Gone Fishing!

Gone fishing the sign on the door says. It seems we have been out to sea for a long time, this summer has been full speed ahead and here it is September 1st already! 

August was a very busy month. We had the pleasure of having our Oklahoma Grandsons for 9 days! 

Each day with them was full, from swimming to a Royals baseball game and countless other activities in-between, we enjoyed our Nana and Papa time with them, it went so fast!

Later in August Hubby and I drove to Western New York to visit my Sister in the pretty little Village of Warsaw. While there we spent an afternoon at Letchworth State Park. This park won USA Todays Readers Choice award for best State park 2015. Also referred to as the Grand Canyon of the East, the views are spectacular and we enjoyed them on a beautiful sunny NY day! Sissy stuffed us full of home cooking before we continued on our journey.....

into Buffalo where we stayed with long time friends. The 1st thing we did was go to Andersons for a Beef On Weck. Food of my dreams lol, it was so delicious!!
The next day my friend Patty picked me up and we had lunch, Buffalo style pizza (the best!) and then off we went antiquing. After working up our appetites once more, we drove 
to the village of Lewiston NY. The drive along the Niagara River is dotted with lovely vintage homes and lush gardens, an enjoyable afternoon trip. We bought goodies at a wonderful bakery followed by a fabulous Italian dinner before heading back to Kathys.
The next morning we were up and at em, and off to Niagara On The Lake Canada for the day! While the boys attempted to get some golf time in, Kathy and I enjoyed high tea at the Prince Of Wales Hotel.

I'll tell you, this is one special spot for high tea, elegant, so pretty and delicious. Here are a few items from our tea.

And don't you just love scones with clotted cream and jam, I had to show you!

Heading back towards Niagara Falls we stopped at the whirlpool gorge, we were going to take the cable car across but changed our minds lol! We bravely moved onward to the Casino for a bit before dinner at a Greek restaurant, and it was fabulous, the best I have ever had!

We spent 2 afternoons on their sailboat, sailing of course.... wheeeee! 

After sailing another food wish was granted.... a haddock fish fry right on Lake Ontario. Oh my gosh, it was so fabulous. Living in the midwest and being pretty land locked, we don't get anything like this. You must be thinking all we do is eat lol!

Only in Buffalo do they turn old grain silos in to beer cans, we enjoyed another fun dinner here by the water.

Our last night was spent at one more fine restaurant... Chefs, Italian food at its best. 

Our dear family and friends made sure all our favorite Buffalo food wishes were granted, they call it getting "Buffaloed" lol! Our time spent with everyone was precious and so enjoyed. The next morning we rolled home on our two day journey swearing off food for at least a week. 

We were anxious to see our little fur child again. And here she is, does your kitty beg lol?

Back to work here, new pattern coming later this week! 

Yipee Skippy..it's Fall!

The trees are now showing their beautiful shades of Fall here in Kansas and leaves are falling like snow, pretty soon it will be time to get out the rakes and bags. We are enjoying Indian summer with temperatures in the low 80's, I could love this weather all year long!

It has been a while since my last post, I have been busy with my business and everyday life in general. My birthday came and went. Gee, not so exciting anymore LOL! But I had calls from all my dear friends and children and that is what makes my day really special. I did receive a surprise package in the mail this week, from my friend Kelly Ann. Kelly Ann owns Kelly Ann's Quilting in beautiful Warrenton Virginia. Just look at this cute stuff, she knows me too well!

Darling cat fabric, glow in the dark thread, cat peeps and Hello Kitty Pez, so sweet, so thoughtful, she made my day :)

And speaking of Kelly Ann, I shipped a trunk show off to her this week, my Christmas table runner models. She is a busy gal with a shop hop coming up as well as so many numerous events it makes your head spin. So if you are in range of Kelly Ann's Quilting, stop on by, you will be glad you did!

Besides folding patterns, Cleo threw us for a little loop last weekend. She had a insulin seizure while Hubby and I were out to grab a bite to eat, our Friday night routine. Our son Jon came home from work and found her and rushed her off to the 24 hour vet hospital where we met him a few minutes later. To make a long story short, they kept her in kitty ICU for the night on an IV of medicine and were able to stabilize her. Doctor told Jerry the next morning she was good to go and she was very very cranky LOL! Phew. Cleo... don't do that again!

Saturday our son Jon moved out. I had been dreading this empty nest moment and expected to have a little crying jag over it, but to tell you the truth with the Cleo crisis and all I hardly noticed. So he is all moved out, starting his young professional life and loving it! Jerry and I ran over to check out the new digs that afternoon and deliver some odds and ends.

This weekend I am doing a little Fall/Halloween decorating. I have Bunco here this week, and my daughter and her little family are driving up from OKC for the weekend. Erin is going to run the Wadell & Reed Kansas City Marathon on Saturday. She is doing the 1/2 marathon, wow, is all I can say!

Having Erin here means Grandsons too... yipeeeeeee! I have my latest Hallmark talking monster out, he is really funny, sings and does the Monster Mash. Cleo just loves it when we line up all our various talking monsters on the floor :)

My neglected sewing room is calling my name. I have a lovely stack of solids waiting for me. They will be background blocks for my next quilt, can't wait to get after it!

Happy Fall!

Gingerbread treats and back to school

A finish this week, my new pattern "Gingerbread Treats" is ready! This runner is fast and fun to make using fusible applique. These no bake cookies will look so cute in your Christmas kitchen.

I used the Christmas Candy line of fabric from Riley Blake, I think it was made just for this runner :)
It's back to school in KC, when I'm out running my errands I see all the school buses rolling by and can't help but think of my little Grandsons.

Twin pumpkins Aiden and Brandon started Kindergarden in Dallas yesterday, wow, what a big day that is!


And last week in OKC William started Kindergarden also and big brother Alex entered 2nd grade.

They all look so happy don't they!

Enjoy your week!

A road trip with my Son

Well lets see... where did we leave off last post, oh, coming up on a really boring 4th of July weekend. And that did not disappoint, as predicted it was pretty darn boring. But Hubby made it through his oral surgery and that was a good thing because he still had to finish painting the dining room he had not completed. I puttered around the kitchen making water melon boats and red, white and blue angel cake for dessert. We watched the Nathans annual hot dog eating contest and the spectacular NYC fireworks on TV. Ho hum :)

Soooo... this past weekend I was invited to go to OKC with my son, I'm kind of like driving Miss Daisy down I-35. He felt I needed a getaway and some girl time with his sister Erin. So thoughtful and sweet of him don't you think? Jon has been running back and forth in-between Oklahoma and Kansas for months now. It seems this is the year of the wedding for his age group and he is now a professional groomsman on the weekends LOL! After dropping me off at my daughters, he gave his nephews a quick hug and squeeze and headed off to his next pre wedding event. The boys just love their big Uncle Jon!

Alex is 7 and William 5, they are a riot!

Saturday Erin and I had a girls only afternoon. But I'm going to tell you, it was HOT!!! Every temperature sign we passed was climbing higher and higher, 110 degrees was the high. OMG, I forgot how hot Oklahoma can be in the summer!

Our first stop was Oklahoma Quiltworks where we browsed and bought some fabric. Most of the Christmas fabric is out now and it was a tough choice to choose from just one line.

Next we hit up several antique shops and malls and Sonic for a blueberry slushy, can't beat Sonic drinks on a hot day! We stopped in a tiny bakery which was next to one of the antique shops, what an unexpected treat! Adorable cookies to take home to the boys, and I have to say they had the best tasting bakery cookies I have had in years! "Full Cup" Bakery in Bethany- loved them!

Today I released 2 new patterns, always such a nice feeling to go from start to finish!

First is "Pumpkins All Aglow" A wool table topper, fast and fun to make. Love the Fall colors, those plum berries add just the right touch of color and make my heart pitter patter :) Button teeth add some extra fun!

Next is "A Fall Sampler" 4 tea towel designs to stitch up for Fall. Stitch them by the lake or on your next road trip, you'll have them done before the leaves change color!


Now it's time to get back to my chores, you know how things pile up when you're gone a few days. And I'm anxious to start my next sewing project! I can tell you though, I won't be sitting out side stitching this week, looks like 98's most of the week.

Have fun and stay cool!

PHEW!

Phew.... that was one crazy week! I have been on a roll, lots of company and cooking and such, all good :) Last Monday our daughter and her little family drove up from Dallas. Remember those stockings I was in a rush to finish for the boys? Well I got them done in the nick of time for their visit. Aren't they cute? I added vintage gift tie-ons to the bow for a little extra "me" touch. I love vintage doo-dads!

The boys did well with their long car drive and were ready to explore Grandmas house and release some pent up energy upon arrival. That same night our nephew also arrived, he was driving cross country from PA to Colorado and we were delighted to be a brief pit stop on his way.

Tuesday we decided to get out for a little while and took the boys to Union Station in Kansas City to see the automated Dinosaur exhibit. ROAR! Lots of these there!

And then there was the train set up which was hard to capture because it was such a large exhibit and dark but fun to watch dozens of trains going round and round.

Our visit was short but sweet as my pumpkins left Wed morning to continue on to Iowa and more family. But no time to sit and loaf.....next batch arriving for Turkey Day! Our son came home for the weekend from KU and brought his room mate as well. We were a small crowd for Thanksgiving, just the 4 of us LOL, but we had our usual full blown dinner, gotta have those leftovers!

And now my house is quiet, I can hear the clock ticking. I think it's saying Christmas is coming and I better drag the totes up from the basement. And oh my, I just heard the Hallmark Christmas movie is on tonight.... it really is sneaking up fast people!

I had another finish last week, February Annie is ready and on my web site. Won't you be my Valentine Cleo????? I just love getting cards in the mail, don't you? Especially ones with big red hearts on them :) Floss colors used were: Black, #3607 ,#938, #598, #414, #317, #899,

#581, #817, #167 and #758 if you are interested.

I have a new stack of fabric sitting on my cutting table, hope to get some sewing time in this week. Hmmmmmmm... what will it be?

Have a happy week all!

Alone again.......

Wow, Easter came and it went, along with all of my company. Alone again... wasn't that a song?
Well our Easter was just so fun, 4 generations of Paquins in the house, it was a very special time.
The weather was on the cool side, however the sun came out on Saturday. My pumpkins were able to run off some steam and take part in the neighborhood egg hunt.

Alex got to show me his tree climbing skills, he was very proud, as you can see he is just beaming from ear to ear :)

I had tons of help in the kitchen, pint sized help that is! Alex helped me make our Easter Peep
angel cake and I learned something new. This kid LOVES Peeps! He ate 6 of them while we decorated the cake. I said Alex.... I didn't know you liked Peeps! He chirped, I mean said, oh Nana, they are my favorite! Before making the cake we dyed eggs, you may be able to see that by the dye spots all over his shirt. But believe you me his shirt looked great compared to Williams. William goes to dunk his 1st egg in a cup and knocks it over, all down the front of his once white now in the garbage can purple tye dyed shirt LOL! Remind me to make these boys some head to toe aprons.

We had brunch instead of dinner on Easter. The kids had to drive back to Oklahoma and Jon back to KU. Boy it was yummy, we also had tasty breakfast casserole, fresh fruits and don't forget the chocolate! Doesn't this picture just look like a Hallmark card!

The rest of the week was spent with Jerrys Dad who keeps very busy for an 88 year old, he loves to fix things. And we save a long list of fixing things to do every year for his visit lol.
Before he headed back to Florida we took him to his 1st ever concert at the Sprint Arena. George and Reba were great and I think he enjoyed it!

And now my house is quiet. Everyone is back to their normal routines. I'm happy to be back to the drawing board again.... fun projects coming up... I promise!
Have a happy week!

Bloging with a cat on my lap

Ah, a quiet afternoon, taking a few moments to send an update. Cleo is snuggled in on my lap, did you know it's hard to type with a cat on your lap? Especially when she takes up so much room lol! Sorry Cleo, not picking on you because you know I love you!
What a fun week we had. Wednesday night was Bunco, my turn to host. I had a lot of fun fixing my snackies, the big hit was the cream cheese penguins, they are so darn cute! The dice sandwiches are a nice touch for a card or dice party also.

Thursday my daughter, son in law and Grandsons arrived from OKC for a long weekend visit.
Alex is 5 and William 3, we can never get enough of them, so fun at this age! Uncle Jon was able to get away from KU for a quick visit, the boys just love their Uncle!

Cleo, my, my, my, her quiet little world is turned upside down when little ones come. She insists on being in the midst of it all though, no hiding for her! I had to laugh, she is in all my pictures of the boys. Here she is safely tucked under the table but lying on top of the train tracks watching them play with Lego's.

Such fun having them here.
And nowI had better get cracking and packing! Tomorrow Jerry and I are off to sunny Florida to visit Grandpa. Yeah! So hard to believe I am packing sandals, shorts and Capri's!
See you all when I get back, have a fun week!

I think I was in a time warp!

I'm baaack, I think I was in a time warp! This past month has passed me by in a big whooosh!
Labor Day weekend Jerry and I drove on down to OKC to visit our daughter Erin and her little family. Our daughter Melissa drove up with the twins to spend the day also, what a huge treat for us to be with ALL our Grandsons at once!! Such fun, with 3 boys who are 3 years olds, it was interesting to observe their very different little personalities. And Alex being 5 is the mentor to all! Erin and Ryan prepared a wonderful BBQ dinner for us, such a treat for me to be cooked for! Here are the boys are sitting down to eat, I think they were too worried about playing to take time to eat!

Erin is a part time art instructor at the Oklahoma City Museum Of Art. She took Jerry and I to view a new exhibit at the museum and check out her classroom. The museum also houses the most comprehensive collection of Chihuly glass in the world, the exhibits are breathtaking!

Back home again we rushed to get ready for company. You know the routine, cleaning and groceries, preparing to make our guests comfortable. Our good friends were flying in from Buffalo NY and we were really looking forward to their visit!
We had a wonderful 5 day visit with them. The weather co-operated, Indian summer at it's best!
The boys golfed, we ate dinner out quite a bit, we chattered and laughed ALOT!
One of our favorite spots to take company is the Plaza in Kansas City. I love having dinner sitting outside at the Cheesecake Factory on a pretty day by the big fountain. Feels so European.

The flowers were vivid and just beautiful!

We also spent an afternoon at KU, visiting son Jon and his cute girlfriend Carly. We all had lunch and toured the campus. I love to soak up the feel of a campus, such energy, so many young people LOL!

And that's what I have been up to people! Gallivanting!
And now it is time to get back in my normal mode. I am sewing, and sewing. Just finished a design for little girls and EEEEKS is it CUTE I must say, can't wait for show and tell! Which means pattern writing is next on the list. And sewing FOUR Batmen costumes LOL!
Have a happy week!

Catch up time!

Or in Pittsburghese that would be ketchup time!
I know, I know, I am bad...... at blogging lately. This summer is just zipping by. I am having a nice quiet morning here, Hubby is golfing and Jonathan went to The Lake Of The Ozarks for the weekend. Just Cleo and me trying to share the computer chair and I thought this would be a good time to gather my thoughts.
I snagged this picture from my daughters blog. My little munchkins, I just love it! So special because all 4 cousins were able to get together for the 4th of July weekend. Not always easy to do living in neighboring states, looks like the boys had a fun filled time together. Making memories.

I've been to Pittsburgh and back, it was a quick trip really, just 4 days. And they were wonderful,
laid back and very relaxing! I stayed with my sister, she always spoils me.
We spent 2 of our days here: at Mineral Beach.

I just love it here, so perfect on a hot summer day. We used to bring the girls here when they were small. Hard to get a good picture, but this is a very unusual pool. First of all it is smack dab out in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by rolling hills, trees and fields. The pool is very old, built in the 1920s. It is unusual in that it has no defined sides, mostly shallow you can just walk in like a beach! You can also bring in all your floaty toys so children just love it. Spread your blankets out on the grass and have a picnic lunch, love it, love it, love it, and I also got a good tan!

I enjoyed lots of good Pittsburgh food and to tell you the truth isn't it always a joy to be away from cooking! I spent 3 nights with my Dad!

Now can you tell what these are? They are turkeys! We were on our way to the airport and I spotted these in their neighborhood, made my brother in law come to a screeching halt so I could take a picture! I know they think I'm crazy, but I've never had turkeys in my yard. Gobble, Gobble!

So here I am settled back in, home to the normal routine. I spent a better part of the week sewing and finishing pattern instructions for this sweatshirt, it will be on my web site tomorrow.
Enjoying the string of beautiful weather we are having, high 70s and windows open at night. Savoring summers fresh market produce, sweet corn on the cob is out, life is good.
Well I'm off to make my appetizer for tonight- couples Bunco- whoo hoo!