I couldn't stop myself

I know that Ethnie's big Blessing day is past 

but I still had to add a final detail to her ensemble.

I just did not  think about making a matching diaper cover  until it was too late and I was out of time.

So now I'm hoping she will get a few more wearings out of her little outfit before it is retired to treasure mode.   It's just too cute to just wear once...besides that is why I made it out of totally washable fabric.

Pedaling around.

 It is such beautiful weather we decided to take a bike ride around the neighborhood after dinner.

 I always like to check on my owl friends. 

 

We've been aquainted for several years now.  They live near a vacant lot in a nice little man-made dwelling
...kind of a Frank Lloyd Wright style cottage.

That's why it's nice to have a basket on your bike...to carry your camera...or a sandwich.

Our house was buzzing with activity last night

 Beehives stitching together quilt tops...or at least attempting to.

I know I've been released from Young Womens but they needed some help with this project and I seemed like a likely canidate... a lot of sewing machines [I supplied four...three others were toted in] and a fair amount of sewing know-how.

'

Quilt tops were laid out everywhere.

 Some caught on to sewing rather quickly.

;

Some had to do a little [ or a lot of ]  picking out.

 Others needed a little assistance.

11 Girls, 6 leaders with a few Moms here and there.

By  8:23...I was exhausted.

Maybe I really am too old for Young Womens.

Taking time...

to smell the roses (and the rest of the flowers)

After a very busy week (make that a very busy 8 1/2  years) I woke up this morning with nothing pressing.  No sewing projects due,  no meetings pending, no church calling.
Don't get me wrong...I have dozens of personal projects I want to do.  But no pressing deadlines to answer to.

I didn't even go to the gym this morning.
Instead I lingered in bed basking in this rare feeling.
I've spent the morning  puttering in my garden.
Loving Spring.
I can't get enough of it...because I know it won't last long.
The blossoms or this free feeling : )

 

Loving it.

Easter Weekend

I feel like Easter really didn't happen at our house...at least not the typical Easter. No dyeing eggs.   No Easter Egg hunts, jelly beans, not even one marshmallow peep.  Too busy!    Maybe it was a better Easter.  Karl and I were ask to speak in church Easter Sunday...so we spent a lot of time studying the Saviors Life and the meaning of the Atonement in our lives...
But we managed to squeeze in a few other activities when we weren't working on our talks.

Friday evening...

Dinner at B.J.'s with Jake, Steph and Steph's family.  

Very nice.

Saturday....

Cooking, shopping and working in our yard  to get ready for Sunday Big Event. 

 

 Sunday: Ethnie's Blessing

They chose to bless her in our ward...that was convenient since we had to speak in Church

Then the family gather for Lunch at our house.

 

  

(Loved the tiny shoes...stitched by Steph)

 

 It was kind of a mini Hayden reunion

 (Steph's family and her mother's sister and family). 

We really enjoyed it.

The weather was perfect so we just sat outside visiting.

l
Hope your Easter was a "Hoppy" one. 

Ethnie's first important dress

After about 5 hour of cutting /sewing plus 3+ hours of experimenting and re-doing plus a dozen hours  mental designing, re-designing and pondering....it is done.

Steph had shown me this picture and this picture from Pinterest.  She helped pick out the fabric. Then she abandoned me to my own resources. No more help. She said it was up to me.  Now the pressure was on.  The problem was I wasn't really keen on the picture... but I did want it to be what she liked.

Started with this pattern...35 cents from a yard sale 20 years ago.

 

;

Ethnie's Blessing Dress.

Hope she likes it.   

General Conference

 ...was a little fattening.
Steph's family joined us and we did what we do well.

  Eat!

Cinnamon Rolls, fruit, breakfast casserole and juice.

Cookies while the Tabernacle Choir sang.

 

 Grilled hamburgers topped with  bacon, caramelized onions, sauteed mushrooms, avocados, tomatoes, pickles and lettuce.  With a side of homemade salsa and chips. Washed down with mint lemonade.

Finished off with a slice of strawberry glazed cheese cake.

We may have cause this week for a little repentance

...and a lot of exercise.