New England in the Fall

Our plan was to travel to New England to take in the fall sights and to visit family, Mr. G's sister in Massachusetts and then on to NH to check in on my Dad for a few days. On the drive up north, the foliage didn't disappoint. My sister had warned me ahead of time that Dad was getting weaker since he'd returned home from rehab a few weeks ago; and yet, even with that in mind, nothing prepared me for how much physical decline had occurred since I saw him last, six weeks earlier. It quickly became apparent that he needed to be seen by his doctor ASAP; getting up and walking was out of the question, he was unable to move at all without acute pain! Last Monday, through a series of stops where he was unable to get any accurate diagnosis whatsoever, it was ultimately determined that he needed to be transported to a larger, more comprehensive hospital via ambulance. Once there he was seen in the Emergency Department where a broken and displaced right hip was revealed through a CT scan! It was the final piece in a weeks'-long puzzle being dropped into place that ultimately completed the picture. The sad truth of the matter is that the fracture had occurred back on the 12th of September, it is barely detectable on an x-ray done at that time and was overlooked. Now, with new information, he became a patient of the Orthopedic Team and hip surgery was scheduled and performed right away. 

He had a partial hip replacement late last Wednesday afternoon and came through with flying colors! He was carried by his own resiliency as well as a raft of prayers!

Here he is, the morning after getting his new hip. He's on the mend and back in rehab as he heals, gets stronger and back on his feet once again. He's been through a LOT, and, at 97 years young, it's going to take time.  

Here he is, on his birthday back in April of this year. I'm eager to see that smile return to his face. The sights that I'd hoped to see up in New England this fall weren't quite what I had hoped for, but, I must say, those two thumbs-up following surgery last week might just be one of the best sights I've seen!

Back home in North Carolina again, yesterday afternoon was an especially GOLDEN one.

Life is Good!

New Starts

My second new quilt start happened this week with yet another block-of-the-month class. This one is based on a pattern called "Cream and Sugar" by It's Sew Emma. I've decided to adopt the lower-contrast neutral palette as illustrated; I think it will be pretty and a nice way for me to experiment with value, it will be fun. One of the class participants expressed that she thought beige quilts were so "blah". I laughed to myself because I was thinking the exact opposite; I'm looking at this one more as a "palate cleanser", sometimes it's nice to create a little breathing space, color-wise. I find it to be calming and very soothing. 

Here's another new start, or maybe this could be termed a fresh start! When my MIL passed away, almost six years ago, I brought a few of her houseplants back to our home, one of them was this scraggly Christmas Cactus. It survived, over the years (albeit barely). This spring I decided to release it from it's too-small pot prison and replant it, with fresh soil, into a larger pot with room for its roots to spread and grow. The transformation in the plant's vigor and vitality has been amazing after a summer on the porch. I'm super-excited about the prospects for this one come blooming season, fingers crossed.

More new plants, new starts: out with the overgrown geraniums and in with fall Pansies. I've taken those overgrown geraniums inside, trimmed them and boxed them up, bare-root style, for wintering-over. I've done this before but it's always a concern: more crossed fingers and high hopes. We'll see!

Last week Mr. Goodneedle and I hit the road and headed for the mountains, another mental health day. The weather was great and the foliage color on our route didn't disappoint. 

We discovered this winery along the way, a great find and a completely relaxing afternoon; one that's good simply for recharging!

Here's a recent shot of our patio. The leaves aren't the only things falling! You'd need a helmet or a hardhat to sit out here lately. I thought this might be an ominous predictor of what kind of winter we're in for, but, apparently all that this profusion of acorns signifies is a substantial mast crop. Okay, we'll see. 

And sew, here we go again; new starts, new beginnings. I'm excited to see where this goes.

What new starts are your brewing up at your house?

Life is Good!

The Best Diversions

We've had some diversions from our normal routines this week, the best kind, an overnight visit from these two. Since they're currently being home schooled we were able to take an active part in that and even added some enrichment activities as well! 

At break time we played a rip-roaring game of Sequence and took a field trip to a local park for some exercise, fresh air and sunshine; the weather has been absolutely wonderful this week, cooler temps with lower humidity. Sometimes a brief redirection from the customary is just what the soul needs; I feel confident saying that we all had a good time during their visit!

In other news; our little buddy, Hannes, turned 18 last month! He's grown more feeble lately and his little back legs have been slipping on our hardwood floors as he navigates. It's so sad; and scary. We ordered these "grippy" socks and they really seem to help! As you can see, they work for him to safely walk around, and turn, with no sliding or slipping whatsoever. He leaves them on just fine, and doesn't seem to mind one bit.  Honestly, I think he's grateful. We cherish every day that we have with him. 

The Potato Chip quilt has made its way to the design wall, it will need another row and finish up at 64" X 80" when it's all together. I've been shifting and rotating blocks daily as I size it up. This is a fun and fast project!

The Kousa Dogwood is beginning to put on a show with it's fall "fruit". 

The colors are simply stunning as they ripen. 

Life is Good!

 

Feeling Fall-ish

I've got a million explanations for where I've been. None of them sound nearly as exciting as the truth-- we've been super busy and here, there and everywhere since I last posted; and, while we've been gone, the seasons have changed! I got this pumpkin wall hanging quilted and off the rails before we left. The binding was attached by machine but the handwork was left for the monotonous hours of passenger time in the car. If the truth be told, I finished two quilt bindings by hand in the last week! More than good use of my time, it also keeps my eyes and hands otherwise occupied. I can be a VERY nervous passenger- I blame that on TOO MANY trucks!

I got the pumpkin quilt hung on the porch wall after we arrived back home; that, combined with my low-volume fall-ish lap quilt, help to signal the season change. I still have more plans out here. 

One step at a time. It's all coming together.

This one; our second grandchild and oldest granddaughter, she turned ELEVEN while we were gone. We blinked! 

What a smart, kind, loving and happy addition she is to our family; we couldn't be any prouder. 

💗

I'm back... with lots (and lots) to share.

Life is Good!

September Happenings

We made a quick trip to the campground where our son and his family were staying this week for dinner out on Saturday evening; we wanted to help celebrate our favorite daughter-in-law's birthday (albeit a few days late). They're loving their new camper trailer and finding every excuse that they can to hit the road and explore the sights that our state (and those close by) have to offer. Gregory and Lynnleigh, being virtual learners again this year, have the benefit of classrooms without walls; now in fifth and third grades, they'll look back on these days of being truly remote with fond and happy memories, I feel certain. 

We were treated to a low-country "griddle"; it was delicious, every. last. bite; we had a great time!

When we left the house to drive there we passed beneath this flag flying at a local fire station, honoring the anniversary of September 11; it brought a lump to my throat to see this level of patriotism. No, we'll never forget!

We met these two when we arrived, they escorted us in, leading the way to their campsite on new bikes! They're squeezing every bit of fun out of these waning days of summer-like weather. 

It looks like the warm days will hang around a bit longer around here, this week shows no immediate relief despite the days getting shorter. Giving in, with a nod toward fall (Chrysanthemums and a hot meal at noontime), I made up another big batch of homemade tomato soup for lunch today, thanks to a church friend who's sharing his bumper-crop of remaining summer goodies; those generous tomato plants just keep on giving!

Life is Good!

October Wrap-Up

I finished three books this past month; sad to report that D.E.A.R time was reallocated temporarily as I tended to a few other chores around here but I did manage to finish these thanks to a power outage (more about that later... 😧). These were great reads; all mysteries, and page-turners, each one.  

Trick-or-treating happened this year, despite COVID; however we only had two to ring our doorbell (Link from The Legend of Zelda and a super-cute cheerleader!) and those came a day early, not to worry, we were ready!  Wendy and the camouflaged shrubbery (ghillie suit) confined their trick-or-treating to their immediate neighborhood in the Capital City. They're all growing up much too quickly! What to do with all those leftover Twix and Snickers? 

And just like that, it's November!

Life is Good!

Leaving It On The Table

I mentioned this work table last week, it's exactly what I'd been hoping for when I'm doing ruler-work on the front side of the longarm. I had been improvising with a sheet of foam core (any port in a storm, right?), I needed something to hold my tools above the surface of the quilt while I worked my way along.
Mr. Goodneedle picked up the hints that I was dropping and created the work table that I'd been hoping for! 😁  Now you know what I've been working on all week; I'm sew blessed to have a handy and helpful husband. This can also double as a light table and be used with a stencil and the laser moved to the front of the machine! 

What else has been going on around here? This is NUTS: the acorns this year are more abundant than we can ever remember. This patio, with no exaggeration, is blown off every two days! I suppose this must be some sort of winter weather forecasting tool, I'm afraid to research that one. Yikes. When we're out on the porch it sounds like there's a jackhammer on the roof! 

And not just on the patio-- they're DEEP beneath the shrubs too; it's hard to walk back here. 

Those blasted squirrels and the chipmunks are having a hay day, I've never seen them busier-- nope, they're leaving nothing on the table, they're burying as many as their chubby cheeks can hold!

Happy fall, y'all!

Life is Good!

Mums The Word...

... well, actually autumn is the word; the chrysanthemums have been planted and there's most definitely been a change in the weather; cooler, breezy days have replaced the heat and humidity for a refreshing new perspective. 

I baked an apple pie this past week from the fruit that I picked while visiting New England the week before. It turned out great, no so with the InstantPot recipe for baked apples that I found. Even though I followed that recipe to the letter (the accompanying photo looked so enticing) the apples EXPLODED! Groan. After fishing all the peel out of the blown-up apple debris, I placed the remaining mush into a strainer; what was salvaged might just have been the best homemade applesauce that we've ever had- making the very best out a complete mess! 

We had a few friends for a socially distanced porch dinner and the kitchen table became a Little Free Lending Library, there was something for everyone. 

The advent of fall marks yet another birthday for me, they just keep coming faster and faster each year!

A new addition to the back of one of the chairs in our bedroom is this Bull's Eye quilt. My mother insisted that I have it. With much encouragement she began piecing it after she had suffered a stroke in 2000, I cheered her on for several years as she gained back dexterity and confidence; after she got that top together (and went on to piece many more) I quilted it for her. Sadly, her macular degeneration has reached the point now where she can no longer sew. Receiving this quilt was bittersweet, but I will treasure it because of all that it represents. I believe that it looks right at home in its new setting! 💗

Life is Good!

Hello, October!

Yep, another calendar page has been turned. "Hello, October" really has been replaced in my mind today with "whatever happened to September?" Sigh. Time marches on! I read an excellent article yesterday morning, sent to me by a dear friend, which helps put life into perspective. I am linking to it here for your reading enjoyment. It helped me to savor the day, simply for the pleasure of being in it! Rather than analyze my daily accomplishments; or rather, my lack of them, I sipped my tea and reflected on all that I had to be thankful for. There is profound peace in doing that. Our oldest granddaughter is eight years old today! She is a blessing to all of our family; she is smart, funny, loving and a pure joy to be around! I made a trip to the Capital City earlier last week for a sew-a-thon at our daughter's home in preparation for Lucy Ann's "American Girl" slumber party on Friday night. We stitched pajama shorts for four little girls and matching ones for their dolls. Our daughter-in-law created vinyl iron-on monograms for blank T-shirts too, completing the sleep ensembles!

Lucy Ann and her sleepover friends. 

They were a huge hit! There are no words for how cute this is!! Our daughter did report that not a lot of sleep happened though. 😉

Mr. Goodneedle and I made a return trip to the Capital City on Sunday afternoon to watch Mason play soccer and to celebrate Lucy Ann's birthday a few days early.  Her birthday wish was for the American Girl remote-control car for her dolls to ride in. She was super excited to open it! (It appeared that her brother was equally excited to see what was in the big box!) Sadly, it did not work! 

After many attempts to remedy the situation (the boys gave it their all!) the decision was made, at long last, to send it back and get a replacement. Lucy Ann was extremely gracious and understanding. I do believe that we were much sadder and disappointed about the non-functional car than she was. The new car is already on its way. Hang on, birthday girl, your kiddos will be riding in style very soon!  Yes, October has arrived; we're in the final quarter of the year, days are once again growing shorter. I, for one, am focusing on living each day deliberately, reading life like a book, and sharing excerpts right here! 

Life is Good!