Merry May has danced away...

                                                  Significant events include FLOODING...

                                            my patio, my side yard...but not the house!

                           Youngest grandson AJ, now a happy, busy two year old...with a brand new Radio Flyer tricycle. He can almost reach the petals, LOL.

                 And oldest grandson, Nick, graduated from high school in St. Cloud, MN.
                  It's was a busy month, that Merry Month of May...wonder what June holds?

Happy Memorial Day 2012 Everyone *VBS*

I'm hoping everyone has a safe and happy Memorial Day with their loved ones if possible.

I CANNOT BELIEVE I JUST FOUND ANOTHER CADBURY EASTER EGG IN MY MEDICINE CABINET!!! I'M WAY BEYOND SURPRISED!!

On the road again...

...goin' back to where I've already been, and I'm telling you ... I'm on the road again. I have a new occupation, as if retirement didn't keep me busy enough, LOL. Ya right!

I'm off today to begin a week of house sitting for a friend of many years. It's not something I thought about doing, but they asked if I would stay at their house while they fly hither and yon all over the country. And I said "yes". The property is rural , and off the beaten track, which is lovely for bird watching and quiet solitude. I see lots of reading coming up soon, and prepared by getting 5 books from the library . I also have GRAND and glorious plans for getting some tops basted, and borders added to others. She has a lovely, large dining room table where you can lay things out...WITHOUT cat hair everywhere!

I will be popping back into town periodically this next week to check on Ebony and her litter box. Jean will pitch in and take up the slack while I'm gone. Of course I've been 'gone' so much these past months you probably wouldn't miss me...right? Well, that's why I'm telling you, I'll be MORE gone than usual...Happy springtime everyone! See you soon...

A cool but sunny Easter Sunday in WI...

Wishing everyone a Happy and Blessed Easter and Passover. Hugs from Finn and Ms. Ebby xoxo

I am totally confused!!

Even more than usual!! Apparently I am going to have to figure out how to publish pics with Picasa all over again...drat!! I've posted these through Blogger, hoping for the best.... First pic(I think) is an across the street shot, looking towards downtown.
Second one is an across the street of my new home. As I said, it's an old grocery store. Many of the older business here were built with this "shotgun" approach. The lots are deep, but narrow. The big windows downstairs are my front room, and obviously, that front door opens right onto Main St. I use the side door on the right side of the building primarily. Friend Jean lives upstairs, and we are connected by an inside back stairway in her laundry room. I never get wet on rainy days *VBS*

Here's a snap of my stash slowly being put into a walk in closet in the small 2nd bedroom. It's now my sewing room. I show it when its a bit more organized. Small room, too much STUFF!

And here's the view for April, looking south out my side door. In the last picture of it, there was snow, snow, snow. That's been gone for several weeks now, and I have tulips and daffodils blooming in the other side yard.

Happy St. Patrick's Day Everyone....

Everyone is Irish on the 17th of March! And some of us are Irish the rest of the year also *VBS* I'm having a glorious day, enjoying our 70 degree temperatures. Definitley NOT the norm for WI in March. It's "March Madness" time here, with the top teams from all over the state enjoying tournament fever and the hopes of winning a big trophey for their school. The boys are in Madison right now, and the girls go next. I do enjoy high school basketball alot more than the professional teams.
I've been busy cleaning and sorting out projects in my new sewing room. Hope to have some pictures real soon, when it's presentable! Kick up your heels and give the Irish jig a try!

It must be home.....

I've hung the first quilt!! I pinned this little personal challenge quilt above my sewing machine, It's an odd little thing, but I like it, and it's hand quilted, something I'm not doing much of anymore My hands have grown quite stiff over the past few years.
Ebby says it's home, she has found a pile of quilts I'm sorting.
This week I'm working on finishing up this Scot's Plaid from the Rainbow Scraps Challenge of 2011.

And last, but not least, another snow picture for those of you who don't have snow of your own...enjoy!

Out of The Valley....

trying to inch my way back into the world. Today is the first time the camera has been connected to the computer since I left The Valley in Oct. At first I couldn't find the Rubbermaid with the cord that connects it to the computer. And after that was found, I got lost. These first two pictures are my view looking west and southwest. The steps in the first picture lead upstairs to Jean's part of the Duplex. As I said, it's an old building. I'll take some pictures from across the street soon.
 There are a lot of old things here, lots of old ,very large houses left over from a more prosperous time. Once upon a time the railroad ran through, there was a creamery or two, and a movie theater. These days we are lucky to have a gas station and a hardware store! One learns to manage.
 This set of 16 patch blocks(loosely based on Amanda Jean's 36 patch sew along) are from a Moda jelly roll,"Merry and Bright". I have 52 of them to lay out and join up. A couple more jelly rolls have been turned into quilt blocks, but not flimsies, as yet.
 
Finding that I really loved her 'method' of making this block, I've carried on with it, using odds and ends of scraps, strips and small yardages. If I can get the 8 pieces I need from a scrap, it becomes part of another 16 patch. Luckily I'm not bored easily, and am still enjoying making these, as each one is different! Other projects have been worked on, but NO finishes as yet. Now that I've dived in, I try to be here more. I've joined the String-Thing Along and am working on that with plaids. Hugs to all!!

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone....

 
From Finn and Ms. Ebby XOXOXO

Wordless Wednesday...

 

A gathering of days....

form a record of a journey. In this case, mine. Maybe it's because I'm a Libra, and things must be measured and balance. I look at the faces in this Christmas 1999 photo and shake my head, where do the days and weeks and years go? But I know that I have gathered them, and they are an endless stream of connected memories.Some with photos to share.
 This is grandson #3, Christopher. He's the little tyke on my knee wearing the red shirt and bib overalls in 1999. Here he is with his mom, now 12 yrs old. He's nearly as tall as I am. The next picture is a rare one. Partly because I haven't shared many pictures of myself.
 This was my birthday celebration in October, 2010 when I turned 70. Being a fat and sassy old Granny Finn, I'm reluctant to share pictures of me. I suppose we all are, about one thing or another. I'm holding my youngest grandson, A.J. who will be 2 in May. And DD#2 Jenny, sitting next to me, holding grandson Levi, who is turning 4 this month. Behind me left to right, DS#3, Justin, Grandson #2 Brady(16), DS#1 Matthew, (Brady's dad).In the middle back is my DD#1 Stephanie, her hubby Brian, and Son-In-Law John, married to Jenny. Obviously we are missing about 8 or 9 more grandsons and all 3 granddaughters and middle son John and his family. It was a surpise party on a beautiful October afternoon and it was wonderful to be with my kids.
 And one more picture memory floated to the surface tonight, as we slip into another weekend. This one on New Years Day 2011, when we gathered for our family Christmas celebration. This is Matthew's family. My oldest grandson Nick(18),Granny Finn, son Matt, his wife Sheri, and on the floor grandson Brady (16)and the youngest in their family, Tanner, age 12. It was a lovely cold sunny day and we had a wonderful time.
Family pictures that are complete, with all my kids, and their kids, have become nearly impossible. Partly because of distance, but also "circumstances". You know, the kind that has "the Courts" involved in them? Of my 5, 3 have "intact" families, and it's very hard on the two sons who don't. We do the best we can, enjoy who's there and hope for more next time.
For Christmas this year I received one special present in particular. Due to "circumstances" there was only ONE occasion that brought my 2 sisters, their children, my Dad and my family together. We planned a special Father's Day picnic in the town where he was living and managed to have everyone there. Lots of pictures were taken, but as it turns out, there was to be just ONE picture of my Dad with his 9 grandchildren. I don't think any of us realized it at the time. My oldest DD took the snapshot, had a 8 X 10 picture made, and framed for me. It sits up on top of the computer desk where I see it everytime I look up at the clock. I can't tell you how precious it is to see my Dad with the happy young faces of his grandchildren. I'm so glad that day didn't drift off into memory without a trace.

Wordless Wednesday.....

 

After hours....

 
On the wall the clock ticks steadily onward, inching its' way to February. Only a few hours remain for this page on the calendar called January. Silently Ms. Ebby sits, folded into a resting Budda pose. For her it doesn't measure the number of days, just the length, and it's almost "bedtime treat" time. She has the routine and timing down perfectly, and stays near me so as not to miss it!
The kitchen light is on, altho no one is present, it shines brightly into the hallway where I sit.
Things are going quite well in little ElmVille, and I have ajusted to the majority of the changes. I am comfortable here and quite happy. What it lacks in glamor and size is compensated for with love, concern for my wellbeing, and friendship.
The Cottages were lovely to look at, and convenientally located, with lots of beautiful scenery. But what I found living there was a more profound isolation and lack of connection to other people. Sadly I think it's the case for many people in todays fast moving culture. No one seems to have much time for anyone else. It's not that they doesn't care, it's just that everyone is so busy.
I have been sewing nearly every day, and am still working on having my scraps "managed". I seem to be stuck in the 16 patch mode, and as long as it remains fun, I may as well get some of those scraps turned into blocks. Some boxes remain to be unpacked, and I will get to them...eventully. But for now, right now, at least, I'm sewing *VBS*

From our house to yours....

 
Ms. Ebby and I wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday Season!!

Winter Wonderlands.....

 
On the radio and in my back yard! No trouble believing we'll be having a White Christmas this year. Finally, I'm back. It took changing internet providers to accomplish this, but here I am. I'll be back soon with some NEW picture *VBS*

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

 

More than one way....

 
to outfox a fox! Here is the 1984 Learning to live in ElmVille maple leaf ! Take that you varmit blogger who wouldn't post my pictures last night...ha!!!