Aoife Brings Love

Aoife and her grandmother are getting to know each other.

Our second full day!

Aoife playing in the Carolina leaves.

Aoife who??? Says the grand master of the home!!!!

The beautiful girls.

Aoife's daddy teaching the leaf raking skill.

Aoife in the tree lot.  No trees found for us.

All good trees gone...sad...but, I am not in charge...Wahoo.

My girl and her man will take the kids and try again tomorrow.

Guess this one was not good enough.

I have half a mind to cut the volunteer tree from the front  yard.

It is 4 feet tall and could be a big money saver with character. 

It could be a lesson in living frugally.

Me thinks this grand idea of mine is being vetoed!!

Brian is teaching the children how to make dessert crepes.

Dylan meets Aoife

OH, NO...My precious thread....That girl has expensive tastes.  She so prefers Aurifil!!

She will not come to her grandmother...hiding here behind Mommy.

16 months.  Even so, she is a  love.

Sad part of this season is the Covid thing and 16 year old Evan's refusal to get his shots.

It breaks my heart.  There are so many people at risk at my house.  Guess we will have to wave at him from a a distance.  We love our Evan!!

This is truly the joy of the season...family.  I am so grateful.

 

The Night Before Aoife

My latest holiday extravaganza improv Christmas quilt.  Made it a few  years ago, who knows where it has been until now!!!!

This is a tough year for us all.  The kids are so upset at their daddy's choices and miss him so..for the holidays.  Me too!!  We are all trying to accept life on life's terms and create new traditions.

This is new:

The children told me that their daddy taught them how to put up the outdoor lights.

They say that a new tradition is that they do it themselves.  And in a blink of an eye, way before I get outside to supervise and shout to them not to fall, they had the lights up. 

 Amazing kids and so proud of themselves.

Uncle Brendan sent us a lovely box of fruit.  What I did not know is that the kids had never eaten grapefruit before!!  Amazing to me since I grew up in Phoenix with grapefruit trees in my backyard and lived 20 years in Miami.

I have now ordered a few grapefruit spoons and taught them how my grandma taught me...the honey on top!!  They ate all the grapefruit in one day.  Next day, Lynsey took out the juicer and juiced fresh oranges for the family...Wonderful!!  We have only had this fruit box 24 hours and it is already empty...Yummy!!!

Somehow all the dinnerplates have been broken these past 2 years....our wedding china in daily use for 40 years.  There are two plates left.  Online I found these pasta bowls...Kids are thrilled with the colors and shape.  Here is a snack adorned with one of my grandmother's Bakelite knives.

The children's middle school has been so supportive of our family.

I told the children that  when we can sew, there is no reason to spend money on gifts.

Today, they gave out 15 homemade teachers' gifts.  I forgot to take a picture of Dylan's jar opener and Lynsey's potholder...Next week I am sending in a basket of tissue holders for the office staff...Teaching the kids that we give back.

Other news:  Lynsey auditioned for a part in the school play...and was accepted.  She is soooo thrilled.

She was also asked to speak at a convention on Zoom...Way to go girl.

I had a wonderful video of our Aoife but cannot seem to upload it!!  grrrrr,

I had a lovely present to give to our Orkin guy...He said that he really loves the one I gave him last year....the same thing...OMG I am so losing it!!  I am a Christmas present failure.  TBTG I  have a cupboard of things I have made through the  years. I gave him a basket instead. 

 Then, Lynsey found a zippy bag I had made and filled it with bandaids for her PE teacher.

A lovely cleaning lady came today.  She made my bed with fresh sheets....so wonderful...Until, I saw

that the arrogant Stitch claimed the only cat Christmas pillowcase for himself... Really Stitch???

He shows no remorse!!

The Irish Chain I made and by now is soft and comfy.

The "T" quilt is the first antique quilt we bought for our collection. It is a 100 year old political quilt."T"  is for Temperance.

And so we wait for Aoife. God willing, in 12 hours she should arrive in Charlotte.

It is a dream come true.

 

They Call for Self-Care....Here it is...:

 

Patting and loving my Marcia Derse fabric!!

First step:  finding my Marcia Derse fabric!!

Second, third and fourth steps: patting and loving the fabric.

 

 

 

 

  

The Restful Day with Carolina Blue

Hemostat by Tula Pink. purchased for my upcoming birthday by my dearly departed husband!!!

Dog kerchief for cleaning lady's new dog.  Fastened with Velcro,

but, if she brings me a collar, I will make the sturdier kind later....just want to see how these work!

Carolina Blue skies in December, 73 degrees...so lovely.

Here is my absolutely amazing new car...Amazing. 

It was a gift.  God working through kind people.

Of course I had to make it mine with a new license plate!!!

Our family has been through a very difficult year.

So, when the grands asked for trees in their rooms, I said yes!

They picked out what they wanted online. The trees arrived the next day.

Only to be assembled in clean rooms, of course.  They will love doing that  tomorrow night when they  come home.

I have been getting a tremendous amount of support from online groups.

Soooo grateful!!

Nary a good blogpost without a picture of our Aoife!!!

She has  her mother's shape of face...other than that, she is all her daddy!

My family and I are counting the minutes until Saturday morning at 6 am when

Aoife et al arrive from Portland on the red eye...

 

Trying to Walk With Grace Through the Tough Times

 The beginning of the season for us.   Same friendly "Thanksgiving Cacti" that have lived under our bench outside for years.  Gotta get a white one soon.  I love them so.

My grandmother' candelabra that used to be in her bedroom window for years and years. probably 70 years or more .  A fond memory.  It is only recently that  I have come to realize that the antique bulbs are so hot.  We have been so lucky in the past that those lace curtains in Grandma's window never caught fire. This year they are in my kitchen window on tile.  Memories are so very sweet.

 

Potholder process number three with my African fabric.

My gut wrenching worry about having to take my machine in now, before Christmas was alleviated this evening when I realized that the sewing machine does well without the walking foot...sigh.

None of us are doing too well since Thanksgiving without my son. On and on it goes.  Also, I think my last fall was more hurtful than I had thought.  I am a bit on the lightheaded side...UGH!

I do not dare go to the pool  tomorrow, so  I am  going on an outing with a friend  in order to seize the day and not stay in bed forever.

My grandmother's old Sorry board, still in  use.

Lynsey wanted to play tonight.  Not only did she set this up, but also, this:

Canasta.  I said only one game, but we ended up doing both.

My  new car has been mine for one week now.  Gotta get the energy to take it to mechanic to have the steering wheel adjusted with not so much play and have the step removed from the side so I can get into the car with my arthritis.  Lynsey has a hoot of a time watching me get used to this fancy new car.  The back up screen is a life saver as I am lucky not to have killed anyone before...!!!

I am just so very tired.  I appreciate everyone's support and kindness as our family adjusts to our situation. My guess with the Covid issues, the rest of the world is stressing too...Those that stay informed, that is...Of course we do look forward to Aoife's visit in 11 days...Amazing!!! 

 Amazing Grace!!

Happy Hannakuh my friends.

The Midnight Hour

 

Grrr...A quick before bed potholder is now unfinished.

I have spent the past 30 min changing needle, changing bobbins, re-threading the machine.

It pounds like a hammer and pulls the thread from the bottom for 3 inches before breaking.

Really....at midnight????  

I freaking give up!!

And does my machine need service just before Christmas???????

NOOOOOOOO!

Good night.  Will see it better in the morning light xo

My 2 am Post

 I sleep until noon.  Then I am up till one am or maybe 2 am...That is the time when crazy hits...But, now I rescue myself with the love of making potholders.

From beloved African scraps!!

Of course, in order to lose myself in creative fun, the pristine environment (ha ha) in my sewing room, in seconds can become like this....So worth it xo

Below, the grand boys on their vacation.

Evan is 16 and Dylan is almost 12.  When Evan and actually Eamon (their father) were in 6th grade, they all looked Dylan's size and never dreamed they would really grow...Amazing.

The children loved this horse at the place they rented in the mountains.

The boys again...What a difference 4 and a half years makes.

A great picture of my XDIL and her husband. TBTG everyone gets along.xo

My house is a disaster.  So need Ms Stephanie back to organize me.  Alas, I talked to her the other night and she said she keeps getting hired places and then she cannot work...That  damn heart attack!!!

I need a lot of things.  My new walking walker for exercises needs to be assembled. (That is assuming that I will recover from this fall business)  S L O W is a tough thing. A picture needs to be  hung.. I need help problem solving.  I could try a lot of it, but with my leg all iffy, I am afraid I will fall again.  I am not allowed to call that capable person who could do it all...as he has his own road to walk.  

The children are  back from the mountains tomorrow.  Dylan already has a list ready to help his grandmother...TBTG for the darlings.

God willing, 13 days until our Aoife comes for the holidays!! I am trying to find things around the house for her to play with...She will be 17 months... I want to be the grandmother to give her her first  lolli-pop, alas, her father says NO!!!

I am counting the days, as I say...God willing.

My birthday  is coming up in a few weeks.  Last night my husband whispered to me that I should pick up a few quilty snippets online/ Black Friday....presents from him.

I demured and then....and then I did it...frugal, but  fine, very fine!!

Thank  you Honey xoxo

More Blessings

Janet,  you are a dear.  Quilting things always bring me cheer!!

Look what she was able to let go of...How could she??  So grateful she did.

In the wash as we speak!  Awesome African fabrics.

My favorite flowers....Thank you Linda!!

And from Portland...Thanksgiving joy!!

OK   I see, we just  help ourselves xo  Good idea, Aoife!

Holidays are rough when grief seeps through the cracks.  Yesterday, my sister helped by bringing us a pre-made dinner from the grocery store.  Nice to have a  sister.

Turkey soup in in process now!! 

Kids are in the mountains with their mom and step-dad!

Three, Eleven, Twelve and Sixteen!!!

Took my new car on a spin today.  Twenty miles per hour...at first, then up to 40!!  How brave I am.  I had not even left the neighborhood when a yellow triangle light started its whine...OMG.  I waved  down a neighbor....He said that the trunk was not fully shut....My slow learning curve. 

Oh, well....Still pinching myself and grateful for my anonymous benefactor...made my world a better place. My sister came for the old car and it would not start..Now she is afraid to be stranded and will not drive it.

One of my favorite embroideries from  my  grandmother.

I have  had it for years and  years.  My sister wanted it.. I did not want to share, but it is way past her turn. I gave it to her.

Today is 2 weeks since my fall.  I was able to do way more things...I am still exhausted.

However, it is great to be up and at 'um...It is a blessing.

Being Thankful

Fretting and fretting, thinking once again that I am in charge of this universe.  Such an uncomfortable fantasy!  I know I am doing the best I can, but is it enough??

Arguing with God about my fall and why I am not yet better!!

Making things for the holiday season for others who have beens so good to me.  Then worrying again, that I have sent no thank  you notes...so many good people, and no thank you notes at all from me..

The holidays are hard this year without my son.

Then...then...how does God answer my fretting?????? 

 By sending an angel to help me with a new car.

Me??  Me?? 

I was afraid to drive it.  It has no key, just a button. I have had my old one for 14 years....The new one  has  a skylight.  I never thought I would have one of those before I bit the dust!!! 

 Out of the blue came blessings..

 I am giving the old car to my sister who shares the one she has with her family.

Above are some gifts to kind people....6 grocery bag bags.  ( I should have made 600)  Three karate ones, and others for others...Mostly for folks who help the children.

The darlings have gone to the mountains with their mother.

I am organizing my sewing room.

Feeling peaceful at this moment. 

Feeling grateful for friends.

Feeling grateful for peace.

Feeling grateful for sewing.

xo 

 

News we can Use

A big hello from our side of town!!!

Joanie Madden 

Our very very very favorite musician. (thx Margaret for the heads up)

A big Thank You to Vickie for our holiday elves party.

with my favorite shortbread cookies.

and Wonderful friends!!!   Vickie....you be the best!!

This is a selfie....wahoo..We old folks sure are smart!

Linda and Kathy, the holiday elves...OMG, today was fun.

Today was so lovely in the Carolina's  70 degrees F and sunny.

It actually looks like I might be able to get a new car that I do not have to worry about starting!!!

Thanks to a friend or two having my back.

Lovely visits from the above elves today.

Kids  mostly behaved....mostly.

My sister agreed to be in charge of organizing our Thanksgiving dinner...yeah!

Linda made a little mug rug for me from Denise Schmidt scraps..

LOVE!!

Aoife  finds a big leaf in Portland.

Today, I was somehow able to start accepting life on life's terms and find joy anyway.

Wow???  Who is that?   Start, I said, start!!!!  

This way, I just might be grown up in the next 4 weeks 'til my birthday...Maybe.....?

Cleaning lady coming tomorrow, lunch out, Good Vibes retreat on Zoom.

Looks like I may not die of a sprained ankle! after all!!!

Lynsey's eggplant parmesan.

Two good days in a row and tons of supportive friends...xoxo

Planning on sweet dreams tonight!!