What do you do in your studio?

Yes, that is what she said

What do you do in your studio?
( obviously she does not follow my blog, or check facebook...good for her ! )

Well, just in case she or anyone else out there is dying to know what I do in my studio...

The wait is over...  

Enter my studio...

 As you open the door, this is what you see first.
I call it my "wall of inspiration".  All the pictures on the right have been created by friends and family.  Or they remind me of someone special.  Like my grandpa. He taught me many things.

I am not an artist.  My sister is.  My daughters are. 
 I am a writer  
The pictures remind me to use the gift that God has given to me..   We are all so unique and we all have gifts. 

Wall of Inspiration


here is   a close up 

Right there in the center of the wall is the picture of my four treasures 

Jackxin        Klaire    Sebastian   Tanner
They inspire me to be the best Grandma I can be 

 You might also see a project in the making...like the folder of the book I have been talking about writing for many years...Not sure where the inspiration for that is, but there it is for now.


are you still with me?

Coffee pot
Cabinet with ironing board !  yes I iron things
A few things I could have changed to make the picture more "perfect" but I am not perfect and neither is my studio 

Sewing cabinet
Sewing machine
Sewing mannequin
I sew things
A few more special pictures that inspire me

And, I do love aprons.  I change her's seasonally


and now    

a favorite spot 

This is where I spend most of my time, when I am in my studio.
 ( notice how creatively my hubby put an old desk, night stand and file cabinet together and then topped it with ... a new desk top   )  
Computer with two screens
a few favorite DVD's  A bit of Mickey  
Note books...I love paper things ( some time I will open the closet door to my paper collection )
Shoe clock, calendar, stapler, file box, frame, etc 
and a bit of music.

( if you get this far and spot the "music"  just say the word and I have something for you )


actually...that is all there is ...for now ...my studio is no secret.  Come over and and have some coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.     Guests are always welcome !

I live an exciting life  

Words that start with S

Every visit to Spokane makes me think of Sharon.

She has been gone for almost three years, but, she  will always be the reason to visit Spokane.

And, a visit to the farm comes first. 

So many memories. But, for now, we are just going to absorb the peace,  tranquility and amazing beauty around  the homestead.  

\


OK... I did not get a full picture of the house..  The place where three generations were born and raised. But the other buildings have been there and are part of the memory .  One of those buildings was the spot for some grand parties.... country style... Sharon knew how to entertain.  

                              Chaps 

( here is a picture of Sharon at Chaps...probably the last time and with very good friends.)

Saturday morning....


… the morning to remember.

We stopped at Chaps to see if Celeste was there.

And….she was….

(Celeste owns Chaps, is a nurse, and she was the lady / nurse who saw our sister Sharon collapse in the parking lot outside her restaurant.  She stayed with Sharon until the aid car came to take her to the hospital.   But there were details that we did not know.)

The line into Chaps for breakfast was outside, and almost to the street. It is Saturday morning and folks love the breakfast at Chaps.    We walked inside and spotted Celeste chatting with the musician we recognized from last night. She was responding to something he was not happy about.

As she was heading back to business, Darrell walked up to her and she immediately came to us. He re-introduced himself ( they had already met, but I had never seen her though we had come to Chaps at least 5 times since June 2016  )

As soon as she came to meet me, I could not hold back. Her arms were open. 

No  words, just a hug. Such a huge hug that would not let go. Was it Celeste or was it me…

I told her that I had been wanting to thank her for being with Sharon and caring for her.

( eyes swimming )

Celeste said:   I remember that day like it was yesterday. I remember what I was wearing.  A young man, Sean, came to help. He said he had just finished training to be a life guard.  He wanted to take over.  I told him to  take Sharon’s head in his hands, hold it and talk to her. Tell her your name and just talk to her.   So, he did. He held her head . He introduced himself and just talked to her until the medics came. 

I was concerned that she had hit her head and made sure that the hospital knew to check out any injuries beyond her M.I.   I called the hospital every day.  I have been wanting to meet the family.  
Within an hour, there was a similar situation. I was able to help there too. There was a different end to that story. 

I wish I could have done more.  I will always remember.

For me… I thought that meeting Celeste would bring closure ( what is that anyway?) but instead, it brought  connection.  There was a real concern and now a  lasting bond between us.   During the brief visit that day, I could see several people wanting to chat with her. One little girl came up and Celeste bent down and hugged her.  I have to believe that this lady, Celeste, has a genuine admiration for others and the feeling is mutual.

 This is Celeste...and Darrell

Celeste said she wanted to give me something as a token of our bond.  So, what better than a mug from Chaps. 

Thank you Celeste

Thank you Lord for people who care 

Spokane and Sharon... 
they always go together....they always will   

Mother's Day

It comes every year,
Mother's Day

But Mother's are there for us every day !

Mine was...

This is my Mother 

Her youngest sister, my Aunt Pat, lived just a few blocks away, so growing up, she was very prominent in my life.

My Mother and her Mother 

The three of us.   My Mother, sister and me.
My Mother was a good swimmer and we lived just a block from Lake Washington.  But, Barb and I never had the same attraction to water as Mother did.
                                      Aren't we cute !

This year hubby had a bouquet - yellow roses from a favorite tree out front, chocolate, from our favorite county, Switzerland.  He also made breakfast.   It was Sunday, and he makes breakfast every Sunday...and Wednesday. 

We spent the afternoon with family --- why didn't I take pictures ? ?    Well, my memory holds being with friends and family and good food and flowers and a very comfortable and sweet picture. 



I live an exciting life
( the most exciting part of the day  ? ....it's our secret....)

things happen

Marti, I am thinking of  you since you and me are probably close to the only ladies who still wear a slip.

Here is what happened.....

We had been to a memorial,  a very special time, and when we got home I  walked in the door and passed a mirror, a full length mirror

 WHAT ?!    Yes, my slip was showing.  Not just a little. But at least a full inch around the bottom of my dress .   It was a new dress and I spotted a glimpse of lace as we walked out the door.  However, I had no idea that as the evening progressed, so did the lace.

I did the only thing I could think of.  I wrote a little note to the three ladies I know very well, who were also at the memorial

Here is what I said:

OK, Miss K, Miss M and Miss N, 

Who saw my slip showing about an inch, all around the hem of my dress, last night?

Why wasn't there a mirror in the ladies room?

How could Darrell let me out of the house with my slip showing?

Will I ever wear that dress again?

These are questions that trouble me.

But, I am pretty sure I will be able to sleep tonight and 

I will see you in my dreams,  and at Bible Study tomorrow  

After my bubble bath, I checked for reply's

Tue, May 7, 9:22 PM (1 day ago)

I just thought it was suppose to be that way.  Who knew, 
(later  she told me that the tears were running down her cheeks...the things we do to make people happy )

Well, Kathy, let me just say I did not notice your slip showing—sadly, I don’t even remember what your dress looked like—just your pretty coat!  If it was all around your dress, maybe Darrell thought it was part of your dress!  Caitlin & I just had a conversation on Sunday about the things you can buy from Grace & Lace to extend the length of your dress or top.  I’m sure Darrell was thinking that’s what you had on 

I  hope you sleep well tonight!    See you tomorrow!

Love to you!

9:54 PM (43 minutes ago)

Dearest Kathy,

I just checked my emails and saw this.  It so made me smile.  I did see your slip and I so thought it was supposed to show.  It matched your dress which was also beautiful as well as classy!  I was going to ask you where you got that slip which was a perfect length to show the perfect amount🥰️ I think you have started a new fad?!  Ted did want me to tell you he was “shocked”!!  I know he never noticed

Love you and always will.....even if your slip shows!

Well, I have learned a lesson

and, I will sleep well tonight.

I live an exciting life  

May Day

May 1  is May Day

and that means.. flowers at the door

For many years I have found a tulip on my front porch on May Day.
The Girls Scouts have kept it a secret, until  this year, I found out
Thank you 

And for many years we have taken flowers to the door of neighbors...like these..
 this year, I could not find any little helpers, so after dark, hubby helped me. Did not ring any doorbells  ( it was about 10:00 p.m. by the time our Bible Study dispersed ) 
The lilacs were in perfect bloom and we always put a few candy treats in the bottom

Memories 

When the littles helped me

getting ready for another year 

hang, knock and run 

Yes, one of the first years we received a flower
Love a yellow tulip 

In case you forgot, or did not know,  on May 1, you take a basket of flowers to your neighbors door, ring the bell and run and hide.  It is especially fun for the very young.  They can usually be seen hiding behind a bush, but the neighbor just smiles and looks around.

If you did not do it this year, get ready for next year, only 359 days away.  Plenty of time to plan.  Lilacs are in full bloom. 
And, I think the tradition is coming back.


I live an exciting life. 

Vision 4 Quartet

Yes that is what they call themselves.

              4 and Quartet mean the same thing

Oh well... they sang in a Grand Style

and here they are

Singing from the heart
You can see it, can't you 

yes here we are 

and still singing
   

A church in  Seattle is the place
A time to sing our old favorite hymns
Just one Friday night a month 

And now the test.

NO SCROLLING  !

Are all the singers right handed?

Did all men remember to wear black shirts?

What was the first hymn we sang?

ok.   scroll....

What's your score ?

come on, tell all 

Exciting !  Right ?