Saturday, May 11, 2013

Mother's Day

My mom, Marcella Mae Pontious McNally was born in 1918.  Here she is in 1944.  Big smile, fancy hairdo of the times.   She looks like fun.  And she WAS fun!

My mom did so much for us as we were growing up.  The family finances were such that vacations were camping/fishing trips to the rivers, forests and mountains from CA to Yellowstone Park.  I'm certain she would have loved to have stayed at the resort....being served her meals instead of pumping up the Coleman gas stove and fixing us three squares a day.  She made life around the campsite fun.  We would go on scavenger hunt hikes, fish in streams, play with the worms (!), look at all the wildflowers and feed peanuts to the squirrels.  There are family pictures of myself and my two younger brothers...some in diapers.....those were cloth diaper days and our campsites boasted a family-sized canvas tent, a fire ring and a wooden table.  Down the road somewhere there was an outhouse and a cold water spigot.  Mom did the laundry, cooked the meals, tended to the diapers, bandaged up the scrapes, cleaned the fish AND had us bathe in the tent each evening before we went to bed.  And I think I rough it with a 30' trailer complete with microwave, air conditioning and a nice shower!
 
Mom was a whiz at cards. Pinochle, Gin Rummy, Bridge, Shanghai, Spite and Malice.  Oh, my, was she good at cards.  Here eyes would light up and she'd hear all the news, get you to bare your soul while she played cards.  She could to the Sunday New York Times Crossword puzzle in INK. She also loved jigsaw puzzles.
 
Mom was involved in our activities...Camp Fire, Little League, Room Mother, you name it...she participated.  She was a good cook.  Not a gourmand, but she cooked good, solid food well.  Growing up we loved her Tamale Pie, Chili-mac, Jello Poke Cake.  She made marshmallows!
 
She excelled at being a grandma....I learned so much from her in my life: how to live honestly, to be kind and a good friend to others, to serve those less fortunate.  How to be a good mother and wife.  I miss her each and every day.

 
In 1992 Bill and I began a tradition of yearly visits to Maui with my parents. We cherished those 2 weeks in Paradise with my folks.  Mom and I had so much fun visiting with each other, sharing family news, trips to the Farmer's Market to get whatever was fresh and cook it  up.  We'd eat on the lanai, on the beach, wherever.  Dad and Bill snorkeled and explored as guys will do.  They did do the barbecuing.  I think we were able to make 7 or 8 trips together. 
 
Mom---you enriched my life in so many ways.....I am who I am because of you and I hope I made you proud.

Sunday, May 5, 2013

While the cat's away.....

The other night Liz and  I went to a "Ladies Night Out" craft fair and to Quilt Guild.  Sydney and Gampa had a fun night too.  They ate dinner at Sydney's favorite place (Sizzler) and when we came home this is what we found!  I guess when the Moms are away.....the accordions they will play.

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Our Staff Retreat

I didn't realize that I hadn't posted the pictures of our staff retreat in April.  It was so much fun.  We rented a beach house in Brookings, OR, we closed the store and took our staff on a lovely quilting retreat.  Liz and I planned the meals, did the shopping, prepared little surprises and gifts. One night we all opted for ice cream from Dairy Queen instead of dinner....it was that kind of trip.  In no particular order here are some shots:

One night we made authentic Carnitas....and so there were Margaritas, complete with tiny umbrellas.
Kathi taught a zipper bag class....here she's conferring with Liz.

Kathi & Geri....does our staff love each other or what?

Several of the gals made matching flannel PJ bottoms....Scottie Dog Fabric, of course!
Laura taught everyone how to make Pico de Gallo!  I'll never buy it again...so good and so easy!
(L-R: Laura, Geri, Kathi, Katie, Liz)
Judy sewing away...our machines were smoking
 Geri and Katie were good students and finished their "Little Glam Bags" from Kathi's class.

Morning comes early when you stay up late watching movies!  Crystal & Laura.




 

I think Katie sums it all up, "What could be more fun!"
 
We all said many times, "Why don't we do this often?"  And why not?  We are a bunch of ladies who love to quilt, love to have fun & laugh, and genuinely like each other!