At last!

Finally, I can post it. This is a big project that Audrey and I worked on all summer - we made one for each family (a total of 5). I don't know what possessed us to think this was a good idea. We worked so diligently at this that we ended up with neck cramps by the end of each day. We got very tired of looking at these quilts! But after having hidden the finished product in my drawer for 4 months, when I pulled them out this week, they looked great.

Last night we gave them to everyone, so they can enjoy them during the holidays. Merry Christmas everyone!
(Addendum: Audrey writes about this in a much more detailed and entertaining way in her blog - see the link to Audrey & Joseph on my sidebar)

Completion date: July or August 2008
Size: 22 X 36 inches
Pattern: 25 days 'til Christmas #423 by Little Country Quilts

I am thankful for:

My family - in particular my children and grandchildren - my friends, my many blessings in life.

We took just a few minutes from home to go take these family pictures today. The babies were good (well, Madeleine had a little bit of a hard time), and we finished in record time.

Here's the whole group:

back row, l-r: Ray, Audrey, Diane, Debra, Beth, Bruce

middle row, l-r: Joseph, Ray, Randy

lap row, l-r: Matthew, Austin, Madeleine

Here are the happy grandparents with their happy (mostly) grandchildren:

The Hanks' had a great picture:

The Petersens had a great picture too:

Poor Ray. No family of his own. Yet.

We have a tie-breaker!

Audrey is pregnant, and due in April. She just found out yesterday that she is having a girl. That will give us 2 boys and 3 girls in the grandchildren department.

Elizabeth Linford Hanks

Madeleine wants to walk

Debra has been here this week with Madeleine. The boys have been around a lot also, and I think Madeleine wants to keep up. She's started taking more and more steps on her own.

Eleven months old today!

Quilt!

I've got to perfect my quilt picture taking skills. It's hard to get a picture of the whole quilt without it being at a funny angle, or blurry. Oh well, you can get an idea of what the quilt looks like from the picture.
Quilt size: 49 inches X 65 inches

Completed: November 24, 2008

Pattern: Lincoln Logs from 11 Laps from Fats by Ellen Replogle

Fabric: hand dyed (not by me)

Too Early!

Yes, it's 2:53 a.m. No, there will not be a picture of me to prove it is this time in the morning. No one needs to see that, no matter what time it is. I think I was asleep by 8:30 last night. Promptly at 1:29 a.m. my eyes  popped open, and I have not been able to get back to sleep.

Why does sleep elude us when we want it, and overtake us when we wish to remain alert? 

I will go back to bed, and hopefully while pondering that question, will fall asleep. After all, I need to be up in a couple of hours. 

And so it goes.

Quantum of Solace

Sean Connery. George Lazenby. Roger Moore. Timothy Dalton. Pierce Brosnan. And now Daniel Craig. James Bonds, one and all. Fast cars. Hold on to your seat car chases. Cover your eyes except you might miss something fight scenes.  Plots that are just complicated enough to keep your interest, but not so complicated as to be confusing. Bad guys who are truly bad. Beautiful women.  I love James Bond movies, and this one was great. Go see it!

They're home!

Mom and Dad are home! We went to the airport this morning to pick them up - it was so fun. In fact, better than Christmas.  They've been serving in Sao Paulo Brazil. Dad's been the doctor at the CTM.  After 20 months, we are certainly happy to have them home.

Mom and Dad coming past security.

Mom and Dad with David and his children.