ROSS IS A NURSE!!

One of the biggest events of my summer was the surprise party my sisters threw for Ross, after he graduated from nursing school!!

To review, Ross graduated from college with a degree in broadcasting and he worked in that field for 15 years. First in the newsrooms, as a cameraman -- and eventually, he moved to Brainerd, Minnesota to work for a hunting/fishing television network. We thought his job was interesting, and he did a lot of travel -- to exotic places like Alaska, and South Africa.

Three years ago, his company was sold and he decided to switch careers -- and become a nurse.

YIKES.

It took a while to wrap our brains around what a big change this would be. For all of us. He moved back in with us -- and once again became a full time student. With no science background, nursing school was A VERY HARD ROAD.

If he'd known then what he knows now, he would not do it all again. BUT HE HAS NEVER QUIT ANYTHING...and HE DID IT.

He graduated, and was offered a job at the local hospital.

My sisters, Deena and Ronda, wanted to throw a surprise party for Ross. I had no idea how we were going to manage that. Ross's schedule at the hospital is crazy and unpredictable, and the rest of our kids have families and children of their own with busy schedules...baseball, summer vacations...

But they were determined. Ronda's husband Dean figured out what Ross's schedule was...and Deena told Ross she was having the first ever "Glenn Little family reunion" picnic...

Lilly helped me paint a big sign for the party.

I went early, to help set up the food -- and Ross was tasked with bringing the kids. (that slowed him down just enough for everybody to arrive)...

Everybody was in Deena's building before Ross walked in...

Aunt Ronda, Ross, and Aunt Deena...

Lilly was pretty pleased with her finished sign!! 

When he saw the cake, Ross realized the whole party was actually ALL ABOUT HIM...

The food was spectacular.  Ronda and Dean fried fish in their big outdoor cooker (he is a pathological fisherman)...

Our side dishes were all the family favorites...cowboy beans, deviled eggs, jello salads...

It was a GORGEOUS night...and we all enjoyed Deena's back yard.

And I am telling you -- life doesn't get any better than this....

2016 Grandma Camp

Grandma Camp 2016 has been BUSY. For one thing, Elliott and Emily have bought another house, so the kids have been here even more than usual. And when they're here so frequently, it doesn't feel like "camp"...it just feels like they live here. And it's about all I can do to pick up the toys, keep up with the laundry and feed them three meals a day...MUCH LESS entertain them. I'm afraid they'll remember this summer as the time Grandma kept falling asleep in her chair.

But, as the summer winds down -- IT IS ALMOST OVER AND I CANNOT BELIEVE HOW FAST IT WENT...I am trying to assess the things we actually DID that will remember well...and I am disappointed in myself...

Probably the most fun project (for Lilly) was the painting of the luggage...

As you well know, I have been painting all my suitcases for years!!

At the beginning of the summer, Lilly and I found two identical black suitcases at a thrift store ($2 each). I told her she could paint hers any way she wanted.

We stuffed the suitcases with towels and blankets so it would hold it's shape...then, the first step is to Mod Podge the area that will be decorated.

THIS is a third suitcase -- which will be used to carry a new set of Bocce Balls to our Pennsylvania cousins...

OF COURSE, Warren will have Thomas Train on his suitcase.

Lilly and I both agree...he is the sweetest little boy in America...

The other day, Lilly went out to the "fairy garden" and came screaming into the house -- THERE ARE ANTS AND WEEDS ALL OVER MY GARDEN. Ugh.

The truth is, the summer has flown by and we did very few of the special things I had planned...and I feel bad about that.

But then, I try to remember that we had fun doing the everyday things...we cooked, and Lilly folded the napkins and set the table. She taught Frankie a few new tricks (he can sit, and dance, and lay down and do a pretty decent Army Crawl).  We went to the library, and watched some movies we both enjoyed.

We are loving this year's America's Got Talent, and I'm pretty sure Lilly would be able to make her own pesto if she had to.

So, fine.  Maybe Grandma Camp isn't about doing something special or out of the ordinary...maybe Grandma Rita Camp is about enjoying the simple things...and doing one good deed every day.  THAT part has gone spectacularly well.  

Are you Kidding me, MSQC??

This will be the final blog post I write about Missouri Star Quilt Company in Hamilton, Missouri. (you hope -- right?)

But I have been saving this for last...

Almost every storefront in Hamilton has been renovated to be part of MSQC...

There's a shop for Batik's, another shop for sewing machines, yet another shop for notions...

The whole town is getting a facelift -- new sidewalks, curbs, etc...

The town is looking fresh and new.  MSQC has 350 employees now.  It's so exciting!!

EVEN THE rooms above the storefronts have been turned into part of MSQC.!! Love this staircase, eh??

But -- hey -- what's going on here??

Nobody could resist looking in to see what this space was all about...

THAT'S RIGHT -- IT'S MANS*LAND!!

Leather recliners, wide screen television...

Yes, football and a fireplace!!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, MISSOURI STAR QUILT COMPANY. You have, indeed, thought about every single thing. An amazing visit. Keep up the good work...!!

The Splendid Sampler™

The Splendid Sampler™ Wednesday
(...skip this part if you're not new here...)

The Splendid Sampler™ is an internet sew-a-long created by Pat Sloan and Jane Davidson. It is an EPIC sew along...

• 83 fabric designers have created specific blocks that feature different quilting techniques. (paper piecing, fused applique, etc.).
• The blocks will be released each week, and are FREE to participants until March 2017. (at that time, they'll use the designs to publish a book).
• You can use whatever fabric you like.
• There will be pictures on their Facebook page, etc.

The new block designs come out twice a week....on Sunday morning and Thursday morning. I'm doing this with my TMBC...and, therefore, it is my pleasure to BLOG ABOUT IT every Wednesday.
*****************

Yes, LP is having THAT MUCH FUN!!

If you're seeing doubles -- you know it's the work of LP...

Sandy is also doing a GREAT JOB of keeping up...AND, she's our official photographer -- posting on our private Facebook page.  (yes, we are THAT excited about our SS blocks)...

Obviously, I TOOK this picture.  Lousy, eh??

These two have NO QUIT IN THEM...

Loved Sandy's pincushion block.  It literally looks like you could use it, eh?

The Dutchman's Store

You know how much I love DAY TRIPPIN'...!! Which is why I cannot believe this wonderful, exciting, fantastic destination store is only THREE HOURS FROM MY HOUSE. It's the Dutchman's Store in Cantril, Iowa.

The entire downtown is all about the Dutchman's Store...and the cars parked on the street are from Iowa, Missouri, Illinois. I saw a car from Nebraska -- and there was one New York license plate!!

So -- what's the magic?? WHY ARE THEY PILED 20 deep at the cash registers??

It starts off kind of normal. A nice produce department...

But you soon realize this is not a typical 21st Century grocery store...

It is owed and operated by the Mennonite community, and the mix of merchandise is more like a 19th century general store...

There are hand-made aprons and bonnets.

All kinds of hats, shoes, outdoor clothes, jackets, baby items, suspender parts, etc.

BUT THE REAL FUN STARTS in the grocery store!! I took a few pictures to show you...

TWO boxes of Velveeta for $3.99. WHA???

The frozen food section has THRILLING BARGAINS...boneless smoked turkey breast for 99cents a pound...bacon for $1.39...In the deli department, they had White American Cheese for $1.99/lb.  ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? Pepperjack and Havarti cheese for $2.49.

Yes, at this point, I was wishing for a BIGGER COOLER!!

DELICIOUS, PEOPLE...

Clotheslines, clothespins and laundry supplies took up a whole shelf!!

AND I DIDN'T EVEN GET TO THE BEST THING ABOUT THE DUTCHMAN'S STORE...really. YOU WON'T BELIEVE IT!!

Ronda's Place in Baring

Ronda and I had a WONDERFUL TIME at the Featherweight Workshop, and our fun was not over!! Twelve years ago, she and her husband Dean bought a home in Baring, Missouri. That's about three hours from Hamilton -- so I was going to spend one night there on my way back to Iowa.

Ronda was driving as I took some pictures of Lake Baring.

There are many "cabins" on the lake -- its like a Country Club -- only the members use boats instead of golf carts...

It was their wedding anniversary!!  Dean surprised Ronda with a bouquet of roses.  (note the backsplash in their kitchen)

Their house is a short drive from the lake...

A very nice size -- 3 bedrooms and a porch...

They have a huge yard, with many mature shade trees.

The back porch is painted camo -- with lots of fishing poles hanging from the ceiling...

And a pretty good assortment of tackle...lol...

The next morning, Dean went out on the lake at 6:00 AM...and did THIS!!

22 small mouth bass!!

Which he cleaned -- then COOKED.

The backsplash above their stove spells F-I-S-H. OF COURSE...

This was the first time I've visited "The Place" (that's what they named it) in Missouri.  BUT NOT THE LAST...hummm...

Wouldn't this be a terrific spot to have a Sisters Sewing Getaway Weekend??!!

HOLY COW -- WHAT A GREAT IDEA...!!  LET'S DO IT....