3-25-2017 Badger Knife Show

DH and I have attended this knife show for years.

This was the first year he left without purchasing anything.

He has spent the last several years selling his collection...

but still enjoys looking.

3-24-2017 Happy Anniversary

Today DH & I celebrated our 43rd wedding anniversary

with a road trip to our fave BnB...

here's some pix from our lovely room.

Dinner and breakfast were divine!

Thank you Monika and Jeff!

You always make us feel so welcome

in your lovely home.

It's beginning to feel like

our home away from home.

3-23-2017 Blessings from Family

We were blessed to receive

Happy Anniversary wishes

from dear family members

in California and Ohio.

Thanks, dear ones!

3-22-2017 Larksfoot Afghan

 The third project I ever crochet (1983)...

now i our son's home.

Thanks for sending the photos, dear D-I-L!!!

3-21-2017 Bright Textures Afghan

The second project I ever crocheted (1982)...

for my son.

3-20-2017 Chevron Afghan

This is the first project I ever crocheted (1981)...

a chevron afghan

for my daughter.

3-19-2017 LANA Finished

Started this cowl several weeks ago...

Finished this pretty Lana Cowl March 12th

and forgot to post a pix of it!

Love wearing this!

It's perfect for spring...

AND a great way to use up leftover sock yarns!

3-18-2017 Grow Wall

Went grocery shopping today for some soup ingredients

and saw this new awesome "Grow Wall"

with fresh greens growing out of it

in the produce aisle.

Pretty cool!

Can't get much fresher than this!

3-17-2017 Happy St. Patrick's Day

After making some shamrock cookies 

for mommy and daddy

using Sesame Street's Cookie Monster recipe,

the girls decorated them with frosting and sprinkles.

 Then we went to the park to wear off some energy!

The snow from several days ago is all melted.

3-16-2017 Reality TV Inspires My Knitting

Saw this cute hat on ABC's "the Bachelor"

final episode in Lapland.

Thought it was super cute

and should be easy to knit up without a pattern!

Need to get a furry pompom from Michael's.

3-15-2017 Last Snow of the Winter?

Photos from 2 days ago...

DD and I took the girls sledding down the hill

on the side of our house.

GD#1 (age 4) is making a snowman.

GD#2 (age 3) is making a snow angel.

3-14-2017 Saying Goodbye

 Driving through yesterday's snowstorm to Nebraska

to say our final goodbyes tomorrow

to our dear brother-in-law.

Rest in peace

in the Lord.

You will be missed!

A photo with his grandchildren...

3-13-217 Old Man Winter

...brought us another 6" of snow last night...

3-12-2017 XOXOXO

Just for fun!

(for a granddaughter's upcoming birthday...shhh.)

3-10-2017 Meatloaf

I haven't made meatloaf for over 40 years

because as a new bride, my DH told me

that he didn't like meatloaf,

so I quit making it.

Watching a chef make meatloaf on a cooking show on TV today

my DH asked me why I never make meatloaf.

I reminded him of his comment many years ago

and he said, "I meant I don't like other people's meatloaf

and meatballs, because you never know what they put in them!

I trust you though, and would eat yours."

So after all these years, we decided to make some meatloaf, together.

We used Ina's recipe.

It was delicious!

Guess I can add meatloaf to our dinner rotation again!

3-9-2017 Scraps

Used up some leftover cotton yarn scraps to

crochet this washcloth for spring cleaning

the windows, floors, car, etc.

using the spider stitch.

3-8-2017 Iowa Virga

GD said, "Oma, the sky is falling!"

3-6-2017 Fire House Field Trip

After showing the children how he puts on his special clothes,

the fire fighter showed them how he crawls around on the floor

in a house fire looking for people to help

so if you see him, don't hide in a closet or under your bed.

He is there to help take you out of your burning house.

He may look scary, but he is your helper.

Driving a fire truck.

3-5-2017 HAZE Smokehouse

Split the ribs and 2 sides...

fast friendly service...

fabulous BBQ!!!!

We will definitely return to this gem of a place

in Peru IL.

3-4-2017 A Stroll in the Park

DH and I drove to Starved Rock State Park

this weekend and went for a stroll

to see 3 of the beautiful waterfalls there.

3-3-2017 COOPER the Troll

My GDs' parents recently purchased

the new TROLLS movie

and the GDs' favorite troll is COOPER

because he poops cupcakes when he is scared!

So, the GDs asked if I would make them a COOPER doll

and here is what I came up with!

(free pattern download here)

Hope they like him.

Every stitch with love!

Also, progress on some shawls...

3-2-2017 A Buddhist Christian

Thought this was an interesting read...

http://blog.loukavar.com/2017/02/22/a-buddhist-christian-a-contradiction/

A Buddhist Christian?

3-1-2017 Storm Sirens

Storm sirens went off from 3-10 p.m. yesterday...

tornados...

TV photo of nearby tornado...