Brother Update and a Request ~

Thank you for all the well wishes and prayers for my brother Bill.  He had a heart catheterization done and one stent put in.  I can't believe they released him from the hospital the following day.  He is doing great I am happy to report!!!  The lung issue once again is said to be pneumonia but his lungs are more clear and he is on antibiotics to rid him of that.  Darn guy really gave me a scare.

My request . . . 

I cannot believe I did not know an Ohio friend had a blog!!!  How did Saundra know and not me?  She hasn't posted much over the years but has become more active.  She is a fast hooker and an amazing quilter.  Please stop by and welcome Sue.  Blogging is such a dying social media form so I'd appreciate you paying her a visit and encouraging her on. Vernon Junction can be found on my sidebar.  

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs 😊

Lauren 

Edisto Island

I just returned from three glorious days on Edisto Island, South Carolina.  It was so nice to feel 70* warmth.  To see the ocean.  To meet old friends I'd never met 😊

Julia and I have been blog friends for many years.  Same with Jennie from Georgia.  Julia's friend Cathy, also from Georgia, joined us.  That is Cathy on the left, followed by Julia trying to hide, Jennie and yours truly.

Julia's "low country" cottage.  It was a delightful place to stay.  So much eye candy.  Guess who never got around to taking any pictures inside?

Wonderful to see the Atlantic Ocean.  We walked the beach several times.

Spanish moss.

The woodpecker's sure did like this tree.

Jennie (www.overthehillandrunning.blogspot.com) gave me a crash course in blogging from my iPad.  (I can't figure out how to add a link.)  Had I been smarter, I would have done a post while with her.  I just thought I'd write a few things down and all would be well.  NOT!  I've been struggling with this post for an hour or two.  Then decided to try on my iPhone.  Well, that was going ok but then I got stuck and somehow deleted that whole post.  ARGH!  Am I making it more difficult than it really is?  Anyway, I have lots more fun stuff to share but after fighting with my iPad, I am brain dead.
EDITED:  After I published the post, I had to go back to my desktop.  Somehow the photos were not sized correctly (see below)and only half the photo showed up on the post.  I had to delete those photos and add them from the desktop.  ARGH again.  I may never figure out how to blog from a mobile device.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs,

Lauren

News About a Blogging Friend ~

Dear Julia, whose blog was Of Petals and Wool, has suffered a loss no parent should ever have to deal with.  In her words ~

 

". . . it would be so good of you to let them (blog friends) know that my daughter Nicole passed away. She was Dr. Nicole Bourque and taught anthropology to PhD students at the university of Glasgow in Scotland. She passed away in her flat (condo)  in bed after she wasn't feeling well for a couple of days. 

 

The accolades keeps pouring in from all who knew her from far and wide, her colleagues, friends and students and others.  She was so loved by everyone. She went over and above the call of duty for her students. She studied cultures and has travelled extensively all over the world.

 

My husband George and youngest daughter Christine, James and Daniel's mother  are in Glasgow looking into settling her personal affairs and effects.  They will ship some of her personal belonging and will have to decide what to do with the artifact that is all over her beautiful home. Everywhere she travelled she always brought back some treasures. On Sept, 27 she flew to Virginia at a conference to do a presentation and had returned on the 4th of October."

 

Please keep Julia and her family in your prayers.

 

Hugs,

Lauren

How Does One Say Thank You?

I have received many cards and emails regarding my Ellie and I tear up with each one.  You have no idea how much they mean to me.  Dear Saundra sent a generous donation that is being given to Multiple Breed Rescue, the rescue where my friend Judy adopted her from.  If you don't know how Ellie came to be mine, you can read about it here.  This also came in the mail and I must say I sobbed when I opened it.  Kim had a friend of hers do a watercolor of Ellie.  He truly captured her spirit.  It takes my breath away and it is something I will treasure always.  Thank you so much, dear Kim.  It will hang in my bedroom because Ellie spent every night there (under the covers) with me.  The artist is Ben Pitman and you can find him here on Etsy.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Hugs :)
Lauren

Gift from a Friend ~

The other day in the mail I received the most perfect gift!  Something totally unexpected and totally wonderful.  I received this little pug quilt from Gayle, the Middle Sister, made especially for me :)   It's temporarily hanging from one of my wool cupboards until I find the perfect place for it.  It will have a place of honor in the hooking room since that is where I spent the most time.

Isn't it too sweet?  It measures about 9 1/2" x 11 3/4" . . .

. . . these little blocks are just 1" square.  

I am not a quilter and just in awe of the talent needed to make this.  Gayle, thank you so very much.  I am one lucky blogger!!!

What a gorgeous day today on Ohio's north coast.  I hope we get many more ~ soon.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren  

A Good Day ~

I made my annual trek to the rug show at Sauder Village.  It is always so inspiring to see what others have hooked.  There are MANY talented hookers out there.  The day was spent enjoying the rug show, doing a little shopping and chatting with many friends I have met through hooking.

Ann from 1803 Ohio Farm Baskets and I made plans to meet for the first time.  Ann is an amazing basket weaver (and cross stitcher and rug hooker and who knows what else) and I asked that she bring one of her wool baskets for me.  Let me tell you, this basket is beautiful ~ and huge.  That stool is 18" wide so you can see how big it really is.  It will be perfect to carry supplies to hooking and will just look darned good sitting out at home.

I felt as if I was meeting up with an old friend.  (Well, I am the old part . . . lol!)  What a fun day we had together.  She is an absolute delight!  Of course I thought about taking a picture of her as she was driving out of the parking lot.

The funny thing is that I brought her a few pieces wool to add to her stash.  I put it in a red bag with crow tissue paper.  This is what she gave to me . . . a red bag with crow tissue paper.  How ironic is that?

And this was in my bag!!!  This is the other basket I wanted from her but thought I'd better only buy one since I knew I'd be buying some wool.  It is just the sweetest basket with the cutest clothes pin feet.  THANK YOU, ANN!!!  You can check out her wonderful creations in her etsy shop.  You won't be sorry!

Late in the afternoon they had what I believe was called a "moving" exhibit.  It was a challenge put to hookers to hook a mask.  Some people are very creative!

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I have LOTS more to share.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren