Monday, October 24, 2011

Household Happenings

I've finished another Christmas Quilting project: (Yay, me!)
And we got back from a great birthday party/family reunion in Arizona:
My Mamal (a southern word for grandmother) turned 90, so we had a party! Here she is with her 4 children - all in one place! Left to right: Janet (my mom), Linda, Richard & Dottie. Richard came in from North Carolina, Dottie came from Florida. My mom came from California . We had lots of cousins in attendance - it was wonderful. We had a great time visiting and catching up. My cousin, Mark was even there - from California and I hadn't seen him in at least 10 years! Since my Aunt Linda and Uncle Nick are semi- retired caterers, the food was wonderful! And, my Aunt Linda is, as always a superb hostess! (I am sad I didn't get more pictures, my camera setting was off and they mostly turned out really blurry!) They did have some serious scorpions down that way and when we first got there, my Uncle had a blow torch and I am thinking - "Yippee, Creme Brulee for dessert - just in time", but no, they burn up scorpions with it!!
Brooke - this picture is for you!
And - guess what we picked up on the way home? Here are a few hints:
Yes, it's a DOG!! We picked up a 6 year old "Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier" on the way home. She has a really bad hair cut, so Mr. Handsome won't take her picture yet. She is pretty cute, but still a little nervous to be away from the home she's always known (with 12! other dogs). She's a retired "champion", so she needed a home. It's pretty quiet around here. Her name is Jenny - but we can't help but call her "Jen-nay" - think "Forest Gump".
I must say it is so nice to be home here in Utah, where the fall colors are in full array and the weather is in the 60's instead of in the 90's like Arizona - I don't think I would be my normal pleasant self if I lived there... (hahahaha)
So, I'm off to sew and watch all of the fabulous/addicting shows they've just added to Netflix (like Sister Wives)...

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Birthday Party!

Mr. Handsome decided to have a birthday party celebrating his dad's life. Larry passed away 8 years ago and most of the young married in-laws never met him, so they don't get some of the family humor.
We had a great turnout and lots of fun!
I didn't get a picture of the food, but Stacy smoked a couple of briskets & some pork roasts - delicious! We also had cornbread, sweet potato casserole and plenty of desserts!
The weather was perfect. Everyone who knew Larry shared a memory of him. Most of them were pretty dang funny! People shared about the nickname that Grandpa had for them and funny things he did and said. Bruce did a great job videoing everyone's memories. Stacy had blown up pictures of him and old family pictures (I really am a terrible photographer, I missed lots of pictures). Denise did a game with "Grandpa's Rules", which pretty much meant, they weren't fair and changed a lot. You could also trade your prize for "whatever I have in my hand". There was also a killer "money grab".
Brandon won a "swig of my pop" Beckham decided he couldn't win against Doug, so he gave up:
Brian was there, looking adorable (even if Shane REFUSES to smile for pictures for me! Shane, when you are old, people are going to see all of your pictures and think what a mean man you were!)
Beckham loved the balloons (and the candy, and the cornbread, etc.)
All in all a great day - thanks everyone for coming and making it fun!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

A Finish...

Okay, I figured I'd better post a quilt or I would have to stop calling this a quilting blog! This is a "medallion" style quilt, where you start in the middle and work your way out, and well, let's just say I should have squared up better as I went along, it was pretty skewampas by the time I got to the last borders! (Pattern and fabric from "Crazy Old Ladies Quilts")
This is for Mr. Shane, so, of course, there is Minkey on the back:
I just have to keep it hidden until Christmas, because every time that boy comes over here, he tries to snuggle in it, even before it was finished!
Mr. Handsome and I made another fun trip to the condo and he finally collected on my promise to go golfing with him (from February!!). It was pretty windy, but it's always fun to tear around the golf course in the cart - he drives like "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" at Disneyland. He hit a ball into the desert part of the course and it was so funny that it was stuck in this bush!
Well that's the news from over here, hope you're having fun quilting or doing whatever makes you laugh! (I will be madly sewing Christmas Gift projects for the next few weeks...)

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Another Beautiful Baby...

So exciting, Shane and Becca had their sweet baby boy on Sunday:
He is, of course, perfect:
His name is Brian Douglas (after his proud Uncle Doug). We can't believe all of his precious hair! It is beautiful and soft. We are so proud and happy for Shane & Becca!