Happy New Year...Starting Over

It has been nine months since I last made my presence known here and I have resolved to change that this year. As I try to think back over the past year, I struggle to recall all that occurred over the past year. And because of this, I must make myself document the coming year...so prepare yourselves for months of tantalizing self reflection about working from home and watching the dog sleep with a snippet of creations that I'm working on (quilting, knitting, and with any luck some ceramics if I get the kiln up and going). 

With that promise made, here are a few things that I recall from the past year...

First, some of the quilts that I did complete:  

These are all small art quilts that I have been challenged to do. 

Second, I had a wonderful trip to Alaska with my mom, sister, and niece.  

And just because I can't leave without at least one shot of my love...

This is an example of what I see ever night as I eat my dinner...

Farewell Tour - Enchanted Rock

This past weekend was great! There was lots of family time and there is nothing better, especially when much of that time is spent laughing. 

The weekend started out with Thanksgiving at my sister's in-law's. We all brought contributions to the meal and then ate and ate and ate with some football watching thrown in as a bonus. For those of us that aren't big football watchers, a game called 'Head's Up' was played. This was a lot of fun as it is a game where you have to guess a word of phrase while being given clues by your teammate (although we didn't play with teams but just had everybody shouting out clues). 

On Friday, mom, my sister, brother-in-law, niece, nephew, and I all piled into the car and drove down to Fredericksburg, TX. We got down there mid-afternoon and dropped our stuff at the hotel, which was a block off the Main Street, then walked up to the main drag and walked around, did some minor shopping, and lots of people watching. We grabbed dinner at a really great restaurant called Rathskeller. After dinner, we stopped for some fudge and then walked down to the square and watched the Christmas tree lighting then headed back to the hotel. It wasn't even 8:00 yet, but Fredericksburg is one of those small towns that pretty much shuts down when the sun goes down. We all gathered in my and mom's room and played a couple of rousing rounds of Head's Up and once again finished the night with lots of laughs. 

On Saturday, we got around early so that we could get to Enchanted Rock State Park early before the crowds showed up (and they did show up). Mom made the decision to take the path around the rock and left some of dad there. Marti, Graham, Kathleen, Colin, and I headed up the rock. Graham and the kids headed off like mountain goats while Marti and I took our time and enjoyed the scenery (and breathing). When we all reached the top we found a nice area without other people around and took a moment to send Dad on his way. 

I know he will enjoy this view. 

We then did some more mountain goating around: 

And saw some beautiful scenery:

When we finally got off the rock, we headed north towards home, but made a detour to Dublin, TX where they used to bottle cane suger Dr. Pepper. Sadly, they no longer make it there, but we were able to experiment with some other cane sugar sodas...and I think all sodas need to go back to using cane sugar rather than corn syrup, but that is just me. 

After that we headed home and relaxed. It was a great weekend and I'm so thankful for the memories we made. 

Family Reunion/Saying Farewll

Last week I took a trip up to Illinois and Missouri with my Mom and Marti, my sister to see family that we haven't seen in a very long time (in my case it has probably been a decade). We first went to my Mom's childhood home town and met up with my Uncle Jack, his wife Sandi, and their cousin Francis Ann.

Sandi, Marti, and Mom at the restaurant 

The six of us went to a wonderful restaurant on the Illinois river for dinner and then drove around in the country in the rain trying to find our way back home.

The next morning Mom, Marti, and I got up and wandered around the town while Mom pointed out all of the places where she had fond (and not so fond) memories from childhood and her high school years. Marti and I reminisced about our visits to Grandma and Grandpa when we were younger. It is funny seeing all of these places for the first time in over a decade and I am amazed at how much smaller they all are now....of course everything is bigger through the eyes of a child.

Pike County Courthouse

Water Tower

Mill in Town 

Later than afternoon, the three of us drove up to my cousin, Debbie's house and we got to see and visit with all of our cousins on my Mom's side of the family for the first time in many, many moons. Again, all these little kids have grown up into adults with kids of their own and it is amazing to watch the progress of the generations. Debbie lives on 8 acres out in the country and they have beaten back nature to create a beautiful home with a park like setting.

Pagoda and pond at Debbie's

Most of my cousins and their kids and grandkids

 After visiting with all the family for the evening and again the next morning, the three of us loaded the car back up and drove over to my Grandma's (my Dad's home town) where we met up with my brother-in-law and niece and nephew....along with all of my Dad's kin. We first all went out to dinner at a local restaurant and sat around and visited. Then, the majority of us drove out to my grandparents' farm where my Dad was born (yes, he was born at home) and where he grew up. My Grandma really wanted to come with us, but she is 94 and has lost the majority of her sight and we were able to convince her (or rather my Mom and Aunt) to go on back to her place and rest as there was a lot happening the following day. While out at the farm, we all loaded up into the trucks and drove then walked to the top of what is referred to as Walnut Hill as it is covered in Walnut trees.

Sunset over the Farm

Most of the younger generation rode in the backend

Enjoying nature

Aren't these a bunch of great looking kids?!?

Sun setting through the walnut grove

It was one of my Dad's favorite spots on the farm and has an amazing view out across the countryside. There, my Mom said a few words and then scattered some of Dad's ashes:

Mom spreading the ashes

This was the first stop on the Dick D. Farewell Tour and we have many more places to spread Dad around.

I recently was reminded of the following poem by Mary Elizabeth Frye:

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

I think this poem is very fitting as we spread Dad around and 'throw' him to the winds.

The following day we had a large family lunch with some of my Dad's cousins and then headed to a small country church where we had a Memorial Service for Dad so that my Grandma and cousins who couldn't make it to Texas for Dad's internment would have a chance to say goodbye. Again, it is so amazing to see all the kids growing up and I know it was a joy to Grandma to be able to have all of us together again (yes, I was reprimanded for staying away so long).

Podium at the Memorial

Grandma with all her grandkids and all but one great grandkid

Afterwards, there were snacks and lots of visiting with Dad's old high school friends (he had a graduating class of something like 6 people). The day was topped off with heading to the Burger Bar, which is a mainstay burger joint in this very small Missouri town and got burgers and shakes or soft server ice cream and just remembered better times. 

Picture Challenge - January 26

I had the chance to go to the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo with my folks today. It has become a family tradition to go to the rodeo with the whole family for as long as I can remember. We typically wander through the exhibit hall and then some of the barns before heading to the actual rodeo. Last year, Sara joined me as my folks were not able to make it and she used one of their tickets. This year, my sister and her family weren't able to make it due to Kathleen being in school down in Austin and Colin being at a swim meet. One thing that struck me this year was that there was a female bull rider, she didn't make it the full 8 seconds, but she did have sparkly pink chaps on and only got stepped on by the bull...twice. I really missed making it to this annual event with the family when I was out in California. Hopefully next year we'll be able to have more of the family around for the show. 

Picture Challenge - January 16

I came across this picture on Organic Green Roots Facebook page. I just love this image (and other optical illusion-type pictures) but this one in particular makes me think about all the people that are a part of MY family tree and who went into making me the person that I am. 

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 25

Today, I want to profess my gratitude for Wishlists!!

I have created one for myself on Amazon.com. Actually, I have a number of lists out there that help me sort out mostly books or music that I want to purchase at some point. I also set one up for people who are looking for things to give to me.

I've been making wishlists since I was a small child and it is so much easier now....just a click of a button.

However, I will never forget the year that I provided a multi-paged wishlist based on the Sear's Wishbook where to each of my grandparents. I wrote down the page, item number, color, and all other important information that they might need to provide appropriate Christmas presents. Mom tried to tell me that I wan't going to get EVERYTHING on the list, as if.... I replied to her that I was only providing them lots of OPTIONS!!

I still like to offer lots of options on my Wishlists!!

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 22

Today I am spending time with my family and extended family via my brother-in-law. I am grateful that I have them and that we all live near enough to be able to spend this time together.

I wish each and everyone of you out there a Happy Thanksgiving and hope that you are able to spend this time in the company of people that you love.

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 17

Today, I am grateful for old photographs. I spent some time today going through some old pictures that I have scanned from the boxes and boxes of ones at my parents' house. Looking at them made me laugh and remember the simple times of when I was a kid. I had a great life growing up....

Looking at these pictures makes me think of the song "Photograph" by Nickleback:


Oh, and just as a warning, my family may come and pinch my head off my body when I post some of these photographs....

August Blog Challenge Day 15

Today's challenge is to post a picture of you and your family. Well, I sort of did this yesterday when I posted an ancient picture from my grandparents 50th Wedding Anniversary. However, I decided today that I would recycle one from last year when the family took a trip to Fort Davis and Big Bend country:

I could not have asked for a better family!!

For Kathleen

Finally, the quilt for Kathleen's graduation is complete. I just picked it up from the quilter and now need to schedule some time to hand it off to our graduate so that she can take it with her to college.

Here is a shot of almost the whole quilt. It is a queen size quilt and it is difficult to take a picture of it without it being held up and I step away from it.

A close up of the Dresden plate square:

Close up of my favorite block in the quilt:

The quilter included in the quilt "To Kathleen, Love Andrea".

Hopefully, this will be well loved and well used and will need to be replaced upon graduation from college. 

Graduation...

Today is my beautiful, wonderful niece's graduation from high school. She had her first graduation from Kindergarten, but I couldn't find the picture of her in her cap and gown for that one, but this is her picture before the ceremony:

Here is her Senior picture:

Kathleen is the most amazing young woman with an old soul. She has always been so much more together than I ever was and I'm proud and happy, and yes a little sad, that she is moving on in her journey to becoming the woman she is meant to be. Kathleen has survived a lot in her young life and I am awed at how she has always managed everything with grace.

I hope nothing but wonderful things for this adorable lady. Know that I will always love you.

Aggie Humor

I had to laugh when I read the article and saw the picture:

Since my niece will be attending in the fall, I can only hope that what they are going to teach the youth of today how to proof read.

Olfactory Memories

First, thanks Laura for taking me down this path with your post "My Grandpa Rand".

As I read Laura's post, I started thinking about my own memories and what odors will cause them to bubble up:

Coconut Oil/Coco Butter always makes me think of my Grandma V., my mom's mom. She always had lots of coco butter lotion that she would use all summer long. She played golf so she would use sunscreen that smelled of coconuts. I don't like coconut as a food, but adore the smell. (Those red and white starlight candies and hard butterscotch candies also always make me think of Grandma.)

I always associate the smell of Whiskey with my Grandpa V. Again, I'm not a big fan of drinking whiskey but whenever I smell it I think of Grandpa.

Weirdly, the combined smell of manure, musty barn, and a general farm makes me think of my Grandad D., my dad's dad. Also, the smell of Juicy Fruit gum makes me think of Grandad. And, while not an odor, anytime I see, taste, or smell maple glazed donuts makes me think visiting my grandparents and coming out for breakfast (after Grandad had already been up and done a full day's work before the sum came up) and seeing a box of donuts with maple glazed longjohns on the table and the farm report on the radio.

Fresh cut wood and varnish always makes me think of my Dad.

I've been trying to think of a smell that makes me think of Grandma D. and/or my Mom but can't think of any....

Birthday Update

So, my birthday was this past weekend. We won't go into my age as I don't feel that old, at least not today. I opted to celebrate in style...I did this by taking Friday, Monday, and Tuesday off work. Here is how I spent my time:

Friday:

• I slept in, well as late as Devil Dog would allow.
• After I got up and had some icecream for breakfast, I shooed DD out into the yard and went up to my studio and finished work on a growth chart quilt for my friend Angie's boychild. (I have pictures of this but have not gotten them off of the camera, so that will be posted at a later date.)
• I then got myself around and packed up to go visit Angie and her family.
• On my drive over to Angie's, I stopped at a liquor store to purchase a gift for her husband. Sadly, the town in which I live is dry, so I needed to figure out where to stop on my way. Thank goodness I can count on Sara for her quick research as she was able to direct me to which exit to take. However, the liquor store that I stopped in looked as if they were going out of business as their shelves were bare. I found this to be odd since it was Friday afternoon and I would think they would be fully stocked in preparation for the weekend (they did say the truck was on its way, but not in time for when I was there). I grabbed a bottle of Captain Morgan and went on my way.
• I had to return to my house as I forgot to pack my skydiving DVD, which was one of the primary things that I was supposed to bring with me.
• I eventually made it to Angie's house where we spent the afternoon/evening hanging out and visiting.

Saturday:

• We all got up and headed out to Scarborough Faire. Angie and Seamus, her husband, have season passes and do the full dress. Since they are full dress people, I too opted for the full dress for this visit. Here is a picture of me in costume. Okay, so not a full picture of me, but you get the idea:

 

• Great fun is always had when I'm out at a fair with these folks. Primarily we do lots of walking and people watching and just generally nothing, but it was great because we were out doors and enjoyed the fresh air.
• Once we were finished at the fair, we stopped at her folks' house for dinner and then headed back to their home where I spent the night.

Sunday:

• On this morning, we got up and hung out. Angie and I had some more really great conversation and visiting time.
• Around noonish I headed out to my sister's to meet up with the family to celebrate my birthday.
• While at my sister's we watched my skydiving video (good thing I went back for it) and looked at my niece's prom pictures (can't believe she is a Senior and graduating).
• Because I'm such a high maintenance person I required much work on my family's part for the meal.... Marti had to call Mama's Pizza and place the order and Chief had to drive there to pick it up.
• We also had cake and since it was my birthday unwrapping presents.
• Mid to late afternoon I headed down to my parents' house to spend the night down there. We sat out on their back patio for a while just enjoying the breeze and watching hummingbirds and butterflies. It is always so relaxing and enjoyable to just sit outside when over at Mom and Dad's. We also scanned through my London and Rome travel books and talked about things to do on my trip.

Monday:

• We, Mom, Dad, and I, slowly got ourselves around. We had a leisurely breakfast, after they sang "Happy Birthday" to me, and completed our crossword puzzles (oh yeah, I did the New York Times one almost completely on my own).
• We then headed down to Grandbury, TX to wander around the square for a bit and have a bite of lunch.
• I then headed back to my own home.
• Sara came over to celebrate my actual birthday dinner with me. She brought Double Dave's and bubbly for dinner. We topped it off with cupcakes that my dog walker made and left for me in the fridge.
• Sara and I also expanded our minds by watching two weeks worth of Biggest Loser.

Tuesday:

• To top off my 5 days of visiting, I decided to pamper myself.
• I started my day with cake for breakfast, I mean if I have it I might as well partake of it, right?
• I then went for an hour and a half massage.
• After the massage, I did a little shopping for things that I didn't really need, but I had a coupon and a gift certificate so heck why not go for it.
• I then went and got a new cut and color. I went for a really short style this time as I want to have very easy hair while on my trip. I don't have a picture, but will post one as soon as I do.
• I finished the vacation off with some mind numbing television watching and playing with DD.

All in all, I had a really great birthday weekend.

Soooo Cute!!

I'm looking through some old pictures on some CDs and came across this one.... I think it is probably the first flight for our "little" Colin.

I sooo love these kids!!

More Family Trip Picks

Check out my Mom's blog Creative Crone from Studio Q and see more pictures from our trip!!

Besides, you all should check out her blog anyway....she posts a lot of her art stuff out there, which I find to be amazing!!

Big Bend Family Vacation - Recap Day 4

The final day of our trip to West Texas was spent once again lazing around the pool in the morning and then heading off to visit Fort Davis Outpost in the afternoon. Fort Davis was a West Texas fort built and maintained at the edge of Indian Territory in the late 1800s. It is slowly being rebuilt and restored for the purpose of showing the world the history of the west.

Colin and I hiked up to the scenic overlook to look down on the fort....

After the tour of the fort, we went back to the ranch did some packing and relaxing. On our final night at the ranch, we cooked hotdogs and s'mores over the fire by the pool and played cards and had the most wonderful time just being with family and not being distracted by the outside world. (In this picture we have Mom and Graham sitting by fire-pit with Dad standing by it. In the shade by the lodge, we have Marti, Kathleen, and Colin left to right reading.)

The next morning we woke up early and loaded up the car and headed home. This was one of those wonderful relaxing vacations where I just got to spend time with the people that I loved. Oh, and I came to the realization that I'm definitely a desert/mountain girl. I could so see myself living out in that part of the world unfortunately, if I lived out there I would become such a hermit that I might forget how to actually speak to people.

Big Bend Family Vacation - Recap Day 3

The third day of our trip started off really quiet with all of us sleeping in a bit (even though I did accidentally forget that I had a meeting reminder on my phone that kept going off and woke my mom and dad up earlier than expected). We didn't have much scheduled for our morning, but we did have a busy afternoon and evening.

We had plans for a horseback ride in the early afternoon and then were off to the McDonald Observatory for a Star Party in the evening/late night. Sadly, I have very few pictures for this day.

The horse ride was fun, dusty, but fun. My Dad, Graham, the kids, and myself were the only ones that went while my Mom and Sister stayed in town and wandered around. Unfortunately, the horse ride didn't start off very great when the trail boss yelled at Kathleen and I while we were still getting mounted.... I understood why he had to yell as the horses were starting to bunch up and there was concern that things could get dangerous but it wasn't very enjoyable for either of us. This horse ride was very different than the rides I had taken while in California.... but I think a lot of that could have been due to the fact that we weren't going to be stopping half-way through the ride and have a bite to eat with some wine.... ah well....

After the horse ride, we went into town and got some ice-cream then out to the ranch for getting cleaned up and then off to the Observatory.

The Observatory was definitely one of the hi-lights of my trip. We got a tour of the night sky and then we were allowed to look through telescopes and look deep into the depths of the universe. The most exciting thing was to be able to see Saturn and its rings. We also got an up close look at the moon and the Orion Nebula. The temperature did dip down as the evening wore on, but we had all dressed warmly and it was completely worth it. I loved every minute of this night. If you EVER have the chance to see the stars from one of the darkest places on the planet, I say TAKE IT!!