Cincinnati Cyclones

Fun Cincinnati Cyclones hockey game tonight.  The Cyclones won 6 - 1, free personal one-topping Donato's pizza for ticket holders within three days.  Nice!

Also nice - a young man in a Bengals jersey several rows up caught a tee shirt and tossed it back to Aaron.

It was just a little rainy and warm when we came out of the arena, that was nice too.

Special Baby Quilt

I'm quilting a special baby quilt these days.  Once in a while I get to do one for friends or family, and I especially enjoy making those.

My new fitbit came in the mail yesterday and I am logging steps again.  Aaron reported that yesterday, between walking the dog and playing nine holes of golf, plus his usual little-boy running around, he had 30,000 steps yesterday.  A family record.  He slept in today, with spring break, and still had 10,000 steps by 5:00.  Then he was off to baseball practice.  Kids have more energy than anybody.

The grands and I went to Smale Park at the Cincinnati riverfront this afternoon.  It was a very popular place, since Cincinnati Public Schools must be on spring break too.  Not all the favorites were set up yet, as well as not all the swings that face the river, but we still had a good time.  Nora commented that she is happy that spring break seems to be going by slowly.  Her mom said that when she left work today, traffic was pouring out of the zoo.

I am so glad that the grands still like to spend time with me, going here and there.  Some of our used-to-be favorites have fallen off the list, of course, but there will be new favorites to come.

Spring Break Afternoon

We started spring break afternoon with lunch at The Gruff.  There were quarters placed in the parking meter, a short walk down the street, and choosing one of the two tables available by the windows.  An order of waffle fries right away, because the kids were hungry and because that's what we always do. 

There was a Gruff fail this time, no fault of the restaurant.  Nora always orders the soup of the day and always likes it, even if she thinks she might not.  She thought long and hard about the seafood chowder, decided to try it, and just didn't like it.  Points to her for giving it a try.  I should have asked for a sample for her to try.  There was plenty of pizza, and both kids enjoyed the bread that came with the soup.

Our plans were to go to the zoo, but midway through lunch Nora said she'd really like to go to a movie.  Out came our phones, and we discovered that Zootopia was showing close by.  It was a chilly and windy afternoon so that was a good choice.  Thumbs up for Zootopia, too.

There was a quick trip up the hill for the hand-off at their mom's office, which they always love.  It was a good day.

Hot Cross Buns

I have two hot cross buns left from Easter dinner.  I wish I'd taken a picture of the big box from Graeter's.  There were many boxes and bags of Easter orders, not as many as Christmas, but lots of people make those orders part of their Easter tradition.  And my store is one of many around the Cincinnati area.  I especially liked seeing the cakes . . . fabulous.

Still, there is something ever so nice about a yellow cake mixed by my grand girl with Easter eggs scattered over the chocolate icing. 

I admired the grands' candy egg haul  On Saturday night, they went to an egg hunt with flashlights.  Really nice, because it extends the fun of the egg hunt for kids who are a little older.  Aaron was a bit puzzled by a prize in one of his eggs - a coupon for a sub sandwich from a local shop.  He considered that a prize for an adult.

I woke up briefly to a thunderstorm in the night.  Very nice.  This morning the warm temperatures from yesterday have been blown away, leaving a crisp feel with low humidity.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter, everyone.

There is an egg and veggie sausage casserole in the oven for the church brunch.  I hope I'll be able to get it to the church kitchen without mishap since parking spaces (on the street) are at a premium.

In the refrigerator there is a broccoli casserole and homemade applesauce to take to my daughter's.  Lovely hot cross buns in the bakery box on the table.

I will be helping to serve communion during the service.  I need to get moving and out the door.

Platinum 16

Yesterday I bought a Viking Platinum 16 sit down quilter, and I'm pretty excited.  For you non-Viking people, it's like the Handi-Quilter Sweet 16.  

For you non-quilting people, it's a sturdy machine mounted on a table with lots of room to lay out quilts. Straight stitch only, quilting foot only.  Able to do lots of stiches quickly.  Perfect for me, since my quilts are usually baby quilt sized or a little larger, although you could easily do large quilts too.  Before it comes to my house, I'll have time to re-arrange things to make room for this new addition.  And practice my free motion.

I did get the stitch regulator, which some of my quilting friends say I won't use.  It helps keep the stiches the same size and seems like a nice feature, especially since I will be stitching faster than I'm used to.

Stay tuned.

Reasons to be Happy

Reason one is dyeing Easter eggs.  This year Nora and Aaron were able to dye their eggs with very minimal supervision, which was ever so nice.

Reason two is dinner at Steph's with Blue Apron.  There is just something about that box with everything you need and no more.  We had salmon burgers.  Delicious.

Reason three is a new fitbit charge on the way.  After ten months, the band was peeling away from the display part and the other day one side just broke off.  I called customer service and a new fitbit is on its way, under the limited warranty.  No hassle, no need to send a picture, no sending the original back, no receipt required.  They even offered me my choice of colors.  I loved my fitbit and am looking forward to the new one.  Thanks for the great customer service!

Cincinnati Zoo

It was a lovely, windy morning.  I was in the zoo's neighborhood for an errand, and stopped for a quick visit.

There were spring bulbs blooming.  The polar bear (or one of his cousins) that caused excitement last week when it got out of its habitat area - but was still enclosed - was snoozing peacefully.  The train was running, and that was nice.

Several of the food stands were open, although I passed on those.  This was a nice way to get in my exercise because it wasn't so busy that I'd bump into people or strollers.  There were interesting things to see.  I just might go again next week.

Little Baby Boy Quilt

Here is my quilt for a little baby boy in the NICU.

The back has Bob the Builder.  I'm sure I got that fabric on sale at my local fabric store.

I ordered hot cross buns for Easter this morning.  I know I could make them myself, but there's just something so nice about picking them up.

Elizabeth Hartman Fox

Note to self:  This Christmas, whatever projects aren't finished just don't get finished.  I will go to the store or get a gift certificate, or something, but I won't tell myself that I have to finish my project after Christmas. The end.

Having said that, here is my last-Christmas pillow for the teen-aged girl across the street.  Her bedroom was redone last summer in yellow and gray chevrons, and I had the perfect pillow fabric left from a baby quilt.

And then there is this Elizabeth Hartman fox pattern, so adorable with the glasses.  I thought she would like that.

And I hope she thinks it's worth the wait.

P.S.  I really wish I'd quilted the pillow top before putting the pillow together.  But then, it still wouldn't be finished.

Nora's Tournament

Nora's team won their first basketball tournament game yesterday, defeating a previously undefeated team.  She has a kind heart - seeing some of the girls on the other team crying she remembered her softball team last year.  They went undefeated during the season but lost in their first tournament game.

This was a different day, though, and after her game and Aaron's softball practice we met at Frisch's.  Neither kid ordered off the kid menu and both were so happy.  

This morning I got those grands off to school because their dad had his own tournament weekend, a golf tournament with a couple of his brothers and nephew in Alabama.  It's a yearly tradition for them.

I'm planning on meeting the kids at the bus after school and taking dinner, homemade chicken noodle soup (which they love,) fruit, and brownies.

Sporty Weekend

How fun to go to Aaron's basketball tournament yesterday and watch a close game.  Yes, they lost, as they did every single game this season.  After the first game of the season Aaron predicted just that outcome, and although we told him otherwise, he was right.  But he had a good game yesterday, making two technical foul shots and a rebound basket.  He was pleased and played hard, as evidenced with the redness in his face.  By the way, the technical foul was on the opposing coach, not one of the eight-year-olds.

Today is his sister's tournament and I'm taking Aaron to baseball practice.  Outside, so I'm hoping it warms up.  Maybe I can get in some walking during practice if the paths aren't too wet.

A Beer With Lunch

Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Porter

Steph had the day off yesterday and we had a lovely lunch at Flipdaddy's.  It's so close to home for me but I'd never been there.  Lots of burgers, and any of the variations could be made with a black bean burger.  I'll be back, I'm always on the lookout for a restaurant where I'll feel comfortable by myself.

How fun early yesterday morning to walk with Nora to her bus stop while Aaron was at the dentist.  And how fun yesterday afternoon to have a visit from Aaron while Nora was at her pitching lesson.  This afternoon will be a tournament basketball game for Aaron, and that may be the end of his basketball season.  No wins for his team during the regular season, but he's on to baseball practice and happy about that.

There should be a couple of warm days next week, and I'm hoping to do a bit of yard work.  Everything looks so worn.  A few of the ornamental grasses need to be divided and they all need to be cut back.  If I can do that much, things will look better.