Best sunsets

While we patiently wait for the next snow storm here in Minnesota, I took a few moments to look at my photographs from Idaho in January.  I am always amazed by the variety of sunsets.  Beautiful colors that I love to incorporate into quilts.  So inspiring!

The many faces of Gus

In less than a minute, babies have the ability to offer so many wonderful expressions.  Gus is nearly a month old in these three pictures.  

Resting by the fire

After each day of skiing with the grands, it was nice to come down the mountain and relax in our cabin. 

Why does a crackling fire help?  Does it hypnotize you?  Definitely what happened when we were at our cabin.  Can't wait to get back there again.

Skiing with the Grands

Lucas going through a bit of powder at Grand Targhee.

Haley and Lucas on top of the mountain.

Yes, I did ski.

Haley getting an opportunity to go through the race course at Targhee.

A break in the sun.

Haley maneuvering through the powder.

The Trixster

Someone asked about our other cat.  Here she is, Trixie, the little stinker of a cat.  One minute she is your friend, and the next minute she gives you a nip, and moves on!

My Helper

Celeste is just too curious, don't you think?  Finally got her off of the quilt.  Progress was made tonight.  For those interested my colors, here are the changes that I made.

For Bonnie's green, I used navy.  Her aqua is my red.  The purple became my yellow.  And the grey became my brown.  Thank you for all the wonderful comments.  Please check in again in a week or two.  Hopefully I will have the top finished by then.

Easy Street

The blocks are slowly developing into a wonderful quilt.  Plan to stitch a few each day.  At that pace, I hope to be done by the end of January. 

Easy Street Step 6 & 7

Before heading to Iowa, did I consider bringing my fabric with me?  No.  I was only going to be there a few days for a short holiday visit.  The weekend visit turned into nearly a week long stay after my grandson was born.  Luckily with some direction, my son was able to locate my fabric and bring it to me when he came down to see his nephew.  I immediately got to work and completed step 6.  

Step 7 would have to wait until I returned to Minnesota.  With planning, I was able to finish the four corners and several of the side triangles.  Now on to Step 8 and the blocks!  I can't wait to get them sewn together!!  It will take me a day or two to get some blocks together, so check back later this week.

Barn Quilts of Iowa

On my way home from visiting in Grinnell, I decided to take the Iowa back roads to Minnesota.  It was wonderful to see all the colorful barn quilts in Iowa. 

Best reason of all

I have been trying to keep up to date with the steps of Bonnie's mystery quilt this year.  After Christmas, I went to visit my daughter in Iowa.  We weren't going to see them this year, as she was 38 weeks pregnant.  Understandably she wanted to stay close to home.  So I went to visit her the weekend after Christmas.  Little did I realize it would be the "perfect" time to be there.  My grandson was born on New Year's Eve.  Definitely a great reason to be behind in my sewing!

Looking great!

Jen looks amazing for just having a baby, don't you think?  I finished Gus' baby quilt JUST in time. 

What a difference a day makes!

Haley and I traveled down to Grinnell after Christmas.  Originally Jim, Lucas, Haley and I were going to head down on December 28th.  Due to complications with Jim's eye surgery, he stayed home with Kevin and Lucas.  Haley and I didn't head down until Saturday, December 29th.  Since we came a day late, we planned to stay until December 31st.  Little did we know how much difference a day would make!

On Sunday December 30th, Jen and Haley were busy fixing dinner.  "Normal" evening, right?  Not the case.  After dinner, Jen commented that she wasn't feeling very well, and the baby had "dropped".  Thus began a very LONG night.  For most of the night, Haley waited for her new cousin to arrive.

Gus was born New Years Eve at 1:11pm.  Kevin, Carrie and John rushed down to visit their

 nephew on New Years Day.  Quite the celebration!

Holiday with family

Pictures are worth a thousand words, right?  We were able to be with Jim's family on Christmas Eve and my family on Christmas day.  What more could we ask for?

My parents down in Rochester, along with cousins and spouses.

And a wonderful visit from Santa in Hastings on Christmas Eve with all the Andrews' clan.

Christmas morning in Woodland with family.

New Granddog

I miss Max terribly.  He was a wonderful dog, but had too much energy.  He needed a home where he could roam and be happy.  I hope he is enjoying his new home.  

But then there is Beans.  Miss Jelly Beans.  What a crazy little terrier she is.  John and Carrie got her in December.  She has been a happy addition to the family.  The cats may not like her, but Jim does, and that's what counts!

Sitting Turkeys and Turkey droppings?

Step Five is finally done.  With the holidays, it was difficult to find time to finish this small task.  But the 64 blocks are complete AND the turkey droppings are also sewn.   Bonnie said we weren't making any more flying geese, so called these blocks Sitting Turkeys.  I think they look more like houses. But the resulting little triangles I have named Turkey droppings.  Fitting name. 

My blocks were going great until I counted and was one short.  Oops!  Two sewn together.  

Normally the first portion would be done at this point.  But I wasn't going to waste those triangles.  So they were stitched a second time before cutting them loose!

Perfect!  Now I have half square triangles that can be used in another project.  They are so cute!

This may look like a tornado hit, but there was a plan in place.  Time to stitch the second triangle in place.  

And the second set of baby half square triangles or turkey droppings.  Don't you love that name!

How will these blocks fit in with the rest of the steps?  Bonnie has kept us guessing.  Time to play with them and see how many different ways they go together.  I will try to take photos of the possible placements later tonight, so stay tuned!