Jack's Baby Quilt

I've been rather busy during my blogging hiatus.  

One little project was a little quilt for our new grandson. 

Here's Jack's baby quilt.  His mommy wanted it to be varying shades of grey.  She loves rabbits (they even have one as a pet) so some of the fabric was bedecked with bunnies.  

I chose a simple pinwheel pattern

and quilted a quarter inch around each one.

Jack is about four months old here, all wrapped in his quilt.

Hope he wasn't looking too closely had my handiwork!  
It was more a labor of love!!

Signed and dated for him.

I love this picture; Jack's quilt is a little hug from Grammy!

Thanks for stopping by.  I'm two for two with this week's post.  I'll see how things continue to go.  Blogging "old style" is so fun and a great creative outlet!  Hope to see you again next week!

Zenda

Spring Has Finally Sprung!

Hello, friends!  It's been awhile since I've created a post.  I've been keeping busy with my family and community.  I decided Springtime would be a great time to dive back into the Blogging World so let's see if I can keep it up.

After a rather cool, rainy start to our Spring, my gardens have finally started to awaken.  I wanted to share some of my lovely blooms.  Each one makes me smile!!

The iris are from my mom.  She loved these "old fashioned' iris

and these "bronze" iris she really liked.  They are actually a burgundy color and, although they go nicely with our brick home, aren't exactly my favorites.  I'll be looking to add some new varieties that show a bit more contrast.  All of these have really adjusted well to their new home, though, and I'm so happy about that!  

One new variety I added last year was this one - Damsel in a Dress!  Isn't she lovely?

Here are more shots of my "Secret Garden."  This was the first garden planted with many relocated plants from our old house.  It's on the north side of our new home, a place not easily seen from the road or from the front. 

This is one side of the walkout 

and here is the other side.

The quince has already bloomed but it's blossoms were a cheery coral color.

in another garden, the peony bushes have done well and were gorgeous before all of the rain last week.

I planted this clematis at the end of the season last year and was REALLY rewarded with these spectacular blooms last week!!  The purple really is this vivid!

We've been enjoying our back porch!  This view is looking out toward the old homestead and if you look carefully,

you can see our farmer (renter) putting in his corn crop.

The view from another angle shows the progress on J's woodworking shop.  He will also use it work on his machinery.

The section on the right (with the double door and covered door) will be my potting shed.  We can't wait to get all of our outdoor stuff moved into one shed!  We have it scattered in our garage and in several other out

buildings on the farm.

This little fellow is one of the reasons I've been too busy to blog.  I had the opportunity to babysit from January through April and it was such a blessing AND lots of fun!  It's hard to believe he's already 8 months old.  He really likes his daycare but he still comes to stay at Grammy's and Papa's on Mondays.  :)

Thanks for stopping by to catch up!  I'm wishing you all a wonderful week!

                                                                     

                                                                                         Zenda

**Please keep in your prayers our Midwest neighbors 

affected by the tornadoes and flooding.**

Finally Fall

Our weather has finally started feeling Fall-like and our trees are turning here in Missouri.  I wanted to check in and wish everyone a cozy and colorful weekend!

These two photos are of the road to our house and our lane.

 

Behind our home...

Our backyard is another story!  J has started another project.  He is building his workshop and has be been busy burying the water and electric lines.  You can see the concrete slab for the shop in the background. 

He completed this job today and will be burying everything in the next several days.  We hope the framers will be here this coming week to start building.  I have lots of gardening items I hope to store for the winter in my little corner! 

I couldn't resist including a picture of J and our Little Jack!!  

Jack turned 6 weeks old yesterday and is over 10 pounds!

Thanks for stopping for a visit!  I'm wishing you a colorful week!

Zenda

Our New Grandson!

WE HAVE A GRANDBABY!!!!!

Our Precious Daughter, Michelle, and her handsome husband, Jeremy, had their little baby boy late last week!  He was a few weeks early but is perfect at 7 pounds, 11 ounces!  They named him Jack Alexander after Jeremy's maternal great grandfather and paternal great-great-great grandfather.  So special!!

We've had lots of fun spending time getting to know our new little fellow.  He's had lots of company including his Grandma "Cami," Jeremy's mom,

his Great Grandma, "Gigi," J's mom,

his fun-loving Uncle Andy, (who came all the way from Montana!) and his girlfriend, Jamie, visiting from Kansas City

 

Papa and Grammy (ME)!

I love this collage Cami put together of his first day!!

I realized I have never posted anything on the shower Cami and I put on for Michelle so here are a few pics of the event. We invited family and a few of Michelle's good friends.

We served chicken salad sandwiches, fruit cups and cheese straws.  

Here Michelle is helping herself to some fruit and Cami is ladling up her delicious punch!

We printed baby pictures of Michelle and Jeremy and placed them around.  It was fun to remember our own little ones and wonder what our NEW little one would look like!

Since the we didn't know the gender of our new little one at the time, Cami and I decided to dress up these two little rabbits in one of Jeremy's outfits and one of Michelle's. 

Instead of a card, Michelle and Jeremy asked everyone to pick one of their favorite children's book and write something special inside for their new little one.  Gigi gave them several books she read to Michelle at her house when she was little.  I think this beloved book was remembered!

It was so much fun preparing for our new addition but getting to hold Little Jack in my arms is even better!!  

Thanks for visiting and sharing this VERY special time!

Zenda

Late Summer Changes

We were up earlier than normal today.  J wanted to play golf with "The Old Grumpys" and they start early during the summer.  After the pups and I wished him off, I realized the foggy morning would make some pretty pictures.  I hurriedly dressed and we went on our morning walk/chores.  Here are some of our views this late summer morning.

 Ranger looking to see if the fish were up yet.

 Our homestead from across the pond.  (Ha!)

Several of our "ladies" were up early, too.

This is how these two play fetch.  Ranger loves the water and 

Sallie tries not get her toes wet!

As hot summer days change to warm autumn afternoons, we are excited to be changing in our roles, as well.  Our Precious Daughter and Son-in-Law are anticipating the arrival of their first child!  J and I are so excited in becoming GRANDPARENTS!  This past weekend, the kids had me take some photos of them and I'll share a few.

 This was taken in their bean field.

Love this one, American Gothic-style!  This is in front of what will be their new home.  Yes, not only are they starting their family, they are building a new home.  We are so lucky that it is just a few miles down the road from us!  Guess we'll get to do a lot of babysitting, huh?!

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you are enjoying these last days of summer!

Zenda