Fortune and Fame...

When I read my "Quilter's Home" magazine (my very favorite magazine), especially after quilting for 2 days straight, I feel like maybe I really AM an artist. That I CAN design an original quilt pattern that other people would want to make and purchase the pattern. I think I could start entering my quilts in shows and win blue ribbons.

And then...

Reality hits and I have to pick out my mistakes and I get in a hurry and my seams don't match up too well, etc., etc., etc. I guess it's back to making quilts for family and friends who love them, just because they love me and that's okay.

Beautiful Children...

Here is the first of the wedding pictures! I can't believe how beautiful my children are, I am filled with love and appreciation when I look at their beautiful faces.
Many more photos to come - a big thank you to Tiffany Carter for her beautiful work - can't wait to see more!!!

Tools of the trade...

Well, for about 45 years I have had quite curly hair. Over the last year or so, it has gone to just wavy. (Hormones?) After so many years of being able to wash and go, I am now making friends with the blow-dryer, the round brush and hair spray! My mom wore her hair in a beehive for 40+ years, so she and hair spray were very good friends. I remember sitting near her when I was a kid, talking to her as she did her hair and make up, but when she got out that can of Aqua Net, I RAN! She used a LOT of that stuff and it would choke anyone within 5 feet! I have always been able to shower and get ready pretty quickly - like about 20 minutes - or 30 if I wanted to shave my legs and dawdle. I used to say to girls who didn't want to go out in the rain, "What, are you a witch and think you're going to melt?" I scoffed at women who would pass up a chance to jump in a pool or the ocean because they didn't want to wreck their hair-do. Well, when will I learn that whenever I judge someone I ALWAYS end up eating my words???? It now takes me close to 40 minutes to get ready - I was late 3 times this week because of my new hair routine. I was thinking I need to start carrying an umbrella in my car! This blow-drying thing may be fine and well in the dead of winter, but what am I going to do in the summer?? Argh!

Busy, Busy, Busy...

I am enjoying quilting this winter, as I always do...

I finally finished this quilt for the downstairs guest bedroom, formerly Shane's room. It is hand quilted.

I also finished this "Mexican Star" table topper. I think I am going to "bedazzle" it to make it even more fun. It is a fun pattern that my quilt group made at our fall retreat.
I am starting some fun quilts and finishing some other quilts - I'll keep posting pictures!

Oh, the places we'll go...

Okay, it's official, all the kids are married - we really are empty nesters! Here are some of the places we've been in the last few years... Salt Lake City!

Mount Timpanogos

Lake Tahoe
Mexico
Alaska

Colorado

Timp Cave

Top of the "Y" (Timp Cave is a MUCH better hike)

The new kitchen (hooray!)

Hmmm - where to next?
(Maybe we'll just stay home alone!)

The Big Day...

Shane and Becca got married today! It was beautiful, just like they are!

(The chocolate fountain was a hit too)

Mirror, Mirror, On the Wall, I am My Mother, After all...

This is a saying I've seen on pillows and other items over the years. It used to cause my heart to shiver with dread - I would NEVER turn into my mother. Well, the years are passing and I not only look more like my beautiful mother every year, I act more like her and I must say that I am thrilled. My mom lives in California and I miss her, so when I see her in my face, it makes me smile, my smile is from her too, big and happy. When I am kind and loving or generous, I realize that I learned these things from her. She taught me to drive, to clean, to help others, to be a faithful visiting teacher, to pray, to sing, to type, to be a secretary, to answer the phone, write thank you notes, to be a mother, a grandmother, and so many other things that I couldn't even list them all! Thanks, Mom!
Here we are at a family reunion last April - My Mom, Me, Brooke and My Mamal (grandmother for those of you not from the south) - plus the gorgeous grandchildren.

Shane and Becca...

Today was the always fun - "Family Food Shower", where we cram lots of cousins and aunts and uncles and grandparents into one home and 'shower' the lucky couple with food-themed gifts. We eat lunch and play...
the always embarrassing - leg game...
The men all roll up a pant leg and the bride is blindfolded and must feel all of the legs and guess which one is her intended:She did a great job and found Shane's leg! They got lots of wonderful gifts, including this quilt that Stacy made for them:
I must say, though, Shane's favorite gift was probably the deep fryer from Aunt Denise!

Material Girl...

Okay, I must admit it, I'm a "material girl". I have been raving to my husband about how much I love the "backscratcher" he gave me in my stocking. I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my new fabric I got, and yet today, I was pretty much totally in love with my fabulous new, giant cutting board! My kids gave me wonderful gifts for Christmas and my parents gave me some $$, and I went out and bought a new - wait for it - CROCKPOT!- the one I had was from my wedding in 1981 - it was sort of an orange-y color. How did I get so lucky??

What was your favorite gift this year?