Tuesday Archives #148: Valentines Day!

Welcome to the linky party that rejuvenates your old quilting/sewing posts! 

Please click here to read more about this linky party.  

This week's theme is: VALENTINES DAY!

Happy Valentines Day!

Last year I shared how much I enjoy watching my second graders "get ready" for Valentines Day. I  always smile as I watch them joyfully fill each other's bags with secret notes and treats in anticipation of today. They continuously remind me how simple it is to spread a little kindness.

But as adults, Valentines is celebrated in many different forms. Perhaps it's how we decorate our house with tablerunners and little banners like my little one below. Or maybe it's in the gifts we give or in the chocolate we consume! (Just kidding. But my desk fills with LOTS of chocolate today. I secretly end up sharing it with the office staff and my husband's work.)

Or maybe you've actually made a Valentines Quilt like Nancy who blogs at PugMom Quilts. I quilted this one for her and loved this picture she sent to me of it on her bed with LarryPug.

Piggy Bank Challenge Mid-Point Check-in

How are ya doing??

I'm doing pretty good, but was impressed when my mom showed me her "pumpkin" full of change! (Talk about nostalgic...our girls and I made this coffee can pumpkin during our ol' Girl Scout days!)She's doing great and keeps it right on her desk and adds to it weekly.

Hubby found this cute little bank in the clearance isle today and knows our 

grand guy and I will have fun painting it during our Spring Break Grammy Camp.

Might as well get him in the habit of saving while he's young. (smiles!)

About 15 bloggers are participating. (Click here to check out the sign-up post.)

But! It's never to late to start saving and join in! Just comment below if you do.

I'm looking forward to your comments today to see how you're doing with the challenge and what you are dreaming of doing with new found cash this July?? Maybe I'll get some ideas!

This week's theme: Valentines!

A Knitted Surprise!

 I was greeted at my parent's house with this beautiful blanket my mom has been secretly knitting for me since before December! She made it to match a quilt in our guest bedroom, but until I get the quilts finished for our master bedroom, I'm going to enjoy it right here every day!

It's a cozy lap size measuring 45"x 85".

The greens and browns are so rich and I love the texture and edge of this blanket.

My mom knits blankets for me and I sew quilts for her. Each of our homes are filled with both...though I noticed hers more with quilts and mine more with blankets. (smiles) Hubby reminded me of the quilt I have started for our room...hhhmmmm....looks like I found my my March One Monthly Goal! Thanks for my new blanket mom. I love it!!!

A Rejuvenated Spirit!

 We traded in our depths of snow and winter inversion for a long weekend in Arizona to celebrate our 28th Anniversary and my Dad's 79th birthday. (We got married on his birthday.) 

We put our feet up and soaked in the sun. 

We enjoyed beautiful happy hour sunsets which were followed by evenings 

filled with good food and conversations.  

 My husband and I even found ourselves laughing as we found ourselves tinkered around the town we both grew up in, acting like the tourists we always complained about! LOL! (Yes! I'm wearing shorts. The temperatures ranged from 67-70 degrees in the afternoons. Rejuvenating!)

This is us in front of the world famous "London Bridge". It was moved to Lake Havasu in 1970. My parents are considered pioneers as they moved there from Michigan with their four children in 1969. My husband and I both grew up here. We  raised our own two daughters here for 18 years before moving to Oregon. Thus, our visits are always filled with  nostalgia.

My mom and I always enjoy our time together. She shared her new knitting projects. We toured the new quilt store and even found some fun eye-spy fabrics: strawberries, books, bears and hearts oh my! We go to coffee, get pedicures. (Pretty toes after a winter of wooly socks is wonderful!) 

I did a little hand-stitching...but not much. It was truly rejuvenating to get away from my daily routines and hobbies. I relaxed, went for walks, and well, literally enjoyed time with family.

 Thanks for a fantastic visit mom and dad.
Wondering... how do you rejuvinate when life gets a little too routine??

Feb. OMG: Valentine Quilt

Things are gradually getting back to normal around here.

Cranes being used for snow removal on roofs and one lane streets are common right now.

But enough snow has been removed that the kids can get outside to play. Atleast they can play a little basketball and run around on the newly created circular "road" on their playground area.

And those that choose to brave the depths of the snow, worked together to dig out the slide and find themselves able to play on the monkeybars simply by walking along the top of the snow!

(Every now and again, someone will "drop" up to their hips...but they work together to get out.)

So while the kids dig themselves out of snow, I have found myself digging through my stash of reds, whites, pinks, greys and blacks in hopes to create a queen size Valentine themed quilt for our bed as my February One Monthly Goal this month. I have an easy, fat quarter pattern that I've been wanting to make. If I get this cut and sewn into a top this month...that would be awesome goal accomplished!

As always thanks for stopping by!

Setting goals and linking with everyone at OMG:

February's themes have been  posted on my sidebar.

Note: I'm taking a break next week...but T.A. will return Feb. 14th!