Memories

My first memory of Calvin was when I came out to help for a few days after he was born. He was soft and cuddly. He seemed and was so perfect, especially being our first grandchild. He had 10 toes and 10 fingers and everything else he was supposed to have. At that time, I wasn't making quilts for our grandchildren yet. So, we went to Joann's Fabric and bought flannel. We made two blankets and we were very happy with them. I remember one was red on the back and white with dogs on the front. I think the red bleed to the front. My first experience with red and learning to not put red behind fabric with mostly white on the front. I know those blankets were used a lot. I remember the day he received his name and blessing. We went to the Hansen's across the street for a little celebration. I remember sitting for what seemed like hours holding and rocking him in the rocking chair in front of the fireplace. What enjoyment that was: Holding our first grandchild. It was a wonderful day. Several years later I made quilts for each of our grandchildren I hadn't made quilts for yet. Calvin's was a design of bottles with insects and bugs inside. I had so much fun making that quilt. We all have great memories of Calvin and he lives on in our hearts. We all love and miss him, just like Donna, Chris and the boys.

A few days after Calvin's passing, Cole asked me to make him a quilt about Calvin, so he would never forget him. I told him, of course I would. Then, Clayton asked if I would make him one also. Of course I would. Jeni was there and we decided I would make one quilt and she would make another quilt. We thought the quilts would help the boys heal. We had old pictures which she printed on cloth so we could include one picture of Calvin on each row of the quilts. These were really hard quilts to make for both Jeni and I. Now the boys have their quilts to remember Calvin, but I know they also have great memories in their minds that won't be forgotten ever.

Labor Day is Family Time

This weekend, which was Labor Day, we actually did some traveling. Yes, Donna, we were on the roads of America. Was it because there was no work at home to do? NO. There is always work to be done at home, because I can find lots of other things to do and so the work is always hanging around. We were at Charlotte's blessing in Idaho.

We were also enjoying the cool weather. Such a nice change from Las Vegas. During the blessing, Charlotte didn't utter a peep. She looked beautiful and so well behaved. She is such a cutie. She has plump little cheeks and is a real smiler. Look closely at the photo and you will see Charlotte and Chas have the same cheeks. She loves smiling whenever you pay attention to her. While being held by everyone at home later, she would listen for her mother's voice. I wonder if babies keep track of their families at this young age of two months. Somehow she is patient with all of us adults and older cousins who get to hold her. We all love to hold her and feed her the bottle. I know she will change and become a normal little girl, but right now she is a little angel.


Of course, we took pictures. It is hard to get all the children together. Let alone look the same direction. That seems to make the picture all the more real. A happy day.

My Handyman, He's the Man

Over the years, 42 now, things around the house need replacing. Like faucets, door knobs, windows, screens, and wooden floors. Each of those items bring back memories for our family. I left out the inevitable wall behind a door knob and the unavoidable huge hole. It makes me laugh just thinking about some of the replacement activities. Oh, and the words that accompany these activities, just some of them. We really don't need to think of them. Sorry, I'm digressing. I'm so thankful for a man who knows how to repair and replace these items. The latest is the kitchen faucet. When we left for Boise and Charlotte's birth, there was a drip. We or my man hadn't had time to fix it. By the time I got home, the handle also had a lot of problems. It was time to replace the whole thing. One Saturday, I suggested we just purchase the faucet and he could install it at a later date. We did that. Yea. Dan had a meeting that night, but thought he could get it started and finish it when he got home. He just couldn't let there be a faucet in a box at home that needed to be installed. Well, the Man did it. It looks wonderful and it works wonderful! I even got the cupboard under the sink cleaned out and organized. Plus we have new tools. You know, every project needs new tools! Thank you honey!!

The Ann Connection

We are all so happy that little Charlotte Ann Bradley has arrived safely in Idaho. We are equally happy that Sally is well and is recuperating. Jeni mentioned Charlotte's middle name Ann is Jennifer's and Sydney's middle name also. That got me to checking in my family history. Back a few generations we have a Julia Ann Longcor born in 1842. She had a brother named Timothy Longcor. There were eight children in Julia's family. Names do have a way of going around.

We are excited to be leaving tomorrow late morning for Idaho by way of Spanish Fork. We'll be staying at the Hansen's extended guest cottage, that is across the street. Then up to Idaho Monday morning.

I'll have little Charlotte's quilt on line next week. Sally gets to see it first. I do love sewing baby quilts. I don't think I have made any from the same pattern. They are all different, just like the babies are all different. Babies are blessings from heaven.

Eye Candy

Last month, Dan and I visited the Dunn's in Albuquerque and the Allen's in Denver. It was a wonderful visit with daughters and their husbands, grandkids, cats and dogs, too. We always love to stop at quilt stores while visiting, plus along the road and highways coming and going. I'm always on the look-out for new quilt stores. Quilt stores are my candy stores. When you walk in a store, the colors jump out at you and the fabric feels like silk. Of course, quilts are displayed beautifully and you are sure you can make a quilt just like it, in every detail. We wish.

This trip was no exception. While in Albuquerque, Dan and I visited two of our favorite stores. One of these stores is advertised in many of my quilt magazines. That knowledge makes it fun to know "I've been there." The owners know their customers, because they have an area for hubbies to sit and read or work on their computers, while waiting for the cash register's total. It's fun for everyone. What a great husband I have, he knows what I need to be happy.

New Mexico inspired design and colors for friends of ours who just had a new baby.

On the way home we stopped in Williams, Arizona for gas. It is a very cute little town off the main road. Guess what was right next to the gas station? A quilt store! What luck. We had been driving for awhile, so while stretching my legs, I discovered it. Of course I, we, found treasures we couldn't do without. What fun. We won't forget it's location.

So, three shops and lots of eye candy to keep me happy. For how long? Oh--- a while, till I need some more fabric to match this piece or that piece. It might be that extra dark fabric that will make the quilt. There is always a quilt just on the horizon that NEEDS to be made. I have even enlisted daughters in the search for the perfect group of fabrics I need. They were more than happy to help their mom find what she needed.

The Spanish Fork to Denver to Las Vegas Fabric Express

The things heard while exercising

Today while exercising at Curves I heard some interesting tidbits.

1. Today is National Doughnut Day! and you get a free doughnut at a doughnut shop.

That would have been good to know this morning instead of 2:30 p.m. Instead, I made homemade (from a box mix) pancakes on my new griddle for Dan and myself. The griddle is round to fit a burner on the stove. The griddle has seven 2-inch wide depressions with various cute insects. See the photo for a more visible description. This way you have an insect on your little pancake. It tastes better than it sounds. Kids would like it. The trick is to turn the pancake over into the same spot. Most of them made the turn this morning.

2. A lady is going to the Melting Pot tomorrow evening and then to The Lion King show on the strip. That should be a fun evening.

3. There is a new store in town like the melting pot. It is called "White Mountain."

We all must have been hungry. The conversation usually doesn't revolve around food.

After coming home from a mini vacation last weekend, I don't need the Melting Pot. I just need the melting part. It didn't help that Dan and I went out for pizza for lunch. Oh, well. It was good.

Finally Square with the Quilting Squares

About five years ago I started meeting with a women to help another lady learn to quilt. We meet for just one year. We had lots of fun sewing, gabbing and just being together. Some weeks other women joined us, but it was the three of us that made the full year. The quilt we were each making had twelve squares. At the year's end, I had only six squares finished. These six squares have been just hanging around, waiting to be made into that bed quilt. They came with us from Terre Haute, Indiana.

I have another purpose for them now. I'm sharing them with my six daughters. I started to do that last year, but couldn't decide how to display them. This year I found hangers with a star at the top. It was perfect. You see each of my 6 daughters (Lonita is included) are stars in my world. They are the new generation and each is doing great! They are wives and mothers. Each is different and doing her own thing. I'm so pleased with them. They are my Stars. I love all 6 of you girls. Keep up the good work.

The hard part was deciding who gets which square. The BIG decision has been made. Now, each girl will receive one of the squares. You can guess which one is yours, but I bet you will be surprised.

Where are you Meagan?

This past weekend our home was full of fun. We shopped, ate, went to the movies, slept and really enjoyed each other's company. One daughter even bought a 1000 piece puzzle to put together. Yes, 1000 pieces. The box was opened and pieces divided between inside and border pieces. Several of us worked on the puzzle. We got the outside frame put together. We then proceeded to the inside pieces. The flag and lady in the puzzle was constructed and connected to the outside frame. But, before we knew it, it was time for all the sisters to go home. The puzzle sat on the living room table waiting to be finished. Well, I got several more pieces connected, but then other concerns crept into my mind and time.

We needed my granddaughter Meagan to finish this puzzle. She did a 500 piece puzzle in about 1 1/2 days during spring break this year. Meagan, where are you?? We needed you.

Today, I started another baby quilt and needed room to cut fabric. Dad and I sadly put the puzzle away--till the sisters come back next year. We'll start it over then.

Mother's Day Greetings

This has been a very special day. I have talked to all my children in the last few days, in which they have wished me a Happy Mother's Day. I have had a great day. Recently Dan and I have begun spending several days celebrating specials days. Its been fun.

For Christmas we were in Iowa and presents and good wishes came for at least a week . We opened cards from friends before our trip and after the trip.

Before Valentines Day, Suzanne was here and we worked at having fun for at least a week. It wasn't hard. We had chocolate candy and heart cookies here for a week. I love making cookies, and it was so fun with a daughter.

For Dan's birthday we had fun in California celebrating the McLeans' birthdays. Then when we got home to Nevada it was Dan's birthday and we celebrated it again.

Now for Mother's Day, Dan and I have had fun together for several days. Being the end of the school year, we had time to go to two movies, a party Friday night and now Mom's day. The fun keep going on.

The real message is: Family is what makes it all worth while. Whether we are together physically, on the phone, or in thought, we all love and care about each other. We are a FAMILY. And each one of us knows it with all our heart. We seek and depend upon each other for strength in times of need and we celebrate with each other in times of joy. We have grown into this little by little. It reminds me of when we would say our family prayer together and told each other we loved them by name. Even if you were mad at your brother or sister at that moment, you got over it and said you loved them. What a unity we began. Yea, for Families. Yea, for the McLean's. May this unity be passed down to each generation.

Mom does the Unthinkable

I've been thinking of buying some new hand towels for our bathroom lately. What started it was some new towels we bought for the guest bathroom. I found I really liked the feel, but they were for the other bathroom. I kept sneaking the bath towels into our bathroom. But, then I started sneaking the hand towels also into our bathroom. There was something different about them. The new towels were soft! I wanted soft towels too. Plus, Donna's towels in her hall closest always look so fluffy and soft and just begging you to pull them out and use them.

But the old towels didn't have any holes and they were still the color as at first use. They weren't worn out! Darn those old towels. What was I to do. I couldn't get new ones, not till the old ones wore out. Habit said you didn't get new towels till the old ones were thread bare. Isn't that the law??

Well, I took a leap this morning and bought 5 (count them) 5 new, fluffy, and soft hand towels at our favorite store, Target. Some good points: they were on sale (only one dollar off), they were extremely soft, they felt just-right. Before I could change my mind: I Bought Them. This was so fun. I spent at least twenty minutes picking the colors. It was hard to decide whether to get all the same color or all different colors. I decided on getting different colors.

They are washed, dried, and put into the towel basket waiting to be used. I'm so excited. Out goes the old-habit theory for towels. I'm all for soft. Excuse me, I think I need to go wash and DRY my hands.

Las Vegas Wildlife

The last few days have been beautiful for sitting on the patio and reading a book. It is springtime. We do have a few creatures in the yard and close around here. These are our wildlife.

Our wildlife consists of small birds, including humming birds, geckos and one coyote. I've seen the coyote only two times. Each time was at night while he was crossing an empty area close by. Fun to see.

While out cruising our Summerlin neighborhood tonight, just two blocks from our home, Dan and I saw a Canadian Goose walking down the sidewalk of Flamingo Road. He was just strutting casually along like he owned the sidewalk. Everyone seems to have these birds around water areas, but not where we saw this bird. On the way home in almost the same area, we saw his mate with their little goslings. People were trying to shoo her and the babies back to where ever they came from. The first bird we saw must have been looking for the family. The little family was so cute.

We have a hummingbird(s) that likes to sip on the flower buds in our backyard. He comes several times every day. This little bird likes to tease our cat, Whisper. The bird, though much smaller in size, will dart at our cat several times a visit. Whisper hasn't gotten one yet. They just like to check each other out.

Another part of our wildlife is geckos. I didn't see any last year, but this year there seem to be many in the backyard. They are sunning themselves or just hanging out. Whisper thinks she is the big hunter. She will be in a couched position and then make a dash to catch one. The bigger ones get away, but she did catch a little one once. It was so small it must have been a baby. She let it go after playing with it several minutes, but the gecko almost had a heart attack, I'm sure.

Today we had a lot of small birds flying in our area. Whisper, the big hunter, made one dash for a bird as it was resting on a bush in the backyard. It wasn't a contest really. Whisper just didn't know it. She'll keep trying I'm sure.

That's about it for our wildlife. No raccoons, no squirrels, no opossums, no skunks, so not much road kill either on the roads. It's a little boring except for the humming birds darting at the cat. They will be here all summer, so the drama goes on in the McLean's backyard.

April Birthday Celebrations

Dan and I visited the Modesto McLean clan this weekend to celebrate birthdays. April is a BIG month for birthdays. It starts with Don (grandpa/great grandpa) at 89 years this year. That is marvelous. Followed by Dan and Jeri and Marti (a close May b-day). We celebrated with a large dinner and two birthday cakes, (and chocolate cookies). Yum. Happy Birthday everyone.

We stayed with Jeri and Mike who live on a farm. They have a picturesque scene from their patio. They look out over fields and orchards to the California coastal mountains. It is breath taking to someone who now lives in the desert. The land and trees were all so green. As we sat there Saturday night it was growing dark, we watched 2 owls perched upon a utility post. Then I noticed another large owl flapping its wings in a hugh tree nearby. Jeri and Mike listen to "Hoot-Hoot" in the nights. Doesn't this scene belong in a movie?

We left early Sunday morning and drove down highway 99, watching all the agricultural crops along the way and associated activities that were going on around us. The crops remind me of the corn and soybeans we would see in the midwest on our trips. We truly are blessed to live in a land of plenty.

I love to eat good fruit so much. We had fresh, ripe, red strawberries Saturday night. (You know I love the color red.) But this weekend, I truly wanted a big, juicy, golden peach from the central valley. But, peaches aren't ripe till late summer. They are sweet and the BEST. I'll keep you posted if I find any in Las Vegas this summer. In the past, I couldn't find good peaches in our grocery stores in the midwest.

The Midwestern look has arrived

Our home in Las Vegas is great. We love the layout and amount of room we have. Whisper seems to like it also. But, it has had a VERY Las Vegas look. It has blinds at all of the windows. Every house we looked at when buying, had the same look. So, we didn't expect anything more. But, we have been here almost two years now. It was time to make it a little more "US".

We have added drapes. It has turned our Vegas home into what I call our transplanted midwestern home. We really like the results. I started in the front room and added burnt orange drapes. It softened the look of room so much. I don't work with orange too much, but it seemed to be the right color to go with the walls and couch.

While in Utah, I bought another orange piece (guess I'm really into orange now) of fabric at Ikea. It captured me with the birds and tree limbs on the fabric, very endearing. But this is a bright orange and I just love it. The little birds remind me of my grandchildren. Really very cute. You will just have to come and visit to see this drape.

Next was the biggest project. Simply because of the length of the fabric. It is 95 inches from top to bottom. We have tall ceilings here. I had to measure it on the floor. This fabric I have had for about a year, just waiting to be made. I lined it and put two pleats at the top of each drape. There is a drape on each side of the bed. The fabric matches the light lavender walls. You say lavender walls, Yes!, but we aren't painting anytime soon. It is just going to stay that color. Some days I pull the drapes to the outside, and other days we gather the drape to the middle. Jeni made Dan a quilt for his birthday a few years ago. It matches the drapes and brings blue into play in the room. We have a blue lamp just to the side. That quilt has bounced around every room in the house, and now it brings everything together in the bedroom. Thanks Jeni.

The next project I'll make is a valence for the window by Dan's desk in our bedroom. Plus I'm anxious to make some drapes for my sewing room. I can picture yellow and blue in the room. They will be valences, just enough to filter the sun when it comes in the window and blinds me if I'm sewing in the late afternoon.

I'm glad I've gotten these drapes finished. Sometimes mid-project, I get discouraged and want to quit; but I kept going. It was the length of the bedroom drapes that was so discouraging. It seems there is something stopping us on many projects. Getting one drape finished, helped me to finish the other one. Plus I had someone cheering me on.

Grandma and Games

A week ago grandpa and I journeyed over hill and dale by plane and car to Spanish Fork, Utah for a very joyful occasion. Our 8 year old grandson, Cole Hansen, was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

This was a solemn (most of the time) experience for Cole. He did lapse a few times and some funny faces appeared. He can show so many expressions with his face. We noticed Alexis and Meagan did also the weekend they were baptized last year. I think it is the age. It was also a very fun time for me as their grandma. We had Suzanne's children, and our Michael and Jennifer also visiting. I had seven of our grandchildren to play with.

One evening I found myself playing scrabble with Clayton, Ellen, and Alexis. It was a fun game, but we all got tired of it before anyone won. The joy of just playing a game together was enough. I'm more determined to play games with my grandchildren when I'm visiting now. Usually I find myself reading books to them. Now their ages requires games and such. I've got to learn words bigger than 3 letters if we keep playing scrabble!! Family (grandchildren especially) are the most important thing when you reach a grandparent's age. They are a gift from Heavenly Father. If they read this blog many years from now, I want them to know how much they are loved by their grandpa and grandma McLean.

Seeing RED and liking it!

I love the color of red. I know, most of the family knows this. But the first serving of RED strawberries is the BEST. They may be a little tart, but sugar fixes that. Either you like strawberries (I do) or you don't (Dan doesn't). That only means "More for me", I don't make him eat them. That is a win-win situation. The only thing better is red strawberries in a red bowl! I had my first bowl of strawberries the beginning of February. Wonderful! 

My father loved strawberries also. When the season started in California, we had strawberries almost every night for dessert, as long as the season lasted. I don't remember loving them as much as I do now. Just too long ago. 

I have had at lest two red winter coats, and loved them. But, I also love my red Honda CRV, red fiesta dish wear, red sweaters, red blouses, watermelon, red quilting fabric (it is a basic color for me), red drinking glasses, red purses, red candy boxes (full of course), and red roosters and hens. I truly see red every day and I love it. How about you?

I Love Cookies

I've not found many cookies I don't love. Maybe only one or two. This week we had an activity making sour cream cookies. I thought,no biggie, I'll go to see what I can learn new. I've made sugar cookies lots of times. Oh, my goodness. The cookies were called "SOUR CREAM COOKIES" and they were so soft and moist and delicious. The sour cream really makes a difference. If you are looking for thin and a little dry cookie this isn't for you. This cookie is rolled thick. Here is the recipe: 

Sour Cream Cookies.

2 cups sugar creamed with 1 cup butter/margarine.

Add 2 eggs, 1 cup sour cream, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mix well, scraping sides of bowl regularly. Add 5 cups flour in one cup increments and mix until smooth. Dough is very soft and sticky. Don't add more flour. Refrigerate until chilled or finish cookies immediately. Use plenty of flour under and on top of dough (to prevent sticking to counter and rolling pin) when rolling out. Roll out 1/4 to 1/2 inch and cut into shapes. Bake on a greased cookie sheet at 350 for 10 to 12 minutes, depending upon darkness of cookie pan. Oh, I almost forgot, use Mom's frosting recipe. You know, it's the best!

Blogging

Blogging is more NEW technology for me. Now, you have to understand, I'm a simple, non-aggressive person. I was born before televisions were even invented. At first, TVs were black and white, can you believe that. Now we have beautiful color, and we are surprised when we see black and white. Now we have Big Screen TVs. I was in college when I took a computer programming class with a hugh computer machine in one room. We used cards about 9x4 inches that had punches. Now our computers are so little, so advanced and are connected to screens, so we can instantly see what we write ( plus we have pictures and lots of ads). And we have e-mail, flickr accounts, church sites, plus we can go to college on our computers. We are planning our vacation on line and talking to each other about it. Oh, did I mention, hubby and I saw the first step on the moon on our TV. We were in our front room, the first year we were married. Oh, what history, what advances in the world, and what wonderful improvements in our world. 

But, you want me to Blog? Well, I'm going to give it a try, even though I'm in my 6th decade. This is the start. (If my daughters can drag me into e-mail, they know they can drag me into Blogging, too) I'll even add photos, once I figure out how to add them. Then, I'll be cooking with gas.  --Here's to another adventure in the new world of technology. 

Grandma Gets a Blog! Yeah!!

There sits dad, getting ready to take pictures of his beautiful wife and girls.
They'll be ready soon!
We're almost ready!
Closer!
Perfect! We're a goodlooking bunch of girls!