Frasier Crane

I turned 40 this year and Matt gave in a let me get a dog for my birthday. I have wanted an Airedale terrier for as long as I can remember and I finally got one. It helped that they don't shed and are hypoallergenic for Emma Kate. This pup has stollen my heart! 

Here is the first day we met. The breeder let two males out of the kennel and he ran right up and kissed me. That was it! These pics are from his first two months in the family...not in order and not all captioned. Clearly, he has grown in size and in our love for him. We got him when he was 7 weeks and 11 pounds. Currently, he is 4.5 months old and 30 pounds. 

NYC

We took the kids for their first trip to NYC...my favorite place in the world (and my third trip since last February). The loved the sights, smells, subway rides, street food, and shopping.

Tea at the Plaza was a dream come true for me. I have wanted to take my daughter(s) since before I had them! It was everything I had hoped it would be; a special afternoon indeed.

The Loeb Boathouse is one of my favorite places in the city. We ate on the water open air style and it was magnificent. 

A bit wet but still so wonderful

Aren't the Yankees "America's" team? Why is my son a Mets fan?

Blue Man Group was a highlight for the kids.

Frozen was beyond expectations...amazing! It would have been nice to see Hamilton with the kids, but this saved us a few thousand dollars. 

My pre-show "this isn't Hamilton"face...Little did I know how awesome it would be. 

What a wonderful trip with my people!

Clementine Quilt Along for St. Jude's Children's Hospital

Want to quilt with me? Each month, we can make a block or two and support a great cause at the same time! Each month, the pattern is a donation (suggested $5 amount, but why not give more?) and an instant download. You can make it with your own fabrics or order the kit from Fat Quarter Shop.

This January Block was a lot of fun to make and though it looks hard, it was really very easy. My seams all "nested" nicely and all corners were matched...that's a win in my book!

My Quilty Friends:

*April of April Rosenthal (@amrosenthal)

Bonnie of Sunset Family Living (@sunsetfamilyliving)

Cara of That Crafty Cara (@thatcraftycara)
Carrie of Moda Cutting Table (@modafabrics)

Denise of Pieced Brain (@piecedbrain)

Elise of Elise and Emelie (@eliseandemelie)

Gina of Carpe Quiltin (@gina_tell_carpequiltin)

Heather of A Creative Pursuit (@acreativemama)

Hilary of By Hilary Jordan (@byhilaryjordan)

Jan of Cocoa Quilts (@cocoaquilts)

Jen of Heritage Threads (@heritage.threads)

Joanne of Quilts by Joanne (@turtlequilterjo)

Kairle of Kairle Oaks Handcrafted Goodness (@kairleoaks)

Kendra of Good Starter (@good_starter)

Kristen of 3 in the Nest (@threeinthenestraleigh)

Kristina of Center Street Quilts (@centerstreetquilts)

Leah of Ponderings from My Heart (@ponderingsfrommyheart)

Melanie of A Bit of Scrap Stuff (@mellierc)

Melissa of Happy Quilting (@happyquiltingmc)

Pat of Pat Sloan (@quilterpatsloan)

Pat B. of Life in the Scrapatch (@scrapatches)

Patty of Elm Street Quilts (@elmstreetquilts)

Rebecca of One Wee Bird (@oneweebird)

Sarah of 123 Quilt (@123quilt)

Seema of SSK Craft Shop (@sskcraftshop)

Sherri of A Quilting Life (@aquiltinglife)

Sondra of Out of the Blue Quilts (@sondradavison)

Stephanie of Quilt 'n Party (@quiltnparty)

Tanya of Tanya Quilts in CO (@tanyaquiltsinco)

Teresa of Aurea's Kitchen (@aureaskitchen)

Vickie of Crocheting Vixen (@crochetingvixen)

My Grandmother

My Grandmother's funeral mass was the day after Christmas. The women's guild had a brunch at the church hall to honor her. After leaving the church, my immediate family went to her house and looked at her things, smelled her perfume, opened her cabinets, and just lived in her space for a bit. It felt great to be among her things. Later the night, we met for dinner at her favorite restaurant, The Ice House, which is on the water. This was the sunset we were treated to. I'd like to think it was a gift from her. It was simply magnificent and I know she would have loved it.