The kids are packing up to move back to campus. Kelly and David are off to UGA for her first year of Veterinary School and his Senior year of undergrad. Danny will be moving back to Virginia Tech for his Senior year a week later.
They've been home since Spring Break, and yet, it feels like time has flown. I love having a house full of laughter and chatter and coming and going and long walks with the kids and dogs and our weekly hikes. We've tried new recipes, and watched all of the Harry Potter movies again, and spent hours talking and sharing and just really enjoying each other. We have fallen into an easy coexistence that I'm going to miss very much. I also know they LOVE the campus life and I hope they will be safe and stay healthy. None of us really know how this is going to go, so they might be home again sooner rather than later.
The dogs are loving all of the attention they get with a house full of people. Boomer loves to walk himself but he graciously lets us follow along. Gotta love a dog who know what he wants and goes for it!
All major home remodel construction is finished but there are still plenty of walls waiting for quilts, and other finishing touches that will come together at some point. We've been enjoying summer a bit too much to really focus on those final details. I have some ideas, just need to make them happen.
A whole lot of quilt related 'work' has been happening even if the sewing machine hasn't been running. I have made some decisions about a Sew Along (it's going to be fun and special thanks to all of you who contributed ideas!) The Mystery Block of the Month begins next month. I'm going to sew up my sample steps while I'm at the beach in a few weeks.
I'm also working on some really fun new ideas with a company that has asked me to design for them. Truly a dream come true, and the ideas are hard to narrow down, but I'm having SO much fun!!
Thanks to so many of you, I've been busy longarm quilting all summer long as well. I am happy to continue to quilt for you, however, due to my work schedule, I may have to cut off quilting for a few months near the end of the year, so if you've been thinking about sending me a quilt to longarm, NOW is the time to do it!
And I'm really focused on my 5 ZOOM presentations to quilt guilds in September. I've completed my SCRAP QUILT SECRETS presentation and I will share it live very soon! If your guild is ready to ZOOM please contact me to set up a date and time for a presentation. I'm not ready to do workshops yet, but hopefully that will be an option soon.
No wonder this summer feels like it's flown by! I've learned so many new things and I've only scratched the surface. No telling what this fall will bring, but I think I'm ready...
Share your favorite summer memory in the comments for a chance to win the PDF pattern of your choice from my online shop. It pays to read until the end! I'll choose a winner on Friday.
Diane
I can imagine it would be hard to go back to the quiet after such a fun-filled enjoyable summer. Your home looks beautiful. I don't have a summer memory as it is winter here in Australia. Unfortunately here in Melbourne, we are back in complete lockdown, we even have a curfew this time. Only allowed out once per day for an hour maximum. Our country-wide death rate is now over 300 people but so many have died from nursing homes. It is such a sad time for those directly affected. We all have to do our bit to help one another. I'm every so grateful for my quilting and cross stitch.
ReplyDeleteTake care now.
My favorite summer memory this year is long family walks before or after dinner. We rarely had time before the pandemic!
ReplyDeleteLast weekend, four of my grandkids, my daughter-in-law, daughter and I went camping. We all had a blast. The kids are growing up so fast and we are grateful for another chance to make memories.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite summer memory is just the joy I feel on my early morning walks, being out in the sun and coming home to QUILT. Due to an illness, in 2019, I was not able to do anything quilt related. It is great to be back!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a fun-filled - BUSY - summer. Good luck with all the new projects! I do have three or more quilts I was hoping to get quilted before the end of the year; I will try to get them prepped over the next week or so. If you're already getting overwhelmed with requests, just let me know.
ReplyDeleteBoomer holding his leash is so cute! Your home is looking lovely -- very welcoming and serene! My nephew is heading off to VA Tech as a freshman this year! Looking forward to your Mystery SAL! Enjoy your beach trip and putting it together! I don't work on Fridays, and my husband and I make a point to get out on the boat and enjoy the lake together. Those are always great times! But my favorite memory from the summer was the weekend road trip I took with my daughter and two oldest granddaughters to Indiana for a baby shower and cave exploring! It was such fun! :)
ReplyDeleteThis pandemic has given each of us the opportunity to change the pace of our lives. I too have enjoyed the time with my family. My sewing machine has been quiet for weeks, but now that life seems to be easing back towards what we have known as normal, I will be back to sewing daily. Looking forward to your Mystery BOM.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe your sons are now seniors in college. I remember when they went off to freshman year and you struggled mightily with empty nest syndrome. The only memorial thing about this summer is the places we didn't get to go and the events that never happened.
ReplyDeletePat
Watching the bluebirds at the feeder and in the bird bath. The is the first year we have been more interested in birding and intentional in attracting them with different feeders.
ReplyDeleteYou really have had a busy summer! I bet you will miss the kids. I hope, for their sake, school works out for them!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely summer you've been able to have with your kids at home. Your home will seem a bit empty for awhile. But you always have Boomer!
ReplyDeleteLove your pictures, especially the one of Boomer! My summer memories are made in the gardens and nature, just can't get enough. Thanks for sharing about your life!
ReplyDeleteo diane 79 @ yahoo (dot) com
We have a Boomer, too -- he is a little Shih Tzu, 11 months old now. Favorite summer memory is walks with him, and evenings at the lake, watching the sunset. Hoping for a trip to the ocean before summer is over! Time goes by fast! Hard to believe your twins are seniors! Have fun with your new adventures!!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite summer memory would have to be celebrating the 4th of July at my 93 year old dad's house with a cookout and homemade ice cream. Love that Boomer. So cute that he walks himself. Thank you for giving us the chance to win one of your patterns.
ReplyDeleteSpending a week at Holden Beach NC with my family. The first time I had seen my grown kids in months.
ReplyDeleteWith all the changes going on and family distancing, our empty nest has been refilled. Our dgt. and her family moved in while their new home is being built. We are working hard on sharing space and enjoying each other. Stay well, hope to catch one of your zoom videos.
ReplyDeleteI have stayed home mostly, but I did go geocaching with my college classmate which was a lot of fun.
ReplyDeletethis has been a difficult summer for most of us. My best memory is of the first Sunday we could all come together for church again. It was good to be with others and to be worshipping together .
ReplyDeleteMy favourite summer memory the smell of the barbeque, and eating watermelon!
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