A Belated Birthday Bash!

The truth is ... my birthday was back in July ... I considered it a done deal ... it was over as far as I was concerned!

2017 - The Year of the Bundt Cake
My Birthday Cake by Barb

But ...  a couple of my dillydally playmates are stubborn, hard headed, tenacious, independent thinking ...

... and absolutely wonderful in every possible way! I describe them this way with all forms of affection ... I love that about them!

The three of us try to schedule a dillydally playdate every week!  This is Sue's current project!  Beautiful!

Barb began creating this stunning piece just this past week!

Barb & Sue

Yep ... this dangerously dynamic dillydally duo insisted on hosting a b-day party for me.  I did everything I could think of to talk them out of it ... but like me, they also have a bit of a deviant disorder!  Apparently that is a common affliction for us retired teachers!  Who knew?

I know you can't see the sweet banner, but enjoy the view! 

A beautiful birthday banner was made ...

... and then the table ... OMGOSH GOOD GOLLY!!!!! Sue had made multiple coasters (candle mats) for everyone as a party favor!  I was blown over!  I had to take of picture of them individually ... enjoy!

Each one a treasure ... they made my heart jump with joy!

Sue's birthday was in June, and Barb and I had gifted her a copy of Roseann's book, A Little Something.

Sue was inspired by the coasters and used this pattern!  Just sew wonderful ... on sew many levels!

I was overwhelmed!  Then ... just when you think the day can't get any better ... the table is filled with fabulous women that I get to call friends!  We shared a luncheon lovingly prepared by Sue and Barb, enjoyed great conversation, and built new memories that we can treasure.  I am so very blessed to have these amazing women on my journey in life!  I am so very grateful!

Like many of you, I have been horrified by the domestic terrorism and hateful actions currently prevailing in our country.  But this belated birthday bash on Friday was about so much more than my birthday ... in fact this post isn't really about me at all!  I hope this post will serve as a reminder that most people in our country are like Sue and Barb ... thoughtfully working at making the world a better place on the behalf of others.  Gestures of kindness IS normal behavior for most citizens in our (already) great country!  As we are surrounded by all that needs to be improved in our culture, let's find hope in all those who quietly show the kindness that our world so desperately needs.  Let's make sure that our actions create hope and reflects the values we have built our lives on.

Do what you love!  Be kind! Be the light!  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

Nana

Where do I begin ... my heart is heavy ... words to describe our loss are elusive ... there is a void in our lives.  My mother-in-law passed away on July 15th and we struggle as we try to adjust to our loss.

Nana was born in 1934 to her Swedish parents ... I love this photo taken when she was 9 months old!  Even at this young age, her personality and intellect shines through that adorable face!

She never talked much about her early life.  While looking through photos, we found her high school graduation (class of 1951) photo ... seen for the first time by Mr. and I!  We also came across her yearbook!  What a thrill to find out that she had been a cheerleader, Homecoming Queen, and involved in Student Council!  It was fun for Sister DD to find out that she had unknowingly followed in her grandmothers footsteps!

This was the only photo we found of her college years.  She graduated for South Dakota State University in 1955 with a degree in Home Economics Education.  I always treasured that we had that in common!  We loved sharing recipes, hand sewing projects and quilting!

She married in 1956 ... what a lovely bride!

Nana as a new mother.  Mr. DD was her first child, in this picture he is 8 months old.

Family was everything to her.  She had 5 children in 7 years ... she once told me that her life was so hectic ... "I felt like I was herding cats!"

On vacation at Lake Superior ... which makes me giggle ... because as mothers we all know that traveling with children (especially 5) is not a vacation for the mom!

I love this photo of her in a Scandinavian sweater ... and that handbag!  Love it! She had a great sense of style!

She worked to make every milestone important in the lives of her children.  This is a her firstborn's (Mr. DD) college graduation in 1979.

Our wedding day ... the day I joined the family ... June 27, 1981.  When Mr. and I chose to have a Scandinavian themed wedding, she embraced the concept.  She made her costume ... it is a treasure ... meant so much to me then and now.

Sister DD was her first grandchild ... as a toddler, she referred to my mother-in-law as Na-Na which evolved into Nana.

Nana loved grandparenting!  She had a total of 10 grandchildren ... all of which she treasured and adored!  She truly found joy in each and everyone of them!

Nana with her first of four grandsons ... Brother DD.

She spent several weeks with us after Brother's birth, it was such a help and many special memories were made!

I love this photo ... Nana with her first born, her first grandchild, and her first grandson!

Four of her five children ...

... and nine of her ten grandchildren.  Her influence in their lives will live on ... she left them a wonderful legacy.

I am so grateful for the 36 years I was a member of her family.  She taught me much over the years ... she was the glue that held her family together.  She was such a blessing in our lives ... we are better people because of her.

Love one another!

Mrs. DillyDally

Spin Cycle

We had plans ... a month filled with travel, family and fun!  The fun began with me traveling to  Albuquerque on June 27th.

We filled the days with coffee, reminiscing, talking politics and sharing recipes.  When together, my mother-in-law and I always fell into a comfortable routine of enjoying each others company.  After a few days, we began preparing for our travel to the midwest.

Everything was going as planned.

And then ... in an instant ... without warning ... we found ourselves here.  Our world was spinning ... plans changed ... we couldn't control anything.

During her 13 days in ICU, we rode an emotional roller coaster.  There were moments of hope ... moments of despair ... signs of improvement ... signs of decline.  Everything was happening at warp speed, and prayer was the only place where I could find calm.  My mother-in-law and I share a strong faith, I felt her with me while I prayed.  Eventually ... we had to say good-bye ... she traveled to her heavenly home ... her loved ones left in this earthly life are still in spin cycle.

Today we begin our journey to the midwest ... not for the reasons originally intended ... but to say our formal good-bye.

"A new command I give to you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."   John 13:34

An Apron Journey!

It feels sew dang good when I can finally reveal a 007 project!  But even better when that project gives you the opportunity to make new friends and gift another!  This one was a 6 month journey!  That is a long journey for a simple apron!  Yep ... this dillydally life cracks me up!

A few years ago, this amazing women opened the "Little Cordova Bakery"!  She and her business have been such a blessing to our community!  She makes everything with fresh ingredients!  Delightful treats are mixed and baked in small batches.  No item is created with pre-made mixes, nor is anything fried!  Her business has grown and she now employs others, some who are former students in my classroom.  For quite a while, I had been trying to think of a way to show my appreciation.

Enter into this journey ... Smiling Seal Sewing!  A quilt shop in Valdez ... our neighbor here in Prince William Sound!  Owner, Karen Feero contacted me late in 2016 about coming to their community to teach a quilt and apron class!  We scheduled the weekend event for February 2017!

Karen requested an Alaskan themed apron in the "Kuspuk" style.  She sent me a pattern that I could adapt and the fun began!  I raided my fabric stash and came up with these blueberry prints!  I associate blueberries with our summers in Alaska and thought they would be perfect for this apron!  It was while working out the bugs ... making it reversible ... and updating techniques that I got the idea to make it for Theresa!  My visits to the bakery began to take on a different focus ... yep, I continued to buy coffee and bakery treats ... but I was secretly estimating her body measurements!  Custom fit aprons function better and are flattering!  I wanted both for Theresa!

In Valdez, this QBee modeled my sample for everyone!  Perfect fit on this adorable model!

It was lovely spending the day with these women ... making aprons ... talking about preparing food for our loved ones ... sharing our Alaskan lifestyle!  Focusing on the important things in life!  I loved building friendships with these women!

Bright spring flowered apron!

Beach themed apron!

These two Valdez QBees sent me pictures of them in their finished aprons!  So fun to see them modeling their perfectly fit aprons!  Makes my heart sew very happy!

Yesterday, I dropped by the bakery for a loaf of bread.  Yep, Theresa was wearing her apron ... am thrilled that she likes and uses it!

I am so grateful for this simple apron and the journey it took me on.  The opportunity to make new QBees in Valdez ... and to thank a woman who has had such a positive impact on the community I love!  I am so fortunate to live this dillydally life!

Do what you love!  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

Our Hearts are Hurting

The human experience is filled with complex circumstances that force us to travel emotionally from extreme joy to excruciating pain.  Here in my remote corner of the planet ... our small community is dealing with a great deal of hurt.  A young man has left this earthly life, and we are drowning in sorrow.  We celebrated his birth ... we participated in his childhood ... we guided him through his adolescence ... we celebrated his personal and professional success ... and we are unprepared to say good-bye.

The depth of pain we feel is a direct reflection of the powerful love we had for him.  We wrap our love around his parents and brother as their pain is indescribable.  Hoping that our love will bring them comfort.

The world kept turning this past week ... here it seemed to stop.  We have been brought to our knees and are reminded that above all else, only love matters.

"Let us not love with words or speech, but with actions and in truth." John 3:18
"Love one another." John 13:34 

Spring Knitting!

Spring has finally arrived here in my remote corner of the planet!  Every plant is displaying their new growth in my favorite version of green!

Two weeks ago, the same pond looked like this!  As mentioned previously, I have been buried in 007 and UFO projects.  Fortunately for me, Nissa requires a lot of exercise.  That means we spend time outdoors every day ... no matter what the weather!  With spring arriving so late this year, I was forced to seek and create spring dillydally style!

Daisy Girl and Company Wristlet Bag

Yep ... I am a professional at creating my own fun!  Retail therapy to the rescue!  If Mother Nature wasn't going to cooperate ... I would buy my own version of spring!

As long term followers know, I am a big fan of Sherri Falls and her quilt designs, This and That Patterns.  She is also a knitter, and makes the sweetest and most useful knitting bags!

I love to take handwork out the road when temperatures allow ...

Impossible to get Nissa to pose for pictures.

... it is so nice to linger after a long walk ...

Sometimes her photo bombing works to my advantage!

... and cradle myself in Mother Nature's arms while dillydallying.  I filled my new bag with a project I had started right before my knee surgery a year ago!  It was impossible to knit during my recovery and it quickly became a knitting UFO.  It felt wonderful to pull it out and make a bit of progress!

Coastal living means that weather patterns change quickly ... one day after a walk, it took an entire pot of tea to warm up! Yep ... we were wearing mittens on our walks in May!

After a few rainy afternoons, Little Blue Bear began to come to life!

He really is turning into a cutie!  And I have had to convince Nissa that he is not a "dog" toy!  Even on dreary rainy days life is never dull in DillyDallydom!

Little Blue Bear is also developing a personality of his own!  He is a sweetie and a bit precocious for a bear who is still waiting for arms and legs! ;-)

The sun is shining and temps are supposed to be above 60 degrees today!  Welcome June!  Let's fill the month with dillydally fun!

Do what you love!  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally