Welcome June...

Well-hidden Robin's Nest

What a lovely way to start the new month. I planted basil plants in one of my raised beds, and some onions in another on Saturday. Yesterday Andy and Shelly shared some of their bell pepper plants with me. Because I'm unable to kneel at this point, I haven't even cleaned up my raised beds from last year. (I know. I'm embarrassed to admit it.) 

So, my plan was to plant a few herbs in one of the beds, and then purchase more gorgeous tomatoes from a local grower for canning. The addition of pepper plants was a nice change of plans, and I'll likely plant a tomato plant or two just for fresh eating over the summer. 

I also learned that one of the "old ways" to preserve tomatoes so they're like fresh-picked all winter is to store them completely covered in clean ash. I may try a small box like that to see if it really works. I'm planning to just save the wood ash from our fire pit for the experiment.

While I was planting, I noticed a robin that stayed fairly close to me the entire time. She'd chirp at me and fly from one perch to another, but never too far away. Once I finished planting the basil and onions, I got on the riding mower to cut the lawn. Usually Handsome and I would do that job together, but he's had serious back issues for the past week and wasn't up to bouncing around on the tractor...so I did it alone. 

As I was mowing, I notice the robin disappear into the honeysuckle bush near the garden. Aha! That's why she was agitated. When I finished mowing, I went over to the bush and confirmed my suspicions. She has a nest in the bush and there are four perfect eggs in it. I was careful not to disturb a single leaf, but took this photograph to share with you. 

After I went back into the farmhouse, I saw that she'd returned to her nest to sit on her eggs. Now that I know, I'll do my best not to disturb her until her babies fledge.

Farmhouse Strawberry Scones

I made homemade scones to go with Sunday breakfast. I saw some gorgeous strawberries at the store on Saturday, and although I hadn't planned to purchase more than the couple things on my list, a box of those lovelies came home with me. 

Rather than just eat them on cereal, I decided to make my favorite scone recipe, adding some of the cut up fruit. They did turn out just as I'd hoped. I had one, Handsome had two, and the rest were gifted.

Family Time with Niece and Great-Nephew

A really nice surprise was that my niece, Stephanie was in Sheboygan with her son for his soccer tournament. She called to see if they could stop to visit on their way home. 

Stephanie is learning to knit with the help of my Florida friend, Ann! Ann now lives in the retirement village where Steph is the Director (of the whole operation!), and I think it's wonderful that she and Ann share this pastime. 

Of course, I went through my yarn and knitting needle inventory, and shared an assortment with her. I also gave her one of my travel totes so she can keep her project supplies together for easy location and transport. She was pretty tickled when she left. I did tell her that I'll come up soon to sit and knit with both Ann and her - and any others who get together for the weekly knit day that Ann organized for the residents.

When Steph and her son left, some of the scones went home with her. She was also kind enough to drop off a couple with my mom and stepdad on her way home. 

I'll be baking again today, and then I have an MRI this afternoon to see exactly what's going on with my knee. I'll know more about the results when I meet with my orthopedist on Wednesday. I'll be glad when the procedure today is behind me. I sure hope they play music while I'm inside the tunnel. 

I'm hoping it's not what the doctor thinks it is either. If it's, in fact, a torn meniscus, that will mean surgery. I'm sure you can understand why I'm not anxious for yet another surgery. I'm pretty sick of doctors and hospitals - even the good ones. I just want this resolved so I can walk normally again. Wish me luck!

Family...

L-r: Me, Niece #2, Nephew #4, my youngest sister, Jan Missing from photo: Niece #1

My sister, Lyn, was discharged from the hospital yesterday. Her husband took her home, and her two daughters were going home, too. Jan and I had planned to be in Milwaukee for brunch at the restaurant where my nephew is a chef, so I let the girls know we'd be there if they could join us. They said they didn't think the timing would work.

We were walking from our car to the restaurant when our nieces pulled into the lot to surprise us. Although our eldest niece, Jen couldn't stay - she had a 6 hour drive home to her kids - she did visit for a bit before leaving. Her sister, AJ joined us for brunch and we caught this group photo before we had to shuttle her to the airport to fly home. She'd planned to take an Uber, but these two aunties wouldn't let her do that. We were her Uber instead!

Nephew was responsible for creating some of the items on the menu, and I was most happy that one of his dishes was the one I'd ordered. It was a delicious dish featuring mushrooms with a cream sauce over toast, topped with a perfectly cooked egg, pickled onion and micro greens.

Our visit is just what our nieces needed after the week they've had, worried sick about their mom, and we had the added bonus of seeing our guy, too. Of course the visit was too short, but we were grateful for the time we had.

Sister isn't out of the woods yet. She has a lot of therapy to do, and without violating her privacy further, we're still very much concerned for her long-term prognosis. We'll continue our prayers, and support her as we're able.

Both nieces texted me later to let me know when they were each safely home, and I'm sure they were glad to sleep in their own beds. Today begins a new week with new challenges and tasks. I'm looking forward to meeting mine head-on. Tag will be here tomorrow with "all the news that's fit to print". I'll see you again on Wednesday.

 

I'm Late, I'm Late...

Brynwood Needleworks - Julian and Alyssa

 

Sorry I'm late with my post today. New server. New issues. No worries, though. I did a little end-around, and here I am.

Yesterday, our nephew, Julian graduated from high school. (Don't you love his sense of style? He says it's his favorite shirt.) I recorded much of the ceremony, and will be editing it over the next week. 

The picnic was a great opportunity for Uncle Handsome to discuss Julian's future plans, which include a career in music education. Of course, we're on board with that program, and will support his decision as we're able. It was also great to visit with his sweet girlfriend, Alyssa, and his brother.

The foccacia was a hit, and there was so much food, a person had to put on blinders. I do believe a good time was had by all, and near the end of the party, we packed up the Nesco™ I'd brought to heat up our contributions, packaged the last of the four foccacia halves I'd brought - as Jules wanted to take that home with him - and loaded up to drive back down the valley from Green Bay to the farmhouse. 

I was (as the British say) knackered. I had a cuppa tea and promptly fell asleep in the chair. Bedtime came early, but I'm refreshed and ready to face a new week. I've got a full dance card, so I'm going to get right to it today. The sun is shining, the temperature will be perfect for drying clean sheets on the line, and the studio calls. 

 

We also have to pick up new kennel panels some time this week (so the dogs will have new digs as we prepare to breed Bella to a handsome Texan with an impressive pedigree), and I have an upcoming show that requires a whole new inventory. Yep. I have a feeling June is going to fly by. You'll want to follow along, so you don't miss a single bit! See you tomorrow.

I Was Clueless...

Fortnight Game Image - Brynwood Needleworks via Web

I'm seriously clueless when it comes to online gaming. I've only played two adventure games since we first got our computers in 1984, and they were "Myst" and its sister game "Riven?". Nothing since.

When I was at the Birthday party for my twin great-nieces, I had a conversation with one of my great-nephews. He was pretty interested in the quilt I made for his brother last summer (HERE). I asked it he wanted a quilt, too, and he said he would.

I asked him about his interests, and he said "Fortnight. Fortnight. Fortnight. Fortnight..." and one other game (which I promptly forgot). ugh.

I went online that night to see if I could locate any Fortnight fabric. That was obviously his first choice, right? I couldn't find any. So, this great aunty thought "Game of Thrones". lol 
 

Brynwood Needleworks - Game of Thrones Fabric

I went to Etsy's site, and immediately found three fabrics that I thought would be perfect. I told his daddy about it right before the fabric arrived in the mail, and he said, "Aunt Donna, Game of Thrones isn't an actual game. It's a series (movie. Whatever) on tv." Then he giggled at me.

Brynwood Needleworks - Minecraft Game Image via Web

I said, "Well, P. told me two different games and I could only remember one." To which he replied, "The other game is Minecraft." Oh, for pity's sake. How lame am I? 

So, I went back to Etsy in search of Minecraft fabric, and although I found some, I wasn't really thrilled with my choices. I've decided instead to print out some of the images of the game that I found online, and I'll print them out onto fabric. I'll use fabrics I already have to make up the rest of his lap quilt.

I'll likely resell the Game of Thrones fabric. I've never seen that show, and have no other use for it. In the meantime, I'll begin making my nephew's quilt today. (His Birthday party is March 9th.) I'm still shaking my head, but I'm glad it will work out in the long run.

Are you wondering why I'm not printing out Fortnight images? Well, it seems there's been a problem with hackers frightening and bullying kids who play the game online. When I talked with my nephew about an article I'd read, he told me he'd shown one of the images to his son and asked whether or not it had popped up on his screen when he was playing Fortnight. His son said, "no", but it scared him off the game altogether. I don't think I'll rub it in by making a Fortnight quilt, but I'll ask his dad one more time before I start printing. As crazy as the boy was about the game, I want to make sure I make a quilt he'll love. Minecraft or Fortnight, but definitely not Game of Thrones. (facepalm)

Celebrating Eight...

My Great Nephew

We celebrated my great nephew's Birthday over the weekend. He turned eight, and his parents hosted a party for him at a local park. It was fun to meet some of his little friends, as well as gathering with his siblings and cousins. Family and friends all attended to make him feel special on his big day. It was quite lovely.

Great Nephew With His New Quilt

 

I love having deadlines. I knew I wanted to make a quilt just for him, and I needed it yesterday.  I chose to do a whole cloth quilt this time, and added straight line quilting to hold it all together. I sat with Handsome on Saturday evening, stitching the binding to finish it, and then I wrapped it Sunday morning, in time to go to the park.

 

I know this boy is into dinosaurs and robots right now (notice he's in costume for his party!), and figured that everyone else could (and did) lean that way with their gifts. Instead, I chose to make a baseball quilt for him. I mean...what kind of kiddo doesn't like baseball?

 

I'm happy to report that he loved his quilt (and his older brother loved it enough to ask if I'd be making more). Of course, I will...especially when someone I love requests one! I'll wait until the next gifting opportunity to make one for him, too.

 

When we went back to his house, his daddy (my nephew, Dan) asked me to sit down at the piano with him. It's been too, too many years since I've played, but we dabbled a little together, and then he treated me to watching him play. He's never had any formal instruction - and cannot read a single note - but his ear helps him create beautiful music, and I was in tears listening to him play. I'm looking forward to listening to his piano playing in the future, and will actually make a point of it. (I also told him I think he needs to learn to read. The sky would be the limit for him, then.)

 

I love being back in Wisconsin where I can attend these family gatherings. Watching the little ones grow up with adults I have loved since birth is one of the greatest joys. It was just such a day yesterday...and I am, yet again, showered with immeasurable blessings. Happy Birthday, Dean!

 

Family Day...

Me, With My nephew, Logan

 

My youngest sister picked me up at the farm late this morning, and we headed to Milwaukee to see her son (my nephew). I love this boy, but with his work schedule and me being in Florida for the last sixteen years, we just never seemed to connect when I was back in Wisconsin. That all changed yesterday.

I got to see his apartment and visit with him for a little while. Our time together was actually cut short because he got called in to work on his day off. He's a sous chef for a relatively new restaurant (which he really loves), so he's needed to prep the food that's then presented to hungry customers. Duty calls, and he answers the bell.

 

That's A Lot Of Pearly Whites!

 

I really kinda stink at taking selfies, but I wanted to commemorate our visit with a photo of the three of us. We agreed we'll have to do this again soon on his real day off so we can have a longer visit.

 

After a too short time together, he headed off to work and my sister and I drove down to the Third Ward for lunch. (Delicious, by the way.) It was a nice way to spend a Tuesday, for sure.

 

Stephi's Garden...

Yesterday, I spent part of the afternoon and evening with my niece, Stephanie.

(I call her "Stephi" or "Stevie".)

I took lots of photos of the lilies bursting with color around the entry to her

home, but I'm only sharing one of these garden pics today. When I refer to

"Stephi's Garden", I have other wonderful, colorful images that spring to mind.

This handsome sprout, my nearly 13-year-old great-nephew, Ethan.

Standing next to him would make me think it's so much longer than

a year since I last saw him. I swear he's at least a foot taller! I can also

say that he's still the sweet, considerate young man I remember. (sigh)

Then, there's Stephi's second son. Her five-week old peanut, Jace. This was

 my first meeting with him and we hit it off like old pals. What a sweet child.

 Daddy wasn't home yesterday, but I'll try to see him while I'm there today.

  His mommy took a picture of me holding him. I'm going to call this our  "Calvin and Hobbs" moment. Aunt Donna's gotta snuggle the boy after all!    I'll be back to see him again this morning. We're having a Christening gown  alteration session. The set I made for his big brother is a little lot too big for  him, but I'll spend however much time it takes to make it right for him. After all, his "big day" is Saturday, and he's the (little) Man of the Hour!

Welcome To The World, Little One...

 Meet Baby Jace.

He was born at 4:25 pm on Wednesday afternoon, and he's less than

twenty four hours old in this picture! He looks at least a week old to me!

 My niece, Stephanie gave birth to my newest great-nephew on May 21st.

(6# 14 oz., 19 1/4" long, in case you're wondering.)

This is a picture with his Mommy, Daddy and Big Brother.

Everyone is happy, healthy and getting to know each other.

 I'm looking forward to meeting the newest member of our

family when we next travel north. What a sweet, little face.

"A baby is God's way of saying the world should go on."

                                                                      - Doris Smith

Welcome to the world, Little One.

Sunny Days...

 One more set of family photos to add to our Wisconsin travel album for this

year! I can't forget to share these sweet faces with you...my great-nephews,

Preston and Dean.

l-r: Dan's lady, Amanda, Preston, Dean and Daniel

 They're my nephew, Daniel's, two boys and they're completely adorable!

And, in typical boy fashion, they are two live wires. Just look at those faces.

We visited for a while in the Flying Cloud, and then Daddy and Amanda

took them up to the bounce pillow in our campground for a spot of jumping.

I have lots of photos of them playing to edit, but suffice it to say there was a lot

of giggling, falling down and popping up in the air whenever Daddy bounced!

 I asked Handsome to take one more photo of all of us together so that

I'd be able to add it to our travel album. I create an iBook every year 

after we return home from our travels. This year, it will hold faces of

people more than places, but I think that's the best part of our trips...

to fondly remember all the beautiful hearts we were able to see each year.

 The next project I'll be working on will also serve to remind

me of all the wonderful things about this past month...

"Sunny Days" from the Sweet Stitches collection. I'm smiling already!

Time Sure Flies...

You may have noticed the picture of the good looking young man on my left sidebar. He's my nephew, Lydell III, son of my brother by the same name (except his name has a II after it!). Lydell is graduating from Centennial Sr. High School in the St. Paul, MN area this weekend.

Now, I want you to know that it seems like just yesterday that I took this photograph of him (second from the left) with his younger brother and two cousins. The whole family was gathered for his brother's birthday when I managed to get them all to pose for me on their slide. Aren't they the cutest collection of little boys ever?

Aunties are known for bringing out the family album at the slightest notice, and considering that I'm now a Grandma, too, the impulse to pluck a golden oldie out of the archives was impossible for me to resist.

So, Lydell, my nephew, you've grown up almost in the blink of my eye and you've become a fine young man. Congratulations on your graduation, and all our prayers and best wishes go with you as you embark on your next great adventure.

l-r: Westyn, Lydell, Cain and Logan (four of my six nephews)