Random thoughts on a Wednesday evening...

Christmas came and went. So much preparation -- anticipation -- planning -- and suddenly it is over -- company goes home -- all the decorations have to be taken down and put away so that we are ready to begin a new year with a clean slate.

I got a Kindle this year -- the basic model. I enjoy reading books so much -- I use the public library -- I seldom purchase books because I ran out of shelf space a long time ago. I have put 15+ books on my Kindle, including the Bible and a dictionary. Haven't read any of them, yet, but am experimenting with the download process. Quick and easy! I think I will enjoy using it, especially when I travel. I have explored checking e-books out from the public library -- that may be an interesting way to go. One doesn't have to worry about keeping up with the library copy or about due dates. When the book is due it disappears off of the Kindle.

Only problem may be I won't have a pile of books on my night stand and I may get panicky. The Kindle just doesn't LOOK like a pile of books. It is hard to look at it, to hold it, and translate the small size and light weight into a good supply of reading materials. As with all new things, it will take some getting use to!

How was your Christmas? What was your favorite gift?

A December Update!

Are the days whizzing by at your house? They are here, and I'm running farther and farther behind. But, Christmas is coming whether or not I'm ready so I will just do what I can and then stop and enjoy this special time.

What has happened? Well, our church had our "Celebrate Christmas" -- a Drive Through Life of Christ with live people and animals. We were open Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings (Sweetie and I worked every evening) and 1400 people saw our presentation. That was in spite of our having to close early on Sunday due to the rain/mud. If something makes you close then rain is a good thing to do it. We need rain desperately here.

My oldest daughter came for two days and I thoroughly enjoyed her visit while her honey was seeing clients. She and I played with Windows Live -- is that the right name? Skydrive, perhaps, is what I'm looking for. She has tons of her pictures on line and she set me up so we could share pictures. I could spend a whole day just playing with my pictures on-line.

Speaking of that family, my oldest Granddaughter, a student at UNM, called to ask me for some help with a genealogy project. Well, she pushed the right button!! I love genealogy. She did some independent research and, using the info I gave her, and she found a site that I had never seen. Amazingly, I found that my Great-Great Grandfather's name wasn't what I had always been given. Made that change in my Family Tree! This is the same Great-Great Grandfather whose grave I found at the Old Salt Tank Cemetery near Rising Star Texas. What fun!

Did I tell you that I made "stilettos" for my sewing/quilting buddies. These were tiny gifts from me to them. Today at church, a dear quilting friend, age 94, decided that she will use her stiletto as a cake tester! I think I made a picture or two of that project -- will try to post them when time permits.

My Mom has arrived to spend Christmas with us. Since she doesn't do stairs anymore we move upstairs and let her have our downstairs bedroom. It is an odd feeling to sleep in a different room of your house! I have always liked to sleep in my guest room, from time to time, to insure that it is still a welcoming room for guests. Well, we are in the guest room for the next two weeks. Have already made a change.

Our youngest Granddaughter is staying with us while her Mom works a highly irregular schedule. We played Monopoly with her and found that she really needs to get the hang of money -- think this game will be very good for her and will teach her how to figure out making change.

I need to set out alone and do some shopping tomorrow -- I haven't done much. My children were all given "gifts" of agricultural products for Christmas, through Missionary Ventures. OD started this last year when she gave me the gift of "five ducks." through World Vision. I liked that but, after hearing some Missionary Venture speakers at "Colors" this year, I ordered from them instead.
Oldest Son and Daughter-In-Law got 5 rabbits and 5 seed packs. Each seed pack will plant a full acre of land for a family or a village. The rabbits will multiply and will provide a food crop and a cash crop.
Youngest Son got 8 rabbits, and Oldest Daughter got a pig. OD's Mother-in-law gave her a goat and she has named the goat "Tilley" and the pig is named "Percy." Percy Tilley was a dear friend who has "gone home" but I believe he would be thrilled with his namesakes! OD plans to make an ornament to represent each animal to hang on her tree!

See what my busy days have brought about! Lots of things are happening but in the midst of all the hustle and bustle, we need to remember that this season is actually all about the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas to each and every one of you!

Another from the quilt show. . .

There were many, many quilts to be seen and admired at the 2011 Houston International Quilt show. Some won large awards. Some didn't win anything.

The quilt I have pictured below is my favorite of all. As far as I know it did not win any prizes.
However, it was absolutely beautiful and the workmanship was just amazing.
The information in the second picture tells you who made it. Then, the following pictures are close ups of some of the features.

The title is "The Quilt Show. In the middle is a building where a quilt show is being held. Along the outer borders are tiny quilts -- these quilts are so small that each piece may have taken 2 or 3 tiny stitches to connect it to the next piece. I was amazed that these little quilts were made and then incorporated into the larger design. Take a minute to admire the little quilts along the top, bottom, and right side.

These tiny yo-yos were hanging on a clothes line on the left side of the picture, near the tree.

Look how tiny the pieces are in this double wedding ring quilt.

This little basket quilt was offset by an equally tiny fan quilt on the other side. Look at the tiny quilt hanging over the fence in the bottom of the picture.

I love these "Sun Bonnet Sue" quilt blocks.

We saw some really beautiful quilts but to me, this one really embodies the whole idea of quilting!

MY DOG SPOT

This little doggy has come to live at my house -- I found him at a garage sale and I just fell in love. Actually, "Spot" is a candle holder -- there is a door on the other side of his body that opens to allow a small votive candle to be placed inside. The "spots" on his body are cut-outs that will allow the candle light to show through. Pretty neat for $1.00!

2011 Houston International Quilt Show, day 2

A beautiful appliqued quilt.


This quilt is just full of the hexagon shape. My hubby thought it looked more like a rug than a quilt. He didn't see it in person, however, just made the comment from seeing the picture.

There was an exhibit of appliqued quilts. The picture below shows detail from a very large appliqued quilt that is shown below this one. Lots of work went into this.

As usual, the quilt shows include a large number of International quilters. I liked this one.

Notice the quilting -- this quilt would be nothing without it, and would give a totally different feel with a different quilting pattern.

Sorry this is dark -- these are 4-H quilts. My quilting friend, M, used to be in 4-H and said she could never have made quilts like these at that age.

Houston International Quilt Show

We saw some great quilts today -- I'm going to share some with you. These are mostly the art style.

This quilt just blew me away -- I loved it!

I loved this one -- the lion faces was so cute!

It's time!

The Houston International Quilt Show is here at last! I plan to spend all day Thursday and Friday having a ball at the show. Would love to have you all come and see it with me!!

Camping...

Sweetie and I just got back from a 10 day camping trip during which time we attended the "Changing of the Colors" rally (Christian Motorcyclists Association) on Iron Mountain near Hatfield, Arkansas. We really enjoyed our time there but once again, we came home with a wet tent camper. It rained most all night Saturday before we left. That was our second rain. Loved the rain but would have liked enough time for things to dry out before we had to leave.

The display of "colors" was a little disappointing this year -- things were so dry up there (like other places I know) that many of the trees died. Also, it had been hotter than usual and the cold nights are needed for the color changing process. Well, after the first night of rain a cold front blew in and we had at least two nights of 30 degree and two nights of 40 degree temperatures. I thought I would freeze! We had our electric blanket but, alas, not the correct wiring/controls. We did purchase an electric lap robe and that was great -- put it at the bottom of the bed and it made our feet stay toasty. (Sweetie was afraid that Gracie would be too cold in her kennel so she slept with us the whole time. She loved the elect lap robe, also.)

Our last full session of the rally was Saturday night -- We received the word, after the final session, that Herb Shreve, the founder of CMA, had just passed away. He was recovering from heart surgery and had just had a birthday party in his honor on Saturday afternoon. He will be missed but we know we will see him again...

IT IS RAINING


PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!!

I've been missing a while -- life has gotten very busy and I'm trying to simplify my life -- blogging was one thing I had to let go of for a while.

But, having said that, I just finished a quilt! This will be a baby gift for a friend's new baby and will be delivered tomorrow.

The quilt is pictured above. Some details -- all of the front fabrics except one came from my stash. I loved the colors together! I purchased the one fabric (ladybugs) for the front and the back flannel fabric at JoAnns -- the front is plain cotton fabric and the back is flannel. I tried to find binding that would work with both front and back and it just wasn't available. So, I sewed two fabrics together and the front binding is yellow cotton and the back is the same flannel as the backing. A little harder than doing it the regular way but I really like the effect. The second picture shows the flannel binding at the top of the picture the yellow binding in the part that is folded over.

Another note...the pieces of the front were cut with my friend's GO. Sure made it easy!

It's Back!!

We got a WalMart ad today and it said.....drum roll, please.....fabric is back in 2,000 WalMart store (by popular demand!) Thank you, Walmart. I surely hope that at least one of the nearby Walmarts are included in the 2,000 stores. I have plenty of places to purchase fabric but sometimes my budget is more comfortable with WalMart prices.

I just finished the quilting on a gift baby quilt -- I love the colors in it! I shopped my own stash for the fabric, first, and then purchased one more piece for the front and a piece for the back. It is ready be trimmed, squared, and then I'll sew on the binding. Question: Has anyone used two different fabrics for binding? I'm thinking two pieces sewn together -- one color for one side and another color for the other. Think that will work? You quick answer would be greatly appreciated.

Quilt Guild of Greater Houston -- 2011

A friend and I attended this quilt show today -- some really nice quilts were shown. We both liked the first two I've pictured here because they used scraps.

Texas is burning!

Fires in our area -- smoke was very bad this morning. Some schools are closed, many have cancelled outside activities. Hundreds of homes have burned. Please pray for Texas! We need rain!!!

Happy Cat

Gene, Happy Cat arrived today. She sure is cute and my mind is already clicking away, thinking of what I will make from her. Thank you so much!

A temporary place of worship -- they plan to have their new church building in place
in two years. (see story below...)

6:pm -- 106 degrees F (41.4 degrees C)

We were over 100 degrees for 24 days before the high pressure area that had been directly overhead moved off to the north west just a little. That gave us a tiny bit of rain one night (with lots of high wind and lightening and a bit of cooler weather. Of course, that coolness is long gone.

People on the east coast are getting tons of rain and are expecting the hurricane to visit. I would take some of the rain off their hands if that were possible.

Sweetie returned last night -- he had been in Mississippi for a week with a group of men from our church (as well as from some surrounding towns) helping a small church make a place to worship out of two large storage buildings. Their church was totally destroyed by one of the April tornados. This particular church was featured on page 95 of the August issue of Southern Living.

Another of Victoria's pictures -- the photography class went to visit a nearby ranch. V liked the cows and horses. She's never gotten to be around farm/ranch animals very much -- she's a city girl.

Still having hot days -- had lunch with M and J today -- our annual lunch before J has to go back to school. It was fun catching up! Then M and I went to the new JoAnns and enjoyed looking around -- it is so much prettier than their last location -- and much cleaner. I hope they keep it that way! Some of the clerks didn't seem to be very knowledgeable about fabric but I guess they will learn.

Good morning, I hope everyone is doing well this morning.

I started out with a cloud picture taken by my granddaughter, Victoria. She participated in a Creative Arts and Crafts day camp sponsored by my church. She loves clouds so this was one of her favorite pictures.

Don't let the clouds fool you, however, there is no water in them! We still haven't had any rain at our house. It is terribly dry here -- a record breaking drought.

Mom went home and we are back to just the 3 of us -- that number includes Gracie, of course.

Gracie is grieving because her friend, Zoe, went home with my Mom. We figured that G spend about 9 or 10 weeks with Zoe this summer and she really misses her. We've considered getting another dog to be a companion to Gracie, but just don't think we can handle that. I'll have to arrange a play date so she has someone to play with!

Time Passing...

We are in the last week of my Mom's visit. I'll be taking her home next Thursday. The plan is to do a "turn-around" trip -- delivering her to her home, picking up a few groceries, then returning to our home. Should be about an 8 hour event but we will sleep in our own bed and be down to only one dog. Joy!

This morning we went shopping -- "we" included Vic, who is spending the day with us while her mom has some adult time with friends. (The "adults" went tubing down the Comal River. The Comal is the shortest river in Texas and one of the only ones with enough water for tubing thanks to this horrible drought.)

We went to Palais Royale for some shopping -- Vic got two new knit tops and Mama (my Mom) got a new black blazer and a purple plaid blouse. She is so pleased with her new clothing!

After shopping we stopped at Taco Cabana for lunch, and tried the Cabana Bowls. Much like can be gotten at Mission Burrito except smaller and less expensive. Just enough and very tasty.

After lunch we all went home for a brief nap before Vic and her grandpa went to the library to pick up books that were on hold for me. Now I have a large supply of books and will have to find some time to do some extra reading.

I think I may be in trouble -- found out that the nearby Fort Bend County Library is now available to locals in Harris County without paying for the privilege of using it. We don't live in FBC but are just next door. We visited it, got our new cards, and then took home a pile of books. Now I've got books from two different county libraries and it may be hard to keep them separate. Our little nearby town is actually located in three different counties and the area where I live is divided by a county line. Different libraries -- different tax rates, etc. Interesting.

Our new Joann Fabrics is now open but I haven't visited it yet. Perhaps I'll stop by before we take Mom home -- she wanted to see it. We are so pleased that it is finally open, after months of waiting. It is quite a bit closer than the old location. That is a good thing, I think. Closer may result in more purchases and my stash is already toppling over!

Shoeboxes

I've been thinking about shoeboxes today.
Since Mom is staying with us and she doesn't climb stairs well she is in our bedroom and we are upstairs in the guest room. We have our belongings in a suitcase, a laundry basket, and in a shoebox. I took the box up to the bathroom and have odds and ends in it -- makeup, meds, combs, etc. Today I was looking at the box and it brought back memories.

Older readers -- think back. Do you remember using shoeboxes, or did you see them being used? I remember that shoeboxes served a variety of purposes. Back in my youth we didn't jump in the car and go buy a plastic box with a lid and handle. The ubiquitous plastic boxes and baskets that organize our lives today just weren't present then -- we used shoe boxes. I saw shoe boxes used to hold pictures, letters, recipes, patterns, thread or sewing notions, etc. Sometimes the top was fastened by a loop of elastic with a knot in it. More recently I've seen them used to hold cancelled checks (remember those?) In the past few years we have kept various meds in a shoebox on the top shelf of the kitchen cabinet (out of the reach of little ones!)

Baby birds, fluffy baby chicks, and orphaned bunnies might live in a shoe box for a while and in church or school one might made a diorama or a peep show to be viewed through a hole in the end.

What did you use shoe boxes for? What do you use them for today?

Hello all,

I've been missing a while -- July 3, while she was in church, my Mom (age 89) suffered a mini stroke (TIA.) She said she had a really bad headache and realized that she saw people she knew but she could not think of their names. She gathered her belongings and left the sanctuary, followed by a friend. A couple of other people followed them, recognizing that there was a problem. After a consultation the decision was made to call an ambulance and it wisked her away to a hospital. In the hospital it was determined that she had some vision deficit on her right side which rendered her unable to read. I was home from church, having lunch, when my brother called to let me know what was happening. We threw clothing and assorted necessaries (including the dog) into the car and took off for Austin.

To make a long story short (or is it too late) upon arrival we found her somewhat recovered -- vision had returned as well as ability to read. Her blood pressure had gone down to normal but her headache was still raging. I relieved my brother and his wife, allowing them to go home, and I spent the night in a very uncomfortable recliner. I was sitting there thinking.."there is no way in the world I can sleep in this chair.." and then I woke up two hours later. Mom had been taken off for some tests, (in the middle of the night,) so things had been quiet in the room.

Mom got out of the hospital late Tuesday afternoon. The TIA was diagnosed and various doctors discussed what to do next. Mom has A-Fib and that has a nasty habit of throwing blood clots, which is what had happened.

We visited different doctors, got clearance, a new medication, and came here yesterday. She had been planning a visit, anyway, so we just came on early and the visit will last an extra week or two. She is feeling much, much better, and we are hoping that the new medication will keep her from having other TIA's (this was not her first.)

Anyway, I've been away for a while so I'm going to try to get back in the swing of things. Hope all of you are having a wonderful summer!

New Baby Quilt

The front....

The back...

Just finished making this baby quilt last night -- this one will go to the Pregnancy Help Center since it is too small to go to the orphanage in Cambodia. Since most of our fabric is donated we make a lot of scrappy quilts. This was made in an effort to use up a variety of small bird and animal scraps that were part of several donations.

Red Friday

No particular reason -- just because!

Savannah

During our recent loooong trip we visited Savannah, Georgia. Savannah is a beautiful city and we thoroughly enjoyed seeing the historical district.

I think there is a song that says, "I'm walking to (or through) New Orleans." Well, I was singing, "I'm walking in Savannah!" Even though we took a on and off trolley I still managed to walk quite a bit -- actually, made blisters on both feet!

There are several ways to tour Savannah -- the trolley, as we did, or on foot, by horse drawn carriage, by pedicab (powered by bicycle), or even by Segway (Is that spelled correctly?) Of course, one can also drive through in their own car but you don't get the history that way.

horse-drawn tour....

The Hampton Lillibridge House, believed to be haunted. Sweetie is a descendant of this family so this house was for one of his far-distant cousins. It was designed by a Rhode Island architect and is New England style complete with a widow's walk.

A lovely example of the city archicture -- the two stairways were for women on one side and men on the other (to prevent men from seeing the ankles of the women as they climbed the stairs.)

A memorial to the Haitian soldiers that helped defend Savannah during the civil war. Who knew? I sure didn't.

Crowds waiting to get in to Paula Deen's restaurant. The woman with the apron, triangle and ringer had just announced that the restaurant was open for lunch.

First African Baptist Church, built in 1859 by members of the congregation. The church was started in 1773 and is the oldest Black church in North America. There are tours available but we weren't there at the right times.

There is more from Savannah but this will get you started on your blog tour of this lovely southern city.

Hello,
Do you know about being well intentioned but not being able to follow through with things? Well, I have the best of intentions -- I'm going to blog regularly, I'm going to write wonderful, witty blogs with tremendous pictures. Everyone is going to love to read my blog.

NOT!

Meant to be that way but somehow, it just isn't working out.

Oh, well, I'll just keep on keeping on and write when I can and post pictures when I can. And when I can't, well, I'll have to forgive myself.

Now -- I've had a nice day today. My BFF and I went fabric shopping today and I loved every minute of it. When the clerk was cutting my fabric she asked what I was going to make with it. I told her I didn't have a clue -- I just liked it and wanted to have it. She laughed.
I bought three pieces -- one will be a fleece blanket for my Mom's dog, Zoe. Mom found her a dog bed (cost a quarter at a thrift shop) but it isn't padded like the one Gracie has. Mom put a little cushion in it but I thought I'd make her a little fleece blanket.

The other two pieces are just for fun.

After shopping we went to Souper Salads for lunch and some conversation. I always enjoy talking with her so it was nice. Then we stopped by Kohl's but she didn't find what she wanted and I found I didn't want anything.

After I came home and had a nap I started our dinner -- I stuffed some poblano chilies with a mixture of ground turkey breast, onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms. Topped with some cheese it made a lovely dinner. We finished up some left-over vegetables on the side.

Meanwhile, a crew was in the front and back yards cutting our trees. They had gotten so thick and heavy that people had to duck walking down the sidewalk in front and in the back one of the trees (red oak) was rubbing the roof of the house next door. Now the canopy has been raised on each and they are more open so we may be able to get some grass to grow in the back again. That is, if we can keep enough water on them. We water and water but this drought is just sucking the moisture out of everything.

I hope each of you had a really nice day.

Kicking it up a stitch!

This morning our PBS station had Nancy Zieman but not in her regular format. She did a special show called "Kicking it up a stitch." and it was so funny! It was sewing, food, comedy, and music. I loved it!

Good Reading

A "Sears" house!

During my road trip I've been reading a series of books written by Christian author named Lauraine Snelling. These books, part of the Daughters of Blessing series, take place in a fictional town named Blessing, North Dakota. I was especially interested in this series because...

They take place in North Dakota and my husband's grandparents came from South Dakota, not that far away.

They mention the building of a flour mill in the town -- Sweetie's Grandfather was a flour miller in the small South Dakota town where his father was born.

In a couple of books it is mentioned that the characters order a house from Sears Roebuck. The house is shipped to them via rail and then is put together, "like a puzzle."

During our visit to Savannah we were shown a "Sears house." I was thrilled to see a house that actually was purchased from Sears -- close to 100 years ago, and still standing. The tour guide mentioned that the windows had been put in upside-down when the house was assembled. They are still upside down 100 years later!

Day 7

We had an adventure today -- we went out in the Sea Wench, the boat owned by our niece's family... They told me that we would go to Peanut Island. I thought we would be going to the island, docking, getting off and finding a place on the sand to sit, sun bathe, swim, etc. Didn't happen that way -- we never docked, but we did anchor...

Putting the boat in the water.....

There were three boats in our group -- this is one of them. We went in at low tide and anchored. Lots of boats all around us. Then everyone (except me) got out of the boats and waded around in the water -- about waist deep on some. People walked around, talked, drank, ate, played catch, etc. For hours.

Sweetie and his niece.

Gradually the water got deeper and we could no longer see the sandy bottom. When that happened it was time to go home...

What a lovely day!

There is no place like this in Texas!

Day trip day 5-6

Sweetie, niece and sister.

Great nephews with Grandma

The graduation cake

Arrived at Niece's house in West Palm Beach, FL -- Sweetie's sister was there -- haven't seen her in quite a while. We talked and talked and laughed and laughed. It was lovely.

Stayed up LATE!

Saturday was the graduation party for Niece's son. Lots of people, lots of good food, talking, laughing, etc. A large percentage of the guests were Cuban and you heard Spanish and English and "saw" American Sign Language. My Spanish skills were stretched to the limit and also my ASL, but I managed to keep up with most of the conversation. We sang "Happy Graduation" to Logan and ate a wonderful "fruit cake with rum sauce" -- not the Christmas type fruit cake -- cake sliced so that the filling between layers was fruit. It was delicious. Another late night -- I think the last guests left at 1:30 am but...I crashed about 11:30.

Road trip -- days 3 & 4

Sea grape growing along the beach.


The Atlantic Ocean/beach.

Left Gainsville and headed toward the Orlando area -- Sweetie's nephew lives in Apopka. We met with him and his sons for lunch and had a wonderful visit. Haven't seen the nephew in 20 years -- had never seen his sons.

After we left there we saw the first citrus groves -- expected to see more of the groves -- like what we've always seen in CA. We passed one grove where all the trees were pruned in squares.

That really looked strange.

We stopped several times to admire the ocean but finally made it to Vero Beach where we decided to spend the night. We had a lovely motel and they fixed us a great breakfast the next morning. Then we left for the last 1-1/2 hour of drive time before we reached our destination, West Palm Beach, Florida.