Fieldtrips

Each of the kids went on a fieldtrip this week.

Emma went to see the musical "Cinderella" on Tuesday.

Since cameras were not allowed inside, this is the only photo.

Here she is on the bus with her best Kindergarten friend, Anneliese.

Ryan's school choir went to the Capitol on Thursday to sing holiday songs.

Here's the view looking down on the poinsettia tree.

The architecture is amazing!

It was neat to hear Ryan sing at the Capitol.

The last time I was inside the building was when my high school

choir came at Christmas to sing.

Smile!

I went up a level...the kids looked so little!

There were still a couple of levels above me.

Looking down...

Ryan with his friend Harrison

...with their friend George Washington

One last goofy picture on the front steps of the Capitol.

~~~

Before going back to school, the choir stopped at one of the local retirement centers and sang for the residents. They sure enjoyed it! It was so nice to watch the 4-6th graders

go around afterwards and shake each person's hand and wish them "Happy Holidays."

"Warm Winter Wishes"

I saw this idea at a bazaar this fall, so I had to give it a try.

I already had three pairs of Bob's worn jeans set aside, so I cut the

pockets out of them and went to work. The remainder of the jeans I'll

cut into squares and start a collection for a denim quilt.

Just before I gave this little guy away, I realized that I hadn't give him any arms!

Whoops!

That's better!

(Totally off subject, but I love how the color of our accent wall in the

living room changes colors. The 1st photo was taken

this afternoon with the sun coming in the windows. The others are this evening

with just the lamp light.)

"It's in my blood!"

"Momma? I think I was born to sew.

It's in my blood!"

~Emmalee, Age 5 and 11/12's

~now I get it~

My mom has always been a sewer. I remember way back when Max and I used to share a room...yep...waaaaaaaay back. Her sewing machine was in the living room just outside our bedroom door. While we were in our beds, bickering and causing trouble while we were supposed to be sleeping, I remember being able to hear the start and stop of the machine. It was such a comforting sound...to know that Mom was right outside our room. Back then, she sewed for necessity. She made beautiful dresses for both me and her...she made shirts for the boys and Dad. I remember our family picture when I was around six or seven...she made every particle of clothing in the photo except for the boys' jeans. I thought it was pretty cool.

It wasn't until much later that she started to sew for pleasure.

~~~

I've always admired quilts and enjoyed looking at them. However, I could never understand why someone would take the time to cut apart several pieces of perfectly good fabric and then sew them back to together. I even recall making a few jokes about it. It changed, though, when I was in college in La Grande and Mom made me a beautiful lap quilt. It was so comforting to be far from home and away from my parents, but to be snuggled under something that was made with love by my mom.

~~~

Now, as I sit at the machine and sew...whether it be clothes for Emma (Ryan's not to anxious to have homemade clothes and it really is cheaper just to buy his) or a gift for someone...I understand. As I'm making something, whether it's something quick or something that makes me several days, I'm thinking of whomever it's for. I remember things we've done together, how much they mean to me, and (hopefully) how much enjoyment they'll get out of

what I'm making for them. I know it's a been said before, but there literally is love

in every stitch (Disclaimer: Unless it involves sewing stick covers for an airplane. That's

just plain work!)

Is March the only month that can come in like a lion?

First...a couple of pics of my favorite holiday cookies...

white chocolate chip cranberry cookies and

big, soft ginger cookies. Yum Yum!

We went to bed last night with a couple of inches of snow on the ground...

and woke up to six inches. When it finally stopped snowing, we had

10 1/2 inches of pure fun! All of the valley schools were

closed, so the kids and I spent most of the morning out in the snow.

There as no wind today (it's been quite windy lately) and

it was pretty warm...a perfect day for playing in the snow.

The snow was falling on her face, so she didn't stay like this for too long.

Shoveling snow for their snow fort.

Ryan's spy hole in the fort.

Mr. Snowman

Emma thought she was safe here behind the snow wall. She didn't even know

this one was heading her way.

Here it comes!

Trying to hide from the incoming snow.

~~~

the forecast now calls for warm temps and rain...the next pics you see, we might all be in

swimsuits!

My first pieced quilt

all wrapped up and ready for giving

fabric card

fabric gift tag

taggie

When Ryan was little, Mom made three or four blankets with this

quilt pattern. They were great for the kids' floor time. Once they were on their tummies, the

bright fabric was a constant source of entertainment. I still have two at my house to

use when we have friends over with little ones.

This was my first attempt at a pieced quilt...it was so much fun to watch it take shape.

i LOVE this fabric

view of the back...more of my masking tape quilting

this will be the last of the project photos until after Christmas...

from here on out it's Christmas gift crafting...