Rapid City ...

Our drive west to Rapid City was "white knuckle" time for Lars, as there was a lot of wind and semi traffic. It was a slow go keeping speed at 65-70. We passed up the opportunity to cruise through Wall and Wall Drug ... we never intended to stop - to many tourists ... still! (even though it was listed in his Roadside book, but had visited previously) While the east end of the state was cool when we left, by the time we hit Rapid City it had warmed up to the high 80's-low 90's. We were both a tad over dressed in our jeans and long sleeves!

Gary and Judi gave us a tour of their property in the hills. While it felt as though we had walked the entire perimeter I don't think we did one-third of it! Did spook several white tail deer as we plodded along. Joplin (Pati's dog) went in hot pursuit ... don't know what she was going to do if she caught one. They have a cozy little setting ... camper pad, fire ring and necessary firewood for a pleasant camp out.

There is also a very large clearing up top suitable for a large Morton style building "one day".

Gary celebrated his birthday the next day which required lunch out at "Sugar Shack" near Deadwood. The restaurant is reminiscent of your typical "out of the way" highway diner with a small inside dining room and an outside covered deck with picnic tables. The atmosphere is friendly and the hamburgers are huge and oh so delicious...

the "world's largest rocking chair" (AND not listed in roadside book!) is also located near the Sugar Shack ...

 The birthday celebration continued through the evening meal at Sanford's with the Schmidt/Gonzalez family ...

... where Ms. Avalen "worked" the camera!

What a cutie.

 



February ... Road Trip

Spent a week in Ogallala when #1 daughter and spouse were in Florida "for work". Dog sitting, Jake-watching and s-e-w-i-n-g! While Jake and grandpa did their own little week-end "road trip" for Jake's travelling basketball team I was able to begin and finish a quilt top project!

Jake has a "man cave" and needed a themed quilt to add to the decor. I got this far with layout before adding two outer borders. First border is another grey, with a wider black as second/outer border. Jake selected an orange for backing. Now that I am in my own sewing environment I can do the layering and quilting myself. Of course that will happen after Tyler's t-shirt quilt is at long-arm-quilters!

Harley riders ...

While her dad rides ... I think it was bound to be in her blood with a great-grandpa that also rode!

Doctor Dan

Dan defended his dissertation on November 5th

and celebrated his

Hooding and Graduation on Friday, December 14th

Congrats Doctor Daniel Gene Carpenter

Happy Birthday Larry!

65 years ...

(my best friend)

"Sister" Jean

When somebody you love becomes a memory,
the memory becomes a treasure.

Jean A (Nootz) Lutz

August 22, 1934

August 29, 2012

Hello Betty!!!!

"Hello Betty"

I finished the Simply Squared quilt last week. I used one jelly-roll of "Hello Betty" by Moda for this project. I love the vintage fabrics.

"Hello Betty" is displayed in our foyer on the storage bench Larry gave me a few years ago.

Lovin' it!!!

Mother

November 24, 1926 - July 23, 1995

Beautiful Avalen!

Avalen in her "shades"!

My beautiful Rapid City great-niece ...

What a babe ~

Family "Challenge Quilt"

On Thanksgiving 2007 the idea of a family challenge quilt was born. We were each to make thirteen 12 1/2" quilt blocks using three "required" fabric prints. Finished quilt blocks were to be distributed the following Thanksgiving. We would each have the 12 blocks needed to make our quilt top.

The block I chose was the "Peace & Plenty".


I think the goal was to have the quilt top done by the third Thanksgiving ... I think I missed the deadline ...


Rich at Cosmic Cow did the quilting (waiting list of four months). I got it back after the first of the year and this past week I did the binding. It finished as a twin size quilt, so won't fit any of our beds. But it will look nice displayed in our living room --

I love how it finished up!!!

GrossMama Wagner and the kids ...

Don't know the exact year of this photo. Daddy (on chair arm) was born in 1923, so he may have been about three? I love this photo of him and the sibs. What a good looking family!

Tea Party anyone?

The Rapid City "great niece" Avalen celebrated her second birthday this month. I think she enjoyed the tea set we sent her. Happy Birthday Avalen!

Uncle Gene ...

"Wreaths Across America" provided Christmas wreath placement on several soldier's graves on Pearl Harbor Day. Uncle Gene was fortunate to be one of the recipients.

Avalen and Pati

My two beautiful Rapid City nieces!!!

A toast to mother ...

Today mother would have been 85 years old. In her memory we made a toast with her favorite wine "Boone's Farm Strawberry Hill". Not the finest wine but it sure brought back some funny memories!

Love you and miss you ...

Waste Not ~~

I was fortunate enough to have parents that used their resources wisely. I remember nothing going to waste, especially the "hash" dish mother would prepare made up of all the week's leftovers ~~ not our favorite dish, but it was nutritious!

As I was cutting fabrics for the "Snapshots" quilt there were some usable strips remaining. I knew I could do something with them ... but what? I loved the look of the finished quilt, the bold colors and fabric textures. Ah-ha!


So, the "throw" pillow was born! A place to rest your head, prop up a good book, or to use for a good pillow-fight ... whatever, your call.

~ Oh Danny Boy ~

The chair ~

Several weeks ago when meandering through the sale aisles at the fabric store I came across an upholstery remnant that immediately reminded me of my youth. I had flashbacks of something similar only from the red/burgandy family. Without even thinking of the why's and what's I purchased it.

While cleaning up my sewing area I came across it (after moving it from shelf to cutting table to bookcase and back again) and decided this week something was going to happen with it. I knew just the project too.

Years ago mother divided up her parents worldly possessions. My family inherited Sky and Grandma's desk and chair. It was very much a 40's era purchase with the label on chair stating "Gold's". Those of you who remember the days of "downtown Lincoln" will recognize the name and know the block.

Both pieces have seen better days ... a scratch here, a chip there, and a finish that could use some re-finishing. Because I believe that some pieces need to remain as original as possible I opted to ignore "scratch n' dents" and focused on chair cushion cover. The chair had been recovered many times over the years to keep up with the current fashion trend. While my choice of fabric may not have been what originally adorned the cushion, the fabric I purchased reminded me of my maternal grandparents.

I hope I have done them and their "Gold's" purchase justice.

"Gama" & Sky's desk and chair

feeling ... a ... little ... melancholy

There are 5 things in life you cannot recover:

A stone ... after it's thrown,
A word ... after it is said,
An occasion ... after it's missed,
The time ...after it's gone, and
A person ... after they die.

Life is short. Break the rules. Forgive quickly. Kiss slowly. Love truly. Laugh uncontrollably; And never regret anything that made you smile, Enjoy Life!!

Chenille Blanket

Purchased flannel fabric on return trip from Ogallala in March (2011) with intention of starting a chenille baby blanket for grandson Cooper. As they say "best made plans" ...

But now it's finished and being used!!!