Wrapping up...2013

The weekend before Christmas we decided (at the last minute) we needed to have family pictures done.  It's seldom that all ten of us are together. I can't wait to get the rest of the photos and to do this again in the summer.   Megan Rose did the photos for us, she was so great!  Made us feel at ease immediately.

 

Our son's children spent a couple of extra days with us and the girls were leaving before Wednesday so they opened their gifts early.  Addisyn LOVED her dolly.  Now I know what to make for her birthday...doll clothes!!

 

Ratchet loves Alexis (it's mutual I believe). 

 

 

Wednesday was another wonderful day with family.  Somehow I didn't spend much time with the camera, probably enjoying the kiddos too much.

 

We celebrated our anniversary with a quick trip to Sisters for breakfast.  We left the foggy dreary valley to find wide open blue skies and sunshine.  I did not take this picture but it is exactly what it looked like on Saturday. 

 

So it's about time to get back to work after a week away from the shop.  The phone will likely be busy tomorrow, mostly returning calls.  This is a scrappy quilt we started at Third Monday sewing group at our church.  It may need to be bigger so I'm contemplating whether to add more blocks or just borders to increase the size. 

What do you think?  More blocks, borders, or perhaps both?

 

Happy New Year, may 2014 be a year that each of us follow our passion and find our purpose.

 

Almost ready to celebrate Christmas!!

This lovely was among one of many Christmas deadlines.  Isn't it so festive?  I love the colors.

The tree is up and decorated.  We found a lovely Turkish pine on a little tree farm not far from home.  An elderly couple are lovingly growing the beauties and doing a marvelous job.  Besides which, very reasonably priced.

Lights are up outside if it counts that I used clothespins to attach them to the grid of the wire fence in a chevron pattern.  I used the last strand to wrap around my wreath.  Festive enough and no ladder required.

The last Christmas deadline quilt is nearly finished, just need to trim it and join the binding.  I understand the stress my clients have, knowing they still have to stitch down the binding (this one nearly king size) in a few short days. 

My knitting (Alyssa's poncho) isn't finished but I have a back up plan in the event I don't finish so I'm relaxing that pressure.  She has a January birthday...perhaps a more reasonable deadline.

There are still dinners to plan and a house to get clean but for some reason, this year, I'm feeling unhurried and relaxed about the whole thing.  There is a fresh understanding that this celebration time is not about food or decorations or presents. We are celebrating the birthday of our Savior, Jesus.

Thirty Days of Thankfulness - Day 29

I am thankful for quiet. That kind of quiet that comes after the hustle and bustle of a house full of people.  It was wonderful to have a house full and it is wonderful to have quiet. 

Thankful also that  we were able to raise our children in a quieter time.  Before the constant focus on the electronic device, when there were still bedtimes and routines, mealtimes, playtimes.  It makes me worry a bit about the future generations.  Perhaps that serenity prayer, the courage to change what you can and accept what you can't with the wisdom to know the difference is another thing to be thankful for.

Peace to you all!

Thirty Days of Thankfulness - Day 28

What an awesome Thanksgiving day it has been.  So the list of thankfulness begins.

Our son came with his three children Wednesday evening to spend a couple of nights and be with us all day today.  The kids stayed up really late last night, thankful they crashed early this evening.

These two precious girls are nearly five years old.  Natalie (left) has her birthday in December, Addisyn (right) in March.  They were both so excited to see each other, playing inside and out.  Thankful for the dry weather and the love of little cousins.

 

My turkey turned out moist, first time ever I think.  I'm thankful I splurged on the Butterball instead of making due with the Jenny-O.

I am thankful that Alyssa loves her big cousin, Alexis, and in return Alexis is gracious, kind and patient with her younger cuz.  Grandson, Jacob, was in a few of my photos but nothing I can post.  Picture a fourteen year old boy with headphones playing computer games.  Yep. 

 

I enjoyed, so much, having our children and their families here today. 

 

I am thankful (and a bit in awe) that other than turkey, a couple of dinner rolls, and juice we had NO leftovers.  Not dressing, not mashed potatoes, fruit, veggies, dessert...nothing!!  I'm not sure if I figured well or if they just quit when it ran out.  Oh! and I'm thankful for paper plates and plastic cups.  Made the day so much more pleasant (for me) not having to do major clean up. 

 

My little trip to Target yesterday turned out great.  I only have a couple of gifts left to find or finish making. 

 

Hope you all had a wonderful day with your family and friends.

 

 

 

Thirty Days of Thankfulness - Day 25, 26 & 27

I am thankful that there really are no Thankfulness Police.  I would imagine they are similar to Quilt Police and I'm thankful they don't really exist either.  Oh, there are people who think they are them, but really, they have no authority in our endeavors. 

I am thankful for sales.  Heading off to Target this morning to get a dolly for one of the granddaughters.  I will not be going out tomorrow evening or on black Friday.  I may be thankful for sales but I am not crazy.  I really dislike crowds and though I can be competitive in some areas, getting the deal is not one of them.  I think it's all hype anyway.

I am thankful for what Christmas is really all about, and it isn't the sale, or the presents, or the decorations, or the food.  How is it that we humans can turn something awesome completely upside down and backwards?  Ok, I'm pretty sure I know the answer to that question, but greater is HE that is in me than he that is in the world (1John 4:4)

I am thankful for good neighbors. The kind that don't get upset when your dog goes visiting,  playing and running with their dog to the point that neither dog is listening and they're both having so much fun they can hardly stand it.  The kind of neighbor that loans you a leash (since you didn't take one with you when you went to retrieve the dog) to get the dog home.

I am thankful for my husband who can replace the rear seal in the truck (again) and for God's provision (again).
 
I am thankful for oranges.  Especially Cuties.  Those seedless little compact citrus gems full of sunshine and vitamin C are amazing good. 

I am thankful for Mrs. B for teaching me how to knit when I was seven.  I don't know how to spell her name but phonetically it would be something like botch-a-gull-loop-o.  She didn't teach me everything, nor perfectly correct.  I never developed a passion for knitting but I can do it well enough that one of the grand girlies will be getting a poncho for Christmas.  I'm two skeins into the five skein project.

I am thankful for other things too.....more to come. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thirty Days of Thankfulness - Day 23 & 24

Yesterday I went (with my sisters) to a memorial service for an older cousin.  Jan had suffered from ALS for nearly a decade though she was first diagnosed in 2009.  She lived a wonderful and full life which included struggles and heartaches.  In the last couple of years of her battle with this horrible disease she had come to a place of peace and courage, I am so thankful that she is now free.

There were many stories told of the memories she had made with her family, friends and loved ones.  Today is memory making day here at our house.  The grandson is here to bake pies and spend the night.  I realized how old I am as soon as he opened his mouth...when did his voice change?  Oh my, I was so not ready for it.  This will be the year of pie baking voice changing memories....thankful, once again.

Thirty Days of Thankfulness - Day 22

I am thankful for grace and mercy.

In the rare event that you don't know the difference let me explain as I understand it.

Grace is about receiving what we don't deserve.  We don't deserve salvation, eternity with God. There isn't anything we can do to earn it, it's a free gift.  I often don't deserve the patience that people extend to me for my shortcomings, I hope I express sufficient appreciation for their gift. 

Mercy is about not receiving what we do deserve.  As a criminal can be shown mercy by a judge and not be given the full sentence they have coming, we are not given the sentence of death for our sin because of Jesus blood, His righteousness and our faith that His Word is truth.

Thank you, LORD, for your love, grace and mercy. 

Thirty Days of Thankfulness - Days 20 & 21

I am thankful for electricity and hot water. 

Electricity first.  Functioning without my cell phone, or television, even possibly (for short periods of time) my laptop...all doable.  But without electricity, not a chance.

Little power glitches can be fun.  Everything goes quiet, work is temporarily suspended, and our entertainment takes on a simpler time.  Maybe the knitting comes out or a good game of scrabble.

If you live in town you'll still have water.  We happen to be on a well, which means no electricity equals no water.  No water equals no toilet, no coffee, no shower.

No shower, that leads to my thankfulness for hot water.  Another very important thing that electricity provides (in our case).  It's the little things that make life pleasant and among 'things', electricity is one of the best.

Thirty Days of Thankfulness - Days 18 & 19

* Yes, obviously, I am challenged with keeping up on the daily posts.

You've seen these two quilts before so I apologize for being redundant.  Michele just let me know yesterday that they have been accepted into Road to California.  The show is in January.

Sleigh Ride

Snowflakes

 

Another client let me know this week that the quilt I finished for her had been juried into Pacific International Quilt Festival. 

 

My thankfulness is for opportunities.  Opportunities to work on great quilts, with great people.  Opportunities to have my work in great shows to share with others. 

 

Yesterday I had the opportunity to share some simple quilting techniques with a lovely group of ladies at church.  It was a great time, at least for me.  Today I have the opportunity to work on one of Leola's quilts...it's beautiful and I am quite blessed.

 

I hope today will present you with opportunities for great things!!

Thirty Days of Thankfulness - Days 16 & 17

We are often thankful for all of our blessings, all of the 'plenty' in our lives.  I'm also thankful for the 'need'. 

Need, whether our own or that of others, serves to make us aware of how much we truly have.  It is when needs arise that we are able to prioritize what is essential from the things that distract us from what is really important.  Without need, we might never choose the most important things in life.

Need and plenty comes in many forms.  Physical, emotional, and spiritual being the first that
 come to mind.  I'm thankful that the LORD is teaching me to recognize and appreciate that my greatest need and greatest blessing are one in the same...Him.

Thirty Days of Thankfulness - Day 15

Now this is the appropriate day to be thankful for health.  I'm feeling much better today, first improvement since Monday. 

As aging happens, which it does to us all, little aches and pains creep up.  I've got my list.  What I've noticed is that one pain trumps another.

For instance, a tender arthritic knee loses its sting when a little achilles tendinitis hits an ankle.  Get a sore throat and cough and the tendinitis pales. 

That is something to be thankful for, that they don't heap up on top of each other.  I will know this cold is completely gone when the ankle pain returns. 

In the meantime, I'm going to celebrate feeling better by getting some work done before that happens.

Thirty Days of Thankfulness - Day 14

I am so thankful for my quilting clients today.  They are a diverse group in many ways.  Beginner to expert, follow the pattern exactly to unbelievably creative, specific needs to 'do whatever you want'.  Everyone of them are special people, bringing the work of their hands for me to complete. 

I should take pictures of every piece that comes through, it might really help my memory.  Here are a few I can share from the 2013 Mid Valley Quilt Guild show.  I tried to choose a nice cross section and quilts that have not been previously shown here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hope you enjoyed seeing these beauties as much as I enjoyed quilting them and working with their makers.

Thirty Days of Thankfulness - Day 13

Lucky 13!  That nasty sore throat has added a deep heavy cough.  Went to the Dr. and  I am THANKFUL  that I don't have strep.  Also thankful for Nyquil, tea with lemon and honey, cough drops, warm wool afghan, snuggly dog, Facebook, knitting...and the list could go on. 

Thirty Days of Thankfulness - Day 12

Sitting here this morning with a nasty sore throat and thinking ((yes, I am thankful for my health but maybe a little difficult to express it today)) and so it is that even the simplest things evoke gratitude.

I am thankful for handwork.  Some of us cannot sit with nothing to do.  Unlike playing "stupid games" on the computer at least handwork is productive. This bit of knitting is on it's way to becoming a poncho for granddaughter Alyssa.  Also thankful that our pup, Ratchet, has settled in for a nap.

Ratchet was settled down at this moment during a camping trip...don't let the calmness fool you, he runs for hours per day.  I love his "new every morning" kind of happiness.

Thankfulness aside, I made this hazelnut toffee this weekend.  It is somewhat hidden in the big freezer in the garage hoping that out of sight is out of mind.  This was my attempt to duplicate Enstrom's toffee, which is THE BEST!!!  I used this recipe which was simple enough and definitely tasty, still not the awesomeness that comes in a box of Enstrom's.

Thirty Days of Thankfulness - Day 11

Thankful for the all of the veterans who serve, have served or gave their life for our country.  Thank you really seems insufficient.

Thirty Days of Thankfulness - Day 10

Today I am thankful for salvation.  Salvation in general and more particularly...my own.  This hymn is my favorite ever, it spoke to me so strongly the very first time I heard it and every time since.  Daniel Webster Whittle (the author) wrote over 200 hymns in his life, I am also thankful that he wrote this one.

1. I know not why God’s wondrous grace
   To me He hath made known,
   Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
   Redeemed me for His own.
   
   • Refrain:
     But “I know Whom I have believed,
     And am persuaded that He is able
     To keep that which I’ve committed
     Unto Him against that day.”
2. I know not how this saving faith
   To me He did impart,
   Nor how believing in His Word
   Wrought peace within my heart.
3. I know not how the Spirit moves,
   Convincing men of sin,
   Revealing Jesus through the Word,
   Creating faith in Him.
4. I know not what of good or ill
   May be reserved for me,
   Of weary ways or golden days,
   Before His face I see.
5. I know not when my Lord may come,
   At night or noonday fair,
   Nor if I walk the vale with Him,
   Or meet Him in the air.

Thirty Days of Thankfulness - Day 9

I am thankful for my special friends.  I know I'll leave someone out and I apologize for that, by no means do I wish to offend.  The friends here are special for the following reasons:

Nancy: makes me laugh!! AND shares those serious moments too.

Suzanne: prays for me, loves me (I love and pray for her too)

 

Cindy: we've been together through thick and thin, right now I'm thick and she's thin

Ray and June: Camping buddies, they even like our dog, encouragers

 

Friends often understand our challenges like family can't.  We share our mutual pains and joys, laugh and sometimes weep.  The special ones accept us as we really are, faults and all, and for that I am grateful.

Thirty Days of Thankfulness - Day 8

I had planned on being thankful for dear friends today but it came up that I need to be most thankful today for my husbands mechanical skills and talents.

Since he had to drive the truck to work yesterday (so I could have the car) he took it in to have the tires rotated, the place we bought the tires is near his work.  In the process, they called him out to the shop to show him a couple of problems, front wheel bearings - both sides, and rear brakes.  Yes, just what I wanted to hear.  He ordered the parts today, nearly $700.

So I am thankful, really, for two things.  First, that he can do the labor portion himself.  He'll take part of tomorrow off and do the work at the shop where his tools, jacks, and good lighting will make it easier for him.  Secondly, thankful for the buffer I'd managed to build up again that was able to pay for the parts. 

Thirty Days of Thankfulness - Day 7

Today's expression of thankfulness extends to the "grand girlies", Natalie and Alyssa.  I'm thankful for our camping times (walking dogs, playing games, making s'mores) and our visiting times (dress-up, sewing and preferring Papa).  I am thankful for the home their parents provide for them.

Natalie - sweet heart, deep thinker, "goof ball"

Alyssa - exuberant, smart, future sewist

These sisters (daughters of our daughter) fill a special place in our hearts.

Thirty Days of Thankfulness - Day 6

I am very thankful for my one and only grandson, Jacob.  He is my favorite 14 year old boy. 

He reminds me of his Dad in so many ways.  Not that he just mows my lawn but that he enjoys doing it...that is SO like his Dad. 

 

This boy is precious and I pray he grows up to be a man of integrity and courage, that he will love God and his family above all else. 

Thirty Days of Thankfulness - Day 5

I am so thankful for my grandchildren.  Since I've decided to not combine them as a single group they are in no particular order here.  Addisyn and Alexis are the youngest and oldest respectively.  They are also sisters.  If they were the same age you would think they are identical twins they resemble each other so closely, my son's daughters.  They are both beautiful, fun, and smart. 

Addisyn

Alexis

 

Thankful for the joy these girls bring to our hearts.  Love you both.

Thirty Days of Thankfulness - Day 4

I could subtitle this post "Sisters vs. Grandchildren".  I've chosen to express my gratitude for my sisters in this one for a couple of reasons.  First off, I have three sisters and five grandkiddos, which do you suppose is easier?  Secondly, I hadn't yet decided if I was more thankful for my grands as a group or individually.

I am the youngest of four girls.  Personally, I couldn't be more fortunate.  These three awesome women have taught me so much by their example and wisdom and sometimes "motherly advice".  Being seven years from the next youngest and almost twelve years from the oldest, I never had to endure being involved in sibling rivalry...yes,  SO thankful for that, too.

 

This photo was from Christmas 1956, I was just two weeks old.  Aren't these sisters just precious?

 

 

This picture, from August 2013 was the first time we had all been together in three years.  Each of these special women has her own strengths and gifts and I am very thankful to have them as not only sisters but also as friends.

Thirty days of Thankfulness - Day 3

My thankfulness theme this week obviously revolves around family.  Specifically today, my children.  This is an old, old photo...circa 1979.  That summer my sisters and family came to visit us in base housing in Omaha.  My baby boy was just a year old, my daughter 3 1/2. 

 

 

I wasn't sure my grown children would appreciate current pictures of themselves showing up on my blog, granted I doubt they would ever see them.  These two have grown up to be amazing kind and caring adults and wonderful parents to their children.

 

I am thankful for the relationship we have with each of them.

Thirty days of Thankfulness - Day 2

Where is Day 1, you ask?  I wasn't sure I could make this work and I was compiling my "list" to be sure I would be able to finish.   By far, I am most thankful for my wonderful husband.

 

He is my best friend.  When our quilt guild had a challenge "Let Me Tell You About My Best Friend" he was the first thing that came to my mind

 

  I see his mischievous jokester self in this photo taken on our great adventure to Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks.

He is an awesome Papa, all of our grandchildren love and adore him (me too).

He is the hardest working man I know.

 

I am thankful for nearly thirty nine years with this guy.  Thankful for his love and faithfulness, his humor and teasing, and all that he brings to my life.

Sweet sadness

It's one of those sad times that has such a sweet joy connected that it's almost difficult to explain.  My friend, Patty, went home to heaven this weekend.  Patty was one of those special friends that are too rare.  She always spoke the truth, in love.  She always loved me even when she didn't agree with me.  She was absolutely passionate for the Word of God, completely sold out for Jesus.  That's why I will miss her so much.  I know without a doubt that she is in the presence of our LORD and I know that I will see her again.

I love you dear friend.



"Week Off Requires Nap"

That's the headline that best describes my week.  I've spent the last month (or more) meeting deadline after deadline, big ones!  At the end of all that busyness was our annual quilt retreat at Silver Falls Conference center.

The weekend preceeding retreat we were hit with the remnants of a monsoon.  Unbelievable rain.  It knocked out the power at the conference center so we had a delay, fortunately only a few hours.

Craziness prevailed rather quickly.  This gorgeous Sue Spargo quilt made by Mary Ross was "embellished" with assorted scraps of fabric and blocks.  Food and company was awesome as usual.

Leola was working on this magnificent applique from a photo of her dog following a class with Charlotte Warr Anderson.  It's it the coolest thing?

Everyone was busy working!

 

Getting things done!

Close view of some crazy embellishing.  What had been a simple folk art bird became "crazy buck toothed donkey bird" 

I managed to sash three more blocks onto my Spirit of Sacagawea quilt AND complete two more pieced blocks.  Just one more applique block to go and I can finish it up.  "Somebody" added some blue embellishments to my horses block.  Thanks!

 

Home from retreat on Thursday and left for camping at the beach on Friday.  How many Safeway parking lots have ships in the background?  Absolutely gorgeous weather, couldn't have been better.

 

We camped at Ft. Stevens State Park.  The park is on the beach but the campground is a ways from the water.  Fortunately...beach access.  We were able to drive down to the beach and let the dog run.  He was in doggy heaven chasing seagulls and splashing in the surf.  Wore him out!

 

Ratchet is such a lovey boy.  A bit too large to join me on the seat in the camper but he was snuggly and wanted to see out the window.  Had a great time with our daughter and her family.  Campfires, s'mores, walks, sand. 

 

So about my title?  We came home earlier than normal, in fact we were home by noon.  Unpacked, cleaned the camper, did laundry, made lunch and then crashed.  A good long nap!!  Tomorrow, back to work.