Monday's Mishmash....

 Being grandchild #15 doesn't seem to bother AJ, he's right at home on the Sunny Side Up quilt from Grandma. That boy always seems to have a smile *VBS*
 And speaking of Sunshine...the old Finnster is giving a HUGE bouquet of SUNflowers to our sunny stitcher Carol! We are 3 dsys short of ONE month into the NYE UFO Countdown Challenge, and Carol has finished ALL of her 10(yes TEN) chosen projects!!! I think that deserves a huge round of applause and a big bouquet of sunflowers...way to go Carol!
 Aren't pictures great? And aren't digital cameras and photo sharing just the best? These are mine...my riches, my blessings. I can count my blessing with every hair on their heads, every freckle on their noses and every hug and kiss I get from them. This is last Thanksgiving Day. It was truly a blessing to have all 5 of my children together with their spouses and most of the grandkids. We were missing a few of course, but 3 granddaughters were there. It's the closest I've come to having them ALL together in one room....well, sort of in one room...LOL. It's hard to keep the little ones from dashing away. This year the group will be much smaller, 2 offspring, their partners and no grandchildren. Much smaller indeed.
 
And as we come to the end of the day, November 22, 2010, I leave you with a heartfelt wish for peace in your particular valley, and a sunny tomorrow.

This and that on a Tuesday...

 Remember I mentioned back in Oct. that DGS L probably would be Curious George for Halloween? Well, Thomas the Train won out..gosh, he's getting so tall !
 And I mentioned that Baby AJ would probably be wearing the Tigger costume? Nope, he's his own little pumpkin seed instead! He's 5 months now, and going strong. I got to see both boys at my surprise birthday party back on Oct. 9th...*VBS*
 Once again Finn is "a glowin' and a goin'" with a lovely box of orphan blocks and spare parts from Em. Lots of really good stuff in this box!!! The Orphan Train thanks you and so do I...thanks again Em, I'm delighted to have new stuff to play with.
 
Had lunch with Betsy last week and came home with a few orphan blocks. She often has scraps, cuttings and strips for me and occasionally, orphans. I was pleased to get them, as well as a bag of selvedges.
The "situation" seems to have quieted down abit since Sunday, altho a couple more challengees have signed on, and one or two more donations quilts have been pledged. Today I'd love to direct you to pop over to the Magpie's Nest and see what Sue has to say about her recent experience with an ancient UFO. It's very insightful and well worth your time to read. Be sure and look at the blocks she pulled out for her 15 minutes of play...those are in her previous post, called The First Act of Avoidance. I had almost the same experience with Y2K siggy blocks back in October.

Tick tock, tick tock...

the seconds slide into minutes, the minutes race toward hours, and in measured time, we move towards 2010. The beginning of the second decade in this amazing 21st century.  As time slips away, so do the minutes until our New Years Eve UFO Countdown ends. It's been fun and quite a wild ride. As you can see, altho I meant to get this Peppermint Delight together in 2009, it didn't happen. That has become a very familiar refrain in my book of lamments. Oh well, there is always next year. I think we've done well, and I'll be reporting the results tomorrow.
 This is a picture from Christmas Past. Hard to believe 4 years have slipped by since my youngest son brought his boys to my house that first time. The youngest is now 6 and getting to be very worldly. Big brother has turned 10, and there isn't much he doesn't know. I agree with the song "Old Devil Time"...and thank the powers that be for the ability to 'freeze time' at a particular moment and enjoy it over and over. Such a bunch of "measurers" we humans are. How far? How fast? How much? How soon? How far? We measure almost everything, and keep tally, one way or another. I don't find this to be a bad thing. I've been a Time Keeper, a Keeper of the Keys, the records, the totals, for a long time now, and I will continue to do so, as it's part of who I am.
 The Old Man of 2009 had his folly with me today...LOL, and I really need to laugh about it. Not as clever as I thought I was. I did have my #4 finish back before Christmas, but didn't take the picture or blog about it. As of last evening, in talking to Vivian, I didn't think I'd get #5 done. And then I decided to push myself towards that finish. And I did!!! About 8 p.m. tonight, while sitting with friends at the nursing home, listening to live music for New Years Eve. I was so proud. I came home anticipating the picture taking, and the posting of said pictures...hurray for me! Ya, right! I spread out #4 and snap a picture, then decided to flip over the corner and show the fun flannel backing. So I did, that was 2 pictures taken. Well, now just put this tiny doll quilt on the contrast of that backing and snap it's picuture. And at that point, both lights began to blink on my camera....not a good sign. I waited. They blinked. When they stopped, I hoped it would take one more, but for sure the batteries? KA-PUT! I know this. I should have taken them out and recharged them over the days I didn't use them. Sooooo, the camera won't let anything be down loaded until I can close the shutter, and I can't. Please believe me when I say I really DO have finish #4 and #5, and you WILL see them tomorrow, when the batteries are re-charged. In the mean time, this is the quilt I finished up tonight *VBS*
 
And last but not least, as the year slips toward its conclusion, Ebony and I begin another year together. She's still reclusive, stand-offish and extremely independent. She's not what I had anticipated in a companion animal, but she needs me, and I need her. We accepted each other enough to be co-dependent, and she stays. Happy New Year to everyone from Ebony and Finn

Sliding into December...

and there are worse ways of making an entrance, so this will do. I didn't realize how long I have been missing until I updated the "finishes" last evening. Sorry about that. I'll try to do better, but everything seems to be tired, all at the same time! I do have a finish, my 3rd, for the challenge. It's been completed for a couple of weeks I just haven't gotten a picture taken. It's the tutorial runner, completed at last! I made extra units, making it longer than ever before. It's for my coffee table. I'm thinking about putting the Christmas tree on the coffee table this year. I think this will sort of take the place of a traditional tree skirt. We'll see if I like that or not. I did have a lovely Thanksgiving with my family. Here are a couple of pictures taken by DD#1 with my camera.
 This is Hailey Marie. She's 18 months now, and quite a handful in more way than one. She's big for her age and we tend to forget how young she is. All 5 of my children were at DD#2's house this year. They bought a new home in August and this is the first time she's entertained her family. We sat down to dinner at 3, with 10 adults and 11 grandchildren asking for another years blessings. The food was delicious and the it was enjoyed by all. Hailey saved room for her bottle and blanket.
 
This could be called the "boys table", with 7 of my grandsons eating together. Baby L was in his highchair. I imagine next year he'll be at the boys table too. The 3 granddaughers were at the kitchen table, with me...what fun! From 18 yrs to 18 months, with a 4 year old in the middle *VBS*
I have pictures of the whole group, chaos at its best, but those pictures are sitting at Snapfish, sent by DD#1. I have to see if I can figure out how to get them into my Picasa album.

And the Oscar goes to.......

the best looking, almost ONE year old in town! Remember Baby L's first birthday??
 And you can see he takes his job of keeping Mommy happy very seriously....and is very, very good at that job. Now he has a new job....
 spreading the latest news to the whole family *VBS* What a lucky Granny I am!

Summertime, summertime....

has definitely hit WI! After many weeks of assorted varieties of "spring", Miss Summer hit when we weren't looking *VBS* Our 70 degree temps, and rain have vanished and we are sweltering in 90+ degree days and warm, warm nights. And storms that result from the heat. Fun, fun, fun! Oh ya! I'm still hunkered down in 'scrap' heaven, playing with flannel. This first collage is just that...flannel scraps(again!) I wanted mention, as you assemble any MAM block, if you have a fairly narrow strip at the outside edge(as you piece), remember to add the next strip to THAT side. The 1/4th inch will disappear then. If you added it to the opposite side, you will lose too much off that narrow one when you size the block. The completed block(1st pic) is an example of "getting wonky" without 'on point' cutting. Just sew the scrap the way it is, it'll do the wonky for you *VBS* The picture with the scraps..that's all that left of several gallon bags(and one box) of flannel trimmings! I have a few partly pieced blocks there in a bag. If I need more blocks, I'll finish them up. If not, they will wait for some new scraps, that way it all blends together. The fourth pic is of my old Pumpkin Soup quilt. The pattern is Thimbleberries "Sticks and Stones". It's one of the only quilts I've made using a "selected" group of fabrics. I think this one could be quick and easy in assorted scrap also *VBS* Everything is a 2.5" cut. Easy Peasy!
 In my determination to get my flannel scraps under control this summer(read USED UP)I'm working with flannel that looks like this. I've been cutting the bigger scraps into 3.5" squares and HSTs and making Tonya's wonky blocks. They are fast and easy and very forgiving.
 Smaller scraps from that same group are made in to 4 or 9 patches or fence rails. This quilt will be a row quilt, using all of those. And, *VBS*, a new picture of my DGSs. Summer softball program. GS D is turning 10 in August, his little brother, GS N will be 6 on July 12th. DD#1 went to the baseball game on Saturday, despite the high heat and humidity. I would love to have been there, but breathing is fairly important to me, and I can't venture out when we have heat and humidity. Strangely, cool(or cold)dampness doesn't affect my breating..weird!

Big A ... Little A

  And what's a granny to do, but smile at my "bookends". The prom pictures arrived in my mailbox last evening. I had already heard the details of the "big night" via telephone in the afternoon. It started me thinking, of course *VBS* Prom time for my own 2 dear daughters...how the years have flown...20+. And now it's time for the oldest granddaughter to have that "Grand March" with a knight of her choosing. And inside the tiny being of Baby A, who's holding her own and growing on the formula substitue, dreams of things to come *VBS* Hope I'm here in 16 years to see her special night.
 Proud papa and step-mama trekked to Minnesota to snap "the" pictures, attend the Grand March and then trekked home again.
***Post-a-note: In the best Frugal Friday tradition, instead of spending $$$$$ by the hundreds, my dear granddaughter #1, found that neat black dress at a garage sale last summer for $20. I'm absolutely certain NO ONE had a clue it didn't 'break the bank' *VBS*

Racing the clock....

the minutes are ticking away rapidly now...only 6 minutes left to make one more post in March *VBS* I'm sorry to report I have NO March finishes for One Project a month challenge. I did take time,today, to sew. This project was close 'at hand' and I made bowties for the quilt that this will become. Not quite enough to finish it, but progress. I also joined up the 12 rows of Mile A Minute blocks I pieced last month. I'll snap a picture of that top tomorrow.
 The official ONE YEAR picture of Baby L...my goodness but this first year went fast. The year was made more exciting by the fact that he was the first of 3 grandbabies born into the family during his first year. Him, last February, my first granddaughter Hailey Marie in July and now Baby A this February. The ranks are swelling! And I love it *VBS*
 Last but now least, a snap of the rug in progress. Jean, of Southern WI asked about the rugs. If you will scroll down a bit, Jean, there is a tutorial on the right sidebar about how to get started making the crocheted rugs and how to prepare the fabric, etc. If you have more questions than it answers, drop me an email and I'll help you get started. I spoke with DS#3(Baby A's daddy) tonight, and she continues to improve. I hope and pray that it will continue, and she will keep doing what babies do...eat, sleep and grow *VBS* Tomorrow is April 1st. I've heard there is a nasty virus making the rounds, so everyone be extra careful on April Fools Day!

Some good news to share...

Baby A seems to be holding her own. It's been a very bumpy ride since last week, but we are making headway. The medication that the University drs. felt might work, didn't. On to plan B, no luck there either, but they still weren't willing to do a liver biopsy if another avenue might work. The light at the end of the trouble seemed to come from new blood work. Apparently she has a genetic condition that doesn't allow her to process the proteins found in milk. A switch to a synthetic product was made and she is keeping it down. So far, so good. What strikes this old granny so funny is that last week, on the first night of this scare, I suggest she might not be a "milk" baby. That she might need soy or goat milk or another substitute. Which, of course I would have tried long ago. So many children are lactose intolerant these days, why not consider that?? Finally, they did and we are keeping out fingers crossed and waiting for a weight gain. Luckily she began life at nearly 8 pounds and had a little to sustain her. Thank you very much for all the prayers, petitions and good wishes. I'm sure they went from your lips to God's ear and He smiled on us. Big hugs, Finn

Reaching out...

and asking for your prayers and good thoughts. They took Baby A to the University of MN Childrens Hospital today. More and more she's not keeping the breastfeedings or formula down. The local dr. felt it was acid reflux at first, but it has gotten much worse since the 6th of March when we took this picture. They now feel that her liver function isn't what it should be and will do a liver biopsy on her. She's so very small and hosptial are so very big. Both DD#1 and #2 are there with Mom and DS#3 who is Daddy. I've been waiting for news, and a promised phone call that hasn't come. I think the night will be a long and dark one for me until I hear from them. Please say a prayer for her if you are a praying person. Hugs, Granny Finn

Historic moments?

Well, yes. I think so *VBS* My DD#1, the family photographer recorded these for the family archives.We have family albums at Shutterfly, and I just got these. I know you've seen one or two that I took, but these 4 tell almost the whole story...LOL When you've just turned one, nothing like chocolate cake to celebrate.
 I was so proud of DD#2, she just "let him" have at it and didn't fuss. Actually we were all too busy watching what he'd do and laughing!
 Cousins can be soooo helpful. I'm surprised the big guy didn't get a face full of cake!
 The look on his face seems to say "I ate the WHOLE thing", doesn' it? He also managed a couple of small scoops of ice cream.
And the rest of the story, as Paul Douglas would say...is that it took 4 adults to clean him and the chair up again. One stood by with wet washcloth, one removed the highchair tray, one brave Daddy lifted him out and whisked him away to the bath tub. The fourth adult was posted on bathroom door and pull back the shower curtain duty. This old Granny just headed for the rocking chair and cleaner grandchildren...LOL
The little guy emerged none the worse for the cleanup and promply began chasing balloons! It was a great first birthday.

Saturday Surprises....

Blessings come in all sorts of sizes, and so do surprises. *VBS* I'm happy to introduce you to my newest grandchild, Baby A, born Feb 10th. I got to meet her on Saturday, and she's a sweetie. She weighed in at nearly 8#s but seems very small to me.
 The situation between her mom and my youngest DS is not one I approve of, or even understand,not really. But it's not the baby's fault and I was thrilled to receive the invitation to come and see her.
 She's Daddy's little girl, and he's thrilled to have a daughter, but miserable with only getting to "visit". I haven't talked about this upcoming event as things have been so "difficult" and unpleasant. The mom is the gal in the birthday pictures from my birthday in 2007. As soon as she was positive she was expecting, she moved out of their apt and moved in with her sister. Hard not to draw a conclusion from that behavior, and of course, DS was crushed. Connect the dots back to my helping get him into a place to live on his own, last August. He and I are both without a clue as to what lies ahead now that baby is here. Mom gets to dictate what comes next. In the meantime, I'm thrilled to having gotten to see Baby A. and deliver a quilt and lots of pink burpcloths *VBS*

Watching February go.....

A sunny but blustry cold day, a road trip and warm fuzzies for my heart and memories. My February finishes *VBS*, this little maple leaf quilt. I finally got the last of the binding done and the ribbon stems added.
 And #2, a new crocheted rug from fabric strings. This one is 31" round and is finished. And I've begun another, so I have one "in progress". The majority of the day was spent in travel and in this...
 Baby L's first birthday party. I have lots and lots of pictures but this one and the next are probably my favorites. His mom was smart and took off his Onesie and shirt. After the spaghetti episode she knew what to expect...LOL. He didn't disappoint us!
 He had at a really nice big PIECE of cake(vs. the whole cake) and he knew what to do with it. He cracked up when we sang Happy Birthday to him, and didn't hesitate to pick up the whole big piece, digging his finger into it, on both sides, and bitting it. A bit later we gave him a small scoop of ice cream and he picked it up and began eating it, apparently the cold didn't disturb him at all! He finished up by crewing on the Jungle Animal plate from his cake . Must have been tasty as he really worked it over. Two of his cousins, the young bandits of my youngest son, joined him in the party and a fun time was had by all. Everybody really enjoyed it! Six adults and 3 kids works really well...wish I had those odds when mine were young *VBS* Happy last day of February to all!! Hugs, Finn