Can you find the turkey?

Save The Turkey

Thanksgiving was pretty much uneventful for me!! I enjoyed a homestyle meal at a local Church. On Wednesday I did my part by helping out at the Monterey Country Fairgrounds. I helped tear up ten thirty-two gallon trash bags full of bread. It took about sixty of us three hours to complete the task. This year some three thousand persons were expected to be fed. It feels good to give back to the community.

My kids were busy with their families. With one sweet granddaughter and four sets of grandparents, it's hard for everyone to see each other. It's been several years since I've been with the kids - hopefully as Grace gets bigger, we'll be able to make some memories.

I hope each and everyone of you had a marvelous blessed day!!

Happy Halloween

What fun we had in Las Vegas.  Grace was all dressed up in a Butterfly, Princess or whatever you'd like to call her.  She had fun and got into the Trick or Treating aspect of it all.  

Pacific International Quilt Festival

Wow is about all I can say. I signed up for a class from Rosalie Dace. Rosalie lives in South Africa - a far piece to come to teach. The class I signed up for was "Line Dance". This class taught me to look at lines - everywhere in everything!!

This piece is the beginning of my first attempt at creating something new and exciting. I'm hooked and have become a Dace Junkie!!

I'm hoping to attend another class sometime in the future!!

A Friendly Visitor

This squirrel wanted to enjoy the bird seed. Blue Jays come and chase them away.

To Longarm or not to Longarm - That is my Question

For several years I've been thinking of mastering the art of Longarm quilting. I'm at the point in my life where it really would be great to work at home.

I've pretty much decided on getting a Nolting - but do need some training and instruction in setting up a business. I've got some of it down - but am not sure about some of the other aspects.

The election keeps me interested and I'm so happy to see so many young folks coming out and getting involved. Perhaps this is the year to get folks onboard!!

Whatever your persuassion - just do it - VOTE!!

In February of last year Kari and Grace came to visit. My sister Sharon came from Coarsegold to see little Grace. We ventured out to the Culinary Center to have a great lunch. Here are some shots!!

He's almost made it!!

In December of 2006, Sean decided on about a two day's notice that he wanted to attend Culinary School. He needed some help and asked me if I could do it. After much thought and careful consideration I decided to do what I could. The students prepare "experimental" meals that taste quite good.

I Miss Gracie

My three OLDER sisters tell me that mother became quite frustrated when I wasn't walking when she thought I should. Apparently in order to move the process along, my Mother gave me a washcloth to carry and WALLA I began to walk!! Can you believe that - well, looky here - Grace is holding a book. And she is walking!! I'm certain it has nothing to do with my washcloth, but it's a fun story!!

Sometimes you just want to give someone a hug, but they aren't close enough. That's how I feel about my Granddaughter Grace. She's coming in February and I'm really looking forward to it. Uncle Sean is really proud of little Grace, too. He carried her around on her shoulders when we went to the Monterey Acquarium. Grace thought the seaweed (ager ager or is it eger eger) was a snack. She attempted to eat it, but was not successful.

So, Gracie when you come to Grandma's house - be ready for a great big hug!!

Fabric Finds

My Mother died in 1989. To this day I miss her as if it were only yesterday. My Mother taught me to sew at a very young age. Probably because I really wouldn't take "No" for an answer.

After my Father's death in 1983, my Mother started a "Quilt as you go" project. She had begun this project with my sister Ellen. After Mother died the quilt was left unfinished. My sister Sue chose the quilt and asked my sister Ellen to finish it for her.

As you might imagine if you ran out of fabric from something purchased twenty-five years ago you might be out of luck. This begins my story.

I was sitting home on Sunday, January 20th when I decided to check my email. I noticed one from a quilting friend. It was letting me know there was a fabric sale going on at the Local Travel Lodge. I called her to see if it was worth it. She said, well, the fabric is $2.00 a yard and there is lots of old stuff. I figured what the heck, put on my intimate apparel and rushed out the door.

I got there and walked into a maze of fabric. There were probably 250 boxes full. I started fondling the fabric - something that makes quilters happy, when I noticed fabric from my old stash, when I began my quilting journey. Immediately I got all excited and called my sister Ellen to share the news. She and I do this quite often. We love telling each other of a special find - or pay dirt as some may say!!

I said, Ellen, I think I found the fabric from Mother's Quilt. She said, no way. I said, yes I have. I asked her to take a picture of the fabric she needed and send it to me on my cell phone. She was a riot - oh, you know, the fabric with the flowers - everyone was using it. Well, I asked for the picture and I hit pay dirt!! I sent her a picture back to see if it was right and WALLA!!!

I purchased about 8 yards maybe 10 of fabric to help her complete the borders on the quilt. Now is that some quilt story or what!!!!

I'm hoping to add a photo of the quilt here!!

Piecefully!!