In love with my granddaughter

I just got back from ten wonderful days in Spokane with my new granddaughter, Juniper. I'm head over heels in love with the tiny bundle -- only 5 pounds 14 ounces when she was born but gaining steadily. 

I'm not showing her full face because my daughter worries about online predators and weirdos out there. But trust me, she's a BEAUTIFUL baby!

I could hardly take my eyes off of her (even though I'm looking at my phone in the picture). I held her for hours at a time while she slept and her parents rested. Charlie the cat always kept watch over her. He signaled his acceptance of me with a head bump.

Her tiny perfect hands just stole my heart, especially when the little fingers wrapped around mine! And the little feet!!! Am I gushing? Yes, I am.

The other cat, Tiny, and the rabbits weren't nearly as interested in her as Charlie was. I think Tiny just wanted to be outside in the snow.

I also did plenty of cooking to nourish Juniper's exhausted parents. They're both on parental leave and have settled into a routine where they watch the baby in shifts while the other sleeps. Since she was so tiny, she needed to eat every two-three hours round the clock. Jade is a nurse who normally works the night shift, so he's taken that shift at home and Julia is on duty during the day. I wish I lived closer so I could help more, but I know I'll be visiting as often as I can.

Have a colorful day

Canyon Wind finished

"Canyon Wind," 36.5 x 49.5 inches

My first quilt finish of the year is one I started last summer, "Canyon Wind." It was inspired by my trip to the Grand Canyon. It sat on my studio floor for months just waiting for the binding, which I finally put on along with the hanging sleeve and label. Done!

I'm thinking of offering it for sale, so if you're interested email me to discuss: sherriequilt@yahoo.com.

I was going to paint my own fabric until I found the orange/purple strata batik in my stash and decided to use it instead. I cut it on the diagonal to give the quilt movement.

I imagined that as the wind kicks up in the canyon the air is full of energy and flashes of light and feathers and dust, so that's what I tried to portray.

It makes me feel as if a storm is coming.

On my visit last summer it was calm, but after living in the desert for four years now I know that can change quickly. Storms in the desert are incredibly dramatic!

The raven was at the Grand Canyon. The saguaros below are from my desert last week, where we've escaped the winter storms that are hitting most of the country. My hike yesterday was warm and sunny!

And look whose name made the list of Edgy Girl Names for 2024! Juniper, my little granddaughter!

Have a colorful day

Quotes to help you sleep like a baby

Wouldn't we all like to sleep like a baby? Like little Juniper, my granddaughter who is now four days old and sleeping and eating like a champ!

I subscribe to www.inspiringquotes.com, and this morning's quotes were all about calming our minds at bedtime. Here are my favorites.

I used to dread going to bed when I suffered from insomnia for many years, but I conquered it with lots of work and now I love closing my book, turning off the light and curling up in bed at night knowing that sleep will come.

One of my techniques for getting to sleep some 30 years ago was picturing a beautiful deep blue quilt that I had seen in a book. Every time my mind started to worry and feel anxious, I would refocus on picturing that quilt. After awhile, picturing it became an automatic trigger for relaxation.

I read a lot of Buddhist books to calm my anxiety. Pema Chodron and Thich Nhat Hanh were among my lifelines about 10 years ago, and I still touch base with them regularly. (I don't know how to put the accent marks on their names.)

 

Some more quotes by Thich Nhat Hanh that I find soothing:

"Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today."

"People deal too much with the negative, with what is wrong. Why not try and see positive things, to just touch those things and make them bloom?"

Wishing you beautiful and sweet dreams tonight.

Have colorful dreams

I'm a grandma!!!

Baby Juniper was born this morning in the predawn hours after a looooong labor for my daughter! She's my first grandchild and I'm so happy. They're in Washington state, so I'm flying up in a week and a half to meet her, giving their little family time savor the new situation before I get there. 

Everyone is healthy and happy, but tired. I'm tired too, because I woke up throughout the night to see if I had missed any calls since Julia went into labor. I was so relieved when I got the news this morning that she was safely born that I burst into tears. 

Have a colorful day

Hurkle-durkling into the New Year

 

I just learned this great word! I've definitely been hurkle-durkling all week, staying in bed way longer than usual and then staying in my pajamas for hours while drinking coffee and killing time on the computer. 

But I did get up and dressed in time for the first hike of the New Year with the Shady Ladies. I also spent New Year's Eve with them playing Mahjongg at Barb's house after our potluck meal.

I made chicken enchiladas for us, and they were so good that I made more yesterday for myself. But instead of rolling each tortilla around the chicken, I stacked the tortillas, chicken, cheese and sauce in layers like a lasagna. Much faster and way less messier.

 

Last night we had a spectacular sunset! I took this photo from my front porch with my iPhone using no filters or photo editing. It really was that amazing. The next morning I got an equally beautiful photo from Don of his overnight snowfall in Flagstaff.

On the pregnancy front, my daughter is now three days away from her due date and everything is looking good to go! She posted this photo a few days ago.

Have a colorful day