Happy Birthday Vincent Paul Ransom!!!!

Today Vincent is 1 year old. It has been an eventful year. I tried to find the video I took when I walked into the room where Andy was holding him. I found this one and I like it better. It shows just him. In the background you hear NaDell singing "Band on the Run" [correction- NaDell is 'helping' Elizabeth sing with Guitar Hero]. Now you see why Olivia knows it! Lucky us!!! we get to go to celebrate with him on his birthday. I hear there will be Yummy Cake... We will celebrate with his oldest sister, Elizabeth who has her 6th birthday the end of this week. That's also the day Jeff flies in an airplane- away from CUBA! Yea for Uncle SGT Jeffery! We can hardly wait until he comes to visit us...

Can you say YUM???

My Dear Daughter #2 came to spend the week-end and brought me a caramel apple from Rocky Mountain Chocolate factory. I used to get them when I worked at the Outlet Mall in Pasco. There isn't a RM chocolate store in any Malls around here now, so when I saw one in Vancouver Mall, where Janessa works, I said YUMMY--- hint, hint!!!! Well, she brought one for me and her father too. His birthday is in February...coming right up here. I had to think really hard about which one I wanted to eat. It's an "Avalanche" on the left and a "Snickers" on the right. The box even shows how to cut them so you don't get the seeds. It was sooooo yummy, I can't not eat the rest before it goes brown. Jackson got some marshmellow from it. Janessa ate a piece too. Maybe Paul will share his. I think I've figured out how to make the present for Elizabeth longer... it's still in the works and a surprise so no pictures until after Saturday...

6th folder

Go to your Picture Folder on your computer or wherever you store your pictures. 1. Pick the 6th Folder, then select the the 6th picture in that folder. 2. Post that picture on your blog and the story that goes along with the picture. 3. Tag 6 other people that you know or don’t know to do the same thing and leave a comment on their blog or an e-mail letting them know you chose them. So this is the picture I posted after Christmas of me with two of my 5 siblings and their spouses. L-R Paul & Mary Crowther, Derlyn & Sheila Brown, Roma & Gordon Cornelsen. The picture was taken at NaDell & Andy's home in Richland, Washington. This was the first year in many that we were able to get together at Christmastime. Our two other Brothers live in Moses Lake, Washington. Our Hometown. I tag Allison P. Wendy T. Sylvia B. Babs Y. Lisa R and Lori O.

#10 Grandson has arrived

Our 13th grandchild and 10th grandson is born! This morning January 28th at 8:21am. He weighed 8 # 6 oz and was 19" long. He has lots of dark black hair and his big brother thinks he's pretty neat! He was so excited for me to see him when I got to the Kennewick Hospital. I let him take the pictures of me with Sam. He did an awesome job for a 4 year old, I think. The next Picture is the Family Picture I took. And one of the picture taking- Big Brother, Colby.He just wanted to sleep. Maybe next time he'll open his eyes for me.

Oh, My Aching Back!

I am a wimp and I admit it! My back hurts and I've not gotten dressed Sunday through today since the snow was all around outside and it was bitter cold. Today around 4pm I got hungry and wanted to go out for some food to make Dinner. Reading NaDell's new recipe Blog made me even more hungry. http://www.fantasticfamilyrecipes.blogspot.com So I had to get dressed. I've read more than half of the book she gave me already. I should be finishing Elizabeth and Vincent's birthday presents. Paul is gone for the evening so I have the house to myself. Not much on TV so I might just have to sew a bit, at least until my back yells at me. The ice pack will help for a while. We are still waiting for Samuel to be born and for Uncle Jeff to get home. SGT Jeff will at least be Stateside next week-end. Pictures for sure when those two events come to pass... I'm not impatient...at all! Newsflash!!!! Samuel will be born tomorrow! The Dr has Kori going to the hospital EARLY in the morning.

Belated birthday gift

We went to NaDell and Andy's Saturday night after dinner and I received this book for my Birthday. Late but very welcome on a snowy sunday when I can't sit up and sew. It'a combo book of 4, saves trips to the store for the next book. These are "The Brides of Webster County" by Wanda Brunstetter. She writes about the Amish people. This time they reside in Missouri. I started reading her books when I saw one called "The Quilter's Daughter". I let NaDell borrow them so she knows I liked them. THANKS! This book should keep me reading until the next Jennifer Chiaverini book comes out in April.

January - Snow Again

It snowed again on Saturday! We had an appointment to go to the Columbia River Temple so we braved the roads, knowing that the return trip would be worse. Our first stop was at Milton and Christen's home. The boys were out all bundled up in their coats and mittens. Ready to have a snowball fight with Grandpa.Here is Grandpa with Lydia. She wasn't out in the cold snow with her brothers. She doesn't know us very well, we are finding out. She knows to look pretty when she sees a camera though.

This is the full picture of Samuel's quilt. I took the picture on a table at Christen's. Do you think it will keep Sam awake at night? I took a picture when I delivered it to Kori, but I want her to still be my friend so I won't post the picture of a very Pregnant Mom.

This was our dinner at Famous Dave's. Thanks to the Turners invitation! Strawberry lemonade, and a garbage can lid full of a variety of good stuff. BBQ sauces, many too hot to try. We had a girl take our picture, but as usual I was talking and Wendy closed her eyes, you only get to see the food. Make you HUNGRY??This is what it looks like on Sunday Morning... I'm staying inside today! I don't want to fall and my back was hurting when I woke up this morning. AHHHHHHHHHH the ice pack felt too good, Thanks Paul!

Sneak Peek

Paul was goofing with the camera last night and took my picture working on the quilt. It doesn't show all of it, so I thought a "sneak peek" wouldn't hurt. All I have left to do is tack the edge of the binding down. It has the Label and everything on it now. Made with "heart" for Samuel 2009! By the way I'm way overdue to go see my niece Danette....can you tell? Roads were a bit icy this morning, but I ventured out and took Lynn to her Appointment. Can you say...Slip n slide? They first had a 2 hour delay for the schools, then canceled it for the day. Janessa had to call and ask me how bad the weather was. Thanks for waking me up again! I almost fell, but held on tight to the car when I was close enough to hold on. I don't want to go to the Chiropractor... These are my "Pretty Kitty" swap blocks. They were from the Winter 08 Swap. I have a collection of the kitties from this group. Not enough for a single quilt yet, so I guess I will keep swapping. I like the kitty in the stocking. Might have to copy that idea next year.

Resisting a post of new quilt picture.

I have gotten the quilt for lucky #13 Grandchild sandwiched and ready to do the quilting on my DSM (dear sewing machine). I hope to see the family on Saturday when we go up there so I can post a picture after I deliver it to them. Wouldn't want to spoil the surprise. I have been busy taxi-ing my quilt buddy to her Dr and surgery appts the past few days, today she went to Physical Therapy and could move her arm pretty well. She is amazed at how well she is able to move so soon after the surgery. I consider it a blessing and continue to pray for her quick recovery. She is going a bit stir crazy not being able to quilt this week. We quilted on Monday. She misses me when I don't come. I miss going also, but will sew 'remotely' until she's able to get off the meds and quilt comfortably again. No operating machinery with her meds. Her dear hubby has Friday off so he will take her to PT if possible. We are on the countdown now. 1 month until Jeff comes home! This week was Brant's 25th birthday, Lee's Crowther's 19th, Grandpa Crowther's 84th and Jared A Crowther's 1st birthdays. January to February 15th is a busy birthday time for our family. In the picture- taken New Years 2007 - Front l-r : Mary, Natalie, Grandma Zora, Stephanie. Back l-r: Kari, Brant, Lee and Grandpa Gordon.

Quilting for stress relief

I did get to work on my quilting after all my rant. I don't ask for much...just my sewing time and maybe some extra sleep. You know the adage that says "sometimes I wake up grouchy and sometimes I let her sleep"? I didn't get much sympathy, but it felt good to just vent. We went to both of the weddings and it was nice to go together. I usually have to drive to all the church functions alone. I don't complain about that. I get to leave when I'm ready. I made the blocks before the afternoon wedding. The bride wore Purple! Purple makes me happy. Paul asked me if I thought she'd wear a wedding dress as we were driving there. The bride and groom are both over 70 and it is their 2nd marriage. They were so cute holding hands. I'm glad we got to go. The evening reception was very nice. They served different kinds of cheesecake. Chocolate, banana cream, toffee, peanut butter, chocolate fudge... It makes me hungry just thinking about it. The baby quilt is smaller than I wanted but I think it will work for the newborn. Dear Hubby knows that I am nicer when I get to quilt. Today is my day of rest... and I take it literally. No quilting, so Monday I will quilt again and go see my quilt buddy who will have surgery on Tuesday.

ACKKKKKKKKK, I wanna Quilt!!!!

It's Saturday and I wanted to sleep in, didn't happen! Dear Hubby wants to take the tree and Christmas stuff down. I plan to leave at least the tree up until my Army boy comes home. He hasn't been home for Christmas for 4 years. UGGGGGGGGGG! I wanna Quilt!!! I have not been able to do want I need to get done this month yet. I have at least two boy quilts to get done before the 31st. If Joe and Kori have their baby, Sam this week, I'll have to go see him so today is the day to get his quilt done. We are invited to a wedding in Athena and there is a Wedding reception tonight also. That cuts into my quilting time too! Anybody got some CHEESE for my WHINE????

Happy Birthday to Me!

It was a very good mail day yesterday! Besides Birthday cards from Janessa, Delora, and my Mother-in law...I got the following-

I got a bunch of squishies in the my mail yesterday. "Squishies" are fabric in the mail. Whether packaged or in a card the envelope is squishie. My Fq's from last years swap came. I requested 'Fairy Frosts' since they don't have much selection of those in my area. I have to stock up when I go to EXPO or quilt shows.


3 more of the ladies in this year's B-day swap sent their packages for me to sort and send to the rest of the ladies in the swap. I opened the cards this morning from the swap this year. The ladies were very generous with the swap hostess. I asked for 30's and Brights. Some sent a little of each.
My dear hubby started the day off by cooking what I'd put in the oven on time bake... some of my leftover Candy cane bread from Christmastime. He got me some Lindor Truffles and a funny music card that plays the "Chicken Dance". He's so funny! I will have lunch with some of my friends from Church. Our Primary President is having her counselors and secretary come for Lunch. All of us have January Birthdays.

These are the red and white blocks I 'swapped' with ladies on the Sylvia's Bridal Sampler list. I made 10 blocks of the Lancaster Rose. I got back blocks from all over the world. Two from Canada, others from Wisconsin, Ohio, Israel, and Norway! ***BTW- This is my 52nd blog on my 52nd Birthday! That's why I had so many Blog posts just this week! I'm going to Celebrate by not Blogging more today...

I won Lotto Blocks again!

This time they were the Noah's Ark block. They are cute and I don't mind making more since there were only 5 this time. Now I have two that need to be put together for guild. Lynn used raindrops for her background fabric, very appropriate for the block. We both fussy cut the animals to peek out the windows. This is the baby quilt Lynn and I put together for the young mother in our guild. These hobby horse blocks were made for the December mtg. She brought her cute baby boy to the meeting so we could all oooohhh and ahhhhhhhhh over him. He's a cutie! Lots of dark hair and wide awake, but not screaming, that was good for his first time. They said we should make him an honorary member of the guild. What fun to see the new baby and good to have the mom able to come too.

UFO of the week!

This is the UFO of this week to work on. Guild is Tuesday and I won these back in November when I was absent from the meeting. I need to make a 1st Steps donation quilt with these blocks and there are only 7. What to do? Make 2 more? I need that "time in a bottle" that Jim Croce sang about. Today is Daughters of Utah Pioneers, so I get to eat a yummy lunch with my friends twice this week. And we found out that Jeff will be home late February, around the 22nd, so there will be lots to do before then. My sewing area needs re-organizing... :) CLEANING...

Remembering Mamma!

Today is the anniversary of my Mother's birth. She was just 16 in this photo. A High school picture. She would have been 87 had she lived to see this day. I'm forever grateful she was my Mother! She was a great example of service and unfailing LOVE. She loved to sing and she decorated cakes and made sweaters, slippers and shawls. Her quilting wasn't like the ones we make today. I still have a couple of her UFO's that I should maybe look at sometime to complete. She had lots of un-finished projects. I used some of her stash for a quilt for my oldest neice, when she got married. I should dig that out and use it again too! It is purple and blue, LARGE flowers. Great for applique. I also have some friends who share this birthday. Happy Birthday to my Prom date back in 1975 and my childhood boyfriend Jeffery L! And to Gwen J, who lives in town and is not quite as old as me! Oh yes, and I forgot to wish Angie a Happy Birthday yesterday! Just 5 more days until mine... Coming up is my busy week of the month with DUP and Guild. We, my quilt buddy and I, have been working hard to get the raffle quilt up on the wall. It was fun to play with these blocks and we got the bright idea to set it on point. What do you think? Then we added the duplicate blocks around in the corner area. We will fill in with white on white sashing between the center section and corners. I'll keep updating pictures as it is completed!

Happy Birthday Elvis!!!

Because of copyright I can't post a picture of Elvis! I would if I could. It's one week until my Birthday. I got some "early" gifts from my Quilt buddy, Lynn. More Pieces for my "Cherished Teddies" Nativity... The Angel plaque, Lamb, Donkey, two more Wisemen. The Nativity behind is new also. She and her DH found the Nativity Panel and fabric for me too, and the Gumball fabric for my Jars quilt. Here is my selvage Ball. Lynn helps me 'save' these and then I wind them onto my ball when I'm home. It' s getting bigger! Next is the blocks from my 'Double Delight" step one. I know my 'cheddars' and Indigos aren't all the same. We shall see how many work in this setting.

Quiltville Mystery

I wanted to post progress on my Bonnie Hunter "Quiltville" mystery. It's called "Double Delight", but I'm still only on step one. I wish I could work quicker. I thought the 3 days I spent cutting was enough already. I think my quilt will look much more scrappy than Bonnie version. I will try and get some pictures once I get the Step one complete and squared up. They are very small, just 3.5" unfinished size square in a square blocks. I've seen the next 5 steps and want to have the top at least ready to sew together by next week. I also counted and I'll have to post a few double posts in a day to make it to the magic number 52 on January 15th. I have been receiving the Fat Quarters from the Birthday Swap I am hostessing on my WASIQ group. It's like Christmas everyday on my doorstep. I had fun shopping Lynn's stash yesterday for some of the ones I will send to the others. After the holidays I'm happy to be sewing again! And a bonus- the snow is almost all gone!

Good news!

Good News!- My Army son, Sgt Jeffery Crowther is coming Home!!! Thanks to Doc Hastings and my 2nd son, Joe. We are anxiously awaiting the day he gets to Washington. His 1st stop will be to Ohio to see his almost 1 year old son and get his Truck. It made my evening to hear this great news. This will be probably my shortest post because I'm too busy doing the "Happy Dance" here in Washington! Next week is my 52 Birthday and I'm planning to make a 52nd posting that day. Watch and see how I celebrate...

Happy New Year!!

The Crowther gathering was on New Year's Day 2009 in Connell. Great-Grand parents Gordon & Zora Crowther were there for the meal and lots of picture taking. Of the 24 grandchildren 16 were there. The great-grandchildren are still growing and number 20, but 4 more are expected in the New Year. There were 15 there. We had soup, rolls, salads, and other goodies to eat. We played games of Volleyball, Basketball, ping pong, did a puzzle or two, and just had fun with one another. Thanks to Aunt Diana we got a whole group picture. What a good looking bunch! Those of you who weren't able to be there were missed!