LOTS OF PICTURES

I believe Spring is here, though snow/rain mix is forecasted this week....yikes! All the flowers tell me that no matter snow/rain mix, spring is moving in hard, explosive and fast. Yeah, we love being outside all day long. So much to do---mud cupcakes need to be made, swinging, playing, planting and watering the garden, not to mention walking our babies, animals, watching worms, insects and picking up rocks, ( we have a collection). Oh, and how can I forget, smelling every flower we walk past. It's a lot of work for little people to get everything that needs to be done outside every single day! But oh, all the smells these flowers are putting off, I just sit in the middle of it all and inhale. It will be gone soon, slow down and take it all in.

We celebrated someone's 2 year trip around the sun. She made her own cupcakes for her party, which I think were a hit, at least with the birthday girl. Mom and Dad requested no toys, but plants for Betty to plant in her garden. I'm telling ya'll, this girl has a busy summer ahead of her! Her baby brother (no fuss Gus), is going to watch and smile! 

Wow, do you feel that the months fly by? I sure do! 

Knitting: Finished sweater for Betty- Petite Knits, Anker's Jacket. yarn: Quince & Co. 

I love, love this pattern,  fourth time I have knitted this sweater in a year! 

Reading: Higher Loyalty. Interesting and concerning! 

Spy Mistress, finished and a so, so book. This is a historical fiction and normally I like Jenifer Chiaverini but this was just flat for me.

Needs buttons

Size 000 needles, oh my!

Another sweater that needs to stay near me when reading what a poor state our democracy is in with this administration , knitting is calming!

Go on over to Yarn Along today!

12 MARCH 2018 (BALANCING ACT)

Winter seems to be winding down here on the Front Range. Continue to experience a lot of WIND which after days of strong schnooks I tend to get headaches. If the temps are going to warm I like to be outside without the need of ankle weights to keep me in the county. Every chance we get we are out walking with the littles, often finding ourselves stopping for a sprinkle donut. It's worth the sugar rush to watch B. enjoy her donut...love those toddlers! 

B. was also introduced to play dough! We made our own and pulled out cookie cutters on a warmish day made cold by the high winds. She loved this, playing for a full hour rolling, cutting and plain smacking the dough.Simple and 'on hand' things make the best toys for little ones!

I have been busy sewing---a lot! I finished the blue quilt pictured above, machine quilted FEATHERS, I finally mastered a presentable feather. I tell you it was a moment of pure accomplishment for me! After completing this quilt I was an unstoppable women in my sewing room to get two more tops done, and I did by Sunday evening. Now to get them sandwich, (hopefully today) and machine quilted! 

The baby sweater pictured ( without buttons as of yet ), is a gift for a friend who's baby shower is this weekend....in Minneapolis! My three adult children and I will all gather in the Twin Cities for a long weekend of much needed time together! Oh, I can already imagine the long walks, food and movies that will occupy our time and of course a baby shower. 

Talks on "Brain Science" has been on my computer these past weeks, so-so  interesting! I am of the generation that was told the brain does not  need "exercise"  and now to find out the brain needs LOTS of exercise. All the science and research being done on mood disorders, happiness, mindfulness, alzheimer, etc., why we know so little about our brains. I find this so fascinating and so hopeful for so many people who are suffering with illnesses of the brain. But most of all, the break through regarding medicine and that so many of our ills can be corrected by 'exercising' our brains.  The research showing that brain exercising has far, I mean far better results and long lasting results than most drugs used on the market today. I'm not saying throw away your prescriptions, but their may different options, keep an open mind!

Happy Monday! Gratitude is an Attitude.

FORWARD into 2018

We have been enjoying a very slow quiet Holiday week. I put together a 2018 list of UFO's I want to complete with a small list of projects ( knitting and quilting) I would like to start. This list at first was long and impressive, though not reasonable. I reworked the list to appropriate achievable goals, why set up a situation only to fail before the month of January turns to February. One project I am excited to be working on again is the Amish quilt I started years ago. I forgot how much I enjoy hand quilting, even though truth be told, I have to use a larger needle with a bigger eye. Aging, something not worth fighting, but worth learning how to work around changing physical needs.

Finished Betty's sweater to match the sweater I made Caitlin for Christmas. They were here for New Years eve dinner of White Bean Chicken soup, ( it was amazing ), and Mom/Daughter, when time to leave walked out of the house in matching sweaters. I know, why didn't I get a picture, oh yeah, getting a one month old and 19 month old out the door and all buckled into car seats is no small job, even with four adults! 

No fuss Gus is growing and doing well. The crud is gone! He is such a happy little guy with eyes that say:' I'm here for the great adventure called life.'

It's been cold and windy here! Hard to complain when my daughter Erin in Minneapolis is experiencing -20 degrees and frozen pipes! She had no water on New Years day, but lots of quilts and a line up of movies to watch! That's my girl! 

I completed the scrap quilt top above to the pattern instructions and yet, it doesn't feel complete to me. Borders, at three to four borders are calling to me for this quilt. Half square triangles, two rows with two rows of the dark blue print, this is what I worked out in my head last night before sleep!

Happy New Year!! What plans do you have for 2018?

27 DECEMBER 2017

December you have kicked our butts. RSV invading Caitlin's home, first Betty getting sick. The day she was taken to doctors and antibiotics given ,  baby  Gus was showing signs of congestion.  Off to the peds with him and yes, tested positive for RSV. Mom staying up with him for several nights but Gus continue to get more congested and coughing. He was admitted to the hospital for 5 days, then home on O2 for 3 more days. Everyone on the mend now and staying close to home to avoid those nasty germs out there in public. 

Christmas Eve dinner was here and it was fun to have children in the house for the presents. Forgot to take any pictures, I think I was still on auto pilot and the camera never crossed my mind. Christmas Day we spent by ourselves, eating left overs, watching movies and knitting. We also took NAPS...for 

2 days! 

Due to staying up at night so Caitlin could get some sleep, ( poor thing had gone 4 nights no sleep), and helping with Betty, I missed some fun get togethers during the sickness time. Sorry, my old quilt group and friends from the hospital dinner. Lets try again, I miss everyone!