The Magnolias are Blooming & Stash Report Week 17

When we went outside this morning to walk the dogs we were met with the most wonderful smell...out magnolia blossoms had finally opened. This is a small tree right in front of our garage...we have 3 other large magnolia trees in the yard and they are all full of blossoms and are beginning to pop open. They smell heavenly...and have the most delicate snow white petals...can you smell them?

Then just outside our front door is this Knockout rose bush...it has gone absolutely crazy this year and gotten more roses than it's ever had before...it is amazing...and I really don't do a whole lot to it...it gets watered when the sprinklers come on, I trim it when it gets scraggly looking, and I fertilize it once a month...my kind of plant...very low maintenance.

Stash report for this week...hard to believe it's already week 17 of this year.

Fabric Added this Week: 8.5 yards
Fabric Added Year to Date:26.25 yards

Fabric Used this Week: 7.5 yards
Fabric Used Year to Date: 99.75 yards

Fabric Busted: 73.5 yards

Just Had to Share

I couldn't resist...I just had to share...Josh sent this picture of Hampton with his Baby Sister...
He just loves her to pieces and wants to make sure that he knows where she is every minute.
Oh I can't wait to get there!

Little Miss' Name-Stash Report Week 16

I seem to have missed posting my Stash Report last week...I have no clue what happened...how in the heck did I miss doing that...one of my favorite new sayings comes from Darlene...and this explains it all...my brain is in my pocket. Thank you Darlene...that's become my answer for lots of things here lately.
So here's my report for week 15 and 16 combined...not very exciting!


Fabric Added this Week: 7 yards
Fabric Added Year to Date:17.75 yards

Fabric Used this Week: 5.75 yards
Fabric Used Year to Date: 92.25 yards

Fabric Busted: 74.5 yards

Now on to the big news for today...Little Miss has her whole name...Camden Reese...both of those names were in their original list of names from the day they found out she was a girl...they always loved Camden and Reese was their choice if they had used Peyton, so they decided yesterday that since they really liked it that was what it was going to be. They went home last evening about 6 and I talked to Josh this afternoon and he said all went well...she cried in the night a few times, and he said she has quite a set of lungs, and Hampton never even stirred. I was a bit concerned about him, he's usually not a real heavy sleeper, but it sure didn't affect him last night... so I'm hoping. Sorry no pictures today...Josh promises that they'll send some...I want to see one of Hampton holding her. I promise I'll keep you posted!

Little Miss' Quilt

Here's Little Miss' quilt ...yes, she's still Little Miss...they just can't decide between Peyton Reese and Camden ?...they're going home tomorrow, so she'll have to have a name by then...I'm just lovin' this quilt...I showed it to you when I was working on it...but it's better now...Mary worked her magic on it and just made it come to life. I haven't washed it yet...I'll do that as soon as I get a label on it...after Little Miss has a name...or maybe I should put Little Miss on this one since that was her name when it was finished...LOL!

We talked to the kids last evening and they told us all about Hampton's first meeting with Baby Sister...that's what he calls her. Katie's mom, Shirley brought him to the hospital yesterday afternoon... he was immediately in love with her. They didn't even have to remind him to be gentle. He touched her toes, her fingers, her nose, gave her a kiss and said "I love baby sister". They let him hold her and they said he sat perfectly still for a very long time...he just kept looking at her. He is such a sweetie. OMG, I can't wait to get there.

Welcome Little Miss

Welcome to the world Little Miss...She arrived this morning at 10:20 CDT weighing 8 pounds 13 ounces and is 21 inches long. Everyone is doing great! Josh said Katie is just amazing and the baby is PERFECT! I can hardly wait to get there. They need me in 2 weeks so that's when we'll be heading up the road. I'm thinking this will be the longest 2 weeks of my life.
Sorry the quality of this picture isn't wonderful...she's just minutes old and Josh took it with his Blackberry...I was thrilled to get the picture...technology is wonderful!

Potpourri

I guess that's you would call this post...potpourri...a little of this and a little of that.

I'm going to start with the Diet Challenge 2009...I know it's not Monday, when we're supposed to report in...I've been not so good about reporting the last few weeks...I've gotten very frustrated...I lost what I initially thought I wanted to lose...my pants zipped up again and stayed zipped...I was thrilled...then I decided I'd try for a couple of more pounds...a little cushion...well, then I'd lose one and gain one...the same pound kept going on and off. So I've come to a conclusion, and I'm happy with my decision...I'm eating healthy, I'm being very careful with portions and I'm exercising at least 6 times a week, either at the gym or walking about 4 miles...I going to stop worrying about 1 magic number...I now have a 5 pound range...I came up with a number that I will not go below and a number I will not go above. I'm happy! I feel great! My clothes fit! Thank you Sharon for getting me motivated and moving!

I spent some time today getting up to date with a couple of BOM's...Designer BOM from The Fat Quarter Shop using the Peace on Earth fabric. This is month 11 so it's almost done...I really should start putting this together...I'm so excited, I'll have a new quilt for Christmas.

I also finished this month's installment of Simply Sophisticated also from The Fat Quarter Shop...this is going to be the most gorgeous quilt. Vicky over at LA Quilter has been doing a drawing every month for Simply Sophisticated participants that get their blocks done on time...the winner gets a $25 gift certificate from The Fat Quarter Shop...well I was so lucky last month...I WON! Yippee!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I went on a shopping spree...I bought some patterns and I signed up for the new Designer BOM and reserved the finishing kit. I spent my gift certificate and then some and I sure had a great time...thanks Vicky and thanks Kimberly...

I'm off to finish the binding on Lil Miss' quilt...I'll be back tomorrow with a picture...I'm really happy with it.

A Cardinal and a Dog

I love, love, love cardinals...we have quite a few that have taken up residence in our trees...this beautiful male lives in the big oak tree in our back yard. He comes and sits on the fence around the pool several times a day.

I took this out of the living room window so he's not real big, but isn't he the most beautiful red...Howie decided that I was way too interested in what was outside, so he carried on until I let him out on the deck...That's as far as he got...walked half way around the pool and plopped down...enjoyed the sun and the flowers...he's my non-energetic dog...he's perfectly happy to just lie on the deck and watch the world go by...Zack on the other hand...can't even get a picture of him...he doesn't stop long enough when he's out there...he goes round and round, checks all the pots, checks the grill, checks all the chairs and cushions for little lizards...who would ever know that he's had 2 major knee surgeries.

Here's Hampton's fire engine quilt all quilted and the binding is done. Mary did such a great job quilting it...Hampton's going to love it and his feelings won't be hurt that Little Miss is getting a quilt. Look at the fire dog that she has quilted in here...

Could that be any more perfect????????? She also sent this wonderful pillow for Hampton with the fire dog on it...he's going to love to take his nap with this.Tonight I need to get the binding done on Little Miss' quilt...I'm thinking we'll be getting a call pretty soon...Katie has been feeling really crummy the last few days...she's pooped...Josh has taken a few days off to take care of Hampton, they've been having lots of fun boy time.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day tomorrow...we'll be at Mom's for brunch...then I'm going to get that binding done.

Snips of the Week & Stash Report-Week 14

What a treat I got this week...Darlene sent me he leftover pieces of her Oh Cherry Oh so I could use it in my Whirlygigs...look at those cutie fabrics...I had all the pieces cut in no time and started stitching...I have a nice pile of Whirlygigs...these are so fun to do. I'm hoping to get these all done this week so I can start putting it together. This is going to be the cutest quilt.

Yesterday was Mom's 87th birthday...Andy and I went over and celebrated with her and took her to lunch...before we left for lunch the mailman rang her doorbell...a birthday package from
Hampton...

I don't think she could have been any happier. It was a great day. Happy Birthday Mom!



Here's my Stash Report for this week...not really very exciting...I did sell 7 yards of fabric this week so I'm going to count that...sadly that's all I have to count this week, but it is 7 yards off my shelf...YIPPEE!

Fabric Added this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Added Year to Date:10.75 yards

Fabric Used this Week: 7 yards
Fabric Used Year to Date: 86.5 yards

Fabric Busted: 75.75 yards

Tomorrow is a big day for Andy and me...our anniversary...35 years! I'm the luckiest girl around! We're looking forward to lots more years! It keeps getting better and better and lots more fun!