Fun, Busy, Cold Month

In January, we left the cold here in Utah:

And headed to much warmer California!

Brooke and her kids came from Missouri. Doug, Tricia & Beckham came, Amanda & Sydnee came, Becca & Brian came too! Jeff lives down there, so we were quite a group! We were warmly welcomed by my great parents and wonderful sisters!

First, we hit Knott's Berry Farm with 4 of the grandkids (we came to California in 'waves', so we were only all there at once for a day or two.)  It was a perfect day, the kids loved it! Camp Snoopy had lots of rides for our little kids to ride.  We ended it by going on "Bigfoot Rapids" and getting soaked to the bone, after going through twice. Stacy didn't get too wet the first go round, but the second time he was drenched! Brooke and I nearly wet our pants laughing when he let go a choice word. 

This was followed by a day at Legoland.  Another great day, but a little chillier. There were 15 of us (2 big SUV's full) We made quite a group and had a wonderful time together. We chose Legoland for Shaun, who LOVES Legos.  We had three babies with us, and at one point they were all napping in their strollers. Thank goodness Heidi came too and helped with the babies and little kids.  Heidi was quite a sport, since that morning, before we left on the hour+ long ride to Carlsbad, Shaun threw up all over the kitchen floor.  We couldn't bear to leave him, so we all headed out. He actually did fine, but I tell you, I am surprised Heidi didn't suddenly remember an appointment or something when that happened!

We took the "big kids" to the beach one day, we rode the ferry to Balboa Island and then went on down to Corona del Mar, where we climbed on the rocks and then let them get their feet wet in the water. Austin & Shuan ended up in the water to their necks, clothes & all!!!  It was a beautiful day at the beach, not too warm, but sunny with no wind. I should have realized they would get all the way in, even though it was January! They had to ride home in their underwear and jackets!

Here is little Sydnee who was just a trooper (and the youngest on the trip), she just had a good time and enjoyed being loved up by everyone. 

On Sunday, we took Austin (who was not throwing up), Amanda and Sydnee to our old stomping grounds in Corona and attended church and saw lots of old, dear friends! We had a great time and even stopped at Tommy's, our favorite Chili Hamburger place. 
On Monday, we dropped Amanda & Sydnee off at one airport, then loaded up Brooke and her kids to take them to LAX. Since they flew on quite the cheap airline, they were charged even to carry on bags, so Brooke had those babies loaded down like Sherpas!

We then headed back to my fabulous parents' and finished doing a little more straightening up.  We had ended up driving, since we generally fly standby, but some flights were canceled, so all the other flights filled up.  We had not driven in 3 years! It was actually pretty fun, we stopped at the condo on the way there and back.  We drove our big car, and we brought home all sorts of things! Like a new pack & play (Shane & Becca), a couch (Jeremy & Amanda), a car seat, various items our Utah kids couldn't fit in their suitcases, and 5 BOXES of lemons to mention a few items!  So, now, here in the cold, we are enjoying fresh squeezed lemonade that tastes like sunshine and reminds us of the wonderful memories we made with our family!!  I have had a great, busy month, but now that I'm finally all caught up at work after being gone for so long, I am back to quilting! Brenda

2012 is Winding Down

     I have just been perusing my new "Blog Book" that I ordered from "Cutest Blog on the Block", I am quite impressed - and not just with myself! It is 308 pages, hardbound and contains all of my posts and pictures since I started my blog in 2008.  It is really fun to look through and remember lots of fun times with my family and friends.  I highly recommend it! (It cost $140.00)
     We've had a wonderful Christmas, and even though Brooke and her family were not able to join us, we "face timed" with them lots and lots!  Jeff just went back to sunny San Diego, but he certainly enjoyed snowboarding with Doug while he was here.  We had a beautiful, snowy Christmas, even though we failed again at making a snow man, I did make a snow angel - my first one! 
     Feeling grateful for all of my blessings, we are heading to Cali for a few days with ALL of the kids and grandbabies (I'm sure Shane will bop down for a day or so!), except poor Ben, who will be hard at work and school still.  Hopefully my family will survive our visit!
     Here's to a wonderful 2013!!!

Christmas Time

It's December and that means lots of fun and lots of busy!  It's trying to snow around here, which would be very beautiful, but it's a bit chilly!  I am still dreaming of a fireplace, but this is what I make due with around here - it's Netflix.  Funny, when I lived in California, we always one, if not two fireplaces in our homes, but here where it really is cold, none!

I finished my sewing machine cover (no, it's not a tea cozy), I sewed up some jelly roll strips (Thanks - Steve & Jen), quilted it up and sewed up a quick cover to keep the dust out.  I love the bright colors and it will match my new color scheme come next month!

We do finally have our little Charlie Brown Christmas tree up, yes it's on a table, we just keep getting smaller ones each year. There are no gifts under it because we have too many toddlers around here for them to be safe.

I do so enjoy looking at other's amazing blogs with their fantastic Christmas decorations and trees, but I am basically pretty lazy when it comes to all the fuss, but I love it when I don't have to do it!  Toodles!  -Brenda

Fashion

     So I went to the mall the other day (something I don't do very often) to buy some new clothes. My lovely sister gave me a birthday gift card for a department store, so off I went (2 months later). Well, it was kind of a challenge!  It seemed like nearly every thing was neon colors (think 1983) or polyester pantsuit type stuff (think great-grandmother) - where was the "in-between" stuff??? I realize I am a grandmother and I KNOW I am no teenager, but aren't there others like me? Lots of others like me? I circled the store more than once and was able to find some cute things (2 shirts and some new soft Christmas jammies), but I was sad about the selection for the most part.  I guess that's why I wash nearly all of my clothes in cold water and hang them up - it is hard to replace the things I like! I realize I am no fashion plate and sadly, I have been wearing the same shirts for years! They are my first pick when I open my closet and they are clean.
     And then, there is the make up - I have pretty much worn make up nearly every day since I was 16 or so. But, I am tired of it! It's not like I am trying to pick up some hot guy (I've got one), and it's not like it makes me look fantastic - better, yes, but not fantastically gorgeous or anything.  I still wear it sometimes, but not every day.  So, if you see a nearly 50 year old woman schlepping around in old t-shirts and no make up - it's probably me.

Still Here

Back from a super fun quilt retreat last week in Park City! My BFF Megan joined me and 73 other ladies to quilt our hearts out and eat lots of chocolate!  I finished one quilt top and worked on two others, I also took a little class on making a sewing machine cover to keep out the dust and worked on that - hopefully it will be done soon and I can show it.
Finished (after much cursing and muttering and un-picking):

I have been working on this scrappy around the world for a couple of years, but am ready to finish it, it is kind of fun, because I can see all the bits from all of the quilts I have made. I made 10 more blocks while at the retreat and have about 10-15 more to make:

I have been working on this baby for at least two years, but am on a mission to finish it! I only have about 100 units left to make, then I can put together the blocks and carefully put them together to make the (giant) quilt that has carefully placed lights and darks:

I bought this printed interfacing from Quilt Smart to attempt to make a double wedding ring quilt - the easy way?  I am planning on doing it in brights:

And let me tell you, after lounging around, eating chocolate, etc. while wearing my cushy/stretchy sport bra, the girls did NOT want to get back into the wire cage come Sunday! But, I forced them (you can thank me later)

So, back to life, as usual which is pretty dang good these days. I am down to working 3 afternoons per week! One of my favorite things is going to the movies in the afternoon - I'll go by myself if no one else is available, so I'm planning on doing that on one of my "extra" afternoons, as well as making soup, etc. - things you just can't do too easily while working 5 days! Toodles! -Brenda

Meandering Along

So I've decided that I'm tired of reciting my email address and phone number, and of course, I like to have people visit my blog, so I got cards made:

It was super easy to order them, with this cute design and I just put my name, phone number, email address and blog address on them.  I showed them to Mr. Handsome and he said - "They don't say what you do, housewife, quilter, chef, lover (he's funny, isn't he?), etc." I told him they are not business cards, just my contact information.  I love them! I am putting them on my luggage, my new Sew EZ table I got at quilt festival and, sure, I am giving them to new people I meet, that might need my information or seem like they would be friends, etc.
I did finish my "Selling Houses" wall hanging, but I don't like where I put it, it looks better from far away, and mashed here in the entry way by the front door, it is too narrow to see it well.

Of course, it helps if it is right side up too - I don't know how my computer, phone and camera all continue to outsmart me!!!!!!
Here is a before picture of a particularly messy part of my quilt studio:

Unfortunately, it still pretty much looks like that, but hopefully progress will be made SOON!  I'll keep you posted - that's a pun, by the way...

Hooray for Fall!

     It is so nice that fall is finally here! It's been a summer long enough and hot enough to try my patience (and my deodorant!).  It is nice and chilly at night and in the morning - yummy! I am baking some apples with cinnamon and it makes the house smell delicious and very fall-y.
     I finished quilting a quilt for a Christmas Gift - so sorry, no peeking yet. I am ready to quilt my class project of a log cabin cityscape from the class I took at Quilt Festival from Flavin Glover.  I will post it soon, my camera is visiting Amanda and I'm not that good with my phone yet.
     I took a class on "precision piecing" and I am sorry to say that I don't think I will ever be a "precision piecer"!  The techniques I learned seemed challenging and involved lots of pinning(bleck), and un-picking if it was not "just so",  so I think I will continue blissfully quilting speedily (and sloppily) along and giving my quilts to friends and family members who think they are wonderful and that I'm talented, etc.
     I also took a class on "panels", since we are having a panel challenge in our bee this year, I got lots of good ideas and we will see if I can wrestle down that EQ program Mr. Handsome bought me and design a fab quilt with the panel - hopefully pictures are forthcoming and I don't have to hide it in shame - it makes me a little nervous - I only have one panel - BUT - I guess if I mess it up, I can just use a little part of it -right, right??

     We've had our little baby pals over some - enjoying the last of the peaches - rather enthusiastically, I'd say:

     I am currently working on this project - and no, mine doesn't look like this (yet), this is the picture I took at the vendor booth I bought the kit from - mine is all cut out though...

     Looking forward to attending a quilt retreat at our bee later this month AND - going to working 3 days a week instead of 5!  AND Mr. Handsome is going to start improving my wonderful quilting studio!!!!!!!!!! We will be adding storage, painting, lighting and hopefully new carpet - yippee skippy for Fall!