Let’s see if I can actually remember what 2017 brought my way. I’m only going to try to recall wonderful moments and experiences. The rest is not worth my time.
Winter is usually a quiet time but I did get to go to my favorite quilting retreat up at the beautiful Bishop’s Ranch in Healdsburg. In May I went to Italy with my Italian teacher and friends. Several of us spent the first and last few days exploring Venice, always one of the most magical of cities. In between Venice, we spent time in Friuli-Giulia with a focus in Trieste, a unique and remarkable city. I would highly recommend a visit.
I was home from Italy just in time for one grandson’s second birthday. We then made several visits to Seattle during the summer with visits to the Science Center, the Aquarium, a four year old’s birthday party and of course, a visit to Thomas the Tank engine. The summer ended with our granddaugher’s seventh birthday party. I plan my life around these parties. I will not miss one! Someday it won’t be important to the kids whether we are there or not.
A long awaited five year reunion to France commenced in September with time in Nice, St. Paul du Vence, Menton, Antibes, museums and art supply stores! Our group then boarded a train for Paris! My first time there. I loved it! We sketched with our fearless leader, Jane LaFazio, every opportunity we could. We saw so many splendid sights with Musee d’ Orsay being my favorite or was it Sainte Chappell?! We visited Giverny, had an extraordinary “Hemingway in Paris” tour in addition to a Taste of Paris tour.
As soon as I was home, I began binding the quilt pictured about. It was a special Christmas present for my two year old grandson. I made my four year old grandson a special “cars” fleece bathrobe and my seven year old granddaughter 12 inch letters that spell out her name, covered with buttons I had actually made the first letter of here name for her birthday then she requested that I make the others. Of course I did. I’m the Nonna!
We had the whole family here for Christmas. I don’t think I have ever experienced a more joyful, noisy, chaotic holiday! I wouldn’t have changed a thing! We did get the grandkids to sit together for a nano second for photos. With the Waterlogue App I turned the photo in to a painting, pictured above. It only takes the touch of a button.
