That Halloween Thing

Here in Charlotte:

Meantime, on the west coast:
Poor dear Rosie, has been dressed as an Irish sheep.
Mercy on us all please. xoxo

Halloween used to be my favorite holiday. My husband and I would wear masks and witches gloves...make a spooky sound, flash the lights and crack the front door, just so much.  The children would squeal and laugh.  It was so much fun...I loved to decorate...
Bringing out so many Halloween quilts. 

Tonight I gave it all to the parents of my grandchildren...

It was their turn...and their way..and their children. I sat outside to read.

Thank God, they get along.

It started to pour rain and thunder as my family started out.

They needed a car and a million umbrellas..so disappointing.

Grandma sat on  the porch eating the rest of the candy that no one would come get, because of the weather.  My son has now tossed the real pumpkins into the woods for the deer, and put away all the decorations.  I am glad.  Tomorrow is a new day

I am glad Halloween is over. Holidays bring it on...

Sunday night my brother and his wife come for 3 days.

We have not seen them in four years.

He wants me to cook food from our childhood.like Grandma did.

I will try.

My daughter and her man are coming for Thanksgiving.
They will cook...grateful...

Then Christmas and Christmas get-togethers and New Year.
I already have 3 events booked for December..Life running away.

Today it was 80 degrees F.   Tomorrow morning it will be 38 degrees F
I have brought in the Christmas Cacti from a summer outside.
Winter is here...and I love it.

Walt Disney and Mrs. O'Quilts Have Something in Common

Here I go again...This time several variables.

Per our Ellen...salt...probably 1/4 cup.

Three packages of Kool Aid in very hot water.

On the stove...cooking while stirring...

On and on...such patience in our household..

Time to rinse....hmmmmm   Hey, Walt Disney....Now what???

Try number two...We will not be discouraged.

A Learning Curve for Grandma

This adventure started by soaking the Walmart clothesline in clear water in the sink, so it would absorb die.  Kool-Aid has acid in it...so no vinegar was needed

Then..one package of grape and one of cherry. mixed in a random jar in very hot water. 

 I later added another grape.

Using what was on hand???  Come on...the insurance buys one many gifts when having surgery.

Must put all things to good use!!

Plus this went into the microwave!!

Into the microwave 2 minutes on high.

Five minutes out stirring...

Back into microwave on high for 2 minutes.

Five more minutes stirring.

I am usually not a rule follower.....but this time I followed U-Tube instructions.

I poured the die outside and brought the rope inside for a rinse.

Hmmmmmmmmm

Just remembering that Walt Disney filed for bankruptcy 5 times before he created

Disneyland.

Back to scratch....Walmart rope $1.88

Kool-Aid  12 cents each.equals 36 cents.

My time invaluable.

Walmart listed no content information on the rope.

Creative grandma is now sitting under her tree to read a book.

Remembering once again, that the turtle does not move until

it sticks its neck out xo

Grandma is a Wizard

Above is the snack bag I made for Lynsey with the awesome and adorable vinyl that

Eithne bought from Ireland.  It is lined with Ripstop.

Tonight Lynsey said that she had promised her friend,
 Saylor a snack bag with a dog on it??

And it had to be done TONIGHT!!!!

Lynsey cut the dog with the Accuquilt cutter from laminate and went to bed., leaving

her grandmother to figure it all out.

I must admit it was fun!!

Now, the girls can have lunch together with their snack bags.

Today was the day that Lynsey shared that one friend was bullying the other behind her back.

Lynsey stood up for her friend, thus the urgency of the snack bag.

Today was the day that Lynsey's first friend got her period..in the middle of English class

Fifth grade, age 10.  All was transmitted to me in such a cavalier way..because starting at age 10,

They know it all.!!!!

Tonight was the night that Evan, age 14, asked me to watch the baking show with him....and he had no fever...He also hugged me...What is up??  I loved it.

Tonight was the night that Dylan, age 9 stayed up way too late helping his father outside fix brakes on a customer's car...

At the end of the day, my seesaw life felt quite good.

Friday is a three day weekend...teacher work day on Monday.  The children are spending

that weekend with their mother.

I have finished 100 tissue holders for the holidays...

So proud of Grandma O'Quilts!!!

Stay tuned...Tomorrow's experiment is to dye Walmart's clothesline rope
with...Kool-Aid!!!

I am so old that on Instagram, I misspelled Kool-Aid.

It has been a long time ago..forgotten hot Arizona summers of my youth.

To Be Wild...or Not to Be WIld.

I am so not used to this haircut...I think I have two boys...Oh, well....it was her choice and she is still adorable.  Proud she has a mind of her own.
Stephanie struggles in recovering from her heart attack...5 months later...She stayed home yesterday to rest....Evan was on it and cleaned up the entire kitchen.  Dylan was on it and did the litter box.
Lynsey was in the kitchen making salad and the birthday cake for Wednesday night's quilting group.
I put myself in quiet time with The Bookish Life of Nina Hill


Today, I cancelled everything but breakfast out with  myself...the best company.
Tonight I put these random gifted charms on the board...divided nine patch just for fun.
All instead of the millions of UFOs I have.
Wild Thing blocks

The Silent Patient is tonight's read under 24 quilts...with tea...
I am freezing....trying not to have to put the heat on..brrr
Now, I have a hernia...Jeeze Louize....To fret or not to fret.???
CAT scan on November 4th.
I am reminded that a turtle only travels when it sticks its neck out.
Even so, I am staying home from MQG to clear my cluttered mind.

Alternative to wool pressing mat....KatyQuilts

Yesterday and Today

A bit more of Portland. Hot Chocolate at Powell's books.

Back yard for Rosie.

Outdoor pillows made by my girl. Wooden benches and table made by my SIL

The next door neighbor!!

Back to Charlotte..Tonight there is a cold rain!

A lovely day today with friends at Guild Sit and Sew

It is nice being back out in the world able to walk pain free.

A great meeting tonight with wise peeps.

How could I be so lucky??

Lynsey, Dylan and baby Ava....17 months. 

So much fun Big Air with Gammy and Wayne.
Many people love these kids.

How nice was this of them taking the kids for such fun.
I am way grateful.

And so it goes...I am desperate for chocolate...which I now remember that I gave away
due to my stomachache..What was I thinking??
I am now going to straighten my sewing room...I offered Lynsey $5 to help me..
FIVE dollars, is that all Grandma?????
So she is playing Mind  Craft with her brother while  I sit alone in my mess!!
Tomorrow is another day!!!

Tonight's Big Deal--- Inspiration Plus!!

The Kaffe lecture in Charlotte tonight...Inspiration Plus.

Book signing with Kaffe and Brandon

Marie and Diane oogling the loot..

Brandon giving a hilarious introduction to Kaffe.

Kaffe brilliant as he speaks and jokes...as well as the artist he is.
Check out their clothes!

Some more of the goodies...only looking here..

Sooo lucky...Kaffe came to Charlotte.tonight..

Hosted by Sew Much Fun...quilting store 

Fabric made by Free Spirit Fabrics...based in Charlotte!!

LOVE

LOVE

and more..!!!!

Portland Strong, Charlotte Strong, Grandma Strong

Let me introduce my new granddaughter!!!!

New haircut is what happens when Grandma goes on vacation!!

This new grandma is back from Portland relaxed and with an attitude adjustment....all thanks to my daughter and her man and her dog!

Here is Rosie and Emily working in the "Inside Our Star" by Then Came June.

The stunning house I stayed in...for two weeks..sewing, laughing, resting!!

Portland cooking pumpkins...from my SIL's garden...

Blue skies and fall colors...Lucky me..with Portland weather.

I was so thrilled with Portland, my girl, her man, lovely weather...and...and..
I was able to walk around 12 blocks and up and down a big hill..
All thanks to my wonderful Ortho-guy
Tom McCoy...who repaired with great care 4 of my joints.
More later xoxox

Trauma survivors and the harmful popular belief that being positive will help fix it..
This goes for all kinds of grief...not just abuse...