Before Christmas 2013

Here are some of the my finishes before I flew home.

My design from $2 block kits found in the Goodwill

A 3 yard quilt I made larger with the borders 

A Patchability kit that Anne Marie picked out on a visit to NY

I had this kit forever -- made ito a pillow for AJ.

Our Christmas tree for the apartment

I did a lot of  knitting before I left.

Wristlets and hat for Anne Marie, tube scarf and fingerless mitts

Scarf for Thomas

Hat, scarf, and mittens for me

Christmas 2013

I flew home from Boston on 12/21 and flew back on New Years Day. AJ and Buddy picked me up from the airport.

Buddy groomed and dressed for Christmas

This year I decided to get a live Christmas tree. I decorated it with shore ornaments and glass balls from AJ's childhood. The tree is planted in our back yard now.

So I spent some of the 10 days doing some thrifting:

Lots of cross stitch items

Quilt magazines, a pattern, and kit!

I left my hard copy of this cookbook in Boston so I was so happy to pick this up for $0.85.

WIPS and Finishes

Here is some of the items I have finished or am working on while in Boston.

Quilt I am piecing - note the shower curtain doubles as a design wall

AJ's flannel quilt-- pieced

Table runner from block kits I found at the Goodwill store

Almost finished -- $5 kit from Tuesday Morning -- with my own twist

Hand quilted --  $2 vintage kit from thrift store in Alpine, TX

This will be our Christmas tree in the apartment. It will have lights

Anne Marie's chevron mitts, a hat to match, mitts for the boys and a tube scarf

Vintage afghan kit to crochet -- just put it in a matching basket

Cape Cod Trip

Our first Saturday trip was Cape Cod. Anne Marie, Thomas, and I packed a lunch for the beach.
First stop was the Water Street Cafe in Plymouth for breakfast.

We parked in front of this house.

Plymouth Rock

The harbor -- I love how the boats are moored.

This is a replica of the Mayflower

Next stop was the Jo Ann fabric store where I bought baskets and thread for $5. It took us awhile to get to our beach destiny with a stop at Snow's Home and Garden Center and another stop at the Yarn Basket. ( I love that the owner tossed me the yarn I wanted to purchase!)

Finally, Head of the Meadows Beach.

This lab enjoyed the water and I enjoyed watching her.

At the top of the path, you could see all the dunes.

Too late! We read about the shark alert as we were leaving.

We decided to do some more exploring and took a side trip to the Highland Lighthouse. The area was under going preparations for a wedding.

Awesome lighthouse -- I could live there.

That is Anne Marie and Thomas up top in the lantern room

Before Boston

Before I moved to Boston, I worked on some projects---

Wound lots of yarn to take with me

Vintage blocks 

Cut a new quilt

Finished some potholders

Made dish towels

Started knitting a scarf with this beautiful yarn

Texas in June

The next week after my retirement, I went to Texas to watch Barrett. I taught him to say "granny" and "bad dog".

Loved making a mess!

Messed up all my folded laundry!

Love the hat!

Just the happiest baby!

Helping Granny do yard work!

Barrett and I enjoyed watching the baby birds whose nest was outside the back door. Before I left, they all flew out and away.

While everyone was sweltering back east, it only got to the 60's in Alpine. We had some awesome cloud coverage.

It's been awhile...

I retired in June!!! Yippee!!! Now that I do not go to work, life is very busy. Most of you know I am in Boston taking care of my grandson while my daughter is completing her fellowship. Anne Marie, Thomas, and I live in a small, 2 bedroom apartment in Brookline.

This is the dining room where I set up my quilting.

Here is my bedroom. I have it stuffed with projects. My only complaint is that we live on the 1st floor and I have to close and lock my window at night.

Yes, I am sleeping under Mary Beth's moose quilt.

 Here are two of the projects I have finished (besides the binding on the moose quilt)

Anne Marie's finger-less mitts - used left over yarn

Hand embroidered towel I started in Texas.

I have some knitting projects started and another dish towel,

Chevron mitts on size 3 needles

I bought this yarn on Cape Cod to make mitts for Thomas and Brice.

My spot in the living room