Four days last week were devoted to travelling to my granddaughter-to-be’s baby shower! The due date is May 21st, just around the corner. I am pleased to say, all of the gifts I had in my mind to make were accomplished. This included making up five Rebel newborn onesies, using my son’s business logo…

One Rebel Bro t-shirt for the step-brother to be…

And a tiny embroidered jacket.

Mr. SFO hopes REBEL isn’t going to be a self-fulfilling prophecy. I went to a baby shower a few years back where the theme was “monkeys” and from what I saw of the family afterwards, the wish was granted! I assured Mr. SFO that traits usually manifest themselves every other generation and we’d be okay, but we’ll have to wait and see. Whatever happens, I’m totally down for it!

The DD and I drove five hours south for the event; it was much warmer and the trees were all blooming. The Plymouth waterfront was beautiful and all the little boats were starting to fill up their places in the harbor for the summer, just like the perfect New England harborside town.

You can just see the Mayflower on the left side of this photo– I was more interested in the water this day. It isn’t the real ship– it’s a complete re-build that was done in the 1950s, I believe. A few years ago, the ship got a total makeover for Plymouth’s big 400th anniversary of the landing in 2020– I guess you know what happened to that celebration!

The town has a lot of history. There’s also Plymouth Rock– I doubt the Pilgrims really set foot on it, but it has a history of its own– the British tried to take it away just before the Revolution, because it was a symbol of freedom. Apparently it fell off the cart and cracked in half! You can also see the cemetery where Miles Standish was buried and there’s a whole recreation of the pilgrim’s village. There’s also ice cream shops– plenty of them!

Here is the Mayflower Society building for people who are descended from any of the original passengers. It looks like I was more interested in the beautiful blue sky!

After our harbor walk, we visited the Plymouth Center for the Arts. I used to exhibit some of my smaller quilts here– I don’t see that anyone else has picked up the mantle of fabric art now that I’m gone, sadly.

Here are a couple of my favorites pieces from their Spring Show.

The baby shower was the next day, with just perfect weather as well.

The “other” grandma made the entire lunch and planned pretty much everything– she did a wonderful job. I think I have some serious grandma competition!

After all, I can make quilts, but she can conjure up goodies!

There was a happy spirit over all the proceedings, and everyone was so generous with the gifts. There was basket after basket laden with all types of baby gear. How do you write a thank you note for a basket with fifty things in it? One person made an original drawing of a cute goose for the baby’s room. And there was an adorable little stuffed swan rocking toy with its own little baby. My daughter-in-law and son were just beaming with every package.

My gifts were at the bottom of the pile. Well, my son completely flipped over the Rebel merch. He was so pleased, we both almost started to cry!

Then, everyone really made a fuss about the quilts. A really big fuss! I was blushing. Never underestimate your power to delight and spread love, quilters!

After everything wound up, we had to leave straight from the shower to head back to Maine. Our weather luck was over as soon as we passed Boston. It was a complete monsoon. Occasionally, the sun weirdly peeked out and we drove by a rainbow.

Now that I’m back, you can bet I’m behind on my leaf quilting schedule! I was supposed to be done today, but I have seven left to do. I certainly hope the background can be done in lightning fast time– I have a deadline!

Finally, the Holly Horse Stocking received a few stitches here and there. I have part of the face done and have now started on the red bridle. There’s a big round medallion stitched in silver metallic thread– it’s like sewing with wire! I think I’m gonna give horsey an upgrade– that medallion is looking like it wants to be gold to me. DMC makes a gold metallic floss and I’m hoping it’s a little softer.

Hoping to get my nose back to the grindstone this week and it should be easy– it’s gonna be a wet one. I guess April showers come in May, when you live in Maine. Have a great week!

xox
Carol