Crazy Horse

Good Morning Friends! It seems like forever since I've had time to sit and write, let alone visit. Our friends are heading home this morning and I wanted to share the first part of our trip to South Dakota with you. Firstly, let me say hubby and I fell in love with the part of the state we saw. We were located in the Black Hills and it was beautiful, beyond what we expected. This beauty was right outside of our patio the first afternoon we arrived at the townhouse.

On our second morning we headed to Crazy Horse Monument and then to Mount Rushmore.  This is the sign outside of the park at Crazy Horse.  Loved it.

The carving and story was so impressive.

Statues in the park-beautiful bronze sculptures.

We had the best trip, we've been close friends for over 20 years and it now seems like we are family not just friends.  I'm sad to see them leave, but know they want to get home too.
Tomorrow I'll be posting more and hoping to visit all of you.
If I'm distracted, here's why:

I just got a new sewing machine yesterday.  I found out that mine, which is 9.5-10 yrs old is going to be hard to get parts for should I ever need them and so began looking at a Baby Lock that several friends have.  When I found out the price I was ready to walk away, but I got a deal that I couldn't pass up. One dealer wanted my old machine, but I didn't have to trade it in-so I'm happy!  I am hoping to get down and play with it, learning all the different abilities.  I'm hoping my sewing will improve.
Blessings on your day!

Noreen

We Remember

Thank you to all who have and are serving our country.  May God Bless you and yours!

I'll be back with photos from our trip to South Dakota; we fell in love with the Black Hills.

Noreen

Pelicans

Hubby met a man who takes photos of Pelicans after they arrive each spring.  We love seeing them and have four other enlarged photos of a flock that was here last spring.  The fellow called hubby and said he had a new photo for him-we love it.  Now we just need to figure out where to hang them in the house, probably downstairs.
I'm gotten almost everything done for our guests; hubby worked his tail off yesterday with vacuuming and doing a few windows.  I spent the morning working on some other areas.  We can't wait until they're here-we'll have so much fun and I'll try to stay out of trouble if we find quilt shops in Rapid City or Spearfish.  No promises though!  We may also try to get into Sturgis if we have extra time.
I hope you have a great day today!
Joy to you!
Noreen

Spring is Back

Good Morning Friends,  I hope you had a fantastic weekend and that you are energized for a new week.  Hubby and I just got back from a walk with Hunter and now I'm off to Sprouts to get some last minute items for our meals with our friends.  Jim and Barbara are our traveling companions, old next door neighbors, card partners and best friends.  They'll be arriving tomorrow and then we will join them on an adventure on Wednesday.  It should be so much fun.  If Colorado weather is typical for when we are on a getaway, it will be so warm and wonderful here.  We usually get calls saying how nice the weather is and sometimes it isn't as nice where we are.  Being with our friends will make any weather just fine!
We will get some sightseeing done as well as checking out a quilt store or two, play lots of cards and games and enjoy each other.  Where are we going you ask?  We are heading up the road to Custer, South Dakota.  We've never been there before, but wanted to and when Jim and Barbara asked us to join them, we couldn't say no.  We also have another trip planned with them for the fall-this trip in Oct. will be a big one, while this one is shorter and closer to home.
I'll do my best to connect here, but you may just have to wait for photos.
Blessings~
Noreen

Threads of Suspicion by Dee Henderson

I have been a long time fan of Dee Henderson and as a Bethany House Reviewer, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, Baker Publishing.  I don't know how I missed the first book in the Evie Blackwell Series, Traces of Guilt.  I did and now plan to purchase it.  This story stood alone on it's own merits and I didn't feel like I was missing anything from the first book.   Dee has an incredible gift of drawing the reader into the storyline and plot and making you feel as though you are right there with the characters.  As always, her characters are rich and inviting.  I finished this book in a little over a day, it was suspenseful and intriguing.  

From the author: "Lieutenant Evie Blackwell as the Illinois missing person task force begins work. I want you to get to know all the members of the task force and what is happening in their personal lives, so in this book I’ll be introducing you to David Marshal. Evie has chosen to search for a missing college student, while David is looking for a missing private investigator. I hope you enjoy the search for justice as these two cases unfold". 

I felt the story portrayed the jobs of Cold Case investigators accurately and showed how long it can take to unravel mysteries that are decades old.

I would rate this book a 10/10.  No review positive or otherwise was required, all opinions are my own.  You can find this book at Amazon, B&N, CBD; I promise you won't be disappointed.

 Noreen

Is This March and not May?

Happy Friday to you! I hope you had a great week and are looking forward to the weekend. If I didn't know we were in the middle of May, the safe time to plant(anytime after Mother's Day is considered safe), I'd swear we are in the middle of March. The entire U.S. is getting such weird weather and here in Colorado we are too. I do remember one year that it snowed this late in May, but it seemed like it melted quickly. Wednesday the rain was coming down in buckets and continued through the night until yesterday morning. Around 10:00 a.m.  yesterday it started to snow-not just a light dusting, but a huge amount with large flakes. It is a wet snow which makes shoveling it more strenuous. The first photo was yesterday afternoon; I'm thankful that we aren't having flooding, though there are flood warnings out for areas of our town. We spent the entire day inside yesterday~I was looking at meals for our trip to South Dakota.

This is a photo I took this morning because I thought the ribbons of snow hanging from our pergola is interesting. I've never seen anything like it during the three years we've lived here.

Thankfully, the snow is supposed to stop by noon today and rain to begin this afternoon. I sure hope so, as our friends from Ca. are coming in tomorrow.
I hope that if your area is having bad weather, that you will be safe and stay inside.  We have friends in Tennessee right now and there is massive flooding there.  Northern California is having wonderful spring like weather.
Hugs,
Noreen

Zignature Lamb Canned Dog Food

As a #Chewy Influencer, we have the privilege each month to review a new dog product and Chewy makes this the most wonderful blogger program ever. It is a win-win opportunity, I get to try new food on Hunter and we are able to share what an incredible company Chewy.com is. I have known about Zignature dog food and treats for years, but I don't see if often enough and being the picky dog Hunter is, I'm never sure whether he will take to a new food. This month we got to try the Lamb formula with limited ingredients. Not only was it a great opportunity, but Chewy sent a whole case-that is great customer service. Natalie makes the program so easy and is so helpful! We love her! Hunter enjoys the food and I feel safe knowing it is such a great quality.

From Chewy's website: Dogs are carnivors by nature and do best on meat-based diets. Their teeth, digestive systems and behavior clearly confirm this fact. Zignature delivers a complete and balanced diet with meat as the first ingredient to provide great nutrition with the finest blends of meats, legumes, vegetables, fruits and oils available. Key Benefits Grain-free and limited ingredient formula Made with Lamb from the farmlands of New Zealand A staple source of complete protein, Lamb provides Vitamin B6, Pantothenic Acid, Phosphorus and Manganese, and is rich in Vitamin A and B12, Riboflavin, Niacin, Iron, Zinc, Copper and Selenium Free of the most common potential canine allergens: corn, wheat, soy, dairy, and chicken Nutritionally correct ratio of fruits and vegetables rounds out the recipe with powerful antioxidants, and fiber-rich low glycemic carbohydrates.

Not only did we receive the canned food, but the staff added in an additional treat for Hunter. Hunter has never been a dog that would eat hard dog biscuits, but these treats changed his mind-he loves them.

They have become his favorite treats!
All opinions are my own and we did not receive any compensation for participating in this program.
If you have a fur baby in your life-be it a dog or cat or even smaller pets, make sure you check out the great products and prices at Chewy.  You can find them here: https://www.chewy.com

Thank you Natalie and the entire staff for making this the best program and for having such a wonderful company to meet the needs of our beloved companions.
Noreen and Hunter

Time with Friends

It's Outdoor Wednesday and I'm happy to report that I've already joined two close friends, who are also neighbors, to walk our 3 mile route.  When Diana came across the street this morning, we noticed we were both dressed in black and white.  I wasn't sure how warm it would be, hence the long sleeve top.  We had to have Charlotte stop and get our photo.  We often have such in-depth conversations that our hubbies often asked if we've solved the world's problems.  It is pretty here today, but we had typical spring weather yesterday-rain, thunder and I'm sure hail in some places.  Snow is supposed to head in tomorrow through Saturday morning.  So until it arrives, you can be sure I'll be walking.
Hope you get out and find some sunshine.
Blessings,

It's May, yet we have a forecast for Friday that includes snow-really Winter, it's time to go! I know our friends in Utah showed photos of snow, but I was hoping it would head northeast from there.
Today is my monthly Fig Leaf club, so I'm off this morning to see what new things the gals have made.  I'm showing my lap quilt from last year's pattern; this year I passed on participating.
After the meeting, we'll be heading out to lunch.  This afternoon I'm going over to a friend whose part of our mini group to see her new machine-the one I'm wishing I had.  If money fell off of trees, it would be in my sewing room. However, I love my machine and it's perfectly fine so until it breaks I'm sticking with it.
I hope you have a great day.
Noreen

Family Fun

Happy Monday! Each year, at the end of the school year our family has a party for the kiddos. It includes projects they've worked on during the year and they do a report on a favorite subject and have to make a poster and tell the group about their project. We had reports on The Manhattan Project, Teddy Roosevelt, The Wright Brothers, our home state of Colorado, Sea Turtles, Gladys Aylward, Horses etc. This yearly event teaches the grands to do indepth reports and speak before a good size group. Our oldest grandson did a fabulous Power Point presentation on his Robotic class project.   Afterwards, they all gathered outside with Poppers to let off in celebration.

Look at the sunset reflected in the windows behind the kiddos.  Even the two littles ones got up with post boards and shared their interest with us.  So precious!  Our oldest grand is not in the photo-not sure where he was at this point.
We are blessed beyond measure!
Our Sunday was another huge blessing-we gathered here again and had a picnic breakfast of bagels, cream cheese, yogurt, granola, fresh fruit, orange juice and water.  I was given a beautiful necklace that I had admired.  Later on hubby and I went out to our favorite restaurant for dinner.
I hope you all had a great weekend.
Hugs,
Noreen

Yellow Creek Quilt Design Table Runner

Happy Friday to you. The nice weather is back and I'm in capris and a sleeveless top; I'll be heading to my quilt group shortly. I finished the binding on my table runner last night and am pleased with how it turned out.  I machine quilted the stars, but decided I needed some hand quilting too-so you can see the border. Sorry about the angle of the bottom pic.

This weekend promises to be wonderfully warm and I'm so glad.  I have lots of ideas on how to spend it.  Hope you have a fantastic one.
Blessings~
Noreen

Little Quick Fire Hydrangea

Hello and Happy Thursday. On Monday hubby and I ran out to one of our favorite nurseries to look around. I mentioned that one of my Hydrangeas didn't look like it was coming back-I'm thinking I may have cut it back too much right before winter arrived. So we talked to one of the team at the nursery and he was showing us some Hydrangeas that get to 6'. The area where I plant mine is in the front bed; the one that doesn't look like it will make it is near hubby's Lacey Leaf Japanese Maples~it's always been a concern that it was too close to his maple. The man we were talking to showed up the Little Quick Fire variety and we decided to try it; it only gets to about 3'. Instead of planting it where the other one had been, I'm taking out another bush I don't care for and planting it there. I think I still love the Forever Blooming variety, but concerned about the size. So we'll see. This weekend is supposed to get back up to the 80's-Yay! Maybe it means that our cold days are done; which means I have some more planting to do. I walked yesterday afternoon with two of my gals; for the most part it was fine, but there was a light rain falling. So today I'm thankful for the promise of warmer days and being outside more. This morning I will be making binding for my table runner. I finished quilting it last night and am happy with it.
I hope you have a fantastic Thursday and find many reasons to smile.
Joy to you!
Noreen

Finished Projects

Good Morning Friends~I have been working on finishing a couple of small quilts in order to move onto bigger projects. Many of you may remember this from last years Fig Leaf club I belong to. It was a full size quilt and I decided to make it into a lap quilt. We've got so many larger quilts around, I thought another lap size would be perfect. I'm happy with how it turned out.

This year the leader of our mini group gave us 20 challenges for the year, one of which was to make something of our choice from a Churn Dash block. I had oodles of baby fabric left over from grands quilts, so decided to make a baby quilt. I had hoped to give it to our police department, but they only take very small ones that will stack in their trunks. I have decided to donate it to either our Pregnancy Counseling Center or the Lions Club charity quilts. Not quite sure which yet; may have to ask Little Man and make sure he doesn't want it. He's going to be 5 in the fall and I'm thinking that it might be too young for him.

I also am finishing up the table runner that I made last week at the class. I'm hand quilting the fourth border and hope to have it done by Friday, so I can share at our mini group meeting.
It's raining and cold here today, so I am thinking walking will be cancelled.
Hope you have a fantastic Wednesday.
Noreen

Hello Friends~Spring, where have you gone?  It is your usual custom to drench us with showers, thunder and lightning in the afternoons; some occasional hail as well, but this week it has been cold and dreary.  I am waiting patiently for the sun to stay, but I wonder how long I'll wait?  Yesterday much of northern Colorado was pelted with hail and I'm thankful we didn't have any.  Another month and summer will be here, hard to believe.  This morning I met my dear friend Kam for coffee; our old hangout is under new management and I tried a mocha with lavender.  It was mild, but had a pleasing taste.  Of course, the white chocolate didn't hurt.  I ran some errands afterwards and am now going to continue on hand quilting my latest table runner, hoping to have it finished by Friday.  It is a perfect day to snuggle up in front of the fire and read, which I might do, but chances are I'll have fabric in my lap.  I hope that where ever you are, you are finding something good in your weather patterns.  Seems like a  lot of folks are struggling with flooding.
Just remember, life could be worse.
Keep your chin up!
Noreen

Music Recital

Happy Monday to you! I hope you had a great weekend, ours was filled with fun. On Saturday, four of our granddaughters had a music recital.

From left to right-front row in bright green dress Miss A debuting at her first piano recital.  She enjoyed it and did such a good job.  Behind her in a pastel dress with braids up, like her nana used to wear, is our Peanut.  She plays violin and we have been told she's gifted; what is funny is that she wasn't nervous at all about performing.  The Recital was held at an assisted living home and there were a good number of seniors watching and enjoying the music.  Back row-their teacher on the left and then Miss S with the striped shirt.  This was her first recital as well.  Next to to her is Miss F; both girls played three songs together-their last was The Entertainer.  They did incredibly well.  The little girl in the front is a family friend who just started taking lessons this year.
After the recital we met later for dinner  and so there were 18 of us-again such fun.
Yesterday, we took Sil's parents out to lunch  as a welcome to Colorado. We wanted to share some of our favorite places with them and tell them what we do for fun.
Today I'm walking with my neighbor gals and then will be sewing all day~I have a quilt meeting Friday and am hoping to have my table runner finished to share, but we'll see because that means a lot of quilting this week. I was going to do it by machine but think I'll just do it by hand.
Our spring weather has ascended on us-thunder storms in the afternoon, possible hail etc.
Joy to you today!
Noreen

Thankful Thursday

Good Morning Friends! It's hard to believe that it is already Thursday, but it is. Our weather this last week has been so different-snow last weekend, lots of rain and cool weather and today we have sunshine, blue skies and temps that promise warmer days. I love all the seasons here, but I'm always  anxious for warm days. With the snow last week, I was afraid that my Tulips would be destroyed. As you can see, they survived. I remember last Mother's Day we also had snow. My Peonies have fallen over and need to be staked up, I'm hoping hubby and I get to it soon. I wanted to take some shots of our front bed, so you could see just how pretty the Japanese Maple and Tulips look together. So today, I'm thankful for a beautiful Colorado day. I'm thankful I'll be walking with my neighbor gals and that I am able to walk and get out and enjoy our area. I'm thankful that every day I wake up with a promise of new blessings. I am thankful for my hubby; he is such an incredible blessing to me. Our home makes me so content and thankful; we are blessed.

Last night we all gathered at Carrie's for a fun evening. I took two deserts I had bought at Whole Foods and our two oldest grandsons, hubby and sil played a little soft ball; actually they practiced. Our kids church has a small church game weekly and now the grandsons are old enough to play-they needed some practice. It was a beautiful evening out, my girls and I stayed in for most of it to visit.  Kim eventually went out to play as well.  WE had desert~a non dairy gluten free Strawberry Cheesecake and also a Chocolate Cheesecake.  Because the majority of us are gluten free, with some that are dairy free, this was a win-win for everyone.  They were pretty good, tasted a lot like yogurt.
Our family is another huge blessing to me!  I'm so grateful to the Lord for each one.
Today I'll be sewing after I walk, then this afternoon taking a neighbor to a local boutique.  Speaking of sewing, yesterday I went to my sewing machine store and while visiting with the owner, she showed me the latest Baby Lock sewing and quilting machine.  I tell you it was incredible~the things machines can do today.  It can sew sideways and on a diagonal.  I love my machine, but seriously considered trading it in for the new model.  If we find that money tree, I might just do that!  A girl can dream, can't she.
I hope you have a wonderful day today and find some time to feed your soul.
Blessings~
Noreen

What A Treat

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending a quilt program and class with Author, Designer, Quilter and Teacher Jill Shaulis from Yellow Creek Quilt Designs. It was a wonderful day, starting with Jill sharing her beginnings of her Quilt Store In Pearl City, Illinois. Jill loves Civil War reproductions and has so many incredible quilts to share.

I've never gotten into Hexi's, but know many who have caught the bug.  Jill told us she was going to introduce us to her technique and now I understand why it is so catchy.  I didn't finish mine last night, but plan to.

Absolutely love this quilt.

Love these last two and may have to consider making one.  Jill has two books published, I have Simple Blessings in Patchwork.

Last but not least was the block I made-I am making a table runner with three blocks.  I may make these for Christmas next year.  It was easy and came together fairly quickly; I should have stayed longer but the day tired me out.

It was also fun because I was with three gals from my mini-group; we have such a good time together.  Although the class was big, with 22 ladies, there was plenty of room to spread out.
This morning I'm walking and then will head back down to the sewing machine-hopefully to finish what I started.  I'd love to have it done and quilted by next week, but I'm not sure that will happen.
Have a grand day today.
Noreen

The Winner Is...

Happy Monday to you and Happy May!  As promised, I had my sweet hubby draw a name yesterday for the book Invitation giveaway.  There were only two entrees, which was surprising to me.  Without further delay, the winner of the give away is Two French Bulldogs.  If Edward or Lily can send me your address, or if their mom prefers, she can send it to me and I'll get the book out this week.
If you don't know these friends, please go say hello, they are wonderful.
You can find them here:  http://www.twofrenchbulldogs.com

Have a great day; I'm off to a quilting class that is all day-just hope I'm not brain dead when I am done.
Hugs,
Noreen