Giving Thanks . . . . .

My youngest son Patrick asked me a question the other day. He said Mom, how do you feel now that all your children are married. I told him, I felt good, really good, and the more I think about it, it is because I am at peace with the choice of spouses that my children have made. I dearly love Holly, Jeff, Adam and Katie. I know I am not their Mom but I feel like I am.

Holly is very thoughtful, she never misses a thing that would make me happy and is always coming up with ideas for gifts and just plain ways to take note of my feelings. She is crazy about my son Jason which is a really good thing. She cooks all his favorite foods which keeps him running marathons quite often. She is not afraid to get in there and try whatever new sport or adventure they find as a family. She is a wonderful mother to my only grandson and life is just a ball for him, in large part because Holly makes it so much fun for him. Jason is one lucky fellow to have found Holly for his wife.

Jeff is a gentleman, would never let me carry a suitcase or step through a door before me, and what a dishwasher and vacuumer he is, always ready to help clean up quickly at a family party. He has even cleaned my bathrooms. He does all this without being asked. Jeff loves football so he adds another dimension to our family gatherings with his enthusiasm over football or whatever sport may be on the tube. He is a great dad to his three little daughters. They are so excited when he comes home from work every day. He often comes in the door with a bouquet of flowers in his arms for Megan. Their relationship grew while they were an ocean apart but I am so glad it did. Megan is truly blessed to have Jeff.

Adam is helpful in every situation, jumping up to give my husband help with whatever he needs done. He is kind and so funny that he is always finding ways to make me laugh knowing just how to poke at me. His little soon to be one year old daughter smiles at the sound of his voice. He was a natural expert dad from day one and Annabelle is a delight as a result. He has a dangerous job and lays his life on the line every day so I always tuck an extra prayer of safety over him. Courtney and he had a long dating relationship before they were married but they held on to their commitment through distance. I know that Courtney is truly blessed to have Adam.

Katie is sweet and easy to be around, always cooking up a storm and bestowing gifts of baked goods on us for no particular reason, just that she is thoughtful that way. She and I have known each other for years but this past summer we had a special bonding time. I got to teach her some sewing, and she taught me some cooking (I always ask her questions). Katie and Patrick had some ups and downs on their way to where they are now (guess we all do) but out of it all I see growth, maturity and their love in the way they treat each other, thinking of the other first. It is a joy to watch them with their 3 week old daughter. Patrick is a lucky feller to have Katie.

I am sure I missed a lot of lovely things that I could have said about each one but I am going to tuck those in my heart and keep them for myself, how's that for selfish on Thanksgiving Day?? So this year I am thankful for family once more but I thank God for the bonus sons and daughters that we have! Amen, Praise the Lord!

Katie has a birthday . . .

Yesterday was Katie's birthday. Doesn't she look beautiful and the baby was only 11 days old!!! I am so happy for them, things with Leanora are going so well.

Katie's Mom made an amazing dinner of leg of lamb, mashed potatoes, and spinach. I made a tossed salad and a birthday cake, chocolate of course.

My daughter-in-law is a marvelous cook with baking her specialty so I was intimadated making her cake. One layer stuck in the pan and it didn't rise as much as I would have liked but it tasted good so that was okay.


That baby is so sweet and they are one happy family. Pat has been off work for a week and they have had a great bonding time. While he was off he painted the diningroom. It is coming together and I love the green they chose.


The baby kept smiling in her sleep so I had to take this picture.

Katie's Mom just loved snuggling with the baby, well we all did of course.

Some fixin' and a tutorial

I tried the new dress on Annabelle yesterday. Turns out it didn't fit her so well, I was a little disappointed but I decided to be brave and fix it. I added sash type ties to the back which pulled it in and now I think it will fit better plus it really is cuter.

I also made a little hat. I don't think she will keep it on but maybe we can distract her for a second and take a picture.


I don't know how many times I have heard people say they can't tie a bow so I thought I would post my very first tutorial on how I do just that. Hope it helps!



Criss cross the ties, left over right.

Bring the left tie under and place it out of the way.

Bring the tie which is now on the left up and pinch a loop facing to the right.

Bring the tie down that was out of the way over the loop.

Bring it under and pull a loop out to the left.

Adjust the loops and ta da! Gorgeous bow.

Growing fast . . .

I don't think I have posted a good picture of Miss Trinity Rose in awhile. My daughter sent me this picture this morning and I loved it. Trinity is 5 months old, those five months went by very quickly! Leanora and she should be buddies being only 5 months apart. I can't wait to see her in a couple weeks, so I can have a proper conversation with her and get lots of smiles in return.

Baby, baby, baby . . .

Here is Leanora Jeanne at just five days old. Katie's Dad took this picture yesterday. Mom, Dad and baby are doing great and it's easy to see when you look at this picture.

As an add-on I just got back from visiting Katie and Leanora Jeanne. Katie let me cuddle her while I was there and I don't think the words cuddly or snuggly are good enough to describe the feeling when you hold a baby so sweet and so new. I brought Pat and Katie some oatmeal-chocolate chip cookies that I had just baked, but I got the better part of the bargain. I sure love her a lot already!

A little Christmas sewing . . .

Ah, a day sewing always makes me feel alive, guess I've said that many times before. Today is cold and it is pouring rain so today may be another day to sew. Glad it's rain and not snow. I heard Buffalo had 10 inches earlier this week, a little too soon for me. Since we are four hours east of Buffalo I'm not sure what happens to the snow between there and here but I am just not ready yet. I will be after Thanksgiving. We usually go and get our Christmas tree that weekend and not having too much snow on the ground makes it a little easier walking, of course having snow on the ground puts everyone in the "it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas mood".

Anyway I made this dress for Annabelle, not sure if Mom and Dad will like it, or if it will fit perfectly, but the joy of making it makes it all worthwhile to me.


This is the first time I put piping on a collar! Those of you that do it all the time are probably saying big deal, and truly it was not very hard to do. After I sewed the piping on I just used the stitching line from it to follow for the other side of the collar, it was easy! I also made some pantaloons out of the white, I think I will make regular panties too so they can have a choice.

My lovely Bernina is past due for its' 6 month checkup, when we bought it we were lectured about not doing that and here we are past due. Since this is the time of year that I just love to sew some gifts I can't give it up!! Not now. But maybe after Christmas. Maybe I will send my husband it with it to the store, they won't holler at him, he,he,he.

She's here!!!

Leanora Jeanne Fitzgerald was born on Friday, November 7 at 9:21 p.m. weighing in at 6 lbs 12 oz and 20 inches long. Katie had a very long labor getting to the hospital about 8:20 a.m. She was very tired because labor began at 1 a.m. the night before, but she did a marvelous job and we are grateful to God for this precious gift. When Patrick came out to the waiting room to tell us, he cried "She's born!!" It was so special I cannot describe it.

Patiently awaiting the little baby . . .

I have had two of these babystrology.com things going on my blog because I think they are fun, that is until you go past the due date that the doctor gives you. My daughter-in-law Katie is one day past and now it says 1 week and 1 day and not really sure where that comes from. Anyway I was going to take it off and then I thought everyone will think the baby is here, which she is not quite yet. Katie is doing well, is calm and patient, probably more so than the rest of the family so I am thankful for that. Please pray that this continues for her until she goes into labor and then you can pray for a gentle delivery. Thanks so much. The picture above is of Katie and her lovely Mom who looks way too young to be a Grandmother. This will be the first for their family so they are all very excited and I am excited for them too. Will keep everyone posted as I have more news to share.

Lacey's Blanket, . . so soft

Here are a couple of pictures of the quilt/blanket that Courtney created for Lacey, her sister-in-law, due to have a baby in January. It is so soft, made of all flannel, and minky with a binding made of all the flannels, pieced together. This was Courtney's first try at handsewing and she did a fine job. The new baby whose room is chocolate brown and blue polka dots is going to love it!

Okay so just one more Halloween Picture . . . .

Walt and I got to spend the trick or treating hours over at my daughter Courtney's house, unfortunately Daddy had to work but Lil' Angel Annabelle had lots of fun on her first Halloween as lots and lots of kids came to her house. It started about 3 pm and when I left at 7:45 p.m. Courtney had to shut out her lights because she had gone through all of her candy and some of ours that we brought over. It was a beautiful day and every child that came was sweet and said thank you, it was a really nice Halloween.