Remembering

Grandma Rosemary Baldwin

9/11/23 - 10/12/13

When I am gone, release me, let me go,

I have so many things to see and do,

you mustn't tie yourself to me with tears

be thankful for our beautiful years.

I gave you my love, you can only guess

how much you gave me in happiness.

I thank you for the love you each have shown,

but now it's time I traveled alone.

So grieve a while for me, if grieve you must,

then let your grief be comforted by trust.

It's only for a time that we must part,

so bless the memories within your heart.

I won't be far away, for life goes on,

and if you need me, call and I will come.

Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near,

and if you listen with your heart, you'll hear.

All my love around you soft and clear, and then,

when you must come this way alone,

I'll greet you with a smile, and say

"Welcome Home."

It has been nearly two months since Grandma passed away.  I am remembering the beautiful years I shared with her, the memories we made, and the love that she gave me.  I am grieving, for a while, because my friend, my support, my hero has passed on. I began this blog for her, in order to keep in touch and share my life with her across the many miles that separated us.  It's hard for me to share here while the hurt is still fresh.  I hope to return soon, but for now I will remember, and I will grieve, for a while.

Back to the Sewing Machine

It was fun to finish this quilt for Vivienne.  It was a baby gift given by one of Melisa's friends that didn't withstand the washer/dryer.  I took the quilt apart and remade it completely.  I enjoyed working a new machine quilting technique - a vertical meandering line.  Of course, Fred must approve every quilt that is made.

Halloween

Enjoying the pumpkin patch

My sweet niece!

Homemade Sherlock Hound outfit for the Remster!

Smiles!

State Fair of Texas

I finally got to make the trip back to Dallas to enjoy the State Fair!  Last year was such a bummer since I got so sick.  And although I missed my husband and traveling buddy this year, I still had a good time at the fair.  It's a really huge event and there's so much to take in.

After Big Tex burned down last year, Texans could not wait to have a replica made.  This is the new Big Tex, replicated nearly identical to the original.

Over two tons of butter were used for this butter sculpture named, "Welcome Home Big Tex."

These animals were really not what I expected to see at the state fair.  They had all sorts of baby animals like these in one of the arenas for the kids to feed.  Apparently the barns at Fair Park are historic landmarks and they are unable to change or expand to accommodate livestock on a long-term basis.  They basically rotate out the livestock throughout the month-long event and nothing was there the day I visited!

Colors of Texas

Here are a few pictures from my trip to Dallas.  I stopped at the Farmer's Market on Sunday and was disappointed by what I found.  Thankfully, this large flower shop made up for the disappointment and made the walk worth it!

These pumpkins were humongous.  I'm sorry I didn't put something

 in the picture to share the size comparison! 

Fashion Queen

This girl has a great sense of fashion!  Love the outfit :)

Sneak Peek

Here's a look at part of our downstairs den.  I repainted the walls a very light blue, stenciled a white border, added new drapes and recovered the lampshade.  I still have a few more decorating details to finish the room completely, so you can look forward to more pictures!

My Vivi Fix!

Last week I had to see my niece because she's already two months old and getting so big!  Can't wait to see her next weekend.

 

Race for Their Lives

Remy and I will be walking at Furry Friends' Race for Their Lives event on Sep. 21st. My mom's dog, Connor, was rescued through this organization. Connor was found as a stray dog in WV and many people came together to catch him, heal him, and love him. He's now thriving and doing a great job filling the hole that our Golden Retriever, Sparkle, left when she passed away. 

Would you consider making a donation? Follow this link to my personal donation page. Thank you!

https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/laura-hawk/race-for-their-lives-2013

Projects

After taking off a few months following my quilting marathon (two quilts - one each for Vivienne and Mallory - completed within 5 months), I'm ready to get back into project mode!

1. Paint the family room downstairs
         I started the walls this weekend and I'm happy to report that I finished them!  The color started as a very light beige/cream and it's now baby blue.  I like it so far, but the furniture still needs to move back into place and we'll see if the upholstery of the sofa and chair works with the color.  It may be time to upgrade!
         I still have to work on the white trim.  When we moved in, the trimwork was incomplete.  In the past two and half years, the only progress I made was painting the wood trim around the windows.  I hope to finish the rest of it this week.
         I also want to add a fine stencil to the top of the walls.  I'm thinking of just doing the stencil in white.  I'm searching online for a nice pattern.

2. Create quilt wall hanging using Quilting Modern book for inspiration
         I love the book Mom bought me and I have a good idea of what I want to do.  I think the quilt will be primarily purple and green.  I'm excited to look for fabrics.  I may search PA Fabric or head to a quilt store in Hershey.  I'm looking for something fresh and modern!

3.  Create cat/dog collage quilt
         I think this quilt will take a while to piece together, so I'll focus on one block at a time.  I really want each piece to resemble my critter in a unique way.

4. Rehang pictures/artwork in the office and family room
         After rearranging the office and now repainting the family room, I've got quite a few pictures to return to the wall.  I may add a few pieces or change up a few of them for something different.

Now, can we have a three-day weekend every week until the end of the year???

Inspiration

I was excited to make my first Craigslist pick-up today because it was an awesome wooden quilt hanger...and it cost nothing!  I have no quilt for it, but I have been pulling together some inspiration for a wall hanging.  I'm thinking of creating six blocks, one for each of the cats and Remy.  Most of my ideas come from this blog that I follow--- a quilter and cat lover, who has an entire wall of cat quilts.

Definitely doing this one with Dumpling in mind!

Summer is Still Here!

Although there are a few signs of fall approaching, summer is still here!  It was hot today and quite humid.  I worked for a while to get my Russian Sage to stand upright.  I'm halfway there and we'll see what happens when the next rain comes.

The gardens are flourishing and I am in love...and so are the cats!  They're allowed outside now and they have claimed the Butterfly Bush as their kingdom.  It provides just the right amount of shade while still letting a nice breeze through.  Plus the ultimate attractions are the many butterflies!

I took a few pictures today using just my camera phone, so I apologize that the quality isn't that great.  Of course, when I went to photograph the four cats under the Butterfly Bush, they immediately ran inside anticipating dinner.  Oh well...will have to try again!

I've enjoyed the company of Connor and Ceilee this week.  Connor was so cute, offering his paw in a picture that I shared with Mom.  Of course as I tried for a photo of all three dogs, no one was willing to look at the camera!

Viv at One Month

 

MI Visit

Mom and I had an opportunity to visit Grandma at the end of July.  We tried to make it as relaxing as possible, but every day was so busy and exhausting!  Despite that, I was grateful to have spent the time that I could and will cherish that visit!

We were enthusiastically welcomed into MI by this handsome guy, Jackson.  He's the new member of the Griffith family and he's great!  His personality is very similar to our young cat, Otis - always on the move and so playful!  (Rumor has it that Jackson now has a new sister!)

From Trenton, we traveled up north to Traverse City and spent the first evening at Grandma's apartment catching up and sharing music - Mom on the harp and me on piano.  We even got Grandma to tickle the ivory as well!

Tuesday was a gorgeous day at Higgin's Lake, a spot that Grandma and the family would go to on their vacations.  Coming from a major heat wave in PA to the almost chilly, dry air of northern MI was a really nice treat!  We played Uno and after many challenging rounds, I think Grandma finally figured out what the "new" cards meant (the new card version was redesigned although the game's rules were exactly the same).  Grandma was also intrigued by all the function of my "silly phone" and despite interrupted cell service, she was serenaded by Pandora Radio's Big Band channel!  Following our picnic lunch, we toured the campground and looked at every single one its 400+ spots!

Toward the end of the week (I forget which day!) Grandma came over to Aunt Pam and Uncle Greg's house to visit.  Grandma enjoyed watching a video of Vivienne on her play mat doing "tummy time."  I believe she watched it no less than five times (and I'm not at all exaggerating!).  It was so sweet to see and listen to her "talk" to Vivienne.  

Grandma and I also sat together and talked about some of her life history to complete a few pages of a memory book that Aunt Peggy bought.  We were talking about when and where she was born and I found it astonishing that babies were born on the kitchen table.  I can understand the whole part of a home birth and realize that it can be messy enough that a woman would avoid delivering in bed, but I just can't imagine that the kitchen table is the obvious next option!  We enjoyed a good laugh from that!

Grandma also shared her story of how she met Grandpa.  They had known each other as young kids and went to school together.  When Grandma finished her service in the WAVES, Grandpa asked her to marry him.  Grandma's not sure when that was exactly, but she imagines it was part of one of their discussions in the car sitting in the driveway.  He gave her an engagement ring that following Valentine's Day.  Their wedding was a small affair but not without controversy.  Apparently Grandpa's mother was a devout Catholic and was unwilling to attend their marriage since Grandma was protestant.  It wasn't until the last minute that his mother decided to attend!

Aunt Pam is lucky enough to live five minutes from vast fields of sunflowers.  We were able to see these flowers in full bloom and it was absolutely amazing.

The week came to an end all too quickly.  There will never be enough time to visit with Grandma and that can be hard to deal with sometimes.  I'm glad she is still someone I can write to and talk to despite the distance.  A grandmother is a special person, someone who loves you unconditionally and always sees the good in you, believes in you and supports you wholeheartedly.

Grandma, if you're reading this know that I love you so much and I loved seeing you!