the un-birthday....no quilty content

february 23rd is mom's unbirthday...she would have been 98...she nearly made it...healthy and vibrant into her 90s until the junkyard dog cancer grabbed hold and didn't let go.  she never thought about age or numbers, just got up every day and did what she always did...as the family stalwarts always did.  we were shocked and still are at this deep and profound loss.  if she were here, we'd have chocolate cake with boiled icing, a nice dinner, a few gifts, probably flowers from somebody and calls from faraway family.  we wouldn't have been surprised that she was 98, still walking in good weather, living independently, preparing family get togethers, doing her crosswords....we are surprised she isn't here, leaving us with a crater-size hole in our hearts and lives...

i didn't circle her in the grade school photo, but she is on the left in the front row....i ended with a photo of pemaquid point, her favorite ocean place....we went there often just to relax and drink in the ocean smell and sounds, sun glistening on the waves, always with a book and ending with a trip to the snack bar for french fries...she loved them and her Savior, Jesus Christ, and family, reading, walking, lobster, vintage dishes, adventures, music, the ocean...in later years i gifted her special trips like a windjammer cruise, a music concert, a trip to see Cirque du Soleil, pilgrimages to Jonesboro, holiday concerts, Downeast Brass at an old church, summer festivals, a high tea luncheon, beach vacations....and always, always ocean visits...never did get the sand completely out of the car!  i'll be making clam chowder in her honor and a toast to a lifetime of love--her gift to all of us...

slow mo jo

continuing cold temps and chronic cabin fever have left me with decreased mojo for sewing or anything else.  i did get my quilty group homework done...2 lap robe tops for our charity project.  oh and the laundry too..

what else?  finished the 2 "rising sun" circles and onto backgrounds....

one medical appointment took up a fair part of a day...a bit more on the winter saltbox by pinker and punkin designs....

that about sums up the week so far....without close friends and no car to do fun things makes life dull and feeling largely disconnected.  almost no public transit here aside from the train station about 3 miles away--too far to walk.  so i usually just do whatever will keep my mind occupied until the worst passes...spring can't come any time too soon.  

with a week to go in february's challenge, used up more of the large hexies for a planned table runner, autumn trees...not sure if it'll get finished this month but perhaps in time to sell later in the year...here's a peek....  

also traced 4 hawaiian applique patterns for a sew along...i do love hawaiian quilting and hope these small pieces will satisfy my longing for a bigger project.

it's friday but sunday's coming!  

sunday chat

a wacky weather week here in maryland....rain, snow, sleet, ice and occasional sunshine as well...it's almost spring, i can feel it, so this is sort of mother nature's menopause--transition from one phase to another.  a routine primary care visit left me elated that remains despite the dreary view out my window.  there was some sewing tho....wildest dreams is in the hoop and excited to work on this finally...the quilting is my favorite part you know...

even happier to know i won't have to baste any more large quilts....me hates thread basting!!!

attended friday quilt group and came home with some homework...LOL...we are making lap robes for a veteran's hospice and i'm to sew 2 tops together and pass them on to the quilter....saving that task for president's day...before the name gets changed that is...

ladies in our group are tireless workers for local charities and i am more than happy to be included...God instilled in me the love of sewing and my hands belong to Him...

ended the week with a brief zoom gathering of the faithful, mostly down under peeps where they are comparing hot temps...LOL..but there were are few northern hemisphere gals who joined in....

and what's to do with lots of free time?  why cruise instagram of course!  i found these gems i'll pass along to you....

new name for gulf of maine maybe?  this could be a new trend....

for the winter weary....pox on those snow lovers!!!

and a solution to a nuisance problem...environmental friendly too!

yes, they are chuckle worthy but stoke the fires of irksome for sure....let's just say the unemployment claims in maryland have skyrocketed...and serious issues remain a genuine concern....

winter sans car has made me quite laid back...thanks to the bike my mental health has remained top notch but if boredom were fatal, i wouldn't be blogging...those who ferry me around have really been my saviors...God has been faithful with my daily needs but cabin fever isn't a priority i guess...nor my independence...sigh...

but blessings still abound so i'll keep calm and sew on...have a blessed day!