3 for 1

I get a whole bunch of emails from quilter websites. Including one of Bryan's new clients - which surprised us both.  Craftsy!!!
I tried a couple mystery quilts and enjoyed making them.

The quilt "block of the month" ones have me thinking that a full year seems too long to finish a quilt and I would probably give up on it.
Then I got one for a "block of the week" website. Sounded promising and it was free. So I joined the group.
Of course they want you to buy their material, but I still find the hunt for the perfect colors and material is one of the best parts of quilting.

The pattern they had was for a teal and purple. Yeah, sorry not for me -  so, no.

Here was my perfect time to try 3 different things I have always wanted to do in quilting - All in one quilt..

A scrappy quilt. Lord knows I have enough scraps.
And this has been hanging in my quilting room for a few years now. Time to take it's advise.

A red quilt (I have a lot of red scraps, but no red quilt. Funny that's my favorite color too).

A contrast quilt. I really love to mix colors, and there is something about just two colors for a quilt that scared me.

Not any more readers.

I got my last block 3 weeks ago and I finally finished it.
I am really happy with this one.

I wanted it a little bigger that what they called for so I added 2 borders.
Now I just need to get this thing quilted.

Bowling Friends

A girl walks into a bowling alley.
Michelle comes into Bowlway one Thursday night 19 years ago hoping to join a team.
She didn't know anybody on the women's league, but knew a few on the Men's league.
She found a place, sadly not on my team. She was and still is really good.
We became friends and at the end of the year decided that we were going to be on the same team next year.
2 years later I ask my niece Cheryl if she wanted to bowl with us.
Michelle brought her friend, Deanna along.
We made a great team.
Every Thursday we would meet up and catch up and, oh yeah, bowl.
We traveled to State tournaments together and Michelle, Deanna and I got to witness our Cheryl win  the State Champ title.

It was fun times.
We drank and laughed and got into trouble and, oh yeah, bowled.
Michelle and I would travel for doubles to different tourneys - 9 different cities in Illinois and 5 different states.  We both liked to do our best and never gave up - even made some money doing it. We made a good doubles team.
Bowling was the glue that kept us together.
Cheryl and I gave up our Thursday night, but continued to see them on our Saturday night once a month couples league. Then for different reasons we stopped that too.

I decided to go out to the Bowling alley on Saturday hoping that they were still crazy enough to be there.
There they were and we took up right where we left off. All three husband groaned. Cherry bomb shots with a green olive and Marchino cherry. It wasn't for the taste - it was for old memories.
We talked of old times and laughed, all wishing Cheryl was there too.

Just Like Ma

I am a great Mother.
It took time and some growing up, but I am a now great Step-Mother.
It takes no effort from me to be a great Grandma.
I know because I have been told all this.
I owe it all to this lady.

This is Ma's picture from when she worked in the cafeteria. Funny that was my favorite job too.
We also share a love of liver and onions, 3 bean salad, and any and all homemade breads are good, but taste better with Butter.
I can make some pretty good soups and casseroles. All Her.
Christmas is not Christmas without fruit cake. Baking Christmas cookies feels like she is right there with me. Probably is.
I always seem to find something that needs to go home with whoever is visiting.
I don't waste anytime when the light turns green - some people call it a lead foot.
I have been known to have a Kleenex tuck up my sleeve for emergencies.
I always carry a safety pin.
I got her short saggy arms, but also her thick beautiful hair.
My droopy mouth - hers, too. But someone is going to have to search for a wrinkle on my face.
I can make picking up toys a game with the grandkids. And I wave to them till their cars are out of sight.
I love my jigsaw puzzles and can pass some time with a good book.
I dry clothes on the line on a warm summer day.
I certainly am not afraid to tackle a project around the house and most times my way is the best way.
I am not afraid to say something when things are not fair.
I can see humor in small things - not mean things.
I was just called feisty - I'm thinking Yup, just like Ma.

So when someone makes the comment - You are just like your Mother.
I say "Thank You."

Crafts with Grandma

I love a good craft project.
When I opened my Mother's Day gift from the Flory's I was excited.
I got a stepping stone kit for my garden that me and the boys could make. I have seen these around and always wanted to try it.
Bryan helped with the mixing of the cement (I had to include my big boy too) He had all kinds of advice.

While that was setting up for the next step, Mary made us a Mother's Day lunch. Yummy!!
Owen dived into the hummus - literally. He loves it - me too.

I think Luke ate every green bean on the table. He said it would be a good idea to plant green beans in my garden this year. "You got it, buddy."
After the table was cleared.
I separated the glass pieces into 3 cups and the gave the boys each one. No fighting then and it worked. They were so good.
We thought it would be messy so the boys took off their t-ball jerseys so they wouldn't get the cement on them. Of course Owen had to take his off too. Turns out it was not messy at all.

I thought I wanted to put their names on it, but we were having too good of a time with the glass, so I just made a heart in the center and they put the pieces all around it. Luke and Owen did sneak a piece each inside the round glass beads that is the heart shape. Turns out that is my favorite part.

I had just enough room in the center for their initials and it wouldn't be complete with out some legos added.
I knew just where I wanted to put it in my garden. Well kinda in my garden - it's in one of the flower beds. Right out front next to the flag pole. You come to visit us and you can't miss it.

A great Mother's day that I will be reminded of every time I walk out my front door.