nurturing hope, creativity, family
Happy Birthday to my little guy!
He started it off with a doughnut and now just has to WAIT for everyone to get home from school and work so we can celebrate. (That’s LOTS of waiting when you’re four.)
Still, it promises to be a great day. I just asked him “what’s the best thing about being four?” His answer, “Money.”
I’ll let you know when he fills me in on the relationship between the two.
Wow. Another week gone, and before I know it, April will be here! That’s both good and bad, because it means the weather will get better but I also have a lot to do before then… wish me luck. We’ve had blue skies and sun for two days in a row, and we’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.
Steps taken this week: 83 steps. Wow. That sounds like a lot. I must admit that I’m tempted to penalize myself 20 or 30 steps because my house is so messy right now BUT the purpose of this program is to focus on the positive. Hopefully I’ll be more successful in the housekeeping department this week. If not, we’ll still live.
Highlights from the week:
1. I finally chose a pattern and cut into my Rouenneries layer cake that I’ve been saving since last October. The pieces are all cut and waiting to be put together. I’m excited about this quilt! (Look at that aqua…)
2. I was able to attend a gymnastics meet that my oldest daughter was competing in and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was one of those experiences when you sense how much your child is growing up and you feel so happy for them and so happy about who they’re becoming. I’ve been consciously working on my interactions with her and I feel pleased with what’s happening.
3. We had our first soccer scrimmage of the season, and I’m taking a deep breath. The next 9 weeks are going to be CRAZY but I’m going to do my best to enjoy it instead of stress about it.
4. When a bit of rough play caused an electrical problem in a bathroom this week, my husband and I were able to take a deep breath and handle it calmly. This allowed us to let our son spend time helping repair the problem and created a memorable father/son experience.
5. I had a couple of brief but good conversations today with other mothers while I was in the hall at church with a noisy baby. It’s such a blessing to connect with other women I admire, even if it is only for a minute or two.
6. Today I made some homemade peanut butter cups. YUM!
On that sweet note, I’ll wish you a wonderful week!
Hopeful Homemaker
In honor of National Quilt Day today, I thought I’d post pictures of my favorite vintage quilt.
This quilt is my favorite for so many reasons! I purchased it about 3 1/2 years ago on Ebay. It was one of those love at first sight moments. It’s made with my favorite colors: red, white and blue (two shades of blue!) and depicts one of my favorite scenes, sailboats on open water. I love the symmetry of it and how the overall composition of the quilt works together so beautifully.
There are also many little details that I appreciate about it. I love the applique work that makes up each sailboat, and how there are little white waves or ripples in the water embroidered in white on the dark blue.
I also love the quilting on this quilt. Done by hand, it is quilted in squares set on their corners with some gorgeous little floral medallions inset in the light blue panels.
The borders are also fun. The white border is quilted to be a rope.
This quilt is lovely, but is also worn. It is also very thin. As you can see from the pictures of the entire quilt, there are sailboats that are almost completely detached (I guess I should mend them!) and places where the fabric, particularly the white fabric is threadbare or worn with small holes. Still, I love it so much. It’s a piece that makes me feel both happy and calm when I see it. It reminds me of trips to the ocean, of my favorite holiday (4th of July) and of cool breezes. Truly, it’s one of a kind, and I’m so happy that it lives at my house!
P. S. Thanks to my helpers who held this for the pictures, and wanted to be in one!