Fussy Old People

Fussy old people. You know the ones. "Where is my cup? Not that one, I like the one with the thick edge. I like that one."  "Did anyone see where I put my glasses? Oh, I have them on? Hmm?"  "Do you have a fan? It seems like I'm hot in here." And on and on.

We just returned from visiting our children in Texas. I must tell you that they were very long-suffering with us. We were treated like royalty. "Let 'Honey' have the front seat so she can get in and out better". "Dad, would you like something to eat to hold you over before dinner?" "Papa likes this kind", and on and on. We were made to feel so welcome.

The two girls and our son planned a day of fun for the guys and the same time a day of shopping for the girls. Not to forget the son-in-laws and daughter-in-law, they accommodated our every whim.  My poor granddaughter had to listen to stories from long ago til her eyes glazed over. She told her mother later, "'Honey just told me her life story". Hmm, I will have to make it shorter next time! (and she didn't hear all of it!)

Schedules were changed, beds were given up. Menus planned just for us. We were together nearly every day with frequent phone calls and texts in between.

A family whiffle ball game had us all cheering. It didn't matter who was hitting (or not hitting), we just all wanted to "let the kid out".

New sunglasses

Taking a rest

Styling

Family whiffle ball

Our normal heavy hitter couldn't get a hit. She blamed it on a need for glasses.

Some enjoyed watching.

One granddaughter just redid her room

And, made this picture for it, don't you just love the spelling?

Many poses were taken with this poor rabbit who died making a little boy happy.

Boy cousins.

I finished another rug for a 40th birthday coming up.

We had a wonderful time and look forward to returning. 

Hey You Texans

Just wanted to share a little of my pride and joy

My grandson has an etsy shop

The Silver Craftsman

He's 15 -- years old!

and will be a vendor at the Funky Finds show

at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth

on November 10th

Booth 418

Free admission

and raffle prizes.

You can see more of him here

and... there is a discount if you mention his face book account...

These are his creations,

his work,

his little business.

How's that for a grandson?

no flies landing on this one.

So, if you are in the area, be sure to visit

this two day event in Fort Worth.

"All Boy"

A new little one is on the way.

No, its not in our family, but we have known the grandparents for years.

I wanted to send along a little something

and this flannel just said, "take me and make something"

Flannel says,

whisper soft skin, so young

caresses

love of a mother

swaddling blankets

(I know, they don't do that any more, and I miss it)

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So, being it is going to be a boy...

The two pieces compliment each other

And, after trying to make a "self-binding" blanket the other day,

I decided to take the easy road and just sew along the edge of

two pieces, turn them and then sew along the edge.

My sewing machine sewed a flotilla of little sail boats along the edge

I wasn't sure what would happen when we got to the edge,

but the Coast Guard didn't even have to help us.

During the mindless sewing (the machine takes it away)

I was put in mind to pray for the family that will welcome this new little life.

May the mother guide this child with the love of the Lord in mind.

May the father be worthy of being the role model the child will see to view his heavenly father.

~~~~~

Now, what to do to keep it from shifting as it is washed.

I sewed from side to side in the center (don't tell the mother, she will think it is this way on purpose)

Then, because the flannel is so soft, so baby skin soft,

I had to think of the man he will become

Now, I will send it on its way to its new home.

Linking up to:

JAQS Studio: Made By Me

Sprucing Up An Old Friend

Have you ever 'saved' something and then realized it was too late to use?

Well, a long, long time ago, when I was a child, yes, boys and girls, I was once a child.

I was given a doll. It had a wardrobe, a bed, a little nightstand and a chest for the end of the bed. I think the original gift had a chair also, but I don't have it now. This is what I think would be called "vintage".
It still has the original dress, although the shoes are long gone.

Well, when my children were small, I got it out for the girls to play with.

I thought they were too 'rough' with it, though, after all, it was mine when I was a child. I guess I still claimed ownership, even though I was way too old to use it again.

When I discovered that one of the boys had performed orthopedic surgery on one of the girl's dolls. (he cut off the toes - I think to see if it would bleed - at least he didn't operate on one of the girls...)

Anyway, I put my doll up in the cupboard, away from destructive hands...

Well, the other day I discovered it again. My girls are too old (all in their 30's, almost a 40 year old)

The grandchildren that are girls, well, most are approaching their teens, running full steam ahead and the only one left to play with the set will be 8 soon.

Where, oh where, did all the time go?

So, I decided that this doll was doing no good to me. I don't even have the grandchildren over to play with the doll. So,the youngest grand -girl would get it.

(my name sake)

It has seen a lot of wear and tear through the years.

I made a small quilt to go on the bed, and a nightgown for the doll, a little pillow and mattress, and I plan on sending it soon to Texas. 

You can see the size of the quilt by the coffee mug next to it.

I don't want to wait any longer, this grandchild may be getting married before I realize that the time has flown by. Sorry to the other grand - girls. You will just have to play with the doll when you visit "M".

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Linking up to

JAQS Studio - Made By Me # 41
Quilt Story: Fabric Tuesday
Shabby Creek Cottage Transformation Thursday
French Country Cottage -Feathered Nest Friday
The Vintage Farmhouse Creative Things Thursday

The Missionary Barrel

I'm pretty sure you have all heard stories about missionaries that were abroad and every once in a while a shipment would arrive that would have all kinds of supplies. Some very needed medical equipment perhaps, maybe treats from far away, and sometimes clothing.

When our children were home and, of course, much much smaller and "uneducated", we would receive "missionary barrels" from time to time. It didn't always come in a barrel, but perhaps in the more current black garbage bag.

We knew families that had children that were older and sizes larger than ours, and when their children outgrew their clothing, they were kind enough to "pass it along" to ours. We had three older girls that were somewhat of a size, two boys - one a husky and one a slim, and a younger 'tag-along' girl. We had almost all the sizes!

At a Bible study, I would get a 'heads-up' from a mother that a 'bag' would be deposited in our van. We had strict rules that we would open the bag at home, and with all present, so it would be fair.

What a fun time we had opening the bags. There may be dresses or skirts for the girls,shoes, maybe even a coat or hat. The boys sometimes had pants that were too large, too long or just not appropriate for wearing at the present time. Many try-ons were had then and there. Giggles at how some of the clothing fit, silly outfits from several pieces and on and on. Occasionally, one outfit was designated to one child and another outfit to a second child and then perhaps, the top was traded out for a new find, etc. Everyone got something...

I had a basket that stayed up on a tall shelf in the boys room with pants, shirts, ties, etc that could not be worn because they were too large. I can't tell you how many times I visited that basket and there would be just the right garment for a wedding or special occasion. It seems that the Lord put just what we needed for the special time.

I don't want you to think that we relied only on our "missionary barrels", but they were a real blessing in a time of "not quite enough". I want to remember that the Lord provided for us through other's kindness and I want to give also, for we have received much.

Thank you to those that supplied our needs through your generosity. And, I think that is when I first appreciated that just because you are finished with something, it still has life and can perhaps be used somewhere else, in someone else's life.

Pumpkin Farm - For Young and Old Alike

Last month the pumpkin farm in the area was still open

So, on a Sunday afternoon, we loaded up and took a visit.

To Bishop's Pumpkin Farm

We had our 80 year old friend (and his wife)

and we had our youngest friend (a little over a year)

We also had visitors from as far away as Newfoundland

And other older friends, too

******

They had a "petting" area and the youngsters enjoyed going in and brushing the goats and sheep

Some did not know what to make of it all

An exhausted mother takes a break from all the attention

While some others visited

A big sister gives treats to her younger brothers

And two special friends hang out together

We had a beautiful day and ended it all with a few treats like these



Whimsical Wednesday

I can't believe it's Wednesday again.

We have had a few days of recovery from our show/sale in Alameda this last Sunday and it is time to get "crackin'" again.

I have a few pictures of the Alameda sale that I thought I would share.

A side view. Notice the happy shoppers... in the background.I can see that I need to stop taking "landscape" type pictures and more "portrait" type. In my "old school" of photography thinking, when I used film... get in as much as possible because you are going to pay for that picture when it is developed. The age of digital is soooo nice. Just need to change that thinking...

Toy box - sold, bread pans - sold, Mrs Chicken - sold, birdcage on stand - sold,

We called this a kitchen island/work station. It could be used to a sofa table, entry table, all kinds of things. Well last month we had a customer very interested in it, but she wasn't quite sure. Then it had a metal top and we Mr changed it to a wooden top. After many emails, pictues and all, she wanted it for this sale. She said she would be there at 10am. We put a "SOLD" tag on it and it really got a lot of attention.  In fact, we got orders for three more!! All a little different, custom made.

The shoppers are still shopping... that table in the middle is piled with jewelry that I put out later, when I was able to "baby-sit" it. We sold around $250 of just that stuff. Amazing what people find to spend money on. They lose their homes, but they can buy some trinket... well, it helps to pay our bills.

The sun is peeking around the corner, just coming up.

Now, this one probably has to be my all time favorite -- SOLD!

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On another note:

Here is a picture of our fellas hanging out after our Bible study on one of our Sunday meetings

Mr D was playing in another area and didn't make this picture. These are our guys and we sure do love them. T=12, E=6, and L=6 months? Wouldn't trade them for anything...

Have a great day