Grasshopper Days

Grasshopper Days

For today, Monday, January 26, 2015

Australia Day.

Which means that while the boys are hoping for snow (above),

and what we're getting is mostly this...

... I'm remembering this...

I spent nearly every day of my Australian summer at Scarborough Beach.

Tough life, you know?

Outside my window...  fog and mist.

Hearing...  the dryer, and Gunnar moaning.  No, he's not sick.  He just went to take an online test for CAP.  It's a twenty-question test.  He answered one question and then accidentally clicked "submit" instead of "next" and now his life is no longer worth living.  Drama, much?  (If you fail a test you can't retake it for seven days, because - you know - you should study.)  But I've emailed his commander and we'll probably find a way around it.

*Update*

His commander was able to reset the system so he can take the test.

Hurray!

Pondering...  walk first, or start school first?

Praying...  work for Kerry, work for Wyatt (UPS is pretty slow just now), and for friends in Myanmar and friends in the Solomon Islands.

Thankful...  Tate lost a contact... and found it.  I think it stuck to his finger when he thought he put it in the holder for the night, and then he wiped his fingers on a little cloth.  That's where he found it in the morning - stuck to the little cloth.  Probably dried out, but it's fine.  Whew!

Also, Gunnar passed his PT test - one of four things the cadets have to pass each time in order to promote in Civil Air Patrol.  The PT test had been holding him up.  The others - leadership test, aerospace test, and drill test - he can manage just fine.  Actually, the PT test has several parts.  They have to pass two of three (push ups, sit ups, sit-and-reach) and one of two (shuttle run or mile run).  It was the running that was killing him.  He's dead slow, but this time he made it.  Everything is weighted for your age/gender (how many push ups, etc) and he had to complete his shuttle run in 10.8 and made it in 10.7 - WHEW!

Maybe our daily walks are finally paying off :D

Also thankful for what I'm...

Wearing...  my contacts!  I can wear my contacts again!  Because, while I get that first world problems aren't really problems, but I was tired of being all fogged up on our (frequently rainy) walks.  Hallelujah :D

Creating...  frustration for myself!

I saw this pattern in a magazine and thought of making it as a baby quilt for my friend in North Dakota.  (Only with different borders, because I don't love those borders.)  The pattern was in a Christmas quilting magazine, but I thought the evergreen tree might remind her of home.  Turns out she had a specific idea of what she wanted in a quilt, so that's fine, I made her something else.  But I had already cut the triangles for this with remnants from the quilt I made for Kerry.  So, yah, I can make it for myself!  Right?

Except I cut the triangles wrong and had to go back and trim every single one.

And that was fun.
No, I'm kidding.
That was not fun.
At all.

Then I realized I had cut the side (half) triangles wrong and would have to cut new ones.

And then I realized there is a special technique to sewing the triangles together -

they have to be offset just right.

Well.

I'll tell you what.

This quilt is going to be considerably smaller than the one in the photo when I get done with it!

But it's just going to be for me.

It might be a wall hanging, or I could add borders to make it bigger,

if it hasn't driven me crazy.

(A short drive, I know.)

We'll see.

Going...  for the walk first.

Looking forward to...  hmmm.
I'm going to rehearsal tonight to decide if I want to "do" this choir season.
Share or don't share?
I don't want to be a complainer.
I'm not feeling whiny, but this is my thought-process.

Every Christmas we do Handel's Messiah.
And I love Handel's Messiah,
but I like to learn new things too, so I look forward to the spring season.

I looked in my folder last week and found nine songs.
Six of them we've done before, some of them more than once.

Now, I get that we can improve.
One in particular is a very difficult piece.
But I'm bored.

We're also doing a couple of (what used to be called "negro") Spirituals,
and I usually like those, but these are so "sanitized" they're more opera than authentic spiritual.
I'm kind of leaning toward sitting out this season.

I'll see how it goes tonight.
I don't want to sit there and be a grump,
and the music has already been chosen.

In the kitchen...  hurray for leftovers.  Made a big batch of venison meatballs over the weekend, knowing tonight would be busy :D

In the learning rooms...  I'm letting Gunnar have a late start today so he can take the aerospace test :D  Tate is having a four day week (no school Friday) as it's the end of the semester.  And Wyatt has one of his long days today - he's in class until 4:15.

Around the house...  The sun has finally burned off the fog and all is bright and sparkly - so much cheerier than clouds and fog.  I crave the brightness.

The Mother Load...  I think I need to put that quilt on hold and do something about my desk... quite a pile of notes to sort out and decide what I need to act on.  Ugh.

Noticing that...  my eyes blink differently and it's harder to get my contacts back out.  Weird!  But I'll figure it out.

Something fun to share...  I just went for a walk and I could see the whole thing!  (Not fogged up glasses.)  More motivation to conquer the new blink-the-contacts-out maneuver.

A favorite quote for today...  Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon.   - Doug Larson

I would add "tasted" to "smelled" ;D

One of my favorite things...  solving a problem!

A Bible verse...  James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom,
you should ask God,
who gives generously to all without finding fault,
and it will be given to you.

A few plans for the rest of the week...  homeschool, music lessons, choir, CAP, a craft day Saturday, and game-night/potluck at the chapel.
That sounds good :D

A peek into my world...  back in 2008...

... aren't they cute?

Starry Granny Squares for a Baby

Finished!

And, fortunately, finished long before the baby is expected

because this one will have to be shipped to our friends in SE Asia.  

My friend and mom-to-be liked this one I made a couple years ago,

for a friend at church, but with a more focused color palette.  

Fine, but I wanted to tweak it a little, so she'd get something uniquely hers.  I had seen the granny square / sawtooth star combination done by Heather Mulder Peterson, here as a runner (you'll have to scroll down to see hers) and decided to try it.

Our friends don't know if they're having a boy or girl, but she assured me that she loves blue for girls (me too!) so I pulled some blues and turquoise along with limey greens.

Of course, the blues are my favorite :D

Each square finished at about fifteen inches, making the quilt about 45" x 45".

I tend to think of baby quilts being rectangular, to fit a crib, but this one just lent itself to being square :D

For the quilting, I was thinking of waves and a watery look.

Very non-fussy and free-form.

I went a little wild on the back and used some fabric I bought years and years ago.

I don't think the colors really show "true" in the photos (rats).

The blue is a very deep, watery turquoise and the green...

 ... granny-smith-apple green with blue and turquoise and green bubbles.

Yah, it's kind of... vibrant.  But they'll have to do all their washing by hand, and will probably use the quilt under the baby more often than over it (tropical climate!) so I wanted something that wouldn't show dirt easily.

And while this baby may not be sporting much more that a diaper most of the time, I thought a little bib might still come in handy.  Oh gosh.  The photo looks like an inferno.  It IS bright, but not terrifying.  And it won't show stains easily!

Every parents can use a couple of burp cloths

made from a cute super-absorbent towel and some blue flannel.

Since I've got a little time (baby isn't due until August) I may try to make one of these travel diaper-changing pads.  Have any of you made something like that?  Good pattern?  Or do you have a better idea?

Grasshopper Days

Grasshopper Days

For today, Monday, January 19, 2015

Outside my window...  cool and clear after a night full of rain.

Hearing...  a quiet house - a rare treat!

Pondering...  what an emotional weekend we've had!  Our dear, dear, young friends are leaving for Myanmar tomorrow.  Had a farewell party on Friday, then a commissioning/send-off service at church yesterday, (I was one of those asked to pray and barely managed not to cry).  We watched their relationship develop, rejoiced at their wedding, and celebrated (recent) news of an August baby on the way... and now they're flying away.  It's a GOOD thing, but a hard thing, especially for their families.  Coincidentally (or not) the sermon from Haggai centered on hard obedience.  Whew.

Then after church we headed up to my parents' to watch the Seahawks' game, which had a very discouraging first half.  Well, first three quarters, really.  And then what a comeback!  (What a nail-biter!)  Woo-hoo!  I'll definitely be breaking out the new crock-pot for the Super-Souper Bowl party ;D

Praying...  for our friends - for safe travels and a smooth adjustment.  He has lived in Myanmar before; she has not.  So far, Kerry is staying busy, but he's about to wrap up a project, so we're always praying for more work.  And for all of us to STAY HEALTHY :D

Thankful...  Well.  I had a short list of chores for the boys and me this morning.  Wouldn't have taken very long at all, with four of us working together.  Unfortunately, one boy got very mouthy and ended up doing the majority of the chores HIMSELF.  So I'm thankful that it was him (and not me!) on his hands and knees, waxing the kitchen/mudroom floor :D  (Oh, to be young again, and know EVERYTHING.)

Wearing...  blue jeans, white t-shirt, blue/green/white nordic sweater, and my new-ish Danskos (I love them!)

Creating...  finished a baby quilt and am working on some other little things to go with, so pics are coming soon.

Going...  back to choir rehearsals tonight (mostly glad, but I'm kind of a homebody, and the daylight is still so short, y'know?)

Reading...  through the LOTR books again.  It's interesting to compare the books/movies.  Though I love the movies, you just miss so much if you haven't read the books.  Lots of good wisdom in there, in spite of it being a fantasy.

Looking forward to...  February 1 ;D  We'll be watching with my parents and friends.  Oh gosh, just for fun I looked up ticket prices.  You'll need the $89.99 parking pass, then the $2090 tickets, making it TEN AND A HALF THOUSAND DOLLARS to get my family in the gate. And that's without airfare, food, or accommodation.  Not that I was seriously considering going... but good grief!

In the kitchen...  with a freshly waxed floor drying, and everyone on vacation from school (MLK Day), we all went out to lunch at the golden arches.  Since I won't be here this evening (rehearsal), everyone can make his own sandwich for dinner.

In the learning rooms...  I'm still feeling the difference of it being (mostly) just me and Gunnar.  Sure, I help Tate review for tests, and make sure he has what he needs (and knows what to do) for his experiments, but he's pretty self-directed.  Sweet :D  I'm learning more, going through it with Gunnar.

Around the house...  books, books, books, and music :D

The Mother Load...  I've started making a Spring Break list.  We got SO much done last year (and the year before) that I really intend for that to be an annual event :D  Trouble is, I think Wyatt has a different week off than the other boys.  Hmmm, he'll have to have a separate list to work on, I guess.  But for me?  Catching up on laundry (perpetual), getting info together for taxes (ugh), and plug away at some sewing projects (fun!)

Something fun to share...  with some of his Christmas money, Gunnar bought some violin music he hopes to learn - songs from the Lord of the Rings movies!  They're still beyond him (he's only learned two strings, so far, and quarter-half-whole notes), but he has something to aspire to.  He also received a book of violin pieces for Christmas from my brother and SIL with some simple, classic pieces.  I ran through them with him today, picking them out on the piano, and he really liked Grieg's In the Hall of the Mountain King.  (Who doesn't?)

A favorite quote for today...  

"Yet such is oft the course of deeds that move the wheels of the world: Small hands do them because they must, while the eyes of the great are elsewhere."

 - Tolkien

One of my favorite things...  ah, a freshly waxed floor :D

A devotional thought...  C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

"One reason why many people find Creative Evolution so attractive is that it gives one much of the emotional comfort of believing in God and none of the less pleasant consequences.  When you are feeling fit and the sun is shining and you do not want to believe that the whole universe is a mere mechanical dance of atoms, it is nice to be able to think of this great mysterious Force rolling on through the centuries and carrying you on its crest.  If, on the other hand, you want to do something rather shabby, the Life-Force, being only a blind force, with no morals and no mind, will never interfere with you like that troublesome God we learned about when we were children.  The Life-Force is sort of tame God.  You can switch it on when you want, but it will not bother you.  All the thrills of religion and none of the cost.  Is the Life-Force the greatest achievement of wishful thinking the world has yet ever seen?"

A few plans for the rest of the week...  homeschool/school/college for the boys. CAP for the boys, rehearsal for me, music lessons, practicing for the lessons (still in its infancy, and all that that implies), and the usual round of laundry and cooking and cleaning.  And, I hope, some new sewing :D

A peek into my day...  

These piles (not in good light)...

... made up like this, and then trimmed square...

... and put together into a quilt... pics coming soon!

Grasshopper Days

Grasshopper Days

For today, Monday, January 12, 2015

Outside my window...  mist and fog.  Gunnar and I will be going for a walk soon, and I'm thankful it's not raining, but... part of the recovery from my eye surgery (which is going great :D) is that I'm not to wear my contacts for another couple of weeks.  It's a minor thing, in the big scheme, but I sure miss them when we go out walking!  Those of you with glasses understand... I get all steamed up.

Hearing...  the washer gurgling, Kerry looking for his phone, and the tappety-tappety of the keyboard.  Wyatt and Tate are gone to school and Gunnar is doing his math.  Pretty quiet :D

Pondering...  Life After Homeschooling.  Still in the distance.

Praying...  work for Kerry, for the boys to be cheerful and diligent workers, and for friends about to head off to SE Asia.

Thankful...  for my very full freezer!

Wearing...  my Grubs, (about to go for a walk with Gunnar - as soon as he finishes his math).

Creating...  working on another baby quilt :D

Going...  to work diligently myself today.  Laundry load #3 needs to go in the dryer, dinner needs planning (chicken), and quilting is calling.

Reading...  thinking of reading through The Hobbit again, and maybe the whole LOTR trilogy.  Maybe.  We just had a Hobbit marathon this weekend.  My brother came up and we watched the first two movies on Saturday, then went to the third yesterday.  We all enjoyed it, in spite of all the added bits, but we wanted to see more follow-up... see the restoration of the cities of the dwarves and men.  But good heavens, the movies were quite long enough!  (Still cracking up, though, about Dain riding the Battle Pig).

Looking forward to...  nothing really on the horizon.  Each day is fine.

In the kitchen...  thinking about that.  Something with chicken, most likely :D

In the learning rooms...  Gunnar has just finished Saxon's pre-Algebra and is starting Lial's Basic College Mathematics.  That sounds more advanced than it is.  Really, it covers about the same ground as Pre-Algebra.  I did the same with his brothers, the goals being
* to make sure he's quite solid on the material
* to expose him to a different style of presenting the material
* and to move him to working more independently.

Still, it's a LOT of review, so he's starting with the Chapter 1 test (Whole numbers).  If he does well enough on the test, we skip the chapter.  And so on.

Around the house...  lots of music!  Gunnar is making progress on his violin (slowly but surely).  Tate has had his first piano lesson and is VERY diligent about practicing.  And Wyatt will play his guitar just to chill out.  *Happy*

The Mother Load...  not too bad right now, but tax season will be upon us soon.  And there's always the usual round of cleaning needing to be done.

Noticing that...  Gunnar = moody.  Hormones, anyone?

Something to remember for later...  Tate learning to drive... improving.  He's not a white-knuckle learner.  Quite cautious, really.  (Ie cautious ~ pokey.)  And Wyatt is not being overly gracious about being his passenger.

A favorite quote for today...  "I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve."

One of my favorite things...  FINISHING.  Finishing a quilt, a job, a project... that completion that frees you to start something new.

A Bible verse...  Luke 16:10
One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.

A few plans for the rest of the week...  CAP, violin lesson with Gunnar, piano lesson with Tate, homeschool-homeschool-homeschool, BIL/SIL to dinner on Wednesday, and looking forward to the Seahawk game on Sunday.  (So there IS something I'm looking forward to!)

A peek into my day...  hoping for snow :D

In Which Things Are Fine

You guys are so kind :D

For you squeamish ones, there's no pic of my eyes in this post, but GOOD NEWS - the stitches are out.  No more phantom flies crawling on my face.

I was thinking about the appointment the day before.  I've never actually had stitches out before.  I guess I've only had the dissolvable kind.  And, yes, I was a bit nervous.  So I put on my big girl panties and... called my mom and invited her along.  Because - I reasoned - if it was really ouchy, I could put my rice-ice packs back on and she could drive me home.

And the whole thing turned out to be NBD.  No Big Deal.  But it was fun to have her along and we went out to lunch at a bagel/sandwich place I really like, so didn't that turn out for the best?  And then we went to the grocery store and their spiral cinnamon bread was on sale which solved the eternal what-shall-we-have-for-dinner dilemma.  For today, anyway.  A small victory, but I'll take it.

French toast, in case you're wondering.  And there was much rejoicing.


In other news, for all of you who are thinking of me when you hear about flooding and mudslides in the PNW, thanks for your concern, but we're FINE.  Other areas of the state, not so much.  I hear on the news that some areas got nine inches of rain in 24 hours.  Yah, NINE INCHES.  I think we got more like two.  Which is still a lot, but not washing us away.

And so you can really put your worries aside, know that we live on a slope a long way above the nearest river, so we personally are unlikely to be flooded by anything that wouldn't require an ark to navigate.


So, patting myself on the back, I made three more quilt blocks this afternoon.  Four down, five to go.


And with that, I'm off to make dinner.

A Wednesday Brain Dump

1.  It's Wednesday evening.  So, technically I'm more than half-way through the first week of back-to-school.  Which has not actually been grueling, but I like to pretend it is.

Yah.

2.  Something I love:  the tandoori chicken I made on Monday, (the first day I really felt like cooking after recuperating.)  Granted, no self-respecting Indian would've considered eating it, but that's our northern European heritage coming through, I guess.  

Which is to say that the word "spice" can go two ways.  We lean toward the "seasoning" side of spice, rather than the fiery.  I mean, if Kerry and I actually go out for Thai food, I'll get a 1.  He'll get a 0.  Yes, a ZERO.  I don't think his food actually has any taste at all.  But whatever.  

I made tandoori chicken and everybody loved it.  Or maybe they really loved the naan bread, but they ate everything.  Except the chutney.  I'm the only one that likes the vinegary mango chutney.  

Give my regards to Major Grey.

3.  Something I don't love:  coming into the house two days later and still smelling curry.  

That's just wrong.  Here's hoping today's taco salad may have fixed that.

4.  Gunnar had his violin lesson yesterday.  He's moved from plucking to using the bow, which is in some ways an improvement, in others... well, you can imagine.  He's mostly enjoying it, and learning some new music.  His favorite piece this week is "Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel" which I don't think he's ever heard before.  I mean, we don't exactly sing that at church for Christmas, y'know?

5.  He's learning how to use his tuner.  Thank you Grandma Grasshopper.  And learning how NOT to use it.  Which would be over-zealously.  And breaking a string.  Which reminded me of a similar experience during my brief era of violin lessons.  All I remember is walking into the house as a ten year old and telling my parents that I needed a new G-string.  And wondering why they burst out laughing.

6.  Dora, if you're reading this, your quilt went in the mail today :D  It would've gone yesterday but when I pulled up to the post office I could see from the parking lot that the line went clear into the lobby.  I'd already used up my patience quota for the day and I hadn't even got to the grocery store yet.  Three teenage boys in a house with no milk trumped going postal.  And, well, you're not due until April so I figured another day or two wasn't going to inhibit your nesting.  Thanks for being patient.

7.  I'm going to the doctor tomorrow.  I'm kind of assuming she's going to take the stitches out, and you could say I have mixed feelings about that.  Because BOY HOWDY MY EYELIDS ARE STILL TENDER and I won't get to be asleep for this.

On the other hand, I don't know if you can see it in the photo...

(Pretty, huh?  I probably scare small children.  Another good reason to stay home.)

But back to the stitches, because I know you want to know...

The doc left the ends of the sutures hanging out at both ends of both eyelids,

and you know what that feels like?  

TICKLY.

It feels like little tiny bugs are crawling on my eyelids.

All.  The.  Time.

And you know what I'm not supposed to do?

Rub my eyes.

And you know what I really, really, really want to do?

Rub my eyes.

Because BUGS.

It reminds me of living in Australia.

Though it was pretty much too dry for mosquitoes, there were bush flies.

And those flies wanted moisture so guess what they'd go for?

Eyes, noses, mouths... ICK.

Hence the ubiquitous "Aussie Salute".

I loved Australia.

But not the flies.

8.  Tate starts piano lessons tomorrow.  I don't know anyone more determined than Tate.

9.  I don't know if it's in the news where you are...  but we've been getting a lot of rain lately.  So much rain that a waterfall that normally looks about like this...

... is looking more like this.

You could probably google up Snoqualmie Falls in flood and see some great video, but sure enough if I link to it, it'll be gone later.  Good luck.

But all the darkness.  Between the short hours of daylight and the thick clouds... well it's enough to drive you crazy.  We were all SO glad to get some sunshine today.  I'm enjoying bright colors in my house today.

10.  You know what's great about cold, wet days?  Inside projects :D

Since I finished one quilt, I've started another.

This one will be more modern... sort of.

Modern in terms of bright, modern fabric and big blocks,

only nine of them.

Ack.  Bad lighting - with flash.  Piles of fabric for each block.

But traditional in the pattern - a sawtooth star in a granny square.

A sample block - not trimmed yet.

 I got the idea from a table runner made by Heather Mulder Peterson.

And that's all I have to say about that.

Or anything else apparently.

Because it's bedtime.

Grasshopper Days

Grasshopper Days

For today, Monday, January 5, 2015

Outside my window...  dark.  Cold.  Rain.  Time to turn up the heat and light a candle :D

Hearing...  the rain.  All night long it was POURING.  (I kept waking up.  Why?)

Pondering...  wouldn't you know, just after I filled in our new calendar Tate's piano teacher (he starts lessons this week) emailed and asked if we could change his time a half hour earlier.  No problem - that actually works a little better.  But I just wrote it in, IN INK, on every week from now until June.  You don't know what this does to me.  *sigh*

Praying...  work for Kerry.  Not in "dire straits" just yet, but he's a bit low on projects.  And for all the boys (and me!) for a smooth adjustment back to school.

Thankful...  Tate is so self-motivated.  He had to write a short story over break.  I think by "short story" they were told 3-5 pages, double-spaced, and given totally free rein over subject/content.  He wrote a 33 page battle story, set in the future.  Not my favorite genre, but he's a great descriptive writer.  First sentence...

     Hunter Iverson looked out, surveying the tranquil countryside, as the last golden rays of the setting sun cast their warm radiance over a  patchwork of rural countryside.

Wearing...  cozy sweats - I don't think I have to go anywhere today :D

Creating...  just finished one sewing project and about to start another... as soon as my eyes will cooperate.  Feeling a little better each day.

Going...  to start school with Gunnar as soon as he's out of the shower.

Surely I'm not the only one...

Looking forward to... being all healed up.  NOT looking forward to getting the stitches out -- ewww!

In the kitchen...  hmmm.  Need to think about dinner.  Maybe some tandoori chicken.

In the learning rooms...  oh boy.  Gotta get back in the groove!

Around the house...  silvery blue and white winter :D

The Mother Load...  um, trying not to think too much about that!  Besides, I'm not supposed to do much - really!  Just getting back into school schedule, along with violin AND piano lessons, as well as some follow-up medical appointments is enough for this week.

Something to remember for later...  how excited we all were yesterday to get gas for $1.99 a gallon!

A favorite quote for today...  ha!  See the "winter haiku" above ;D

One of my favorite things...  a hot cup of tea in the morning.

A Bible verse...  Psalm 127:2

It is in vain that you rise up early

and go late to rest,

eating the bread of anxious toil;

for He gives to His beloved sleep.

A few plans for the rest of the week...  two follow-up appointments (doctor), Gunnar's violin lesson, Tate's (first!) piano lesson, CAP tomorrow night, and (I think) a very Hobbit-y weekend with Uncle Dave.

A peek into my world...  I love my wintery house!

And On New Year's Eve, This Happened...

Once the flurry of making/finishing/ordering/shopping/WRAPPING Christmas gifts was over, I had time to turn my attention to another sewing project.

I have a friend expecting her first in April, and had in mind to make her a baby quilt.  They recently moved away from the PNW and I had picked out a quilt to make for her - not a traditional baby quilt, but something to remind her of home, a tall, green fir tree, made of many multi-colored green triangles, with blue triangles for the night-sky background.  And I may still make that quilt, but before I got started, she mentioned she had something specific in mind.

Very timely, as I'd just seen a quilt blogger post her thoughts on making gifts for others.  How much do you tailor the gift to the recipient vs. giving something that reflects yourself?  I want my friend to have a quilt she wants.  So off to the fabric store together we went.

She had initially told me she wanted something Noah's Ark themed, but the Noah's Ark fabric we could find was all very cutesy - not her style.  (And piecing or appliqué of lots of animals is too far outside my skill set!)  So she modified her wishes, but wanted to stick with an animal theme, so she chose a fabric printed with bears.

I haven't had much experience working with printed "panel"-type fabric so we took our time picking colors she liked that worked with the colors in the pictures - lots of blues and greens for her little boy's nursery :D

Turned out being totally different than any quilt I've made before - a good challenge for me.  And - I HOPE - something she'll enjoy.

Since the printed fabric was already really busy, we picked some muted blues and greens to use for the alternating blocks.  I like the secondary pattern they form.  It's quilted lightly with a beige thread, to blend in, and backed with a light tan.  It will go out in the mail next week!

I wanted to get it wrapped up before New Year's because...  this happened.

Surgery, not a barroom brawl, though the effects look similar, yah?  What I need is a really good story!  Instead, what I have is ptossis - drooping eyelids that were covering my pupils.  Hoping for better vision and as an added bonus, I'd like to not appear to be tired or angry all the time.

Back to my ice packs...

If You Give A Mom A Present...

... maybe she'll finally do that project she's been meaning to do.

We live in a old house.  I'm not complaining.  I like old houses.  They have character.

They also have... quirks.  Like a bathroom right off the kitchen.

This bathroom has a big old tub, with a window over it.  I don't know that the window ever actually connected to the outside.  When I was little, my grandpa had a little workshop on the other side of that wall.  But the workshop had an (outside-wall) window that let in light, and I guess some light filtered all the way into the bathroom.

But my grandparents remodeled that into a second bathroom, and the window went dark.  Dark gray.  A window to nothing.  So this is what I saw from the kitchen... looking into the bathroom.

And I always thought I should paint it.  When the kids were little I thought I'd paint it blue

and put fish stickers on it, like an aquarium.  

But I never did.

Later, I thought of just painting it white.  Just so it wasn't gray.

But I never did.

And then Kerry gave me a Noah's Ark Christmas present that needed a home, and BING!

So I did this Monday morning.

And that looks much better :D

And, in a burst of energy, I also made a quilt for a pregnant friend.  No pics of that yet.  I"m still sewing the binding.  

Let me revel in one completion at a time :D