In a state of shock...

My mom had a heart attack yesterday.... out of the blue... on my husband's 40th birthday. She is stable in the ICU and scheduled for open heart surgery on Wednesday. I'm going there to be with her. Please send her your positive healing thoughts.... I believe it makes all the difference.

Remember me?

Well now. Have you missed me? I know, I know. It's been a while. I could give you the novel or the cliff notes. I think the novel will need to wait, so I'll suffice it to say that there have been some ups and downs in the last couple of months, along with plenty of busyness on my part.

I have recently spent some time considering whether or not I want to continue this blog. I was surprised and gratified by people asking me when I would post again. I really didn't think that my absence would be much missed. Sometimes writing in this space seems a little silly and insignificant to me. Other times, I genuinely enjoy the process of sharing. In truth, it keeps my sisters and friends easily apprised of the things going on in my life.

We'll see what happens in the next few months. There's always plenty going on, and it may be the thing that has to give is the blog. But in the meantime, I'll show you some things I've been working on.

Teacher's gifts... I downsized the pattern for Amy Butler's swing bag. I like them just a little bit smaller than the original. (Now, do you see those doors they're hanging on? Each door was conditioned, stained, and polyurethaned by my husband and me. Then we put the hardware on and hung them. There's way more work in the doors than those bags, let me tell you!)

A quick cheater pillow. Japanese fabric machine appliqued onto a clearance priced pillow cover. Note that the trim is still not installed on the floorboards. Big sigh. This house is a work in progress, and I promise some pictures soon (for real this time, Jen!)

Working on a quilt for special friends who are grieving the loss of their son. It has helped to heal my heart as well.

And finally, the most gratifying for me of all, a vegetable garden at our new home. There is so much sun that I don't know what to do. I spaced things too closely because I'm not used to them growing so well. My husband protested when I asked him to till 8 rows that are 45 ft long each. Look! We needed every inch. It's packed, and things are cranking.

I walk out in my garden several times a day, and just watch things grow. I pick away at weeds, nibble the herbs, and revel in the dream of having a full sun garden... finally... after 14 years. Pinch me. Is this for real?