Grammy Shoot

Recently when I helped Ashley out on a very quick ten month photo session for Lincoln I asked if she would snap a few shots of Lincoln and me together. It just amazes me what she can get in a minute or two! The photo above is the one that I posted on facebook but I couldn't resist posting a few other shots, especially the funny "out take" shots. I just love his expressions.

 He really does love my kisses; really! You just can't tell in his one.

Hand Stitching

I once tried hand quilting and didn't enjoy the process (or the pain) at all, but I do seem to enjoy hand stitching the binding to the edge of the finished quilt. I don't have to push the needle as hard so my finger doesn't get as sore and I love having the quilt draped over my lap while I stitch. I have started making smaller stitches so this part lasts just a little bit longer! Bummer that my fireplace isn't working or this would be a perfect evening. I guess I need to call the man . . . the fireplace man!

Maple Syrup

A couple of years ago when Dale and I were visiting the North Shore of Minnesota, I regretted not taking the narrow road to follow the rustic handmade sign to a maple syrup farm. When we were back there a month ago, we did take that road and I was not disappointed. It's a family run business and the man in the cabin took our money and we walked away with real local maple syrup and great memories.

 This morning I finally took the time to make some waffles and photograph the results with Wild Country Maple Syrup. We all love waffles and the syrup is a very nice touch.

Once again we were rewarded for going off the beaten path. It was a narrow path with room for one car. Oncoming traffic meant that someone had to pull over to the side, off the road and let the other pass. Everyone had cameras and patience for the slow trip. Late September on a maple farm is about the most amazing fall color that I have ever seen. It was certainly a beautiful road all the way to the maple syrup!

Fast Weekend

 Happy second birthday to my great nephew, Brecken! Dale, Ashley, Lincoln and I made the trip to Cedar Rapids to help Brecken celebrate and it was so much fun. I always love seeing family and it was so nice to see Brecken so thrilled with his "garbage birthday party." He is fascinated by all things garbage so he was happy and intent on sorting and resorting all the clean empty containers into the recycling bins that were hauled down by his grandparents. He was very fun to watch and it was a great celebration. His mommy, Kaley, my niece puts on a great party!

 Sunday morning Ashley called to see if we wanted to come over for their pumpkin carving and Dale and I were both game.  Lincoln was adorable but less interested than I expected. He did fling some pumpkin guts to the wall and explored the insides. Ashley did lots of carving and Travis found interesting designs. I think that their front porch will look great for Halloween.

Sunday afternoon Dale and I went to the Oster Regent Theatre on Main Street, Cedar Falls. I have seen a few live productions there but it has been years. My favorite experience there was when we first moved to Cedar Falls back in the early nineties. It was still a movie theater then and we went to see the newly released film, Sister Act. I guess they show movies from time to time so for nostalgic reasons I wanted to go. It was a small crowd but a great venue.

Finishing Touches

 I have two projects at the point of just needing one or two finishing touches. I started the quilt at the beginning of the year and the stocking was started about ten days ago...yet both are now nearing completion. I loved making the stocking and it went so quickly. It's for Lincoln to have at my house since everyone has stockings here! I just need to add the loop for hanging then I will do more photographs. It's my goal to have the quilt done by November 12. I am trimming the edges this morning and need to make the binding. I bought binding last time and I will never do that again...not very nice to work with and doesn't wear well. Now I just need to remember how to make binding! I hope this quilt feels cozy because it's getting cold outside and I will get to curl up with it while I hand stitch the binding on. I am looking forward to that step. I just love having Fridays off to do this stuff!!

Decisions

I have been known to deliberate far too long over some very simple decisions; most recently the placement of a newly purchased tree! I have moved this flag many times to determine what might be the best location for the tree that I choose a couple of weeks ago and paid for on Friday. Before the flag I was using a wooden pole to help me visualize where the new tree would look best. I looked as I drove up the street, as I backed out of the driveway and as I backed up on the street to get one more look. I looked from the guest room window, from the sewing room window and from the living room window; sitting on the couch, on the love seat and standing! Yes, this may be one of those times that I have deliberated far too much about something quite simple but I have good reason. This tree will not be moved. It will grow in this spot for years. I am so thrilled to get the tree that I want that I want to be very sure about getting the maximum pleasure from the tree...from every angle! I should just leave the flag where it is. I should just let go but I will most likely take another look and possibly move the flag before I go to work tomorrow. The tree will be planted one day this week. I am not sure which day but sooner might be better so that I can just quit the decision stress and enjoy the tree and it's placement! Seriously, I am moving it like 3-4 feet at a time...not going to make that much difference. I have been told that I think too much, this could be evidence for that claim.

Meatloaf and Panthers

 On the thirty-fifth anniversary of the release of his Bat Out of Hell Album, I got to see Meatloaf perform right here in Cedar Falls. Jay and Briana treated me to a ticket and a fun night filled with music from 1977; a very good year! I loved singing along with those songs that I know so well! Briana was a great date. We found comfy seating, sat back and enjoyed. It was even worth staying up past my bedtime. Thanks, Jay and Briana!

Saturday was Panther football and volleyball games and the Panthers were victorious! It was so fun to be back in the unidome for a football game. I spent lots of time on the UNI campus this weekend...always fun to live in a college town...or very nearby!

Butternut Squash Soup

I just spent almost an hour chopping vegetables for soup. A co-worker gave me a recipe and since I had purchased a butternut squash from a little Amish lady, it seemed like the perfect meal for tonight. Lincoln is coming for dinner while his mommy and daddy have a date. It's mostly squash with a little carrot, potato, onion and celery. I didn't realize what I was getting into when I started but its a very good thing that I made the soup this morning, long before Lincoln arrives. I have never peeled and cubed a butternut squash. I probably didn't do it the best way, but that was hard work. I am sure that I burned more calories wrestling with that squash than I did when I was cleaning my kitchen floor this morning! That hard squash is very difficult to peel...and plenty of work to cube! I know my knives aren't very sharp and that didn't help one bit. Now I have this huge pot of veggies that is simmering. There is enough soup for eight people. I will blend some of it but leave some chunks later when its time to eat. I hope that Lincoln likes it a lot and I hope that Dale is very hungry when he arrives later in the evening.
Update:

The soup was good and full of good nutrients but I am not sure it was worth the sore wrist. Lincoln ate it very well and I sent lots home with him. It was an good experience...nice to try!

October Harvest

 What a wonderful October afternoon harvesting carrots and onions with Lincoln! When I planted the rows of veggies this spring I imagined that Lincoln would be old enough to eat the carrots and sit outside with me for the harvest. I could not have imagined that it would be more meaningful for me and fun for both of us.

 It brings me great boy to teach this boy and introduce him to the wonderful things in life...dirt, plants, and even nightcrawlers. I don't think it was a good experience for the worm but Lincoln was enthusiastic with the entire process. He loved pulling the long stems on the green onions but digging in the dirt was probably his favorite part of the experience. He also enjoyed the sink bath and baked apple snack that followed!

Piano Baby

 I thought I had seen the last of this piano when Ashley got married and took it to her home. It had been the childhood promise that if they stayed with piano lessons they could have the piano some day. Ashley stuck with it and got the piano but it came back to me when Ashley and Travis moved in September and I am surprisingly happy to have it back. Some day they may have a spot for it again but until that time it can live at my house and be a source of entertainment for little ones and anybody that might know how to play a song or two.

 I love photos with the black and white piano keys and you will see more of them. I need to get better at it! Ashley took most of these photos. I only took the one with Travis. Isn't there something precious about baby fingers on those piano keys?

Jake's Football Fans

 Senior Night at Mohawk Field was extra fun with lots of family to cheer for Jake and the Mohawks! It was a last minute decision to make the trip to Mason City. Dale left work early and we walked into the stadium as Jake, Dan and Jill were being announced. . . just in time for Dale to snap this photo!

 I absolutely loved  seeing the little ones at the game. Izzie, Weston and Brecken are Jake's niece and nephews and my great niece and great nephews. This next generation brings me great joy! Just look at those precious faces! Yes, there was a football game too. Jake's number 34. Right after half time the rain started to pour down and we all left very quickly. The Mohawks have had a very rough season but it's almost time to look forward to hockey!

Happy Beads

 Last weekend I had the pleasure of heading to northern Iowa and visiting lots of friends and family. Breakfast with Kelly was a huge treat and getting to find some of her beads to call my own was so fun. Today is a rainy Saturday made brighter by wearing my yellow bead earrings AND starting a Christmas stocking using my new bead stitch marker! I love the beads that Kelly makes and truly enjoyed my rainy Saturday. Thanks for bringing more beauty into my life, Kelly!

North Shore

I posted lots of these photos on facebook but I still want to have record of them in my blog. It really is a log for what I have done and photographed. I look back often to remember when we went somewhere or what we did in a certain city. It's a great tool for my aging memory.

Two years ago Dale and I visited the North Shore and we knew that we would return. The falls colors are amazing and it's a great area to explore. We hit peak weekend this year and had a hard time finding a room but it turned out great! We stayed at a ski resort on Lutsen Mountains and enjoyed a gondola ride over the tree tops the next morning.

Our northern most point is Grand Marais (above) and it's a great little town with the "World's Best Donuts," wonderful pizza, fun little stores and a beautiful shoreline. I always feel that we have arrived when we hit Duluth (below.) We always enjoy a walk around canal park, watching the boats and the aerial bridge and taking the same photos that I take each time! We always eat at Grandma's too. It's so good that there is no reason to search for something different since we don't go often and we don't stay long.