The Shoemaker's Daughter

Monday, August 5, 2013

Just in Case you Wonder ...

... if I'm still quilting! Wonder no more! I have been working hard on beautiful customer quilts, too many to show them all. Here are some of them:

Promises by Leanne

Family Tree by Lydia

Shanda's Stitchers' Garden

Louettes Star Quilt

London Tube made by me

Tulip Quilt by Cheryl

Another Gorgeous Tulip Quilt by Cheryl

Fireworks Quilt by Deb Tr. (the picture doesn't do it justice)

Judy's T-Shirt Quilt

Marcia's Dots and Spots

Yvonne's Harley Fleece Quilt

Sonya's Gold Quilt

Joan's Sister Quilt

Joan's and Pat's Sisters Quilt, yes there were two!

And there were many, many more!

July has come and gone! First sooo hot, now sooo rainy and cool.

We celebrated Fran's 30th birthday on July 9th with a trip to the Museum of Science and Industry (her wish not ours). First we wanted to go to the Zoo, but it was humid and hot, and we didn't know if it would be raining. We love the museum, even Dan was very much entertained. The German 'U-Boot' is always fascinating. Fran was more interested in the hatching chicks. And Simon loved everything!

Then, of course, a couple of days later we had to go to the Zoo. Very disappointing! The animals were nowhere to be found, it was most likely too hot for them, especially the polar bears. We saw one lonely Giraffe with sagging skin who seemed to enjoy the hot weather.

Hot Day at the Zoo

Old Giraffe

Where are the Animals?

Lincoln Park Zoo

Boing 727 above at Museum of Science and Industry

Dan talks to Simon

We also went to the Railroad Days Parade in West Chicago where our friends Rudi and Ann Rust were Grand Marshalls!

Rudi and Ann Rust

Of course, Simon is familiar with all the Al Fresco restaurants in Roscoe Village, he loves to go out and mingle!

Piazza Bella

All in all, Simon gives July a thumbs up!

Simon at Ravinia

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

The Joys of Babysitting

I know I have been absent from this blog for quite some time. My laptop died and I still can't figure out how to blog from my iPad. If anybody knows, please e-mail me! I'm working on this old dinosaur laptop my husband 'loaned' me! He actually thinks it's perfectly fine! NOT!

I started my babysitting adventure mid May for my precious grandson Simon, this 'stint' lasted until the end of June. I 'commuted' to the City every day; except for Monday and Friday morning, travel times on the toll ways and express ways were quite long. My daughter Franziska is a 2nd grade teacher at Peck Elementary in Chicago and had to go back to work for 6 weeks until her summer break started end of June.

Simon and I had so much fun. We strolled around Roscoe Village and North Center daily; once we discovered Dinkel's Bakery we were regulars! We checked out some of the Chicago Blackhawks players' houses (and no, we don't want to be called 'stalkers'!). Fellger Park in Roscoe Village was a great place to hang out and meet other grandmas and nannies. I have never seen so many strollers in one place! We also (re)discovered a German restaurant and tried it out on a Friday night. Food was good, and so was the beer. We'll be back.

Laschet's Inn

Mother's Day

Tummy Time

Montrose Beach

Styling in German Jeans

Rock and Play, my favorite place

Dinkel's Bakery

Outing on a cool Spring Day

Roscoe Village

Going out to lunch with Grandpa

Love my fist

North Center

Getting tired

North Center

Let's go stroll

Of course, we checked Uncle John and Aunt Casey's place every day to make sure they watered their flowers. It's right around the corner from Fran and Luke's place. We just fell in love with Roscoe Village.

We met lots of nice doggies too! They loved Simon!

Mothers' Day was celebrated at the Hyatt O'Hare with Fran, Luke, John, Casey, Dan, Dieter and I. We love their brunch. This time it was special because it was Fran's first Mother's Day. Simon behaved very well, and we will hopefully be back next year. This was the first year Dan wanted to join us for brunch, he is in love with Simon and a great uncle.