Last Weekend and Beyond...

The 50th Anniversary celebration continued last weekend with the entire family gathering for a dinner out. Mr. G and I can't remember a time when we've had more fun. These four entertained the table all evening! It was wonderful in every way!

                                                         Here we all are, it was a night to remember. 

Even though I begged for time to stand still... sigh.

💗

In other, quilty, news: 

This is "Chain Gang", it is finally quilted. Since I just mentioned the passage of time... these blocks were completed 15 years ago! I set the top together only three summers ago, I guess it was finally time. 😉 I used Urban Elementz "Wavy Gravy" pantograph by Patricia Ritter to quilt this one; I really love the soft, curvy, effect combined with the strong diagonal  element of the quilt blocks!

Maybe I was simply waiting all this time for the perfect backing fabric. What do you think? Yes, that's the story that we're going with! I have a pile of bright colored scraps to piece together for the binding... I can confidently say today, at long last, that this one is almost done. 

Using Deb Tucker's Wedge Star tool and a box of 4.5" scraps I managed to set together eighty 7" kaleidoscope blocks into this top measuring, 56" X 80", this past week. Just to make sure that this one doesn't hang around for fifteen years before quilting, I have the backing and binding all ready to go. It's up for loading onto the longarm rails next. No time like the present... right? Ha!!

Life is Good!

 

Mother's Day and Beyond...

The weekend before last was a busy one, full of special treats. On Saturday we were treated to a dance recital in the morning. Lynnleigh shone, literally!  She sent us this "preview" before she left home. 

Here she is with her dance troupe. (Gregory was the official photographer.) She did just great!

Straight from there our sweet daughter met me and treated me to lunch and a manicure and pedicure.

 And, as if that wasn't enough, she made this for me! Needlepoint is a fairly new pursuit for her, it keeps her hands and mind occupied (and off her phone, according to her) while she sits at the pool waiting at Lucy Ann's swim practices. I think she's become quite adept at this, not only at the needlepoint but the finishing as well (admittedly, that's not her favorite part). I will treasure this Nativity ornament forever. 

The following day our son cooked de-constructed kabobs for us, as well as for our DIL and her parents;  We were treated to plates full of bite-sized beef, shrimp, chicken, smoked sausage and roasted veggies. It was deliciously superb!

So, as this post is so aptly titled; this is a Mother's Day and beyond post. Thanks for indulging me. This past weekend we provided the altar flowers at church in honor and celebration of an upcoming MAJOR wedding anniversary. It's hard to believe; we couldn't be more thankful for the life, and the years, that God has given to us. The Butterfly Bush pictured at the top of this post was given to us as a memorial to my mother. It is a poignant reminder, on many levels. But, you see those blooms beginning? They first emerged, buds turning to blooms, exactly on May 11th; yep, Mother's Day!  I know that my own precious mother is smiling, she would just love this. 

And one more thing. I ran across this the other day, can't remember where; but it resonated with me.

Maybe it will with you too.

Life is Good!

It really, truly is. 

 

Going On, Growing On...

You may remember that I began this perennial garden, located just outside of my sewing room, two years ago. I've had some good luck, some bad luck and have learned a TON along the way! So, two years later, I have a lovely and peaceful space that is filling in and providing much enjoyment. I have moved, dug up and transplanted many things, all part of the learning curve. I'm rewarded with the reemergence of old "friends" and have added a few new ones this spring. 

This area has become a haven for birds, "hummers" and butterflies too. Those handmade stepping stones are weathering in nicely and have developed a nice patina. 

On the subject of growing on... our two youngest grandchildren spent the weekend with us. Gregory is now ten years old and Lynnleigh, eight; they're finishing up the fourth and second grades, resectively. We had a great time going to Cracker Barrel for dinner, playing games, helping with church responsibilities, practicing piano and exploring the wonders of sparkling maple syrup on waffles! 

We delighted in every minute that they were with us, the house is very quiet this morning. Today is our forty-sixth wedding anniversary, as far as how we're celebrating: Mr. Goodneedle is outside splitting wood and I am quilting at the longarm today. We'll thoroughly enjoy a dinner out tonight, as we did these roses recycled from yesterday's worship service on our breakfast table today. Time marches on and so do we.

May 24, 1975

Going on and growing on... together.

💕

Life is Good!

May 24, 1975

Forty five years ago we said " I do";  and today, I'm blessed to be dancing with the same partner. I'm thankful every day for this man, for our shared faith and commitment to God and His church, for families that have supported us along the way, for two healthy, loving children with families of their own, and for a lifetime of shared memories. Thanks be to God!

"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends." -1 Corinthinians 13:4-8

Life is Good!

Forty-Four

May 24, 1975

Forty-four years. Two children. Four grandchildren. Ten homes in three countries. 

Thanks be to God for each and every blessing: for the incalculable number of special moments,

exciting adventures and treasured memories bestowed upon us as we've built our lives together.

Forty-four wonderful years have passed in what seems like the blink of an eye. 

Yes, "I do"; and I would absolutely do it all over again! 

💕

From this morning's most timely devotion, Ephesians 5:2:

"And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, 

a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God".

Life is Good!

May Milestones

I can hardly believe that Memorial Day has happened, summer is already upon us, and I haven't had time to catch my breath! May has been a whirlwind month marking a few momentous milestones. Mother's Day weekend was a special one, I had my own mother to here to celebrate the occasion with this year.  We drove to the Capital City the day before and had a wonderful lunch at our daughter and son-in-law's home surrounded with lots of love, laughter and the little ones, it was a perfect day!

The following weekend we traveled that same road back and forth again; this time for a different occasion, Mason's preschool graduation. It's ironic that I mentioned a time slipping away in the first paragraph; wasn't it just yesterday that I was posting Mason's newborn photo from the hospital room? Sigh.

Here's Mason today, ready for Kindergarten in the fall. His preschool director called the names of the graduates and they walked to receive their diploma; as they proceeded across the front the director read what their future aspirations are. Mason stated that he wants to be a "space guy" and study rocks and moisture and Pluto. He'll be great at whatever he sets his mind to do!

On the 24th of this month we celebrated thirty-nine years
of marriage. It's so hard to believe; even though we may have
changed, physically, over the years we don't feel any older and are still
enjoying each and every day together as much as our first as husband and wife. 
I couldn't have chosen anyone better to share my life and my heart with.
Life is Good!

Thirty Eight

There was love...

May 24, 1975

...before there were children, or wrinkles, gray hair, or quilting...
there was love. That love has endured and only grown stronger each 
and every day for the past 38 years. We are blessed.

Oh, yeah... we were twelve years old. 

Life is Good!