The Weekend Wrap-Up

Another weekend has passed by in the blink of an eye. 

Most of Friday was spent at DD’s … Mama had to take T#1 over to Cardinal Glennon for some bloodwork that morning, and we had a friendly Monsters Inc. Run competition that afternoon.

source: http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/01/04/monsters-inc-run

I got home that afternoon just in time to get ready for the baseball game.  The forecast was for rain and chilly temperatures, so I layered on the clothing … remember, I have zero tolerance for cold.  We were spared the rain but not the cold.  Even with a long-sleeved t-shirt, a hoodie and a winter jacket, I was *cold*.    But the Cardinals won 9-1, so it was a good night. 

Saturday was a lazy day here at Chez Nana.  We had a sports doubleheader … the Cardinals finished up their afternoon game just minutes before the Blues started their evening game … the Cardinals lost (badly) while the Blues won.  I was able to get almost 4 of the 13 rows of T#4’s new quilt put together.

Sunday was a long, busy but absolutely fantastic day.  For Christmas, DD gave me a promise of a “girls day out” together … and Sunday was our “girls day out”.  We started with a massage, had lunch, did a little shopping for our upcoming trip, had a mani/pedi, had dinner and did a little more shopping.  We left DD’s house at 9:45AM and returned 12 hours later … exhausted but happy.      

A Little of This, A Lot of Nothing

 

I only have a little this morning … a little blogworthy material and a little time to post before my day begins. 

 

I’ve gotten a good 2/3 of the four patches put together for T#4’s quilt.  Here are the unpressed blocks so far (you can click on the picture to get a larger image).

I had planned to finish the four patches today, but DD needs to take T#1 over to Cardinal Glennon Hospital for some bloodwork this morning … and Nana will be watching the littles. I can always sew tomorrow. 

 

DH was given tickets to the baseball game this evening.  This will be the view from our seats.

source: www.stlcardinals.com 

They may not be the best seats in the house, but the price certainly makes up for that.    Now if the rain can just hold off.

 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

It’s Hump Day, and that means it’s time for some Hodgepodge!  Why don’t you play along?  Just click on the button above to link up. 
1. April showers bring May flowers...what have you been showered with this month?
Rain … we’ve had ~7.5 inches of rain so far, with more in the forecast.  We’ve got rivers threatening to overflow their banks already … hard to tell what will happen if we get much more rain.

2. What is the nature of compassion?  Is it learned or innate?  Can compassion be learned?  If you're a parent is this something you've purposely sought to instill in your children, and if so how?
Yes and yes.    I believe that a certain level of compassion is innate … some people (like my daughter) are just naturally compassionate while others have to learn to be compassionate.  As a mother, teaching my daughter to be compassionate was not something that I felt that I had to teach … if anything, she has taught me to be more compassionate.

3. Do you prefer to watch romantic comedy or romantic drama...or are you rolling your eyes saying bring on the action flicks?
I prefer romantic drama over romantic comedy … slightly.  I have pretty eclectic tastes when it comes to movies … well, except for horror films and most sci-fi films. 

4.  It's April which means baseball season is officially upon us here in the US of A. Humphrey Bogart is quoted as saying "A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz." Agree or Disagree?
Oh, I definitely agree.  But then you all know that I’m a big Cardinals fan.  And I’m really more of a jeans and t-shirt kind of gal, so an evening at the Ritz is not something that’s high up on my bucket list.   

5. What's something in your community or city that needs fixing or improving?
Our village needs a grocery store.  There are 8,000+ residents and not a single grocery store.  Granted, the nearby large towns (small cities?) have several grocery stores to choose from and granted, it’s only about 6 miles to either one of those two towns.  But it would be nice to be able to pick up a gallon of milk or a needed ingredient for dinner without having to drive 20-30 minutes (round-trip). 

6. Share a song you enjoy that mentions flowers or a specific flower in its title.
Boy, I’m drawing a blank here. 

7. April 22nd is Earth Day...do you believe there's life on other planets?  That wasn't the question you were expecting was it?
Scripture tells us that God creates the heavens and the earth … plural on heavens and singular on earth.  I’m thinking that there’s a reason why, so I’d have to say “no” … to both questions.   

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
We are now 15 days away from leaving for 2 weeks in Florida. 

What Can I Do?

When we took my dad back home last week after his visit to the ophthalmologist, he asked if I’d like one of the quilts my mom made.  I said “yes” so fast, I swore it made his head spin.    I have a quilt that my paternal grandmother made and several that my MIL made … and now I finally have a quilt that my mom made.

We looked at the quilts, and I chose the appliqued butterfly quilt.  He said that it was his favorite, and while I’m not a fan of those old appliqued quilts, my mom liked them … and they remind me of her.  So choosing this one was kind of like getting the best of both of my parents. 


I didn’t open up the quilt before choosing it, but I did notice a little fraying of the outer border … I thought it would be easy enough to add binding that would cover the fraying. 


Unfortunately, I opened the quilt up when I got home … and noticed that the fraying is  more extensive than I originally thought.  There’s fraying in the top row of blocks, too (that darker gray is actually the batting showing through).


My first thought was “what in the world can I do???”  But after some thought, it appears that my two choices are to keep the quilt as is or to remove the top row of blocks and then re-bind the quilt.  Neither choice is a perfect one, and while removing the top row of blocks and re-binding the quilt won’t restore it to usable or even display condition, it will at least get it close enough so I (and eventually DD) can cherish this memento of my mom.  So that is what I think I will do.

A Weekend Wrap-Up

I debated whether to give a Wrap-Up … not because I didn’t want to, but because there just wasn’t much to report.  But it just isn’t right for me to fail to post a Wrap-Up on Monday … so here it is.

Friday, I spent most of the morning and all afternoon at DD’s.  T#1 had an eye exam, so I got to watch the other 3.    Saturday was a day spent in the sewing room.  I started sewing patches together to make the four patch quilt I’m making for T#4.  I have over 200 two patches sewn together (the two patches = 1/2 the four patch block) … when I have enough two patches sewn together, then I will sew two of them together to make a four patch block … I’m about 2/3 of the way to enough.  Sunday we had all 4 Ts here for the afternoon. 

This morning I decided, on a whim, to get started on cleaning the windows and blinds.  I did the 3 windows in the kitchen/dining/living room.  I couldn’t believe how dirty those blinds were … I feel so much better now that they’re done.

And if that wasn’t enough work for one day, we went to our community garden plot and got the ground ready for planting … and put in some of our onion sets.We’ll wait 7-10 days before we plant our green beans, corn and zucchini … and another week after that before we plant our tomatoes.  A little bit of work now will pay off in a few weeks with fresh homegrown veggies!  YUM!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

 

1. April 15th is the deadline for Americans to file their state and federal income tax returns.  What's a job you do on a regular basis that could be described as 'taxing'?

Cleaning the bathroom.  ‘Nuff said. 

2. I'm participating in the April A-Z blog challenge, and the Hodgepodge happens to fall on Day O this week. In keeping with that theme...olives, onions, oysters, okra...of the foods mentioned, what's your favorite O food?

Oysters!  Here are some I had when we visited the Alabama Gulf Coast in January (obviously I had a few before I thought to take a picture ). 

3.  What is something memorable you experienced as a child that your own children (or future children/nieces/nephews) will not get to experience?

There are so many things that I was able to do as a child that my daughter and my grands are/will not be able to do … in particular, I remember being able to walk across town to the library – on my own. 

4. Term limits for our elected officials...your thoughts?

Term limits should be unnecessary.  If an elected official has become complacent or no longer puts his/her constituents’ needs before his/her own or any special interests, he/she should be voted right out of office.  We voters should do our jobs, not rely on some piece of legislation.  

5. On April 18th, 1775, Paul Revere made his famous 'midnight ride'...when did you last make a midnight ride?  Perhaps the fate of a nation wasn't hanging in the balance, but tell us where you were headed anyway.

I’m rarely, if ever, up at midnight – and in the car at midnight?  Almost never.  I cannot think of the last time we would have been on the road at midnight.  

6.  What would freak you out more...a mouse running across your floor or a big fat hairy spider?

BOTH would freak me out, but the mouse running across the floor would freak me out more.  I  could always put my shoes on and stomp that spider … but that mouse?  How did he get in the house?  Are there more?  What if he finds a hiding spot, waiting to come out when we least expect him?  What if he gets into our pantry? Ewwwwwwww!

7. I love it when people ask me________________________?

About my grands.  What grandma doesn’t enjoy the opportunity to brag on her grandkids? 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

T#2’s quilt is done!  I bound it Monday evening and ran it through the washer and dryer yesterday afternoon.  Yesterday was a cloudy and windy day … not a very good day for picture taking.  T#2 will be here tomorrow and will be taking the quilt home with her, so I had to settle for less-than-stellar photographs.As always, you can click on the photo to get a better view.

 

Now that I have T#2’s quilt done, it’s time to start on T#4’s quilt. The differences in fabrics reflect the differences in their personalities.    I think I have enough “piano keys” for the pieced border but I need to cut more squares. 

The Weekend Wrap-Up

 

 

The weekend got started with a roar … and ended with a sigh.

 

Friday was Day Two of the Ts here.    The two bigs had to be up early to go to St. Louis for the home school conference with Mama and Daddy.  That meant Nana had the two littles all day.  We played with Legos, had pretend picnics, read some books, and had a wonderful day together.  The house sure was way too quiet after I took them back home.

 

The weather on Saturday was delightful.  We took advantage of that and worked out in the yard for several hours.  I’ve always enjoyed working out in the yard … there’s something rather satisfying about seeing the lawn and landscaping all spruced up, and of course there’s the added benefit of being out in the fresh air, soaking up the sun.  After dinner, I was able to spend a little time with needle and thread … the end was in sight on T#2’s quilt. 

 

Sunday was a more relaxing day.  After church, we had a sports double header with the Blues and Cardinals (both teams lost) … I used that time to quilt.    It was even warmer and sunnier, so it seemed a shame to spend the day inside … DH and I got out for a walk, but it was so windy that we gave it up about half way through.  I compromised by opening the doors and letting in some of that delightful fresh air.  After dinner, I spent a little more time with needle and thread … and finished the quilting of T#2’s quilt!! 

 

 

Today my plan is to cut the strips for binding (once I’ve decided what I’m going to use for the binding) and get that sewn on … then the quilt will be finished!  Finishing up T#2’s quilt means that it’s time to start up T#4’s quilt.  I’ve got the pattern picked out … I’m going to make a four patch with a pieced border.  I’ve never added a pieced border, so I’m going to start with a piano keys border.  I thought it might be an easy option for a pieced-border newbie, but it’s created a few design questions that I’m  not sure I know how to answer (like whether I want/need a coping strip, and if so, how wide to make it as well as how wide to make the piano keys) so I see some “interviewing” in my future (although I’m certainly open to advice from my “quilty” readers). 

 

We’ve got April showers in our forecast all week … hopefully that means plenty of May flowers … and some “guilt-free” time in the sewing room! 

48 Questions

 

A while back Debby posted her answers to these 48 questions, and then a while after that Nancy Grayce posted her answers.  It looked like fun, and it certainly was a neat way of learning more about both of those sweet bloggy friends … so I decided to steal borrow the idea and post my answers to the 48 questions.

 

If you like the idea, why not give it a whirl … and while you’re at it, go visit Debby and Nancy.

 

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?

No, my dad just chose Kathleen. (Of course, no one calls me Kathleen … at least no one had better call me Kathleen!)

 

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?

Honestly I cannot remember – I’m not much of a crier (unless I see someone else crying … especially if it’s someone I really care about). 

 

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?

No. I used to, but somehow as I’ve gotten older, my handwriting has gotten uglier. Maybe I’m out of practice.

 

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?

I have a ham sandwich most every day for lunch. Yes, I’m a creature of habit. My oldest grandson is just like me … if it were up to him, I’d fix the same meal for the grands whenever they’re here for dinner. My oldest granddaughter gets tired of the same thing all the time, so I have to mix it up every once in a while.

 

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?

I have one beautiful daughter who has blessed me with 4 of the sweetest grands you’d ever want to meet.

 

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?

I’d like to think so, but I don’t know.  I’m pretty introverted and shy around strangers, and sometimes that can be misinterpreted as aloofness.   

 

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?

Having been on the receiving end of hurtful comments thinly disguised as sarcasm (“What? I was JUST kidding.”), I try not to indulge in it very often.

 

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?

No, nor my adenoids, my appendix, nor my gall bladder.

 

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?

No, no, no! I am NOT a risk taker … and bungee jumping is way too risky for me.

 

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?

Steel cut oats … with a hint of brown sugar, some applesauce and cinnamon.  Almost tastes like apple pie.   

 

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?

I rarely wear shoes that I have to tie … it’s either slip-ons in the winter or flip flops in the summer.  But if I am wearing shoes that have to be tied, I will untie them when I take them off. 

 

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?

No, but I have a strong God.  When I am weak, He is strong! (Sorry, Nancy, I just had to steal borrow that.)

 

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?

Edy’s Grand vanilla with chocolate chips. Yum!

 

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?

Their eyes.

 

15. RED OR PINK?

Red – Cardinal red, of course! ;-

 

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?

How long do I have?  I am my worst critic.  <sigh>

 

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?

My Grandma Rosie.

 

18. WHAT IS THE TECHNIQUE THAT YOU NEED TO WORK ON THE MOST?

How long do I have (see #16)?

 

19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?

Black Sketcher slip-ons.

 

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?

A handful of animal crackers.

 

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?

The sound of typing on my keyboard and the hammering on the house under construction across the street.   

 

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?

Blue … I like blue and think that it is such a pretty color, bright and cheerful.

 

23. FAVORITE SMELLS?

The smell of pluff mud as we cross over onto Hilton Head Island.  Freshly baked bread.  Lilacs in bloom.

 

24. HOW IMPORTANT ARE YOUR POLITICAL VIEWS TO YOU?

Important to me - not so much to anyone else, I’m sure.   

 

25. MOUNTAIN HIDEAWAY OR BEACH HOUSE?

Oh my goodness! There is absolutely NO choice here … a beach house, ON the beach so I can open the windows and hear the waves crashing onto the shore.

 

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?

Baseball (as in St. Louis Cardinals) and hockey (as in St. Louis Blues). I don’t care to watch any other sports, although I will watch March Madness if there’s nothing else on.

 

27. HAIR COLOR?

Dirty blonde … I’m sure there’s a lot of gray in there but there’s not enough contrast between the dirty blonde for me to see it … or maybe I’m just fooling myself.   

 

28. EYE COLOR?

Hazel.

 

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?

No, glasses. I used to wear contacts, and I miss them so much. But I developed a chronic eye issue that makes it impossible for me to wear contacts without fighting recurring eye infections. So I had to switch back to glasses.

 

30. FAVORITE FOOD?

Fresh sea food.

 

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?

Happy endings definitely.

 

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?

Cars 2 (yep, the grands were here).

 

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?

Gray.

 

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?

Summer – not a moment’s hesitation.

 

35. FAVORITE DESSERT?

Carrot cake with cream cheese icing.

 

36. STRENGTH TRAINING OR CARDIO?

Cardio … and I need to start back up!

 

37. COMPUTER OR TELEVISION?

For watching programming/movies? TV. For just about anything else? Computer.

 

38. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?

Book #3 in the Psalm 23 Mysteries series Lie Down in Green Pastures.  Like Books 1 and 2, the book is getting off to a slow start, but I’m expecting that I won’t be able to put it down after a few more chapters.  

 

39. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?

2011 World Series Champions and my mouse pad is in the shape of home plate. (See #26.)

 

40. FAVORITE SOUND?

My grands saying “I love you, Nana”.

 

41. FAVORITE GENRE OF MUSIC?

Christian praise & worship. I especially love just about anything from Chris Tomlin.

 

42. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?

I guess St. Maarten. I’m going to assume that it’s further away than the Oregon coast?

 

43. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?

I can quilt, but I don’t think of it as a particularly special talent.

 

44. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?

Highland, IL

 

45. WHERE ARE YOU LIVING NOW?

About 15 minutes to the west of Highland.

 

46. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR HOUSE?

Cream siding and red brick.

 

47. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR CAR?

My car is black.   

 

48. DO YOU LIKE ANSWERING 48 QUESTIONS?

Yes, I rather enjoyed this … not as much as I enjoyed reading Debby’s and Nancy’s answers, though.

 

 

I’ve been MIA lately … things have been busy here at Chez Nana.  We spent Wednesday at my dad’s; yesterday we had all four Ts here; today we’ve got the younger two here.     

 

Spring was here in all her glory earlier this week … warm, breezy, sunny days.  Unfortunately a storm front moved through Wednesday evening, bringing chilly, breezy, cloudy days.  Fortunately the meteorologists are promising a return of spring and her warmer, sunnier days.     

The Weekend Wrap-up

This weekend was certainly 180 degrees different than last weekend.  We were busy, but it was a relaxed sort of busy. 

Friday was a nice day … warmer (although not quite as warm as I would have liked) and sunny, so DH and I took a walkabout through the yard, looking for signs of spring, which we found everywhere!  I literally squealed when I saw that my hostas were up (don’t forget that you can click on the photos for larger images).Ignore the sorry mulch (what’s left of it) in my beds … refreshing our mulch is on my to-do list.  We also found a now-deserted rabbit’s nest.  Friday afternoon/evening was a sports doubleheader at Chez Nana.  The Cardinals played in San Francisco … and alas, they lost.  Just after the baseball game was over, the Blues played Columbus … and thankfully, they won.  I got a good bit of quilting done while watching the games. 

We had a productive Saturday morning … I washed the inside of the window above our sink (only because I just couldn’t stand it any longer) which led to washing the slider and the storm door.  It might have led to washing all our windows, but thankfully I came to my senses and put that off (until I can find someone who’ll come do them for me … and clean our blinds while they’re at it – ha!).  I got caught up on laundry, and DH and I got out and worked in the yard, which led to mowing the grass … not all the lawn needed mowing, but most of it did.  We had an afternoon/evening sports tripleheader.  We watched the Cardinals exact some revenge on the Giants and then watched both of the NCAA men’s semi-finals.  I took advantage of the TV time to do a little more quilting … I’ve finished quilting the body and the inner borders – I’m now quilting the order border.   

After church Sunday, it was so pleasant that DH and I took another walkabout around the yard.  Wow!  How things had changed in the last 48 hours!  Our hostas are double the size they were Friday morning, my ajuga ground cover is greening up, and my day lilies are up.Of course, we saw a few other signs of spring, including this:That’s definitely one sign of spring that I could do without!  But alas, our lawn is showing plenty of evidence of the stress it went through with the heat and drought last summer.  The weather certainly let us know that spring has arrived … it was another warm day … warm enough (in the upper 70’s) that I actually opened the slider until late afternoon when it started to cool off a little. 

We had another sports doubleheader on Sunday … the Blues defeated the Red Wings, and just after that game ended, the Cardinals wrapped up their series with the Giants with a resounding victory (let’s hope they saved up a few runs for today’s home opener ).  As with Friday and Saturday, I took advantage of the TV viewing to do some more quilting … I’ve got well over a quarter of the outer border quilted. 

We got notification that our application for a plot at the community garden has been approved.  DH and I spent a good bit of the weekend planning our garden.  We should be able to get to work in the garden this week, so we’ll get some onions in the ground right away … most everything else will have to wait until the risk of frost has passed and the ground has warmed up adequately … early May, right before we leave for Florida.