Why I didn't take Julianne's senior pictures...

Our friend, Julene, agreed to be the photographer for Julianne's senior pictures. Julene has a great eye and takes fantastic pictures so I was thrilled when she agreed. We had the bonus of a wonderful visit to Julene's home in Wisconsin and chance to spend several days having fun together.

Julene's photography skills weren't the only reason I enlisted her help, though. I needed her because she can get smiles I'll never get...I tend to get facial expressions like these:

I have no illusions about my photography skills but there's just something about those expressions that no amount of photography skill can overcome, don't you think?

I must admit to getting some great shots, too. But those don't make for such a fun blog post, now do they?

Shower gifts

My niece, Lauren, is getting married.  Her shower was held a couple of weeks ago and we were busy bees preparing some handmade goodies for the occasion.  So busy, in fact, that I snuck up to the gift table after the shower to snap these photos because I ran out of time to get them beforehand.



Julianne created this pillow from a felted sweater (it buttons on the other side), then she crocheted the embellishments for it. It's so unique-I loved it.

I made a shirt apron and cloth napkins in a few different fabrics.

Allison embellished napkin rings (the reason I decided to make napkins) with the fabic flowers she so enjoys making.

Both girls worked on the dish towels and dishcloths.  Allison crocheted edges on the towels (a first time project for her that turned out beautifully.  She's not a pattern follower so this was a stretch out of her comfort zone but she did a great job.), while Julianne embellished the dishcloths with edging on one and crocheted flowers on another.

The girls and I enjoyed making some things for Lauren, especially since she will be moving out of state after the wedding.  We wanted her to have a few things that would remind her of our love for her in her new home.

The Continuing Birthday...

I've had quite the birthday celebration this year-rather than one special day, the party has continued on for a week and a half.

It started out with my mom inviting us for lunch the weekend before my birthday (with a bonus: a lovely gift waiting for me from my brother and sister-in-love), included cards and phone calls from friends and family, lunch and gifts from my best friend, gifts from my family on my actual birthday, and ended a week after my birthday with lunch out with a dear friend I haven't seen in a few years.

You know how, when you get to my advanced age anyhow, it becomes hard to find gifts the recipient will need or want?  I understand that difficulty and usually don't have a lot of suggestions to help Clarence and the girls out either.  They spoiled me anyhow-and I loved every minute of it.  It was especially cool that they were able to think of things that actually surprised me.



This was one of my gifts.  I adore Grandma's flower garden quilts and although I knew Allison was working on a secret project, I had no idea what it was.  She apparently read somewhere that you can't piece hexagons on a machine-she took that as a personal challenge and proceeded to do just that.  I love the result!

A couple days ago I was able to get together with my dear friend Jean for an extended visit over lunch.  We think it's been at least three years since we last got together and we spent about five hours catching up with each other.  Don't you love those friendships that even survive neglect?  It's amazing to me that the interval between visits doesn't matter-we always seem to be able to pick up where we left off.

All in all, I'd have to say that turning another year older didn't hurt a bit.

Family Camp 2012

We decided a few months ago not to camp this year at Family Camp.  On the heels of our trip to Seattle, I wasn't sure I'd be up for getting the trailer ready when we got home.  Besides, I drive home every day or two anyhow, so I figured we'd just sleep at home and drive out each day for the activities we wanted to attend.

Our granddaughter, Leta, loves going to Family Camp and was actually a little disappointed not to be camping there.  Still, she had a great time, other than getting up early enough to leave the house by 8:30 to be on time for day camp.



The camp worked on a bell choir with the kids and did a couple songs one night for the service.  Leta really liked the bells.

I guess next year we'll have to figure out a way to camp again.  Quiz nationals will run right up to Family camp so I'm thinking we may have to take our trailer out early and get set up because Leta really missed camping this year.

All the driving back and forth reminded me of why we bought a trailer in the first place.  Allison said she didn't think she visited as many people as usual.  Julianne agreed, but really enjoyed sleeping in her own bed, in the air conditioning, rather than tenting behind our trailer.  I can't say I blame her.

A very different birthday

Julianne's birthday usually falls very close to quiz nationals.  It doesn't make for much of a celebration when we're away from home on her special day.

This year, her 17th birthday fell on one of our travel days home from Seattle.

Did I mention that we traveled via train?



My friend Angela suggested taking decorations to decorate around her as she slept.  Allison and Alyssa hung the banner and crepe paper I brought along, working in the middle of the night so it'd be ready when she woke up.

Our car attendant, Deborah, sang Happy Birthday to her over the PA system when we boarded the train in Spokane.  (There's a long story to go along with that particular statement but I won't bore you with it today.)   It seemed like Deborah made a little fuss over Julianne or at least greeted her every time she walked through our car.

Julianne met a birthday buddy who was very excited to meet someone who shared her big day.

Our conductor swapped hats with Julianne for a picture.  I borrowed this pic from another mom in our group because by the time I got my camera out, he had already shed the tiara and didn't want to put it back on.  lol

I don't know that this will ever be a birthday Julianne would list as a favorite...but I'm quite sure it will remain one of her most unforgettable.   Happy birthday, Sweetie!

Where we've been...

We have returned safely from a trip to Seattle for the girls to compete in our denomination's Bible quiz nationals.

We're still feeling pretty tired, after arriving home between 4:30 and 5:00 AM Tuesday morning.  That wasn't our original schedule but thankfully, with the holiday, we've got a little time to recover and get back on Eastern Time.

Julianne had a birthday while we were away.  I'll try to get a post up showing pictures of her special day sometime soon.

Oh, and nationals?  The girls were on a team together (which is VERY nice for Mom and Dad-we didn't have to split up and each only get to watch one daughter).  They did well enough in the Round Robin competition to get advanced to the top division (not what we registered for).  In the double elimination tournament, they won their first round but were defeated in the next two.  Making it to the A division put them in the top 12 teams overall, but they didn't place for a trophy.  We are still very proud of them and the rest of our team.

Shirt apron

Allison recently came out wearing one of her latest creations, from an idea she found on Pinterest.  As soon as I saw it, I knew I wanted to make one for my best friend's birthday.

I, of course, couldn't do it as simply as Allison had.  No, I had the great idea to try making continuous bias tape for the first time from the shirt back, to bind the rough edges.  It wasn't terribly difficult but I consulted written and youtube tutorials many times before I was sure enough that I understood the process to proceed.

It was worth the effort when all was said and done.  I was happy to finally learn how to make the bias tape and it worked beautifully for the apron.  I used the bias tape instead of simply hemming from the collar to the side seams, then continued past the sides, using the bias tape to form the ties for the apron.


Allison was kind enough to model the apron before I wrapped it up.

Last Saturday our family did grilled pizza for some friends' son's graduation open house.  I was visiting with some friends and telling them about the apron and bias tape, talking with my hands the whole time.  As I talked about making the ties from the bias tape, I motioned with my hands around behind my back.  I quickly drew my hands back around front after making contact with the host's backside.  Awkward!

I apologized, explaining I was talking with my hands and didn't mean to goose him.

He replied that he talks with his hands, too, he just keeps them in front of him.  Um, yeah, that's great advice, don't you think?  Just a little too late to help me.