Dad's Birthday!

Yesterday, April 8th was my dad's 91st birthday. The end of January, dad had a heart attack and was taken to the hospital. His oxygen levels were very low and then his kidneys weren't working. He was in the hospital for over a week and we almost lost him one night. Then he had to go to rehab for weeks. We really didn't think he was going to see his 91st birthday. At the time, it was hard to go through all of this with him once again. God just wasn't ready to call him home. After the virus situation began, our family sure was thankful that this happened at the beginning of the year! To think of him in the hospital and rehab without any of his family there to be there with him and to talk to nurses and doctors just seems horrible. Yet, that's what families are experiencing now. Our hearts go out to them.

Dad lives in an assisted living home called Russellville Park.  He has lived there between both buildings for 11 years now. It's hard to believe. He has been in lockdown due to this virus. We didn't know how to celebrate his birthday. So my sister Alisa called Russellville and they allowed him to go to the window in the dining room (it's not being used now as everyone has to eat in their room)to see us. Better than nothing!

This is Patrick, my nephew, holding the sign his family made. If you look very closely, you can see my dad in the window. We all waved to him and then sang Happy Birthday, but I don't think he could really hear us. We all waved our hands in the air and told him we were singing!

This is my niece Maria with her pink hair. It changes colors all the time. She is a senior this year and sadly, she will be missing all the senior activities as our governor Kate Brown, canceled all in person school for the rest of the year. The education department is working on a plan so senior can graduate. I just feel so bad for all of these kids and their plans for continuing education. Marie is scheduled to start beauty school the end of June, but who know if that will really happen at this point. You can see my dad a bit better in this photo.

My other sister Debbie. She is waiting for her face masks to arrive. Everyone is encouraged to wear on now. We stayed apart from each other....social distancing.

My nephew Markie and his girlfriend Jessica. She made face masks for them. I really couldn't get a photo of everyone and the ones I got are not very good. It's hard to stay back and not get close.

Alisa brought us all a little cake and extras for dad's helpers. These little bunt cakes were from a bakery called Nothing Bunt the Best. Oh my...too good. I had chocolate chip and Jimmy had lemon. I found recipes online for the different cakes. I might have to give them a try.

I realized that I don't have any recent good photos of dad. I need to take some as soon as I can be with him again. This is pretty much how he gets around these days. Thankful for his scooter that gives him mobility.

I am thankful that we got to make him feel special on his birthday. Not an easy thing these days.
Happy Birthday Dad! We love you!

Monday Made

I needed to escape for awhile from the stress and concerns of this virus. I'm not running away from the reality of this situation, I just needed a wee little break. I decided to make a few small felt items to give as little gifts as I can't go out shopping. I think it's ok to just send a little something this year.
I can go shopping in my craft cottage for my supplies and yep, I had everything I needed.

I've had these patterns for years and I really enjoyed making these little ornaments. I wish I had time to make more, but I have to get these in the mail.

I also wanted to make some cards for my dolls to send out to their doll friends. I have a little group that does a dolly card exchange. I love making these tiny cards.

I made the envelopes and little cards to go inside first. It takes time but it's not hard and I enjoy making them.

I added fun little stickers on the cards. It was fun finding supplies that matched so well.

I have some very fine pens that work pretty well for addressing the tiny envelopes. Here's the finished cards. I add them to the notes and cards I am sending off to my friends.

I have also been cooking at home. It's been good to make more frugal meals and nothing goes to waste. I had some cinnamon bread that needed to be used. I found my old recipe for bread pudding! I haven't made this for years. I am watching my carbs, but I did have a piece of this. I added dried cranberries instead of raisins. Of course, Jimmy thought it was great. We share the cooking since he retired. It works for us.

This is how it came out of the oven.

Jimmy has to have his with whipped cream. He hasn't been eating desserts so he was in heaven.
Have you been making things from your past? I'd love to hear about it. 

Holy Week

Good morning blogger friends. For those of us who are Christians, this is a special week...Holy Week. It began yesterday with Palm Sunday. This is the week we remember that Christ died for us to give us eternal life. It's quite different with this virus. Everyone is still sheltering in at home. Churches are closed and online church and programs have become a way of life right now. It is good to remember that Easter is NOT canceled...just the services and gatherings. It's hard but again, all of this is making us appreciate so many things we just took for granted or really didn't even try to participate in. Time to think and renew.

So I wanted to post a few things that happened over the weekend. Life goes on, but in such a different way!

My daughter Angie works in the office for a Portland OR school district. She has had to go into work as the district and teachers are trying to figure out what to do about teaching students as the schools are still closed. It's very difficult. I have sisters and a niece who are teachers. They are not trained in online teaching. All the districts are handing out Chrome Books today to students who do not have computers at home. Angie's district is handing out 700 today.

My other daughter Gina is moving forward after a break up with her boyfriend. This has been a trying time for relationships. She teaches at Clackamas Community College and has only one online class this next term. She is currently editing a book for a new author. Her part time little job at her friend's hair salon went out the window when Kelsie had to shut down her business. Gina has her sweet little dog Rico to help her get through this.

My grandson Otto, who is 6 now, is missing school and seeing us. He has been home with his mama and I think he's just bored. Maybe the sunshine will help this week.  He needs to get out and run some energy off! His birthday is in July and he's worried that his birthday will be canceled with the virus. Poor little monkey. He does well with the structure that school gives him and he has a great teacher this year. Grandma Linda and Papa Jimmy are missing Otto. We do FaceTime but he wasn't even interested in that the other day.

My dad's birthday is on April 8th. He is living in an assisted living home and is in total lockdown. He survived a heart attack the end of January, We almost lost him and he was in the hospital and then rehab for over a month. I didn't think he would see this 91st birthday, but here he is! We are trying to figure out how to celebrate or remember his day. My sister is calling Russellville today to ask if we could do a drive by...like a parade. They might have an idea or two. Who knows.

My niece Anna had emergency surgery yesterday. She has had trouble and surgery before for an ulcer. It went well, but she will be in the hospital until Friday. NO VISITORS! I feel so bad for her all alone. He hubby can't be with her. Just thankful there was room in a hospital for her. The virus numbers are low here in Oregon. I pray they stay that way.

Jimmy and I are doing fine. We are used to retired life and being together a lot. He has been getting projects done in the garage and around the house. He's getting more done than I am and that's ok. I am looking forward to sunshine this week to continue doing yard work. It was a very wet week so the grass in the beds has just taken off. We don't like to use chemicals, so that means work work work! Oh well, it's good for the old folks. I am doing a lot of wash as we are trying to use cloth towels and such in the house instead of paper products. I'm enjoying cooking and trying old favorites. As I have said, I'm a home body. I like to be home.

Yesterday, my nephew's girlfriend Jessica, set up a video meeting for any of the family that wanted to join. She scheduled it for 5 pm. It was kind of awkward and kind of fun. I have to tell you, I was surprised that everyone looked so stressed. We haven't seen each other for weeks. This virus and the unknown has taken a toll on us all. But, we are thankful for the internet and we are thankful that the virus has been held in check in Oregon and SW Washington. I am praying that that will continue. My heart just goes out to the city of New York and that state. Unreal and difficult to see the numbers climb along with the death toll.

Well, enough. I want to have a record of this so I am trying to keep going on my blog. I am going to do another post later today on a few fun things I have been doing. Take care...stay home and stay safe.

April

Good morning blogger friends. It's been a joy to connect with you again. I have missed you.
It's April now. Everyone is glad that the LONG month of March is over, but I'm not sure April
will be much better. We stay home and connect with friends and stay busy. It sounds like such a small thing to do, but it is so important. I had a phone appointment with my doctor this morning. I really
her. She talked to me about being at risk and how staying home is critical for me as well as others.
It's been so rainy here. Next week the weatherman said the sun and warmer temps will return. I am looking forward to that.
Stay home, if you can, and be safe.
I'm trying to get around to your blogs to say hello and check on you. So thankful for the blessing of modern technology.

Monday Made

Yes, it's Monday and a new week...week #3 of staying home. It's cold and wet and yucky! It's afternoon and I haven't managed to get anything done. It's one of those check in days with family and friends via the phone and internet. That's more important than housework- right?

Yesterday our daughter Angie brought over a few things and at least I got to see her! Today, my other daughter Gina came by to pick up a few things and so I got to see her too. It's hard keeping a distance, talking far apart in the garage without hugs or a cup of coffee. But, it is what it is and I am so thankful I got to see them in person. 

So, today is Monday Made on my Tasha Tudor FB page, so I am sharing what I made here on my blog too. As I posted previously, I participated in Rachel Hoffman's VDC last week. I really liked the workshop by Helen Kish, so I made the little shoe the other day. Of course, I changed a few things but that's the fun part about this. I want to make another one or two. It was just fun to do something creative for a change.

I recently found this wonderful wool felt pack that I had gotten on sale, years ago. I brought it over from my storage unit, not having a clue what I was going to use it for! I love going shopping in my craft room, especially now when we can't go shopping.

So I decided to make a pink one. I used trim, ribbon flowers and seed pearls to decorate it instead of doing embroidery work. I was anxious to finish it. I used pink and green wool felt.

You can see the work on the side with this photo. A little mouse crawled into it. A chick and a little dolly were fighting to occupy it!

This photo gives you a good look at the whole shoe. It's actually an ornament, but I didn't add a hanger onto mine. I just wanted it to sit on a shelf.

Here's the little Easter chick that took over the shoe. It was a very fun project and I think I could actually make a pair of dolly shoes now by leaving off the back and adding a strap. So fun.
Thank for visiting me. I hope this made you smile. 

The Kindness of a Dear Friend

Here we are...it's Saturday and another week has almost slipped on by. Staying home and away from others is hard. It is what we need to do right now. I was really kind of blah yesterday, along with most of my family and friends. I keep saying we will have good days and we have bad days. But just think of those who are putting their own lives at risk everyday to try and save the lives of others. Staying at home is easy compared to that sacrifice. I pray for their protection and am so thankful for so many.

I received this wonderful card via snail mail the other day. My good friend Bernideen sent it to me. She is very crafty and makes wonderful things to send to others. It just cheered me up so much. When I was recovering from surgery, she also sent me a delightful box of goodies. She is a cherished friend. We have never met. I so hope that will happen in the future.

Of course she included a packet of tea! Who doesn't need a cup of tea in the afternoon?

She had a tea shoppe in Denver before her hubby and her moved to MO when they retired. She has the most yummy recipes. This one just makes my mouth water.

I so appreciated this enclosure that was tucked in the card....so positive and some great ideas.

So I hope you are doing ok and are staying home and being safe. So thankful for the internet and being able to keep in touch. 

Thank you so much Bernideen! 

Some Dolly Fun...Beyond All Limits VDC

I have signed up for the past 3 Virtual Doll Conventions over the past few years. They are the organized by Rachel Hoffman who is just a fantastic person. She lives in Denver, Colorado and she came up with this great idea to have doll conventions online. When all of this virus crisis stuff began, she decided she wanted to do something to keep our spirits high. She put together a FREE VDC together in just weeks. She usually has to spend months getting one of these finished. She is so giving and has many dolly friends who willingly gave of their time and talent to help her make this happen.

Her VDC events are only $25 for five days of dolly fun, including workshops and wonderful informative talks by dolly experts. There are free print outs of all kinds each day. There is also a cookbook for a special dinner or tea on Sunday, the last day. You sign up on Facebook and this time, you can also view the programs on YouTube.
Remember, this one is FREE! The neat thing is you can watch the programs any time or go back and watch a favorite one. They are left on FB even after the conference is finished.

One of my Tasha Tudor friends, Paula Walton, was a guest speaker. Paula is a doll maker and collector. She has spent years researching Izannah Walker dolls. She makes reproduction Izannah Walker dolls and beautiful clothes as well as doll clothes. This photo is her's and these are the dolls she introduced us to as she taught us about the dolls and their maker. This was actually a preconvention presentation but it has to be my favorite so far.

This photo is my friend Linnie's. Her Izannah Walker dolls were watching the program with her! Linnie has a fantastic doll collection. Her whole house is a treasure with all kinds of collections. Jim and I were so fortunate to visit her and her hubby Gary last summer at their wonderful home in NY.
I hope you don't mind me using your photo Linnie!

One of the workshops presented today was this darling little shoe ornament. I think they would be darling party favors for a tea or a dolly gathering. Helen Kish who is also a fabulous doll maker kindly taught us how to make these. I have all the supplies (good thing as the craft stores are temporarily closed due to this virus) and hope to give it a try.
There were other programs today, but these are my favorites that I wanted to share today.
Lots of dolly fun and something sweet to take our minds off of the sadness of the days we find ourselves experiencing right now. Thank you Rachel for your gift to us.
There's still time to sign up!