We Are Family

 We Are Family

Yesterday afternoon we had our first family visit in our new home. My nephew and his beautiful family came by to see us and our new home. It was a great evening visiting.

It makes me very happy to have family in our new home. I hope this is the first of many family visits. I've had several friends over already and I hope there will be many more visits from both family and friends. 

#wearefamily

JUNE 2026

 JUNE 2026

This year is zooming by! 

This year has been a whirlwind! There really isn't a better word to describe it! I simply can't believe that June has arrived and that it has arrived so quickly. Spring thus far as been very mild and very nice but after our current rainy spell the HEAT is due to arrive.

I'm hopeful that the rest of our spring and summer will tick by at a much slower pace.

I'm ready to enjoy some summer time fun!

Big Change - More Later - It's Later

 More Later - It's Later ...

I promised more news later on the changes that May would bring ...

WE MOVED!

And by we, I mean me and my daughter. We bought a house together!

I packed up my little house and my sewing room and moved into a split level rancher with my daughter.

We have been talking about buying a house together for several years and NOW seemed the perfect time. As I head toward retirement in a few years it just made sense to find the home of our dreams that fits our plans for the future.

And, we found it!!!

We closed on the sale of my house and the purchase of our new house last week on Friday.

I enjoyed my coffee on our new deck ... while waiting on the movers to arrive with all of my things.

And, in the midst of the move my children celebrated me with flowers, calls, and a lovely lunch on Mother's Day.

The Lord has blessed me beyond measure.

MAY

 MAY

May brings change ... more on that in a bit! 😎💖

April Has Been a Whirlwind

 April Has Been a Whirlwind

Spring here in East Tennessee has been chilly and warm all at the same time. It has been glorious.

I received my new Lodge cards, the cards are for entry into the Lodge and the pool. 

I also received the new 2026 mahjongg cards!

Happy Spring Everyone!

Happy Easter 2026

 Happy Easter 2026

The Easter Basket I made for my daughter this year is even more special. The theme this year is all about "the baby boy!"

Here comes the SON!

All Has Been Merry and Bright

 All Has Been Merry and Bright

End of 2025 Vibes

I've enjoyed a very quiet and peaceful holiday season with all of those whom I love. It has been spectacular! 2025 has provided so many wonderful God given blessings. A new job that I love. Good health, real peace, and happiness.

I am blessed beyond measure and I am truly grateful!

Ending 2025 in a quiet and peaceful place. My prayer for 2026 is continued peacefulness, good health, and profound happiness for each of us.

Happiest of New Years to you all!

Rounding Out #62

 Rounding Out #62

I am truly blessed beyond measure and not just at my birthday. This year's birthday has been beyond amazing. Family, Friends, Food, Gifts, and Cards

😁😁😁

#62

Still Celebrating #62

 Still Celebrating #62

A wonder evening with friends celebrating. More birthday fun with the ladies. What a great evening!

Beautiful friends, amazing food, and tons of laughs!

#62

Getting Ahead of Myself

Getting Ahead of Myself

Another Easter Basket with a different theme. 

Recently, I purchased a crochet pattern from ALL FROM JADE  , this pattern designer has some of the cutest patterns. If you crochet I hope you will check out her Esty shop. You will not be disappointed.

I purchased the Jellyfish pattern and it is a great pattern, the instructions are spot on and written so well. I just couldn't resist not starting another Easter Basket with her jellyfish as the theme.

I have included the Red Heart yarns that I used for the jellyfish and for the basket that I have crocheted along with the link to Jade's pattern.

This one has been a lot of fun crocheting. I may just keep this Easter Basket for myself. It's just so stinkin' cute!

Here Comes Peter Cottontail and his Entourage

Here Comes Peter Cottontail and his Entourage

This year has definitely been the year of yarn arts in my journey of textile artistry as opposed to my quilting passions.

Why? I haven't a clue ... it has just seemed to work out that way this year.

I began working on my daughter's 2026 Easter Basket a few weeks ago, in the midst of wrapping Christmas gifts I began crocheting the coming year's Easter Basket.

Yeah, yeah ... I'm all over the place.

Every year I choose a theme for the Easter Basket and this year I decided on an actual Easter theme ... an Easter Bunny

But once I got started I realized there is rarely just one bunny and decided that Peter Cottontail surely has an entourage of colorful bunnies.

I still have to crochet the basket handle and a few extra details to my design.

Peter and his Entourage

Celebrate Good Times C'mon!

 Celebrate Good Times C'mon!

I am extremely fortunate that my family always makes a big deal about my December birthday. When I was a child my mom would not stand for the dual gift. You know the one, this is for her birthday and Christmas, setting the tone that that was not appreciated or allowed. I've always had a birthday party or dinner and celebrated on my birthday (or before). 

Through the years my children have really embraced celebrating me and my birthday completely separate from the seasonal holiday trappings. And, this year has been no exception.

Dinner at one of our area's finest eateries, the Copper Cellar

A leisurely dinner with dessert, enjoying great conversation and each other's company.

From there a birthday shopping trip to a new to us jewelry store for a little birthday bling.

#62

I am so blessed.

Success!

 Success!

There is nothing like the feeling of accomplishing a goal you have set for yourself ... except for watching your child achieve one of their goals.

My youngest son is now a Pilot.

My Favorite Yearly Birthday Gift

 My Favorite Yearly Birthday Gift

The Advent Calendar by Stitch Supple Co.

Happy Birthday to me!

#62

Are You Ready to Rumble ...

 Are You Ready to RUMBLE ...

#iceicebaby

I rounded out the Thanksgiving weekend with a great evening with friends at a Knoxville Ice Bears Hockey game. 

My Girl

 My Girl

My girl and I have been sharing one adventure after another the past few months. We've learned how to weave baskets, how to make mosaic lamps, and use a knitting machine to make a hat but a couple of weeks ago we decided that a Sunday morning brunch was the ticket.

My Girl had never been to Chesapeake's, a local eatery that my girl mentioned she had never been to so that is where we went.

Crusty fresh bread, crab stuffed mushrooms, champagne cocktails, and an amazing surf n turf. Topped off with key lime pie and white chocolate macadamia banana pudding.

And time spent with my girl is always the best!

I managed to snag one of the Dunkin Donut's WICKED tins full of munchkins. Munchkins are my girls favorite.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to snag one of the Starbucks bears.

HAHAHAHA!!! I couldn't have said it better myself!

😎😎😎

Adult children are so much fun!

Festival of Tables

 Festival of Tables

What a blessing, I spent a wonderful evening with friends in fellowship at East Maryville Baptist Church.

Me and the ladies

The tables were decorated differently by members of the church and they were all so beautiful and thoughtfully decorated. We were asked to vote on our favorite tablescape and it was so fun walking around looking at all of the tables and talking with everyone.

The gentlemen of the church served us an amazing and delicious dinner ... and I chose carrot cake for dessert. It did not disappoint.

It was a wonderful evening from beginning to end. Sherree Bowen the guest speaker was so uplifting and encouraging. And, I enjoyed seeing and spending time with sweet friends.

It was a powerful evening.

Beautiful Fall

 Beautiful Fall

This year I have enjoyed one of the most beautiful Fall seasons in a while.

The weather has been amazing, typical cool evenings and morning with warmer days. The leaves have been so beautiful this year. We've had a long leaf peeping season without much wind, rain, or storms. It really has been spectacular. 

I've worked hard on completing my first ever knitted sweater. I've taken a class on knitting a hat on a knitting machine. I started crocheting my daughter's 2026 Easter basket. I've started a new job and job training. I've had foggy mornings spent having coffee, and just enjoyed the season. I'm thankful for all of it.