Make It Monday #229: Fabric Strip Christmas Trees

It's after Christmas, but I found this video and thought it would be fun to make some of these little Christmas trees for next year. What do you think?

Goodbye Molly

A sweet tribute to Molly, the best dog in the world, from our son Adam:

"Whenever you bring a dog into your life you’re fooling yourself if you don’t know how it will end. Yet, we do it anyway because dogs are great. I always smile when I see the quote: “Be the person your dog thinks you are.” They love us unconditionally and ask for nothing in return…except food and some fetch.

As some know our time with Molly, best dog ever, came to a close in July. I’ve been putting off writing this because I still get emotional every time I think about it. Plus, how do you sum up a dog that meant so much to so many? When we realized things were near the end we let friends and family know. Many came say goodbye. She had a great final week as we showered her with love, affection and spoiled her even more than normal.

She was such a sweet girl who won over many that don’t consider themselves “dog people” (Shawna). There’s only one dog in the world who could get away with the face lick shown in this post.

Molly loved her people. She wanted to be wherever we were. Stepping outside? Not without Molly. Going back in? Molly’s right behind you. Room in that chair? No? That’s OK, Molly will sit on your lap. Using the restroom? Molly will be in to check on you to see if you need TP.

Molly has been an “old lady” dog for so long I can hardly remember her early days. One of my greatest wishes was to be able to turn back the clock on Molly and have her go head-to-head with Maggie running and playing fetch. Maggie is so fast, but I think Molly may have bested her in her prime.

Shawna and the girls like to tease me because they never see me cry. It’s not some macho thing, I just don’t cry very often (ever). When it came time, Joanna stayed with Molly and I. I was very proud and grateful for her that day. Now she can no longer tease me about never crying. Shawna and Audrey opted to wait for us in the car which I don’t fault them for. I would have liked to have done the same. I told Shawna the only thing Molly ever did wrong was not having the decency to die peacefully in her sleep."

Camp Grandma and Grandpa 2022

We spent another great week with our two granddaughters at the fourth annual Camp Grandma and Grandpa. The week was filled with activities including a visit to a balloon festival, cooking with my friend, Dorene, a visit to my friend Rebecca's puppy kennel, a performance by the Des Moines Ballet company along with STEM actives, shopping, fishing, swimming, golf, a movie at the theater, a visit to the local elk enclosure, lots of ice cream and favorite treats and binge watching a couple of favorite TV shows.

Audrey loved getting a closer look at the balloons with binoculars.

Joanna sketched some of the balloons.

 

The girls fell in love with all of the puppies at Jewell Kennels.

They made lasagna, salad, dinner rolls and cantelope for dinner at our friends, Neal and Dorene's.

They also made cinnamon rolls that we enjoyed for breakfast the next morning.

Best of all, it was a great week of following traditions and creating priceless memories.

Valentine's 2022

I have the most thoughtful friends! My friend, Dorene, made this pillow for me.

Dorene also made the mini pillow in this photo. She made an assortment of the mini pillows for each member of our book club to have as a party favor when she hosted February's meeting. She gave all of us a heart shaped box of candy and a key fob that she made.

My childhood friend, Charlotte, sent me a package that included the cute felt hearts.

Charlotte's package also included this beautiful mercury glass and glitter heart.

And because she is over-the-top thoughtful, Charlotte's package held this glass tray depicting a vintage cupid, AND she made a Valentine for me because I had mentioned that I loved to get handmade Valentines.

I love Valentine Day, and I love my caring friends!

 

 

Cheese Plates

I have been inspired by my daughter-in-law's cheese plates and created my first major cheese plate for my book club friends. Our July meeting was the first one held inside since the pandemic. Everyone seemed impressed with my creation, and we all agreed that small plates of nibble food were perfect for a summer evening light meal.

I had leftovers after book club, so I was inspired to assemble a cheese plate for one. 

Here is another plate for one. It may seem silly to go to this extra trouble just for myself, but I enjoyed assembling all the goodies, and it's good practice for when I want to make a large plate for friends. 

I created this plate in August for another book club meeting. It does get easier to assemble a plate; practice makes perfect, and I love the challenge of creatively arranging the food.

I picked up a package of charcuterie meat at Aldi, and this cheese plate for two was our Sunday supper last week. Yummy!

This is a cheese plate I put together back in 2018 before I honed my skills. It's not too bad for a novice. 

Has anyone else tried their hand at creating cheese plates/charcuterie boards? If you need inspiration, check out Pinterest for lots of ideas.

 

An Iowa Creek

My friend Enfys called today and wanted to take me on a little drive to check out some old railroad sites through our county. We stopped on a bridge over this creek, and I was taken by the beauty of the green foliage, the yellow flowers and the reflections in the creek. Lovely.

When I turned around, this was the view from the other side of the bridge. Look at that sky! It was a good day to take in a little nature.

 

Summer's Fresh Delights

Our town held its annual Old Settlers celebration this weekend. One activity each year is a bake sale on Friday morning held on the sidewalk in front of our local movie theater. I get there early to purchase a box of fresh produce donated each year by a couple here in town who grow beautiful flowers and wonderful garden produce.

This year's box contained zucchini, red onion, white onion, yellow and red tomatoes, red grape tomatoes, basil, cucumbers and garlic.

I created this beautiful tomato, onion, basil and feta cheese salad with items in my produce box. I dressed it with a simple dressing of equal parts balsamic vinegar and avocado oil seasoned with  salt and pepper to taste. 

The salad accompanied BLTs. Oh, I LOVE summer food!

Lake Memories

I captured the sunrise on the morning after I spent the night at the lake where I have spent many memorable days and nights beginning in my childhood. This stay was bittersweet in that it was my first visit since my sister, Donna, passed away in March. This is the view from Donna's lakeside home. She and my nephew, Kent and his wife Theresa, shared the lake home. After Donna's passing, Kent let me know that I was welcome to stay there whenever I wished.

The lake and the lakeside home are lovely, but it is difficult facing the reality that Donna is gone, and the home will never feel the same without her presence. 

Donna

Thankfully, my sister, Sue, lives in a home right next door to Donna's, so we had a good visit. Sue and my sister, Janice, and I decorated the clubhouse at the lake for our annual family 4th of July celebration.

My brother, Dan, and his wife Judi also have a home on the lake. It was fun to visit with them and sit on their beautiful newly constructed screened in porch overlooking the cove where their home is located.

Dan and Judi's new porch

I'll always treasure my times at the lake, and I will always miss those family members who are no longer with us.  

Celebrating the Summer Season

It's good to be back on the deck after spending time indoors during our Iowa winter. Memorial Day weekend was our time to get the tree debris swept and blown off the deck, deck furniture washed of winter's dirt and dust, and potted plants arranged throughout the area.

We had wonderful helping hands from our son, daughter-in-law and granddaughters. "Many hands make light work." That is SO true! It was refreshing to sit and enjoy the fruits of our labor Saturday evening. We built a fire in a fire pit and roasted hot dogs. Our granddaughters toasted marshmallows for s'mores, and it was a beautiful celebration of a new season and being together.

Our deck furnishings are eclectic and rustic. So is the deck, but after it's all swept, cleaned and polished, it's an inviting and cozy space. Whenever I consider replacing the aging furniture, I look at photos of the deck and think, "It's not so bad, and it's comfortable and welcoming. It will suffice for at least one more season."

When we entertain out there, I add pillows and cushions to chairs, a table runner on the table, and a quilt on the sofa. I can change out all those accessories and create a different look each time. Creating a welcoming look is part of the fun of entertaining for me.

 

Our daughter-in-law creates the most beautiful and tasty cheese plates, and she treated us to one Saturday evening. Isn't it great? She purchased a book, That Cheese Plate Will Change Your Life by Marissa Mullen. 

According to the book, "The Cheese By Numbers method is a simple, mindful way to guarantee a beautiful plate every time. However, it's much more than just a recipe for a stunning cheese plate. By following each step in the process, you'll learn more about the individual ingredients and how together they make a balanced plate."

We're looking forward to a summer of relaxing time on our deck with friends and family.

Winter Wonderland in Iowa

When it's foggy on a cold winter morning in Iowa and the frost freezes on the the trees, and snow covers the ground, a perfect photo op awaits. 

The perfect morning presented itself on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 in Southern Iowa.

It was helpful that my husband has a four-wheel drive pickup truck. 

This icy road at our local lake park was tricky to navigate.

It was a magical morning throughout the town and countryside.

Since Mike retired, he mows the grass at the golf course. Here is a photo of the course. He won't be mowing here soon!