Another try! "What did I get myself into?"

In February I attended a small quilt show in Rice Lake with three friends.  A fourth friends exhibits a beautiful quilt every year.  This year was no exception.  It was a wool appliqued quilt from a Primitive Gatherings Pattern.

During lunch at Applebees (after all it was a Girl's Day Out.)  We talked about how amazing her applique looked on the quilt.  Of course she said it was easy to do and offered to teach us.
Our teaching day was last Saturday.  Another Girl's Day Out.

Two of the gals decided they would like to do the geranium. It looked quite daunting to me.  I wasn't sure if I was up to this challenge.  But, I WAS NOT going to miss a day out with these friends.

I made a run to Rice Lake to the Red House Wool  Studio with my list in hand.  It is an amazing shop in Cathy G.'s house where she has wool for rug hooking and applique. She is an awesome artist who helped me select fabrics.

Saturday morning we left for Sheila's with our wool, scissors, fusible, chenille needles, and thread. After instructions and lots of help we were stitching. 

An awesome sewing room with plenty of room and light. 

This friend has appliqued before..she made lots of progress and knew what she was doing.

What do quilters do when they have the opportunity to see a completely hand sewn and hand quilted appliqued quilt that  had been entered at the Paducah Quilt Show?

You get down on your knees and admire it! 

It is amazing! 

Sheila has amazing beautiful quilts hanging throughout her home. 

It was an awesome day.  We learned to appliqued, talked, and laughed until we cried!  We promised to do it again! 

Papa's Blessings...

We celebrated Grandson #2's birthday on Saturday night with a quick impromptu get together.   The kids are truly DH's greatest blessings and enjoyment.

I didn't finish his quilt in time for his actual birthday.   However,  he and Kasey  came home with me after school that night.  They always call Papa from my truck on the way home.  The first thing when Papa answered that Cole said was, "It's your birthday boy."  He asked what present I had for him.  I told him I was sewing something for him but it wasn't finished.  He said he wanted to see it. His first question was, "When will you finish it?"  With the next question, "Is there a pillowcase to match?"

 I think his smile says that he likes it!

His other  present needs to be shared with his sister and brother!

I have been doing research on a longarms.  I found this week there is a quilter in Duluth who offers a beginners class  in the summer on operating a longarm.   Once you have completed her class she rents a  longarm.  I think it would be great to be able to try it out to see if owning on something I want to pursue.  I have been researching the Handiquilter,  APQS, along with others.  These two have dealers within 85 miles where I could receive instruction and help. They would even come to my home to help.  I am looking for suggestions and opinions on longarms.  APQS always has a give away going on.  I register every day!

Star of the Week

What does your 4 year old grandson take to school to share a family tradition when he is Star of the Week in his Four Year Old Kindergarten class?   Of course he has his dad bring a tractor and vertical tiller.  Cole is the fourth generation to ride on tractor at our farm.    The students all had a chance to climb into the tractor. Cole was a proud four year old, tomorrow he turns 5!

 

One of my greatest blessings is watching my sons be amazing fathers to their children!

Spring Field Work Has Begun

A year ago we were in the middle of a huge snowstorm. This morning when I went for my early Saturday morning walk, this is what I found outside my kitchen.

 This year we are starting field work.
Son #3 came home for a few hours to use one of DH's dozers to level some land and clear some brush from the edge of a field.  He operates large heavy equipment at work, this was like playing with a toy. He also brought a transit to work on the grading of an area of the field to help it drain better.

 

This morning DH helped with  the slaughtering two black angus steers to be sold to friends who appreciate lean, home raised beef.  

A young man  comes with a  truck,  complete with a hoist  and cooler,who does the slaughtering and hauls the beef to the meat market where it will be custom cut and wrapped for the purchaser.  We have many repeat friends who purchase a whole, 1/2 or 1/4 beef because they like the flavor,  they know we don't use any type of hormones, and they know what it has been fed.

This afternoon DH started chisel plowing to prepare the field for no-till planting.  It saves time and eliminates the need for conventional plowing.  The trash (old rotting corn stalks) helps to hold moisture in the ground.

Son #2 is broadcasting fertilizer over the fields.  This tractor and spreader quickly covers the ground.
A friend of Son #2 has another tractor going preparing fields with the .  Our nephew is also helping today.

I need to continue working on a quilt for grandson #2's upcoming birthday.  I need to add the borders and try to have it quilted before Wednesday!  I know what I will be doing after church tomorrow!

Spring is Here!

The swans  returned this morning to the pond outside my kitchen window. 

Last week we woke up to three inches of heavy wet snow on the ground.  Three of the grandkids were here for the day since there was no school on Easter Monday.  Two hours later the snow was melting and the snowman collapsed.

On March 23,  the 38 year old son of a close friend took his life.  He had experienced severe depression the past 18 months.  Every avenue was tried with counselors,  medication and hospitalized different times.  They would make progress then he would sink into depression again.  This friend was our school secretary who retired last spring.   She asked me to speak at the memorial service.  She calls me her "religious" friend.  So I had the "religious" part of the service. It was  an an opportunity to share with Polly and Jason's friends and family.  The service was held in the local funeral home.  She wrote her own verse to "Amazing Grace" and asked me to read it along with the first verse of "Amazing Grace."

“Amazing Grace, How how sweet the sound,
which saved a wretch like me,
I once was lost , but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.”

 Polly's verse.

“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a man like me,
Jason once was lost,
but now is found
Was blind, but now he sees.”

I then read one of the verses from "Amazing Grace, My Chains are Gone."

“My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, amazing grace.”

Before Jason's death, Polly and I had a fun time cheering for the Wisconsin Badger Basketball team and their run for the NCAA championship.   Last spring I made her a Badger quilt.  I promised a runner for her piano when they made it to the Final game.  (Her most prized possession) This is a picture she posted during the tournament. Letting me know she was expecting the runner.

 Jason's death was the week before the elite 8 game.  I knew I would finish her gift regardless.

I sewed at the dining room table while watching the intense game.  The Badgers lost to Duke...we won't go into the officiating of that game.

Thursday after school a group of friends met her after school.  She was thrilled! Sometimes we do things for special people.  We live completely different lifestyles.  But, are still very close friends.

I was working on a baby quilt for a gift for baby shower at church.  I took a picture before the binding.  Suddenly I saw my mistake.  It was already quilted.  So, I have finished it and I'm sending it to "Quilts for Kids."  I hope whoever receives it won't mind a mistake.

I am working on a quilt for Cole's birthday in a couple of weeks.  I haven't a picture of that yet.  I will share it next week. 

Last week was "Art Day" in Cole's 4K class.  His dad went into the special day as Cole's guest. 

Thought for the day:

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to your family and loved ones!

 Our tree is not the most elaborate or the most ornate.  However, it is filled with memories.

 

There are several past Christmas gifts that I have shining together in my house this year.  There are six gifts from friends in this arrangement.

I hadn't planned on spending the eight days before Christmas with pneumonia.  I didn't get any baking done or finish Christmas shopping.  Finally yesterday and today I have more energy. 

We now take three tables to eat Christmas brunch.  I started setting the food on the island in the Christmas as a buffet.  No one is bashful.  Everyone goes back for seconds and thirds. 

We have the little kids.

More little kids and Katie. 

Then the adult table.  Our nephew and his significant other have moved here from NJ.  They have now become part of our family for holidays. 

 Missing from the picture is my mom and DIL- Marie. 

The older kids sang some of their songs with Jessa joining.

What Christmas would be complete without some snooping through the presents?

I did manage to finish two aprons for Tatum and Jessa.  Photos when I am able to stop them long enough for pictures! OH!  I did finally finish Tatum's blanket.  She immediately shared with Kylie so Kylie could cuddle up on Great Grandma's lap for a quick nap.

Christmas is Coming!!

I know they are simple and I know they are quick...But, I have finished two gifts!! I have more cut from other fabric, three aprons cut, and a wall hanging.  We will see if I complete it all! I felt SO good to do two projects.

This past weekend we had three grandkids Friday night through Sunday afternoon while DS and DIL attended a Christmas Party north of Duluth.   It was a busy time.  The weather was beautiful for playing outside on Saturday morning.  In the afternoon we went to a tree farm in search of two perfect trees. 

 They decided this was perfect for their home.  I am glad they have a tall ceiling.  We sent a picture to their dad to make sure it was ok.  He replied, "It is perfect."  Cole was proud of his choice!

Helping Papa with sawing it down was a joint project.  The one for our house isn't as tall or as full!

Sunday morning we all attended the church Christmas program for the other family of grandkids.

Tatum was Mary.  She insisted on hold and rocking baby Jesus during the program.

I am not sure if this video will come through.  If it does, ENJOY!  Our little Jessa truly  loves life.

I am participating in reading Ann Voskamp's ,"The Greatest Gift."  It  has a daily reading through the season of Advent focusing on the preparation for Christmas.

Love and Prayers,
Linda

Another Snowstorm

Monday we had the second snowstorm of the season.  We received about 8 inches of heavy wet snow.   Thankful that school was already closed for the week due to deer hunting season.  I am sure it sounds strange to many that school is closed.  There are so many students who request advanced makeup and who just stay home to hunt the days in the high school are "wasted" days.  So this year school is closed. 

This year my mom, our boys and their families, and our nephew with his significant other will be joining us for Thanksgiving dinner.  It definitely fills our small home.  I am working at cleaning house today and plan to bake pies on Wednesday. 

I am going to try to sneak in some sewing time Thursday night and Friday.  I am NOT a Black Friday shopper!!!

I received word this morning that a very good college friend lost his battle with cancer yesterday.  Gary was the type of friend who would and did anything he could for you.   Many memories are flooding in today.  Thinking of when he gave me a ride from college to visit my grandmother in the hospital.  How he would show up at the apartment at meal time with a knock at the door.  Bev and I even kept his pet piranha during his student teaching. He and his wife have visited in our home.

So--cherish your friends.  Let them know they are important to you.