Friday sewing ramblings

Bud bought me a new toy for my sewing machine as a birthday gift. We first set out to buy me a new watch but were not able to find one that I liked so I decided to keep the one that I have and not worry about telling time too much since I am retired and don't need to keep a schedule. This tool will gather material for me. It fits right on my sewing machine. This isn't a very good picture but it is the best that I could do.

This picture is a little better. It shows how you can adjust the gathers to be very close together or farther and farther apart. I will use this to make ruffles on pillows or what ever I can find to ruffle. SO don't be surprised to find something ruffled in your next present. I have already promised Doug to make him some ruffled things for his birthday.

This is the finished quilt that I made for Leo. It is the same pattern that I used to make one for Eva a few years ago. Leo told me that he wanted it blue so it surely is blue. This picture shows the pattern in a small area. The pattern is called 'A trip Around the World'.

This shows the border and the back. It is hard to see the difference in the border and the back but I was going for a manly fabric and didn't want too many flowers.

This is a picture of the whole quilt. You really can't see the border too much but you get a feel for the pattern. I like how this pattern turns out with showing the darkest color to set off the pattern.

Turning 60

Yesterday I turned 60 with family all around me. I had decided it would be nice to go down to Grand Rapids and spend the afternoon with Eva and Jessica. We arrived in time to go out for lunch. They both took the afternoon off. After lunch Bud headed off to the Harley store to check out what they have in stock. I understand he bought himself a new and larger windshield for his bike that will be delivered some time soon. Us girls headed out to do a little used furniture shopping and boutique shopping. It was a fun afternoon looking through antique shops. Jessica is looking for a new cabinet type piece of furniture for her kitchen. We saw a couple of possibilities. It was a fun afternoon just checking out unusual shops around the area. We then met back at the house where we reunited with Bud. He had made reservations at my favorite restaurant in Ada that serves the BEST Turkish food. We had a birthday toast.

Doug joined us after his hard day of work.

The food was terrific. We have finally figured out how to order food here. The servings are sooo big and sooo delicious that it is hard to choose. So we ordered a selection of appetizers. Then we ordered 2 main course meals which included a selection of their meats with this great dill/cucumber sauce. The first time we ate here we ordered 4 meals for 5 people and didn't even touch one of the meals. Anyway, the food was delicious and the company was perfect.

They even brought us a complementary dessert plate with a candle.

Eva gave me a wonderful picture holder which included a few of my favorite picture memories like the one of Eva and me in the bathtub, the one of Eva and me and my new rocking chair and the one of Eva and me singing with Dad playing an organ. It also included some other family pictures. However, Doug pointed out that it didn't include a picture of him. We will have to work on that. I love the holder and the pictures. Eva also gave me two new pair of silver ear rings. I like them a lot. I was needing to expand my silver choices with some more hoops that are larger. They look very nice.

Jessica made me 2 pendants. I am wearing one of them in this picture.

It was a wonderful birthday. I had a great time sharing my afternoon with Eva and Jessica. I really enjoyed my birthday dinner with Eva, Jessica, Doug and Bud. I received MANY phone calls from family all around the country. I felt very special and blessed to have such a wonderful family to help me through to this new decade. Thank you all for the words of love on my birthday. You all are very special to me too. I love my family very much and appreciate you remembering my day.

Last look at my 50s

Yes, I did leave another decade behind me. I decided that a good way to do that was to spend the evening out on the water with the man I love. I made some sandwiches and we packed some sodas and out we went. It was a beautiful night on the water. We left behind the heat and humidity of the land and just criss crossed the bay for a couple of hours.

I relaxed and Bud drove. We just talked and relaxed. I enjoyed the evening.

How could you go wrong with a view like this.

Today we are driving down to Grand Rapids and spending the afternoon with Eva and Jessica. Then we are going out to dinner at one of my favorite restaurants we recently discovered. It serves Turkish food that is delicious. SO that is how I will usher in the next decade.

Brittany's White Coat Ceremony

Yesterday was a wonderful and exciting day for Brittany and the Noble family. We were in Ann Arbor to witness the welcoming of Brittany into the University of Michigan Medical School with what is call the 'White Coat Ceremony'. The stage was set.

We were waiting.

The Nobles had reserved seating together.

The new medical students marched in across the stage. Sorry this is a little blurry.

The speeches were inspirational for everyone that attended. THEN the big event began.

Brittany is waiting for her turn with her white coat draped over her arm.

She will be next.

Everyone announced their name, their hometown, and the university from which they graduated.

Sue and Walt were able to 'cloak' Brittany because they are both U of M alumni. I tried to get this picture but she turned her head just as I was taking the picture.

Mom was very proud.

John, Brittany's boyfriend, a pretty nice looking couple.

The glow of proud parents.

And a proud sister.

AND proud aunt, uncle and grandmother.

After a short reception we walked over to Brittany's new house that she will be sharing with 3 other medical students. The new furniture hasn't arrived just yet but it is a nice old house right on campus.

Ringo was proud too.

Jack and Charlotte just relaxing after the ceremony.

Our good bys as we leave and drive home. Today is the first day of medical school for Brittany. I am thinking about her a lot as she begins this journey. I remember when she was just a baby. That seems like yesterday. What a beautiful woman she has become. I am looking forward to many more years of fun, laughter and happiness with her around even though the next 4-6 years will be challenging. I know that she will make a terrific doctor.

New baby quilt finished

Today I finished this quilt for Molly's new baby. Molly is the girl that I worked with and had lunch with a couple of weeks ago. The pictures really don't do the quilt justice. It is much brighter in person. This is called a puzzle quilt and you can see why. It was a fun quilt to make. I will make her a green or orange teddy bear to go with the quilt.

The back of the quilt is green dotted like the border is orange dotted. If I can find some orange corduroy fabric I will make the bear orange. I made a bright quilt for Cora too. It some of the fabrics that I used for Cora's quilt are used again in this quilt which I think makes it fun. I made Cora a red teddy bear. This was fum little project. Molly is due the end of August so I will deliver the goods as soon as I get the bear done.

New Garage and various summer ramblings

We are getting a new garage to hold Bud's various toys. If you are keeping count he now has a regular car, his sports car, an ice boat, a motorcycle and not enough space to store them or expand his toy list. We are putting a garage next to the house. You will enter it from the road when these 4-5 trees are removed. You will go straight in and the driveway will be wider. We hired David and his friend who have a lawn/beach maintenance summer business to move the myrtle that grows very well under these trees to another spot that needs to be filled in. It took them all day so I was glad that they were doing it not me. I will keep you updated with pictures as this project progresses. It will be a 2 car garage and we will probably continue to store some things in the existing carport.

As to other ramblings, I just ate my first summer fresh tomato. It is easy to forget how luscious fresh tomatoes can be when you are eating those grocery store things that are almost tasteless. As I bit took the core out of the tomato the aroma was almost breathtaking. I love that smell of a garden fresh tomato. Now the taste was so delicious too. SO, let's celebrate summer and the fresh vegetables that you can now enjoy whether you are part of a CSA like me, grow your own in your backyard, or go to the farmer's market and find your treats. Summer is a wonderful time for fresh food. Enjoy!!!

Jury duty and Ice cream

Yesterday I had to answer my civic duty and show up for jury duty. It was just the day that they choose people for future trials. I was chosen for 2 cases (lucky me) and turned down for 1 case. The first case involves a person who bit into a piece of food and cracked his tooth. The second case involves a bar fight which resulted in charges of assault. The trials aren't until September. The case that I was not chosen was a domestic violence case. I was glad that I didn't have to rule on that case.
This is just a picture of the court house. I am really 'into' posting pictures with my blog entries.

On a MUCH more fun level, we decided to take dinner to the Noble cottage last night so that we could have some time together before Brittany goes off to medical school. We grilled flank steak and vegetables for the family and it was delicious. I made ice cream in the morning so we had delicious homemade ice cream for dessert. This is Brittany, Charlotte and David eating ice cream with their dog Ringo. Ringo did get a few tastes too.

Brittany will leave soon for medical school at the University of Michigan. We are all very proud of her accomplishments and are looking forward to her continued success. The summer has passed way to fast for her since she really only had the month of July off but we will see her as often as her schedule will allow the next few years.