Ah, September!

The weather, at long last, has cooled off a bit! Brisk mornings and clear blue-sky afternoons with a slight breeze have been the norm around here this past week; it's a welcome relief~ I'm SO ready! The Dahlias are putting on a colorful show right now. We made another trip north to New England a week ago, a quick back and forth to avoid Labor Day traffic, it's all good. My mother had been hospitalized again and is now residing at a new (to her) rehab facility where she's very happy. Health-wise, she's weak; but she's content. Following that quick visit we continued south from New Hampshire to Massachusetts where we assisted Mr. G's sister with a recent home move. Having lost her husband a year ago she was ready to sell their home and forge a new path on her own. She's settling in nicely, and so is her dog, Monty; although the move was a bit traumatic for him.
Here are Monty and Augie resting after a full day of emptying boxes and wrestling with furniture! 

I read this one, start to finish, on the road trip. Being of a "certain age" I can relate well to the time period of this one, the Viet Nam war era; it's a good read.

The Barn Star quilt, my abbreviated version (56" X 76"), is together and off the design wall.  I needed to make room for the next project, a memory quilt for my SIL made from her dear husband's shirts. I've spent much time deconstructing them this week and getting everything ready to begin. There's a LOT of usable fabric in a shirt!

Stay tuned for progress on this one. I'm deeply grateful to all who've contacted me inquiring as to my whereabouts during the recent blog post blackouts, thank you! I'm fine, we're great and you're all wonderful to check in on me.

Life is Good!

Mother's Day

How did you spend your Mother's Day? We made a quick trip north to spend the day with my mother. As I've reported before, she's been having a tough time lately; health-wise. She's still in a care facility (as of today) and fighting as hard as she can to get back home again. Augie did what he could; he volunteered his services as a therapy dog.

It must've worked because, after passing OT and PT evaluations where she is, and during a home visit yesterday, she is being discharged back home tomorrow. She'll have in-home nursing care, that will help my Dad out; but, I continue to ask for prayer as this situation moves ahead. She's frail and not as steady as I would like to see, but this is where things stand.

Here we are in years past, visiting quilt shops and spending our days working on sewing projects. When Mom and Dad used to drive down and visit here, or when we were in New England, we never lacked for places to drive to or things to work on. We reminisced last week while I was with her about all the quilt shops that we would seek out and explore on road trips together, sadly, all of them now closed: Keepsake Quilting in Meredith, NH, The Calico Cupboard in Rumney, NH, The Crazy Ladies of the Quilted Acorn, Georgetown, MA, The Cranberry Quilter in Wenham, MA, Mary Jo's, Gastonia, NC, The Busy Thimble, Litchfield, ME, Footprints, Lebanon, ME, Rachel's Quilt Patch, Staunton, VA. 

Now, rounding out the list, the latest (and maybe the greatest in our book) about-to-close shop: Quilted Threads in Henniker, NH; we loved that one!  Here we are, taking a class together there back in 2014, we had the very BEST time! I'm sure, somewhere, that we've got pictures of us together at each and every shop through the years. 

Home again!

My second year Peonies are weak and scrawny, 

but blooming; they're as determined as Mom.

Life is Good!

...A Time To Heal...

"For everything there is a season and a tine for every matter under heaven..."A new season has arrived since I last posted, the days are longer and warmer now, the birds are singing; and a LOT of healing has taken place. 

When I was here I reported on my klutziness around the vacuum cleaner hose which tripped me up and caused a quick trip straight to the floor with my left arm taking the brunt of the impact. A three part fracture of the proximal humerus sidelined me for the past seven+ weeks. A new normal ensued, temporarily. But, as of today.. I'm back!

We made a quick trip up north to celebrate with my Dad on his 96th birthday. 

...a time to laugh...

At this same time my mother was hospitalized and has since been moved to a care facility for rehabilitation. It's been a struggle for her, physically, and for all of us, emotionally. And yet, through it all, God has been faithful and present. Her grim prognosis has turned around and now she is preparing to return back home late next week, with in-home care. 

...a time to break down and a time to build up...

During all of this time a dear friend from church has relocated to the other side of the country. She painted a portrait of Augie and presented this wonderful gift to us before she left. She found us at a vulnerable time in her life and we're all the richer for having known her, even for a short time. She's deeply missed but we rejoice for her in this new adventure!

...a time to seek, and a time to lose...

After much physical therapy (which continues) I am able to, once again, operate Snowbird. It was the long, sweeping movements of the longarm which I had to gain back. There were some frustrating mis-steps along the way, some serious frogging(!), but I was determined!

...a time to tear and a time to sew...

And, day by day, week by week, season by season our God is a faithful God. 

How else can you explain the miracle of strawberries?

🍓

I'm back, and will resume what have become my all too sporadic postings: I've got lots to show and tell. If you would, please remember my sweet Mom and Dad in prayer as they readjust to their new normal; know that I'm thankful for all of you.  

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace." Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

 Life is Good!

I Know, I Know...

In my last post, which was almost a month ago, I explained what was keeping me away from this blog. And today, here we go again! We've been in New England for three weeks spending time with family. It's all good. In the earlier days I would've queued up posts to periodically appear during an absence of this duration but I just didn't get that done ahead of time this go-round. You'll never find me posting, either, while we're gone; announcing that our home is empty.  Most of our time away was spent with my Mom and Dad. In this photo (L) Augie is sitting on the steps waiting for my Mom to come downstairs. He was their lap companion during our stay with them. 

Mom uses a chair lift and Augie doesn't let her out of his sight when she's upstairs!

They're doing well, they have their own routines and rituals which we observed along with them. Mom has a hair appointment every Friday and following that they eat lunch at the diner right next door, this photo was snapped in the diner; it's "Cheers!"-like, everybody knows their names. They have a standing booth there and their beverages are delivered before they even sit down. We were able to help them get some chores done in anticipation of winter as well as get some things cleaned out and organized. It was a great time together.

We didn't stay in the house with them, but rather in a hotel a very short distance away; it worked out well. Augie kept an eye on the parking lot; he's a great security dog! Nothing gets past him. 

While we were staying at the hotel they replaced all the mattresses. I was shocked that they discard them into a dumpster! I did ask if they couldn't be donated to a needy cause but was told that they have to be trashed after they're used. I can't help but wonder why it was okay for us to sleep on these perfectly good mattresses one night and that they were required to be disposed of the next. This makes no good sense to me. 

I spent a good amount of time cross-stitching, until I ran out of the needed colors to finish. 

Augie doing what he does best, warming laps and being a sweet companion to everyone.

Here's a taste of picturesque New England. This covered bridge is a replacement for the original, it's a pedestrian bridge just a short way from where my parents live.

You know that you've been gone a long time when your accumulated mail is delivered like this. I have lots to catch you up on, surprises and accomplishments! Yes!!  I know, I know... I've been full of excuses lately. 

Dental surgery first thing in the morning. Say a little prayer.

In all honesty, this time we hit the ground running when we returned!

I'll be back, I promise!

Pinky swear.

Life is Good!

From Here To There And Back Again

We've taken another road trip, albeit a quick one. Augie continues to excel as a traveler, we never could have asked for a better car companion. Since last Sunday was both Father's Day and my mother's 90th birthday we drove up to New Hampshire to celebrate the joyous, double event with my parents. It was a beautiful day.  Mom and Dad live in what is known as the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, as we drove north and got closer to their home last Sunday we experienced the mass exodus of motorcycles headed south on the highways and by-ways, having only just concluded the 100th anniversary of Laconia "Bike Week" that day. (another reason that we chose not to arrive any earlier, the traffic is crazy during this event!).  Time spent with Mom and Dad this past week was laid back and easy, they've established a new normal routine since my mother has returned from her rehab stay. Physical therapists and/or Occupational therapists come in to their home daily to work with her and assist her in growing stronger and more independent again. We helped out as we could with repairs, yardwork and household chores.

As you can see, above, Augie did his part too: offering pet therapy in the form of "lap time", as often as needed! We did take advantage of the location to eat some fried clams while we were there and made a trip (or two 😉) to the local ice cream stand for a cone. Ah, summer evenings in New England.

Augie celebrated "National Dachshund Day" on Wednesday, the Summer Solstice, (the longest day for the longest dog)! 

I didn't take many pictures this trip (other than of the pup) but was happy to receive this one yesterday, as we were in the car again, traveling back home. Mom goes every Friday to the beauty shop to have her hair done and, following that, she and Dad have lunch at the diner next door; it's their weekly custom. Yesterday, when they entered the restaurant they were greeted with all this at "their" table: a party tablecloth, balloons, gifts and even a birthday hat! Isn't that just the sweetest gesture? My parents are dearly loved. 💗

Back home again, someone has dragged out all of his toys and settled right back in. I've tackled the laundry mountain, watered the plants and baked a loaf of bread already. 

It's good to be home again; there's no place like it, Dorothy was right!

Life is Good! 

Quiet Time

So, this is a post about Quiet Time. As you can tell from this photo, there's lots of resting and quiet time going on here. This was taken at my parents' home in New Hampshire last week. It was Augie's first road trip and he did extremely well in the car; you would have thought that he was a seasoned road-tripper! He rested nicely on his back seat platform and did what he was supposed to do outside whenever we stopped for breaks. What a great travel companion! It was Mom and Dad's first meeting with Augie and they were thoroughly charmed, of course.  Unfortunately, the day after we arrived, my mother went to the hospital. She was feeling bad and really couldn't express what was wrong. She was subsequently admitted through the E.D. and treated for an electrolyte imbalance; of particular concern was her depleted sodium level. She stayed there the entire duration of our visit and is now getting stronger again in a rehab facility with the goal to return back home. It was a roller-coaster week. 

Both Mom and Dad contracted COVID a couple of months ago. While Mom was hospitalized at that time, Dad recovered at home, albeit s-l-o-w-l-y. The truth is that it really and truly knocked the stuffing out of both of them! My Dad has given the term "Quiet Time" to that period after lunch when he rests his eyes for an hour or so. We all know better than to call it a nap!😉 I took this low volume quilt, just off the longarm, along with me to whip down the binding. I decided to name it "Quiet Time", that just seemed right. There was lots and lots of *QT* while we rested and waited. The quilt was finished up in no time.

Here's Dad and Augie one day after breakfast; they became great friends during our stay. 

               

We're home again now and Quiet Time has been washed and tumbled dry. I love the soft, crinkled effect. Talking to Mom on the phone yesterday, she sounded good and much stronger. Her biggest heartbreak now is not being at home last week for QT with Augie in her lap, she's sad about that. I told her that we'd just have to make a return trip, now that we know what a great little traveler he is! Please remember my Mom in your prayers for her recovery and restored strength. I expect that she'll stay in the rehab for another week and a half to two weeks, at least. Time will tell. 

Augie is seven months old now, has already been to eleven states and completed Beginner 1 Obedience classes yesterday. He'll start Beginner 2 Obedience next month; that's quite the resume for this pint sized pup! You're right if you're thinking that there's no QT for him!

Life is Good!

It's March...

... and it's coming in like a lamb here today; what's the weather like where you are? Up at my Mom and Dad's in New Hampshire they're buried under snow with more forecast to fall on Saturday. My Dad loves it but my Mom has had enough already! Speaking of my parents, today is their 71st wedding anniversary! 

This picture was taken a while ago, but you can see how cute they are! Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

The rest of this post is going to be one of massive catch-up; there's a lot less time devoted here with a new puppy in the house, but I'm going to try to do better this month. I was lucky enough to go on a weekend retreat at this fabulous facility a few weeks ago. 

I got all of these string pieced blocks done while there and am auditioning inner borders, that's as far as I've gotten; this beauty remains on the design wall while other sewing is going on. 

I covered a kneeler cushion for church, there was a big strip of high density foam rubber to trim up for this job. 

As you can see, the hunk that fell on the floor, the excess, was immediately claimed! "What, for me? Oh, yes, I like it, it's very comfy!" He used it for a couple of days to rest on, I'll need to make a cover for this soon as he began a little nibbling of the corners and I've taken it up until I can get to that task. He'll be delighted to get it back. 

I've got five blocks done for the Cream and Sugar BOM, these measure 20" square.

I quilted up the above two quilts for friends, they were both great quilts to work on; bright and happy!

Again, that hunk o' foam was well loved during naptimes under the longarm while I worked.

Sometimes when I can't find Augie I catch him hiding right in the basket with his toys!

Yes, this catch-up post was one that's gone straight to the dogs! Augie is 21 weeks old today, he just completed a six week course on Puppy Manners and Socialization and will  start Beginner One Obedience Training in April; wish us luck!

 

Take time to smell the flowers today, wherever you are! 

I'll be back again soon. 

Life is Good!