They're District Champions!!!

They're the district champions!!! And now on to Lebanon, VA for the state tournament! After being delayed in starting the championship game Saturday and Sunday at various times each day, they finally got the game started at six p.m. Monday. They all looked tired and not into it as they had the other five games they played and won but they made the plays and got the hits when they needed them in order to win 9-4! They'll be leaving next Thursday to travel across state.

My grandson played in the state as a ten year old four years ago in Bridgewater. We are so excited he gets to go to state two times! Ironic thing is his aunt, my daughter played on the Senior League team that won the league's first district championship in 1995 when she was 15. Then Sr. League was made up of 14 & 15 year olds. Juniors were 13 year olds. One of the other young men on this team, with our grandson, his uncle was on the 11 & 12 Major League team back in 1995 and they won district the following night that year. We attended that game that year to support them. Then entire SR. team was there to receive their banner/flag after that game as the District Administrator was at a different field with their banner. She played baseball with the boys and was really really good. She played from age 7 through age 16 in the Little League program and the AAU program as well. In fact, one of the coaches on the opposing team was on the AAU team which she played on.

My other grandson, younger brother to the one above, has qualified for the city meet to be held in August. We're all excited for him too. Last year was his first year competitive swimming among the local neighborhood pool associations, yacht and country club pools in this area. Last year he qualified too and placed in the city meet. He qualified earlier in the season than he did last year.

Tuesday I did do some sewing on my apron I'm doing for the Halloween in July swap. Today I bought some orange thread I needed to do the next step. I had several spools of orange thread just not the correct shade.

I could not find pattern exactly like what I had in mind to do for this apron. The pattern I found on-line close to being what I wanted to do I found out when reading over the directions was a child's apron! Hence, I'm using three different patterns. I'm using another pattern I saw posted on the Internet for the sizes to cut the components. However, I did change them a little. One part I thought looked skimpy so I cut it a little wider. And another part I thought looked like an odd shape for that part so I cut that piece to what I thought looked more like it. And another part of the apron I got from a quilt site with quilt block patterns that children can piece. This block they said may require some adult supervision. I should have gotten some adult supervision!!! I had to rip part of it apart and redo it!

I should have sewn some on it today while the grandbabies took a nice long afternoon nap but it was so dreary and rainy I wasn't in mood and since part of it is sewing on black I knew I couldn't see clearly enough for that even with my two sewing lamps and on of those an Ott lamp I need a nice morning sun coming through my window near my machine when working with black fabric and thread.

Happy Fourth of July, Fabric, Rotary Cutter

Hope everyone had a wonderful Fourth of July. We didn't do family cookout until evening of the fifth. Thursday night we attened grandson's late all-star baseball game in the district tournamnet. They won the semi-final game!!! Go Warwick!!! Then Friday night (July 4) we attended the Pilot's game that night. Pilot's won!!! Go Pilot's. Grandson's team was playing in championship Junior League Division All-Star game Saturday at ten. HOWEVER, we had a lot of rain Friday night and field was to wet. Then more rain Saturday night and field too wet to play noon on Sunday so now hoping to play Monday night at six. Saturday night we did hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill, ate inside because of rain and thunderstorms.

This afternoon I went to Joann's to get some fabric I needed for the Halloween Apron Swap. My favorite shop Nancy's Calico Patch is closed on Sundays. I have some in my stash I thought I'd use for part of it but needed some solid orange Kona and solid black Kona. Also needed two buttons. Naturally the buttons I had pictured in mind Joann's didn't have. I can dream up the most wonderful buttons but no one makes the ones I have pictured in my mind. Maybe I should be a button designer??? While the two Kona fabrics were being cut I asked if they had any new Halloween fabric in yet. She told me yes, pointed me to the section of the rack where I found one I liked much better than what I had in my stash to use. Then back at the cutting table to get some of that luscious fabric I glanced up at the Ginger rack and what did I see???

I asked if Gingher rotary cutters were as wonderful as their scissors. She said she hadn't been working there long and didn't know. But she loved their scissors and would think so. Then I noticed a sign reading 50% OFF on all quilting tools. I asked if that included the Gingher Rotary Cutter and it did! You know it...that little beauty came home with me.

Well, let me tell you!!! That is one WONDERFUL Rotary Cutter. I know I would never have paid full price but 50% OFF it's worth it!!! I would have waited until it was on sale or I had 40% off coupon. Let me tell you she glides through the fabric. I was flipping the retractable blade switch back and forth several times and the dingbat that I am I thought I had the blade out when I saw the silver part and tried cutting the fabric and nothing. Then I slide the switch again paying attention that time and saw that the black disk is the blade. Tried it and swoosh through the fabric. I'm in love!!!

I see on Joann's website they also make a rotary cutting mat. I've heard you should use the same manufacturer's mat as rotary cutter. I'm not sure if that's the truth or a sales gimmick. I appeared to be fine with my Olfa mat. Granted it's old and well used so if does mess that old mat up I won't be too upset as I have a new one on my Christmas list.

Fabric, Patterns, Baseball, Halloween

Well, we don't have a game to attend tonight. Grandson and another player collided during game Saturday evening. Have not heard who had called for the ball. Or whose ball it was to catch according to where was hit and what position they were playing. At first they afraid grandson had broken his ankle but ER said it was sprained. They put his ankle in an air-cast. Sees an orthopedist this week. His dad took him to dad's sister's pool and worked on it Sunday. Afterwards his mom said he was walking better and looked better too. She said he would wear uniform jersey and sit on bench supporting the team tonight but he called and said he wasn't going. At any rate with the EXTREME HEAT we're not attending. Going to stay home in the AC and ceiling fan and keep as cool as possible.

Over the weekend I ordered on-line some fabrics and patterns. One arrived today from the Fat Quarter Shop. I ordered Sunshine & Sunflowers Quilt of the Month Book Design Originals, and Ho Ho Ho Pattern by Pearl Louise Designs. The Ho Ho Ho pattern I thought would be cute to make up for Christmas either for myself or one of the daughters. I love sunflowers and so does youngest daughter. I'm sure I'll find plenty in it to do up for either of us.

Fabric wise I bought a variety of pieces that tugged on my heartstrings. Daydreams Peony Paisley, Fanciful Felines Blue All Over Cats, Fanciful Felines Purple Cute Cats, Fanciful Felines Aqua All Over Cats, Fanciful Felines Pastel Panel, Fanciful Felines Pink Cute Cats, Marcus Brothers Blue Christmas Magic, and Farmers Market Pineapples.

Some of the fabric I have no idea what I'll do with it but I KNEW I must have them for my stash.
The Fanciful Felines line I have an idea I'll use them to make something for my cousin's daughter. She'll be the big 40 this August. Since her mom died she and I exchange birthday gifts. She loves cats and Halloween. I've been wanting to do something either quilted or a tote or purse for her. I'm thinking a cat purse/tote-bag for her birthday day. And maybe something Halloween theme in October. Maybe a table runner or wall hanging. She like her mom goes all out for Halloween. Her mom, my first cousin died three years ago. When her mom was alive she would dress up and go to this daughter's home and help her with giving out candy and treats. Now, this isn't answering the door and a candy bar, etc. This is a yard all decorated, front porch decorated. They dress up. Inside decorated too. She serves punch, homemade treats (cakes, cookies, cupcakes, fudge, deviled eggs, sandwiches), purchased candies, cookies, etc. It's a big Fall Festival for their friends, friend, relatives, and neighbors. I sure wish I lived close enough to attend.

I ordered some baseball fabric from Fabric.com. I've been collecting baseball theme fabric to do a quilt at least throw size for my husband.

Baseball Hall of Fame

We returned last Sunday from a 'pilgrimage' to Cooperstown, NY to tour the Baseball Hall of Fame. We found Cooperstown to be a beautiful small town which looks like something straight out of Normal Rockwell.

We left home Thursday. Going with us was youngest daughter (she and her husband expecting third daughter in September) and our oldest grandson by middle daughter. Here they are waiting for the museum to open Friday morning.

Picture of the main building at the Hall of Fame. The main entrance, in the section that sits back, was being revamped. We went in a door in the left section of this building. When we left they were letting people in through these doors.

Sign by the door which we entered the building.

Our daughter played baseball from the age of seven through sixteen on boys teams in Little League, Junior League, Senior League and AAU. She was an all-star on the boys team who played second base. During her freshman year in highs school she was the first girl in our state to letter in varsity boys baseball. On that teams she played second, shortstop and occasionally pitched. Her junior year she entered a new school and switched to softball. Where she played shortstop and catcher depending on who was pitching. She also played ASA softball for two years. Here she is paying her respects to the woman in baseball section.
Picture of hubby paying his respects to his youth hero Willie Mays and the New York Giants baseball team from the early 50's.

Our grandson has been playing baseball since he was five. Starting with tee-ball when he was five, Little League and now Junior League. Here is a picture of our grandson paying his respects to his favorite teame the Boston RedSox.
We had shopped in the gift shop at the museum on Thursday evening and again after finishing touring the museum. Then we walked up and down Main Street shopping at the many baseball related stores. Here is a picture of about 1/4 of the baseball camps in a store called "Micky's Place". Every major and minor league team and more. My husband an avid baseball fitted cap collector was in heaven.

Friday evening we attended baseball game at Doubleday Stadium. Perfect weather, good game, who could ask for a better way to end our day before a nice steak dinner.

We left early Saturday morning and arrived in Lancaster, PA which is my all time favorite place not to be a tropical beach around 10:30. Rode around to show grandson the Amish farms, catch a glimpse of the Amish in their buggies, and on the streets in Bird-in-Hand and Intercourse. We hit the Bird-in-Hand Farmer's Market for some of the goodies we love to buy there. Then we went to Route 30 and hit the two outlet centers and daughter and I shopped until we dropped. She, her dad and I had been to Lancaster in March for a long weekend of Amish tourist stuff and outlet shopping in Lancaster and Reading. This trip she stocked up on summer maternity clothes as she had given away her winter maternity clothes after the second child was born. The girls were both born in February a year apart. She was on the pill this time and this child is a huge surprise. The present youngest to be middle child was a surprise too as she had to have fertility help to have the first child. These three little girls are such a blessing to our family.

We left Lancaster EARLY Sunday morning and were home around ten. This week has been busy with catching grandson's baseball games, son-in-law's softball games, and catching the Virginia Pilot's baseball games. The Pilot's are college players from many various universities and colleges.

Weird Food, fabric storage, baseball

Weird Food---the food's not weird I guess but the combination???

Yesterday, I bought some local strawberries, some green onions and some pickling cucumbers from the local farmer's market. I had also bought some whipped cream there and individual desert cake things. Plan was to fix strawberry shortcake.

Well, I did for hubby. But, for some reason I was having a hankering for cucumbers salted with green onions and white wine vinegar. YET I wanted strawberries too. What should a girl do???

I fixed the cucumber salad and sliced my strawberries on top of the salad and mixed it up. Would it make me ILL??? OR would it be DELICIOUS??? Low and behold it was WONDERFULLY DELICIOUS!!!

Normally the dogs give me a fit and want their fair share. They'll eat some of the cake stuff and whipped cream. Last night they sniffed it and walked away, laid down and looked at me like I had lost what feeble mind I have left.

Should have taken a picture, the vinegar turned red from the strawberries it was beautiful as well as yummy. I'll have to make it again and take a picture to add to this posting.

UPS brought me a heavy box today. I read on someone's blog (and I am sorry I don't recall which one) where they had been to comic book store with their husband or son. While standing their in their misery, wishing they were in a fabric store, they had the brainstorm of using the board things used in the individual storage bags to keep the comic books straight, to wrap fabric on instead of the plastic things they make for that. She had used hers for fat quarters. These things are a little less than ten dollars for one hundred in a package. Acid free. I guess something like a heavy weight cardstock. I ordered two packages on a site I found Googling. Being heavy the shipping was almost ten dollars too. Now for some time to dig out fat quarters and I'm thinking fat halves too will work, get the iron out, press the fabric and fold on those sheets and stack in a basket or plastic box so I can flip through easily to see the fabrics I'm needing for a project.

Saturday evening my 14 year old grandson hit a home run over the 280 ft. centerfield fence. Nana was so excited. He's going with my husband, daughter and myself to the Baseball Hall of Fame next week. My daughter, his aunt was an awesome baseball player, playing on boys Little, Junior and Senior League as well as AAU, JV and Varsity. Her junior year she switched to fast pitch softball and was awesome in that as well as field hockey. In college she was to play softball but decided she wanted a break from it. She did play field hockey in college and lacrosse. After not playing for a while last summer she played on an adult female softball team and in the fall played on a coed softball team. This summer she isn't playing as she is expecting in September. Her husband played last summer and this summer on a team with a group of men she played baseball with back in her Little/Junior/Senior League days. An odd thing about my grandson's homerun is the batter before him hit one too and his uncle was a good player a couple years younger than his aunt, they were on all-star team together when it covered three league ages on a team.