A SLUMBER PARTY WITH AVERY ROSE – AFTER THE SLUMBER

Avery and her dad came down for dinner Friday night.  After a fun meal with various other guests and relatives, they opted to stay the night so they wouldn’t have to leave early.  After all the other guests left and a good night sleep, we spent a fun Saturday morning together.

Our waffle chef mixing up a special batter.

Ready to eat.  The menu included waffles, bacon, apple slices and milk.

Playing outside for a few minutes in pj’s cause what happens at Gram’s stays at Gram’s ( I’m just sayin’)

Hiding from the camera.

Building a block tower with Dad.

    

Putting together a new puzzle.

The finished puzzle

It’s a two-sided puzzle.  Did we take it apart and do it again or did we flip it??? You decide.

After lunch at Moe’s, Avery and her dad left and Toby and I took a nap:)  It was a great time!

A FUN GIVEAWAY AND KITCHEN REVEAL

 

I always love to see what other people have done to their houses.  And Rue of Rue’s Peanut Butter and Jelly fame has one gorgeous home.  She and her hubby have done some work on their kitchen and tomorrow is the big reveal.  To celebrate she is also having a giveaway.  Be sure and visit for a look see and to enter the giveaway. 

IT’S TIME FOR THE FALL QUILT FESTIVAL

Parkcity Girl is hosting her fall quilt festival.  I missed the spring festival but got to see soooo many beautiful quilts.  I’ve decided toparticpate in this one.   There are several quilts I would enjoy sharing.  The one I made for my college roommate when she had her first grandchild; the one I made for my sister – all red and white with “sister” quotes embroidered on it, the nursery rhyme quilt I made and sent to my neice when her daughter Mabry was born or the one I made for my boss before I retired – my first attempt at a log cabin.  But I’ve opted for the family tree quilt I made for my Mother in law because it is definitely the most challenging project I’ve attempted to date.   I had come up with the idea of making her a family tree quilt before I retired and moved to Nashville.  I wanted it to be realistic rather than kind of abstract and decided I would try to use my embroidery software to create the leaves for the tree.  I thought I could appliqué the leaves, cut them out and then attach them to the tree by hand or machine.  I looked and looked on the Internet and found a pattern that looked exactly like what I was looking for.  I found the fabrics I wanted to use and then put it all away for the longest because I was AFRAID  to get started.  Finally I made myself pull it all out and just jumped in.  I sewed the two background strips together and then put it away again for the same reason.  The tree just scared me.  When I finally took the plunge, the tree though time consuming wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be.  I fused the entire piece of “tree” fabric to something like stitch witchery.  Then I traced the pattern and cut it out. Once it was cut t I laid the tree out on the background and when it looked to be in the right place, I ironed it on.  After that was done, I used my machine and did a small zigzag stitch around each branch and the trunk of the tree. That was the most time consuming part of the project.  It worked quite well.  I found an embroidery site that had a leaf appliqué for $1.25 and used it to make my leaves.  I had gotten several different colors of batik fabric for the leaves.  I made a leaf for each member of the Neal clan and embroidered names and birthdates and also date of death where applicable.  Then I put Granddad’s and Grandmother’s leaves at the highest spot on the tree and  grouped the other families in various spots below them.   I really didn’t think I would like it until after I had added the borders.  They made such a huge difference.  I used leftover fabrics for the binding.  Believe it or not I’m having to add four new leaves.  It’s great to know the family continues to grow:)

Here are some pictures of the quilt in various stages of completion.

 

             

THREE STEPS TO BEING A GREAT WATCH DOG

Toby takes a three step approach to guarding the premises.  His main spot to watch for anything suspicious is the window in the bonus room.  He can see the street and surrounding yards.  Here is a look at his methodology.

1.  Pick a spot close to the window and focus on what’s happening outside.  There is bound to be something moving at any given moment.

2.  Focus …… Focus

 

3.  Oh what the heck! 

From start to finish takes less than five minutes unless the neighbor’s cat is outside.  Then there is usually barking involved.

WAITING FOR THE FOLKS AND … GUESS WHO’S NOT IN DIAPERS ANYMORE

 

The other day the girls stayed with me while Mom and Dad were finding out the results of the home inspection on their soon to be new house.  When it was almost time for the parents to arrive I told them they could sit on the bottom step and wait.  I took a few pictures.

 

I’m thinking that without a diaper Kates needs a good belt or pair of suspenders.  What do you think??

 

RANDOM MEMORY

I was finishing straightening up the kitchen after I got home from church and was thinking about Brian heading out early in the morning to Washington (state) to a wedding this weekend.  It reminded me of when he left for China the first time several years ago.  It was Sunday and we were all at the airport to see him off.  Jennifer and Matty, me, Grandmother and I think Mrs. Box or Miss Opal or maybe both, and Michael.  As time came for him to go on through security, things got a little emotional.  Brian kind of teared up and that was all it took for me to follow suit and pretty soon almost all of us were smiling and saying goodbye through misty eyes.  There were more than a few people starting to take notice, but we didn’t care – after all it was August and we wouldn’t be seeing him until July.  So, as he turned to walk away, my sweet son-in-law said loud enough for all to hear.  “See you Wednesday Brian.”  We all fell out laughing.  It was the best send off remark I ever heard.  Bet no one has  had a better one.   Brian left – had an exciting adventure in China and came home the next July.  It was definitely easier seeing him off the next time because we all remembered that first send off. 

I’m glad someone else is taking him to the airport for his flight tomorrow – he has to be there at 5:30 am or there abouts.   Have a fun trip!!!

RECENT DECORATING PURCHASES

Over the weekend I was in Kohls and it seemed like everything in the store was on sale.  I picked up 2 Halloween  decorations that were half price (which seemed like a NORMAL full price to me).   Yesterday afternoon I was in the Goodwill and picked up another that cost only 99 cents.  Can you tell which one came from Goodwill ?

WAY BEHIND

Seems I’m having a hard time posting these days.  I’ve made some good progress getting unpacked and ridding myself of boxes.  I promised pictures of my new appliances so here they are.  There is “stuff” like the box with the new vent hood to go over the stove and other miscellaneous things.  But overall, it’s not in too much of a mess. 

Love this refrigerator.  The filtered water is especially nice!!  And, if I don’t shut the door, it will let me know!!

I’ve cooked  a couple of things in the oven and on top of the stove.  I think I’m really going to enjoy it.

The dishwasher is already full of handprints.  Didn’t realize they would be that easy to get on the front.

The microwave will end up on a cart or some other piece of furniture (small) right off the end of the counter but until I find what I want, it will stay there.

 

I still love my floor!!

Here is a picture from a blog that shows an idea I might use in one or both of my bathrooms for hanging damp towels.   You can see the whole metamorphosis here

Don’t you just love it.

 

I got these shelves at Target today – except they came in a box in pieces. 

I’m hoping to have some help tomorrow to get the put together and will use them for books and toys in the bonus room. 

Saturday and I think the first Saturday of each month there is a 50% off sale at the Goodwill.  The lady told me the people would be lining up by 7:30 on Sat. morning and there would be a rush when the store opened.  She also told me I might want to come by Friday evening before they close at 8 and see if there is anything I’m particularly interested in.  I think I’ll go and if there  is something I’m really really interested in AND if  it is at a good price I may go on and get it then.  If it is something that I could live without then I’ll just go sat. and see if it is still there.  She said they put out as much stuff from the back as they can fit and still have room for folks to move around.  So, it will be interesting to see what it looks like.

Okay, time to start sorting through all the stuff in my computer and office boxes.  And then . . .  bed.

PROGRESS

I’m hoping my painters will be gone after tomorrow.  I really like the colors – all four of them.  The kitchen is a pretty yellow – alot lighter than the mustardy gold it was.  The red wall is gone replaced by a neutral greeny brown color.  That color is in my bedroom too and a shade or two darker is in all the other rooms except my bathroom which is blue.  I promise to post pictures as I get each sort of settled.  I did change the lights in the bathrooms.  Here is the before -

The light had already been taken down in my bathroom but you can see the style from the other pic.

And here is the after

I really  like the lights.  The problem is the mirrors are a little too tall for where they are placed but I plan to have the mirrors cut down a little and frame them out in the not too distant future and I think that will solve the problem.  I wonder if the glass place makes house calls????? :)

Tomorrow is a big day – or should I say today – I didn’t realize how late it is.  My new appliances are going to be delivered.  I can’t wait to have cold filtered water and an oven with time bake.  I’ll definitely be posting pictures of the new kitchen bling.

PIZZA AT GRAMS

Friday night Jennifer and Matthew had a “date night” and I had the kids over for a couple of hours.  Before the parents left, while Micah was having his “dinner”, Vail and Katy fixed us a pizza.  The steps are very easy.  You’ll need an already made whole wheat crust, some pizza sauce, pepperoni and some mozzarella  cheese.

First:  Spread the sauce on the crust.  A little sauce on the stone is always a good idea:)

Second: Add your pepperoni.  Tasting is okay as long as you put some on the pizza too.

Third:  Add the cheese and don’t forget to taste it too.

I got busy and didn’t take pictures of the finished product but I will say we enjoyed it for supper.  Then, after cleaning up a little and putting Micah down for a nap, we put on pajamas and settled in to enjoy the Aristocats and built some walls with empty boxes from unpacking.  I’ve decided to save some of the small boxes since they seem to enjoy building with them.  They will have a home behind the sofa with the other toys until the kids tire of them or Jen confiscates them to pack whenever they decide to buy and move.

Today, I actually did some cooking and unpacked some more boxes.  It’s beginning to feel more like a home than a house.  The painting and wood floors should be totally finished by Wed. and then the “work” will stop for awhile – except for putting in new appliances.  I plan to finalize that on Monday but don’t know for sure when they will deliver them. 

I’m off to bed but first I want to say Hey Johnny and Carol.  Hope things are well with you.  Miss you lots.