celebrating . . .

I tend to take very few pictures at weddings . . . especially when it is someone I love.  I want to enjoy and celebrate.  So I have very few pictures of Sarah and Daniel's wedding, but will share a few that I  do have.  This is Sarah and her Uncle Whitney . . . an emotional dance . . . with Sarah missing her father on her wedding day.  Sarah was such a beautiful bride!

There were these two "Bridesmen"

 . . . and these three characters.  

How they make me smile!

. . . and always some crazy Grandma love!

Beautiful wedding!  Fun night . . .  celebrating love and family!

A day with Avery . . . Best Day Ever . . .

 I watched my youngest granddaughter Avery over my Thanksgiving break.

The day started off with crazy hair and a big bear . . . .

 . . . being a unicorn was next . . . 

. . . sleeping . . . 

. . . SMILING . . . 

BEST DAY EVER!

fun with charlotte . . .

Charlotte wanted to help me stain doll bodies last night.  As usual everything is much more fun when Charlotte is involved . . . and much more of a mess.  She had coffee splashed all over the counter before we were finished, but the mess was worth it.  Children bring wonder and enthusiasm to everything they do. 

 I wish I had a picture of her face when I told her we had to bake the dolls in the oven.  

She is very interested in this batch of dolls . . . 

I have a feeling she may be helping me with hair and faces next . . .

Her enthusiasm is contagious.  

We have a lot to share with each other . . . her and me.  

"Enthusiasm is is excitement with inspiration,

 motivation, and a pinch of creativity."

~ Bo Bennett

photo challenge 1/13/16 . . . keepsake

This was somewhat of a difficult prompt for me . . . mainly because I was trying to come up with only one keepsake.  I could post pictures of keepsakes for days.  I am a sentimental person . . . which means, that by the time you are my age - you have a whole lot of keepsakes.  I finally decided on this rosary . . . or rather part of a rosary.  The rosary belonged to my maternal grandmother.  We lived with her until I was 14.  We lived in the main house and she lived in an apartment upstairs.  She worked at a hospital and most of what I remember she worked nights and would get home around midnight.  There were many nights that I would wait up for her to get home . . . leave a note on my bed telling my parents where I was . . . and then spend the night with her upstairs.  We would have a snack and I would crawl into bed underneath a quilt that she had made . . .  and we would always say the rosary before going to sleep. 

From what I understand . . . after my grandmother passed away - this is all they found of her rosary.  I am not even sure how I ended up with it.

My grandmother influenced my life probably more than I even realize . . . I think of her often and miss her terribly.  When it comes to being a grandma . . . she was the best.

5 simple beads, some wire, and a crucifix . . . to me it is a treasure. 

just for fun . . .

Making faces with Charlotte . . .

Life is great!

Lily was very proud of her artwork when I picked her up after school on Friday.  Then it was very important to just stuff that pretty painting in her backpack.  Kids are wonderful!  One of the quotes that I found for my 1000 paper crane project recently was . . . "Children think not of what is past, nor what is to come, but enjoy the present time, which few of us do."  ~ Jean de La Bruyere  I am constantly amazed my the children in my life . . .

Life is great!  Enjoy every moment that you can!

Clarehelen . . .

. . . with Gramma Green, Grandma Kubicek, and Mrs. Kleespie (Grandma the III as she used to call herself)

Today is the last day of Sweet November Photo Challenge . . . and today's prompt is "you" . . . as in me.  That's an easy one and a tough one . . .

There is no possible way to jot down a few words and describe someone.  I am simple and yet I am complicated . . . I am strong and yet there are times I just want to give up . . . I am outgoing and yet there are times when I find myself feeling quiet and want nothing else but to be by myself . . . I am one of the silliest people ever - yet I am way too serious and think way too much.   I guess I am a mess of contradictions.  (it's no wonder my husband just smiles and shakes his head at me sometimes - I don't think he will ever figure me out)  What I do know and what is always constant are the values and beliefs that I was raised with . . . and my faith and I am so thankful to have those things.  When I look at this picture - I like to think that these three women would be proud of who I am. 

November 11th . . . special

“Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”  ~ Hilary Cooper

 

Sweet November photo challenge 

Flashback Friday . . .

 Amy . . . this one is for you. 

You and Gramma at the San Diego Zoo. 

San Diego Fleet Tournament

I am not sure exactly what year . . . early 80's

You have to love a man in baseball pants . . . especially one that can hit!

1986 . . .

This is so funny.  When I emailed it to Richard the other day - he called me laughing and saying something about how young we were and asking me why I was drinking beer out of a tennis ball can?   I also sent it to Roger . . . he just had to laugh at the mustaches.   

Petty Officer Smith . . . I was a pushover for a Navy uniform.  I prefer the dress uniforms and cracker jacks, but I like the dungarees too.

"Good on ya Eagle"

We had a lot of fun during those years and met some great people . . . and yes, we were really young . . . I may have to drink a beer out of a tennis ball can for old times sake.

Happy Friday!

More Gramma Stuff

My grandma always would draw these profiles . . . I am thinking I might frame this one. 

She also always used hankies . . .

I used to iron hankies for her when I was little.  She would sprinkle them using a soda bottle with a sprinkler top - then roll them and put them in the refrigerator until I ironed them.

These two she crocheted the edging and embroidered on for me.  I don't know why my mom still had these.  I was so excited she still did.

Gramma's Quilt

This sun bonnet baby quilt was made by my grandma.  According to my mom she made it when my mom was a baby, which would make the quilt over 80 years old.  As a little girl my grandma lived in the apartment upstairs in the house that we lived in.  I spent the night with her quite often and she would get this quilt out for me to sleep under.  I remember thinking it was so special when she brought it out. 

Some of the embroidery has worn out, there are a couple of stains, and it is patched on the back side - but for the most part it is still in pretty good shape considering how old it is.  When I think about it - the quilt was quite old when I slept under it.  I have not looked at this quilt in years . . . I forgot about all the beautiful detail in it.

Each little bonnet is embroidered differently.  I am sure the dresses are made out of scraps from other sewing projects. 

This is one of my favorites.  I like the colors in her dress and the little star on her bonnet.  I don't remember my grandma embroidering very often - she crocheted and knitted mostly.  She did teach me how to embroidery though.  She was always so patient when she taught me how to do things. 

I am not really sure what I will do with it.  I may have Richard make a quilt rack to display it or maybe tuck it away safely somewhere to bring out when my granddaughters spend the night with me.  I hope they will have all sort so wonderful memories like the ones I have a of my grandma.

This is another quilt she made.  I was older when she made this one.  It is a cathedral window design - and she was very quick to tell you that each window was a different fabric.  I love all the colors and I cherish the memories I have of Gramma.

"Grandma Bed"

I decided to use my "grandma" quilts and afghans rather than just have them stashed away in a closet.  For some time I had this quilt on a quilt shelf that hung in my house.  I was concerned that it was getting dirty so decided to store it away.  I decided it really needed to me enjoyed - rather than be stuck away where I never see it.  This quilt was made by my grandma years ago.  It was on my bed when I was very young.

It really is beautiful - and all hand quilted.  I think of her hands working when I look at it.

I have another quilt that she made later - that I now have on the bottom of my bed.  I will have to post a picture of that one sometime.  I believe it is called a cathedral window quilt and each piece is a different fabric.

The pillow cases were embroidered by my mom.  They also were on my bed when I was little.  I remember my room had pink wallpaper with kittens in it. 

The darker wool quilt was made by Richard's grandma and the granny square afghan was crocheted by my mom.  I can remember laying underneath it when I was young.  I loved to use it in the winter when it was cold - because it was really heavy.  I used to pile the blankets during those cold Iowa winters to the point that I could hardly move underneath them.

I will have to see what else I have to add to my "grandma" bed . . . maybe add something that I have made.   Nothing spectacular - but a whole lot of love and memories in this handwork.  It is much more fun to curl up here and read than it was with the store bought comforter that I had on the bed before.  Maybe it's my age . . . but I feel the need to enjoy and use the things that I think are beautiful and mean something to me.  I also find myself telling the kids who made what and the stories behind different items that have been in my family for years.  I like to think that it isn't because I am getting older (although - I am) - but also because they are starting lives of their own and getting to the age where it means something to them too.  I remember sleeping under a quilt that my grandma had made (it was a sun bonnet baby quilt).  My grandma used to get it out when I spent the night with her.  I hope Lily and Charlotte will enjoy sleeping under the "grandma" quilts one day. 

Missing my grandma today . . . .

In Memory

It was two years ago today that our Grandma passed away. I miss her always - Amy does too. I am thankful that we had her for as many years as we did and for a lifetime of memories with her. She was a wonderful Grandmother!
These pictures were taken about 15 years ago.

These last two pictures were taken the last time I saw Grandma - October 2006. I will always be glad that I went to visit this time. I usually visit Iowa in the summer because I am off work - but decided sort of last minute that I needed to go home in October. I am also glad that we took these pictures that day.

So many things remind me of my grandmother - crochet hooks, doilies, crossword puzzles, the smell of toast, geraniums, rosaries, roasting marshmallows, old sheet music, Campbell soup, Whitman's candy, embroidery floss, yarn, granny squares, old christmas ornaments, quilts, milk glass, dandelions . . .

The first day I was home this particular October - I went to the nursing home to see her. Since she was in a new facility, I did not know what room she was in. I stopped at the front desk to ask for her room number and the lady pointed at Grandma sitting not too far away. When I turned around and she noticed me - she simply said, "Oh, Clare", smiled, and held out her hand. I can still hear her voice that day. I have this picture on my desk at work and every day I am reminded of how much I loved her. And even though I miss her terribly - I believe she is with me every time I pick up a hook to crochet, say a rosary, or see a red geranium.

A grandmother is a little bit parent, a little bit teacher, and a little bit best friend. ~Author Unknown

Thank you Amy!

I received a box from Amy today which included so much fun stuff. I will have to post some pics later. But for now I want to talk about the photo album she sent me. This is actually the last page which totally caught me off guard and I cry every time I read it. This is our grandmother's grave stone. She was very special to both of us and we miss her terribly. I know that she is a part of us - and even though we miss her - remembering her is a wonderful thing.
These pictures were taken last summer when Luke and I were in Iowa. Amy and I took Luke and Connor to eat at "Teluwhat". This is actually a pretty good place to eat for the little town of Osage.
This is one of my favorite pages - because of the saying - "But which is the way back to Iowa." (I should have bought these shoes.) It is better in one aspect that I do not live near Amy - or I would have taken this picture of me away from her. I need to not worry about what I look like in photos. I used to joke when the boys were little that if something happened to me, no one would remember what I looked like - because there were no pictures of me. If I didn't like them - I threw them out. Much easier these days when you can just delete them and take another one. My cousin is the best!!!!
I love the pictures we took with my parents the last day we were there. Luke had not been back to visit them in awhile - and this trip was something he will always remember.
I can't wait to take my book to work tomorrow and show everyone. I love every page. This one of Dad and Uncle Al is one of my favorites. This was taken early one morning when we went on a breakfast picnic. I love the picture of them on the bench.I probably could have scanned every page - but Luke wanted on the computer.

"A cousin is a sister you never had"