Our oldest daughter had a science project due over Spring Break this past week. She had to find, identify and document the native grasses, trees and vegetation in our environment. Of course, she waited until the end of her break to tell us she had homework, but my husband and I all pitched in and got it done.
My main contribution to the project was the title!
On St. Patrick’s Day, we not only celebrate my maternal grandfather’s heritage, we also have a little doggie party for a not-so-little yellow lab! Phydeaux was born on March 17, 2003. She used to steal DD#3’s binky (pacifier) when both were babies. We went away for a vacation when she was less than a year old and left her with a colleague of my husband’s, only to come home and find that he had potty-trained her while we were away! She has traveled far and wide with us, and been a constant source of unconditional love to our son (who we bought the dog for) and my husband (who is her master). I just love labs … well, all except their tails when they are excited!
So, Happy Birthday Phydeaux!
March 6, 2011 was a double dose of special for our family. First, it was the anniversary of my older brother Mike’s birthday. I have no clue why, but he was born on March 7th….but, our family always celebrated his birthday on March 6th. Hence, I will also call that his birthday, as it was on earth and now as in heaven.
The second special event that occurred was our middle daughter (second of four children) was confirmed in our church. This is a big deal for Lutheran’s, who believe in infant baptism but we also believe that a child has the right and understanding to affirm their faith through two years of confirmation classes. It’s not just a committment on the child’s end, it’s a responsibility not to be taken lightly.
Here are some photos of DD#2’s special day:
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Last week was our youngest daughter’s 10th birthday. Her name is Grace. Remember the fabric for the 2011 BOMquilts.com block of the month quilt? Here’s a hint of one of the “Pure” fabrics:
Here’s the finished quilt, “Purely Nine”:
And here’s the transformation where “Purely Nine” becomes “Purely Grace”!:
One of my gazillion cousins (one of the GOOD ones) was cleaning out her basement and came across a quilt. It wasn’t just ANY quilt, and she knew it. It was one my mother had started, we believe. And she sent it to me.
James Lee Spencer was born in 1969 to my parents. You see, my mom told many that she loved babies. Once a child was old enough to not have to rely on her anymore, she wasn’t so keen on them. But babies she loved – as evidenced by the six that she birthed before she was 30 years old! I don’t much remember Jamie very much as I was only 5 years old at the time, but I remember our mom carried him everywhere. I started school a month or so after he was born and I had way more on my hands with the nuns in kindergarten than I did at home with my family. Not to mention that I had reached the age where our mom didn’t really have time for me. Which was okay, when I was a kid, because I had my Gramma from Tramma to unconditionally love me.
Anyway, when my cousin found the quilt, she knew where it came from. It appears that my mother started to make it after Jamie died of SIDS at 3 month’s old.
It seems the quilt is from a kit as most of the unfinished pieces are labeled and numbered. It also appears that the background is solid cotton and then the applique is trapunto – or a form of it, whereby the applique is put on with batting behind the individual pieces (not behind the quilt).  I’m convinced Mom started this quilt after Jamie passed away, since the baby on it has a halo and wings.
This quilt would be exceptionally special to my youngest brother as he knows that with Jamie’s death, he became the favored child of our mother.
Here is the quilted treasure, any suggestions on how to finish it?
Rest in Peace, Jamie.