Baby quilt

New babies are coming to our family. That means new quilts. I have one done before the baby has arrived. Miraculous. 

All wrapped up and ready to gift. 

The quilting. 

The back and the front. 

I have been loving this pattern. The squares are big enough to show the fabric and small enough to make it interesting. I’ve been able to use up fabric that I have on hand. And I think it’s fun. 

Scripture 3 Nephi

I have been reading a bit differently lately. I have changed my focus, and I have fallen out of the habit of these posts. But I did want to document my new focus, and today I saw something new because of it and decided to write about it. 

I have been marking the scriptures in a new way. 

I have been marking the names of Jesus in purple, the name of the Father in royal blue and the name of the Spirit in sky blue. 

Having just celebrated the 4th of July, this scripture almost shouted at me. The establishment of our country was arranged by the Father. Our freedom is a gift from the Father. All so we could receive the covenant. I have known this, but this verse says it so clearly. And Jesus teaches of the Father. He is referenced so often in 3rd Nephi. There is no question that Jesus is separate and yet United to his Father and His will. 

Scattered

I have been scattered lately. I have been driving back and forth between Colorado and Idaho. Total driving time one way is about 12 hours. Usually I split it at SLC and stay with my family before continuing on the road to Craig and Boaz or coming back to my solitary house. The house is on the market and I have a job at the college in Durango. 

I have wondered what I could write, but the solitude weighs on my mind and body and I find myself not doing what I should. This blog being one of the things I have let slide. 

I have been mowing the lawn, changing the hose, and working sporadically on a quilt. I’ve kept the house up, although I need to do last minute spiffing up to erase all evidence that I am living here. Nothing on the counter. All my stuff that I scatter in the day cleared. Dusting and sweeping. We had some one look yesterday. I am hopeful. 

When I am in Idaho, Colorado is far from my focus and thoughts. When I am in Colorado, I miss what I left in Idaho. Starting the middle of the month, I will be back to full time employment and sneaking away to visit Boaz and Craig will be harder to do. 

Today we all theee are physically scattered across the eastern states. I am in Colorado. Craig is in Idaho. And Boaz is in California. 

Craig took this to send to me from Montana. 

He is super excited to go and visit his besties. His people. The ones we took him away from a year ago. Although he has been very adult about our decision and has not acted out or pouted. He has soldiered on with our somewhat gypsy lifestyle. 

We send pictures through texts. 

I sent these on Wednesday. 

The college exists in a truce with the local wildlife, as long as we humans are wise and careful. 

Just hanging out in the heat of the day. 

A way to get around campus. Normally I walk and enjoy the excersize. But I knew Craig would love thinking that I got to drive the gold cart. 

I get pictures like these:

On the river. 

Getting ready for the river. 

And when I am there, I take pictures like these:

He goes wherever we take him and is happy. 

He loves the mountains, lakes, and rivers. 

He loves his dog and the dog has so many firsts. She loves her boy. 

Looking for possible fishing holes. 

And of course I look for the flowers along the way. 

Transition time is awkward and hopeful and sad and happy. All the feels, as Josh would say. 

Lawn

It has been a long time since I’ve had to mow the lawn. We had a postage stamp size lawn in California. We could mow it with just an old fashion push mower. But here in Colorado, our lawn is substantially bigger. Craig and Boaz have taken care of it before, but now it is my job. 

Tuesday I did this. 

This was more than an hour. The stretch between the highway and the house. It as so high, it was hiding the for sale sign on the fence. 

Today I did this. 

The back bit that I did. The weeds were almost to my waist. 

The front yard looking from the back corner toward the road. 

The back corner looking past the fence to the back bit I mowed. 

I need to get a weed eater to clean up around the trees and rocky areas. Also to trim the fence line. 

But it looks way better than it did before.

The stone

The final date was engraved and Joyce was laid to rest this month. Her last months, even years had been hard. She went to dialysis three times a week for years. She recently, within the last year of her life, had a leg amputated and had a prosthetic, but never became proficient. She was unable to go anywhere alone. 

It was over 14 years since my dad had passed. That is a long time for best friends to be separated. I’m sure they are both much happier being able to hang out again. 

This is a picture of her side of the family that was there. Asher, Logan, Paula, Shaw, Ty (Shaw’s husband), Patty, Ryatt. In the front are Ty’s two girls. I’m.not sure of there names. 

Uncle Gary, Aunt Renee, Rachael, Pete, Kayla, Deb, Cody and I also attended; but I didn’t get a picture. It was good to go to Logan and say hi to my dad again. I was pretty sure he was there as we celebrated his love. 

I have no idea how other people cope with death with out a knowledge of the Plan of Salvation. I find myself taking to dad at times and asking him to check up on Josh or others for me. Guardian angels and all. 

It is weird driving through Spanish Fork without thinking about Joyce at least, or stopping in to see her when I could. Now our family has another angel to watch over us. 

Deb’s garden

I spent two days in SLC waiting to go to Logan to lay Joyce to rest. Part of those days were hitting the resale and thrift shops. Shopping is way better in SLC than here. 

Part of that time we spent in Deb’s garden weeding and pruning. 

I took a few pictures. Remembering that I used to like to take pictures of flowers. 

A lady bug resting on a daisy bud. I loved this moment. 

Deb’s Japanese Maple. I love the beautiful red leaves. One day I will plant one again in my garden. 

Yellow roses. I have had a soft spot in my heart for yellow roses since Craig gave some from his bushes when we were dating. Again, one day I will plant yellow roses in my garden again. 

Three down. Just found out about two more to go

These three babies have already arrived. I was late, but the oldest one isn’t three months yet. So not terribly late. I do like the tradition I have of great nieces and great nephews getting quilts. 

This weekend Willa called me Grandma Auntie Wendy. I like that. 😀

So here is Ryker’s quilt. 

Close up of the quilting and the dragon fabric. 

Primary colors

The triangle picture. 

This next one is for Teddy. 

All in blues. 

The triangle picture. You can see the seascape that I used as the back. 



Close up of the quilting. 

This is Chloe’s quilt. 

Close up of the quilting. 

The triangle picture. The back on this one is pink and peach pastel tropical birds. 

Pinks and peaches. 

I don’t know the sexes of the anticipated arrivals. So I can’t get started on those just yet. But it is always fun to make a quilt for a tiny angel.