Ohio Family Schnaegans – Year 3! (2025 Edition)

 

Once again, I made the annual trek to Ohio to reunite with my sister, MaryAnn, and her ever-growing crew of kids, grands, and great-grands. With MaryAnn living in Florida, we only get to see each other once a year—so we make it count!

This marked our third year of the Ohio Family Schnaegans meetup , and we hit a new record: 16 attendees—including a friend who fit right in! 🎉

Dinner at Kitchen Social

Feeding the Crew of 16!
How do you feed this crew of sixteen—all day long!  Some family rolled in Thursday for snacking and grilling, and by Friday afternoon, I was greeted by a glorious spread of snacks, cheeses, and goodies that kept the nibbling going strong. Tiffany had made dinner reservations for all 16 of us at Kitchen Social in Dublin—at 8 p.m. no less! Yes, if you know Bob and me, you’re probably wondering how I managed to wait for dinner that late. But I did! And the food? Absolutely spectacular. At least five of us boxed up half our meals and enjoyed them again on Saturday, joined by delivered pizza.

Yes, we all fit in the elevator from the parking garage to the restaurant!

Olivia (Luke's wife), Nancy (my sister's 
better half) and my grand nephew
Luke!

And now for some introductions!

My back!, Nancy and my sister, MaryAnn

Rileigh (my grand niece), Mitch (host & my
Grand nephew)  & Olivia my grand nephew's wife)

Olivia & my grand nephew Luke!

Mike, my nephew and his wife Beth

Emma is Rileigh's roommate in Tennesse.

Lynn, my niece and Zion (Mitch
& Tiffany's son)

My niece, Leigh and her hubby David

Leigh, Erin (my niece), Lynn & Zion

Tiffany & Mitch.  The best hosts around!

Thanks to Mitch and his wife, Tiffany, for once again opening their beautiful home to all of us!   There was something for everyone!

Their patio and backyard are a dream—perfect for games and gathering. We had it all—competitive corn hole tournaments, lively badminton matches, darts, pool and even nighttime card games in the basement.

Chill time!!!

Leigh, David, Luke and Olivia.  That's Piper, my sister's dog's tail bottom left!

Luke and David...snacking time!

A Rainy Day and a Wobbly Wrist
Saturday brought on-and-off rain, but it didn’t put a damper on the corn hole tournament! Mike & Luke were the winners.  But kudo’s to all the teams that did play:  Maryann/Nancy, Mitch/Liv, Luke/Mike, Emma/Rileigh, Tiff/Leigh, Erin/Lynn.

Badminton, on the other hand? Let’s just say it got a little too exciting. My niece Leigh took a spill and ended up with a broken wrist—though she didn’t even get an X-ray until she got back to Pennsylvania! This, my friends, is why I stayed a spectator all weekend.

Doggy Details ! 

Kalee and Gigi stayed home (which truly deserves its own post). My sister’s one-eyed dog, Piper, kept up with the whole crew like a spry puppy, and that adventurous spirit with just one eye? Definitely blog-worthy.

Erin brought her sweet Daisy along for the weekend too—she trembled most of the time but was a dear pup. Unfortunately, on the drive home to Pennsylvania, Daisy had a seizure. Poor Erin was beside herself, but her husband directed her to a dog ER for evaluation. Daisy’s now on anti-seizure medication, so we’re all hoping things stabilize.

This gathering isn't called Ohio Family Schnaegans for nothing!

My sister and her daughter, Lynn one night outside!  I don't think they were singing but...who knows!

Grandpa David was having a water fight with Zion (who was running away so fast I didn't get him in the picture!).

Poor Rileigh ended up getting the worst of the water fight!  She's in the red top sitting!  She couldn't get away fast enough.

I don't think Grandpa David was the winner...and yes, David, I'm keeping the other video's of  your celebration dance off my blog!  You can thank me later!

Sunday Sendoff:

It’s always a mad dash on Sunday morning due to everyone traveling back to Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Michigan!  But we were up bright and early and out the door by 8 a.m.  My niece and her son & wife were flying back to Florida so their flight wasn’t until 3 p.m.  and this year it was right on time!  Las year, Lynn, traveled from Ohio to out west!! Then back out east then to Florida.  Her trip home was almost 3 days back to Florida due to flights being canceled.  This year Luke and Olivia were her lucky charms!!

Sad to leave my sister and worse we didn't get a picture of us together dressed up.  So here is from our 2024 Ohio visit which will will have to do!  

…we aren’t getting any younger and the years go by so fast.  I always shed a tear and but hope we can still meet up either in Ohio, Tennessee or Florida!  Hard for me to leave the dogs for more than a weekend but who knows what the future will bring.

 I just want to say again to Tiff and Mitch a huge THANK YOU…you are both the best hosts around!  You open your beautiful home to all of us each year and I can’t believe you keep asking us to come back…but so glad you do!  Until our next meetup!!!

Daisy Update!!!!  Erin just sent me this photo of Daisy lying in the sun!  She looks like she is very content and doing well.  Hope she continues and no more seizures!

She's Back & Finished One!

I showed in a previous post (here) the four blocks that I finished quilting.  

 

I kept playing around with the layout and trying some fabric for sashing.

I found this crazy piece of fabric my daughter gave me years ago when she was downsizing her quilting supplies!  

Looks pretty 'quiet' here!  But just wait until I add all the sashings/borders.  

As I mentioned in my blog post, I'm using the QAYG method.  Some prefer to quilt the entire piece but since the blocks were already quilted, I decided QAYG was the easiest.

And IF I ever make another T-shirt quilt, QAYG is the only way for me.  I quilted panels then QAYG to join them.  

22" x 23 1/2" 

I know this is kinda a crazy looking quilt but what the heck!  I'll hang in my sewing room with all the other 'pale' quilts I've made!  HA  To keep the four blocks as they were would have been too easy and would not have given me  the quilting bug back!  So now I'm off to finish another block I found!!

Finishing small quilt blocks

5.5" x 8.25"

 Yep!  I'm on a roll...a few years back I took several online classes from Hilary (her FB page is here and her online shop is here).  I have a huge tub of papers I've printed as well as several small wall quilts I've made in her class.  My readers know I've always enjoyed taking classes from Hilary.  I started some of her classes in 2019!  I learned so much from her and the classes are also fun!

 I found a few pieces that I made in her class a few years ago.  This one I finished in  2020.  The background is paper I stenciled and the leaves were cut out of paper that I dyed/painted both from one of Hilary's classes.  

Hilary was teaching us to not be afraid to draw!  Yikes!  those who know me know I am very intimated by drawing of any type!

  

Actually, Hilary made it less scary for us and we even could trace from time to time!!  Woohoo!  This drawing was my design inspiration to make the small quilt above.

You can see the bubble background that I stenciled in pale colors,  then I free motion quilting around those bubbles.  

I could have done a better job of adjusting the tension on my machine but this was just suppose to be for fun!  HA

I have batting on the back of the bubble paper, which I believe I used 505 spray adhesive on the papers to adhere to the batting.  Then I added the leaves/stems and quilted to attach.

You can really see the tension problem...but from a 747! you can't tell!  HA  

I do remember liking this piece..so much so, it's been hanging on my design board since!  HA  Now to decide how to finish the edges.  

Oh, and if you're wondering...YES, I am taking another online class from Hilary starting in September!  It's called SCREEN PRINTING WITH NATURE!  

I may have another knitting project to work on but I need to get back to making quilts.  I've forgotten how much I miss it!  Although, I'm missing having a knitting project as well!  So much to do and not enough time to do it all!  HA

Great Jelly Heist: The Final Chapter!

 

Morning of capture

Well, Ralph has found himself a new home—and hopefully one he’ll grow to love! 🧳 Turns out, when relocating raccoons, you need to go at least 10–15 miles from their original site. Who knew they were such excellent navigators?

We made sure to leave a little welcome gift: a container of water in his new woodland digs, which are surrounded by ponds and plenty of trees. It looks like a raccoon paradise.

We’ll miss the little rascal, but the two robins nesting nearby will surely appreciate the peace and protection of their eggs. Plus, our jelly containers can rest easy now!  

He remained calm the entire time of his capture!  And even in the 30 min. car ride!  Sniff, sniff...kinda miss the little guy!  Here's the last picture of him before he went into the car for a sight seeing ride!!!   

I wish I could have got a video of releasing him!  Bob was too quick getting the door open to release him!  

Great Jelly Heist: A Midnight Caper

 

You truly can’t make this stuff up...well, I guess we could but we didn't!  HA

Something had been sneaking onto our deck at night and raiding the jelly meant for the birds. Classic raccoon behavior, we figured. So Bob picked up a live trap, and the plan was simple: catch our masked bandit and relocate him to a nice little recreation area where he could contemplate his life choices.

That night, around 10:45 p.m., I was getting the dogs ready for bed and heading out to collect the jelly dishes. I flipped on the deck light—and there he was! Perched on the railing, bold as brass, slurping jelly like he’d reserved a table. He didn’t flinch until Bob opened the door. That’s when he finally shuffled off.

Confident he’d be back, Bob baited the trap with marshmallows dipped in jelly (apparently a raccoon delicacy), and we set it near the deck stairs—his usual entrance and exit route. Around 5 a.m. I thought I heard something, but all seemed quiet. At 6, Bob peeked outside and thought he saw something odd near the door.

Turns out, that clever little rascal had fished the jelly dish out of the trap, lugged it up the stairs, and left it neatly on the deck by the door—like he was placing a room service order. We laughed ourselves silly. He even carried the tiny lid that held the jelly all the way back up like a prize.

Apparently, he’d managed to tip the trap over and daintily avoid the pressure plate altogether. Bob (a.k.a. Mr. Raccoon Relocation Engineer) is now back at the drawing board, rethinking his design. Because clearly, we’re not dealing with just any raccoon—we’ve got a four-pawed, thumbed-up Houdini on our hands.  Stay tune for the next episode!

She's Back!

 

Yep, I'm back being a quilter...well, for the time being!  HA  After I finished knitting my last top I needed something to work on!  I looked through some of my fabrics and found these blocks I stenciled a few years back! 

I had to finish quilting this one.  It felt so good to be quilting again!!!!

These were all the similar in width, but lengths were different, which was ok!

This one was also finished when I found it!

I had to quilt this one as well.  I'm not positive but I think I used either NeoColor crayons or Gelato's to stencil the leaves...I don't remember but it had to be one or the other.  DUH!

This was also quilted .  Next up I trimmed each block to

 8 1/2 width..then I squared the length to at least make even.  

One green block was about an inch longer from the other but I left it that way.  I thought it would look better than being so square!

 I then went in my stash hunting for some type of fabric to use for borders/strips.  I found this cool fabric my daughter gave me many, many years ago.  It's not quilting fabric..more like a light weight upholstery fabric.  But perfect for the borders.  So, next up was to QAYG (quilt as you go method) because blocks are already quilted!  

I use QAYG to make all the T-Shirt Quilts.  SOOOOO much easier than trying to quilt a huge quilt of T shirts.  

This fabric is wild but I love it!  

I just sewed the middle strip pieces on.  I'll finish quilting them later.  These strips finished at 2".

 Next, I have to sew in the center strip.  From there, I'll add the  borders, still using QAYG method but I'm going to make the borders larger...3-4 inches..depending on how much fabric I have left!   

It does feel SO good to be back quilting.  I think this will make a nice table topper for fall!  Now to make sure I don't start knitting before I finish this!  HA

Wavelets Finished

 

Yes, I finished my latest knitting project...I've even worn it already to dinner last Sunday!  Woohoo.  I'm happy with the color but did notice it sure can snag!  At dinner the chair I sat in was  wicker and my shoulder/arm kept getting stuck on it!  Yikes!  

The necklace I purchased at our local craft sale matches perfectly!  

I didn't realize you can't see the sleeve on my right side.  Darn. Looks like it was fold under my arm.  

 I'll have to take another picture.  It has a 4" slit on it and just looks so different instead of a tight sleeve!  You can see a little more of the sleeve on the left arm.

I wore a white tank top under the top.  And,  yes, I'm in my bare feet!  HA

I have some more of the Cotton Air yarn in Ecru & Gary (you use two stands to knit the pattern).  So,  I may make  this top again using those colors.  I think the color would be perfect for fall.  All of Yumiko's designs can be worn with tank tops or turtle necks or even blouses under them.  That's what I like.  I wear my tops all year long.

Now that my top is finished and I'm heading to Ohio the weekend of the 11th of July, I've been playing around with quilting again!  Easy to pick up and put down.  I don't lose count of where I'm at .  HA HA Feels so good to be back!  Woohoo!

A post in June! WooHoo

 I know I have been REALLY defunct in updating my blog!!  I've been busy but doing what, I can't think of what I have been doing!  HA

I started a new lace knitting project!  It's another pattern by DanDoh/Yumiko Alexander.  Yes, I am hooked on her patterns. 

 This is called Wavelets and it's really an easy pattern...no form fitting..just a relaxed lace top for summer!  I'm using her Cotton Air yarn, which is as thin as embroidery yarn!  And the pattern uses two strands but...I am shocked how easy it is to knit with.  

I don't remember when I started this top but this was taken on June 14th.  I had both front and back knitted.  Blocking in the summer sun!  Bob was afraid the birds would leave a 'present' for me on top!  HA  

I'm using Yumilo's ICE color, which is almost a pale blue.  It's a pretty color and I'm making progress.  I took this pic the other day after being out the humid Michigan weather!!! UGH...no, I don't like summer heat. So excuse the fuzzy hair!  HA

And check out the necklace I found at our little craft sale this weekend!!!  I was looking to see if I had any type of blue necklace but only had white.  I think this is really cool and the color matches perfectly! The stone is wrapped in copper.

I've finished one sleeve and will start on second sleeve this weekend.  I am planning on another trip to Ohio to meet up with my sister and nieces/nephews in July.  I should have finished by then!!!  

This is another distraction we have!  Bird watching.  this is a Red Bellied Woodpecker and a female Oriole!  We have tons of birds on our deck.  I have two jelly feeders, oranges and hummingbird feeders up.  We love watching the birds while we eat or when I'm cooking and doing dishes.  Love the little guys!

And, no, I haven't worked on any of the circle challenges since my last post!  Knitting has taken a priority!  If I have 30 min., I'm  knitting.  I don't sit during the daytime to knit and usually will get some time in after dinner/dishes before World News comes on at 6:30 (only news I watch).  Of course, dog walks are also after dinner too!  Where does the day go!  

Mother's Day 2025

 One of the best Mother’s Days ever! A perfect Mother's Day! It all started with another fantastic brunch made by Dawn. I was so excited to dig in that I completely forgot to take pictures of the spread... but trust me, it was a feast: crispy bacon, sausage, golden hash browns, overnight French toast, a veggie frittata and a ham/veggie frittata, two kinds of scones, fresh blackberries and raspberries.

And the best part? Being surrounded by my kids, all together, sharing stories and laughter. After brunch, we soaked up the sunshine and just enjoyed each other’s company.

Family, Food, and Conversation—the perfect recipe for a perfect day!

My son didn't want me to post pics on social media so I'm posting pics of all the kids here instead! Afterall, this blog is for me! It was the best Mother's Day I can remember. Just a wonderful day with the family!!!! We don't have enough of them now a days!!!

Bob and I

My babies! Darrin & Dawn

Nancy, Kris' mom

My grand babies...Amber and Nick

My son -in law, Jeff  and daughter-in-law, Kris

Circle Challenge Week 17 & 18

 Yes, I'm still working on the Circle Project.  From my understanding, this is a weekly challenge for the entire year!  Yep...the entire year.  My squares are all around 6 inches so easy to finish in a week's time.

Week 17: Dogma Rules: 

1. 1 piece of fabric you think looks nice together with week 16. Trace 1 circle. 

2. Make small marks on the fabric, random (I show you a way in the video), make as many as you like, but at least 15. Trace small/smaller circles where the marks are.

 3. Use only satin stitches/ flad syning på dansk and embroider each circle you have marked up.

 4. Thread. Use thicker threads in colors you think looks good on your fabric.

 

Week 18:  Dogma Rules: 1. 

1 piece of watercolor paper or cardstock. Trace 1 circle. Paint it light blue.

 2. Trace 1 smaller circle centered on the blue circle. Pre poke holes in the circumference of both traced lines. Make a smaller one inside the “ring” you already have made and do it exactly the same way.

 3. Use only the herringbone stitch/ på dansk heksesting. 

4. Thread. A color you think looks good on your painted piece.

I finished knitting the top but still have to knit the sleeves on.  To be honest....I am not happy with my workmanship.  I see several 'issues' with my knitting...so what to do...finish and just wear around the house?  Don't finish?  Send to Goodwill for someone else to finish it?  Or just unknit the entire bugger!  which I am seriously thinking of doing.  SIGH...........

Easter 2025 Weekend

Good Friday was kicked off with Easter ham dinner shared with my kids—we missed Dawn (living it up in Paris!) and Nick (hitting the books at college). The kids continued a sweet tradition and gifted me a gorgeous lily plant.

Saturday, I picked up my new Buick Envision Avenir! I love it!!! We're lucky to have Bob's brother sell cars so he always finds just what we want! This is a 2025 and replaces my 3 yr old Envision. They are similar but so many more features on the new car! My last Envision I turned in only had 12,009 miles on it - and it was a 3 yr lease! I don't get out of Goodrich often! HA

On Sunday, Jeff joined us for a ham and scalloped potato dinner & came bearing treats! Kris dropped off the Easter basket filled with her famous sugar cookies—an entire dozen of perfection—and Jeff sweetened the deal with Baskin-Robbins strawberry cheesecake ice cream for Bob and me to try.

Yep, what's left of a delicious cookie with a cup of tea!!!

The weekend was busy, joyful and filled with love, laughter, and plenty of good food... but sadly, not a single family photo. Maybe next time! Where have I said that before!

Circle Challenge 15 & 16

Still keeping up!!!!  

Week 15

Dogma Rules:

1. A piece of heavy watercolor paper or cardstock. Trance 1 circle and paint it in a light wash in one of these colors: blue, green or turquoise. Mark up 3 slices, If you want to have a center in the middle or off center the slices are up to you.

 2. Punch a bigger hole where the 3 slices meet and punch holes in the outer circle line of all 3 slices.

3. Now it is like mending socks. Make the warp. Come up from behind in the outer circle and go down in the middle hole, and so on. Do the same on the 2 other slices.

 4. Start weaving/mending. Go over and under the threads in the warp, the row. Do it opposite in the next row and so on. 5. Thread:  one in the colors blue, green or turquoise. 

Week 16

Dogma Rules: Inspiration: Abstract landscape.

 1. 1 piece of background fabric. 4 strips of different patterned/colored fabric of your choice. Sew the 4 strips together so you’re able to trace 1 circle where all the 4 fabrics are visible.

 2. Use only straight vertical stitches/ på dansk lige vertikale sting. How big/small and where on your fabric you will embroider the stitches is up to you. Sew only inside the traced circle. 

3. Thread color free. Be inspired by your fabric. 

4. When you’re done with your embroidery, cut the circle out, place it on your background fabric and invisible basting it down.

Until We Bead Again

 I found Beth Murr's we site years ago and purchased her beading patterns.  Because these old eyes find it hard to bead, I haven't been beading lately.  I see where Beth has retired from nursing and is posting  her patterns, YouTubes and Etsy shop again!  

If you wanted to learn peyote stitching (making rings, etc.) check out her blog!  Beth's blog,  

These are some I made back in 2018?  I still use mine but I only have the orange one and needle case next to the orange that I kept.  Others were given as gifts.  They are fun to make and you'll impress your friends with your work!