Take time to Smell the Roses

First I want to say Thank you to my anonymous commenters ... Thank you. Your comments are appreciated. I wish I had a way of replying to each of you but since I don't know who you are I can't, dang it. 

            Our quilt retreats are 99% always a blast. Lots of laughs, creativity, beautiful finishes and memories made. Our last retreat in October 2023 was awesome with the 8' tables and spacious craft room and bedrooms. And of course the gals there doing their thing.

            I'm always happy to hear when people enjoy reading my blog and looking at the pictures. 

This blog is my journal of my adventures, creations, hobbies, memories, friends and family. I want to enjoy every minute of life that I can.  Again thank you to all who comment and follow along with my craziness.

Even with the cold snaps we've had the roses have gone nuts. Especially the Belinda's Dream Roses. They're the big pink ones where the blooms are bigger than my hand.  The couple of frosts we've had did burn the edges on most but they are still pretty. Now if we can just keep the damn gophers/moles out of the beds and yard.

These are our Cinco De Mayo roses along the front rail to the front yard.

This is the Belinda's Dream Bloom. They are sooo pretty. My neighbors all comment on these because they line the front of the house and since they are so big they show up really well out to the road and across it.

This is the Belinda's Dream with the Lantana underneath it. I made this picture my phone wallpaper and for now my Facebook page header.  

This little rose is on our Peggy Martin climber.  It was the only one on there when I took the picture but David said there's more but they are small. It had been in the bucket for a while and David finally got to plant it in the ground back in maybe August. Maybe next year the blooms will be bigger. It is planted in front of our propane tank to hide from the road. So next year it will be colorful and not a silver tank. LOL

Bruno and Sadie wanted to come help me take pictures but they had to stay in the back yard and watch.  They wouldn't have stayed in the front yard. They would have headed for the pastures to herd the cows and Jerry.  And maybe test out the water temps in the pond that is finally filling back up since we've had a couple of decent rains. Still need more rain but happy we finally got some.  

Then they had to play chase around the propane tank. These two are the best little buddies.  And very entertaining.

Back to the flowers. This is the Julia Childs Rose. They smell nice.

Here's the Knock Out Roses. David lined the rails with the Knock Out roses. Along the garage wall David planted some orange Esperanza's. They grow big even after he cuts them back in the spring.  With the frost and cold snaps the green leaves start to show fall color.

 

Back on Monday the 8th I went to the Sassy Stitchers Quilt Bee and two of the ladies shared their quilt tops. Loved the little vintage western fabric in Mary's quilt top. and The pretty panel with added borders that Connie made.  Both were hiding their faces. 

Next day David and I drove into Bryan so I could do some bloodwork and he needed to hit Lowes and the bank. While in town we decided to grab the grand pup Bri and bring her to the farm to save the kids a trip up the next day as they headed to Austin to catch a flight to a destination wedding in Mexico. That evening I sent Pamela a picture of me and Bri.

They are ready to start the party. 

They made it safely to Mexico and started enjoying themselves.  LOL 

Their view for the week.  They clean up nicely.

 

They made it back home safely and now to check on the house and make sure it survived. They did prep the house, the pipes and had a friend check on it while gone.

On Thursday 1/11 our Gause Gal Guild aka book club met up at the Dixie Cafe in Hearne to discuss Kerry's book choice to start our year of reading called The Housemaid by Frieda McFadden. Wow what a book! You have some crazy people and things happening in this book. And just when you think it's over there's a twist and a surprise. Great read. Had a great turn out and we got a new member to replace one of the gals who had to quit due to work and life in general. We'll miss Jenifer but we welcomed Sheri to our gang of misfits in reading. 

On Friday the 12th I headed to Green Sausage House in Zabcikville but the address says Temple to meet some of the girls to celebrate Kim's birthday while they are at a 2 day retreat. You craft all day and go home in the evening and come back the next morning.  Tammy had the waitress take our picture at lunch and then back at Ocker Brethren Church.  

There were over 30 ladies at the retreat sewing, crafting or scrapbooking. The church was just down the road from the restaurant.  It was fun and Kim felt loved thanks to Ellen and Jane who made sure she had decorations, cake and punch for anyone who wanted to participate. 

Judy, Connie, Sondra, Kim Birthday Girl, Tammy, Jane and Ellen.

And then the weather began to change. On Monday the 15th it was 18 degrees when David got up to feed the dogs. Bruno wasn't so sure he wanted to go out in that cold weather. They all slipped and skidded on the lower step off the back porch. They took care of their business and was ready to come back in.  Later when I let them out it was still 19 or 20 degrees but the girls were ready to run off some energy but not Bruno.

I'm still doing scrap busting. I've got 5 different projects going.

I think I've gone crazy. But the goal is to come up with some really nice quilts for gifts. In fact I need to finalize one for another great nephew that was born this month.  I've been chain stitching away. That's where you sew two pieces together and not cut the thread and just continue sewing more pieces together. I finally got to a point with one scrap bucket is empty and I started cutting the threads of what I had sewn together and also started pressing everything.

Poor David always as to wait for his birthday dinner and this year was no exception. He's a Christmas baby. We were available pretty much anytime but the kids were going and blowing plus they were in Mexico so on Wednesday the 17th we took David to the Rail and Rye in Navasota to celebrate. David had been craving steak so that was his meal choice, I had shrimp pasta, Kaleb had meat loaf and I think Pamela got salmon. We left happy and our tummies were full.

I am not stressed over the wedding as of now even though the doctors were questioning me when I ended up in the ER at 5am Saturday 1/20. And yes I adore my future son in law. He's a mess but ya gotta love him. Oh and why did I end up in the ER you ask... well October 2020 when I got my pacemaker I have not had any noticeable episodes of AFIB and the doctor said I might be able to stop the blood thinner med called Xarelto. Jinx... At 3am my heart was like a roller coaster. By the time I got my watch back on and could see my heart rate it was up to 169 and back down to 70 and right back up again. The watch app showed it even dropped to 49. The pacemaker was trying to pace my heart and did so for two hours. My machine at home showed I had several small episodes for the last 30 days and this one just happened to be longer. They added a beta blocker to meds and finally cut me loose around 11:30 am.  I did not want to stay in the hospital till Monday and that's what they were talking about doing but I had no more issues once I was checked in so they let me go home.  I'm still doing just fine. I have an appointment with the cardiologist on the Feb 1st to discuss any further actions. Nothing like creating excitement in our lives.

Now I've got a damn cold. Uggh 

On Sunday 1/21 The Gin at Hildago Falls the wedding venue was having an open house with various vendors and it so happened that Pamela's long time friend Rochelle was able to come to town and meet us. She also brought her Mom Angela. It was great seeing them both.  Rochelle is our wedding planner and we're so happy for her help. She runs her own event planning business called The Social Spree in Fresno California.  After talking with vendors, tasting food and cocktails we headed out to the Classic Rock Coffee Shop and Kitchen 
where Kaleb and the boys joined us while we discussed the vendors and other plans for the wedding. Rochelle was in her element. I mean yes this is what she does for a living but she had already thought of things before we asked her. YAY! I believe we're in good hands so I'm really not stressed now. Oh and FYI the Coffee shop is a place to check out. I only got a protein shake but the food looked tasty and Kaleb said it was good the last time he had been there. Can you tell by our picture at the Gin it was windy and chilly.. LOL

Tuesday 1/23 Kelli and I went to Lissa's Restyle Sip & Shop in Caldwell for instruction on the art of Charcuterie and a glass of wine or two if you were so inclined. After it was all over we got to eat the creation that Lissa created for us. It was fun and tasty.  

And we learned how to make our own rose bud. Most of us ate while she continued to talk and create the table of eatables.

Just a fun evening with my buddy Kelli the other Kennedy in town. LOL.

So that's it for excitement and adventures in our lives this time.

Until next post...Each new day is a blessing. Let go of all worries and be grateful for all the positive in your life.

Happy New Year. Goodbye 2023 Hello 2024

Someone posted this Happy New Year picture on the quilt bee messenger and I thought it was sew appropriate. 

On December 27 David and I were driving into Bryan for some things and listening to the radio. I Sirius in the car and sometimes some of the songs catch us off guard. I mean there's no filter obviously.  We both looked at each other like what did they just say and then I looked at the screen on the radio and yep we heard right.  Alrighty then.

Maybe they should have been playing this song when we were almost home and about to turn left on our country road.  Thank God David was paying attention because just as he was about to turn left this big solid black tour bus came around the car laying on his horn with oncoming traffic closing in. He ran the cars off the road passing us and almost ran us over.  This has happened more than once when we need to turn left.  Most people will pass on the right (the shoulder) but not this idiot and the other idiots who've tried to take David or I out. I guess they have somewhere important to be and everyone else don't matter.

I took a picture the other night to show my progress in my weight loss. It's kind of stalled these past few months and with the holidays I haven't ate the healthiest. Still can't and won't eat large quantities like I used to but I've added some sweets in there.  I'll be going back to the gym on Wednesday. I still want to lose at least 60 pounds.  

It has been a tad more fun when I go shopping for clothes and buying the smaller sizes. Plus my knee is in working order and I feel much better.  Here I am from 2020. I knew I was heavy but I didn't realize how heavy. I think it's called denial.  And the knee was messed up at the time too. I don't think this was even at my heaviest. 

December 28... Kaleb was home with the boys all week so they got to try out their new bikes and play at the park with Dad.  Pamela was working so she didn't get to have fun and play.

This is sight I never thought I'd see. Brianna is more of a hyper dog but she allowed Killian to actually lay against her and I was told he even went to sleep laying against her. Sweet. 

When we went to Bryan the other day and survived, we went to Home Depot. While there was I was looking for an end table with an attached lamp. David was looking in the paint aisle but I saw this lamp table and put it and a second one in our basket.  We had seen it a few months back but didn't get because we were thinking it was too short. I decided let's try it and it works!  The picture on the right is from the box so you could see the detail.

 
When I'd sit in the chair to do sewing hand work or read a book we'd have to turn on the bright ceiling light on and this is much nicer. Plus the table we have next to David's chair is now, is not very sturdy and the dogs have gone between it and the couch and the table would crash down. So he got a new end table with a lamp too. He got mine put together first and will get his put together soon.

I have several projects I need to work on and finish. I even hung up some blocks that I started but haven't made any more. I added another block up there today. I started making blocks of houses. And I need to get the orange embroidered piece framed and hung that my friend Bekki made me. And there are several quilt projects in totes waiting to be completed.  

Anyway I was looking at the bags and totes of scraps I have saved and thought I need to use them somehow or toss.

This is just a couple of them.

My friend Donna Lynn told me I should make a crumb quilt. I've tried before but would stop after two blocks because I wasn't sure I liked the scrappy look but I went for it this time. I picked up each scrap and started sewing them together every which way. 

They have a crazy quilt look. I'd sew a couple pieces together and pick up next couple pieces and chain stitched away. Once I got a big enough piece I'd cut 5" blocks out of what I stitched together. While trying to sew Sadie came in and squeezed in between me and the table.  

She barely fit but she was my sewing buddy for about 20 minutes then she moved on.  I have made 63  - 5" blocks.  Once I get enough blocks for a throw size quilt I'll have to decide what color sashing and border to use.  Funny thing is the scraps pile doesn't look any smaller.

(12/31) Pamela, Kaleb and the boys went a friends house in Hockley to bring in the new year. They all had a great time. The boys got to swim in the heated pool and play with some new friends. Well they have meet them a couple of times. And they got play with fireworks.

The girls are twins two.

David and I stayed home and we actually made to midnight. Happy New Year. Wishing everyone health and happiness in 2024.  Goodbye 2023...

We babysat our grand pup Bri while the kids were in Hockley.  She, Bruno and Sadie played all day. Sadie and Bri semi cooperated in taking a picture for the new year. LOL

I guess I better get back to busting my stash of scraps. 

Until my next post..“The New Year is a painting not yet painted; a path not yet stepped on; a wing not yet taken off!”

.•*´¨ ) ¸.•*¨) -:|:-
(¸.•´(¸ ;.•Carla.♥