Another Hot Weekend

I assume everyone got their Bee patterns already, in fact, I think most of you have emailed me a thank you. The eight overseas packages just went out Monday so they are on their way.

I have been laying low this week, pampering my knee. I twisted it last week and it is popping and grinding with every move. I know, that doesn't sound good to me either. I saw my orthopaedic doctor and I have a brace to wear for 4-6 months! I think the brace bothers me more now!

There was the most beautiful waxing crescent moon last night. The weather in mid Missouri has been extreme- no rain and high temperatures. We were tempted with a wonderful storm yesterday and it was a county away, then it dissipated! Completely! That's just wrong!

A Rainy Day in June

My garden is so happy today- it's pouring rain outside. We haven't had rain at my house in over 3 weeks and there are cracks in the ground already. This time last year Missouri was getting flooded. What a difference a year makes huh?
I woke to thunder and it was pouring! Who-hoo! No watering the garden today.
I forgot to Blog yesterday- I know, I'm getting old. There was so much other stuff going on and I just forgot. We did draw 2 names though- for the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks magazines.

The winners are:
Eileen from Houston, TX and Velda from Bridgeton, MO. Congratulations ladies!

I wish I had a bunch to give out. I am cutting the fall and Wintersong fabrics this week. Next week we'll do a drawing for a sample bundle so stay tuned.

Is anyone doing anything special this summer? We go on a fishing trip each summer but I haven't thought past that. My grandbabies will all be there this year so I am looking forward to that. I just kept my grandsons this weekend and out of the mouths of babes- my 4 year old grandson Nathan and family went to SC to visit their daddy in the Army recently. He is doing basic training for the Army Reserves for 6 months.

Nathan was so sad to leave his daddy there when they came home. Nathan told me "the only way the Army would let his daddy come home" was if Nathan leaves him there. He said then the Army would get done with him. He was so sad when he talked about him but it was so cute the way he said it! Kirk comes home in about 5 weeks.

We're Having a Heat Wave, a Tropical Heat Wave.....

Just singing around the house these days, "we're having a heat wave, a tropical heat wave". Remember that really old song? Today it's supposed to be another 100 degree day for the Midwest. (Ugh). I'm having company this weekend so I'm up early getting laundry done and the house cleaning finished. It was too hot to do it yesterday. Got my pot of coffee and creamer so I'm good for a few hours. I'll have to take a nap later.

I've had trouble getting motivated to do much all summer. I don't know if it's the heat, old age, or whatever. I can't seem to Blog, Tweet, or sew. I hope it passes soon. Anybody else having motivation troubles?

I spent the week semi-working on a new quilt, I have the quick fuse applique pieces ironed and cut out, background colors chosen and everything laid out and ready to iron. All I need now is a day to put it all together. There's like 200 pieces in the quilt, 30 blocks in all, so it was no small fete. I like it so far. I love designing, playing with fabric and choosing colors.

My little 20 month old grandson broke his collar bone last week jumping off the couch. He's pretty active and fearless. He has a little brace on him to hold one arm to his chest right now. The trouble is, it leaves him off balanced and now he falls more than ever without a hand to catch himself. The other day while I was over there, he fell on the floor in front of me, and while gently crying and trying to catch his breath, he said "I'm OK". He's just so cute. I love my babies.

I got an email this week that I got another block included in the next QuiltMaker's 100 Blocks Magazine. So, this fall, we'll have another Blog Tour to be included in along with more giveaways. Still waiting on my new fabric line to show up for the new designs I have for Quilt market. Won't be long now.

Friday Update

It's coffee time! Yummm. As you can tell, I am up early. I decided to do some changes on the Blog- color, content positioning, I even added a search feature. What do you think?

I mowed the yard yesterday since my son wouldn't due to the Cicada dive bombers. I didn't actually mow ALL of the yard as we have 2 acres around the house but I did mow a LOT. I was aggressively attacked by the intruders in the yard at every turn. They are coming in clouds these days and every tree in the yard was covered. There are Cicada "shells" on the ground by the hundreds, you know, those little empty bodies they leave behind that little boys love to play with. We certainly have a bumper crop!

Found this little song about cicadas on YouTube http://youtu.be/OvJrEPEx27A

I am thrilled for Friday! Not only do I get to babysit the "boys" today but I have a lot of reading to do this weekend that I am so looking forward to! It's hot out, a good time for reading, maybe a movie! I might tinker with my new quilts but sometimes we (OK, I really mean ME) just need to step away.

I might go looking for a watermelon or some fun fruit for the weekend. I'm thinking summer now. I wonder what else I can whip up for the weekend? I need ideas....

What is your favorite thing to fix in the summer?

Tomato Recipes

Susan in Colorado emailed me a great recipe today for tomatoes (from her daughter) and got me to thinking. I wonder just how many other great garden recipes are out there that I don't even know about? If you have a recipe that you love, please feel free to share it. I'm thinking I might send a newsletter (which I seldom do any more) and include the recipes.

My birthday was this week and I had such a great day.
My kids and grand kids took me out to Chevy's (Tex-Mex) for dinner.
I endured the Happy Birthday song and the sombrero on my head and ended up with the free dessert so it was a good time had by all. I did share the dessert with 3 yr. old Grace and 2 yr. old Nathan. Our 11 month old grand baby Patrick had been very sick for the last 5 weeks and lost a lot of weight, weighing in at just 17 lbs now. They finally got a diagnosis of an intestinal blockage and he's now on the road to recovery. It's so good to have three happy babies again.

Don't forget about the drawing this week. Enter by tomorrow night. I'll be drawing two names on Sunday for the new charts.

Welcome Weekend

We finally made it to the local greenhouse this week. We have a lovely little place called Strawberry Hill here outside of town and they had too much to select from. As usual, I over purchased and have a lot of flowers leftover for pots. Grace and Sarah went with me and we picked out some beauties. I got them all planted this week and now I need a little Miracle grow once they take root. I can tell you they look better in the flat they they do all spread out in my flower beds! Time will change that though.

We have a great old tree that fell at one time in it's life and the previous owners left it to grow sideways. We now have a beautiful bed around it. It's hard to tell but the back of this tree is leaning! I also got Marigolds, Impatiens, Heather and lots of vegetables.

Other than that, I spent most of the week with family, making up for all of the time I ignored them when I was busy working in fabric. I did some babysitting and we had 2 year old Nathan over last evening just to hang out with us. It was a very good week. I guess I really needed a break.

Does It Get Any Better? I know, 2 blogs in 1 day? Who Knew?

I am babysitting for Grace tonight. I asked her if she remembered the name of my favorite doll, while she was playing with her and she yelled out "Bar-B-Q". Well, that's close and certainly creative but not quite. Her name is actually Pork and Beans. I know, it's not your normal name for a doll but I guess I was imaginative (and hungry). I told my friend Barb about it and we had a good laugh. Barb said, " and the family tradition continues!"

Fishing and Stuff

Sunday my kids and grandkids came for dinner and hung out for the afternoon. I introduced Grace to my old Pork & Beans doll and they seem to hit it off pretty well. She didn't seem to pay attention to the boo boo on the dolls foot. I have a feeling that once again Pork & Beans will get the love and affection that she deserves for a few years.

Nathan and Grace both got tractor rides with Papa which is always a treat for Papa and for them also. It's always a struggle to get Nathan off the tractor, in fact. He seems to have a one track tractor mind. He'll be driving it before you know it. They grow so fast.

They went over to the pond in the back and fished for a while. Grace even caught a fish on her Barbie fishing pole. It's not her first catch, as she's been fishing a lot with her dad. It was pretty exciting for the rest of us though! She even held the fish in her hands which, for a 2-1/2 yr old girl, is pretty remarkable! Nathan and Grace spent a lot of time catching minnows in the bucket and dropping them on the ground. It was a pretty fun day had by all!

Kids and Grandkids

Sarah and Grace were playing around the other day and I got a good picture. Grace is quite the little story teller these days. She always has something to tell me about. I just love it when she comes in and yells "Nana".

I came across a picture this morning of my son Kirk, eating an ice cream cone when he was about 2 years old. His hair was so blonde and curly that I just couldn't bring myself to cut it until he was almost 4. He has a son Nathan with absolutely straight blonde hair. Not a curl on his little head. How does that happen? All my kids were curly toe heads, as my uncle Harold would call them!

Today is the last day for Week 3 of the Scavenger Hunt, drawings will happen in the morning. If you haven't already sent them, get your answers emailed to me today. Have a great day!