Delayed Carving

by Marci

Even as The Soldier ran dozens of errands while packing for deployment, we could not remember to have him purchase pumpkins to carve for Halloween.  So, as I drove our kids home from dropping him off I stopped at a fall harvest stand on the side of the highway.  I hoped to calm (or at least distract) some devastated children, two of whom were screaming, "I don't like the Army.  I wish Dad would just quit his job!" It worked quickly, as each started pointing out what he or she thought was the largest pumpkin.  I chose a Cinderella gourdish one.

For family home evening last night, we finally carved the pumpkins.  The kids seemed just as excited as if we would have pulled it off in time for Halloween.  Our method (which I remember from my dad) includes cutting out the top, carving out the guts, designing the face on a scratch paper, cutting out the paper design, and lightly straight pinning it to the pumpkin for a successful cut out.  Before I could blink my oldest had dozens of straight pins punched through the paper and "hammered" all the way through the thickness of the pumpkin.  Wish I had a picture of that.

Hi Dad

by Marci

Our new primary communication.  It's already a fight to get it away from her OR to convince her that not every ring means The Soldier is calling.

And "Kri" We Did

by Marci

The Soldier left today to Ft Dix for training prior to his 9-month deployment to the Horn of Africa.

Packing for 10+ months in 3 bags is a little tricky.

Northeastern Leaves

by Marci

For each extended training or deployment, The Soldier has asked me to make him a quilt. This time he scoured Google images for a pattern that would remind him of home.  The colorful New England fall was in full swing, and we were beginning the annual process of leaf blowing, so it seemed fitting that he found this pattern.

The Soldier helped choose the fabrics, then I worked on it diligently for about three weeks (between outdoor leaf blowing and periods of household catch up).  I even worked on it during our three-day, no-child Cape Cod getaway.

(I must insert here that he gave me very strict instructions that I could only work on the quilt when I had love in my heart for him, so that would transfer to the finished product.)

I took a week break...huhah!--not for lack of lovey feelings--then finished the tag on the back, just in time to take it to the machine quilter.

Planning and sewing in my formal dining room.  

Does anyone in my phase of life actually use a formal dining room for formal dining? 

The Soldier's Insanity workout while I completed leaf row #8 of 11 at 

a friend's cottage in Cape Cod.

 I've hardly bordered any quilt and was surprised how long it took to 

center the seams and make the corners just right.  I should have planned better 

before I jumped into it.  Typical.

Somehow this dear couple agreed to long-arm quilt this for me in a 24-hour period.  And when they discovered the quilt's purpose, they upgraded the design and refused to take a cent for payment.  An unforgettable gift from strangers.  I still get a little weepy thinking of their kindness.

They delivered the quilt, and I finished the binding within 14 hours of The Soldier's leaving. Plenty of time, right?

Front

Zoom

Check out the variegated thread.

Back

Silly that I didn't even see the pattern in this flannel to match the center seam
until someone held it up for me.  A lesson in working too quickly
and looking too closely.

 Zoom

When I saw the scrap in my stash, I just had to add the rooster, hen, and four chicks 

to represent our family.  Big D is still bothered that his place is as a chick 

and not the rooster.

The quilters insisted that the quilt have a name for their records.  The Soldier decided on "Northeastern Leaves." Not much of that where he's going.

Happy Birthday, Amy!

by Marci

I'm not sure how this one didn't make the cut last year.

Go Cougs!

Going Away

by Marci

So, The Soldier is getting ready to deploy and church friends wanted to surprise him with a goodbye party.  They pulled off the surprise, even with three of our four young children knowing about it in advance.

Adults and kids wrote notes on patriotic cards that were compiled in this album.  The message below is from our Sweet #2.

Thank you for a memorable night and such a thoughtful, lasting gift!

Winter Beach Party

By Marci

So my cousin Melanie lives 75 minutes south of us, and we're really far away from most family members, so we have to arrange to see each other at least once per month.   My Soldier is off at training in Georgia for two weeks, and her daughter had a half day at school, so we just had get together to play for the day.

My oldest daughter has been concerned recently that she is missing out on all the fun at home while she's at school.  So, Melanie planned a great surprise for when she got off the bus.  Welcome to the [sun] + E Beach Party.

This one's for the Cornell graduate.

And here's a snippet of Big D from the party that went on earlier in the day.

When it was all said and done: "That beach party...I just didn't even expect it.  It was fantastic!"

Firsts

By Marci

Today I heard a most-informative conversation between two aged gentlemen, one talking much more than the other:

"I'm telling you (to the one with silvery hair) that if you just ate a handful of almonds a day, you would get back your original hair color....

"Are you still drinking decaf?  Even after I told you it causes diabetes?..."

"I'm giving you all these pointers, and you're just not doing any of them...."

I don't drink coffee, so I'm not sure about the diabetes caf vs. decaf deal, but the almond thing was definitely a first for me.

Today our baby had her first dose of rice cereal.  She's been a little grumpy after feedings and not sleeping as well as usual, so we decided to go for it.  Each of the three older sibs had to help, of course.  Not sure how she puts up with all of us.  She liked it: Another food-loving fish.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

by Marci

We celebrated my dad's birthday today by eating our very first chicken eggs.  The Man of the House mandated that we collect at least ten eggs before we ate any of them, so here they are.  I love the farm, all things fish, and provolone cheese because of my dad.  And the kids adore Grandpa, of course.  

My husband might also use this day to give tribute to my dad for a golden truth that opened his eyes almost ten years ago.  Explained in the context of "it's the same with people, too":  A hen does not need a rooster to lay an egg!

EGGS! Take Two

by Marci

Saturday we began and mostly finished the project of painting the chicken coop.  Our cousins joined us, and all the kids participated.  The guinea hens squawked at high volume through the entire process.

Before

 Primer

 Topcoat(s)

The chickens must like the color: 1. because they've been pecking the paint off the walls like crazy, ahhh! And 2. because we got our first egg the next evening. We've been anticipating this day for almost five months!  Here's a congested description of how the second egg was secured (this morning).

Veterans Day

by Marci

Happy Veterans Day to our very own soldier and to all who work and struggle and fight (and keep the home front!) to preserve our freedoms and families.