I need a bigger wall

I need a bigger wall. Here are My Cactus Patch blocks. They are fun to make and I am not tired of making them yet.Went to a Soccer Tournament in Lodi this weekend and one of the games was canceled due to lightning. A woman in the next town was hit by lightning that morning. We were sorry for all the bellyaching about calling the game after 2.5 hour drive.


Eric had a school game this week. He is doing a flippy thing to throw the ball in. That is his signature move and the ball just flies.

Times A Changin'

High School soccer started with a game against the other HS in town. Our team are the Popsicles (ooops)...I mean the Bears. Eric did very well. There are 24 kids for both Varsity and JV so they may have to cut the JV team. That would be sad. This being my first HS game in many many years I was surprised to learn that I needed to pay 5$ to get in to see my son play. I had to go back to my car and collect coins out of the ashtray. Fortunately I had enough, Ill have to keep a fortune in small bills in my glove compartment for future games.

Guess who made dinner tonight. You are looking at them. Nicole helped Jeff make corn and bean salad and Eric made Flat Chicken Cordon Bleu, Pilaf and Green beans. He has Home Ec. (oops) I mean Foods in school. Half of the class requirement is making dinner at home. Tonight included some much needed Father/Son bonding time over a broiler pan.
Went to the post office and saw these lovely flowers. So lovely in fact that I went to the fabric store and got matching fabric

Wrap Up

What a fun birthday party. Pizza is always good especially at our local pizza parlor. I made a caterpillar cake. I think its the gummy worm legs that she likes so well. Fun was had by all.





The boys had their last game. They look sharp in their sweat outfits. Too bad their scores don't reflect how good they look.








The winter concert was the other night. I got this photo after it was all done. It was the best one.

A special milestone

Today is a milestone for my DD#1 she is 11 years old. All day long she was reminded or was reminding about the specialness of the day. She got to pick where we had dinner. Perko's was the winner. It is amazing how perceptive she is when she wants to be. After dinner she excused herself to the restroom and while she was gone the servers of the restaurant brought the birthday surprise. On their way into the room we heard from the front of the restaurant 'WAIT A MINUTE!" She pushed her way through the line of restaurant singers and plopped down in her chair. It was a hoot! I am glad to know her level of self confidence is what it is.


She wanted to make sure I had wrapped her gifts and not just kept them in their store bags( I have been known to do that). I did wrap most of them and used a Christmas bag for one. She did not even notice.

Grandma brought her flowers and I know that really made her day. She has never gotten flowers before.


It rained today. They don't cancel soccer games because of rain, only lightning. Everybody was wet, but not as wet as the players. Here is DS#1 soaking and freezing. It was only 55 degrees this afternoon. Last weekend it was 95 degrees and I was looking for the pop up for shade. We so need the water. It is the first time it rained since spring.




I had a spare half hour after work on yesterday. I met a friend for a margarita before I picked up a child from practice. Sometimes we have to make time to spend with a friend or we just lose touch. But when you only have a half hour to drink a margarita you get a lot of brain freezes. We spent half of the time laughing with a finger pressing in the roof of our mouths or eyebrows. Does that really work or just make you thing you are doing something to help.

Don't you love the table. The server apologised for not having a table cloth on it because it was going to rain. I am so glad it did not. I admired the pattern. Hmmmm do I see another project?

Weekend Business

Saturday was a day to travel to Stockton for a Soccer tournament. Stockton is a town about 1.5 hours drive. I got lost. I have been there before but not to this particular park. I was reading the map upside down! I turned right instead of left, etc... We were half an hour late! We have had a car with a navigation system for about 4 months. I have become dependent on it. Don't ask me why I decided to to drive the other car this day.

Jeff stayed home and managed the other children with their soccer games.

Sunday is my day of rest. Our church was doing a special project of not just going to church but Being the church. Today, instead of going to church you were invited to participate in some sort of service project. The girls and I went to the park in our community and helped to serve breakfast and distribute food to those who need it. The boys went back to Stockton for day 2 of soccer.

This afternoon I got time to quilt some on my Old Tobacco road quilt. Nicole dug out the Spartan then decided she would rather piece by hand. I would prefer that also because she has one speed and that is to the floor. I am afraid for her fingers. Alea wanted to try. Here she is looking really proud. She was making a 4 patch and trying to convince me to buy her her own Viking.
Many of you are following the progress of the quilt shack (Hi Don). Here are the latest pictures. DH has decided the easiest way of squaring up the end of the building is to rebuild it. The window too.

Super Saturday

Wow, Today was a busy day, and it's not done yet.
It started at 7:45am with a soccer game for DD#2. It is so fun to watch those 6yo girls playing soccer.

Then to the quilt show to set up the video to sell CDs. I took the girls and we had a blast. DD #1 was the photographer. She went around taking all sorts of pictures of the quilts and what ever struck her fancy.

We were at the show before it opened and little did I know of the excitement of folks waiting to get in. Right at 10:00am there was a mad rush to the boutique. well I had to get in on the hub-bub. There were ladies grabbing stuff by the arm loads. I did manage to restrain myself. I bought one, only one item in the boutique. A pin cushion. I had planned on making that one from cotton spice ( I still may). It has crushed walnut shells in it. It works great and the best part is it was only 8 bucks!. Here is DS#2 putting the pins in it. From one of the vendors I bought Liberated String Quilts by Gwen Marston. I am ever vigilant looking for Liberated Quilt making. I don't think I got to all the vendors, I'll have to look tomorrow.
I learned what Bali Pops are. They are Hoffman's answer to jelly rolls with batiks. Think I am going to make a bag with these. They are so exciting. I heard an elderly lady say that the only time she gets her heart rate up is at a quilt show. I know what she means.
DS #1 had a double header here at home. At home I mean Columbia College 30 minute drive from our house. I have to say today was a glorious day for a soccer game in Columbia. 70 degrees sunny, light breeze, cold if you sat in the shade. The pines are lush the sky was blue. Over all a great day to be alive.


After diner I made Judy's BOM#4.

Grandma's House

This weekend after Soccer Saturday DH took DD#1 to her cousins birthday party in Fresno ( 2.5 hours drive) When the rest of the games were done I followed.We had a good visit as we always do. I am so blessed to enjoy my in laws so much. From there we went to my mom's house. Sunday was a nice day of doing nothing but sewing and eating ice cream. I took pictures of flowers looking for some color inspiration. Found it! Yellow, orange, red, and green are calling to me. Just like the peppers in the last post. I packed a few projects and my sewing machine In case I got inspired to finish something. Well... as you know it is always more fun to start something.
We were making Maverick Stars from Quiltville, pink and green, 9.5 in. blocks. Pink and green are definitely my mom's colors. I think we made a total of 16 blocks. I left them with her and encouraging word to finish the project.

Sunday, Family Day

Sundays are always busy with ideas the kids have of what to do. There was a swim party for Children's Ministry and our kids are always up for a swim party. Just so happens DS#1 had soccer practice at the school the pool is located and at the same time.
Here they are taking a test on rules and strategy. Coach Susan really does a good job with the boys. It was only 95 degrees today.

Here are my hams.

Then we went to my friend Marla's Garden for some fresh, organic veggies. The Kids are posing in front of her tomato plants. They are 7 ft. tall and delicious tomatoes. Do you see Marla's baby Molly? We do not have a garden of greens just tomatoes and peppers. Our tomatoes are not ready yet. I put them in the ground late. Here they are exploring and picking carrots!


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Opening Day

Today it started! Opening day for soccer. Soccer is big here in Tuolumne County. It seems like all the kids here play. I never played soccer when I was young. The kids play soccer on Saturdays all at one park. That is good it keeps us from running all over the county. But it does make for a long day. We got off easy today only 3 games today starting at 8am and ending at 1pm. Our oldest DS plays on a different league that travels to different cities for tournaments and such. He has been practicing for months now but has not started the season yet. Here are some of the prised photos from today.
Eric is practicing his smile. Doing good Baby.



I got Kevin to pose in his uniform before we left the house. The rest were too rushed!


This is a girl who just stopped a goal!

"Don't fall over!"

Nicole a ready goalie! That is her favorite position. But It gives me anxiety.


Kevin, playing defender for a really good team, has nothing to do. But I am so proud of him for paying attention. Last season he was doing the Macarena!


I have been looking at the second hand stores for a shelf for my stash. Today we visited the local store after the games and the girls wanted this Barbie house. I was worn down and agreed. That was the best $4 I have spent in a while. It has been good for hours of fun. A good distraction so I can sew.