Sometimes you need a little rest, and then maybe a little more

Paper Pieced Hexagon's Wild

Hand sewing. Paper piecing. Using creativity to find peace.  I miss my dog. Oh, I have a cat in my lap as I type this, and the cats do greet us when we get home, but they are cats, not the same. I yell less, or was that my form of barking back?  I actually have vacuumed up food (and a lot less hair of course). I really still don't like to say his name yet, but he said goodbye and let me know he was happy and okay and he also did help me wake up on time one morning recently too, nice to know he checks in, what a good boy.

Tucker's last bath, with Nini trying to keep him warm

Not only sewing, but sleeping and Pinterest and 3 seasons of Downton Abbey later, I think I am over my bout of bronchitis, check that off my bucket list, I better never have that again, ever! Just waiting to kick the last of this headcold thing, blech. When it is time to rest, life gives you the opportunities you might say. So my heart heals with time to rest.

Valentine paper pieced hexagons coming together.

We've also had to say goodbye to Great Uncle Bill.  What a kind man from another generation. His service has been arranged to include a Naval Tribute, as appropriate for he served over 30 years for our country.

I thought I would cheer my Gramma up, as now she has lost another brother and also the father of her children lately, a visit to her old friend Norma was in order.  Kirstin even got some more freeway driving practice before her driving test, which she passed, no problem! Now a car?

Norma 3 years ago at 104!

So Norma turned 107 last week!  She is also a very kind lady.  I like to think of her as sort of a mother figure for Gramma, and nothing better than a hug from someone special.  Norma was thrilled with the visit and we also brought her a little surprise.

1878

This is her Grandparents marriage license from Lehigh County, Iowa 1878!  We framed it with UV protective glass for her to have out and she can share with her family, there are still quite a few of them left in town. In fact, while visiting Norma, I got to meet cousin Claudia, who knew of me thru another cousin Katy, who I have yet to meet other than thru email, but we have been working on their family tree together.  Again, funny how life works isn't it? Claudia remembered my Gramma from years ago, and was happy to see her again.  My Gramma married into a really neat family, and they are one reason why I enjoy genealogy and family history so much. I really can't wait to see what is in their box of photos!  I do love that life continues to give you things to look forward to.  I end with, Newfoundland...and a Way To Go Hawks!

Oh the Holiday's

Well the 2013 Holiday Season whipped thru quite quickly around our house.  Did I really not mail Christmas Cards? Still very surprised by that.  Thought a nice Welcome 2014 Card would be a nice touch, where might those show up from?  Maybe when this annoying dry cough goes away, okay I will just eat another Lifesaver.

Holiday fun stuff!

This years cousin party for my kiddo's at their Auntie's house yeilded a new craft experience of mini snow globes. Yes glitter everywhere, what else can I say?

Snowglobe Creations

Some of the other crafts that were made at our house have all gone to new homes this year too.

Felt Ribbon Candy Ornaments

Singing elves

I think I will go find the pictures of the singing pinecone elves to add to this post.....

Zoo in the fall

Here we are again, one of our favorite places, WPZ.

The baby giraffe, lions and otters are growing up fast, the jaguars also. 

Arctic fox got a new toy baby hat to play with this day, oops.

Beautiful autumn day to visit the zoo

I think a couple of the zoo animals escaped that day,

 they look suspiciously like ones I have seen hanging around my house.

Everywhere we go....

My peeps are in town

T-Jay, Mu and Eric

Grubbin at the Ram in the U Village

Our first Spike Africa Raceday

Our family had another outing near another sporting venue this weekend, altho this time we were spectators, at a sport on the water.  Luckily the weather was mild for November.  It was fun to see all the girls on the crew team in uniforms made by them for raceday, what a fun tradition. They have so much energy and very loud vocal chords too, as the cheering for your favorite team uniforms contest rocked the boathouse.

Spike Africa Raceday

It was really super cool to see Alaina rowing with a team and the 850 race was exciting and a close win!

Visiting Seattle's King Street Station Renovation

After going to the Ski Dazzle ski show at its new venue downtown at the CenturyLink Field Event Center, we walked over to see the train station ceiling renovation we heard about last summer.  This has been on my list of things to check out, and I am so glad we stopped in to see it.  Pictures don't do it justice, but you get the idea.  Living on the west coast, we do not have very much of the grand architecture older cities take for granted.  What a treat to sit in this grand building. For the story and more pictures try this link:

 Seattle Department of Transportation: King Street Station 

The View from the Balcony is stunning.

Our family goofing around downtown on a quite autumn Sunday.

My whipped up Mary Poppins costume

Well I whipped up a Mary Poppins costume, Mary Poppins style, the night before Halloween, from props in my basement.  I am thinking we have too much stuff if I was able to get this close.  This is me at the end of a long day at school, the kids loved it.

Of course there were some students who have never heard of Mary, can you imagine?  Many kiddo's thought I might be a leprechaun?  hmmmm, next years costume idea?