It's So Hard To Say Goodbye...

Our family lost a beautiful soul yesterday. Mike was married to my sister, Diana a long time ago. After two children, they decided they were much better as friends than husband and wife.

They continued to co-parent my niece and nephew, and he was always present in the lives of their grandchildren. When my nephew was house hunting for his family, they found a place just a few houses away from Mike's. 

Mike traveled with both families when they took trips, and he even camped with them. He was always just a call away when someone needed a sitter, and Dan's daughters nicknamed him "Papa Angel" because he always referred to them as his little angels. (They call Di "Nana Ponygirl" because she always did "ponyboy" on her knee when they were little.)

Mike was diagnosed with cancer a few short months ago, and he took a turn for the worse yesterday. He was readmitted to the hospital and continued to decline through the day. 

His children, grandchildren, and sister were all able to say their goodbyes, and he passed peacefully late afternoon. The world has lost a kind, generous, and wonderful man yesterday, and our family and the world are less for it.

RIP, Brother. You'll be deeply missed.

Concert Night...

 

Concert night was especially fun last night. I sat where I could see all of the percussionists, and especially Handsome. I actually recorded video from two of their numbers. My husband had told me how much fun they had in rehearsals with these concert numbers, and last night I understood why. They were busy and so much fun to watch. Handsome was playing the kit for a number from the movie Zorro in this image. 

 

I was so tickled when my sister, Diana, her son, Dan and most of his family also came to the concert. One son had other plans for the evening. It was so wonderful to see their reaction to seeing Uncle Handsome playing in the band, and they want me to let them know when the concerts in the park start up again next year so they can come, too.

Now for the sad news. Tag couldn't come with me. He was heartbroken that he couldn't see his fans, but we had an after party for this last concert of the season and it was still going to be too hot outside to leave him in the car while we were in the restaurant. I've promised him something special this weekend, and he'll be able to tell you all about that instead. Besides, it's going to be much more fun for him - and you to read! He's looking forward to telling you all about it next Tuesday.

More tomatoes to pick this morning, and I'll probably make salsa this afternoon if it's cool enough. We need more bread, but it's too hot to turn on 400º ovens. That will have to wait another day or two. I'm off to have a cuppa and then run a couple errands. Have a great day and see you tomorrow!

 

Whoa, Nellie...

 

Seven hours of working with my nephew and the bedroom and fabric room are reversed. I'll move the sewing machines into the "work room" later today, after I make a quick trip to town in search of a large piece of commercial carpet (tight weave and short nap) to protect the floor.

 

Once I get back, I'll tackle this "overflow" area and put things back in order. Tag will be visiting with you tomorrow, and I'll show you the results of our hard work on Wednesday. It sure looks different around here! For now, I'm off to get this move finished. See you in a couple days!

 

More Wedding Memories...

The bride, coming across the lawn escorted by her dad and stepdad

As requested, I'm sharing a few more photos from my nephew's wedding last weekend.

Most of them are photos of my family members. You'll notice lots of smiles and laughter.

I wish Dad would have physically been with us. He would have loved to see us all together again.

Rather than write a lot between the photos, I'm just going to caption them. Thanks for looking.

My niece entering with one of the groomsmen.

My youngest sister and her husband

My mum, stepfather and my eldest niece

Teaching my great-nephew how to hang a spoon. Thrilled to finally get it!

Handsome and I changed into jeans for the party

Each of my brother's sons and their wives. One brother's son couldn't attend.

Me with my youngest sister and my youngest brother.

My niece, enjoying a laugh with her son.

Eldest niece, Nephew Dan (Groom), niece-in-law, nephew, nephew and niece-in-law.
Missing other nieces and nephews who didn't attend.

The bride's sister and now future brother-in-law

The surprise of the evening. The bride tossed her bouquet to her only sister. When her sister turned around, her boyfriend dropped to one knee to propose. She said "yes", and a new celebration commenced. Congratulations to the newly engaged. 

Not all these photographs were mine, so I want to thank all the photographers who made this post possible. Spouses of some of my family members and their children were in attendance. I apologize that I couldn't find photographs of them among the myriad pictures I combed through. I want to mention them, too.

We'll all remember this celebration for a long time to come, and wish the newlyweds a long and happy marriage.

A Beautiful Day To Say

…I do!

I promised photographs, and I always try to keep my word.

Here are just a few to whet your appetite. 

I have loads of them, and will be happy to show you more of the splendid day we shared.

Uncle Handsome and I stopped to greet the groom pre-ceremony to try to calm his nerves.

He was so darn cute, and couldn't wait to marry his love.

 

The ceremony began with my nephew, Dan walking his mama - my sister, Di - down to her seat.

Her husband is right behind her on the walk. 

The ceremony was held on the deck of this lovely farm estate.

I missed a photo of their sons before the ceremony, but each of them wore badges that said

"Ring Security"

In addition to their badges, they also wore mock Secret Service-type ear buds. 

They went all-in on the assignment. Elder carried his dad's ring, and Younger carried the bride's.

The ceremony was quite touching, and I have lots of photos before and after this moment…

The moment they sealed their vows with a kiss.

So much going on, but the bride asked me if I could "install" the bustle after the ceremony.

The old workhorse quickly answered the bell. 

With my prepared kit, I set to adding a bustle fastener to her gown.

I placed circles of stabilizer in front of and under the gown where I'd determined it should go.

My thinking was that if someone stepped on her gown, the stabilizer would protect the gown.

One circle - for the outside - had the seam binding machine sewn to it.

My process was to hold one circle under the gown, and then sew the top circle 

and ribbon would be sewn together. I did that step by hand.

The dress train was quite heavy and cumbersome. Another man named Andy, who 

came to my rescue offered to hold onto the gown while I made the installation. 

He's a good friend of Dan's, and he was so chivalrous. 

Once the sewing was complete, I brought the seam binding up to tie behind the antique brooch.

The bustle did its job until someone stepped on the back of her gown. By that, I mean that it 

didn't tear the gown. The ribbon stayed attached to the brooch, breaking away from the 

stabilizer and keeping the gown from being torn. I'm so happy my concept actually worked!

The cupcakes were delicious, by the way.

I have lots more photos of this perfect day. I snapped away during the ceremony, 

and reception. So many smiling faces! If you'd like me to share more photos, 

just leave a comment below. I wish you could have been all around me.

Remember to let me know if you'd like to see more photos.

Sunday Scripture…

 

Love each other with genuine affection, 

And take delight in honoring each other.

- Romans 12:10

Today's The Day...

By mid-afternoon, they'll be happily married. 

Together for over five years, with a beautiful, blended family.

Those of us who love them both think it's about time!

His boys said they'll call her "Mom" after her last name changes.

All the kids will be in their wedding ceremony, as they exchange their vows in 

front of family and friends. The day will end with a party to celebrate the happy couple.

I'll be back with photographs on Monday.

Feather Dancing...

Here's my progress so far. I've been working on the wing, but not as much as I'd hoped. This week is "Wedding Week" for our dear nephew, Dan and his fiance' Alexandria. Our house will be full, as my sister Di, her husband, and her BFF, Brenda will be staying here. My eldest niece/goddaughter and two of her three children will also be staying with us. We can't wait!

Di and her group will arrive later this morning. My niece will be here on Friday. I'll be having so much fun. There's nothing quite as wonderful to me as having loved ones close. The kitchen will be the hub of activity, as Di is making all the food for her son's rehearsal dinner. Of course, Brenda and I will be available to help.

Handsome, Brenda and I will hang out here while Di and her husband head to the rehearsal dinner on Friday. Then, late Friday night, my niece and her kiddos will roll in from Minnesota. She's working, so they won't even start driving until after she finishes for the weekend. So, I'll have lots of fun photos to share, but probably no cardinal updates until after everyone heads back home.

Anyway, I think my wing is working out the way I wanted it to. You can see I still have some felt to cover, but I'm busy trying to make the wing look feathery. My overstitching on top of the grey thread worked out well, too. Just enough showing through, but adding padding with the layers.

I'll probably get back to this on Sunday, but I'll be sharing wedding and family photos - not embroidery - for the next few days. I hope you won't mind. I'd better get busy. I still have things to do before our guests arrive.

We Interrupt My Needle Dancing...

Anyone who knows me knows that I don't do alterations. I'd rather make something start to finish than "fix" someone else's creation, or change the dimensions to fit. It's the kind of work that I truly despise. If anyone asks me if I'll alter something for them the answer is always an emphatic "no!".

My dear nephew, Dan (who I've introduced before) is getting married in September. We all love his future wife. They've been together for years, have twin daughters, plus she's "Mom" to his first two boys (who live with them full-time). In addition to being a great couple - they are perfect for each other - they're great parents to their children.

Dan comes at the drop of a hat when I need help, and he's always been my champion (next to Handsome), so when I got a text from his betrothed, I made a side trip to Fond du Lac today to do what I never do.

She was in a panic because she hasn't been getting return calls from where she purchased her gown to arrange to have it fitted. "Aunt Donna, will you please help?" I made no promises, but said I'd look at the gown, size up the issue, and then decide. She sighed an audible sigh of relief.

When I got to their home, she slipped into her gorgeous gown and we assessed what needed to be done. Tighten up the bust area (she'd lost weight since buying the dress), clean up the hemline, and add what would be needed to be able to bustle the back for the reception.

I know. I'm a soft touch. I love these two kids, and I can do what she needs done so her gown will be perfect for her most memorable day in her life (next to giving birth to their girls). So, the needlework project is on hold. I'll be in the studio helping my future niece step into a perfectly fitted gown on her wedding day. 

By the way, you understand why I'm only sharing glances of the gown. In the event that family or friends read this post, I wouldn't ever ruin the surprise of the groom's and attendees' first look. You'll have to wait until we go to the wedding to see pictures of her in her stunning (perfect-fitting) gown.

But in case anyone is still wondering...I DON'T DO ALTERATIONS. EVER. Nope. Not me. I just won't touch them at all. 

I love you, Alexandria and Dan.