Thursday, May 5, 2016

From Mary Jo G

Sorry to have been out of touch. Life is busy with two grandsons graduating college this weekend.  Austin will have a degree in mass communication.  He'd like to continue living here and is looking for a job in video production.   His brother, Nate, has earned a master's in education and is seeking a music teaching job. The house will be full with the first of family arriving this afternoon. Three grandsons came here for college and stayed which is why we moved here ten years ago.
   Am just back from my quilt group's retreat in Cascade. I'm half finished with handwork on a New York Beauty for my bed.   I also cut strips and blocks for a yellow quilt for the guest room.  This is the first yellow quilt I've made in about 150 over the past twenty years. The  parent fabric is Kaffe Fasset, also a first.  His line is usually too busy.  Our group of six did an amazing amount of quilting in 4 days.  Each had individual projects plus two group Quilts of Valor.  We did some serious shopping in McCall's two quilt shops yesterday.  Fabric for a pale gray and pastel modern quilt followed me home.

   Son Jeffry painted the doors dark teal which goes well with the pale sage exterior  .He and the grandsons painted the house last summer.   I'm debating about remodeling the kitchen this summer.  The bar area is two levels which may become one for more counter space. The hickory cabinets are turning yellow from varnish; would like them dark.  Am not a fan of white cupboards but am considering those, too. Appliances are white with stainless trim.  The floor is pecan.  Will get some estimates to help decide.  Any suggestions?

   The yard is planted and starting to shape up.  Have eliminated 30 pots and four flower beds in the past two years.  Lilies fill one, a lilac is in another, a butterfly bush and a snowball complete them. The four are barked and have weed matt. One is now a veggie garden.  That leaves me three to weed and hand water.  When John was alive, seven was fine. Too many for one person to handle.  I love to work outside but need stitching time, too.

   Perhaps I've turned a corner in grief.  Two years have passed.  My grief group likened death of a spouse to a tsunami the first year.  The second is spent treading deep water.  I'm now beginning year three and am finally on the beach.

Blessings,

MaryJo

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home