Memorial Day

What a wonderful holiday this is. Just a day to remember our loved ones. I really appreciate that. My husband and I went to the graveyard today. And we put out flowers for all those people that we love. I just can't believe we've lost so many people in our lifetime.

My heart still breaks for our granddaughter. She past when she was just 6 weeks old. She would have been 18 years old at the end of next month. And my grandma, she's been gone for almost 27 years. She still doesn't have a headstone. My husband and I decided that we're going to get her one this year. No matter what anyone else in the family has to say.

I also miss my mother in law a lot. She was such a wonderful woman. And she lived next door to us. My daughter spent so much time with her grandma growing up. I can't believe, it's going to be 13 years this September. And my sister in law. She was so much like a mom to me. So loving. And she loved my daughter so much. It will be 7 years on Halloween that she's been gone. And my brother in law, the clown of the family. I can't believe he has been gone over 4 years now!

Today we remember a lot of people. Especially those who gave their lives for us and our country. I had 2 brothers in the service, my grandfather, and my father. My husband had 2 brothers and 2 sons. We have so many family members in the military. This day means so much to us. I'm glad we get a day to remember and reflect.

His and Hers Finery

I found another pattern at e-Pattern Central. For the His and Hers Finery Set. You get a pattern for this dress and a bonnet, and a little boys outfit. I just love the little sleeves on this dress. It's all made out of cotton thread. But isn't it beautiful? And only $3.29! I really need to start shopping online. There are some amazing deals out there!

Much Love Illy Giveaway

What a wonderful shop! Much Love Illy has some beautiful items. Cakies is having a giveaway for 3 items. A lucky winner will receive a handband, hair pin, and a ring. There are so many amazing items to choose from! Go enter this giveaway quickly, it ends in a few hours!

Pomp-a-Poodle

I came across this pattern this morning. My daughter sent me this pattern in an email. I really like dogs. And our last dog, he was a poodle. Now I'm putting this on my to do list. Just a few more days for me to work. It's almost summer break around here. Then I'll get to tackle some of these projects. Isn't this a cute dog? I really like her!

Owl Giveaway

If you hadn't noticed, I really like owls. I was very excited to find My Owl Barn. It's all about owls! And right now, they are having a giveaway. With 4 different giveaway prizes! If you are like me, and are a owl fan, go enter the giveaway. But you don't have a lot of time. The winner is being picked tomorrow.

Ami Winner

And who won these fun amis you ask? I had one of my employees draw a number this morning and it was #72 Cari. She is my daughter's Goddaughter. I'm going to send her a set. But I just thought that wasn't fair. Since I know her and all. We drew a 2nd number and got #78 Dawn. I sent her an email and I can't wait to hear back from her. I really want to get both sets in the mail today! A big Thank You to everyone who entered my giveaway. I'm still shocked that 80 people entered! Come back in June. My daughter and I are organizing a big giveaway. With a few friends. Hope to see you then!

Hummingbirds

Do you see that cute hummingbird? I've got about 8 of them in my backyard! I put out a feeder sometime around the first of the month. Sadly, it broke on Mother's Day when I was filling it up. And it was an expensive glass one. I had only had it up for about a week! I really wanted to cry! My daughter was helping me hang it up, and the jar part broke off. At that point, I had 2 or 3 hummingbirds.

The next day, we went to Wal-Mart and I bought a regular plastic one. We came home and mixed up 3 cups of sugar water right away. We hung the feeder and the hummingbirds quickly started to feed. This past Sunday, I filled up the feeder. By Wednesday morning, it was completely empty. I'm pretty sure, we have 8 hummingbirds now. My husband says that there are more. Where did they all come from?

But I'm enjoying them. I like to sit on the couch and watch them through the window. There is an alpha male bird. The rest of the hummingbirds have to distract him to feed. He likes to chase them away. Like the feeder is only for him. I've noticed that the females hide in my lilac bush. Which is almost directly under the feeder. And when that male flies away, they quickly feed. I've also noticed, only 2 birds will eat at once.

Thursday I started some flowers from seeds. I've got lots of flowers in my backyard. But for Mother's Day, my daughter bought me a large package of hummingbird flower seeds. I'm hoping that will help the hummingbirds a little. My husband also bought me a hanging basket with flowers a few weeks ago. They seem to enjoy those.

Do you have hummingbirds around your house? Do you feed them? I'm starting to think that these birds are sending out the message that I'm feeding them. It makes me happy. But I'm wondering if 3 cups of water every 3-4 days is too much. But either way, it's nice to sit and watch the birds feed.

Grey's Anatomy

Did you happen to catch the season finale last night? I don't usually stay up until 10pm. I have to get up early for work. But I had to watch this show! It did not disappoint. But I can't believe we have to wait until September to see the next episode. I'm not going to post anything about the show. Because I know my daughter reads my blog. And she didn't get to watch last night. But my heart went out to Meredith.

A Quick Note

I'm so excited with all of the comments on my giveaway post! I can't believe this many people are interested in my amis. I want to respond to so many of the comments. But I'm going to wait until May 24th. That way I don't mess up the comments for the giveaway.

I want to direct you to 2 other nice giveaways. The first is my daughter's. She is giving away a Cherry Apron that she made. Would it be bad if her mom entered to win? The second is my niece's giveaway. She has made some darling baby items. Both are open until May 23rd as well.

Lastly, my daughter talked me through fixing up my blog. Do you like the design? It's a lot more fun than the boring white one that I had. And I'm proud that I was able to do it. I'm not very computer smart. But I'm proud of my new blog look!

Giveaway Day

About a year ago, my daughter found Sew Mama Sew. Just after their Giveaway Day in May. We were both a little disappointed. We missed the big day! And then, life just got real busy and complicated for us. But this time around, we're going to be part of the big Giveaway Day!

I'm offering this Ami Trio. It includes a duck, turtle, and bunny. All with child safe eyes. Sorry about the quality of picture. I don't have a camera, so I used my cell phone camera. I guess it's not too good.

If you want the chance to win this Ami Trio, just leave me a comment about your favorite flowers to grow in your garden. You have until midnight May 23rd, MST. I'm going to draw a name early May 24th. Shipping is limited to the USA.

Good Luck everyone! I know I'm anxious to go look around blog land this week.

Twitter

I decided to join twitter. After my daughter has been trying to get me to join for a while. I'm not sure how this is going to work. But I'm going to try and keep up with it. If you want, you can follow me here.

Baby Socks

When I think about my youngest daughter and her days in school, I can't help but think about her best friend. They were inseparable. I can see this blond little girl. Who wore "Little House on the Prairie" dresses with big hair bows. Bigger than her head. More times than not, she would come over for a sleepover.

Now my daughter and her best friend are all grown up. My daughter is studying to be a doctor. Her best friend married almost a year and a half ago. Now, she's expecting her first baby. I still can't believe how these girls grew up so fast.

My daughter frequently sends me crochet patterns. I would say sometime around the holidays, my daughter sent me this pattern for these baby socks. In our family, there are always babies coming. So I set this pattern aside and knew I would come back to it.

Over Easter weekend, I began crocheting these for our now grown and expecting blond. I'm hoping to have a set in each color by October. That's when the baby is due. And since I don't have any blood related grandchildren yet, I'm taking this opportunity to spoil this baby! I'm sure I'll have a ton of other projects for the baby. But these are so fun and quick!

My Daughter Surprised Me

My daughter and I talked last week. And she felt really bad because she couldn't come to see me for Mother's Day and my birthday. But I understand. She is busy. And lives across the country now. I just appreciate that she calls to talk. On Sunday, I got a big surprise when she walked into the restaurant we had gone to for breakfast.

For me, that was more than enough. To spend the day with my daughter. But she brought me some beautiful gifts that she made me. My daughter made me a pretty gold and green necklace. Green is my favorite color. She also made me a pretty charm bracelet and 2 pins. I really need to take some pictures so I can post them.

But it didn't end there. Daughters really do spoil their moms. I got some nice beauty products from Bath and Body Works. Some nice creams and lotions. My daughter also gave me some makeup. And some flower seeds. I really like to garden. These seeds are for hummingbird plants. I'm really excited to plant them!

My husband gave me a porcelain doll. It's a Mexican Dancer. So beautiful! She has a pink dress and so much detail! And I got a pair of earrings to match a ring he bought me for Christmas. As you can see, I was spoiled this year.

We spent the day just relaxing. In the afternoon we went to the cemetery to visit some of our relatives, who have passed away, my Mother in Law, my grandmother, and a few other relatives. No afternoon drive is complete without ice cream. We made a stop at Sonic and had sundaes while we watched the ducks swimming in the river. There were so many ducks and ducklings swimming. It was really a nice afternoon.

My daughter made dinner that night. It was really good. She has turned into an amazing cook. I even got a pineapple upside down cake. It was delicious! My daughter couldn't stay long. But it was so nice to have this happy surprise! She left early Tuesday morning. I'm not sure when I will next see her. But I had a wonderful Mother's Day. Because I got to see my little girl.

Cowboy "Boot"ies

A few years ago, my daughter sent me a pattern for these cute booties. I printed it. And I added it to my box of patterns. Then almost 2 years ago, I decided to start working on some projects. We were getting ready for our church's Craft Fair. I made 3 or 4 pair. They were easy and fast.

Then I forgot all about this pattern. Until last night. I don't remember how to make these. I spent almost 2 hours crocheting and taking apart these booties. I didn't get anywhere! I'm not sure why I forgot how to make them. Or what this extra flap is on the side.

Maybe there was a mistake in the pattern. But when I went to go check on the pattern, that page is no longer online. I did find this one. It looks similar. I'm going to try this pattern today. And when I talk to my daughter tonight, I'm going to ask her about this pattern. Maybe she can help me out. I want to make a few pairs of these. And not even the pair I made a while back, can help me out. I'm just hoping my daughter can.

Happy Apron Day!

Today is Apron Day. For my youngest daughter and I, it's just an excuse to wear our aprons. In the last few years, my daughter has definitely grown up. She's my baby. The only child my husband and I have together. But she is definitely no child anymore.

I remembered her when I woke up this morning. Because she has this love of aprons. My daughter has been collecting all things apron for the last few years. Today, is one of those days that just make me smile. I can guarantee that she will be wearing her apron today.

For me, aprons remind me of my childhood. My mom made me a white apron when I was just a girl. It was full of ruffles. And white. I remember it being white. I would put my apron on and my handkerchief on my head. Then I would go about cleaning our house. I was the oldest daughter of our family. And I was always cleaning. Not because I was told to. But I enjoyed it.

Over the years, my mom came across my little apron. And it was misplaced again. But the memories are always there. Very fond memories. Now as an adult, aprons have a special place in my heart. When I think about my aprons, I think about taking care of my family. Of cooking for them, and cleaning our home. Aprons symbolize love, family, and togetherness for me. Because when I have my apron on, I'm usually doing something to take care of my family.

My daughter jokes with me, that she can tell how much I love her by looking at my apron. We no longer live in the same place. In fact, she moved away almost 9 years ago. But when she comes home to visit, I enjoy cooking and baking for her. My aprons are usually covered in flour, dish water, and dirt. The dirtier I get, I suppose the more you can see the love for my family.

Don't forget to put on your apron today. Whether it's to go shopping at the fabric store or to bake up a batch of fresh cookies. Here's a poem that I was sent a few years ago.

Mama's Apron

An apron played a big part in mama's life
As common to wear as being a housewife.
She used it to gather eggs at the end of the day
To gather vegetables to can and put away
To feed the family on a rainy day...
She used it to pick up chips
To start a fire in the old wood stove.
To cook the daily bread,
For her main concern was to keep her family fed.
She folded it around her hands
When at the table the blessing was said.
And wore it in the rain to cover her graying head,
She wrapped it around the baby's legs when it was cold
And sometimes used it to wipe his lil' nose.
It was a faithful servant thru sad and lonely years
She even used it to dry away her tears.
When the children were tucked in and their prayers were said...
She laid out a clean one at the foot of her bed.
Their job is over now, they did their best.
Mama and her apron have been laid to rest.
If all is true about Heaven I've been told,
Mama is now weaving an apron of spun gold…
Unknown Author

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day! I for one, know that love goes beyond DNA and blood. I'm a mom of 3. 3 of whom I'm carried and delivered. But I'm also the mom of a total of 9. My husband and I have 9 combined kids. All grown now. But still our kids.

I want to wish the best day to all of the moms, young and old, new and old. On a day like this, it's about celebrating the women that you love. The ones that cared and loved you. Not just your mom and grandma, but your aunts, neighbors, and friends. May you always be touched by the Grace of God and filled with love!

I'm going to share a poem that my daughter sent me a few years ago. Remember to give your mom a big hug and tell her just how much you love her.

Before I Was a Mom

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.


Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night.


Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.


Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put him down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.


Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body...
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.


Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom.

Baby Fun

I've been looking for this crochet book. I bought it in 2003 or 2004. Inside, there is the cutest baby set. A sweater, hat, and blanket. It's called "Baby Fun." And I can't find it anywhere. To be honest, I barely found this picture online. I don't know what I did with the booklet. And now, I need to make the "Baby Fun" set. I hope I can find this booklet somewhere. Because it's not sold anymore. When I bought it, it was on clearance. I even did a search on ebay, I didn't find one. If you see it anywhere, please let me know. Until then, I better start searching through my sewing room.

Baby Confection Hat

This is a good reason to learn how to knit. Look at this little hat! It looks like a cupcake. I've looked for a crochet pattern for a similar hat. But I can't find one. This would be a good reason for me to finally learn how to knit. I've been crocheting for over 40 years. But I've never learned how to knit. This could be the time for me to try it.

Sweetheart Poncho

A while back, I seen this pattern. It's called the Sweetheart Poncho and sells for $2.99 on e-Patterns Central. But I never buy things online. I might just have to break down and order this pattern. I've been making some things and putting them away in a Hope Chest for my daughter. One day, I'm hoping, she'll have a few kids. And this little poncho, I really want to make it.

Sewing Machine

Almost a year ago, my daughter's sewing machine broke. My husband and I had bought it for her when she was 9 or 10 years old. It's a Singer. Good quality sewing machine. And she used it a lot. Especially in the last few years. Then it just gave out. My husband told her to bring it our house. I took a look at it. And I couldn't fix it. We took it to the local sewing machine shop. They couldn't fix it.

My daughter and I were talking about the sale at Target this past week. She mentioned that they had a sewing machine on sale for $99. And it was a Singer. My preferred brand. My daughter told me that she went looking at her local Target stores. But they were all sold out. They were also sold out online. Turns out, this is the 2nd week that they were on sale.

Yesterday, my husband and I decided to go to Target to pick up a few things. And I found 1 last sewing machine! It's the Singer Esteem II Sewing Machine. I think they retail between $120-140. I'm glad we picked it up. And I'm excited to give it to my daughter. I also picked her up a few things from the Dollar Spot.

Starting Over

I don't remember my password to my blog. I've spent a few weeks trying to remember it. But it's just not happening. I guess that happens when you don't blog in a while. My daughter was sweet enough to help me start a new blog.

Life has just been crazy in the last year. The last 6 months have been very challenging. But this is a good outlet for me. I look forward to this journey. I've been a crafty mom for nearly 40 years. I learned how to sew in school. I also picked up crocheting from my grandma. But I'm not so good on the computer side of things. Please bare with me.

I hope you come back. I want to share some of my crafts and projects with you. I'm sure I'll also include some family stories. Our blended family, is pretty large. And there is always something going on.