Sunday, January 27, 2013

When Dad's Away

Howie and I...stay up until midnight, sleep until 7 (we're usually in bed by 9:30/10 and are up by 5/5:30), don't make the bed, eat whenever and whatever we want, including Cheezits for lunch...we watch every program on the DVR  (the final episode of Private Practice, 2 episodes of Grey's Anatomy, 2 episodes of the Fabulous Beekman Boys, and 2 episodes of the Bachelor)...not only that but we watch 2 whole seasons of Downton Abbey
and then find season 3 online and watch the first 3 episodes so we're caught up with what's coming on tonight.  WOW! sounds like all we did was sit and watch TV...well we also moved the furniture around in the sewing room and we SEWED!

It has been a really crazy couple of weeks, which would explain my absence from Blogland.  Andy went up to Pennsylvania last Sunday and came home Tuesday...one of his very best college friends was asked by their college to come and speak for Martin Luther King's birthday/Inauguration event...so Andy decided he would go up.  He flew into Pittsburgh and then rented a car to drive to his college town, Greenville...it's about an hour or so and mostly interstate so he said it wasn't too bad.  Yes, be was born and raised in PA and learned to drive there but he's been a Florida boy since 1971 so his snow and ice driving skills are long gone.  Well that was supposed to be it for his travel north for the winter, except that his very best friend since they were little, little boys, mother passed away on Wednesday...very unexpected...she was 82, sharp as a tack, played golf all summer long, volunteered at the local hospital and Hospice...it was quite a shock.  So Thursday we were making plane reservations, car rental reservations and getting him packed to go.  I was beyond nervous about this trip, a good bit of snow and ice coming in on Friday, he got in around noon and drove to his hometown, Clearfield (about 2 hours) through the snow...he started to tell me and I said I needed to just wait until he got home to hear it.  He gets home early this evening and I will be very thankful to hear his car in the garage.  That should be it for his travels for a while.

I fell in love with Darlene's challenge to make the little quilts in Tara Darr's book...Simply Charming...I just couldn't wait until February to make the first one...so I jumped right in and did Grannie's Scrapbox...
it was so darn much fun, quick and easy, just what a girl needed while watching all those TV shows.

I am so totally hooked on Downton Abbey...I have no idea why I was so late getting to this wonderful show, but I'll be caught up this afternoon and ready for tonight's episode.  LOVE it!

Hope you all have a fantastic Sunday!  I'm working on my Cotton Club quilt, a BOM from last year (I think)...hopefully I'll get it all put together and I can make another check mark on my To Do list.

33 comments:

Darlene said...

Lots happening while Dad was away. Love the little quilt - very, very cute, indeed.

The primary thing I got out of this post was "Cheez It's for lunch" YUMMMMMMM LOL

Kindred Quilts said...

Love your Grannie's Scrap Box mini... the quilts in the book are so cute, it will be hard to resist making just one every other month, but there are no rules! You can make all of them, whenever you want! I'm also hooked on Downton Abbey... watched the first two seasons in just a few sittings via Netflix before the holidays, and I'm so happy the wait for season 3 wasn't a long one!

Libby said...

Love me some Beekman Boys. Hope they get a new season . . . . soon!

Anonymous said...

I am also a Downton Abbey fan, I re-watch seasons 1 and 2 on DVD and even have season 3 on pre-order...can't wait. Sometimes the story line isn't to my liking but suspense is what makes it interesting, I guess. ;D
I love to watch my faves on TV too and sometimes I just gotta do it! We think alike in that regard.
Love your quilt. :)

Anonymous said...

I wish I had bought that book! I thought I had but I was mistaken. Darn it. My husband is going to Belize for a week in May so I'll be doing the same!

Cheryl said...

I'm just getting on the Downton Abbey bandwagon....need to catch up!! Sounds like you and Howie had tons of fun. Your sweet mini is so cute. My Simply Charming book arrived last week...now to figure out which one to start with. I love them all!

Me and My Stitches said...

Glad you and Howie are having such a good time! I'm sure you will both be happy when DH gets home, though. Cute little mini from Tara's book. I need to finish up my Cotton Club quilt too - the blocks are finished, just need to put it all together.

Cheryl said...

Welcome to the DA fan club!! Your mini is adorable and I am envious of your time to do whatever the heck you want to!!

Jan said...

Sweet little quilt top! Don't Sundays seem long when Downton is airing?!

Jocelyn said...

Love your quilt!!! I do the same thing when my sweetie is gone. We don't cook, just do take out and frozen pizzas!! ha! And I do stay up later. I've been reading a lot since my surgery, so it's nice to read in bed and not have to worry about the light being on. Hope your guy gets home safe. Mine is coming in at 6 tonight.

Diane said...

Okay, that's just the way I like to (and usually do) spend my time alone. So fun! I'm only halfway through Season 2 of Downton Abbey and am trying to hurry to get to Season 3, which I have DVRd. The quilt is darling. A quick finish can be so satisfying.

Janet O. said...

I like the way you and Howie play!
I read about the mini quilt challenge on Kathy's blog and bought the book. It seems pretty doable because it is so flexible and I planned on making mini quilts anyway. The quilts in Simply Charming are just that--charming. I am waiting until February to start, though--have deadlines on other things first. Your first little quilt looks great--so cute.
I think I am the only person in blogland NOT watching Downton Abbey. : )

Kathy said...

Love your Grannie's Scrapbox! I may have to jump on this bandwagon.

I watched the last episode of Private Practice this week, also, and am kind of sad that one is over. I suppose they'd done all the plotlines they could think of!

If I'm not mistaken, there have been three episodes of Season 3 of Downton Abbey - we're ready for show #4 tonight, if it's the same all over the country. You might need to watch one more quick before tonight!

Sherri said...

Don't you just love Downton Abbey? I watched all of seasons 1 & 2 the week before season 3 started! Episode 4 is tonight, and I can hardly wait!

Shakerwood said...

I am envious of the time alone (Howie doesn't count because he will do WHATEVER mommy wants). Love Hubby and Turfboy but sometimes a girl just wants some alone time.

I got Downton Abbey season 1 for Christmas but will wait until someone buys season 2 for me before I see season 3 so it isn't a regular Sunday night thing for me yet.

Cute little quilt top!

Melanie said...

Man-- When Dad's away up here... every one sleeps with mom, Cheetos are the snack of choice and only argument there is -is who sits on the left side of Mom.... I've ordered the book. Thought it would be good for gift giving.... Nothing says love like a quilt.

suemac said...

I do the same thing. Watch everything On Demand or on Amazon Prime.

Cathy said...

It's good to have you back in blogland. I too am hooked on Downtown Abbey. I watched the first 2 seasons on my kindle. It is so nich to watch it on the Tv for season 3...lol I love your Scrap quilt. It is so sweet. Hugs

Carrie ~ Cricketwood Prims said...

Sounds Divine! Isn't it fun to do just what you want!!! Love your little quilt.

Stitched With Prayer said...

Hi Carol!!! This will be a very short comment as I'm trying to keep my feet elevated for a day or two, but I just had to tell you I'm a Downton Abbey Junkie (BIG TIME), LOL. Hubby is as fond of it as I am, though with Netflix we are getting quite fond of British TV, Foyles War, A Touch of Frost are two of our favorite detective series and we just finished the last episode of Wallander. Really good story lines but a little more graphic and very, very dark themes. In fact, the gentleman who plays Wallander's character says that often, after filming, he would go to some of the beautiful gardens in Sweden where it is filmed, to soak in the beauty and lift his spirits. But we got hooked on how good the mysteries were. Always hard to figure out "who done it"! Well, this was longer than I intended, my gosh, i do ramble on. Big hugs my sweet friend and loving scratches to that adorable Howie...

Stitched With Prayer said...

OH...forgot to tell you I love the quilt!!! Hugs...

Stitched With Prayer said...

OH...also forgot to tell you my kids got me a gift card to Amazon for Christmas and I bought seasons 1,2 and 3 of Downton with it. All of season 3 will be here in about 6 days!!! Way excited! more Hugs....

Sharon Dawn said...

Sounds like a wonderful way to spend your days. I keep hearing about that Downtown Abby and may just have to check it out. Your quilt turned out so well!

antique quilter said...

LOVE this quilt , don't even quilt it just send it to me the way it is so then I don't have to make it too!
glad your enjoying your time to yourself and ah I am just getting into the show too, I bought season on itunes and am watching it while I hand quilt
Kathie

Sarah said...

Isn't life just a bit easier when they're away sometimes? Shhh, don't tell my hubs I said that. He has to believe it's harder. Even with three small kids it can be easier when Dad's away. Toast for tea, no expectations, routine just flows! Trust that Andy got home safely.

Thimbleanna said...

I hope Andy made it home safely. Sounds like you had a great time while he was gone -- how could you go wrong with Downton Abbey???

em's scrapbag said...

I love Downton Abbey. Didn't realize it had started again. Gotta get caught up. Love your little Grannies' Scrap Box quilt!

Rita said...

You have been busy! Love your little quilt. I'm thinking about doing Darlene's challenge too. Did you Downtown Abbey last night? What a shocker.

Cindy said...

Sounds like you and Howie got some serious TV, sewing and eatting time in. LOL Hope Andy did make it home safe and sound. Growing up south of Bufflao, NY, we "KNOW" snow - and LOTS of it.

Oh Carol, your Grannie's Scrapbox turned out so cute. LOL - I see you couldn't wait until February either. Yes, we're bad...I'm giggling as I type that..LOL

Enjoy your Tuesday.

Angie said...

Hopefully Hubby is home safe and sound by now. So sorry to hear about his friend's mother---but Carol, I tell you, more and more I'm so grateful when those I know cross suddenly and without lingering suffering. So so glad you and Howie had such a wonderful time while the 'cat' was away---LOL, sounds exactly how things work here when Randy's out of town. :D Love love love your little quilt. Your fabrics are just wonderful.

Teresa said...

Cute little quilt. I have been hearing about Donton Abbey. Have ordered season 1 from Netflix

Kim said...

You are having such a good time! It's kinda nice to have the hues to yourself for a little while. I haven't seen any of my TV shows since January and miss Downton and all the others you watched. I haven't even read a book, no time with our travels. I must be ready to find my way home, I'm feeling envious of your sewing time and lazy bones time...gotta love those Cheezits, lol.

Gretchen said...

Sweet little quilt. We are addicted to Downton Abbey at my house too.