My first baby quilt and a new love--sock monkeys :)

I've been sewing some lately and it's been really fun. A little known fact about me is I received the Betty Crocker Family Leadership Award in high school. It was pretty shocking actually and I've never quite lived up to Betty's fame. I mean I like to cook and try new recipes/foods, but I don't like the mess it makes and the cleanup that is required. I do enjoy making things though. The problem is I like to do lots of things, but I have become an expert in nothing. I started a baby quilt this year and haven't spent much time on it, but I didn't stay on task for long periods of time so it took a while. Here is my creation:



It's far from perfect and I learned some tricks and strategies that I can utilize before making the next one, but it is a super soft cuddly flannel. I know this is pretty goofy, but last night I wrapped the sock monkey in the blanket and took it to hubby and told him, "Here's your new grand monkey, don't you think he's cute?" He continues to think I'm weird and wonders from time to time why he married me, but I do think he must love me and my crazy ways. In case you are wondering, there are NO babies that I know that are arriving any time soon in my family. It was just a quilting project that I could conquer.

I love sock monkeys. I never had one growing up, but I've been searching the internet for them and I've found some great sock monkey fabric that I want to make another quilt with. If you see a sock monkey somewhere that doesn't cost an arm and a leg or something else with monkeys or sock monkeys, let me know. My mom used to call me her little monkey cause I was always climbing trees and when I was little I sucked my thumb for an extended period of time--like past the age of three. She tried and tried to get me to stop by taping my thumb with masking tape, putting that nasty don't suck your thumb stuff called "Thum" on it, but I just wouldn't stop. Finally she found a picture of a really ugly monkey sucking his/her thumb and told me that it was me and she posted it above my bed. Even though I was small, I remember thinking, "I'm not a monkey. I don't want to look like that!!!" So I stopped sucking my thumb almost overnight.

Spring is here or is it???

I love Spring!!
I love the warmth that only the sun can bring,
I love flowers starting to bloom and watching
the many rosebuds developing on my rose bushes.
We must enjoy the beauty while it's here cause too quickly it slips away....

I planted this bradford pear tree
and love its blossoms and burst of life in the spring
but you see it doesn't keep these blooms for long.
In fact, the blooms last a couple of weeks at the most, but it still has
beauty and majesty without blossoms, or even leaves.
Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

CEDAR HILL'S LONGHORN BASKETBALL TEAM is HEADED to the STATE TOURNAMENT!!!

Saturday afternoon was simply the best. Cedar Hill was playing in the regional basketball tournament finals against Duncanville. One of my very best friends happens to be the wife of the Coach of the Cedar Hill Longhorns and mother of one of the starting players, Tanner, who also happens to be a very special former student of mine. WOW, what a game!!! It was not looking so good for Cedar Hill. At the half we were down 34-20. In literally the final seconds of the game, Tayler Jacobs shoots and it’s in ----and Cedar Hill wins 60-59. I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed a high school game like this. It got even better though when Tanner came to hug his mom, Val. That’s a special young man that comes over and shares his victory with his mom and fans. Tayler also comes over and gives his mom a big hug. Tayler's dad is smiling ear to ear and is clearly so very proud of his son and rightfully so. Later Coach Milson comes and embraces his teary eyed love of his life. Gosh!! It was so touching--brought tears to my eyes and I also saw some tears in the eyes of my VERY dear friend, Robin. I’m thankful these folks are a part of my life. They are all wonderful people and I can’t forget the other member of their family, Rylea, also a former student of mine and a special young lady who somehow was able to get on the court at the end of the game, hug her dad and brother and then take lots of pictures. The team got to cut the net off the goal and there was cheering and clapping, but it was quite a moment with Coach Milson made the final cut and held the net above his head, smiled and acknowledged the fans and his team. This was a moment and a game I won't forget. I’ve known Coach for 12 years since his wife and I started our jobs the same year in MISD, but as Val would say----she was hired before me!!! Coach Milson is an amazing person. He is a GREAT Coach, but a better person. A little known fact about him is he’s a magician and storyteller. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE STATE BOUND CEDAR HILL LONGHORNS!!!! BEST OF LUCK!!! You are a great team to follow.