Family – Page 3 – Wendy’s Quilting and Life

This has been the hottest and driest summer that I can remember. We had hoped to take a small trip somewhere however it just hasn’t worked out.

We thought about a trip to Grand Beach Manitoba but with record making temperatures we decided to stay at our own resort where we can use the pool anytime and enjoy the comforts of home and air conditioning.

I have been teaching Liam how to make Finnish pancakes and the other day he showed his Mom his special way of eating them! canned whipping cream is not something that I would normally buy however once in a while… he does have fun with it.

I have spent some time helping and visiting with my granddaughter and the cousin love is just so precious!

They are always so delighted to see each other!

In Texas news my eldest Grandson started Grade 6 this week. We are really hoping for a visit as it’s been way too long!

We visited with friends of ours, during covid lockdowns they decided to learn to use hula hoops so bought tubing from the hardware store and weighted them with water…and they both mastered them!

Erik has been busy with his new to him tool which the grandsons both asked if they could drive it as soon as they saw it!

I have been busy with family, gardening and of course quilting. My Longtime gone piecing has been a little slow this month though with Liam returning to school in a couple of weeks that should change.

I am almost halfway done making the little churn dash blocks, I love the small piecing.

Of course my summer has also involved my customer quilts…look for my next post soon.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

First Fishing trip of 2021

June 25, 2021 wendysquilting

The three of us decided yesterday morning that we needed a fishing day!

It was a bright sunny day and while we knew that fishing and the full moon don’t always mean a good catch we persevered.

Our adventure included some exploring and pictures of Liam on an interesting rock that looks carefully placed.

A tiny island that provided a safe little swimming hole. This lake lacks areas for swimming.

The rocks under the water are very slippery and the lake is deep.

A good climb and view and another first for Liam.

Another first and According to Liam the most fun part of the day was his driving fast across the lake!

My excitement was my first catch of the summer! It was a team effort of course as I doubt I would have netted it myself while reeling in. We haven’t seen a pickerel this size at this lake before.

I am getting braver about holding my fish.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Fathers Day

June 20, 2021June 21, 2021 wendysquilting

One evening almost 17 years ago, my Dad called me and asked if I had ever heard of a Longarm quilting machine. I had seen the adds in magazines and knew that as a single Mom of 4 young girls that owning such a thing was not possible. I was working full time with a lot on my shoulders.

Well, a couple of weeks or so later, my Dad called me at work. (My parents lived in Calgary at the time and I in Thunder Bay). He called me to tell me that he had ordered an APQS Millenium Longarm and that it would be delivered in 2 weeks!!!

My Dad, an artist himself knew something that I didn’t know at the time. He knew that I could use my love of quilts and my creativity to not only supplement my income but to grow in my art.

Happy Fathers Day Dad!!

Dad with his faithful companion Charlie and I

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Life

June 6, 2021February 1, 2023 wendysquilting

The sky is rumbling this morning as it was yesterday morning. While I cut grass with the riding mower Friday evening I watched the sky as the clouds rolled in darker and darker and just as I was close to finishing the wind picked up to the point where you know it’s time to head inside! There wasn’t a lot of rain just thunder and quite the light show.

Our weather has been hot and humid the last few days a little unusual for this time of year. It’s also black fly and mosquito season and as careful as I have been I have more than my share of bites.

Now that Erik has retired we have added a couple of gardens and had a load of soil delivered and picked up a load of horse manure from a farm not too far from here. Needless to say there has been a lot of outside work lately.

Liam learnt how to use our dandelion puller though we gave up on controlling them years ago!

The government announced last week that the schools will remain closed until September so virtual learning continues until June 25th. Liam had mixed emotions about the decision, he does miss being at school but he also enjoys being here though he really dislikes virtual class. We have adapted and he works on some of the assignments that are posted independently.

We often head out for explores in our woods. There are mallards nesting by our pond.

Liam guessed that the robins were hatching, I went under the deck and took a few quick pictures so we could see what was going on…

Next time I will take a little more time to get a better picture. It was fun to see though. There was also a squirrel lurking about…I chased it off and so far it hasn’t been back.

On the quilting front I am currently working on a customers series of 5 wallhanging which I will share soon. I realized after the fact that I didn’t take pictures of Lorraines latest quilt which made me sad as she isn’t sure if she will get to the last two she has planned due to her declining health.

My Moda blockheads quilt is still on the wall as I wait for the Bella Solid to arrive for sashing.

So while I wait I have started working on my next quilt Long Time Gone by Jen Kingwell. I am planning to make it primarily from scraps.

On a fun note I added a little fabric to my stash…

Check out Fuelled by Fabric if you are in my area, Donna does deliver and does curbside as well.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

On the life side of life

May 29, 2021 wendysquilting

This last week marked a new beginning! Not only was it Eriks birthday but also the beginning of retirement.

I had so much on my mind I meant to put Pappa not Erik on the cake.

Liam has been looking forward to Eriks day for months as it also marks his half birthday and he is really looking forward to being 10.

He and Pappa both have a deep love of Dairy Queen Cake so Liam was pretty pumped to go shopping for that. I had a few other errands to do and we both agreed that it would be best to pick up the cake last. I told Liam that it was his job not to let me forget the cake!

We grilled bison burgers on the green egg for supper. No pictures but they sure were yummy!

Liam spent some time with his Great Grandpa learning to sketch caricature faces. My Dad is an incredible wood carver and artist and it’s so nice to see him sharing his skills.

On a silly note Liam discovered the heat lamp in the sauna change room.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

A Lot of Life Happening…

May 25, 2021June 21, 2021 wendysquilting

There is a quilt on my Longarm ready for trimming and another ready to be delivered…

Today is Erik’s 65th birthday and last day of work! The long awaited and planned for retirement begins! We will begin it with a lot of fishing as we are still restricted in travel.

Today is also Liam’s half birthday which he is also pretty excited about. He and Pappa have been discussing ice cream cake for some time.

Liam and I went on a hike not far from here, yesterday…his first long hike with me and half way through he asked if we could start doing it more often. It’s an hour and a half and a good workout!

We were also testing out the new walkie talkies they worked really well.

The hike is in a conservation area which made for a great teaching opportunity.

When we got home, Pappa had discovered a mouse family in our boat…I went inside while Liam excitedly assisted in the eviction!

He thought bringing the evidence close to my face was pretty funny!

So our summer is beginning. I will still continue to Longarm Quilt as it’s just what I do 😊

One of the most exciting to Liam esp was this discovery under our deck which is in clear view from the pool. More to come on that I hope!

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Mother’s Day

May 10, 2021 wendysquilting

This is a picture from many years ago but a favourite of mine with my 4 daughters. Back when life was just a blur of busy days but in so many ways a favourite season of my life. As a young Mom I strived to do my best, to be who each of my girls needed me to be.

Now so many years later, they have all spread their wings and are busy living their lives as they should be. I am so proud of the women that they have become.

This was my third Mother’s Day without my Mom. It still seems strange to not call, and visit with a gift.

Mom with her first great grandson Jerry. Shortly after he was born.

It was a quiet day here, and actually an opportunity to play. I spent a part of the day working on my final block…at least I think it will be…for my Moda Blockheads quilt. I have had this idea for a while but very little time to execute it.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

That was a Week…

May 8, 2021May 8, 2021 wendysquilting

Life has been full and busy. I love my quiet morning starts though with helping Liam with virtual school Monday to Friday the mornings are busy.

There has been a lot of talk about how students are managing and after sitting close by and listening to the class I can tell that there are kids that really buy into this type of school and several that really don’t. Without constant parental supervision the kids are zoning in and out logging in and out or just not doing it.

For the last two weeks, I sat with Liam for most of his classes and did my best to encourage him and to do his work in a timely manner. With some success but not all. His teacher really is doing a great job considering but the tools are not ideal.

At times I have told Liam to put on his shoes and go run off some of his energy… I am afraid that virtual schooling is turning Liam off of learning. To be honest it’s been exhausting. I cannot imagine how I would have managed working from home and my 4 girls when they were school age.

Anyways we did have some fun too!

My granddaughter celebrated her first birthday and Liam and I made her cake.

A visit to the local garden centre to he had to try out this chair.

Also a little piecing and two customer quilts completed… one left today

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Liam and Art

May 2, 2021May 2, 2021 wendysquilting

As our continued lockdown due to Covid continues along with the schools being virtual only. Liam and I worked hard this last week on studies…virtual learning is not easy nor is it for all kids.

We were both thankful for art on Friday, early in the week the kids were told that they would need items from nature. Liam bought into this project right away! He began collection items while we worked on readying the flower beds for summer.

On Friday we watched a slide presentation and video. The students were instructed to create their art outside and take pictures to be uploaded on the school platform.