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.