This is too cute not to share … she means grandparents not parents but she got most of it right!

It’s always a special day for me and one I spend thinking of my Dad. This year, I decided to visually show the little ones how they connect to their Irish heritage.

Rae …

and Caleb …

… are the only two old enough to understand but I did photos for all 4 of the kids.

My grandparents, Patrick McLaughlin and Mary Anne Wallace immigrated from Ireland in 1922. They settled in Philadelphia and met at some point, married, and my Dad was their second child of eight and their oldest son. I really need to ask around and find out if anyone knows how they met. I don’t think I’ve ever heard that story.

I’ve always been proud to be the granddaughter of immigrants and a part of what makes this country special.

It was a bit drizzly but we still got out on the bikes. I am SOOO enjoying being outside more and enjoying the area we live. A twelve and a half mile ride today and I always love seeing dolphins in our bay!

Sparkman Wharf is a new area downtown and while I wasn’t impressed on my first visit weeks ago, we enjoyed our ride there today … there was a large cruise ship docked … I didn’t realize that they docked right next to this wharf.

It wasn’t as crowded today, probably due to the weather so we were able to sit a while before we got back on the bikes.

I’ll be honest and say upfront that I don’t consider myself an artist … maybe one who crafts or a creative person?! We went to dinner the other night and struck up a conversation with a guy at the bar … Keith asked what he did at one point and he told us he was an artist and Keith said he’d never met an artist before. On the walk home, I asked him didn’t he consider me an artist?! I know it’s not the same thing and I don’t call myself an artist but I’m glad I have time to pursue creative things! I really wasn’t giving him a hard time either … I know he appreciates what I spend my time doing.

Funny thing is that as we continued to talk at the bar, we discovered that we are both patients at Moffitt – fellow creative spirits and cancer patients.

We thought we’d be OK riding downtown today since St Patrick’s Day is tomorrow but I guess they’re celebrating early in Tampa. The river is green…

I’m loving the new bike …. although I didn’t love the crowds today. We did 11 miles and then watched the Lightning win again tonight. Go Bolts! It was a good day!

I’d made a couple doll quilts in the past to give myself some small handwork projects but I didn’t really get into making them until we moved here to Tampa. I saw it as a way to use leftover bits or even blocks and end up with a piece of wall art, a quilt for one of my granddaughters’ dolls, or a donation. I also get to use up leftover pieces of batting and backings so I feel really frugal when I’m making one! (You can see a slide show of the full images by clicking on any photo.)

Do you make doll quilts?!

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This view might be too distracting when pool season rolls around but I’m enjoying it while I sit and sew. I set some goals for the 2 weeks left in the month before I travel … I probably wouldn’t have accomplished as much today if I wasn’t focused on what I wanted to get done before I head out of town on the 25th.

In addition to piecing spool blocks, I trimmed the doggie Strippie, made the binding and got it machine stitched on – I’ll get it hand stitched down this week. I also pieced a back for one of the charm quilt tops from our January precut party and I’ll get that one quilted this week.

So my goals for the next 2 weeks are:

• Finish piecing spool blocks and assemble top
• quilt 2 tops
• bind the doggie Strippie
• make progress on (?finish knitting) the turquoise afghan.

I might be spending too much time at the local pub watching hockey when the bartender pours my beer before I order! It’s nice to have a safe place within walking distance where I can get dinner and watch some of the game when Keith is out of town. Go Bolts!