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?????

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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.

A discovery!

 Last week I attended a two day training at Star Academy in River Falls, Wi.   The night I stayed there I drove to Hudson, WI.  I discovered a unique shop called, "The St. Croix County Dry Goods".  It  is a mixture of antiques, fabrics,  complete with the old store displays, and punched tin ceiling.  It gives you the feeling of stepping  back in time to an old general store.
The fabric's are displayed with the antiques.  She has many of the "flour sack" fabrics and excellent variety of other fabrics. 
  Of course, I couldn't walk away without making a  purchase. I think it will be a destination quilt shop hop for our next trip!

The weekend of July 23 we made a quick trip to Sturgeon Bay, Door County Wi to celebrate Bob and Peg's birthdays and a housewarming.  It was great to see their kids, grandkids,  families and friends.  Peg is my friend/sister/ college roommate/ bridesmaid with whom I go with on adventures.  We try to get together at least once or twice a year. 
On the way back from Peg's party  I worked on the hand sewing to finish  two MUF's table runners. 

Life is always a "What next?

Last week DIL-2 and kids stayed in Hayward to help with VBS at the church where her dad is the pastor.   Jessica and Tatum at the house with their other grandma.  Tatum was sitting on a swivel stool when someone walked by and bumped her off the stool.  She landed face down on a rug cutting her lower lip and knocking out a front tooth.   Tuesday Katie took her to an pediatric oral surgeon who determined the tooth did break off clean, it was not pushed up into the gum, and it will not cause a problem when the permanent tooth comes through.  So our peanut Tatum with the super curly hair-who turned two on Saturday--insists on dressing herself--now is short one top front tooth.   As I told, DIL-2 and her mom--it is only a tooth!  It could have been much worse.

Conner stayed with us on Monday night so DIL-2 could leave early for Tatum's appointment.  When Conner got up this is what he looked like. Saturday night it had been a round spot about the size of a nickel.  It was considerably larger on Monday night.  It kept spreading throughout Tuesday.  It is also Lyme Disease.  The doctors said they have seen more Lyme's in people of all ages this year because of the damp spring.

It was a great get away day yesterday going to the Quilt Shops with Corrie!  Yes--we did leave cash at each place.  Pictures to follow!

We are off on another Quilt Shop Hop!

Sew County Quilts at Turtle Lake

My teaching friend, Corrie, and I are off on another day of Quilt Shop Hopping!  I'm driving to Cumberland to meet her.   We are heading to Clear Lake to  Sew Country Quilts. It is a smaller shop that specializes in only Moda Fabrics.  The Northern Cardinal Trunk show is there with samples and quilted items from the line!  A first for me!!!  AND A SALE!!!! (Think of all the money I can save!)

Pins 'N' Needles Quilt Shop at St. Croix Falls.

From there we are driving to St. Croix to the Pins 'N' Needles Quilt Shop.  This is from their website: "Our quilt shop offers approximately 4000 bolts of fabric including Moda, Benartex, Batiks, Andover, Marcus Bros. and many others featuring flannels, reproduction, civil war, juvenile and seasonal prints. 


I will think I am in paradise!   

It has been HOT this week.  Similar to the rest of the midwest.   I found time to work on a couple of MUF's. 

Conner was here yesterday so DIL-2 (Katie) could take Tatum to an Pediatric Oral Surgeon in Eau Claire.  Long story--I will tell you about it later.   Never a dull moment around here.

Better get ready for my day with Corrie!!

"To Do" list????

Before school is out I have a long mental "to do" list for the summer.  So far I haven't accomplished very much.  I have been busy--just not doing the things I thought I would be doing!

 For the summer I have Kasey and Cole with me every Friday.  That gives me a chance to spend time with them and saves on the day care bill for DIL-1.  Last week they were with me the entire week.  Princess Kasey became ill over the 4th of July.  She had a sore on her head the size of a dime-cried if anyone touched it-and didn't eat.   By Monday she was running a fever.  DS-1 & DIL-1 took her to urgent care.  The doctor did a culture on the puss  under a scab and blood tests.  He thought she had developed shingles.  They are finding it in young children occasionally as a result of the chicken pox vaccine.  She was a sick girl on Tuesday and Wednesday .  She was throwing up and running a temp.  Her head hurt so badly we couldn't comb her hair--even touching her face hurt.  To shorten the story---On Thursday they went in to see the doctor for a follow up.  She didn't have shingles she has Lymes Disease from a tick bite.  She is on strong antibiotics for three weeks three times a day.  After the first two days she is feeling better. The doctor thinks they have caught it in time that she shouldn't have long lasting effects from it.

DH has been on a heart monitor harness for three weeks---Imagine your DH wearing three patches that have wires attached with a monitor around his neck and a case with another monitor about 3" X 4" in a pouch attached to his jeans 24 hours a day.   The only time it was supposed to be disconnected was for showering.  The monitor with the screen was placed on a base during the night to send the info over the phone line to Cardionet.  Yep- it wasn't a pleasant three weeks.   This picture from Cardionet shows what he wore--also the weather was in the upper 90's!!!! He had the pouch fall several times as he climbed onto the tractor. 

So to save my sanity--at night I was creating MUF's  (Masterpiece Under Fermentation)!  I have pieced one skirt flimsy--started piecing a second one--finished the flimsy for a baby quilt--(Didn't finish in time for the party--so I gave her another one I made before.   I am not sure If I like the first one--It seems too busy-- I think some of the prints should have been solids.    The middle one has a piece backward--but I am not taking it apart!  I thought if I cut the opening going through the green the mistake will always be in the back of the tree!

DH and DS are on their way to Farm Technology Days about  2 1/2 hours away.  So I have a day to ME!  The first thing I'm doing is giving my kitchen floor a good scrubbing!!!!

My Own Quilt Shop Hop

Today I took time for myself along with a teaching friend.  We both enjoy quilting--so off we went for a "Girl's Day Away." 



                                       Our first stop was Thimbles Quilt Shop in Trego.  It is a unique little shop with  fabric displayed in four areas--many samples--panels and ideas.

  From there we drove north to Hayward to visit the River's Edge Antiques & Quilt Loft.   I had never shopped there before.  It was great.  The first floor is antiques--Red Wing Crocks and other speciality antiques.   Part of the first floor and the entire loft is fabric.   Check out what they have to say about their shop.

Of course, we had to stop for lunch.  We found the Backroad Coffee Bistro downtown in Hayward where I had the most delicious sandwich.  It tasted as good as it looks!!!!!!!!



Yesterday we made 9 batches of strawberry jam.  I gave mom a large bowl to take home and saved a bowl for us to eat.   Mom did great and enjoyed being away from home for a few hours.  She is complaining that people want to turn her into an invalid and she is determined to return to all of her usual activities.

Last winter I purchased Beth Moore's " Praying God's Word--Breaking Free from Spiritual Strongholds."  With everything going on with my family and at school, I wasn't able to start studying it.    I picked it up off the nightstand a few days ago.  I am going to journal on my other blog,  Linda's Faith and Friends.  

It was a great day!!!