In Loving Memory....My Beloved Father

Francis William (Bill) Richard, Age 76, of Aniwa, WI found peace with our Lord on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 after a courageous battle against intestinal disease. Bill was born July 10, 1932, in Argonne, WI to George and Hellen (House) Richard. United in marriage to Dixie (Holmes) Richard on September 26, 1959, they would have celebrated 50 years of marriage this fall.
A machinist by trade, a craftsman at heart, Bill retired 10 years ago from L&S Electric in Schofield, WI.
He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Dixie, his daughters Diane (Antonino) Ippolito of Caddo Mills, TX, Lisa Halsey of McFarland, WI and his grandchildren, Talia, Marcello and Giampietro Ippolito, Alanah and Rachael Halsey, five sisters, including his dearest sister Mary (Robert) Misfeldt of Antigo, two brothers and numerous nices and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and two sisters.
To honor Bill's life, the family plans a springtime memorial service for friends and family.

He labored hard for those he loved, then left us to remember. We trust he's gone to his reward.

A Tisket, A Tasket

Bunny Hill Designs unveiled the first block of the 2009 Free Mystery Block of the Month. It's really sweet. I'll be looking around for just the right fabrics. Jump on over to Bunny Hill and see for yourself the new basket block!
http://www.bunnyhilldesigns.com

My Favorite Things

Edelweiss

The Sound of Music

"And then I don't feel so bad."


"When the bee stings"

"Silver white winters that melt into springs"

"Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes."


"Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes." by Sophie

"Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings."

"Doorbells and sleighbells"

"Cream colored ponies"

"Brown paper packages tied up with strings"

"Crisp apple streudels" by Michelle

"Warm woolen mittens"

"Whiskers on Kittens"

"Raindrops on roses"







I've been discussing a swap I did about 4 years ago. I only know the names of the makers of two of the blocks. The theme I chose for my Birthday Blocks was based on the song, "My Favorite Things" from the film _The Sound of Music_. Each swapper chose a line from the song and designed a block to match. I haven't finished the additional blocks needed for a few of the lines because I wasn't able to find anymore of the background fabric. I have a lead on a few pieces now!

Don't Forget Daisy!

This little girl can't keep her nose out of anything! While out taking photos of some flowers and Andy, she demanded to get in on the action. She is almost a year old now. She will be getting a friend soon, we have a kid waiting to leave her mama and join our menagerie.

Hollyhocks

I bought a package of Hollyhock seeds mid-summer of '07 and planted them between some tomatoes. They really took off this spring, most are over 8 feet tall now and bursting into bloom. The fuscia ones are particularly striking. I bought two more packages to fill in some more boring areas around the yard. They plants thrived through the winter and several frosts, never even turned a brown leaf.

Our Winner

As Big Brown races his way into hearts around the world http://www.bigbrowntriplecrown.com/ we join those cheering that he will become the first Triple Crown winner in 30 years. He's an amazing horse! Remember to adopt an off-track Thoroughbred, they are desperately in need of loving homes. Here's my champion, Awesome Dude 6 years off the track.

Summer Blooms

Here's one of the Mother's Day cards I made. I missed taking a photo of the other, and mailed it off to Wisconsin. I have hollyhocks growing in the identical shade as these flowers.