A Lovely Day for Frances

This past summer was one of those summers...you know the kind that blows by like the seeds from a dandelion pod. It seems as though the school year had just finished last May when suddenly we were picking pumpkins for fall. Midst the sadness of burying Dean's father and losing Izzy pooch to cancer, our family also experienced sheer delight welcoming a beautiful new grand babe to the world.

Frances Anne's arrival has made this little family of five simply perfect.

I am frequently asked if Cassandra is stressed and just how she is able to manage three little people.

She claims it is so much easier than the last time she delivered a baby. Remember Olivia was six months old when Henry was born. 

It doesn't hurt that Frances is just about the best baby I've ever seen. Oh and that hair...we are all in love with that hair!

The family gathered on the first Sunday in September for Frances's special day. 

Even Lucy came along...her first road trip!

Uncle Chet is constantly harassed...jumped on...and asked for piggy back rides from "The Bigs"...the latest term of endearment we use on Olivia and Henry since we can no longer refer to them as "The Babies."

Beautiful Hailey accompanied Dione and obviously fit right in with her polka dots. 

Living in LA, Auntie Didi misses out on a lot of family events. And couldn't wait to be part of this one.

Oh...and Olivia was thrilled to have the extra attention. 

I made Frances's special dress using bridal silk and bridal lace. The pickups on the gown were hand beaded with tiny pearl beads.

She looked heavenly...as did her mamma. 

I also finally finished Frances's baby quilt just in time for the big day. I designed and completely hand pieced this hexie quilt which matches her pink and grey girly girl nursery. I think it's one of my favorite baby quilts ever. The fabric line that Cassandra picked out is called Story Time and I adore it.

Little Miss Frances is pink and new and perfect...and so was her special day.

Hmmm...what's that puppy nose doing in the picture? 

I am just so profoundly grateful for this beautiful child and the joy she brings this Nanny Goat.

I think Auntie Didi is in love with her as well!

Donuts and Red Shoes...Embracing Jiggy Day

It's Jiggy Day...and I am eating freshly glazed donuts for breakfast and wearing new red shoes.


Because anything red ALWAYS reminds me of my girl...but especially red shoes!

 My heart generally surges and then constricts on Jocie's birthday...causing joy and pain simultaneously.

I find it incomprehensible that my youngest daughter would be 22 today and even further unfathomable that this is the seventh birthday we have celebrated without her. 

The inability to make new memories is one of the cruel realities about losing someone very close to you. As friends and family age...she remains forever fixed in time. A beautiful rose oblivious to seasonal changes or passage of time.

This beautiful rose will always be 15.

I see so much of Jocie in the world around me...like the antics of her teenage brother choosing Hello Kitty for his senior year backpack.

Or downloading the photos from my camera...to find these gems waiting for me! Harassing mom used to be a favorite pastime of Jocie's.

Certainly Jocie would have been on the top of this boulder rockin' the Warrior pose with her siblings.

And she would be completely supportive of this behavior...

as well as this nonsense!

When Jocie was this age she liked sugar, shoes and shopping...

and hated having her hair fixed each and every morning...which completely describes Olivia.


Playing with crazy lovable Kenya always reminds me of Jocie, because she picked her out of that litter of puppies the day we brought her home. Kenya being the most hyper pup...I remember Jocie exclaiming, "See mom, she acts just like one of us!"

Sometimes I wish I could sneak just one new memory out of the past...

one moment I've forgotten.

Something ridiculous that Jocie said...

or even better...a breathtaking mother daughter memory that belongs to just the two of us.

So today my friends I have a wish for you,

or shall I even make it a challenge!

Do something extraordinary...

or even ordinary today,

with someone you love,

doing what you love...

and photograph it, sketch it, journal it,

just document it in some way. Record that memory and tuck it away for safe keeping. Trust me...you will be so happy you did. Happy Jiggy Day to all our friends and family!