Time is Flying

Wow...where did the last week and a half go?  Life has been a bit busy here as I try to slip in a few bits of fun sewing in the quieter times.

We had three little ones for part of the week while Daddy and Mommy went to Northern CA for Daddy's big Sommalier test.  He passed...yeah.

So Grandma and Grandpa took three little ones to the L.A. Zoo.  What a fun day!  They had the sweet little chimp.  She had a little pink "Blankie" that she would wrap around herself and suck her thumb...soooo cute.

I love how the displays are low for the little ones to enjoy.

This little one did not think the linens belonged IN the drawers.  I guess they look better on the floor.

There was one day to clean and do laundry before our #4 son and his family arrive for the weekend.  Then next Monday and Tuesday we have #2 son's children while Mommy is in her nursing classes and Daddy is off to Washington DC and New York as a chaperon for the 8th grade class.  Unfortunately, the White House is closed as well as the Statue of Liberty.  Guess it's the wrong year for THAT trip.

I did manage to get two more Easter outfits made for the girls.

Two of our sons opened their newest restaurant this week so we had the opportunity to attend the VIP opening.  I love the decor and colors.  These pictures were taken as they were doing the final paint touch ups.

My mug rug arrived from Sunny this week as well.  I love the springtime look to it.  Nothing says spring like bright and cheery blossoms.  It has been such a fun swap with great swap partners.  I really hate to see the year come to an end.

My other big adventure was my first visit to Ikea.  OMGoodness......what a fun shopping adventure.  All I came out with was a small pillow, but I can't wait to go back.

Thanks for all of your votes on the Easter table runner.  I ended up donating the floral one and it sold in the silent auction for $245.  I was happy to see that.

I wish all of you who celebrate Easter a very blessed day.

This and That

It has been a wonderfully busy week, but I do sometimes feel as though I am chasing my tail.  I am definitely enjoying these longer hours of daylight.  I always dread when we turn the clocks ahead and know that we have darkness so early.  Spring is in the air and I LOVE it.   My male orioles have returned and the females should soon be following.  I get a chuckle out of the males returning ahead of the females to settle in and start the nests.  I wonder if the females ever get back and question what he was thinking.

Over the weekend we had the christening of our newest grandson.  It is always a delight and a great reason to celebrate. 

Monday we had three sons in Las Vegas for a big food and beverage convention so DH and I drove over, met them for dinner, donated a few dollars and drove home the next morning.  I was disappointed that the desert flowers were not in bloom yet as we both love to see the showy colors.  Guess it was a bit early for them. 



I love this lobby.  Don't you think the floor would make a great quilt?


Yesterday I had the pleasure of joining several of the grandchildren and my daughter at the zoo.  It is always such fun to see little eyes in wonderment.   They have just opened up a new reptile and invertebrate display and it is wonderful.  You feel as though you are swimming with the turtles. 



Such beauty!





This little guy is 6 months old and had captured the hearts of all.  Gotta love the wind blown hair!



We celebrated several birthdays in the family this week as well. 



Mr. J is eight.




Seems like only yesterday our first son was born.

 

I would so love to be able to wear a hat so beautifully.

 The week also included some sewing.  I worked on my blocks for the It Takes 2 project.  I think I took out more stitches than I put in on my Feathered Star.  If there was a wrong way to sew a seam - I found it.  Since much of the block is done in quarters, I sewed the wrong seams not only once, but four times!!!!  I am GLAD it is finished and I do love the way it turned out, but do not think I will be making a full sized quilt of that block any time soon. 

My March mug rug arrived from my partner, Shari Butler.  I like the fact that it is not specifically for St. Patrick's Day and I can leave it out past that day.  I tried to do a similar thing with my own partner's mug rug.  I just love the fabrics and the design of the one Shari sent me.  Shari is a fabric and textile designer and has a wonderful blog with her fabrics shown.

Also arriving in the mail this week was this wonderful selection of threads from Connecting Threads.  I won these in a giveaway hosted by Stephanie at Loft Creations.  The colors are so rich and beautiful and will really come in handy with my sewing. 

If you haven't yet signed up for the Blog Hop Giveaway, be sure to check out my previous post.  It runs until March 23rd.