Cuddlin' the Little One

If you're wondering where I've been......there's been some grandbaby cuddling going on:) But we did take advantage of a beautiful day for a short motorcycle trip on Sunday. We've been here many times, but we never get tired of the Story Inn. This time we took a short walk around some of the surrounding gardens. And back to the "barn" which is available for weddings and other special events.

The view of the restaurant from the back field. There's also the tavern (not visible from this angle) with outside seating and wood fired grill for another meal option.

Friday evening we stopped by the River Stage in Jeffersonville. This is a floating barge/stage where free music and theater performances take place during the summer. We enjoyed some music by a local rock band and then a short ride to our favorite ice creamery for dessert.

I'll leave you with some more pics of the little cuddlebug! So far, he's been on his best behavior and shows promise of being an "easy" (if there is one) baby! Hope I didn't jinx anything with that comment!

Have a great day everyone. If you can't find me, I be cuddling the little bug!

What a Week!

This has certainly been an amazing week! It started off with the arrival of daughter E, then J, J and little J for a nice 4th of July weekend. Our activities ranged from a visit to the Louisville zoo, a trip to Mike Lennings for a fun, traditional fish fry, Huber Farms for wine tasting and lunch and of course a traditional holiday barbeque. It was wonderful to have the entire family here and so fun to see how little J is growing and playing, but the whole weekend we were all hoping we would be able to welcome our newest member. Of course, nature has a way of creating her own schedule!

We assumed last Monday would be the big day, but even with some gentle coaxing and patience, little D took his time making his arrival. Finally, his mama and doctor had enough of his stubborn-ness and a c-section brought him into this world on Tuesday night. Mama B and baby are doing fine (as is his daddy !) and they hope to return home tomorrow. Thank you for all of the congratulatory comments and emails and also the prayers for his safe arrival!

I must brag a little about what cute babies our children have produced! You know I'm not prejudiced at all! They grow so quickly though. Little J practiced his standing skills on our deck last weekend and I think that was his favorite place at Grammie's house. It's hard to believe he'll soon be a year old!

Our new kitchen counters made their arrival too. I was beginning to wonder if the new grandbaby would win the race and he did , but just barely! We got home from welcoming him at the hospital at around midnight Tues. and installation on the tops began at 7:30 the next morning. So far, I love them! This photo was taken before the faucets were installed but you can see how nice and shiney they are. Now if we can just avoid stacking the mail and other junk on them and cluttering them up! Next step will be finding some tile for the wall behind the range. It's coming together!

Welcome to the World!

Introducing our newest family member - Drake Allan! Born Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 8:50 pm. He was so comfy and cozy he had to be coaxed into the world, but Mama and Daddy (and all of us!) are so happy he's made a safe arrival. Weighing in at a whopping 9 lbs, and 22 1/2 inches long.

Congratulations to daughter B and son-in-law N on the arrival of the LUCKY little one!

Now this tired grandma is headed to bed.

Finally.... something quilty to post

I've not really been a slacker in the sewing department. I just couldn't post anything about this quilt as it was a surprise for a special couple of parents-to-be. Shortly after it was finished a few days ago, D was kind enough to help me with the photography. I guess I shouldn't have cut the poor guy's head off though! The pattern is a smaller version of Wild Thing by Thimble Blossoms. The fabric collection is mostly Jungle Jumble by Michael Miller with few stash pieces thrown in. The quilting was done all by me on this one, but nothing fancy and no free motion, just some stitch in the ditch and straight line shapes.

Since today is their actual due date, B & N came over for supper and I gave them the quilt. I know they like it, but it wasn't near the surprise I thought it would be. I guess I've been giving too many hints away on the blog!
The backing is pieced using the border print on one end. Now all we need is a baby to wrap in it! Should be soon though!If I don't get a blog post up before Saturday - have a fun, safe and happy Fourth of July!

PS: Remember how I said I thought we'd get a countertop before a new grandbaby? Well, my money is now on the grandbaby!

Looking Forward

A short evening ride to the nearby State Forest and a stop to experiment with the new camera left us realizing we need more practice. But here's one interesting shot through the trees. We probably waited a little too late in the day for decent lighting. The colors here are pretty though.I still carry my little pocket Kodak and snapped this shot of D playing photographer. At least he looks like he knows what he's doing!

One project completed this week - another bag. This one will be claimed by someone special the next time she visits. She will surely recognize the fabric but hopefully I haven't spoiled the surprise too much!

We are looking forward to the 4th of July weekend. The kids from St. L will be here and maybe the previously mentioned bag recipient. (And then of course - we're hoping the new grand baby makes his appearance by then too. But no pressure! He'll come when he's ready!) I'm ready for a good old-fashioned backyard (or deck!) barbecue, some homemade ice cream and neighborhood fireworks. Since B is no longer working (maternity leave began Friday) and isn't busy with anything else yet, maybe she will help me come up with some interesting picnic food and shop for fireworks. The weather today was beautiful and the forecast for this week is great. Maybe the hot, steamy days are behind us for a little while. It's going to be a wonderful week and weekend!

Mmmm, Book Club

Last night our Little Book Club met at Mrs. D's beautiful home. With only five members, we definitely qualify as little. Lately, I'm not sure if we earn the Book part! But we certainly enjoy our monthly "meetings" and though we don't always find the time to read we always try to talk about books (among other things)! We've become good friends bound together by the love of reading but also by sharing the joys and trials of our lives as women in our fifties. And what do five (four last night since Mrs. W couldn't come) girls do when they get togther - they EAT! Mrs. D supplied this superb double chocolate cake from Sweet Stuff Bakery worth every calorie! One other highlight of the week - a trip to Among Friends. While my car was being serviced a few blocks away, I was able to spend some time browsing through some of the new fabrics. I know I've got enough to keep me occupied but I couldn't resist this from the American Heritage Collection by Windham Fabrics. Now I need some help coming up with a table runner pattern. I'm sure there's something in my quilt magazine collection - just need to spend some time hunting! Any suggestions are welcome though.Grandbaby #2 is taking his time to make his arrival. So no news yet. The parents-to-be are anxious, as is the rest of the family! I'm predicting a firecracker baby! Rest assured, I'll keep you "posted"!

Blog Writer's Block Today

"Hello, my name is Beamer and my dad got a new camera for Father's Day. But my mom will probably be using it too - once they figure out all the buttons and settings! It's a good thing I'm around, because I can be pretty photogenic when I want to. " Okay, so now you've probably figured out that I'm desperate for blogging material. There was a quilty/crafty project completed this week, but that's all I can say about it. I promise photos at a later date.

D's new toy is a Nikon D-90 and he has let me experiment a little with it too. It's a good thing that the camera store offers a free class because all the "bells and whistles" will take us a while to figure out. So here are a just a few of the trial photos we've taken this weekend.

How do you like my hibiscus plant with a split personality?

And someone is still waiting ....... Tomorrow begins her last week of work before maternity leave and she and hubby are counting down the days.

We've had a rainy, muggy, steamy week here in Southern Indiana. But at least tonight's sky at sunset gives promise to a better week to come!
Have a great week everyone. (Sorry about the blog writer's block.)

I guess I really do have a mental block of some type! Forgot to wish these guys a Happy Father's Day! And a Happy Father-to-be Day to our son-in-law too. Surely 11 pm is not too late to get the word out!