Eye update

For those of you still following along on my health journey, it's been a while of steady state.  I just saw my Birdshot specialist in Denver, and my eye stability continues.  We have decided to make my next infliximab infusion (just before Thanksgiving) my last for a while, and hopefully forever.  And if stability continues next summer, we'll talk about coming off the mycophenylate.  Hurray!  God has been incredibly good to me for me to get this far in fighting a disease where a huge portion of patients can never come off their meds.  And already my body is loving the decrease.  I haven't had an infection since last April!  A record since I have been on big-gun immune-suppressants.  It is a long road fighting this disease.  But I see Gods hand in all of it, and His blessings and care along the road. 

Rejoice with me, Gentle Reader!

Fall projects

Amid all the craziness of the Fall schedule, a little sewing was accomplished.  For fall birthdays, a music bag, some skirts, and a baby blanket were completed.

These skirts, for the Tucson sisters, have matching doll skirts.

Then some projects were completed for Cousins Camp: tote bags, stuffed dolls, and t-shirts.

And I also finished a couple of table toppers.

And now, amid all the craziness of travel to Denver and Europe in November, an infusion, and a housefull for Thanksgiving, we'll see how many of the Christmas presents I get done!

Gila Wilderness Gran Fondo

Right after Cousin's Camp V, we joined Tim, Nikki, and Ella in Silver City, NM, to cheer Tim on as he road in the Gran Fondo: 108 miles, and over 10,000 feet of ascent.  He is nuts, but he is a strong climber, and born at altitude as he was, nothing scares him about elevation changes!

We drove from hill to hill and cheered him on and gave him water.  Team Finnegan did awesome support!  In the end, the boy finished third over-all.  Way to go Tim!  

And we got to see some lovely territory, and spend extra time with the Tucson Finnegans.  We will definitely return to do more exploring in the Gila!

Cousins Camp V

Well, it's one for the books!  Cousins Camp 5 was from Oct. 8-11 at Grand Canyon National Park, South Rim.  We camped at Mather Campground with the eldest four grandkids, and had a cool time-- a VERY cool time, with temperatures deciding to plummet well below freezing unexpectedly!  But we hiked, played, saw the sights, and grew in our love of God's creation and each other!  Here are a few of my favorite shots.

Spring Projects

Well, sewing time has been sparse with the onset of summer gardening and travel season!  I have chipped away at a few big projects:  working on blocks 18 and 19 of a BOM challenge, working on 6 appliqued place mats  and a table runner ready for quilting, and getting a little more done on the endless pineapple squares for a quilt for my bed.  Most of the completed projects have been gifts for the grands, and a few others.  Here are the things completed this spring:

A small table topper and coasters

A set of kitchen hand towels for my sweet dil

A little dino for a new friend

I made fabric valentines for the grands, with note pockets on the back, and each note pocket had an original couplet poem for that child. I made 6, but only got photos of two, front above, back below.

I made a plethora of tiny stuffed animals for the grands for Easter: little chicks, a couple of sock bunnies, an otter, a bug,
and a swan.

Two grand daughter birthdays meant doll clothes.  I am missing photos of a couple pieces.

And ahead: a new twin-sized quilt for grand daughter #2, and birthdays for two more grand daughters, and then Christmas!  So much sewing and so little time!