A 70 Degree Swing!

From WGN in Chicago...

"The polar vortex brought dangerous sub-zero temperatures, and some of the coldest weather the Chicago area has seen in decades.  Since then, the city has seen a 71-degree turnaround in temperature from Wednesday's minus 25 to Sunday's 46.  In 72 hours, the steam sweeping over a rock solid Lake Michigan is gone , and there are cracks in the ice."

Oh what a week we had here in Chicagoland.  

All the while I was preparing for Charlotte's and Jon's Baby Shower.

 It's a tradition starting with my Mom to make these baby cakes.  

Made with tiny diapers and receiving blankets, and tiny sock roses.

I die cut all the tendrils.

The ruffle is actually a baby tutu.  Buying a pair of them for the twins was so much fun.  Imagining those tiny girls wearing them made me, and everyone who saw them smile.

It's a tradition.

 Dear SIL Elizabeth and I arranged these centerpieces.

I spent a little over fifty dollars and we made six arrangements with flowers to spare.

With the weather so cold, things just stopped for a couple of days.  It was everything done in the last minute for this shower.

 They turned out so beautiful.  The theme was Two Peas in a Pod.  I bought beautiful packages of pea seeds.  We displayed one package in each arrangement.  Elizabeth and I have been collecting these milk glass pedestals for years.  We actually first used them for Kristen's baby shower almost seven years ago.  This time they went home with some special ladies.  

 One arrangement from the back.

 Here's my girl in front of all the gifts.  She was so excited to be included with this group of ladies.

She carried on conversations about yoga, how she has to work on her landings while she is trying to do a cartwheel.  Food, she loves caviar too.  She is not your typical 6 year old. She especially enjoyed the fancy bathrooms, just like a hotels, she said.  

 The stars of the show Charlotte and Jon. They were just back from a checkup and scans of the girls.

All is well, and the girls are growing and gaining weigh. 

We are all so excited for these two to be parents.

The are both so kind, sweet and funny.

They have accomplished so much,

 overcoming some tough times. 

 They've made their home in Indiana, not too far away.  

They are so loved. 

 My beautiful SIL's Elizabeth and Mindy. Penny popped in.

Here my niece Michele, my first baby who will be 50 this year!

My other sweet SIL Lynette and newlywed niece Amy.

Photo bombed by Grandma Roseann, our hostess with the most est.

These were the favors.  The amazing cookies are from Nic's Custom Cookies.

You can find her on her facebook page.

Now here's a little drama.  With the polar vortex closing down Chicago, the airport and the post office, I was afraid that the cookies would not arrive in time.  I photo copied a pea seed packet and had purchased the green sixlet candies, so I made, "just in case" favors.

The cookies were to arrive Friday, but there was still no mail service.  We had a routing number, but the cookies were not showing up on the USPS site.  I waited in line at the PO.  People were not happy, and some crabby people preceded me in line. I went up to the counter and the gentleman tried to help, but there was no information and no cookies.  I really felt bad for the poor guy.  Don't blame the messenger, right.  I went to bed Friday thinking it was too bad, and that we would have 40 beautiful cookies we would have to eat ourselves, when they finally showed up.  Then a mini miracle.  My dearest was checking on line, and checking.  He said, Sorry Hon, they are at the distribution center... Then an hour later, They are at our PO but won't be delivered till 8:00 tonight.  I was at the PO at 8:30 when they opened Saturday morning.  There was already a line of anxious people.  The same gentleman that helped me Friday was at the window.  I showed him the screen save of the notice that the cookies were there.  Bingo, Bango, we had our cookies, with just minutes to spare before we had to leave for Indiana, and the noon shower. I wanted to yell as he brought the big box of cookies to me. I would have hugged that postal worker had there not been a dutch door between us.  Those cookies were a big hit, beautiful and delicious.  Nic packed them so well, each individually wrapped.  I highly recommend her cookie co.  They were little works of art. 

The shower was a great success.  Many friends and family traveled to attend.  Roseann, Charlotte's Mom chose a beautiful venue, with excellent food.  It was a combined effort for our kids.

Those little girls have everything they need, especially family and friends who will love and guide them though out their lives. 

 Yesterday would have been my Mom's 100th birthday.  Here she is with Dad and Jon Jon, Kristen and Michele. Time has passed since she died, but there is still a hole in my heart that only my Mom can fill.  I've lived longer without her, I was just 30 when she died.  This month I'll be 64, just a year younger than when she left us.  I am so happy that Jon and Charlotte choose her name Irene for one of the girls that will be born this spring.  It will keep Mom's memory alive for another generation.  I'll make sure that all my granddaughters know about their great grandma Irene.  I talk to Penny about her all the time.

When we were stuck inside, I found my Mom's old knitting bag.  It had wooden handles and was in my closet for forever.  Kristen and Doug just purchased a new sofa.  It's blue velvet.  Penny adores cats.  I decided I would try to take apart and wash the bag and see what would happen.  It turned our beautiful.  I had a pillow form that fit it and sewed up a pillow for Kris' new sofa.  I told Kris my Mom was clairvoyant.  She saw in the future Kristen's blue velvet sofa and Penny's love of cats.  Both Kris and Penny love the pillow and the history of Great Grandma's knitting bag.

  Thank you for dropping by and for your kind comments.  

Mostly, for your friendship, it means so much to me.

Enjoy this beautiful day.

Love, Penny