Birds of a Feather

My Laura has me inspired me in another way,

to win this giveaway!

Over at Elle Apparel this lovely apron is being given away

Hope I win :)

Sunday Smiles

I love Sundays. Church was the usual spiritual feast. Great talks from the Madsens....all about Homes of Holiness. They are both such great people...we love them all so much. Jess speaks from her heart and you feel it so much. I wish that she lived right here on my street so we could visit and play more often than we do. Her Mom is here visiting and it was great to meet her...two very beautiful ladies.( very beautiful) Justin gave a tremendous talk too. How I wish that Bill could have heard it too. It was a powerful talk to the priesthood, but important for us all to hear. Sunday school was good as always. We talked about the BEattidudes....how I hope that I can be a better person. Relief Society was taught by Maryann and she did a super job....inspiring us all to serve.

I came home, and shortly after lunch our new Home teachers dropped in and I am very grateful to both of them. Pat and Kent are two young men who have impressed me for many years. They taught with such a sweet and powerful spirit. After they left I went upstairs to my computer and when I opened it up.....I found the following love note. We all need notes like these...it was the icing on my Sunday cake!!

I then headed up to visit with Aunt May. She grows more and more deaf but hesitates to invest in hearing aids.( she's 98 and is saving her money for her funeral) It is sad for me to leave her....it must get sooooo lonesome. I hope that I don't come to my old age and find myself alone.

After a short visit I drove off to pick up my VT pal, Joan and we went off to visit teach Maryann...what a wonderful day of teaching and service. I came home to a yummy dinner prepared by Bill and now I'm hanging out with Laura preparing for the arrival of Jennifer and Colston. We're in for a great week, and we're all excited to meet them both.

In the words of someone that I admire a lot....LOVE AND PEACE.

Pat a Cake...Pat a Cake

Just had to try to post this video. I often like to play Pat a Cake with the girls. Emmy especially lights up when I hold her little hands. This week when I visited ,Keah said...Just start saying Pat-a Cake....this was my delightful surprise from Emmy.....she's such a darling!!

Projects

I mentioned in the other post of today that I have been working on some sewing projects. The first one is a quilt that when finished should resemble a bookcase. It's a great way to use up lots of little pieces of fabric...


My five rows of books...still need to do lots of border work



This is the finished quilt...in a book

This is reversible table runner that I made for my sister. This side...in golds, black and green has a harvest print...appropriate for Thanksgiving.... she celebrates two Thanksgivings

This is the other side...abit Christmasy by colors...but the fabric is a Mary Engelbret which is a favorite of my sisters.

I loved this print and colors together......and she did too!!!

Busy week

So it's Saturday already again, and that last week seems to have been a blink. The children were out of school for the February break. Canada Winter Games began, and we celebrated with a double sleepover. ( Double as in two days) I'm not great with large sleepovers, so I limit the occupancy to two children at a time. I had some special ideas in mind, so Jessica and Sarah were picked to come. They stayed over on Monday after Sarah's dentist appointment. She's been having her share of dental woes, so the sleepover was a good diversion. After the rest of the Nelsons went home we headed off to the fabric store. The girls each picked some fleece to make a personal blanket, and then we headed to the pattern books to find a doll clothes pattern for their Bitty Babies. We had lots of great chatter while we cut and sewed, and got the blankets finished on Monday night. They also picked fabric from my stash for the clothes. They also got the fun job of cutting out the patterns. We made doll pants, and then at sewing at the church the next day, I got the tops made. We finished the night off with a movie, which neither made it through......yawn.

Jessica's Penguin blanket

Sarah's Teddy bear patchwork blanket

Blankets and pants

Bedtime babies

Sleeping Beauties

After a good night's sleep ( Mon.), we went for an early morning swim. The girls had brought their snorkel gear, and they had a great time. We then headed to the church to finish some sewing with my sewing group. The girls were anxious though to get going.....for part two of the sleepover.....on to Bridgewater and time with their cousins, Finley and Emmy. They loved playing with the girls,feeding them, reading to them, and just being with them.

Watching some TV together

Early morning reading.....Emmy was still sleeping

Chilling with a sleepy Dad

Outside for some sledding time

Glad to give Uncle Mike a push

Toes are so fascinating

Toes in my nose???

Lots of smiles from this Happy Girl

Cousins...Big and small...oldest and youngest

More book time...such great readers and listeners

So that was the beginning of the week. In between I did more sewing ( and if I can figure it out I'll post my latest project) I attended my weekly WW meeting and am feeling great success in this area, as I hit my 10lb loss. Good to be heading in the right direction. To end the week, I had agreed to see a movie with Laura and Karen.Talk about going back in the past.....I felt like I was sixteen again.....we saw the Never Say Never movie about Canadian Singer Justin Bieber. What a very talented young man, and a great story. We all left with Bieber Fever!! Loved the movie and the time with the girls.

The girls all pumped up.


Isn't he a cutie!!

So here it is Saturday again. I'm back at some sewing, a cool new quilt.....and I have some great books to read.

It's Been a Nice Day

Well this has been a first for me.....well not really a first...but let's just say a first in a long time. I've had a very 'ME' day. The Temple is closed for maintenance so I was able to sleep in today and when I did wake up I decided to read for awhile...next thing I knew it was 10am and I hadn't even had breakfast! I did a little bit of computer stuff....then typed up the church bulletin ( my one responsible thing today). After a quick trip to the chapel I decided to start working on some Valentines for the kiddies at church. ( they like to visit the library to get stickers.)

Blue puppies for the boys





Kittens for the girls


The insides are all different


Then I started to working on a quilting project......it's still in the working stages.....

Side A

Side B...yes it is reversible

While I sewed, I watched a video that Karen created for me. She has made these for the past few years and they just get better and better each year. The video is photos, and video clips of our family put to music. It is amazing and it reminds me all the more of how blessed I am.

The Beautiful case


Precious photos





such grand memories


treasures indeed


I am so BLESSED

Then Karen ends it with the following.....I couldn't say it better.




sorry...clipped it here....

That is so true!!





Families are Forever
Thank goodness!!


It's been a nice day .

Farewell for now

Yesterday I attended the funeral for a two year old named Ian. He is the twin brother of Evan,and they are neighbors of mine. Ian died a little over a week ago. His parents,Louis and Megan have been understandably in deep grief at Ian's passing.

I felt that I needed to post about this event in my life for several reasons. One to say one last farewell to a precious little boy who had such a short journey here on earth. We will all miss Ian. Secondly, to acknowledge the grief of all parents who have a child die. I cannot begin to fathom the deep sense of such a loss. As people often say...a child shouldn't die before the parent....but that's not always how it works. Third, to affirm to everyone how precious life is and that we should more earnestly strive to be kind and loving to our families and friends. Ian was so deeply loved by all who met him. Life is truly a short journey. Lastly....with my sadness at this experience with little Ian, I once again have been strengthened by the knowledge that the gospel gives me.....there is a plan for each of us, and that there is more than this life. Above all Families are Forever...and I am so grateful to have my family forever.

Despite his short time here on earth....Ian accomplished much. The service began with his father,unfaltering reading the story of young Ian's life. Some highlights from this ( his obituary) said the following; " His favorite sports involved balls-whether they could be kicked,rolled,thrown or carried it did not matter. Favorite pastimes included collecting cars,trains,and dabbling in the culinary arts-he loved his kitchen. Ian's chosen vocation was a race car driver....he loved music and appreciated the piano lessons, at both Grandpa and Grandma's; and at Dave and Crystal's....He loved to help clean up; whether it was potatoes at GG's or grapes at Grandad and Gram's. During adventures in the past year Ian created artwork that hangs on the walls of the most important galleries and refrigerators in the world....he climbed mountains in the Colorado Rockies, dove and swam in the frigid Atlantic, rode a train across the northeast countryside, and mastered his chosen musical instrument- the harmonica.( note here that Ian was born with a cleft palate and had several surgeries to correct this)...Ian gave many pat-pats and toy tosses to his beagle Charlie, who looks for him still. He enjoyed pub-lunches with his Mom, Dad and Evan, and was the undisputed highest jumper in the world.....He made us all better people; was loving and loved, and made friends everywhere he went. He is missed and will be forever missed. 725 and all wonderful" ( I dont understand the last remark but felt that it must be significant and I should include it)

Ian Marc was born Feb.6,2009. I am grateful that I met him along his short journey here on earth.