A Patriotic Gift

My friend, Cindy from http://www.consideringitalljoy.com  recently had a give away and I won!

If you don't know Cindy, you should go say hello-she is one of the sweetest, kindest woman I know!
She sent me a beautiful card, a small red Patriotic clock, two dish towels that I love, flag note cards and a Fresh Scent packet to add to your vacuum or just put in a closet for a wonderful smell.
I have made the dearest of friends here in blogville and I'm so very thankful for each one of you.
Thank you Cindy for such wonderful gifts!
Blessings to you on your day!
Love, Noreen

Memorial Day

To all those who have served our country and dedicated their lives for our freedom and have given so much~                               
                                                 WE SALUTE AND THANK YOU

With Gratitude!
Noreen

Happy Thursday to you; today I am thankful for the blessings of grandchildren. Yesterday I had these precious girls over for our final sewing project; it is the same project the other two did on Tuesday. I love that this is a case for a throw pillow, but has a pouch on the front for a book or journal. All the girls made them for their sisters.

So today is one crazy day for me and I think I'll be tired by the time the afternoon rolls around. I'm starting the morning walking(unless it is pouring out), then on the way home stop and have coffee with two quilt friends. I will also be heading to Longmont to have lunch with my first blogging buddy. She no longer blogs, but is active in writing for women's devotionals and stays busy with her grandchildren. We used to meet every three months, but as life goes we've slacked off quite a bit. I think we got together last fall. It should be great to catch up! It's a bit of a drive for lunch, but that's a small price to pay when you haven't seen a friend in at least nine months. I had planned to sit in front of the computer yesterday and get caught up, but again time escaped me. I hope you have a wonderful day. It is hard to believe that Memorial Day is this weekend.
Blessings,
Noreen

End of the School Year

Good Morning to you! Yesterday was our last sewing day with these two grands and this was their project. It is a throw pillow with a pocket for their book or journal. They did such a great job and even made one for their younger sister. I think they'll make one for the littlest sister this summer. It has been such a joy to work on projects with them; they both love sewing and I know they'll have fun with the skill in the future.

Today I am walking with a friend and I hope we get three miles in. This afternoon I have sewing with the other two granddaughters to finish their pillows. I am so proud of all of them for the last two years of sewing; it's been pure joy to spend time with them and watch them grow.  I'm sure we will have other projects in the coming year, but their schedules will make it difficult to add one more thing in every other week. They know they have access to my stash and my machines whenever they want, so I anticipate some Christmas projects will develop.
It's a beautiful day here and I'm hoping that the storms that brought rain, hail and tornadoes east of us are gone for good.  This is a general weather pattern for the spring and if the rain hits in the evening, it is fine by me~just give me sunshine during the day.
Joy to you!
Noreen

Baby Birds

It's that time of year again and the birds are filling our trees; we've got Sparrows,  Blackbirds and Robins. Just Sunday while sitting outside, enjoying the warm day, we kept hearing a chirping in the tree next to our fire pit. Sure enough there was a baby bird there; at first I wasn't sure what type it was, but quickly saw a Robin-the dad swoop in and chirp back to it. Before we knew it, the mom was bringing food in. It's it so cute.

We also have a nest in our nesting box with four eggs in it, but the Sparrows haven't gone back for several days,  so I'm thinking they were dud eggs and maybe hubby should get rid of them.  The only downfall about all the birds having nests in our trees and in the neighbors trees is the horrible mess they are leaving.  I could hose off the poop twice daily and the yard would still be covered with it.
Yesterday I had a great time walking with the neighbors and I'm getting used to their pace-need to do it more often; it really gets my heart rate up, to the point that it is sometimes hard to talk. I also added four more plants to our back yard(I'll post photos soon)and I told hubby I was done for now.  I got two Ferns with hangers, a Bleeding Heart and a Geranium.  It feels good to have everything looking so good.
I'll be walking with Hunter this morning and have sewing with two grands this afternoon. Are you seeing baby birds in your area?
I hope you have sunshine today and joy in  your heart.
Blessings~
Noreen

A Growing Pup

Happy Monday to you! I hope you had a fantastic weekend. Saturday I ran some errands and then hubby & I went to Lowe's for plants. I got 7 six packs of impatiens, some violets, a few misc. perennials and two pots-one with Pansy's for the back yard and a pot for the front porch near the door. On Saturday, our sil took Copper and Lily in for grooming. This was Coppers first time(other than at the breeders) and so she was a little unsure going in. She did fine though. I think having Lily there helped her. As I've mentioned, they aren't doing a poodle cut-just a puppy cut. I love being able to see her face again, she has the sweetest expressions. What do you think?

Here she is outside watching the family work on a landscaping project.  Normally she would be running free, but they had a tractor in the yard and were moving rocks so it was best to keep her on her lead.
She is such a sweet pup and starts training on the first of June.  Lots of work, but so much fun.
We had wonderful weather on Saturday, but yesterday, though sunny, was windy and brisk.  Hubby and I did some things around the house and then went out to lunch as well.
Today I'm going a couple of quilting friends and going to lunch.
I hope you found time for some fun this weekend and have a great day today!  Hard to believe Memorial Day is next weekend!
Hugs,
Noreen

Happy Friday to you!  Where or where has the week gone?  Each day I planned on sitting down, writing a post and then getting around to each of you; somehow those plans just didn't come together.
My week in a nutshell doesn't sound busy~Monday I had my friend over for lunch, Tuesday I had a quilt class at a local store and then a lunch afterwards at Pannera's, Wednesday I walked with Kam and had sewing with two granddaughters in the afternoon, yesterday I walked with some neighbors(let me tell you that I thought I walked fast, until I walked with them-I'm thinking they do a 11-12 min. mile), then had sewing with two other granddaughters in the afternoon.  Today I am off bright and early to our development's garage sales.  I'm hoping to find a office chair for my sewing room so I can give hubby's back to him for the garage; I also would love to find some outside decorations or pots.  This afternoon I've got to get Hunter into the vet for his yearly checkup; thankfully no shots this year.  Our weather has been nicer, with some warmth but also some clouds in the evening. I'm hoping it will stay warm today!  This weekend is totally open, so I'm thinking we may end up spending some time with our girls and their families.  It is hard to believe many schools are having graduations already; all I know is that we are ready for the warm weather to stay and the neighborhood pool to open.
I hope you find some time to do something you enjoy today and this weekend-something that makes you embrace and appreciate life.
Blessings~
Noreen