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!  

A Few Favorites

Here are a few favorites of Vivienne from the past few weeks.  I saw her two weeks ago and I cannot wait to visit with her this weekend!

 Week One

Week Two

Week Three