We're sure having a hot summer here in Ohio!

April brought one 5K and the opening of golf season for us, May took us to the Finger Lakes in N.Y. for a vacation through the wineries for our 23rd wedding anniversary, Memorial Day weekend I ran a 4 mile run in the unbearable heat to benefit the Honor Flight, June was the fabulous National Quilt Assoc. show at the Convention Center with my girlfriends from our old neighborhood in northern Ohio plus a celebration of our granddaughter's 1st birthday and grandson's 3rd birthday, July took us to South Haven, Michigan for a family vacation plus another grandson's 13th birthday. 

Waterfall at the Watkins Glen Trail.....a 2.8 mile hike total and more beautiful scenery than this one photo shows.

One of the beautiful wineries with the lake in the background.

Mark's wish came true with a sailplane ride which reminded him of his father who founded the Cleveland Soaring Society back in about 1960.

All of the grandkids in South Haven.....Luke (3), Haley (1), Maya (11), Taryn (10), Austin (13) and Morgan (7).

A first place was won by my friend, Linda Henderson, for her creation of my grandson, Luke, playing in the bubbles of a bath.  She entered it in a challenge at the NQA show, then it was auctioned off for $400.  Guess who the buyer was?  Yep, me!

My giant Dinner Plate Hibiscus.

An unusual leafed plant I saw at the Westerflora Garden Show this last weekend.  Does anyone know what it is?  I don't and wish I did.

We have an engagement to announce....our son, Matt, proposed to Kathleen Mccarthy, a beautiful young woman he met in Chicago where they live.  A July 6th, 2013 wedding is being planned.

I have been working on several projects.....a new quilt for my grandson, Austin, a few knitting projects that I have yet to finish and I'm happy to say my quilt friends are coming back to my house in August so we can work on our Sue Spargo quilts.

Wishing you a beautiful summer!

March was such a wonderful month!

Not only was the weather perfect with some record breaking 80 degree days, but we had another Spargo Sistas Weekend..... plus Mark and I went to Arizona to visit family and had the best trip!

So the first set of photos are the 'creative juices' ones:

This is Beth's block which is from a Civil War quilt she is working on.

This is one of Linda's Crimson Tweed blocks that is embellished. Love the cranberry colored wool!

Another of Linda's Crimson Tweed blocks all embellished.

Here's Linda's tree block I showed her working on last month.  It's all embellished now too.

Here's the next block she'll be working on.  Wonderful birds!

Beth and Paula hard at work and Sue taking a break or that could be called "Hardly working"....lol.

Sue's house block in her Magnolia quilt. The fabric she used for the windows makes them look like lights are on inside!

Linda with her Magnolia quilt!  Awesome isn't it? This is what an overachiever looks like!!! Hi, Linda!

A little exercise thrown in:

Here's my handsome hubby finishing the Scioto Mile(s) 5K, which he walks.  It was my 2nd 5K to run this year.  I did pretty well, 2nd place out of 4 in my age group. I'll take that.

Garden shots:

A tulip the deer didn't eat in my flower bed.

This Eastern Redbud (not in my garden) is so great....click on it to see the little pink buds on the trunk....it's just loaded!

Family photos:

Here ladies and gentlemen, you are looking at my beautiful cousin, Connie, who after going through chemo and radiation for 6 mos. has just learned that she is cancer free!!!!!  We are ecstatic!!!  Cute shirt she got since our maiden name is Berry.

We went to Monti's in Tempe, AZ to have lunch with Mark's Uncle Glenn and Aunt Joy.  It was a great reunion!

Siteseeing:

Bloooming cactus outside of the chapel in Sedona.

Mosaic artwork piece inside of the chapel.

The beautiful red rocks outside of Sedona!

The Holy Cross Chapel built into the red rock.  That in itself was the miracle.

We had lunch at the Junipine Resort....out on the deck in the beautiful sunshine!  We finished off the day with our drive to Flagstaff to have dinner with Randy, Dennis' brother, who was fun and a great chef!  He's available ladies!

I hope you enjoyed March wherever you live as much as I did. 

The trees bloomed early which thrilled me.

Next up....golf season and more 5Ks! 

Photos from our Spargo Sistas Weekend on Feb. 17th.....

Paula got her basket quilt center blocks pieced during our Spargo Sistas Weekend.  That always feels like quite an accomplishment!  It's very folksy and will look great hanging on her railing as you come in her door.  Most of the blocks have sayings embroidered on them.  LOVE it!

Linda worked on her borders for her Magnolia quilt.  I just love looking at her embroidery stitches! Mostly wool fabric was used in Linda's quilts and mine. 

Then she showed us her new table runner she made which is one block of the Red Clover pattern.  We loved it too....I especially love her embroidery on the leaves below.

Here's the full view....isn't it beautiful?

Here's a close-up of the flower on the table runner.

Ok....then she started stitching her first block of yet another pattern called Crimson Tweed.  Let's all say this together...."Linda wins for being an overachiever!"

Her blanket stitch around the branches of this tree reminded me of pine needles.  Her fly stitch on the ornaments with Dazzle thread were gorgeous and shiny! 

Here's a close-up of one of Paula's basket blocks.  I love this one....isn't that great?  Laughter is the best medicine! 

This is a photo of my one block I worked on the whole weekend.  The block did have 3 of these flowers on it (in my defense) but I definitely did not achieve as much as my friends.  It is all fun however, because we eat, drink and be merry!



Three 5Ks, holidays and two pet deaths later......

I have been in a blog stall.  This may be a longer post than you care to read because I've not posted since last April.  I have some finished projects to show and tell, vacations, updated grandkid photos and 5Ks that I've participated in. 

 I finished this little sweater for our niece who had her little girl in August. It's a free pattern called Helena:

http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer08/PATThelena.html

Little Ballerina Wrap Sweater I made from a Debbie Bliss pattern and

Sublime Yarns Baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK.  I will eventually make booties to match and gift it to a special little girl yet to be born.

We went to Florida and Key West for my 60th birthday to be with our friends the Hemenways and Brays.  They sure made my birthday feel special instead of 'old'!  My one wish was to go back to the same place on the Intercoastal waterway where we saw this dolphin last year....he's still there!  It made my day!

I made these French Press Ballet Slippers in charcoal Cascade 220.  It's not a free pattern but you can purchase it here if you'd like:  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/french-press-felted-slippers.  The buttons are adorable, eh?  They can be purchased from an Etsy designer here:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/92053427/2-handmade-oven-baked-polymer-clay-heart

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I made a reversible hat for my honey.   It's very warm and he's very happy!

Can you believe this????  My good friend, Linda H., took a few photos that were taken of Luke and created this fun quilt for a challenge!  She's so talented!  She did some painting, applique and wonderful machine quilting. This quilt will be up for auction at the NQA show this coming June....guess who will be bidding on it??

I went in September to Arizona to visit my beautiful cousin, Connie, who had just started her chemo treatments.  We had a great time jogging together, eating out and swimming.  She has been such a role model of strength during this whole time of her chemo and radiation.  She has her last chemo on March 1st so Mark and I are going to fly out to celebrate with her and Dennis the end of March.

 

In October our beloved Portuguese Water Dog, Lily, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer.  I am sad to say she only lived 3 wks. after the diagnosis.  I miss her fun personality and still get teary eyed when I think of her.  Shortly after Lily died, my 20 yr. old cat, Cosette, died too.  It was a rough year in the Kelly household for our pets.  We lost 3 (I believe I mentioned losing our cat, Tara, in April).

Just a note on my exercise program in case it could inspire anyone to become healthier....I ran four 5Ks last year and one this year so far.  I run about 3 times a week and go to Jazzercise 3 times a week.  Only one day off, but I'm committed to live longer than my parents did ( mom died when she was 50 and dad when he was 55) and I'm sure hoping exercise and eating right are the key. 
My two bad habits....red wine and chocolate!

This weekend is another Spargo weekend and this time it's at my house. 
Photos to follow that fun time with great friends!