Last-Minute Gifting

I sewed (and should have pressed) this little dish-detergent apron less than an hour before we had to be at Joe's mother's house for a "surprise" birthday gathering a few weeks ago. I folded a piece of paper in half, put the fold in the center of the bottle and drew a shape. After I cut it out, I tweaked it a little more by rounding the edges on the bottom. Then I added the trim. When it came time to measure the hoop for the neck, I just held them up together and pinned it. Pretty easy, although I was stressed that I had left so little time to make it. (It was supposed to be part of her Mother's Day gift that never happened.) I guess that's what happens when you are invited last minute, though. I also grabbed a jar of blueberry jam on the way out the door.

And Saturday my grandmother (right) turned 95! She is the sweetest, sweetest lady in the world. She is so very kind and generous. I have never heard her speak an ill-word about anyone. The worst thing I have ever heard her say was "hussy," which she would call the lawn mower if it wouldn't start. As a teenager it was both startling and hysterical simultaneously.

Mom-mom worked in a sewing factory for most of her younger years. When she was newly married, she would give most of her weekly wages to her parents and my grandfather's parents. She made me my first pair of gauchos and an amazing little denim tote with a lion patch.

She taught me how to can. I spent many summers canning tomatoes with her. My sister and I used to help her pick fruits and veggies from her garden.

She was the oldest daughter of a large family (I think like 9, 10, or 11 children). Her only surviving sibling is her sister (above left), who was the baby in the family.

She was married to Pop-pop for 60+ years before he died. She lives alone in her house. She is spry, smart, and alert. She does not look like she is 95, but she has the wisdom of someone who has lived 95 years. She's the best. The absolute, cream-of-the-crop best. And she's mine.

We always give her money for her birthday. This year (last minute, of course) I made her some place mats and cloth napkins, in addition to giving her money. I had made some cloth napkins for her a while back, and she asked for some matching place mats. I didn't have enough fabric leftover to match the napkins, so I made a whole new set.

She was pleased with her gift. In fact, as soon as she opened the bag, she knew it was from me, she didn't even open the card yet.

(The place mats are a little wonky, but I also had them rolled up before I decided I should take a picture of them.)