First Day of Summer

Been out of the loop for a while now.  Not sure if I can keep up still but going to try. 

I hardly quilted at all last year.   Our family has been going through a rough time.  Our son's addiction has greatly affected all of us. I turned inward. Had a hard time just getting through the day. Blogging was more of a chore than something I enjoyed. But now I'm going to try again.

Rained last night again.  I have flowers planted again this year so the rain was welcome.   Planted some Hyacinth Bean seeds along the fence.  Sure hope they flower this year.   Last year all I  got was vines.

Went on a weekend retreat at the beginning of the month with Mary and Marla.   We rented a room in Mattoon and sewed like crazy.  We also visited Arthur and the Amish shops.   I worked on the Christmas Churn Dash top.  All the rows are seen together.  Need to add a border and it will be ready for the frame.

I have Johanna's wedding quilt in the frame now.   Yes,  I know it's late. 

Been doing a lot of crocheting lately.   That seems to take up my time in the evening while watching t. v.  With Ev.  Making squares for afghans.

Super busy with wedding stuff and Swagbucks link

2 weddings within 3 weeks of each other!  Wow, this is nuts.  I have been pulling my hair out trying to keep organized about who I have called for who's wedding.  Both kids having ceremonies within three weeks of each other is madness.  But once it's done, it is done!  I hope to get more into the blog again then.

In the meantime, there is a website I have found that you can earn points and get free gift cards to Amazon and Pay Pal, among other places.  It's called Swagbucks.  Please take a look at it and sign up if you are interested through the following link.  I get points if you do!

http://www.swagbucks.com/p/register?rb=38409824

Thanks for being patient and waiting for me to have time to post on the blog again.  I am still alive and kicking.  Just busy, busy, busy!  Now, how much beer do we need for Nick's wedding?  Oh and did the minister call back for Johanna's?  What about the caterer?  And .......  sigh!

Yesterday

Yesterday we ended up going to see the progress on Johanna and Ben's house.  It's really coming along nicely.  They have been putting walls up inside and staining the wood.

After the grand tour, we all went out for pizza.  When I got home I planted the last few flowers for outside.  Taking a break from that for a while!

Miscellaneous update

Have been busy at home and at work this month.  Not much sewing, but I have painted a lot of pots for flowers.  Have planted a lot of flowers so my front yard is full of color.  Down to the last couple of pots for outside now, so that project is slowing down.  I do have some small pots to paint whenever I want to.  They can be filled with almost anything.  I'm thinking about some tiny succulents for them.

We have taken the boat out a couple times and really enjoyed it.  I think we are going to have a lot of fun on it this summer.  Still a possibility of Ev going back to second shift at some point, but hopefully it doesn't happen, and if it does, let's hope boating season is done.

I've been a bad Blogger

Sorry that I haven't kept up with the blog like I had in the past.  We have been busy at home in the evenings and on the weekends.  I haven't gotten any sewing done since getting home from Paducah, and to be honest, didn't do much before I left for Paducah!  My new passion seems to be painting on flower pots and planting flowers.

I do have to get busy on Nick and Olivia's wedding quilt.  Their wedding is in August and all I have done is pick out fabrics and a pattern so far.

We did end up with a new purchase.  Well, not really new, but new to us.  We bought a boat!  It's a 24' pontoon boat with a 115hp engine.  It's a 1999 model, but was kept in pristine condition.  Ev is over the moon about it.  We have not gotten it out on the water yet.  Just picked it up over the weekend.

The gentleman that we bought it from is a neighbor of Ben and Johanna's.  Nice guy.  His wife passed away and he is selling a few things.  We were very fortunate to get it at a great price.

Happy pots

30 Years Ago

Today is my and my hubby's wedding anniversary.  We have been married for 30 years!  Woohoo!  I am one very blessed woman.

Got back from Paducah Saturday afternoon.  Luckily, we missed most of the storms and flooding.  Got home before the worst of it hit.

The trip was fantastic, again.  Loved every minute of it.  Mary, Marla, Sandy and I got down there Wednesday afternoon.  We hit the ground running.  Went to Hancock's of Paducah right away.  Bought lots of goodies!  I picked up a few layer cakes that were in the back room.  I have a cool pattern that I like that uses a layer cake and I would like to make more of that pattern.

After our initial shopping spree we went to dinner at Rafferty's.  I had an excellent steak and salad.  On the way back to the hotel in Metropolis, IL the weather was a bit dicey.  Had quite a rain storm with the wind blowing quite a bit.  We just missed getting soaked by it, as we were seated on the patio.  Had a good laugh over that.

Thursday we started out at the convention center and moved our way through to the pavilion.  We also hit a couple of small shops outside of the actual show, that turned out to be pretty cool.  I saw Dusty Farrel again and this time I bought a set of his longarm rulers.  Really excited about trying them.

Thursday night we went to a community theater in Paducah and saw a play called "Exit Laughing".  Really cute and comfortable atmosphere.

Friday was more shopping and eating.  All in all, another satisfying trip to the show!

One more week

One more week til we go to Paducah!  I'm ready mentally, even if I'm not all packed.  Looks like it will be Mary, Marla, Sandy and I.  Look out world, here we come!  haha.

Haven't been sewing much.  Have planted a lot of outside flowers.  Will put some pics up soon.

Sorry I haven't kept up with the blog this month.  Just taking a break.  Will get back to regular posts soon.  Hang in there!  :)

Sandy's owl quilt

At least someone is quilting!  Sandy made the prettiest quilt with owls on it out of flannel and minkee.  So soft and cuddly!

Busy busy busy

I have been pretty busy doing some projects that I cannot share on the blog just yet.  Be patient!  I will post pictures as soon as I can.