Home And Moving Slowly!

As much as I’m worn out after travel to Idaho and back to visit my mom and stepdad –

Let’s triple that with the addition of my mom’s two sisters (My aunties!) and a visit from son Jason in the mix!

The weather could not have been more perfect – Spring in Garden Valley/Crouch Idaho is scenic and wonderful and everything is still green yet – for a couple more months or so.

Walks down by the river, around the park –

Tring our best to capture photo memories when we could!

Left to right: Gail, Joy, Mom and me.

I caught this one while they were resting.

I love this one!

It was so wonderful to hug my son and to see him hug is grandma!

We took long walks down dirt roads –

A different kind of dirt road hike there than I enjoy here. You should smell these pines. The best smell ever.

And the view from up here? It’s as pretty as any mountain scene I’ve witnessed in Germany, Switzerland or Austria….

Speaking of which – did you see that our Christmas Market Tour after Thanksgiving this year is to Switzerland, Germany & France? It’s time to start planning! More info HERE.

One big job – they had a bumper crop of pinecones fall all over the area this year through the winter and even though you clean them up, they keep falling so we all pitched in with buckets to clear the yard and gardens.

Burning pinecones as starter for our hotdog roast became the thing!

And yes, there are still more pinecones waiting for future summer fire pit nights.

Jason roasting marshmallows perfectly!

This yard and gardens are so serene. I love it up here.

The garden is only beginning to awaken and will be riotous with color in the next few months.

Though mom is cutting back on her gardening, I don’t think she will ever actually stop. Most areas are perennials and she loves sharing her plants with those in the area. “Just come by for a shovelful/” is her motto.

And yes – this is a chorus line in the kitchen afterwards. LOL!

Geothermal heated pools!

Thanks to mom’s friends, we were invited to come “soak and float” in the warm warm water. What a great way to just float around, kick a bit, and chat. And the view! Some of the mountains still have snow.

Stopping at the garden center greenhouse – just because.

Signage by the front door.

I need a fluffy dog sign for the bears in my woods too!

When we get together we are always sharing things we’ve learned with others.

Gail showed us how she blanches and peels raw almonds! This is so great because I don’t like the papery skins either.

Our server took our photo at lunch out at Wild Bill’s.

I see a family resemblance, don’t you?

Coming home – next year.

I remember teaching my mom how to do hexies while we were all sitting in the dentist’s office waiting area during one year when we all met up in Minnesota. She took off like a firecracker.

She bought this machine tote – didn’t like how it looked, and went to town creating and stitching hexies to tailor fit the machine case.

I love how these flowers are all different and free-form!

Her hands don’t allow her to sew anymore – that is, anything beyond simple mending. Her arthritis is so bad….

This case is too big for the over head and I didn’t want to check it, so next year I’m going to bring a heavy clear bag that I can put it in so I can get it home to me.

My other two sisters don’t really sew, and neither are quilters.

It’s really difficult having important conversations with elder parents about what they want to do with their “stuff.” But she knows me. She’s already said that her featherweight comes to me.

“But not yet, mom. Not yet.”

And I know it will reside in this case she beautified – unless I’m sewing on it, of course.

It’s Mother’s Day week!

(Or what’s left of it…)

After spending time with my mom and my aunts and getting to see my son in the process, I’ve placed all Digital patterns in the Quiltville Store 25% off with no coupon needed.

We won’t have another “all patterns” sale until Thanksgiving, so now is your chance to grab all the things!

This sale expires at 11:30pm Eastern time on Sunday.

I’m moving a bit slow…my body clock needs some adjusting, but I’m headed over to the inn to see how things are coming along before the Muddy Creek Misfits arrival for their retreat.

It’s good to be home!