The Staff of Life...

Are you tired of seeing bread photographs yet? It's the one thing I've been most motivated to do as I heal. I guess it really is the staff of life.

 

These were a test run for a gift I gave my uncle over the Christmas holiday. I gifted him four loaves of bread a month for the year. The last loaf I gave him was a bit large for his taste, so I wanted to try some smaller sizes. I added a few rolls to the batch (which ended up part of our dinner of homemade cheeseburgers last night). 

 

So, the only issue I had was that I had to put my loaves on two sheets on two separate shelves in the oven. Because I don't like to open the oven door while the bread is baking, the bottom loaves got too brown, and one of the top loaves did, too. They're fine for eating, but not up to par for gifting.

 

I'm going to the restaurant supply store in town today to look for one pan small enough to fit in my oven, but large enough to hold four round loaves like these. Once I accomplish that, I'll be making the loaves for his January installment. I'll ask Handsome to be my driver, so after coffee, we'll be on our way.

Celebrating Another Birthday...

Brynwood Needleworks - Aunty and Uncle

 

Our family celebrates three special Birthdays in August. You already know that our granddaughters share their Birthdays this month. (We'll have one more visit and Grandparents Celebrate Granddaughters Birthday Party this evening.) 

 

Yesterday, Handsome and I took my Aunty Margaret and Uncle Dick out for dinner to celebrate my aunt's special day.

I wouldn't dare tell you her age, but she's seems ageless to me and is as beautiful as ever. Handsome and I so enjoy the time we can have with her and my uncle. We met them at a favorite restaurant close to their home, and spent more time talking than eating. Afterward, we went back to the house for tea and biscuits before heading back to the campground.

Our Wisconsin visiting time is getting shorter, but we wouldn't leave town without another visit with them - along with a and a promise to see them again very soon. They are both true blessings in my life, and we look forward to next time.

Happy Birthday, Aunty Margaret.

xoxo

Now, That Was Fun...

We went to Sarasota yesterday and toured Mote Marine. Uncle Dick really 

wanted to see the manatees and other marine life on exhibit. We didn't miss a bit.

After we had seen every exhibit, I asked what his favorite thing was. He said,

"The manatees.". They seemed to like him quite a bit, too. They were like puppies.

So many colorful (and, in the case of this lionfish, dangerous) things to see.

This spiny lobster was huge!

But when I reviewed all the pictures I took yesterday, I realized that one of my

favorites was this one of a tank loaded with jellyfish. Is it just me, or do they 

look like buttons to you, too? Yes. I thought so. Big, clear, beautiful buttons.

Commissioned Corgi Koozies...

This was my commission project...three Corgi Koozies. Did you know that I was unable to find more canvas, padded blanks? Yup. If anyone knows where I can get them, please let me know.

For this project, I purchased the neoprene, created my own template for the base, attached the velcro, made my own coordinating binding, and stitched out the designs. My client requested a black-headed, tri-color Pembroke...

a handsome Red and White Pembroke...

and this head of a black-headed, tri-colored Pem...all on a royal purple fabric. I chose the binding fabric to enhance the koozie., and finished them yesterday. I sent photographs of the final products for her approval. They were a hit! She loved them, so they'll go in the mail to her today.

Today is the last day that Aunty Marg and Uncle Dick will be here with us. We're going to Sarasota to Mote Marine Aquarium, and we'll do a little more touring together before coming back home to attend Handsome's first concert of the season. We were just saying that we can't believe how the time has flown by.   One more day before they head back to cooler Wisconsin weather. So many new memories we'll hold dear until the next time we see each other.

Family and The Fiber Divas...

Yesterday, Aunty Margaret, Uncle Dick and I headed over to Englewood Beach.

It was a perfect day for it, too, considering 88º, a lot of sunshine and a breeze.

As we walked from the parking lot out to the beach, I could hear my aunt

and uncle's reactions to their first view of the Gulf of Mexico. I smiled.

They've been married over fifty years, but they still hold hands. They're such an

inspiration to their children and the rest of our family. We all had a great time.

In the evening, Aunty Margaret joined the Fiber Divas at Paneras. I offered my

work-in-progress, organic cotton shawl for her to work on. Now I have some

of her handwork in it. She sat down and fit right in with our group and is now

an Honorary Fiber Diva!

She was kind enough to trade places with me to take a photo of me with the   group. (Note to self: When you're the tallest person in the group - by at least a head - don't sit front and center in the picture! lol) Thanks, Aunty!
I'll finish up a commission this morning in the studio, and then we'll head  out for a little "retail therapy". I'll share commission pictures tomorrow.

They've Arrived...

Photo taken May 2012 in Wisconsin. New photos to follow!

 I told you we'd have family visiting very soon. Well, yesterday my Aunty  Margaret and Uncle Dick pulled in the drive for a week-long visit with us!  

They'll attend Handsome's first concert of the year this week, and Aunty 

Marg is going to Panera's with me tomorrow night to meet some of my 

girlfriends. I just know they'll love her - and her lovely British accent!

I have some projects that I'll be working on while they're here...you know I

will...and of course, there shall be pictures. We'll have plenty to do together,

but my fingers will be itchy if I don't work in the studio once in a while.

For now, we're enjoying this now-perfect Florida weather - and each other.

It's always great to have family come to visit. We'll savor every second.

 

Family Weekend...

l-r: Uncle Dick, Rob, Lina, me, Aunty Margaret

  What a wonderful weekend we had. I ran errands on Saturday and then joined Uncle Dick, Aunty Margaret and friends from Canada, Rob and Lina for dinner  at the Backyard Grill in Fond du Lac. Afterward, we all went back to Aunty and  Uncle's home for tea and biscuits. It was a perfect night to catch up again.
I met Rob about forty years ago. It was so great to see him again, and to meet his  lovely wife. When I first met him, I was a senior in high school! Although we both have grey hair now, he still has the great smile and sense of humor I remember.    When it was time for me to leave, he said, "Based on our track record, I may never  see you again!" We laughed, but agreed that it won't be another forty years before we  get a chance to visit. We exchanged email addresses, and I said that if they return to  Wisconsin in any July in the future, we're bound to cross paths. (Fair warning! lol)   Handsome went over to Elkhart Lake for the Vintage Car Races with #1 Son and his family. Of course, my dear retired photographer husband has no pictures to commemorate the day, so I can't share any with you from his day at the track.

 Sunday evening, we joined #2 Son and his family for cookies and ice cream after dinner. Grandma played cards with our daughter-in-law and grand- daughters while Grandpa visited with their Daddy in the other room. We always  have fun with them, and they were more than happy to pose for Grandma. (This is the picture where they weren't making rabbit ears and too silly faces.)
Today, we're getting ready for Handsome to leave me in Wisconsin this week as he heads to Lincoln, Nebraska for the summer Windjammers Convention. He's going to spend the week making music and catching up with our musical friends, while I get to visit with more friends and family here. Tag and I will see my BFF, Lee tomorrow and Mom on Wednesday. That's just for starters!
Tag will be back tomorrow to tell you what he's been up to. I can divulge that he's been an awfully busy Corgi since we got here. His next post will be fun!

Web Image

 Have a great week, friends. 

Heaven Has A New Angel...

  John Young

April 5, 1940 - December 18, 2013

Uncle Johnny circa 1940s

I have written more than once about my dear Uncle Johnny in England.
I am the eldest of his nieces (and nephews) and he always made me feel special.

He visited Wisconsin more than a few times, and was last in the U.S. two

years ago for Aunty Margaret and Uncle Dick's fiftieth wedding anniversary.

Brothers, Richard and John  circa 1990s

I learned that he was seriously ill about 18 months ago, and had spoken with

him via Skype (a true blessing), and letters in the past year. I enjoyed seeing his

 and Aunt Annette's faces as we had our chats, and regret that I hadn't phoned 

them more often. Who among us ever knows just how much time we have with

our loved ones? I'm glad that I was able to have the time with him that I did.

Uncle Johnny, Aunt Annette, Aunty Margaret and Uncle Dick 1990s

 Thankfully, Aunty Margaret and Uncle Dick spoke frequently with them, 

and I was able to have nearly daily updates. I knew he'd been hospitalized 

and had returned home. We prayed for healing for him every single day.

Sadly, that was not to be. My aunt called me on December 19th to let me

 know that Uncle John had passed overnight. I told her that I already knew.

I'd awakened overnight because I'd felt his passing.

Uncle Johnny 1990s at our home in Wisconsin

Uncle John's funeral was yesterday. His brother (my Uncle Dick) and

 Aunty Margaret flew to England during the awful weekend storms to be

 there to pay tribute to our loved one. I do know that his earthly remains

 were transported, like royalty, via horse-drawn carriage to the funeral chapel.

He leaves behind his beloved wife, Annette;
his mother's (my Nanny's) sister, Aunty Margaret (Sr.);
his brother. Richard and sister-in-law. Margaret;
his children (Dawn and Denis), their spouses and children;
his stepchildren, who he loved and considered his own;
nieces and nephews in America and England;
and more family members in England. 

I mean no  disrespect by not naming them all. I just don't know the full extent of
his family. I do know that he will be missed by all those who knew and loved him. 

web image

We will love you always, dear Uncle John.

Heaven has a new angel and Earth is poorer for it.

PS. Tag will be back next week with more antics and adventures.

Oh, What A Night...

 ...and what a great day, too! 

My class reunion day began with Cyd. We ate lunch at a favorite restaurant

in my home town. Afterward, she and I hopped in the car and went to my

Aunty Margaret and Uncle Dick's home near the lake. Because of our long

shared history, she loves my aunt and uncle as much as I do, so we stopped

by for a few cups of English tea, biscuits and conversation. We also got to
tour their beautiful floral gardens while we were there. Both of them enjoy
gardening. (I love to "look".) It was a truly lovely afternoon spent with them.

Yesterday was Aunty's Birthday and our visit was only part of her gift.

We're not finished surprising her, either.

Happy Birthday, Aunty Margaret!

 After we finished our tea and thanked them both for their hospitality,

we drove back into town to our old neighborhood where Cyd had

reserved accommodations at a Bed & Breakfast in a carriage house.

It was behind a home we passed every day as kids. It was perfect!

We got ready to go to the reunion, and we were able to walk to the venue

from the B & B. (We even used some of the shortcuts we used as kids!)

l-r: Sue, Karen, Cyd, Deb, Jean and moi!

 Old girlfriends couldn't wait to catch up...after a picture, of course!

l-r: Colleen, Patti, John, Cyd, Mrs. Eric, Erik, Jeff and me

So many friends, so little time!

From our class of nearly 700, there were about 140 people who came out

to reminisce and celebrate. I didn't want to miss saying hello to a single 

one of them. I took lots of photos to share on our class Facebook page, 

and I have many more to add to my own personal photo album at home.

I still had plenty of time to enjoy hearing about how friends are doing now. 

There are wives, husbands, children and grandchildren for some of us.

Some are retired, some enjoying interesting travels and exciting careers. All

of us are blessed with good health and we were all so happy to see each other.

l-r: Sherryl, Mutzie, Del and me

 I even spent part of the evening catching up with my step-sister, Sherryl, old

roomie, Mutz and a great friend, Del. These are friendships that have lasted

 a lifetime. We had so much fun talking about old apartments, old crushes

 (sometimes thanking God for unanswered prayers!), and all things new.

A friend asked me Saturday night what I have learned in the past forty years.

I thought about it a moment, remembering that every single classmate I saw

greeted me with a smile and a hug. (We hugged a lot last weekend!) and I

replied, "After forty years, everyone is equal...everyone is a friend."

All the silly cliques have disappeared. We were genuinely happy to see

each other. We realize now that we were all young, all struggling to find

our places in life. We were developing our personalities into the people 

we are today. We were becoming our wonderful, unique adult selves.

Now, we can value each other for our differences, as much as 

for all those qualities that make us the same. Although it seems to have

taken forever, in grand retrospect, it was actually just the blink of an eye.

We've all grown up.

Happy 40th, Class of 1973.

I'll never forget the great celebration we shared this year.

You're all truly the best of the best.

Why, Yes I Am...

 ...at least I am "Her Royal Highness" in our house!

I found a new seller on Etsy that I just love.

The name of the shop is madametreacle and Janie Jones is the shopkeeper.

She lives in London and I adore her twill tapes. I just had to order some of them!

Geraniums and bumblebees

 They come on beautiful cards in 1 meter increments.

My mind is a-buzz with ideas for these tapes.

Roses and more roses.

 "Roses are red, my love..." (Feel free to hum along with Bobby Vinton and me.)

Badgers and holly sprigs.

 Of course, this British/Wisconsin girl would have to have English twill tapes

featuring badgers! "If you wanna be a badger, then come along with me."

(I know. More music...University of WI fight song. I can't help myself!)

My entire order.

These are all the tapes I ordered from Janie. (I actually got two cards of

the badger tape. I especially liked that one!) I have no idea how I'll use

that design, but I know I'll come up with something fun! Any ideas to share?

Yesterday I received a gorgeous floral arrangement from my Aunty Margaret 

and Uncle Dick. We shared in a celebration yesterday and they sent these

flowers to thank me for my help. It was a wonderful surprise, with a beautiful

card that meant so much to me. You know how much I love to share joyful or

creative things with you, so I had to show you this happy and fragrant gift.

Thank you, Aunty Marg and Uncle Dick! I love the flowers!

 (I know my aunt reads my blog.)

I'm off to the quilt shop for morning coffee, but I'll be coming home to work

on play with another project. I managed to finish so many tasks and projects

last week that I can't wait to see what the coming week holds. 

I can't believe it's February already! Perhaps a Valentine project should be next?

Memory Lane Monday - My Uncle Dick...

Today is my birthday, but I'm going to save my birthday post for later this week. Instead, I'd like you to meet another dear family member.

My Uncle Dick, like my Uncle Johnny (who I've introduced you to before here), was also born in England. As a child, I always thought Uncle Johnny looked like Paul Anka, and Uncle Dick reminded me of Andy Williams. Look at those dreamy eyes! I think this picture was taken when he was in the service in England. (I'm guessing he must have been around eighteen.)

In July, 1962, he married my Aunty Margaret and in March of 1971, they brought their two children - a boy and a girl - to the United States. In those years, if you wanted to immigrate to America, you needed to have the promise of work and a place to live.

My uncle made an agreement with a local painting contractor to work for him, and my parents cleared out what had been the playroom in our home to make a place for them to live until they could get on their feet.

Their living quarters were at the back of our house, so they did have a small measure of privacy, but all four of them lived in that room. I can't remember their son's age, but I believe that he was around seven, and their daughter was around 5.

Looking back, I admire their commitment to start a new life in a strange country - sharing a house with my parents and their five children - in modest quarters at that. I know that they always appreciated that early start, but it had to have been difficult for two grown couples and their (seven) kids to live in the same house!

My uncle worked hard and my aunt (who also found work) saved and scrimped until they had put aside enough money to make a downpayment on a home about ten miles from my parents house. They still live in that same house, where they raised their children into loving adults and celebrated each subsequent year of their marriage.

When I think about how determined they were to make a life for themselves and their family, I'm filled with admiration and respect for them. Not everyone would have survived the stress and strain, but they certainly did - and they grew a beautiful family in the process.

This year, Uncle Dick and Aunty Margaret celebrated their Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary together. Friends and family gathered to celebrate their marriage - a true partnership. Handsome and I weren't able to attend, but we celebrate them, too. It's quite an accomplishment in this day and age to celebrate fifty years of hard work, compromise, family, commitment and love.

I especially like this photograph (all of the above pictures were shared with me by my aunt). It's their entire family...l-r: Grandson, Aunty Margaret, Son-in-Law, Son, Granddaughter, Uncle Dick and Daughter. My aunt is now retired, but my uncle goes out to work every day, still painting, in his seventies!

When Handsome and I were in Wisconsin in May of this year for my niece's college graduation, we attended her ceremony and picnic with my uncle and aunt. I took this picture of them as we sat across the table from each other. I really like it!

We had a wonderful time catching up and hearing about each others kids (not really kids anymore!) and grandchildren. We saw them again in October, and I know it won't be long until we see them again. Great times spent with family members. Does it get any better than that?

Thank you for sharing another Memory Lane Monday with me. There's only one more left (December 31st). If you have a story you'd like to share on your blog, just come back here and link below.