A Fairly Fun Day.....

Summertime in San Diego means that it is Fair time!!!! For some people this picture describes the most fun....but not for me.

I am all about the Home Arts building.....where I was lucky enough to work as a demonstrator yesterday. I got to meet a lot of nice people and chat about quilts that people have made or would like to make. I had children who wanted to sew and a 96 year old lady who shared with me her legacy of homemaking skills. It was SEW much fun.

Along with the crafts are collections that people submit for everyones delight. This one caught my eye. Somewhere in a box in our garage are my Barbies and I remember having each of these outfits.

But my favorite thing is meeting the craft demonstrators....and these ladies are always my favorites. Look how intricate these tatted doilies are and I just love watching them move those shuttles around to make their lace.

I only dream of making baby things this lovely. Many Mondays of practice with my Mom still doesn't show this kind of quality!

But this sign said it all.....

The quilts that are on display have a protective plastic cover. It does keep them clean, but sadly does not allow you to see all of the detail work clearly.

Better displays are the ones behind glass.....this one made me giggle!

Holidays were well represented....

.... the cross stitch was so intricate that I could hardly imagine the time it would take to complete these pieces. I am always so touched to know that in this techno world, we still take the time to make things by hand and create with our hearts.

So is anyone else shocked that we will be celebrating the Fourth of July next week???? I hate that time seems to go faster each and every year. Guess it is time for me to put up some Patriotic quilts and prepare myself for the sound of firecrackers !!!! I hope you enjoyed the peek at the fair as much as I enjoyed working there....if you can call sitting and quilting WORK!!!!

Girlie Girl.....

I have to confess.....I am happiest when I am surrounded by flowers, and pink just happens to be my favorite color.

My hydrangeas have just exploded this year. I have bouquets for the house and can't gaze often enough at this delicious scene in my front yard.

The garden is looking closer and closer to perfection as we tippy toe into summer.....barefoot of course!

Everywhere you look in our home you will see flowers and more flowers......

Even our outdoor furniture is decorated in bouquets of goodness!

The flowers don't stop at the garden fence....no, they are equally abundant in the inside of our home. I know all the home dec books and magazines scream neutral, but when I snuggle into my indoor flower garden with a great book I am in Heaven.

So....how does my poor husband survive this girlie girl obsession? Well, I DO encourage him to display his photography!!!!

But better yet, he does have his "man chair" and not a flower on it! A man has to take a stand where he can, and although it is a very small stand, the chair does scream "no women allowed".

And if you are wondering how I am surviving my alone time.....very nicely, so far. Yesterday I had my own quilting retreat. A day of sewing, a quick and enjoyable visit to Fat Quarters for inspiration and a sweet fabric purchase....pink of course!!!!

I treated myself to Pick up Stix for my lunch/dinner and after a full day of satisfying sewing I took a drive and treated myself to an ice cream sundae too.

So Jim had better get home pronto. Another day of this and I might be making a floral pillow.....and it just might land in HIS chair!!!!

Be Careful What you Wish For.....

There are many times that I just crave uninterrupted quiet. A time to sew, sip a cup of tea and catch up with my favorite magazines.....a time just for ME!!!!! Well, this is that week and I have to admit it is not all I thought it would be.

Jim is in Washington DC, and I am getting lots of phone calls telling me about what our home there looks like after all these years and how darn cute the town still is.

Meghan is in Palm Springs with all of her best girlfriends. This is an annual girls trip and she did call to tell me how much fun she is having.

Oma bravely took the Amtrak to SLO so that she could attend the Christening of her newest Greatgrandson Matthew.

So I am spending lots of time with the friend that is still hanging around. Its not all that bad.....just a tad TOOOO quiet.

But I have managed to catch up on my Bunnyhill blocks. They are all stitched down....now they need some embellishment and embroidery.

I shouldn't complain to loudly, because I do have one dear friend who is working out to be delightful company. Of course she is not my best friend when she is laying in the middle of my newest quilt top when I am trying to measure for backing.

But I am trying to enjoy the alone time as much as possible. In a few short days everyone will be back again and we are all going to visit Jonathan, Jill and our new furry grandchild Munich ! So time to get back to my pals Elna and Bailey. A time for "piece" and quiet.....and that isn't all to bad!!!!

How could I have known?????

When I was a little girl, the Sister's would march all of us into the church for Mass. I can still remember as I said my prayers, I would always say one for the "boy that I would someday marry". The prayer would be simple...that he would have a happy day. This is one of my favorite photos of Jim....relaxing in Cabo San Lucas. I would say it was evident that he was having a very happy day!

Years later I met the boy I had been praying for...and we were married in the church where this photo was taken. The years have flown by.

Our two little children have grown up and married those that they had prayed for. Our family is now happily blended into having four children that we love and adore.

Jim's heart is large enough for many children and when he visited Meghan's second graders there were hugs for all.

He has developed a passion for photography and his talent is very evident. This is the photograph he gifted me with on Mother's Day. We have it displayed at the top of the stairs and I can never walk past it without loving the picture and the man who took the photo.

This year's Father's day has been quiet....so far. I treated Jim to breakfast at a lovely cafe near the ocean and then we went to the Del Mar Fair to see the photograph he submitted for this years competition. Jim has much to be proud of....the family he has raised and supported and the talent he continues to develop.

There will be many changes this year beginning with retirement which is seeming very real as each day passes. And yes....we also found out some really exciting news today. Apparently on Father's Day we have been gifted with a "Grandpuppy". A sweet German Shepherd named Munich!!!! Jim will be visiting the newest addition to the family on his way to LAX today as he gets ready for a trip to DC.

I am grateful for all we have shared and I look forward to the years that we will be blessed with in the future. I have to finish by saying that when I prayed for the "boy I would marry ", I could only have hoped he would be a great Dad too. I do believe in the power of prayer and God blessed me abundantly when he gave Jim to me as a husband and as a father to Jonathan and Meghan. Happy Father's Day sweetie!!!!!

We have much to be grateful for....

     The picture you see above is of Jake and his sweet Mom Jennifer.  Jake is officially home from Iraq....but as they say, there is more to the story than that.  

     Jake was supposed to arrive the middle of the week, but then found out he could leave on an earlier flight.  There was NO question that he was ready to come home, but then Jake and Jill devised a devious plot to surprise Jennifer.  So instead of the anticipated homecoming on Wednesday, Jennifer was invited to come to dinner on Sunday.  The plot thickens, since Jill wanted us to "drop by " after our trip to Santa Barbara ( which was total fiction).  The rest of the story follows! 

     I think you can tell by this picture that Jennifer was truly surprised!!!!  Jill pretended to be helping her friend who had "car trouble", but instead picked up Jake at the airport.  Joy, joy, joy......our sweet soldier is HOME!!!! 

     Have you ever seen a more touching photo????  

Yes, there was much to celebrate!!!!

We all had jobs to fulfill to keep this surprise from Jennifer.  Oma was very diligent in chatting away the afternoon which kept Jennifer busy and not wondering to much about why Jill was taking so long. 

Jim had barbeque duty....a soldier comes home very hungry we found out!

A nice bottle of wine and a festive table adds to the special occasion.

I put together some salads.....

....and Oma provided her delicious home made chocolates and some strawberry shortcake.

    This has been a photo that we have been looking forward to ALL year long!!!  We are grateful to God that Jake is home, that he is healthy ( other than the shoulder surgery he will have very soon), and that our families could be together for this incredible event.  Welcome home Jake....thank you for your service.  Now just enjoy the fact that we all want to spoil you endlessly!!!!