Memory Jar

I browse through Pinterest and love what I come across. Many of the things really inspire me. I don't pin clothing ideas, or things I want to buy, or a lot of way out things. Most of what I have on my boards is stuff I actually want to do. And I am moving through that list.

Take the Memory Jar. The description was along the lines of 'write down memories throughout the year and then read them on New Year's Eve (or maybe it ws New Year's day - whatever). So I found an old container in the box of things I have in the garage for that just in case we want to use this later type event, made some labels explaining the deal, cut some strips of paper, taped a small envelope to the outside for the strips, and VOILA!

And we have actually been using it. It sits on the kitchen counter (with way too many other things). So we see it. So we use it.

Here is a great example of what we put in there. Saturday was the 'Celebration of Life' for the man's uncle. It was actually a really nice day. And after the planned events we had some of the cousins back to our house for pizza and such. Well as we were sitting outside in the evening, as it grew dark, it grew a bit chilly. So the man went in and brought out some wraps for a few people. The bug comes out of the house a few minutes later with some of her blankets in her hands and gives them to people she thinks might need them. Unbidden. No conversation. This child is three. I am amazed by her. And proud.

Anyway, that story went in the jar. I don't know if I would remember it otherwise. And I am so glad that now I will.

Great Summer Tradition

Both the man and I were raised just a few towns over from where we are now, on the coast in So Cal. We are very fortunate that the beach played a huge role in both of our childhoods. We each remember having family dinners at the beach. And while we did grow up just a block apart, and have known each other since grade school, these memories are separate. Our families didn't 'hang' together. No reason, they just didn't. But the activities were similar.

And then when the bug came along we started thinking, and realizing, just how great we had it. We love those memories. And we want the same for our girl. But then we (okay, I) realized that if she were to have those same types of memories, then it was up to us to make them happen. They weren't always just going to come along. And there wasn't really anyone else to put them in place. So sometime this summer, I think it was probably mid to late July, we started having dinner at the beach on Sunday evenings. We invited everyone. If you could make it, great. If not, see you next week. Now that it has cooled off a bit we aren't there every week. I still plan to go down a few more times before it gets too dark too early.

The funny thing is that the first few weeks we picked up KFC and brought it down. Everyone had their own great memories of getting KFC and bringing it to the beach at some point in their lives. Very nostalgic!

We stayed until sunset, then packed up some very worn out little sandy bodies and took them home to warm baths. This is me with the bug and her cousins (not telling who is who :-) ) watching the sunset all bundled up.

Evolution of a king size bed quilt

So, I started collecting fabric. Oh, poor me. I had to buy fabric.

And I made a combination of large blocks and then squares within squares. 

And I went to lay them out. Didn't really like this way. Which is the original way I thought I would love.

Didn't really like this way either. Hmmm. Now what?

So a change is in order. Take out the center square in a square. 

Replace with white. Surround the small squares with white.

Oh, I like this much better.

 Now how many of these do I need for a king size bed? Yikes. Did you say 90 or so?


Almost done.

Let me tell you about a new love...

And you may already be involved with this new love of mine. That is okay, I can share. In fact, I want to share. There is so much to go around, this new love of ours.


This is what is taking up so much of my 'free' time lately. It is inspiring, overwhelming, scary, exhilarating; it is a time suck.

Yes, I speak of...Pinterest. It is my new crack. And I am a dealer and am getting my friends hooked as well.


So, can I interest you in some (eye) candy, little girl?

Happy Birthday Anthony

He would have been 10 today.

First day of school

And I was a total wreck. I kept it together when we dropped her off.

She did great! Of course.




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