Zeder Strasse News-Stitches by Connie

2010-02-24T05:53:00.013-06:00

We actually had a bit of snow in Fredericksburg TX on February 23, 2010! The flakes weren't falling fast enough for Chelsea so she shook the tree to help them along. This was the first 'sticking' snowfall she has seen since she was 4, and she is almost 22. Fun day!

It was great snowball-packing snow, so as soon as Chloe went down for a nap we three were out for some exercise. Darn, I was looking the wrong way and he got me!!

Gotcha Chels!!

Chelsea trying to make up with her Dad after a major hit.

Checking out the miniature icicles hanging from the deck and the beautiful large flakes.

This was the view in the Biblical garden at work, when I saw the snow covering the daffodils and the cactus I knew I needed to take the afternoon off and go home to have some fun.

The entrance to our house as the snow was first starting to collect.

"Hey Gramps, what is that stuff?"

Chelsea and Chloe with their snow blob alien.

We don't get snow very often, and this just goes to show that it doesn't take much to make some great family memories. Priceless!

2010-01-25T08:35:00.009-06:00

Mom- Chelsea Cowan, Chloe Grace & Dad Erik Elliott
We had a lovely day on Sunday January 24, 2010 - all came together to celebrate Chloe Grace's baptism at the Methodist Church as well as her first birthday party.

Chelsea' choice for Godmother - SueEllen Miller
Chelsea Cowan
Erik Elliott holding Chloe Grace
Erik's choice for Godparents the Cleggs
Fredericksburg United Methodist Church
Chloe is wrapped in a quilt made by the church quilt group to commemorate her baptism and symbolizes her being 'wrapped in God's love'

Home for the birthday party!! Chloe was having fun with her gifts. Just a small gathering of family and friends for gifts, cupcakes and fun.

Chloe and Mommy checking out a gift

She's getting the hang of the paper thing!!

She even took the time to admire the cards.

Now it's on to her first cupcake. She really wasn't upset at the singing or candle, she was just ready to eat!

Ahhh, confetti cupcake with strawberry glaze "I wonder what this is?"

"Even though I STILL have no teeth, I can manage this yummy cupcake!"

The whole day was a lot of fun, and to add to the excitement Chloe started walking just a couple of days ago, so her exploring and mobility just got notched up considerably.
We love you Chloe Grace!

2009-11-29T14:50:00.002-06:00

Christmas time's a comin!! The decorating has begun and with this being Chloe's first Christmas she had to help with the tree. Here are Chelsea and Chloe putting the top on the tree!
May this season be blessed and joyous for all of you.

2009-11-11T08:51:00.002-06:00

Hats off and heartfelt thanks to the veterans in my life:
Victor Lloyd Koplin (my Dad) WWII - Navy
Willa Mae Davis Koplin (my Mom) WWII - Marines
Edward J. Liest, MD (my brother in law) Korea then served a second go around as flight surgeon in Air Force, he died while still serving - 1983
Waylon D. Cowan (my husband) Vietnam - Army Guard
Gaylon L. Cowan (my brother in law) Vietnam - Navy

Also I was proud to serve in the US Air Force - 1979-1983
God Bless the USA!!

2009-11-10T08:47:00.004-06:00

Holiday Season and Weight Loss - YES they can go together!

As we move in to the holiday season I want to share one of my new favorite recipes. I was on the Weight Watchers journey last year, and though I have now reached my goal (and lost 60 lbs) all during the holiday season last year I consistently lost weight. I never felt deprived and I ate my favorite foods, just less of them! This recipe has become one of my staples, and gets me through 'sweet attacks'. Hope you like it!

Angel Food Pumpkin Cake

1 box of angel food cake mix (the kind you mix with water)

1 can of packed pumpkin

1 cup of water

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Mix all ingredients throughly - bake in a 9X13 pan at 350* for approx. 30 minutes.

If you cut into 12 pieces, each serving counts as 3 WW points. I cut smaller pieces, so fewer points!! Enjoy

2009-10-31T16:54:00.004-05:00

Chloe and Chelsea on this beautiful fall day at our home in Fredericksburg TX

This picture was just too funny NOT to post! I look like I have no teeth, Chelsea is laughing at something hysterical and Chloe has her tongue out as if to say "my family - blblblblblb!"
Kind of looks like a scene from the Wizard of Oz - hmmmm - but I am not the wicked witch!!

Chelsea and Chloe, in her pumpkin costume (from the Greatest Aunt Judy) as we got ready to go have her picture taken in town. Such a cutie!

2009-08-25T18:12:00.002-05:00

This was such a fun thing!! I found a new resale shop in Kerrville, TX and purchased all of these sweaters for $17 . There are 2 very large men's sweaters, both Merino wool (very pricey in the yarn world, way out of my budget!) The pale blue in the front is a beautiful 100% cashmere cardigan. The pink is an uber soft angora rabbit sweater, the yellowish green is a Banana Republic, also 100% wool. The teal in the background is a silk/cotton cardigan. With the exception of the cashmere, which will remains 'as is' for my daughter, I have 'frogged' or ripped out all of the sweaters for the yarn. The teal sweater yielded 5 balls of lovely silk yarn, which I promptly crocheted into the shawl shown below.

So for $3 and some relaxing time crocheting I have a beautiful shawl, which I entered into the Gillespie County fair and won a blue ribbon!! I am still planning what to make with the other yarns, but I have a wonderful new stash of quality yarns, all from shopping at a resale shop.
It's also pretty fun to see a pic of myself and realize that really is me, 56 lbs lighter!!

2009-07-24T08:41:00.014-05:00

We started our Christmas in July adventure with a drive to "Great" Aunt Judy and "Great" Uncle Charley's house - Chloe had a snack of sweet potatoes on the way and seemed to wear some!

Waylon (aka Gramps) was very tense after the drive and needed to relax in the pool, one session of many for the week.

Uncle Charley admired Gramps buzz cut so much he decided he needed one too. Good thing they have an antique barber chair on the back patio, very handy.

The Christmas in July (CIJ) festivities begin with a nice foil hair bow and of course a festive apron!

Not sure Chelsea is as enthused as her crazy mom and Aunt! But she has a foil bow of her own.

Chelsea and me

Waylon/Gramps decided he likes CIJ, great food served up on the Christmas plates and no gifts to worry about!!

Willie was worn out with all the fun

Chloe meeting great grandma, GG, (my mom) for the first time.

Chloe & her mommy - my beautiful girls

Chloe and Grammy talking to GG

2009-07-10T11:29:00.004-05:00

I just love swapping with online friends! This shows the contents of a recent box I received from a knitting friend, lots of goodies from Wisconsin.

Fourth of July was lots of fun for Chloe. Though it was very hot, her 'take along toy' was always handy! Wish I was still that limber ......

After lounging outside on that hot 'fourth' Chloe had to come in for a cool rag on the head and a snack. I just watched while Mommy handled the feeding. Actually I was preparing our holiday meal of ribs, corn, beans and such.

Now this is the best, after playing outside, a little snack and cool down time for a nap while Mommy gives a manicure and pedicure....... Chloe slept through it all!

2009-05-30T13:51:00.010-05:00

A little cereal for breakfast after a sleepover at Grammy and Gramps' house. Getting' the hang of it!

"I'm trying really hard to reach for that bottle, just can't quite get it"

Great smiles for Gramps!

Waylon has been working really hard on the backyard, the rocks lining the beds he got on freecycle, and loaded, transported, and unloaded himself. LOTS of work, but it's looking great! Beds are lined in crushed granite. We will add large pots of flowering plants as we go along for color.

This is the view looking from the driveway up toward the back porch. The pile of rocks in the top left is where the future fountain will be.

Our old lawn mower find at Trade Days, don't need to mow rock!!

This cauldron and ring holder are also Trade Day finds, this is placed right outside the back door and planted with drought friendly plants. The back yard doesn't look so much like a dog playground anymore, Waylon is doinga fantastic job - just slow going as we scrounge for stuff and he does the labor. Cheap/free is good!!

2009-05-28T06:24:00.001-05:00

I really have the 'crochet bug' these days - this is my latest creation: An all cotton shawl, perfect for cool A/C summer rooms! It worked up pretty fast, so fast that I think I will make a few more in other colors.

Sure wish I could make a living creating things with my hands.... I do love my job at the church but sometimes wish I could spend my days crocheting, quilting, sewing or gardening. I was spoiled with all those years of being at home!

2009-05-24T05:43:00.000-05:00

Crocheted necklace, tones of bronze, black, tan - beautiful!

I made these necklaces for a local boutique. This one is called Rainbow Garden - they are crocheted with ribbon yarn and look like they are beaded necklaces. Nice and light for summer - like wearing air! Some of the other colors are a variegated blues (looks great with denim), a black/white/gray combo and another similar to rainbow that is called stained glass - it is teals, purple, greens. They are fun to make and I was thrilled to sell them!

2009-05-10T17:56:00.000-05:00

Happy girl!

Mother's Day 2009 at church

Chelsea, age 21

Chloe Grace, 3 months - 3 weeks

Connie, 52

Great day!!

2009-05-07T06:03:00.000-05:00

Talking to Gramps, such a chatterbox!

Sitting up like a big girl in her Bumpo seat that she got from cousin Will, talking to Mommy!

Christmas Strings, block exchange with my online quilt group

Another block exchange with online group, "How Does Your Garden Grow?"

I put a considerable dent in my 1930's reproduction stash with this quilt. This was a 2008 New Year's Day Mystery Quilt. The quilt author would post instructions, updating them every few hours over New Year's Eve and Day. I would just sew the steps as she posted them, and eventually ended up with this nice large quilt. It is a great old-fashioned looking grammy quilt - but it is happily draped across the back of my daughter's couch. So they have a little touch of Grammy at their house.

2009-05-05T18:31:00.000-05:00

New flower bed by the deck, all 'deer resistant' plants, we shall see!
First rock bed in the back yard, this was a dirt hole just a few weeks ago.... but with lots of work by Waylon it is taking shape!

Wow, it has been over a month since I posted! So much happening in our lives these days. Chloe Grace (our grand daughter) continues to grow and change each day. Her mommy is back to work, half days, and I think doing well.

Waylon continues to do home improvements - progress is slow because we scrounge materials, and he provides all the labor! But the rock work is starting to take shape in the back yard, a few new trees planted and some much needed rain have greened up the 3 acres of 75 Zeder Strasse.

My most exciting news is I am only 4 lbs away from my Weight Watchers goal - first time in over 20 years that I will be at a healthy weight. I have applied and been accepted for a position as a Weight Watchers leader. I will start training sometime this summer. This will be in addition to my full time church job, but I know by standing up in front of people each week and leading WW meetings I will be motivated to maintain the healthy lifestyle and weight that it has taken me so long to achieve.

Of course, I continue to enjoy my hobby of quilting, particularly hand applique these days..... so fun! Time to work on Christmas gifts!!

2009-03-20T22:30:00.001-05:00

Today was a very fun day! It started when I arrived at the apartment to pick up Chelsea and precious Chloe Grace - it was her first shopping day! She napped in her bouncy while Mommy finished getting ready and Daddy was napping (long night - but you can see she is perfectly relaxed!)

She was very happy all day, riding in her stroller, smiling and just being a happy little girl while Mommy and Grammy shopped for new clothes. Mostly she slept and just went along for the ride.

Nothing better than this great smile!

Lunch was at CiCi's pizza and we scooted her chair right up under the edge of the table. It looks like she is peaking over the table, when actually she is very comfortably sitting in her car seat and just watching us eat. Lots of new experiences today, but we all had a great time.

2009-03-10T07:42:00.000-05:00

The men folk! While all the birthday girls were on the deck visitin', the men were tending the BBQ pits!
My husband, Waylon, and our friend's dog - Gus. All were enjoying the pretty Texas day.

2009-03-10T06:21:00.000-05:00

A little March birthday fun at our house: from left Diane Bergquist (March 14) Colleen Haley (March 17) Janice Langerhans (March 4) Chelsea Elliott (March 28) and me - Connie Cowan (March 8). March is the BEST birthday month, especially when celebrated with good friends.
Getting closer..... she almost broke out in a smile! She keeps teasing us with great smiles in her sleep, so I just know any day now she will look right in my eyes and smile a big "Grammy smile"!

New formula seems to be agreeing with her, Mommy and Daddy and are getting a bit more sleep, and you can see by her cheeks that she is filling out a bit. It was a rough week there with long, colicky hours, but things are much better.

2009-03-02T06:05:00.000-06:00

Being a Grammy is the best! And I just know that first smile is coming any day. I think little Chloe Grace weighs about 9 lbs. now, and she is holding her head up very well. These pics were taken on 3/1/09, she is 5 weeks old. Her mom is still feeling a little overwhelmed, but for the most part things are great.

2009-02-12T08:08:00.000-06:00

A sleeping baby..... too sweet!! She changes from day to day, and we just love to sit and look at her. Can't wait til you all can meet her in person.

2009-01-26T15:57:00.000-06:00

I'm A Grammy! I was blessed to be with Chelsea and Erik for a long day of labor yesterday, and my new grand daughter, Chloe Grace, made her appearance (finally!) on January 25 at 10:58pm after nearly 12 hours of labor and several hours of intense pushing. Some scary moments for Mom - low blood pressure, (and Grammy was holding it together!) but baby was a trooper through it all.

Lots of visitors already, but it has been a great first day. A special visit from GREAT Aunt Judy and Uncle Charley was an especially nice surprise to Chelsea.

There will be more pics to come, but here are a few......

2009-01-26T15:42:00.000-06:00

Mom and daughter...... a tender moment!

Moments after entering the world -

Chloe Grace Elliott

7 lb 4 oz 20"

And look at that hair!!

2009-01-11T21:46:00.000-06:00

This is Chelsea relaxing at their kitchen dining area. You can't tell it in this picture, but she is VERY large these days! Baby will make appearance in just a few weeks. The quilt was a wedding gift from a co-worker of mine.
This is a look in to the master bathroom. This area actually has double sinks, and their pretty marble accessories look great in there!
Here is a peek in to the rather exotic jungle feel in the guest bath shower area Lots of fun!!

And this was the most fun...... the sink area in the guest bathroom, Chelsea finally gets to display her purple transferware that she started collecting in high school. Very elegant looking. They have a great place for their first home together.

They still have more organizing to do, unpacking and I will go take more pics as the place comes together. I'm so thrilled they are living in Fredericksburg, thankful they both have jobs, and of course I'll be a Grammy soon!!

2008-12-06T19:00:00.001-06:00

I have been busy around the house today! Chelsea, Erik and I ventured to Main Street last night for the annual Christmas parade in downtown Fredericksburg. It was in the low 30's by the time the evening was over, so it felt like Christmas.

Erik and Waylon did a great job the other day hanging the lights on the house, today I decorated a tree on the deck and I love the way it all looks. The other picture is taken in the den looking out the window to the tree. I still have several rooms to complete, but all in all the house is looking good.

I hope you are having a wonderful season so far. Though I do love all the trappings of the season, I remind myself every day of Jesus and if not for His birth we wouldn't even have this wonderful holiday. Though it has become more than about Him for many and even though I surround myself with the material items of the holiday season - my love for Him is first and foremost - His saving grace is the blessing of my life. I pray the same for you!

2008-12-02T07:00:00.000-06:00

What a whirlwind life has been at our house! Chelsea and Erik planning to move here (still jobs to be found, preparations to be made before the baby arrives and much more!) But the weather is cooling off, I have been enjoying fires in the wood stove and it is finally December so the house is looking 'happy' with Christmas decorations going up.

I'm going to be a Grammy soon....... Chelsea is 7 months along, and feeling good. Such fun!!