I've been wanting to learn how to quilt for a long time. Until one night, I was blog hopping and discovered Donna's blog. Her enthusiasm is so contagious that I ordered a book from Tricia. I will attempt to quilt for the first time and Donna offered to help. Donna is also having a Turning Twenty Quilt Show and by participating you will be entered to win a prize. If you are interested, please go visit her blog for more info. She is giving away a lot of door prizes! Above is a quilt from my mother-in-law. I think this is a different kind of quilt ... I am not that familiar with quilting but you can tell there were a lot of efforts and times spent in completing the above.
This one is another quilt, again from my MIL ... in those days, they used old clothes, neckties, etc to quilt a blanket. I think this one was all done by hand as opposed to machine quilting. Both of the above are very old, we decided not to use them due to wear and tear ... they are a keepsake.
I am editing this post to add this link. This is a wonderful organization that quilts for veterans to show they care. Please check it out by clicking the link. Thank you.
Memorial Day parade ... our son, who is a member of his school's marching band, played solo with his electric guitar. I positioned myself in front so I could have a better view since I want to take a video with my digital camera ... and so I thought; until after the parade when I tried to view the video, and I saw nothing! ... the screen is blank!? What the heck ....!? I realized then my mistake, I did not push the "record" button. duh! Well then ok ... not the end of the world. I will still have another chance. Luckily, they are participating in a marching band competition the following weekend.
And so, that weekend hubby and I started early, over 2 hours early to be exact! We brought folding chairs and positioned ourselves across from the judging stage. When the parade started, I video-taped the first marching band because I thought I should have a beginning and end with our son's marching band. When it was their turn to march, I stood up and positioned myself in front of a telephone pole just so I was not blocking anyone's view. Cool, I got the best spot. The winterguards performed, the band performed, then they all started to step aside in a semi-circle and in the middle is our son ... he is going to play his solo now ... then... my camera went blank! !@%$^&*&#@ ... again, another, what the h ....?! the memory card is full!!! ... and this time since it is a competition, he played with his electric guitar behind his back! Even 'ma and 'pa were surprised; we did not expect him to play that way. The spectators were applauding! And I did not get it on video! :( I brought 2 other memory cards with me but by the time I was able to put a new one, his performance was over. Lucky for us again, they have one more competition remaining in two weeks. We did not have a plan to go because it is over a one hour drive, and we are not familiar with the area but I've got to have his solo on video and at this time, I was really so mad at myself for video taping the first band which was a little bit too long since they were the town host's marching band!
So yesterday, Saturday, hubby and I drove to this place. We drove around and around in circle looking for a place to park. We found one and it was a long walk to the judging area; I felt so bad for my hubby because he just had knee surgery the last week of April, but I got to capture our son's solo! :) Most parents are so proud of their kids accomplishments and it so happens that I am one of them. And so, below is finally his solo. BUT, I was a little disappointed because his band director suggested that he play with his guitar in front; the director thinks it will sound better that way. We thought the sound is not as important as the showmanship but ... he is after all the director. Our son still received applause but not as "noisy" as the first competition. On our way home, he told us that for next year, he was given the responsibility to pick what they are going to play. And so, if you have any songs that impressed you, we welcome your suggestions. This year they played Beatles' songs.
So, my good friends, presenting to you our son's solo, it is not professionally done but still a keepsake and special ... for us anyway.
I am enjoying my garden beds right now and I want to share them with you. The above is just one of my four rows of peonies. They all can be enlarge by clicking at the images. I don't know the name of the plant above ... what I love about it is the beauty of its variegated foliage. If you know the name, please let me know?
My campanulas are beautiful this year! The stems are long and the blooms are bigger than ever.
These are my lemon lilies, they were planted along side the foundation of our house. I love to pair them with the purple campanulas when I'm fixing a flower bouquet, and I just love their scent!
Close up of my white peony.
Very light pink peony.
Light pink peony.
Dark pink peony. Well my friends, hope you enjoyed looking at them. Next time I will feature my roses ... and my dahlias when they're ready. Gardening is hard work but it sure is worth it when they bloom.
Oh dear, is it that time already? My porch is not quite ready yet. Oh well, I'm sure my friends will understand. Where I live, it is not a good idea to start planting annuals outdoor until after Memorial Day ... we still get cold nights before then. I usually have planters in front ... but anyway, WELCOME to my humble porch, my friends! Have you been to Rhondi's porch party? I am one of the front porch party participants. Oh yes, Rhondi, wishing you a Happy, Happy Birthday! Hope you have many more to come. The weather forecast this weekend will go up to upper 90's and I have more chairs inside so please, do come in ... it is cooler indoor. This is the front view of my front porch, my Peonies are blooming! I have more rows of peonies at the west side of our house but for some reason, the buds are still tight. Ahhh, it is so nice to see and smell fresh flowers! This is the other end of my porch ... as you can see, we have an old timer "glider" that I plan to refinish this summer and debating what color to use ... any suggestions? Well my friends, I'm afraid this is not much of a party, but thank you for stopping by. Please come and visit again as I do the same.
