Confirmation

Sunday was a busy day too.  M, Jacob and Rhig were confirmed this week. Pastor Ron arranged a nice service.

Great Niece Natalia was one year old, and her Grandpa (my brother) led the congregation in singing to her. Our church sings to you when your birthday/anniversary falls on Sunday. Her little sister Noel Joy slept through it all. We had cake at church and then came here for a confirmation brunch: hard boiled eggs, smokies, cheesy potatoes, glazed cinnamon rolls, strawberries and pineapple, grape salad, juice, coffee, tea and milk.

Beautiful things: I picked up a couple of stems of lilies for the girl's dance recital. Paired with some of our peonies in a thrifted vase, they made a beautiful, impressive and highly scented centerpiece for the confirmation meal. Daughter A. and the sons were out for confirmation. She has recently taken up kickboxing and is buffing up. Note her trademark sparkle and smile.

After some downtime (read: NAP!), several of us (not I) headed to a service project for church. Afterwards some of the young cousins came back and had a bonfire. Oh, and we snuck in a haircut for cousin Aldon. I used to cut  his hair when he was little. Right now he is in college and working, so the price was right. 

Drama Performances

On Saturday morning at 9 L. had musical practice, at 10 W. was due to dress for her dance recital, at 11 was the recital (after running back and picking up L. at the musical practice,) and at 1 was the drama camp performance. W. was in "Effigy in the Outhouse," a one room schoolhouse farce. (Three of the moms had walk on parts with small lines.) Maren played a smitten home ec teacher competing for the Principal's attention with three others in "Bachelor of the Year". The plays were great. L's musical performance is later this week.

Wedding

Last weekend we attended my cousin Mark's wedding. He is 57 and it is his first marriage. The church was full and we all enjoyed being there. It was fun to see lots of family. Husband and I got to go out for supper afterwards with my cousin Dawn and her husband. (below)

I made this beautifully colored, extremely soft and squishy throw blanket as a gift for the newlyweds. I looked up quick crocheted blankets and found this great recipe. (My poor muddled brain keeps saying recipe instead of pattern.) Basically, it is this:

Quick and Simple Afghan
Finished size approx. 45" x 70"

You need:
*8 skeins Lion Brand Homespun yarn-I used 4 skeins each of #368 Montana Sky and #302 Colonial *This blanket uses two strands of yarn at a time while making it, so I used one strand of each color paired throughout
*Jumbo plastic crochet hook, about 15.75mm

*Use two strands of yarn to crochet this blanket.*
Ch 75
Row 1: sc in each chain to end. Turn.
Repeat for the next 60 rows or until it is the size you want. Finish by running a color coordinated ribbon through every other stitch near each end and secure.

It said it would take about 6 hours for one blanket, but I think that means only if you don't cook any meals, do any wash or clean house.

Semi-Mini Marthas

Maren had her friend K.B. over this week. "Could we cook something?" they asked. They thought maybe something with real whipped cream and strawberries would be good. I got out my Martha Stewart Living magazine and they wanted to make the sponge cake on the cover. We had all the stuff, so they did.

And then we ate it, and sent some home with K.B. for her family. Yum! Look out Martha!

Dance Recital

Musical

Drama Camp begins! This year high schoolers are doing thier first musical. They had to committ to 2 weeks of practice instead of one. I think these kids are amazing. This is their first day together working on it and look how good they are. All campers come with lines and music learned. Mrs. H. is a retired public school teacher who teaches the high schoolers every year. The other grades are doing regular plays. There are usually about 80 kids and 8-10 plays each year. Thank you Mr. and Mrs. McL and family who have organized this for 10-15 years for our homeschool community.

Peonies

Peonie photography by W. who is 9. Postcards from God

(and lovely, quick blog posts when my week is crazy!)



I-Phone Eagle

Husband used his I-Phone to take this picture of "our" eagle flying straight up toward the sun. I cropped it in the second image. Today's Postcard from God.

Thirty One-derful Years

Yesterday was our 31st anniversary! Here's a trip to 1981. My attendants were (L to R) Karen S.F. Joyce M.O., Barb M.G., Mary A.P. and little sister/flower girl Lissa G.M.

Husband's attendants from L. to R.-David D., Brothers Alan, Glenn and Brian

Sunday/Monday

 W. played the prelude at church for the first time.

 We went and visited the maternity ward to meet great niece Noel Joy. Isn't she BEAUTIFUL?

We all held her and Cousin Lyndsay dropped by too!

In the evening we went to our G. friends' violin recital. L. and M. have been friends with H. and N. their whole lives. They played beautifully.

 On Monday M. amd W. had an introductory tennis lesson with our home school group. After class, W. went home with friends for the afternoon, and M. and I went to her first book club at G's house.