Well, here we are. Fall Already. I have NO idea what happened to summer. It came and it went. Life spins by exponentially as you get older, I’ve decided. I seem to remember it was a mostly fun summer and not too miserably hot. But what do I know … I stay inside and sew a lot LOL.
We have had a fun summer with our cutie patootie little granddaughters. We had cookie baking, tea parties, lots of coloring, ice cream, homemade funnel cakes, sleepovers, star gazing on quilts, and one afternoon we even had HurrayAThirdGirl all to ourselves.
What a joy they all are! I find myself wishing they could stay little forever, but then I get excited to see how their little personalities will develop. I used to be so sad that I didn’t have any little girls of my own, but I think this is the way to do it — I’m loving these little girls SO much and I don’t think I would have had time to really enjoy them as a mother!
There’s been a fair bit of travel this summer. TheSecondChild decided to move to Florida in July, so I had several trips helping him with the move. I didn’t know much about Florida, having only been there for the standard Disney World trip when the boys were little, but I loved it. Even though it was hotter than hades, and moving is hard, we had a great time. One weekend, we snuck away to Key West for a little getaway. I’ve always wanted to go and see Ernest Hemingway’s home and it was the highlight of the visit. Here’s the famous author’s desk:
And, as expected, there were cats everywhere.
I had previously also been blissfully unaware of the iguana situation in Florida. I felt like I saw an iguana almost every day — they’re like squirrels. This was poolside at our hotel in Key West. Swim with a rooster and iguana anyone???
Someone even told me that they climb trees and if/when the temps get below freezing, they temporarily freeze (because they’re cold blooded) and fall out of the trees. Maybe on your head if you’re walking by. Ewwwww! One day, back in the mainland, we were in the drive-thru line at Wendy’s and I looked over to see this:
Needless to say, I became a little iguana obsessed LOL.
There’s also been a lot of sewing over the summer. I made a little dress for FinallyAGirl’s birthday at the beginning of the summer.
The pattern is Ginger from The Children’s Corner store, and the fabric is the cute Children of Liberty print in my little shop.
I also FINALLY finished the hand piecing on my Trip Around the World quilt. I think I finished with 42 rounds and it should be a double size quilt when finished. This is a picture of the back, right after I finished the last round.
It took me TWO weeks, working a few hours a day while watching tv, to get those seams ironed down in the right order. That was a job! I’ve also been steadily hand-quilting away on HurrayAThirdGirl’s baby quilt (it’s late haha) — I’m about half-way through at this point and hoping to be done by the end of November. There are also some Christmas quilt tops that are almost done, but they will have to wait for another post.
Which at this rate, may be in the spring LOL.
Happy Fall!
XOXO,
Anna
that dress is so cute…..she has a gorgeous smile………iguanas I would be facinated…….all the colours in them……enjoy autumn………
Wow, you did have a busy summer! It all sounds wonderful. I spent a lot of time with my granddaughters too, they are just such a bright light! I did have daughters and you’re right, you don’t appreciate the time because you’re so busy with life. Now I can take a step back and enjoy my granddaughters sweetness and light. Retiring was the best thing I ever did! Take care…
What a lot of fun happenings! The iguanas made me laugh, and the rooster. Your girls are so pretty and so sweet. What a blessing to have time now to enjoy them.
I love the back side of quilts. There you can really SEE all the hard work!
And I LOVE your header! That is the cutest little critter ever!
What joy those sweet girls are bringing to you! On a visit to Florida 12 years ago, a small lizardy thing launched itself out of a tree and very narrowly missed my head! It plopped on the ground right in front of me. Haven’t been back since ?
Oh, those little girls! Look at the little legs! Looking forward to seeing the front of the quilt.
Nice pictures you show. Above all, the sweet little girls… with my grandchildren, I thoroughly enjoy being a grandmother, it’s just nice to have the time to enjoy them.
The dress you sewed is very lovely.
Enjoy your quilt. And many greetings from me. Viola
What a fun summer! I hope I will have some delightful granddaughters – in a few years; need some delightful daughter-in-laws first. :) How is your son after the storm??
Love the sewing! Pleased to see you do some hand piecing. I used to love piecing on the bus before I had kids and worked full time. I am sooo close to being done with my dad’s quilt, just finishing the binding!
xo Karen
Your sewing is amazing, Anna, the grans are adorable, class A post.
Amalia
xo
I’ve missed the last two blog posts. I’m so far behind. What a fun summer you’ve had. We need a long phone conversation or a lunch/shopping catch up. Miss talking with you.
How did I miss this one? Yup, checked the date – I was out in Oregon visiting youngest son and not reading blogs. Now that I’ve found it I’m once again in awe of your stitching skills both in that gorgeous dress on your so-pretty g’daughter and that TATW quilt. It looks like you hand pieced it? I also love hand piecing but a quilt that size? I bow down before you!