The Patient

ACL surgery went well this morning and Grace was a wonderful patient. She's home resting and recuperating now. She's in some pain, but the pain meds are helping. Tomorrow she'll start on the CPM (passive knee bending machine) to help her regain mobility in her knee. After she gets her stitches out, she'll start rehab. Thank you for all your well wishes and prayers, they're much appreciated!

Slowing Down...

Or trying to, at least. Over the past few months, when I haven't had time to do all of the things I need to do, let alone things I want to do, like blog or sew, I've come to the realization that I don't like to be busy. So, I've decided to slow down a little. I just finished the last customer quilt I had in the house. Since I'm now working just about full time, when I come home I really don't want to have to work more! I'm taking a break from quilting for customers, at least until October first. Don't worry...I'm not quitting...just trying to erase the feeling of burnout I've had for the last few months. I think I may take this course as a way of becoming motivated again. I may join MQR as well, there are apparently so many inspiring quilts and videos available to the members...are any of you members? Is it worthwhile?

It's also our annual Canoe Carnival time and we've been working on our float. Canoe Carnival is on August 1st and this is our float so far. We have a fair amount of work to do this weekend and next!

However my main reason for slowing down is that I'll be taking about 10 days off from work to spend time with Grace. Back in May she ruptured her ACL. For the past month she's been going to physical therapy twice a week to strengthen her knee...so she's scheduled for ACL surgery on Monday. If all goes well, she'll be back on her feet in time for school to start in September. I don't know how well she'll be walking, but she will be on her feet!

I have been back in the sewing room in the past few days...more on that later!

The party's over...

And it seemed to have been a success! There were people everywhere...on the patio...




In the house...



On the porch...







Games were played....



The most amazingly delicious cake, made by Kim from Just 1 More Bite was eaten...

And after a long, tough day of eating and drinking...everyone was still asleep at noon the next day (this was the living room...we also had them sleeping in the computer room and all the bedrooms!)...covered with quilts, of course!

And now that everyone has gone and all is cleaned up, I'm heading back to my sewing room!

For Mom...

This post is for my mom...who pointed out that I haven't posted for awhile. I just haven't had anything to post! I haven't picked up a needle in weeks, I've been working a lot, but most of my time has been spent cleaning and getting ready for Andrew's graduation party/Fourth of July party on Saturday. It just goes to show...you really shouldn't ONLY clean when you're having a party, especially if you haven't had a real party in years!

When we bought our house, there was an empty lot behind us. A few years ago, a house was built on the lot, which meant it was time to do something with our yard. Never did it...but with this party, it was time to do something. So, we started with this yesterday morning...



















Then the Hartford Gardens crew showed up and now we have this...

And this...

Which has led to this...

And this...

Life is good....

Quilting?

Yes, this really is a quilting blog, not that you'd know it lately! Just a peek at what I've been doing...

I quilted 12 quilts for Camp Reach for the Sky, for Rosie's Calico Cupboard. The quilts will go to children who are battling cancer and their siblings.

The boss and I attended a local quilt show at Kirby's Mill. The Mill was beautiful...

And we've prepared one of our canoes for this year's Canoe Carnival. We'll begin building the elements for the float this week!

Grace update...she's seeing the orthopedic doctor next Tuesday. She wasn't supposed to see him until the 25th, but his office called today. It seems the doctor was looking at his schedule, saw she had a torn ACL and decided she really shouldn't wait that long...so he had his office call to get her in sooner. I'm impressed.

Really???

We got the results of Grace's MRI today. Her little fall from the fence tore her ACL. No wonder her knee hurts! She's probably looking at surgery and rehab once she gets out of school. Not exactly how a 14 year old wants to spend her summer!

Wonder if I could convince her to let me teach her to knit?

Hey...

I'm still here, did you miss me? After Andrew's graduation, the drama continued. Ellen is home from Providence now and I once again have a full house. My house was seeming very empty and far too big for awhile there...not anymore! It's good to have everyone home, although they expect me to cook. They're learning quickly that I don't do that anymore! :o) Grace has had a little drama herself. Last weekend she jumped over a fence at the beach and it didn't go well. We were in the emergency room the next morning. She badly sprained her knee and wound up on crutches and in a knee brace. Today she went for an MRI. We hope to have the results tomorrow and we hope there's nothing wrong!!!

Judy asked what was on our design walls. There's not much on mine. My finished 5 blocks for Gail Pan's Block of the month is up there. I'm caught up on this one and here is the latest block...

I've also got the first two blocks of the Heartland Heritage Block of the Month done...I'm caught up on this one until my next package arrives later this week! Here are blocks one and two....

I've realized that other than the BOM's, I don't have a quilt started. I'm still working on Anne Sutton's baskets and I've been working on a Rachel's Reel quilt when I have a few minutes, but I really need to start working on a pieced quilt. Hmmm....I'll have to find something to make. So many choices!!!!

One Down...

The happy graduate...

The relieved family...

Congratulations Andrew, we're so proud of you!!!

Mother's Day late...

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day. It's been a busy week and a half, which didn't allow much time for quilting!

My Mother's Day weekend was excellent. Earlier in the week, I received a tin of Hershey's dark chocolate covered pretzels in the mail from Ellen and her boyfriend Jarred. They're almost gone...chocolate covered pretzels are my favorite treat! On Saturday we went to the Phillies game and saw them lose to the Dodgers. In spite of that, there's nothing like a sunny day at the ballpark! Afterwards we met Andrew at PJ's for my "Mother's Day" beer. :o) They run a special on the 9th of each month...99 cent Magic Hat #9, so we took advantage of it!

When we got home, sitting on the table were these beautiful flowers. Grace had walked from our house to the local florist, which is about 1.5 miles away. After she bought the flowers she walked to the Hallmark store which is a little further and bought the two votive candles. Then she carried it all the way home. I was overwhelmed...what a thoughtful gift she gave me! Then the next day, the Boss offered to pay for part of the flowers and she told him no...if he paid, they wouldn't be from her and it was worth every penny she spent to surprise me and see the smile on my face. What a sweetheart!

Burlington County also sent me a Mother's Day gift...a summons for jury duty. I have to report in June...on my birthday! Thanks, guys...

I finally finished my fourth block of Gail Pan's embroidery BOM this week. I'm now a month behind on Anne Sutton's basket BOM and on the Heartland Heritage BOM from the Fat Quarter Shop...although in that one I've done block 2 and not block one. I've had no time to sew, between my work schedule and quilting for customers schedule. I can't wait to have time to catch up!

And that's it from south Jersey...until the weekend. I should have lots of pictures then...Andrew graduates from college tomorrow! I can't imagine how I got old enough to have a child graduate college!

Home again...

I hadn't been to Chicago since I was very young and really don't know why I waited so long to go back! Even in the persistent rain, it is a beautiful city. Since this was a business trip, the boss was busy during the day, so I got to spend a lot of time exploring on my own. We arrived on Wednesday and took a walk down to Lake Michigan once we were settled in the hotel. You couldn't see much of the skyline as you looked across the park because the clouds were hanging a little low.

I walked for miles each day...I loved the parks and the artwork in them. This fountain is in Millenium Park and I found it very unusual!

As I came around a corner in the park, suddenly this came into view. It was very odd to see a T. Rex lurking in the park!

Then there was the Chicago Bean. I'd never heard of this before, but read about it in a travel guide at the hotel and had to go find it. It's like a big garden gazing ball which reflects the city. Very cool!

On Wednesday night we had dinner at a restaurant called Wildfire. I had a filet platter with roasted vegetables which was just amazing. If you're ever in Chicago, give this place a try, you won't regret it!

More pictures next time...

Between Trips...

I left Providence on Thursday morning...leaving Ellen feeling worse than she felt when I got there. Fortunately she didn't have to go back to the ER. She went to the school infirmary where she found out she has bronchitis on top of all of the other things she had. She's on the mend now and I'm glad I was able to get up there to take care of her for a few days.

We had a beautiful view of the capital building from our suite. I was thoroughly impressed with the Biltmore and highly recommend it to anyone who will find themselves in need of a room in Providence!

I have to admit, the highlight of my trip (aside from spending time with Ellen, of course!) was meeting Amy. She is a genuine, kind, sweet person. After we had tea/coffee and the boys had treats, she volunteered to take me on a tour of the area. I jumped at the chance. Grace fell asleep in her car seat, Vaughan sat in the back, reading the book I brought him, (what a smart little boy he is!) and Nicholas was very patient when he wanted to go home and eat dinner, but Amy still had to take me back to my car. Thank you so much for taking time out of your very busy day to come and meet me! I hope we can get together again!


I have finished the label for my Bears in the Farmhouse quilt and we're heading out shortly to meet our friend Will, who I made the quilt for. I emailed Catherine, the founder of Quilts of Valor and she's added this quilt to their numbers. It's such a wonderful organization and she seemed grateful that I participated. I encourage you all to make a quilt for Quilts of Valor if you can!

Now, why between trips? On Wednesday I'm accompanying the Boss on a business trip to Chicago. I've been looking forward to this for months and can't wait to get away with him. I'll have some free time while he works, so plan to hit a museum or two. There are a few events we have to participate in...a cocktail party on Wednesday night, a party at the Chicago Art Museum on Thursday and a blues night at Buddy Guy's on Friday. So, is there anything I must see or do while I'm in Chicago?

Greetings from Providence

Had to make a quick trip to Providence to visit my daughter...after two visits to the emergency room in 4 days, she needed some serious "mom" time. She's feeling better and will be heading back to classes tomorrow. Which leaves me with some free time, so I'm planning to meet Amy from Live, Learn, Knit for coffee! I'm very excited...I've admired Amy for a long time and I'm looking forward to meeting her!

I'm staying at the Biltmore and feel very spoiled. Wish this was my picture, but it's been raining too hard to take pictures!

I've been enjoying the handwork on these blocks of the month. Here are the March blocks for Anne Sutton's Baskets quilt and for Gail Pan's Christmas quilt. Since I've been enjoying these so much, I also started the Heartland Heritage BOM from the Fat Quarter Shop...and of course I'm now behind on all of them!

I did finish Judy's Bears in the Farmhouse quilt. I left off the half square triangle border so that I could finish it. This quilt will be given to Will, our friend who came home from Iraq, through the Quilts of Valor program. I just need to make a label and it will be his!

Tonight is our first Phillies game of our season ticket package. I can't wait to get there! It will be a sad night though...Harry Kalas, the longtime Phillies announcer, died earlier in the week. His three sons will be throwing out the first pitch tonight and there will be a video tribute. I remember listening to Harry Kalas, Richie Ashburn and Byrum Saam call the Phillies games when I was a kid, sitting in my room doing my homework. Harry was the last of the greats...

Happy Easter!

I hope all of you have a blessed Easter! Thanks to those who have emailed to check up on me. All is well here. Thanks to some Verizon glitches, we've been sporadically without phone and internet. Now that they've replaced our box, I hope I'm back for good!

I've been quilting and will have some pictures to share next week....

Baby Quilt...

I just finished quilting this adorable baby quilt...

I just love the bear paw blocks with the little bears...

These little guys are so cute!

I sure hope the little boy who gets this loves his quilt!