top and the armholes that evening.

Also finished adding the border to a small wall hanging and

cut out squares for "A Tisket A Tasket" and worked on a

small "bag" for my granddaughter's birthday tomorrow.

Am adding a picture of me and my new little grandson 

hoping that in years to come he will remember "one of

those days" that we shared when he was cuddled by his 

Grandmother.

Chilling out literally tonight.  Need to pull out one

of my "cuddle" quilts and read a good book as it

has been "one of those days".

Nola

Rain, Rain, Go Away....Or

...maybe stay another day so I can get more projects
inside done.  Boy, did we get a downpour
in the wee hours this morning.  I was awakened to
a monstrous, deafening, sound of thunder rolling overhead and
suddenly the heavens let go.  It came down fast and
hard, so fast that it overflowed the rain gutters.  
Jumped out of bed to make sure window wells were ok
and by the time I grabbed slippers, robe, grabbed some
boards from the garage to place over the window wells
outside it was already passing by.  So thankful it didn't
last very long or I'm sure we would have been faced
with some flooding.  Weatherman just said more
rain and cool temperatures this weekend.


So, with that forecast in mind, guess I will hold off
planting my flowers I purchased today.  Maybe I
can plant them the first of next week.  Can't believe
how far behind I am on planting and finishing "spring"
yard work.


However, I have accomplished a few things with all
this stormy weather.  One being my Pinwheel Sampler.
Decided to add borders and found a small print that
had all the colors I'd used.  Also decided to place a
little square between the pinwheels to help set them off.  This picture was taken outside...

...and this one inside.

Now, I just have to figure out the backing.  Think I will
piece it using the fabric left over from the top.  So
nice to have it done before Cheri takes it back to quilt
in June when she drops off my "Dutchman's Puzzle"quilt.


I was so happy when Rachel at p.s. i quilt set up her quilt along.
Be sure a check out her website if you haven't already.


Aahhh!  Here comes the sunshine, blue skies, and warmer
temperatures!


Basking in sunshine,

Nola

Daybook

 For Today, May 18, 2010
Outside my window:   Sky is overcast, heavy with dark
ominous clouds that threaten more rain tonight.  It
has rained most of the day.  As I'm typing this rain is
starting to fall from the sky.
I am thinking...  How upset I am with myself.  Just
downloaded pictures took today at Thanksgiving
Point Gardens, indicated on my program to delete
originals from camera (which I normally do not do) and wouldn't
you know the program quit unexpectedly and now I
have lost 25 pictures.  They popped up for a minute and
I was so excited to see all the tulips, Mother owl and
her two babies, Two Canadian Geese with their three
baby goslings.  Now they're all gone.   Crying, crying,
crying!
I am thankful for...  The memories I will have of this

day spent with my sister and her husband.  Pictures

I hope that will stay in my mind of the beauties

we saw.
From the learning rooms... Do not click delete originals 

until you're sure everything is OK.
From the kitchen...  A snack of yummy yogurt calling me.
I am wearing...  Levi's, tee shirt, socks.  Do I ever wear anything 
different?  Yes, Sunday, a dress.
I am creating...  Pillow case dresses and am having so

much fun!  Just hope the little girls that receive them

will enjoy them.
I am going...  Do a little stitching when finished here.  
I am hoping...  To visit the nursery tomorrow and purchase

some bedding plants.
I am hearing...  Rain outside on my patio roof.
Around the house...  TV softly in the background.  No

idea what is on or why it is even on.
One of my favorite things...  When I was little was playing in

the rain, jumping in puddles, and just enjoying feeling the

rain on my face.
A few plans for the rest of the week:

1.  Plant flowers

2.  Sew more pillow case dresses

3.  Do some birthday shopping

4.  Organize fabric bolts...shelves are getting empty!

5.  Agonize over which quilt project is next...

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

These are not the pictures I had planned on sharing but will

have to do since I lost the ones of Mother Owl and her

two babies.  The Canadian Geese and three goslings were

right in front of us as they glided into the water.  

These are more of the pelicans at the ponds emerging

from the cattails, moving onto the water and silently

gliding along in parade form.

 Holding onto happy memories...

Nola 

Family Time!

Couldn't resist sharing this tender little photo.  This was

my new grandson's first visit to "Grandma's" and he

wasn't sure if he liked being outside or not.  That sun

is really quite bright.  Snapped this just as his older

brother gave him a quick kiss to let him know everything

is good!

Just now getting pictures in from my son's wedding
so, of course, I have to share and brag a little about
what a striking couple they are and what a "handsome"
son I have.  So thrilled and delighted he found Joann
and that she is now part of our family.

I feel so very blessed to be a mother and
a Grandmother.  At times, I questioned
my sanity and desire to be a mother as my
children were growing up, but I can truly
say "it was all worth it!"


Happy Sunday,

Nola

Simple Woman's Daybook Entry

For Today...May 11, 2001

Outside my window...  Dusk is upon us, lights are

being turned on, blinds being pulled, storm clouds
hover in the sky bringing night on more quickly and
more rain this evening.

I am thinking...How much fun JoAnn and I had 
today shopping, shopping, and shopping.

I am thankful for...My son and his new bride
and all they have done to make me a part of their
wedding although they are half way around the
world.

I am wearing...  Dark green slacks, tee shirt
and corduroy blazer.

I am remembering...  Friday evening about 11:00
when Brian and I were linked up with Myq and Joann
at their Wedding Banquet in Taiwan.  Thanks to Skype
and using our web cams and a screen there we were able to
be with them, meet their guests, say a few words and
enjoy being "there".


I am going...  To bed early as it is work for me in the
morning .

I am creating...  "Pillowcase Dresses" for our church's
humanitarian evening in June using some of the fabric
from my business.  I'm just making the "Pillowcase" and
others will do the finishing steps that evening.
  

I am currently reading...  Just got Mary Higgins Clark's
book, "Just Take My Heart" from the library today, so if
I don't fall asleep in bed I'll try to get a few pages read.

I am hoping...  To finish the sashing on my Pinwheel
quilt and the borders on tomorrow.

On my mind...  Sprinkling system.  Think I have a leak
and my son and I will be digging this weekend.

Noticing that...  I keep buying more and more new
projects when others are not completed.  Wonder if I'll
live long enough to make all of them.  But, it's so fun
and keeps me busy and happy!

Pondering these words..."Do something everyday
that makes you giggle"

From the kitchen... Cherry cheesecake that keeps
calling to me.  Can I resist it??????

Around the house...  Plastic shopping bags filled with 
my new purchases today.

One of my favorite things...  Beautiful, bright
rainbows after a spring rain storm.

I am wishing that...There were more hours in a day.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
1.  Complete Pinwheel quilt top
2.  Work on "Madeline" quilt
3.  Attend grandson's school program
4.  Sew a few pillowcase dresses
5.  Work on sprinkler system
6.  Tend granddaughter

From my picture journal...
 While walking along the ponds trail found a family
who was feeding these ducks and Canadian Geese.
Children were having such a great time and I couldn't
resist snapping a picture.

A little further along I noticed a pair of Canadian Geese
with something trailing them.  Concerned that one of
them might have gotten caught on something I stood and
observed them until I realized what it was I was seeing...

...proud mamma and daddy with their baby gosling.
How fun it was to watch them.  They were very 
protective of their little one.  Any time another duck
or goose would come close, father (I am assuming)
would chase it off then come right back and assume
his position on the other side of the little one.  They
were very protective and kept their baby between them at all times.  Just wish I had had a better camerato record this because it was priceless to observe.
Nola 

A Special Wish...

Happy Mother’s Day!


                Nola 




Just a quick "thank you" to anonymous who kindly 
pointed out my mistake on my BOM in May 1 post.
No one caught it but you, not even me,  person who
checks our blocks, class members, or friend who went 
with me.  Had you not pointed this out it probably would 
have gone unnoticed until the quilt was put together and 
it was too late.  Thanks for the "heads up"!

Too Late??

Boy, did time creep up on me.  I knew these stripey blocks
for    cancersewdone.ning.com
had to be done soon, but somehow the May 1 deadline
just escaped me.  Quickly stitched them up today and
put them in the mail.  Hopefully, they are not too late
and will still be accepted.

Now maybe I can breathe a little easier!

Nola

Tuesday Already???

I can't believe another Tuesday, May 5, 2010, has rolled around 
so very quickly!


Outside my window...  The sky is clearing and the sun's rays are reflecting off my "Burning Bush" making the leaves seem almost iridescent.  So wonderful to have the clouds moving on and seeing blue skies after several rainy, cloudy days.
I am thinking...  How different it looks now than it did when

I went for my walk at 7:00 a.m.  This is a view of the Oquirrh

Mountains from the Ponds below my house.  The picture 

doesn't really do the view justice.  It was beautiful! 

I am thankful for... Scenes like the one above that I

can enjoy daily.

I am wearing...  My Walking clothes.  Haven't taken

time to ready myself for the day yet.

I am remembering...  The elusive Pelicans who didn't

want their picture taken this morning.  How rude of them

to keep swimming to the other side of the pond.

I am going... To snuggle my little "Ty" this afternoon

while Mommy and Kohler take a nap.  Love that special

time together.

I am currently reading...  Nothing exciting.  Need
something new.  

I am hoping...  To make a decision on sashing for my

Pinwheel Quilt.  Need some suggestions.  Anyone????

On My Mind...  Happy to have one more project crossed off

my to-do list.  "First FridayFreebie" Pattern from Karen

at http://thepaintedquilt.blogspot.com 

Noticing that...  My windows are streaked with dirt from 

the rain/dust storms this past week and desperately

need to be washed.

Pondering these words...  "When our priorities are out 

of order, our lives are out of order."  Julie B. Beck  from

conference address Sunday, May 2, 2010.

From the kitchen...  Waffles, maple syrup, juice.

Around the house...   Pinwheel blocks spread out on the

floor, my design wall!  Trying to make a decision on layout,

sashing and borders.

One of my favorite things...  Morning walks down by

the ponds and observing all the birds.

I am wishing that...  JoAnn had not had to cancel our

play date for today.  But, then it just gives me something to

look forward to next week.

A few plans for the rest of the week...

1.  Sewing and stitching on unfinished projects.

2.  Tending Grandchildren Thursday and Friday.

3.   Organizing some sewing shelves downstairs.

4.  Work Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

5.  Getting flower beds ready for new plants.

From my picture journal...  Some friendly  little

ducks along the shore line where I walked this morning.

Nola