Santa Makes one Last 2009 Stop!

Santa knew we were having a late Christmas celebration with our family so he postponed his return to the North Pole and waited a couple extra days before trimming his beard. There were two very
excited grandchildren and one who didn't know what to think!

Conner was looking out the window when Santa arrived. He was so excited he didn't know what to say. Santa was hardly in the door before Conner jumped in his arms!

Kasey wasn't quite as sure as Conner, she was more reserved but Santa won out and received a hug from her also. Especially when he brought her a princess bag with a bracelet inside!


Tatum didn't know what to make of this interesting looking person!





After taking pictures of the grandkids with Santa--He asked if he could take a family picture of us. So--Here is our family. Herb and I with Conner, Chad and Katie's son, on my lap. Todd is on the floor with his wife, Marie next to my mom. Kasey, sitting on great grandma's lap, is their daughter. Chad is on the end with his wife, Katie holding Tatum.

Now, I hope to spend some time at my sewing machine finishing some unfinished projects before vacation is over!


Could anyone tell my what I have to do to allow replies on my comment? Thanks!!!
Enjoy the week!
Linda

Good Morning-Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas,
Good Morning--Christmas came even though I am not prepared. However, last night as I sat at the Christmas Eve service with our sons, daughters-in-law and love, our three grandchildren, and Herb at my side, I realized that we have all we need. Following service we all went to my mother's for a light dinner where we laughed and enjoyed each other.

My gifts this Christmas include:
* the doctors were able to remove from the penny from Conner's esophagus
*the doctors are going to repair Herb's heart and he will finally feel better
*I have friends I can count on to listen-Thanks Sis!
*My sons and their families live close to us so we are able to a part of the kids growing up.


Today Todd, Marie and Kasey have left home to spend Christmas and the next few days with her family near Albert Lea, MN. I am praying for their trip with the road conditions. Chad, Katie, Conner, and Tatum are spending Christmas with her family at Hayward , WI. I realize that when you have sons--they spend the holiday with the girl's families. So today--Herb and I are spending a low key day. I will be working on a few projects I need to finish before everyone comes here on Sunday for our day of eating, celebrating, and opening gifts!

Have a very special day!
Linda

Away In the Manger---by Third Day

Merry Christmas

Joseph's Lullaby --By Mercy Me

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Merry Christmas,
Linda

Welcome to My World by Michael W. Smith

Four years ago, I attended a Michael W. Smith concert at the Target Center in St. Paul. This was one of the songs he performed. Linda of Linda's World posted this song on her blog--I wanted to share it with you. I hope you enjoy it.
Merry Christmas,
Linda

One Penny = 2 hour trip to Children's Hospital

Last night around 7:30 daughter-in-law, Katie called. She said 3 year old Conner had swallowed a penny and was asking what we thought they should do. She said he was crying because his chest hurt. I suggested they call the ER and ask for the doctor's opinion. I left shortly for the 10 minute drive to their home to stay with Tatum. He had an x-ray that showed it was lodged in the esophagus. The ER doctor spoke with Children's Hospital in St. Paul for suggestions. They were sent home with instructions to have him drink plenty of fluids to try to flush it down then to return this morning for another x-ray to see if it had moved. It hadn't changed positions at all. So late morning they headed to the cities to the hospital. We received a text message a few moments ago that the Dr. came out to see them bringing the penny. He said it all went well and they would be able to see Conner shortly. Praise the Lord! It could have been much worse! We are now waiting word as to when they will be home. If it is not too late I hope to run down just to give him a hug and a kiss!

6:00 Update--Just talked with Chad--Conner is still in the recovery room. He is on his third popsicle.
The nurse should be in shortly to remove the IV and then they will be on their way home!  PTL!!!!

We're Home with a PLAN!

We are home from meeting with the cardiologist at the Minneapolis Heart Institute at the Abbott Northwestern Hospital. It has been decided that Herb will have surgery in January on the mitral valve. The best scenario
would be that when they are able to look at the heart they maybe able to repair the valve. If that is not possible it will be a tissue (pig) valve or a mechanical valve. Each had pros and cons. We are at an outstanding facility with a outstanding surgeon. When we told Dar the name of Herb's surgeon. Her response was "Oh my!" Dr. Kshettry is world renowned -the top surgeon at the institute. We are both totally comfortable with this decision and the doctors! Praise the Lord! Thank you for your prayer support!

Now that we have a plan in place I am able to prepare for Christmas! The tree goes up tomorrow!

Request

Good Morning,

Herb has an appointment at the Minneapolis Heart Institute located in the Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis . He was diagnosed earlier this fall with Mitral Valve Regurgitation. We are meeting with a specialist there this afternoon. My prayer is that we find out what needs to be done so he feels better and is able to return to his normal activities and work load. Please pray as we make the two hour and a half drive and that we are able to find the hospital and clinic without difficulty. I have my mapquest map!
Thank you for your prayer support!

Thank you,
Linda

Dear Santa,

Dear Santa,

The Fat Quarter Shop's Jolly Jabber has asked what I would pick from their store for you to put under my tree. I looked and looked trying to decide what I would like to find under my tree and then on my bed! ! I selected The Coming Home Quilt Kit! I love the pattern and the colors! Where would we be without our dreams! This is strictly between Santa and Me and my dreams! Check it out and write your letter!
Have fun dreaming!
Linda

Mary, Did you know?

This is the 28th year I have set out this Nativity Set. I purchased it the year our four year old son was killed in a farming accident on our farm. It is one way we have for Travis to be a part of our Christmas. It makes the season a little easier. As Christmas gets closer I will share other things we do in his memory.

I have been listening to Christmas Music as I set up my Nativity Scene. This is one of my very favorite Christmas songs. The title link is sung by Clay Aiken with scenes from The Passion. The second link is Mark Lowry singing. His version always sends chills while I listen to it. How thankful I am that Christ was sent at Christmas for each of us!

Mary did you know
That your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
That your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered
Will soon deliver you

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will calm a storm with His hand?
Did you know
That your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little baby
You've kissed the face of God

Mary, did you know?
The blind will see
The deaf will hear
And the dead will live again
The lame will leap
The dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know
That your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding
Is the Great I Am

Oh Mary did you know?

Linda

"Sew Hearts Gramma"

Two year old Kasey spent Friday with me instead of going to daycare. I had put all my sewing things away when preparing for everyone coming for Thanksgiving. (My dining room table doubles has my sewing table). Last summer she watched as I sewed the baby quilt for her new cousin, Tatum. I posted pictures in July of her climbing onto the chair and "sewing". Each time she comes she wants to sew hearts, stars, and now we added bells. She pushes my hands away to place her two fingers on the fabric to guide it along. I tried to have her look at me to take a picture to use on our Christmas letter. Her response was, "No Cheese Gramma!" In Kasey talk that means she won't smile or look at you! When she is finished she looks at her sewing and says, "I did it!"


Another picture from Kasey's birthday celebration last Saturday night. Her gift from her mommy and daddy was a trike. Of course, it came in a box. So Kasey and her cousin, Conner, were right there giving plenty of help and direction to her daddy, our son Todd, on how to put it together and what parts came next!

Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart
Give Thanks To the Holy One
Give Thanks for He's Given
Jesus Christ His Son.

And now let the weak say I am strong
Let the poor say I am rich
Because of what
The Lord has done for us

Give Thanks.

Have Blessed Thanksgiving--Giving Thanks.

I finally finished something!

My projects are extremely small compared to quilt tops that most of you are doing--However, I am pleased to keep plugging along!

I have finished the Christmas Table runner that I started in a Community Ed. class the first of November. Due to combining, feeding the guys in the field and helping to move equipment from one field to another I missed the second week. I had wanted to learn new methods of quilting the finished product. Each class I take--I learn more and find out there is so much more I need learn.

We celebrated Granddaughter Kasey's second birthday Saturday evening. In attendance were 3 great grandma's and 1 great grandpa in addition to the grandmas, papas, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

I was disappointed that I hadn't been able to finish Kasey's Fuzzy Flowers in time for her birthday. I was short fabric to finish the sashing strips so I had do some ripping and changing of the plan.
I am changing from having strips with setting posts around the outside to have a smaller border and a larger border. I started clipping some of the flowers this afternoon. That is going to take time.

I had allowed a sales clerk talk me into greens instead of blues when I purchased the fabric. After sewing the green on to the yellow squares I wasn't happy with it. So I took 16 squares apart and replaced them with the blues I found at Busy Bobbin. I really like it now!

We are heading down to our son, Chad's home tonight to cut up the two bucks that he and DH shot yesterday and today. I would rather stay here and work on Kasey's Fuzzy Flowers!

Take Care!

Linda

Thank you!

Lee Greenwood's Song still says it all!

"If tomorrow all the things were gone
I'd worked for all my life,
And I had to start again
with just my children and my wife,
I'd thank my lucky stars
to be living here today,
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom
and they can't take that away.

And I'm proud to be an American
where at least I know I'm free,
And I won't forget the men who died
who gave that right to me,
And I gladly stand up next to you
and defend her still today,
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.

From the lakes of Minnesota
to the hills of Tennessee,
Across the plains of Texas
from sea to shining sea.
From Detroit down to Houston
and New York to L.A.,
well There's pride in every American heart
and it's time we stand and say:

that I'm proud to be an American
where at least I know I'm free,
And I won't forget the men who died
who gave that right to me,
And I gladly stand up next to you
and defend her still today,
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.

And I'm proud to be an American
where at least I know I'm free,
And I won't forget the men who died
who gave that right to me,
And I gladly stand up next to you
and defend her still today,
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A."

AMEN!

Halloween Greettings

Halloween Greetings to all my Blogger Friends!

Check out Canton Village Quilt Works

Happy Friday!
When reading The Quilting Cat's blog tonight, she told about the most awesome give away at Canton Village Quilt Works . Jackie just returned from Quilt Market and has 5 awesome give aways! There are jelly rolls, layer cakes, and charm packs! Check her out.

More Later!

Linda

(Could anyone direct me how to find a fancy signature?)

Working on Kasey's Quilt

This afternoon I worked on Kasey's quilt. I finished the 48 8 inch appliqued squares. Then quartered and laid out the purple blocks. I hope to sew the purple blocks together tomorrow night. It is a type of raggy quilt only the seam allowance are all turned in; only the applique edges are left raw for clipping. My accomplishments and the amount of time it takes are small compared to what experienced quilters are able to complete in a few hours--I am constantly amazed at how much I am learning and enjoying what I am doing!

This week we start the WKCE (Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examination). It is very unfair to my students to be required to take the test. The majority of students are working significantly below grade level. Yet, they take the same test as their general education peers. My students become frustrated-those with EBD (Emotional Behavioral Disability) issues may become agitated and act out, those with SLD (specific learning disability) or CD (cognitive disability) feel they are failures and "dumb", the ADD/ADHD kids will be extremely hyper. It will be a long three weeks as we work on the test a couple of hours a day .
Have a great week!
Linda

More Than Frost of the Pumpkin!

October 23 in Wisconsin! It was sleeting when I left for school this morning. The rain turned to snow around noon and this is what it looks like at 4:30. And it is still coming!!!!!! Needless to say--we are not thrilled! There are too many acres of beans to combine yet-plus we need to combine corn.


October 3, Herb and I attended the wedding
of Monica and Eric. Monica is the daughter of one of my college roommates, Peg. There were four of us who were close in college and three of us have remained good friends since we graduated from U.W. Stout a "few" years ago. We have experienced each others weddings, new babies, our children's graduations and weddings, now becoming grandparents, illnesses, death of a child, and death of parents. Always, being there for each other through it all. We are the type of friends that though we all live on opposite ends of the state--if needed, we would be in the car and on our way! I am so blessed to have them in my life!






Last weekend was Ben and Sadie's wedding. The ceremony was held outside--weather was beautiful! Ben's parents have been friends of ours for several years. Ben's mom is the paraeducator in my classroom. It was a small wedding, with only family and a few close friends--we described it as being "simple, elegant and intimate." As Pastor Chopper stated at the beginning of the ceremony, "Ben, you look very handsome and Sadie you are stunning." Where would we be without friends in our lives.

I hope to spend some time working on granddaughter Kasey's "Fuzzy Flowers" quilt this weekend. I hope to have it finished by her 2nd birthday, November 18. I will post pictures as I make more progress.

Have a wonderful weekend! It is still snowing!!!!!!!
Linda

P.S. For those who follow Amy's Passions, her volleyball team is in regional tournament play tonight!

Check out The Quilting Cat

There is a great quilter I have meet through blogging. Well, actually it is her cat Piwacket who does the blogging along with momcat. Momcat (another Linda) recently celebrated her birthday with giveaway's. Check them out at The Quilting Cat. She has one more awesome giveaway in process now!!

On her latest post she once again gave the direction to "go quilt for 15 minutes." I'm making the 15 minutes now!

Bits and Pieces

Last weekend Herb and I attended Monica and Eric's wedding in Kaukauna. It was a beautiful wedding with Monica as a gorgeous bride and Eric a handsome and proud groom. On Sunday we
drove up to Bob and Peg's home on the bay near Sturgeon Bay to spend Sunday and Monday with them as they unwound from their youngest daughter's wedding.

On Monday when the guys drove to Algoma to visit Chris's farm, Bob and Peg's son, Peg and I relaxed for a couple of hours. She had signed up to learn to quilt the same week I did last winter without the other one knowing and on opposite sides of the state. Monday she taught me how to use the Easy Dresden template to make this mini table topper. I worked on it this afternoon. The most difficult part was finding something large enough for a pattern for the backing fabric!

Peg took me to an awesome quilt shop in Sturgeon Bay Barn Door Quilts. I officially did stash collecting of fall fabrics, two of them I used for the Dresden.





This afternoon, before I allowed myself to work on the Dresden Plate topper, I made myself finish mending the nine pairs of Todd and Chad's jeans I started last night. When I called Chad to tell him that I had finished mending four pairs of jeans for him, his comment was, "Good, there is another pile at home I will bring those up to you." With one "boy" wearing 36 X 36 and the other wears 38 X 34, there is a long slim leg to work with trying to sew on the patches.

Have a great week--try to stay warm and out of the snow!
Linda

Exciting News!

I received an envelope in the mail from The Quilting Cat, Piwacket, containing three fat quarters and an awesome book. The title of the book is, "fast, fun, & easy Fabric Boxes. I am anxious to attempt to make some fabric boxes. It was Piwacket who encouraged me to get busy and work on my mystery quilt when she gave the orders to "go quilt for 15 minutes."


This is a picture of Evie and Louis taken last June (with the quilt I made for Evie). They are the precious ones who both had H1N1 a couple of weeks ago. Not only are they both recovered from the flu--the Lord also healed their hearts while He was at it. They were each born with holes in their hearts and were anticipating open heart surgery next Spring for Louis and to be schedule for Evie. Today they both had appointments with their pediatric cardiologist. After two echoes the doctor came into the room in tears. He said he isn't usually able to give good news. His words, "It is a miracle." The hole in Louie's heart has totally closed! One Evie's holes has went from 12 mm to 8mm and it feathering-so it looks as though it is healing. Another hole was two small to measure. She still has one hole that will be patched through a cardiac catheter lab rather than open heart surgery in two years! The only thing to say is, "Praise the Lord for answers to prayers."

Linda

Thank you!

Thank you to all who held little Evie (Evelyn) and Louie (Louis) in your prayers. They are both over the H1N1 flu. It was a long and frightening recovery for their parents with several coversations with the pediatrician and one chest x-ray. Evie now is on medication for pinkeye, but the other infections are gone. Thank you from Evie and Louie, their mom and dad, and grandma and grandpa!

I spent a little time sewing together one set of the blocks for Bonnie's Mystery Lights Quilt when "The Quilting Cat" gave the direction to go quilt for 15 minutes, I followed her orders!









This weekend we head to Kaukauna for a wedding, with reception in DePere and our hotel is in Green Bay. We will then head up to Sturgeon Bay to visit my sister, Peg and her husband. (actually-Peg is my closest friend and college roommate- we just claim to be sisters) Her youngest daughter is getting married. My other close college friend, Jane and her husband will also be there. It should be a great time to celebrate!

One of the soon to be "Crafting Angels"!
Linda

Finally Finding Time...

One more Christmas Skirt finished! This one is whimsical. I used fabrics from Moda's Holly Jolly Snowman fabrics. The blocks are the Disappearing 9-patch.

With three weeks of school over, I think the students are getting into a routine or maybe it is me! I become extremely frustrated because I am unable to meet all the academic needs of my students. Their IEP's call for individualized instruction and with so many students I am unable to provide the time needed. I don't consider giving them seatwork to do independently as quality instruction time. This year I have 30 minutes a day of prep time when there are no students in my classroom. I am so glad I am learning to quilt. It gives me time to escape and relax.

Linda from The Quilting Cat "piwacketquilts.blogspot.com" is talking of setting up a Yahoo Group for Christian Quilters called, "Quilting Angels." Is anyone interested in connecting in this way?

Linda

Special Request

This is a different type of entry. Several weeks ago "BitnByAQuiltingBug" asked for prayers and thoughts for her friend, Val. I am taking my turn today.

My best friend's two grandchildren have each been diagnosed with H1N1. They are 26 months and 6 months old. An additional complication is they each have heart conditions. They both have VSD and little Evie also has ASD. The pediatrician has told their parents to watch closely if their fevers reoccur. If so they will be hospitalized to monitor for pneumonia. They each have extra fluid around their heart. Evie also has ear infection, pink eye, and a yeast infection in her mouth.

Please hold Evie, Louie, and their mom & dad in your prayers.

Thank you!!!

Linda

We remember.....

Just as my generation remembers the assassination of Pres. Kennedy. This generation will remember the tragic events of 9-11.

Birthday Cloth Pie

Many years ago, when he was young and little, Chad asked for "cloth" pie for his birthday. It took a great deal of mind searching to realize what he wanted was French "Silk" pie. When I asked him if that was what he meant--he said, "Yah! That cloth pie." So to this day it is referred to as Chad's Cloth Pie.

I made four pies this weekend as we celebrated his birthday with our family and his in-law family.

If you are ever looking for an easy and great tasting chocolate pie this will fit perfectly!

Chad's Cloth Pie

1 Cup sugar
3/4 cup butter--only butter*
3 squares (3 ounces--Semi Sweet Chocolate squares, melted and cooled)****
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
3 eggs

In a small mixer bowl cream sugar and butter about 4 minutes or till fluffy. Stir in cooled chocolate and vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time, beating on medium speed of mixer after each addition and scraping sides of bow constantly. (I beat in each egg for two minutes.) It will be creamy smooth. Pour into crust.** Chill several hours or overnight. Garnish with chocolate curls or whipped cream.
* ONLY REAL BUTTER!!
** I use a prepared Graham Cracker crust.
***I always use Semi Sweet Chocolate

School Life Resumes

I returned to school for three days of in service this week--Listening to speakers, administrators, a presentation on Six Traits Writing, and trainings. Finally, today we were given some time to work in our rooms.

I am a Cross-Categorical Elementary Special Education Instructor working with students in grades 3-6. I have 16 students on my caseload starting the year. The students range from SLD (specific learning disability), Mild CD ( cognitive disablity), OHI (other health impaired) , Sp/L (Speech Language), EBD (Emotional Behavior Disability) and add a few ADD/ADHD students. Today I began working on scheduling. The first challenge is to work out how one teacher and one para-educator will be able teach nine students who are on seven different academic levels from four grades at the same time four days aweek from 8:30 to 9:40. Most of the day there are several students from various grades are various levels in the room needing instruction in the academic areas of Reading, Written Language, Spelling, and Math. I also provide support for the students in their general education classroom for social studies and science.

The motto of my classroom: "Blessed Are the Flexible for they Shall not be Bent out of Shape!"

Now you see why I learned to quilt. I need something that I am able to escape into at night. Last week my friend, Julie's son and his girl friend announced their engagement. They are getting married this October--so out came the fabric for a Christmas Tree Skirt. Julie thought they would prefer whimsical rather than traditional. I am using the MODA Bake Shop Christmas Table Topper pattern with a few modifications- and rather than a Table Topper- I will have a Christmas Tree Skirt.

I sewed the nine patch squares last night and have started cutting them into the "disappearing nine square blocks" tonight.

It is a memory day! My baby has his Golden Birthday today, Chad is 27 on the 27th.

Quilt of Holes

Quilt of Holes

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.

Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles;

an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.

But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.

I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares.Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.

My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.

Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise.

My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.

And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.

I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light.

An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes.

Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, 'Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.

Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.'

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!

Trying!!!!

Good Morning,
I am trying -with my limited technological knowledge--to work on my blog site. I found how to do a signature--but can't download it permanently! Also, I 'm trying to add something special to the sides of the blog! ( Nancy at Patchwork Penguin always has awesome blog sites!) Plus, I would like to be able to add links to other bloggers sites.

I decided to participate in Amanda Jean's Crazy Mom Quilt's quilt-a-long. I am using retro 30's prints. Her plan is to sew a 9-patch square a day for 70 days. I had planned to use these fabrics for my kitchen valances. I started with the squares and found that a finished 6 inch square may be two large for the valance. So I will try cutting each piece 1 1/2 ".

I worked on these yesterday when I had 20 month old Princess Kasey here. (Tuesday has been Grandma and Kasey day for the summer.) She wasn't feeling well. She didn't want to eat and had slept most of the morning. Around 11:00 she asked, "Juice peese Gamma." 15 minutes later her breakfast and the juice came back up. It was frightening for her. As she slept most of the day, I either held her or when she slept sat and sewed on the squares. I learned having a sick grandchild is even more heart wrenching than when your child is sick!!! She is back today rather than going to her usual day-care.

Revised Finished Projects!!!

One more baby girl quilt completed. Our neighbors had a baby girl born the day after our new granddaughter--same hospital! Aria Rebekah was born to Haylee and Jerry on July 17. I waited until she arrived to make the quilt--hoping she was a girl. I had made a retro cowboy quilt for her "big" brother Fane's first birthday in June. She is one busy mommy!

I used Amanda Jean's stipple turtorial (crazy mom quilts) once again for guidance in the quilting process! Thank you!!!!!

I also finished the Christmas Tree Skirt I started earlier this summer. I held off finishing it because I was afraid to quilt it. However, I have more confidence now that I have used the stippling quilting method--and I completed it. It was extremely difficult to make myself cut up the side and cut the six inch hole in the center. It almost stayed a table covering rather than tree skirt.

Next I am going to work on the valances for my kitchen--or maybe I should finish Step 2 of the Mystery Lights quilt or maybe I should finish cutting the pieces for the Maverick quilt. DECISIONS---

NEWS FLASH!!! A VACATION!!!

We really did it!! DH and I went on our first real vacation since our honeymoon 35 years ago. At that time we went camping in a borrowed camper for 4 days at Copper Falls State Park in Northern Wisconsin. DH has gone on a few hunting trips out west with friends and I have had my adventures with my college friends, however we were never able to go together because one of us had to stay to milk the dairy cows. The last of the dairy cows went in the truck in May. We left on July 23 and returned July 29 putting 3299.4 miles on our Yukon.

I have a cousin and his wife, who live near Flathead Lake in Montana. We have always wanted to visit them. So we headed out. It was fantastic. We visited Carrington, N.D where I had lived until I was nine years old. I managed to find the two houses I remembered living in, my church, and elementary school. Even stopped to visit the neighbor across the street who had been my mother's best friend.
We drove the less traveled highways. We enjoyed seeing the crops and machinery. Herb started out our trip stopping are three implement dealers before reaching St. Cloud. So we stopped at 21 John Deere dealership on the trip. He talked with dealers, farmers, and ranchers from here to Glacier Park and back. We took pictures of 19 of the JD dealerships!
Glacier Park was breathtaking. I actually took the picture of the glacier I have added to the post. We enjoyed the montains, the plains, the meadows, and the plateaus! Most of all we actually relaxed! We saw huge fields that see to go forever of blue Flax in bloom and fields of wheat ready to be combined.

We totally enjoyed out trip--we learned many things about traveling--Such has plan your stops and how long you expect to make in a day. And to make reservations ahead of time--long story!

I spent last week doing devotions/ object lessons for the students at our VBS. We averaged 78 students throughout the week. It was a great week! Good prep to going back to school soon!!!!!

SOOO-back to quilting projects. I have only to do the binding on a baby quilt for Haylee and Jerry's little girl who was born the day after Tatum. It is bright!!! I have started a Christmas Table runner to give as a housewarming gift for the guidance counselor at my school. There are a few other UFO's that need my attention!

Questions for blogging friends. I found a valance in The Country Sampler Magazine. I am going to make for my kitchen using retro 30's prints. What size should I make the 9 patch??? All suggestions will be appreciated!!


Thank you!!!!

Linda

These are a few of my favorite things!

Conner wanted to hold Tatum or as he calls her, "Tatumcole". Chad and Katie set him on the bed and placed her in his arms-It lasted about 30 seconds.






The happy new family! Katie and Tatum went home on Saturday. Sunday afternoon Chad did up all the laundry so Katie wouldn't have to climb the stairs. He also had Conner out in the shop with him so Katie could rest while the baby slept. We are so blessed!






Since the dairy cows are gone--Hallejuah! I am not getting the
1 1/2 to 3 hours of exercise a day that I had other summers. However, my knees, hips and elbows no longer ache. Last week I rejoined Curves to make sure I exercise in the correct way. Also-hopefully lose many extra pounds. I look at it at 5 pounds at a time, not quite as discouraging that way!

I made a quick trip to Rice Lake to run some errands this afternoon! What grandma cannot resist a sale, especially when things were 70-80% off the lowest sale price! I found several special outfits for Tatum for this fall and Christmas time all 3 to 6 month size. I am sure she won't mind last years fashion!



I am really going to do it! I found this pattern in the Sept. Quick Quilts--It looks to be something I can handle. So I found the fabrics on-line from three different sites. The final four arrived today!




I am enjoying meeting new friends through the blogging! So until next time! Enjoy your quilting, children, grandchildren, DH, and friends.

Linda