Finished with 30 minutes to spare!

Thirty minutes before I had to leave for a baby shower I finished her quilt.  I have been having alot of grandma duty the past few weeks so there was no time for quilting.  I thought I had a few weeks before the shower only to find out Thursday afternoon the shower was today!!!!! So Thursday and Friday nights were spent sewing the flimsy.  Saturday night I started the quilting and finished after church this morning.  Lisa is 39 and is carrying her first baby to full term. She has lost several babies previously.  Genevieve is a very prayed for and welcomed baby.

DIL-1 had to make a quick three day trip to the Denver aware two weeks ago to attend the funeral of her 33 year old cousin who had died of Lou Gehrig's disease.  Between DS-1,  Papa and myself we had Kasey and Cole.  Then Saturday they attended a memorial service in Albert Lea, MN.  We had the kids for the day rather than have them make the round trip in one day.  

I have also had Tatum for two weekends.  She needs the one on one time.  DIL-2 has found after Tatum spends a day and night with me she is calmer and more relaxed at home.  I love having them with me and doing the special things that Grandma's get to do!!!

Since it has been a while since I posted--I will include a Halloween picture of the kids!
DIL-1 had stopped at Good Will for Halloween outfits.  She picked up a jersey for Cole.  When DS took one look he said, "Packers beat them in the Super Bowl."  So he had to wear his Cheese Hat.  Kasey was a cheerleader complete with pompoms.  When asked to cheer she would yell, "GO PLAYERS."  DIL-1 was the ref-complete with the flag in her pocket. 

Whew!

DH  and I made two trips to the Minneapolis Heart Institute in the last two days.  He had been having symptoms similar to last winter.   When we arrived they found he was in Atrial Fibrillation (A-fib) again.  After talking with the doctor it was decided that we return today to have a cardioversion - shocking his heart to return it to normal sinus rhythm.   It took in one shock.  His heart rate had been 125 last week in the ER.  Following the cardioversion it is  a consistent 68- 72.  They did determine that the mitral valve that he received 21 months ago is working  perfectly. 

 Unless he has difficulty before, his next appointment is November 29 with a Cardiac Electrophysiologist.

After driving in to the cities two days in a row during rush hour-- I am MORE than ready to spend some time with the Friday Night Sew-in!

Thank you Janet for your prayer support!!!

My Birthday Gift!!

I came home today to find a birthday package from Peg.  Inside I found quilting magazines !!  WoooHoo!  I immediately started looking---This is what I found to do first!  Oh NO!!!!  It requires applique!  I think I just might have to get over my fear of applique and try it!!  Other projects may suddenly join thetote of "Masterpieces Under Fermentation" with I try this!!! 

October 18, 2011

October 2, 2011

Our pair of swans are still on the pond.  Usually they stop only for a couple of days in the Spring and Fall.  This time they have been here for over two weeks.  They better move on soon.  That unpleasant four letter word was mentioned in the forecast this morning!! I took another picture this afternoon.  What a difference in two weeks!

First I need to dig out may winter coat, hat and gloves.  Also the sweaters!!!  I am freezing at school.  Maybe it is the 37 lbs of insulation that I have lost!!  : )

Just a little post.

Sunday night my two wonderful daughters-in-law had a birthday supper for me. (My birthday was Saturday).  It is always fun to be entertained by grandkids!   I love Cole wearing the "tough guy" t-shirt while holding a doll and bottle!  They were singing the alphabet song--well--three different versions of the song!  Now that I have DILs they do something for my birthday each year.  My birthday has been difficult for DH since Travis was killed.  His funeral was the day before my birthday.  The hardest part has been that my sons weren't taught by example to make a birthday special for the woman in their lives.  I will say though-they are both great husbands and fathers. 

Conner and Tatum had spent Saturday night with us while DS and DIL-2 attended Ami and Josh's wedding. Ami is the daughter of the friend whose funeral we had all attended two weeks earlier. The ceremony was held in the same church.  The kids said the wedding was  beautiful, sad, and yet healing.  Ami's veil was Nancy's and in the center of the bouquet was a  dried rose that Nancy had carried in her wedding bouquet.  Nancy had been part of all the planning for the special day.

I used the same pattern, just changed some of the fabric in the tree skirt for Ami and Josh.

I have two other tree skirt patterns to try for Christmas gifts!  Also--two baby quilts I need to work on that need to be finished before Christmas!

Enjoying The Beautiful Fall Weather!!

On our home from church this morning we saw two Trumpeter Swans on the pond across the road from our house.  I don't know how many days before they continue on their route.  Each spring they stop for a day and then move on.  

Yesterday was a new experience for DH and I.  We went with DIL-2's family 4-wheeling.  Our neighbors insisted that we take their machines.  We drove to the Chequamegon National Forest about 75 miles north.  It was a beautiful fall day with the leaves at the peak.  We road ATV's about 45 miles on trails in the woods,  through mud holes,  up hills, and around beautiful lakes.  I didn't see any elk but Chad saw about 7 the night before.  I did see elk tracks though.  

This is Katie's, 72 year old Grandma on her wheeler.  

Most of our miles where on trails like this one.   This is a pic of one of the mud holes that some of us went around. However, Katie's dad was sure he could make it through.  In his other life he is a pastor and uses days like this to relax!  It was a great day!!


It was a fun day!  Occasionally I thought to myself, I could be home quilting!  But, it was a treat spending time outdoors with special people in our lives!! 

Faith, Family, and Friends- Nothing else is needed!

Conner and Tatum are my favorite Packer fans!!

I finally finished Chris and Kari's gift before the wedding last Saturday.  Chris is a farmer who also thinks that John Deere Equipment is the only way to go! Chris is my "sister" son.


 My college roommate, forever friend, and "sister by heart,"  Peg and myself at her son's wedding reception on Saturday.  

We only made it to the reception because last Saturday morning we attended the funeral of a wonderful 56 year old woman who fought cancer for 2 1/2 years.  Nancy was a second  "mom" to Chad.  Her son and Chad were college roommates, stood up in each others weddings, and work together.  I am working now to finish  a Christmas tree skirt wedding gift for Nancy's daughter who is getting married on October 8th.  The wedding will be in the same church where Nancy's funeral was held.   A friend of Nancy's who gave a beautiful eulogy finished by having this song played.  It is Borrowed Angels sung by Kristin Chenoweth.

Any Difference?

Do you notice any difference between the two sets pictures?  Scroll down for the answer!! The top two were taken on Father's Day.

These were taken last weekend at a wedding reception.

Here is a hint.  20 lbs of flour, 10 lbs of sugar, and three sticks of butter equal?

THIRTY plus pounds off since starting Weight Watchers on June 13!!!!  That also equals two clothing sizes!  WooHoo! A LONG way to go--but this is a start!!!!

A Birthday Gift and Pictures of Grandkids

As is everyone else's life.  The past few weeks have been busy.  Last night I FINALLY finished Saphria's quilt for her first birthday party this afternoon.  Her parents are our neighbors.  I have known Saphira's mom, Haylee, her entire life.  I tried some new free motion quilting.  At first it was alittle rough--but by the time I finished--not to bad!  Saphria has an older brother who is three, an older sister, Aria, who is two,  Saphria is turning one and they are expecting a new baby in November!  Haylee is one busy mom!

Last Sunday was Jessica's dedication/ baptism.  Her other grandfather is a pastor at Northern Lights Christian Center.  It is special to have him give the short personal message and prayer. A lady in the church crocheted a special gown for Jessica.  She is now six months old.  We thank the Lord for her each day when we think of all the complications surrounding Katie's pregnancy.



I am learning to allow my picture to be taken with the grandkids.  Long story--but I will admit I am no longer refusing pictures.  

We all knew Tatum wasn't feeling well. She wasn't laughing or enjoying being Tatum.  The past several nights she had awoken during the night and cried.  Sunday afternoon she would cry and needed to be held.   By late afternoon her right jaw was swelling.  We all thought she was cutting a molar.  By 1:00 a.m. Monday morning they were in the ER.  The entire side of her face was swollen and hot to the touch.  The ER doc said she definitely had an infection and needed to see a dentist in the morning.  The dentist couldn't determine what was wrong.  It was three days before she was able to see the pediatric oral surgeon.  On Thursday they found a baby tooth was floating in the gum over the molar not allowing the molar to come through.   It had caused the growing infection.  The doctor removed the baby tooth.  When they were in the car coming home, Tatum said,  "Mommy, Owie all gone!"


With school starting last Monday, it will be good to be back in a daily routine.   Lots of challenges there again this year!

Cookies with Rachel

Rachel's dad is a friend of DH's. Ever since she was a preschooler she has been coming to our farm with her dad.  One time  they stopped in I was baking cookies. She helped me and took several home.   Every year since we have had a cookie baking day.  Today was her day.  There were plenty of other things I could have been doing this afternoon. But, today was Rachel's day.  I spent the morning working in my classroom and then picked her up after 7th grade volleyball.  

I mixed up the sugar cookie dough last night.  I do the rolling out and she cuts them out.  I mix the white frosting and she mixes the colors.  From there she takes over frosting and decorating while I clean the kitchen.  This year I showed her how to use  a  paper cone and  decorating tips.  She takes a plate for each brother and the rest home for her mom and dad.

Quilting Gloves?????

Add caption

I need to invest in a new pair of quilting gloves.  What style-brand-features would you recommend?  The ones I have worn through are Fons & Porter's.   As I have looked there is are several to select from.  The Busy Bobbin quilt shop didn't have any so I will need to order them.    All suggestions welcome. 

When will I learn????

When will I learn to make sure I have enough thread to complete machine quilting a quilt BEFORE starting.  Saturday night I was finally in the right mood to work on finishing projects.  Since I will need this baby quilt soon I started quilting.  I decided to use one of the "fancy" stitches.  It required more thread--duh Linda--.  So I ran out.  I will need to make a trip to the Busy Bobbin in Rice Lake and hopefully they will have it.   I am not sure what plan B maybe! 

So--I pulled out the wedding gift for Chris and Kari.  They are getting married in September.  Chris always said he wasn't getting married until he was 30!  His birthday is Friday and the wedding is Saturday.   Chris is a farmer who farms with all John Deere equipment.  He worked at a dealership before buying his farm.  I decided to make their tree skirt reversible.  The top is traditional and this is the backing.    I think they will like it. 

Summer is going fast.  I have several things on my "to do" list that have not been accomplished!  I think I need to prioritize to the list.

Votes for a Blogging Friend

Judy C  from Shade Tree Quilting from North Carolina has become a friend through blogging.  She has entered a quilt, Civil War Spring in the weekly online quilt contest for log cabin quilts at

The Quilting Gallery -http://quiltinggallery.com/blog-posts  . She would appreciate your vote.
When you get to the site you will need to
Scroll down to the bottom of the post to see all the quilts - then place your vote.  This is

her quilt.

http://www.shadetreequilting.com/

There are many great Log Cabin quilts--Take a look.  I know  I was impressed.