Our Beautiful Beth

Our first born granddaughter -- Bethany Ann Marie -- third grandchild.


I can't believe this beautiful young lady will soon be a Senior in high school. The thought just boggles my mind ... where did that time go?


Fortunately she has perfected her "make up" skills!!!

Refrigerator

Jake noticed while visiting last week-end that there was no picture of him on our refrigerator door. When we upgraded our refrigerator last fall we removed alot of unnecessary magnets which were holding pieces of paper with unknown data ... of "whatever". As I stood there looking at door with Jake I felt so guilty. So, at first opportunity I ran out to nearest Wal-Mart and purchased photo magnets to properly display our grand kids. Now as I look at door I notice that I have photos of two nieces with their families and only three of the seven grand kids ... talk about guilt!!! The pressures of being an adult are unending~

Spring has arrived ...

Front deck is ready for visitors ... and last springs plantings are blooming!

Oh, yeah ... let's not forget this little guy!!!

2011 NIFS Shop Hop

This past week many postings were in regard to Nebraska's annual shop hop, now the map of route(s) covered. I've highlighted towns in turquoise -- route driven out in orange. I did not highlight return route -- to confusing...to much orange!

Day 1 - March 31 - Beatrice/Pawnee City/Auburn
Day 2 - April 1 - Lincoln/Plattsmouth/LaVista/Omaha/Fremont
Day 3 - April 2 - Fremont/West Point/Wakefield/Wayne/Norfolk/Newman Grove/Fullerton/Columbus/York
Day 4 - April 4 - Hebron/Holdrege/Arapahoe/Cambridge/McCook/North Platte/Cozad
Day 5 - April 5 - Hastings/Kearney/Grand Island/Aurora
Day 6 - April 6- O'Neill/Ainsworth/Valentine/Hemingford
Day 7 - April 7 - Gering/Ogallala

This seven day event resulted in five quilt kits, 50+ fat quarters, two overnights (Fremont and Gering) and I/we logged 2,417 miles.

This year's theme was "Charming Nebraska". At each shop I received a unique free project sheet made with "charm" squares and a unique silver "charm" to be used as embellishment on a quilted project, bracelet, necklace or pin. I now have 39 charms -- which I intend to use on a quilt project --

Spring!!!

One of our beautiful Forsythia bushes at bottom of lane. Last year they didn't have many blossoms ... this year we struck "gold"!!!

Quilt Shop Hop - Day 7

Was up at 6 this morning ... way to early for fabric shopping. We managed to use the time showering, having the continental breakfast and a morning mocha. After check-out we scoped out the Scottsbluff/Gering area. Our two fabric shop stops today didn't result in any purchases ... didn't see anything special to add to "inventory" ... I have all the fabric I need for the project. We did take a longer route to Ogallala from Gering -- driving past Chimney Rock.


The shop hop was alot of fun. Gave me the opportunity to visit some really cool shops and see areas of Nebraska I have never been to. 39 shops in seven days -- I was in road trip overdrive!!!

Quilt Shop Hop - Day 6

Up at 6:30 out of the door by 7:15 ... boy where there is a will there is a way! Hit the road with a mocha in hand -- made it as far as Seward McDonald's before a diet coke was needed. By and far it was a pretty uneventful trip -- road, weather, traffic -- very smooth going. I loved the time zone change...gave an extra hour of shopping! Scored some cool fabrics at four of the remaining shops on this year's 'hop'. Have been very focused on getting the appropriate fabrics for Noah's quilt, have 50+ at last count. It will be a one-of-a-kind quilt!!! North Central Nebraska has alot of magnificent views. The "Cowboy Trail" (bike/hike path) parallels highway between Norfolk and Valentine -- would really be fun to bike that route.

Cool stops today were "Quilters Candy Shoppe" in O'Neill, "In Stitches" in Ainsworth, "The Quilting Cupboard" in Valentine, and "Pat's Creative" outside Hemingford (Debi and I tried to find this one last fall -- found out today GPS info is incorrect -- duh).

Two more shops tomorrow and I will be turning my punch card in at the 39th stop ... will be nice to have this "under my belt" ... I'm anxious to get back into my sewing room!

Quilt Shop Hop - Day 5

So I got up early this morning and was out the door by 7:30 a.m. (7:21 actually) and headed west. Arrived at first shop just after 9 a.m. -- I was not the first one there!!! Surprisingly enough there are other people out there just like myself. My "fellow" shopper was someone from York. She and her husband were camping as they shopped, thus saving on motel room, food, etc. -- he was back at campsite -- sleeping in, hmpf. I intended visiting five shops in four communities. Was able to do so AND arrive home by 2:45 p.m., logging 278 miles!

There are now 46 fat quarters for Noah's quilt -- I figure that to be about 11.5 yards. His mother and I will need to lay out fabrics to see if any need to be set aside for another project. I hit fabric stores in the communities of Calico Cottage in Hastings, Quilters Cottage in Kearney, Nana's Quilt Shop and Material Girl in Grand Island, and Picket Fence in Aurora. Was very surprised to find that Picket Fence had moved from west side of town square to north side. The shop is nice and offers some good fabrics though not as much floor space as previous site so consequently not as much fabric!!!

Tomorrow Larry and I will head out to finish visiting the remaining shops which are in the north central and panhandle areas -- it's about 900 miles round trip -- so another overnight!! If all goes well I will have visited all of the participating NIFS in this years shop hop.

Quilt Shop Hop - Day 4

Got back on the road today with the intent of visiting 11 communities. Unfortunately got a late start (8:15 a.m.) with first stop 1.5 hours away, opening at 9:00 a.m. I obviously am a poor planner? I did, however, get to visit seven fabric shops in seven communities, even taking the time to stroll through each shop admiring all of the fabrics, patterns and finished quilts. It's amazing that no shop duplicates another -- each one is unique matching the personality of the owner.


So 12 hours and 554 miles later these are the fat quarters I scored for Noah's quilt. Fabric shops getting my money today were: Sew Bee It in Hebron, Quilters Delight in Holdrege, Wagner's Quilts in Arapahoe, Cottage Inspirations in Cambridge, Sew Little Time in McCook, The Quilt Rack in North Platte, and Prairie Point Junction in Cozad (where I was reminded that closing time was 5 p.m.!)

Five shops remain in south central Nebraska -- so, tomorrow I will get up earlier, leave at "x" hour, arriving at first stop of day at 9:00 a.m.!!!

A lazy sunny Sunday ...

Just "chillin" and catchin' a little sun ...

Quilt Shop Hop - Day 3

Today was spent visiting fabric shops in northeastern Nebraska. Another beautiful sunny spring day -- I love these types of road trips.

Found more fabric for Noah's quilt and even purchased a pattern. Stopped at ten shops in nine Nebraska communities. I Love Sewing in Fremont, Creative Notions in West Point, The Quilt Shop in Wakefield, Just Sew in Wayne, Pieceful Pastime in Norfolk, Betz's Little Shop in Newman Grove, Calico Annie's Quilt Shop in Fullerton, Sew-What and Claus 'en Paus Quilt Shop in Columbus, and Quilt Basket in York.

21 down - 18 to go (give or take -- I've lost count)

Quilt Shop Hop - Day 2

Awoke today with sunny skies -- which always puts you in a better frame of mind -- a real mood lifter!!! Had time today to get oil changed and make two fabric shop stops in Lincoln -- imagine that!!!

By the end of the day there were a total of seven stops in five communities. Cosmic Cow and Quilted Kitty in Lincoln, Seams To Be in Plattsmouth, Log Cabin Quilt Shop in LaVista, The Quilt Studio and Sunshine Stitches in Omaha, and Country Traditions in Fremont. We would have visited the second shop in Fremont -- but it will still be there tomorrow. After dinner at "Whiskey Creek" we returned to motel room to catch some zzzzz's.

Slowly building up a pleasing combination of fabrics for Noah's quilt. Larry is providing excellent input.

Eleven shops down, 28 to go!!! Better get some "shut eye" then ... good night ya'll.

Quilt Shop Hop - Day 1

I've got the travelling bug ... what better way to satisfy than visiting fabric shops!!! The 2011 NIFS annual shop hop started March 31st and will run through April 10th. I would have loved to pack up my overnight bag and head out for a week of fabric touching...but alas being retired does not always give you that much freedom. Besides -- needed to come home to get grounded. I did visit four shops in three southeastern Nebraska communities. Each one was unique and had so much fabric to ponder and "touch". Yes, I made purchases -- and even have a project in mind.

Mr. Noah will be moving into new digs the end of this month. His favorite color is orange -- I'm envisioning a quilt with his favorite characters, hobbies, in blues with a touch of orange. This is a start -- with 30+ shops yet to visit. I'm only purchasing fat quarters which allows for a better variety of fabrics. As Tyler would say "I'm stoked" about this project!!!

I saw this table runner at my first stop -- I don't know if it was the vintage step stool or the pattern itself. Oops I made a kit purchase. Told myself that no more kits until I finished those I already had...but alas...as usual...I didn't listen to myself. This is a gift and there is a timeline I need to adhere to --

Shops I visited on Day 1 were: Quilt Stitches in Beatrice (main street), Heavenly Treasures in Pawnee City (old church - way cool), Fabric Fairie (batik fabrics only) and Needles I in Auburn (both on Hwy. 136 - opposite ends of town).