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!