Rainbow Cross

This pattern came from Another by Anita.       http://anotherbyanita.com/
It's under the Church Banners category.   It's a different way to do stained glass quilting.
It is now the 8th cross quilt made for the church auditorium.

Wedding Bells

Today was the big day...a long time coming.  Joe and Christin were married at our home church in Clinton, MD.  It was really a beautiful wedding.  Originally they wanted an outdoor one, but on Friday just before the rehearsal the skies let loose with a huge thunderstorm, soaking everything.  The same was forecasted for Saturday, so they had the ceremony in the auditorium.

The colors were two shades of blue and white.  The bride had a bouquet of natural flowers and everyone else had an artificial blue one with a real hydranea accent.  We spent Thursday making bouquets and Friday decorating for the reception.  One of the church ladies was in charge of the reception meal with consisted of small sandwiches, cheeses and fruit and drinks.

The wedding cake was done by a friend of mine, Sharon  Pitts, and she incorporated three things Christin wanted.  One was a ribbon, I forgot the second, but the third was blue Legos on the corner of the main cake--what a clever idea!

There were probably 100 people in attendance and we saw many that used to go to our home church, it was really good to touch base again.

Sadly, however, I lost my camera on Friday and have yet to find it, so I was not able to take any personal pictures to post here of the wedding.  But I was told by the photographer that his team of three probably took 1500= 2000 photos, plus video, so why does the mother of the groom need a camera? Anyway, when I get photos from either him or someone else, I will post them here. 

We now have a wonderful daughter-in-law and wish the happy couple a long, successful marriage.  

Target practice

Seems my sons have acquired guns, so we went to the local indoor range and did some shooting.  There were a bunch of us, plus the couple that lives upstairs in the house where Peter lives.  It was the first time I had ever shot a gun, let alone three of them:  a 22 rifle, a 40 caliber and 45 caliber handgun (I think that's the size).  The rifle was OK since it was smaller and was not so loud.  The handguns were a bit scary as I do not like the spark that flies when the hammer hits the bullet, plus it was v e r y  loud, even with ear plugs.

Sara did not want to shoot; Teresa did though.  Christin is well-versed in guns as her dad taught her from an early age, so she was giving us tips on how to stand and hold the gun. 

However, it was a good experience and I could get used to doing it.

Henry with a rifle

Teresa taking aim

Christin with a 40 caliber

Then there's me with Joe giving  pointers

A display at the gun store--a tribute to fallen heroes.

Bridal Shower

A bridal shower was held June 23rd for Christin after church.

This is a chocolate cake made to look like a pin cushion.  The theme was a sewing one.

Mrs. Baumgartner giving the devotion.  Christin (r) and Hannah listening

My Teresa did this pencil drawing from a photo of Joe and Christin. It's a remarkable likeness.

 

This is the finished quilt I made and Callie quilted in a swirl design.  A closeup is above of one block.

Maryland and NC

Here are some photos of Maryland and North Carolina where we were on Wednesday night.  That's the Potomac River crossing into Virginia.  It has been pleasant here this past week; not a whole lot happening, though.

I thought these bus seats were especially colorful.  I can see this pattern in a quilt.

Potomac River from Maryland to Virginia

The Long, straight roads in Northern Virginia

The city of Suffolk, Virginia, water tower

Neighboring city of Chesapeake

Still love the American Flag and am happy to see so many flying freely.

Father's Day 2013

We spent Sunday the 16th at Patuxent Baptist Church.  The entire place was decorated for Vacation Bible School with a theme of teaching about man from Genesis and the founding of America.  It will be a fun time for everyone starting Monday night.

After evening service we went to Brusters Ice Cream...yummy daily hand-made ice cream.

This last one is strawberry shortcake for me--but I thought it would be more the size in the red cup!  I shared with Henry and Sara and we managed to finish it.  It was soooo good.

California

Antelope Valley Indian Museum.  The items came from a private collection.

 Opening service at the Spiritual Leadership Conference.  "Power of the Cross" by the Getty's was sung--something uplifting and  fantastic.

 We met retired pastor Carl Herbster--dad to Matthew, Mike and Mark who visited Japan two years ago.

Sara turned 15 on June 15 and this is the cupcake party we had for her.

We had the privilege of meeting Ron "Patch the Pirate" Hamilton at the Conference. Our kids, like so many others, grew up on his songs and Christian character CDs.

June 6, 2013 trip to CA

Our flight from Kansai airport to San Francisco, then Los Angeles, was really uneventful.  A very smooth ride, thankfully.  Here are some shots on the way to LAX.

 Before the afternoon flight we are a late lunch at an okonomiyaki restaurant at the airport.  Just heavenly--cabbage and veggies with shrimp, sauce and mayo.

This photo is of SFO airport a few minutes after takeoff.

We rented a car and drove to Simi Valley where we are at a Motel 6.  Not the best hotel going, but it will do for the night.  The lady in the next room had three (3) huge either Dalmations or Great Danes.  The coloring and spots were like Dalmation, but the size was a Dane.  It was a family--mom, pop and junior dog.  They kept me up until after 2:00 a.m.

More May Flowers

 This deep purple iris is the first year in my garden.  The above was taken with a flash.

The same flower taken without the flash, same time of day.  Gorgeous either way.

 Don't know what this little gem is but they are pretty.  Below is how they opened up.

The Japanese call this Flannel; I think it is a Lamb's Ear, myself. The leaves are velvety.

Sakuranbo update

We have been harvesting Japanese cherries since Monday and so far have collected about 15 kg as near as I can figure.  About half that we have given away.  I cooked some and dried them in the oven.  So delicious.  In the process of getting these cherries, Henry has taken over the tree cutting.  The tree is getting its pruning but we will probably trim and shape it up later this summer.  There must be at least another 4-5 kilos on that tree. Reminds me of the abundance blessings of God.  This harvest will need to be completed by Monday as the fruit will start to rot shortly.  The ones at the top are really sweet.

New Dress

Sara is wearing the royal blue bridesmaid dress for big brother's upcoming wedding.  It was custom made and fits well.  Big sister Teresa will wear the same style.  Mom will have the same color, but a Mother of the Bride style that currently needs a little neckline adjustment.  Just a few short weeks until the big day.

Flowers in my yard

This is a large peonie I think

Don't remember the name, but they are about 2 feet tall and look like firework balls

This iris looks blue, but is actually a lavender like the ones above

One of the many purple flowers in the garden--similar to an orchid

This is the center of our Japanese cherry tree or sakuranbo. There must be 8 kilos this year; the most we've had ever.  These cherries are more pit than cherry, but the reddest ones are especially sweet.  Matthew planted this tree back in 1999 or 2000. It's on the back slope making it difficult to reach the top branches; however the tree is in need of a good pruning...

May Iris

Lavender and purple iris are blooming in abundance here in May.  As is custom, each of the mother's that came to Sunday services received one along with a gift.  This year I made covered notebooks for everyone using all sorts of fabrics from my stash.

 

 

This is the newest composter we found at Costco.  It rotates on ball bearings and is supposed to turn yard waste and such into rich soil in about six weeks.  You turn it once a day.  It looks either like a huge bowling ball or a bomb, not sure which.  Maybe with the tree trunk from below poking out like a fuse, it is more like the latter.  :-)