Here are a few of the animals we saw...
And here is how we recorded them for posterity...
Well, I guess they won't win any awards, but we did have a really fun time hanging out together and giggling about our artistic renderings.
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
A Day at the Zoo
My daughter and I made a day trip to the Fresno Chaffee Zoo.
Here are a few of the animals we saw...
And here is how we recorded them for posterity...
Well, I guess they won't win any awards, but we did have a really fun time hanging out together and giggling about our artistic renderings.
Here are a few of the animals we saw...
And here is how we recorded them for posterity...
Well, I guess they won't win any awards, but we did have a really fun time hanging out together and giggling about our artistic renderings.
Monday, April 6, 2015
Three
One of my favorite people just turned 3.
This is the almost finished version of the improv quilt that I made for her (I forgot to get that final picture) with three of everything.
This is the almost finished version of the improv quilt that I made for her (I forgot to get that final picture) with three of everything.
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Baby Brothers
Last week my baby brother turned 38.
That can only mean one thing...photo time!
That is me and all 3 of my little brothers, circa 1977.
Tommy, of course, is the newborn.
Adorable!
That can only mean one thing...photo time!
That is me and all 3 of my little brothers, circa 1977.
Tommy, of course, is the newborn.
Adorable!
Saturday, January 10, 2015
New for 2015!
There are a few new things happening around here these days.
New and exciting things!
Things for you, from me!
Number 1...
How about a newsletter?
Yes, that sounds good.
But how about a newsletter filled with things you want (not just advertising).
Free things. Inspiring things. Things to create. Things to enjoy.
Yes, that's the kind of newsletter I am talking about.
This year, I am going to focus on six different types of content:
Patterns
Mood Boards (fully editable and customizable)
Desktop (and Mobile) Backgrounds
Recipes
Tutorials
Pattern Reviews and Discounts
You can sign up for the monthly mailer HERE, if you are interested.
Number 2...
How about a new Block of the Month?
Yes, that sounds good too.
But how about a FREE BOM!
A free, string quilted, medallion style, mystery BOM.
That's the kind of project I am talking about.
One that can put quite a dent in your scrap basket.
You can find the intro and pattern for the first month HERE, if you are interested.
And you can grab the button right here:
Number 3...
How about a great new book?
Yes, that sounds good too.
How about a book about modern string quilting.
A book filled with patterns (12 of them) to decrease your scraps and increase your level of cozy.
Hopefully you have already heard about this book, but just in case you haven't:
I wrote it myself and you can get a copy of it HERE, if you are interested.
And finally, Number 4...
How about a FANTASTIC new house?
Yes, that sounds really good too.
But how about a HOME. A comfy, cozy little place on the central coast of California.
A place where a family can settle in and enjoy the changing of the seasons and the marching of time.
Together. With love and happiness and fresh eggs every day.
I have just the place for you, and you can check it out HERE, if you're interested.
(And yes, this is our home. We are looking to make a MAJOR change in our address. To start a new page and a new adventure in a new place. New. New, New. And a little old. Because you can't change everything. And who would want to? We will still be the same happy couple with the same time tested outlook on life and the same beloved small businesses. We will just be enjoying it all in a DIFFERENT place. A place where the changing of the seasons looks and smells a little different than here and where time still marches on, whether you want it to or not. And yes, the new place will still be filled with love and togetherness and fresh eggs daily, but our hens will be a lot more cold hardy!)
My friend Laura, of Dienzo Fine Art Photography, took these pictures of our home. You can find her HERE if you are in need of any amazing photography for yourself.
New and exciting things!
Things for you, from me!
Number 1...
How about a newsletter?
Yes, that sounds good.
But how about a newsletter filled with things you want (not just advertising).
Free things. Inspiring things. Things to create. Things to enjoy.
Yes, that's the kind of newsletter I am talking about.
This year, I am going to focus on six different types of content:
Patterns
Mood Boards (fully editable and customizable)
Desktop (and Mobile) Backgrounds
Recipes
Tutorials
Pattern Reviews and Discounts
You can sign up for the monthly mailer HERE, if you are interested.
Number 2...
How about a new Block of the Month?
Yes, that sounds good too.
But how about a FREE BOM!
A free, string quilted, medallion style, mystery BOM.
That's the kind of project I am talking about.
One that can put quite a dent in your scrap basket.
You can find the intro and pattern for the first month HERE, if you are interested.
And you can grab the button right here:
<div class="pieces-of-ranas-life-button" style="width: 125px; margin: 0 auto;">
<a href="http://www.sewnintothefabric.com/stringAlong.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">
<img src="http://www.sewnintothefabric.com/Images/side%20bar%20150px/StringAlong1Button.jpg" alt="Pieces of Rana's Life" width="125" height="125" />
</a>
</div>
<a href="http://www.sewnintothefabric.com/stringAlong.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">
<img src="http://www.sewnintothefabric.com/Images/side%20bar%20150px/StringAlong1Button.jpg" alt="Pieces of Rana's Life" width="125" height="125" />
</a>
</div>
Number 3...
How about a great new book?
Yes, that sounds good too.
How about a book about modern string quilting.
A book filled with patterns (12 of them) to decrease your scraps and increase your level of cozy.
Hopefully you have already heard about this book, but just in case you haven't:
I wrote it myself and you can get a copy of it HERE, if you are interested.
And finally, Number 4...
How about a FANTASTIC new house?
Yes, that sounds really good too.
But how about a HOME. A comfy, cozy little place on the central coast of California.
A place where a family can settle in and enjoy the changing of the seasons and the marching of time.
Together. With love and happiness and fresh eggs every day.
I have just the place for you, and you can check it out HERE, if you're interested.
(And yes, this is our home. We are looking to make a MAJOR change in our address. To start a new page and a new adventure in a new place. New. New, New. And a little old. Because you can't change everything. And who would want to? We will still be the same happy couple with the same time tested outlook on life and the same beloved small businesses. We will just be enjoying it all in a DIFFERENT place. A place where the changing of the seasons looks and smells a little different than here and where time still marches on, whether you want it to or not. And yes, the new place will still be filled with love and togetherness and fresh eggs daily, but our hens will be a lot more cold hardy!)
My friend Laura, of Dienzo Fine Art Photography, took these pictures of our home. You can find her HERE if you are in need of any amazing photography for yourself.
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Young Love
Yesterday we had the joy of attending the wedding of a sweet young couple we know.
The groom is the son of our very dear friends and his new wife is actually our pastor's niece.
Small world. And when you live in the same small-ish town for decades...well it is even smaller. (Which is precisely WHY living in a small-ish town for decades makes life beautiful.)
This wedding has been much anticipated.
The dreaming, the planning, the merging of two lives and two families, the hope for a future filled with love and beauty and blessing. Yes, it was a wonderful celebration.
And, as weddings are known to be, it was also a tearful celebration. A true Kleenex affair. The bride, the groom, the best man and maid of honor, they all cried. So did the bride's parents and the groom's parents and the aunties and...well, a lot of the other the guests! (Except for my guy. He did exactly zero crying, and he wants to make sure that this fact is made known.)
I had several tearful moments. But it was when I was watching my friend dance with her son, dance her special dance, dance and cry...well, that was a tender moment. It was one of those times that causes you to reflect on the whole of a life. That here she was dancing with her boy. This little boy that she birthed not so long ago. The baby she nursed and walked the floors with at night. The boy whose hand she held and whose shoes she tied. The first one to call her mom. The first one to move right into her heart and set up camp, forever. Here she was dancing with that same boy. Except that boy had somehow become a grown up man. A grown up, married man. And it all happened so fast....
Hence the tears. And the hope of endless love for this sweet young couple.
Hugs from us to you.
The groom is the son of our very dear friends and his new wife is actually our pastor's niece.
Small world. And when you live in the same small-ish town for decades...well it is even smaller. (Which is precisely WHY living in a small-ish town for decades makes life beautiful.)
This wedding has been much anticipated.
The dreaming, the planning, the merging of two lives and two families, the hope for a future filled with love and beauty and blessing. Yes, it was a wonderful celebration.
And, as weddings are known to be, it was also a tearful celebration. A true Kleenex affair. The bride, the groom, the best man and maid of honor, they all cried. So did the bride's parents and the groom's parents and the aunties and...well, a lot of the other the guests! (Except for my guy. He did exactly zero crying, and he wants to make sure that this fact is made known.)
I had several tearful moments. But it was when I was watching my friend dance with her son, dance her special dance, dance and cry...well, that was a tender moment. It was one of those times that causes you to reflect on the whole of a life. That here she was dancing with her boy. This little boy that she birthed not so long ago. The baby she nursed and walked the floors with at night. The boy whose hand she held and whose shoes she tied. The first one to call her mom. The first one to move right into her heart and set up camp, forever. Here she was dancing with that same boy. Except that boy had somehow become a grown up man. A grown up, married man. And it all happened so fast....
Hence the tears. And the hope of endless love for this sweet young couple.
Hugs from us to you.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Book Worm's Delight
I have no idea how I came by this picture...
But I have a couple of book-loving daughters who will love it.
Hope you both find plenty of warm, snuggle-y, super-silent, hot chocolate infused reading time this winter!!
But I have a couple of book-loving daughters who will love it.
Hope you both find plenty of warm, snuggle-y, super-silent, hot chocolate infused reading time this winter!!
Friday, September 20, 2013
Big Love
I recently sent a little handmade love to my 3 1/2 year
old niece and nephew (yes, twins).
old niece and nephew (yes, twins).
They sent me this.
The sweetness factor of these "scribbly" cards just never wears off!
Monday, September 16, 2013
Diaper Duty
We have some sweet friends who are expecting their first baby.
A girl!
Due in October.
So, of course, it is baby shower time!
I have not been in the baby-shower-season-of-life for a little while now, but it seems like that is about to change. Lots of young people in my daughters' age range are starting to have babies, so I am back in the loop. Hurray!
This friend requested a diaper bag in pink, white and gray. I used my own pattern (Baby Zoe, and you can get it here if you are interested) to make one for her. The "E" is for Eden. Adorable, right! The name, not the bag.
So back to the shower....We really enjoyed it.
That's right "we". As in me AND my guy.
It was a first for him, and me. A couples shower.
He nearly balked when I told him he was invited, but then he remembered how much he cares for the parents-to-be, and agreed to go. And by remembered I might mean "was reminded repeatedly"!
Fortunately, it was not too girly, which he was very worried about. No tea sandwiches or funny little games. Nope, this was a tri-tip and beer, bbq in the park with plenty of other men to play horseshoes with. So he was able to overlook the daddy-to-be's bright neon pink t-shirt, the diaper cake and a mountain of pastel color packages. He was a real trooper.
Now tell me, are couples showers the latest trend?? I am so out of the loop!!
A girl!
Due in October.
So, of course, it is baby shower time!
I have not been in the baby-shower-season-of-life for a little while now, but it seems like that is about to change. Lots of young people in my daughters' age range are starting to have babies, so I am back in the loop. Hurray!
This friend requested a diaper bag in pink, white and gray. I used my own pattern (Baby Zoe, and you can get it here if you are interested) to make one for her. The "E" is for Eden. Adorable, right! The name, not the bag.
So back to the shower....We really enjoyed it.
That's right "we". As in me AND my guy.
It was a first for him, and me. A couples shower.
He nearly balked when I told him he was invited, but then he remembered how much he cares for the parents-to-be, and agreed to go. And by remembered I might mean "was reminded repeatedly"!
Fortunately, it was not too girly, which he was very worried about. No tea sandwiches or funny little games. Nope, this was a tri-tip and beer, bbq in the park with plenty of other men to play horseshoes with. So he was able to overlook the daddy-to-be's bright neon pink t-shirt, the diaper cake and a mountain of pastel color packages. He was a real trooper.
Now tell me, are couples showers the latest trend?? I am so out of the loop!!
Monday, June 10, 2013
A Quilter's Hubby
So how does a quilter's husband work on the family car??
In quilt-y comfort, of course!!
But here is the other funny thing about this photo.
So, I am standing there taking this picture and talking to my guy's legs, and instead of hearing him answer me I hear my nephew say "are you talking to me?"
Good Stinkin' Grief!!!
When in the world did my pudgy, 10 year, little old nephew grow man legs??
I am telling you, this "time marches on" thing is getting a little ridiculous!
In quilt-y comfort, of course!!
But here is the other funny thing about this photo.
So, I am standing there taking this picture and talking to my guy's legs, and instead of hearing him answer me I hear my nephew say "are you talking to me?"
Good Stinkin' Grief!!!
When in the world did my pudgy, 10 year, little old nephew grow man legs??
I am telling you, this "time marches on" thing is getting a little ridiculous!
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Photo Love
I absolutely love this photo!
There is just something completely perfect about it.
It brings together two of my great loves: the Lord and quilting.
But it is more than that.
It is the unexpected setting. The mix of architecture and color. The perspective. The light. The old 70's rust colored carpet.
But it is even more than that.
It is exactly how I imagine my funeral service to be.
Crazy right!!
Maybe even a little weird.
But I have actually had this conversation with my girls.
"When I kick" (you have to say it like that when you are talking about your death to your children, otherwise they get a little sad and freaked out)...
"When I kick, I want you to round up all these quilts (WELL over 100, and probably closer to 200). Keep your favorites and anything you might want to pass down or give away special. But don't be saddled with the rest of them. I want you to haul all of them down to the church and hang them over the pews. And when the service is over I want all of my friends to take quilts home with them!!"
And my girls agree.
It is a good plan.
So, if and when you hear that I have gone on to that Great Watering Hole in the Sky (my girls will probably read this)...well hustle your little self down to the church and get a quilt!! And know that I loved you and I wanted you to have it.
There is just something completely perfect about it.
It brings together two of my great loves: the Lord and quilting.
But it is more than that.
It is the unexpected setting. The mix of architecture and color. The perspective. The light. The old 70's rust colored carpet.
But it is even more than that.
It is exactly how I imagine my funeral service to be.
Crazy right!!
Maybe even a little weird.
But I have actually had this conversation with my girls.
"When I kick" (you have to say it like that when you are talking about your death to your children, otherwise they get a little sad and freaked out)...
"When I kick, I want you to round up all these quilts (WELL over 100, and probably closer to 200). Keep your favorites and anything you might want to pass down or give away special. But don't be saddled with the rest of them. I want you to haul all of them down to the church and hang them over the pews. And when the service is over I want all of my friends to take quilts home with them!!"
And my girls agree.
It is a good plan.
So, if and when you hear that I have gone on to that Great Watering Hole in the Sky (my girls will probably read this)...well hustle your little self down to the church and get a quilt!! And know that I loved you and I wanted you to have it.
Friday, March 29, 2013
Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?
Why?
For you.
For me.
For love and mercy and salvation and eternity.
God Bless you sweet reader. Let Good Friday wash over your soul and confirm all that you know as truth. Because it is true. Even in today's society of gray. Always gray. The truth will stand. Stand with it. In love.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Z is for...
Zoey!
A little love bug.
She loves whispers and hugs and her Auntie Rana!
And her Auntie Rana loves her!!
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
M is for...
My Guy!!
What can be said, and what can be left unsaid?
He is my guy. My one and only. One half of Us.
Forever.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
K is for...
Kyle.
This is our new son-in-law.
He loves our daughter.
And he takes very good care of her.
And he makes her happy.
And he makes her happy.
He is a great guy and we love him for all of it!
Saturday, November 10, 2012
J is for...
Justin!
Oh do I love this little guy!
I am his Auntanay.
That would be Aunt Anay (the way he says Rana (Renee))
except that he says is all in one word. Auntanay.
Adorable!!
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
G is for...
Godly Grandparents.
We are super blessed to have a set of neighbors that have been
like grandparents to our girls (and parents to us!).
Two beautiful, caring, generous, and God-fearing people who have
invested themselves in our family with such love.
Two more sets of ears to hear and eyes to watch.
Two more voices filled with words of wisdom.
Four more hands to help lighten a load.
And two hearts to love and pray and stand in the gap.
They mean the world to us!!
Sunday, November 4, 2012
D is for...
Daughters!
Ah yes, this is one of the deepest and greatest joys of my life.
Two daughters. Cut from the same cloth
and yet as different as night and day.
Two people who have filled my life with fun and tears,
chaos and schedule, challenge and ease.
chaos and schedule, challenge and ease.
Two who call me Mimi. Two who own my heart.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Lula Wins!!
I am finally going to post a few of the WINNING photos from our sock monkey bingo game.
Lula won, of course. By a lot.
And here are a few highlights.
And now, I am off to help Lula spend her prize money. TTFN
Lula won, of course. By a lot.
And here are a few highlights.
And now, I am off to help Lula spend her prize money. TTFN
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
The Show Down
Sock Monkey Bingo 2012 is finally coming to an end tonight.
We played from Memorial Day to Labor Day, but we haven't been able to get together to determine a winner. Out of town, back to school, working late, sick, and the list goes on and on.
But tonight, tonight is the night. Finally, Lula will be crowned Sock Monkey Bingo Queen. Oh yes. She will be gracious. She will "pshaw" and "ah shucks". And she will look at all the other photos with great interest and joy. But then, when that $25 pot comes sliding her way, well then she is gonna crow a little bit. And maybe show off a few photos tomorrow on the blog. Maybe.
In the meantime here is a look at her most favorite picture of all. BEAUTIFUL! (BTW, that beautiful bride...loser. And the new hubby...goin' down. I'm just sayin'.)
We played from Memorial Day to Labor Day, but we haven't been able to get together to determine a winner. Out of town, back to school, working late, sick, and the list goes on and on.
But tonight, tonight is the night. Finally, Lula will be crowned Sock Monkey Bingo Queen. Oh yes. She will be gracious. She will "pshaw" and "ah shucks". And she will look at all the other photos with great interest and joy. But then, when that $25 pot comes sliding her way, well then she is gonna crow a little bit. And maybe show off a few photos tomorrow on the blog. Maybe.
In the meantime here is a look at her most favorite picture of all. BEAUTIFUL! (BTW, that beautiful bride...loser. And the new hubby...goin' down. I'm just sayin'.)
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