Just One More...

My two eldest nieces.

Just one more post about the weekend, that is. It really was wonderful to be able to spend the better portion of two days with my nieces (two of whom are also my Goddaughters). There was so much silliness, happiness, and a few tears, too. 

These two ladies are the daughters of the sister I lost in 2023. It's impossible to spend time together with them and not reminisce about happier times with their mom. In doing so, we keep her memory alive, so I wholeheartedly encourage it.

Goddaughter #1 and #2 - Jen and "Jorj"

We went to the roller rink on Saturday and everyone laced up skates with the obvious except of yours truly. I did take a few short videos to share with the kids, but I wasn't going to put my body at risk. Sister, Jan has always been a great skater, so she brought her own roller skates and hit the rink. She looked great, too!

Aunties with two of Jen's three kids.

Naturally, we took lots of photos, but I've only chosen the ones that are representative of the family members who hung out together for a bit. Although the group gathering continued through Sunday, I let the kids all visit while I stayed home. I knew I'd be working yesterday, today and Friday, so I opted to stay put and get some rest. 

We're all looking forward to doing this again very soon. In the meantime, I'm going to focus on creating a dedicated guest room at the farmhouse for the next time they're in the area!

Goddaughters...

These are my two beautiful nieces, who are also both my Goddaughters. Jen on the right is the elder of the two. Jordan is the other. We had the most wonderful time visiting last night! Of course, I was also visiting with my mum and stepdad, one more niece (Jen's sister, Aimee), my sister Jan, and Jen's two kids. 

Jen and Aimee's stepdad (the man who raised them, not my sister's widow), also joined us for dinner. It's always been good to see him, as we've always continued to consider him family. My great-nephew went home with him afterward to spend an overnight with his granddad - away from the hen parties.

The ladies visited with their nana before I got there, and I love this photograph to commemorate this visit. There was a rousing round of Jeopardy played on the television as we all ate dinner together, followed by jocularity and hugs.

I can't wait to see all of them again today. I'll head back to town after lunch as they decide the what's and where's of our next activity. I think roller skating (for them) is on our agenda. I'll be an enthusiastic bystander. Lord knows what I hurt next if I were foolish enough to participate!

I'll be sure to take more photographs from the sidelines, and share with you on Monday. Here's hoping your weekend will be equally rewarding. 

Family Time...

Photograph of Handsome and me with our two eldest nieces from 2023

I'm working today, but I'm looking forward to seeing these two beauties, my other niece/goddaughter, and great niece and nephew this evening.

The tall niece next to Handsome is flying in from Colorado, and the smiling face next to me is my eldest niece/Goddaughter who's also coming from out of state with two of her kids. One more Goddaughter, not in this photograph will be joining the gathering this weekend, too. They'll all be staying with my mum and stepdad. Sister Jan will also be joining the festivities.

Tonight there'll be a pizza party, and tomorrow afternoon, I'll go to watch them all roller skate at a local rink. No worries, though. This ol' bird will not be lacing on any roller skates. I'll be a cheerleader only!

Now to head off to work and put in my seven hours before I get to visit with some really important people. Go cup in one hand, and my handbag in the other. I'm on my way. Happy weekend! 

Girl Time...

We baked cookies, made hot cocoa mix, homemade pizza for dinner, and lots of time reminiscing about family and good times. This was a precious day and overnight with my eldest niece/goddaughter and her daughter. It doesn't happen often, so that makes the time shared even more valuable. 

I'm on my way out this morning, but when I return from work, my sister, Di will be here for another overnight. I'm also tickled about the time I can be with her, as she usually reserves the overnights for her own kids and grands when she's in Wisconsin. We were able to carve out a little sister time, and I'll make the most of it. 

I really have so much gratitude for each and every day Handsome and I have together, and adding cherished family members to the mix is a true bonus. I'll say it again...

Happy Thanksgiving Week To You and Yours,

From Everyone at Liljegren's Hickory Hill Farm 

Bridal Shower...

The weekend got off to a rough start with my sister's daughters coming in from out of state to try to deal with her personal effects to clean out her home. Her husband is having an understandably difficult time, and going through my sister's things was difficult for everyone. My remaining two sisters and I did what we could to help, but there were a lot of tears amidst moments of happy memories and laughter. 

Our nieces went back home yesterday, and will return in a couple months to put together an estate sale, but many boxes went for donation, and some items of sentimental value were given to family members. 

Before the ladies left yesterday, I was able to meet up with them for a light lunch. Hugs were exchanged, and then we parted ways. My eldest niece was driving six hours to get home, while the other was heading to the airport to fly home. I got in my trusty Explorer and drove an hour north to the wedding shower for my great-nephew, Ethan's fiancee's wedding shower. I knew my two remaining sisters would both be there, so we were looking forward to celebrating for a couple hours.

The bride is in white, and she's surrounded by her sister, who is the Maid of Honor (in pink), her two other bridesmaids, and her daughter.

My niece (her future mother-in-law) threw a wonderful party. She's a great party planner, and there was tasty food, and a few fun quiz games to play for prizes. 

When the bride-to-be opened the gift from Handsome and me, she looked at me and smiled. She told me more than once that she loved her new brooch, and would absolutely wear it for their ceremony. I am delighted that she is happy with what I created for their wedding.

Before we all parted ways, I made sure there were photos taken of me with my two sisters, Di and Jan. We did the best we could to help our nieces over the weekend, then attend this celebration, but I know all three of us were tired by the end of yesterday. 

Jan will be working today and tomorrow; Di will spend a little time with her son's family before leaving to drive six hours north to go home. She lives near my eldest niece, so she has nearly the identical drive. I'm going to get some things done with Handsome today, but I'll be able to rest a bit, too. This weekend was a good time to spend with family, but under the circumstances, it was exhausting, so we'll recuperate as we're able. 

We all miss the sister who wasn't there, and it will always be this way for us. We were four and now we're three, but Lyn will always be in our hearts, and we'll do our best for her daughters, grandchildren, and husband.

Sharing The Process...

I thought you might be interested to see my process for making my wee goldwork frogs, so I've put together a short video with each step represented in photos. Click HERE to watch. I hope you enjoy it!

My nieces have been busy making arrangements for their mum, and we now have a date. Her Celebration of Life will be December 2nd...the day before my Birthday. They actually asked if that would be a problem for me, and I told them not to give it another thought. Celebrating their mum on that date would be perfect, and I'm absolutely fine with it.

I would usually be in Portage today for our Craft Day - in fact, I was supposed to lead the project this month, but I didn't feel right going out of town while my nieces are still here. I am going out to lunch with my best friend, Lee, though. A "dose of Lee" is just what I need to cheer me up. We have a lot of catching up to do, so we may be there a while.

I'll have my latest project to share with you on Monday, but don't forget to stop in for your weekly scripture verse tomorrow. I hope you have a great weekend.

 

Full House, Full Heart…

 

I still can’t share more about my houseguests today because I can’t risk spoiling a surprise. However, I know you’ll love this photo of pretty Miss Carly for now. I’ll get lots of photos today, and then I will reveal my secrets tomorrow.

I’m keeping this short for today so I can focus on family. We have some fun things planned, and I’ll be sure to catch an image or two for you. More later, but I’ll close for now. This will be a fun slide into the weekend. Wishing you the same!

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.

 

A Full and Satisfying Day...

My Beautiful Eldest Nieces

 

My day began at 6 am. Up early and off to have breakfast with the beauty on the right side of this photograph. Her sister, on the left, is my eldest niece and goddaughter. She hadn't yet arrived in town, so I had a lovely visit with my second eldest niece, who was visiting from out of state. I haven't seen her in at least ten years.

We sat and visited for over two hours. It was much-needed Aunty/Niece time, and it seemed over much too soon. We parted with damp eyes and warm hearts, promising to chat again soon. (Isn't FaceTime a wonderful thing?)

With goodbyes done, I jumped into my Explorer and drove to my girlfriend, Wendi's salon a half hour south for my scheduled hair appointment. More visiting and a few giggles.

Our Elder Son and Daughter-in-law

When I arrived home, not only was Handsome here to greet me, but our son and his wife stopped to visit before heading to a local bed & breakfast for an overnight wedding anniversary getaway. If they're not careful, they'll catch up to Handsome and me! 

I gave my daughter-in-law her belated extended Birthday gift of the quilt I finished yesterday. She was thrilled with it, and couldn't wait to get it home and installed in the room I had in mind when I chose the colors. It warmed my heart to know that she will put it in a place of prominence in their home - also a handy place to use it on a chilly Wisconsin evening. (I forgot to get a photo of the presentation, so I'll ask her to send a picture in their home once they get back.)

I was glad I'd made a quiche last night, so we had a light lunch before sending them off about their celebration. Shortly after they left, I went upstairs, changed my clothes, and settled in on our new sectional. It wasn't long before I dozed off and slumbered while Handsome watched a football game. It was a day filled with love, tears, laughter, gratitude, and a little rest...the best kind of day to have. 

Sunday, our younger son and his family will join us for a Thanksgiving lasagna dinner, so today I'll get caught up on a few projects, and then rest up again for tomorrow. 

 I'm planning a Cyber Monday sale for my online shop, so I'm going to be working on that, too. I hope you're enjoying your Thanksgiving weekend, and look forward to our next visit.

Their Gifts Are Finished...

Brynwood Needleworks - "Beauty & The Beast" Twin Bags

 

I woke up yesterday thinking I'd better make a decision and go with it. I decided to make two, 5 year old-sized purses for the twins. What better theme than a prince, a princess, and a castle? I had "Beauty & The Beast" fabric in my studio, and in no time, I was sewing away.

If you notice the colored tabs at the top edges of each bag, you can see which colors cork I chose for the backs. Red for one, and a lime green for the other. The tabs are for the d-rings to attach the shoulder straps.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - "The Beast's Castle" Bag

"The Castle" is backed in red cork, and even has a little "Chip" tea cup and saucer charm!  

Brynwood Needleworks - "Beauty & The Beast" Bag

"Beauty & The Beast/Prince" is front and center on the second bag, with a "Mrs. Potts" tea pot charm.

I'll tuck a little $$ gift inside, of course, because I never gift a bag without money in it. All the bags and wallets I sell contain a lucky penny inside, but I'll add a little more for the twin's Birthday gift bags. Add a Birthday card, and wrap them up. Now I'm ready for the party on Sunday!

 

A Busy Week Ahead...

Brynwood Needleworks - Needlepunch Sunflower by Michelle Palmer

Isn't this a lovely piece? It was designed and executed by my lovely, talented friend, Michelle Palmer. I've had it since we lived in Florida, but I haven't been able to decide how I want to finish it. It's round, so should it be a cushion? Should I frame it? Something else? I just can't make up my mind. I'm sharing it with you today, because it's on my To Do List.

 

Next weekend will be a Birthday celebration for my twin nieces. They'll be five years old...already! I made dresses for them last year (See this post. They're still a hit, and worn often), so I'm trying to decide what I should make for them this year. 

Perhaps they'd like their very own handbags, or little lap quilts? Eeek. I guess I'd better make up my mind soon. They need to be finished in time for the party on Sunday. Whatever it is will be well-underway When I see you again on Wednesday. Tag will post tomorrow. (Ideas appreciated!) Toodle loo for now.