Charlevoix, Michigan, Who are you? My curiosity is getting the best of me. Thanks to Feedjit, I know that you visit both my daughter's and my neice's blogs. We think you must know one or all of us, but none of us know anyone in Michigan! So, here's the thing:
Would you tell us who you are, and how do we know you? Or did you just happen onto our blogs and like us enough to come back? We're really glad you do and invite you to come again and again. But we really want to know who you are!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
What to do Next?
As soon as I finished Andrew's quilt, I picked up a quilt top that I had decided not to complete and made some changes to the corners, added an adorable backing, and finished it to give to my sweet hairdresser who is having a baby girl in April. It was originally intended for a baby boy, but it works so much better for a girl. This particular quilt pattern has been quite successful in giving as shower gifts. It's small enough to finish in less than a week - fits nicely in the Pack 'n Play that many new mommies use these days.
I'm considering another Irish Chain quilt. I made a Double Irish Chain for Bill two Christmases ago and, though the borders were very challenging, the quilt itself was fun to make. I'd like to do one in vibrant, bold colors. I love the very first quilt I made in my quilting class. It's a "lap quilt" size and is perfect for napping or, as the last several nights have been very cold, layering on top of my bedspread.
If this is the direction I'm heading, then a trip to the fabric store is in order pretty soon! There are a couple (probably more than that) of specialty quilters shops in town that have a mind-blowing, fantastic array of fabric. Almost too much to absorb. I just have to walk around the fabric tables, muse over every bolt, walk around three or four more times, and then try to get my thoughts organized! I read in one of my books that it's best to start a quilt with just one "inspiration" piece and then bring in the rest of the fabric to compliment the first. So I guess I just need to get out there and get inspired!
Okay. I'm off!
So now that I'm finished, I'm wondering what will be my next quilt project! I'm still working on the cross stitch birth announcement for Andrew. But that is one activity that has to come in 30 minute spurts. I just can't sit and stitch for a longer length of time.
I'm considering another Irish Chain quilt. I made a Double Irish Chain for Bill two Christmases ago and, though the borders were very challenging, the quilt itself was fun to make. I'd like to do one in vibrant, bold colors. I love the very first quilt I made in my quilting class. It's a "lap quilt" size and is perfect for napping or, as the last several nights have been very cold, layering on top of my bedspread.
If this is the direction I'm heading, then a trip to the fabric store is in order pretty soon! There are a couple (probably more than that) of specialty quilters shops in town that have a mind-blowing, fantastic array of fabric. Almost too much to absorb. I just have to walk around the fabric tables, muse over every bolt, walk around three or four more times, and then try to get my thoughts organized! I read in one of my books that it's best to start a quilt with just one "inspiration" piece and then bring in the rest of the fabric to compliment the first. So I guess I just need to get out there and get inspired!
Okay. I'm off!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
What a Week!
Our family has been on an emotional roller coaster for the past ten days.
Before Christmas, Meredith notified us that Andrew was to be christened at their church on January 24th and that deadline set the wheels in motion for me to get busy on a quilt for him. I like to map out my projects from start to finish, so I began to sort through my quilting "stash" and then picked out a pattern for his quilt. My friend Jo had gifted me with a certificate for material from a wonderful quilt store, so she and I made a trip there to find the perfect backing for Andrew's special quilt.
After I had gotten started on the quilt blocks it became evident that my newer sewing machine was just not up to the rigors of quilting and I was faced with a dilemma. The machine was barely two years old but was definitely not going to make it to the end of this quilt. So, after several days of internet research and Facebook queries, I decided to buy a new super-duper Janome sewing machine. That was just two weeks ago.
I already had the major part of the quilt front done, and the new machine just breezed through the finishing borders, mitred corners and all. I was back on schedule with days to spare. And then the unthinkable happened. We received a call that Graham's brother, Richard, had suffered a stroke and was not expected to survive. That was the moment the bars locked across me on the roller coaster and my schedule was no longer my own.
We all respond to stress in different ways, and in between tears and hospital visits, I managed to set my mind on the quilt and spent one agonizing morning taping and pinning the layers together in preparation for the actual quilting activity. Imagine my absolute horror when I couldn't get the layers of material underneath the quilting foot, and then to find that on Saturday afternoon of Martin Luther King weekend the sewing store was not open. That was one of those "What next, Lord" moments. That was also the day we learned that Graham's beloved brother had died. And my roller coaster was now at the top of the ride.
Somehow, certainly by the grace of God, and definitely with the exchange of the quilting foot on Tuesday, I managed to find the time to stitch in every little ditch of the quilt and hand sew the binding in place and by Thursday the quilt was ribboned, wrapped, and ready for Andrew's special day. Now I could focus on our family and the tribute planned for Dickey on Friday. My coaster ride was finally headed for the finish line.
Before Christmas, Meredith notified us that Andrew was to be christened at their church on January 24th and that deadline set the wheels in motion for me to get busy on a quilt for him. I like to map out my projects from start to finish, so I began to sort through my quilting "stash" and then picked out a pattern for his quilt. My friend Jo had gifted me with a certificate for material from a wonderful quilt store, so she and I made a trip there to find the perfect backing for Andrew's special quilt.
After I had gotten started on the quilt blocks it became evident that my newer sewing machine was just not up to the rigors of quilting and I was faced with a dilemma. The machine was barely two years old but was definitely not going to make it to the end of this quilt. So, after several days of internet research and Facebook queries, I decided to buy a new super-duper Janome sewing machine. That was just two weeks ago.
I already had the major part of the quilt front done, and the new machine just breezed through the finishing borders, mitred corners and all. I was back on schedule with days to spare. And then the unthinkable happened. We received a call that Graham's brother, Richard, had suffered a stroke and was not expected to survive. That was the moment the bars locked across me on the roller coaster and my schedule was no longer my own.
We all respond to stress in different ways, and in between tears and hospital visits, I managed to set my mind on the quilt and spent one agonizing morning taping and pinning the layers together in preparation for the actual quilting activity. Imagine my absolute horror when I couldn't get the layers of material underneath the quilting foot, and then to find that on Saturday afternoon of Martin Luther King weekend the sewing store was not open. That was one of those "What next, Lord" moments. That was also the day we learned that Graham's beloved brother had died. And my roller coaster was now at the top of the ride.
Somehow, certainly by the grace of God, and definitely with the exchange of the quilting foot on Tuesday, I managed to find the time to stitch in every little ditch of the quilt and hand sew the binding in place and by Thursday the quilt was ribboned, wrapped, and ready for Andrew's special day. Now I could focus on our family and the tribute planned for Dickey on Friday. My coaster ride was finally headed for the finish line.
Here is the finished quilt. I kept this a secret from Meredith from start to finish, knowing the colors she had requested, but wanting to make this one a little different from Adrian's. Her two little boys are so precious, but so different and each very unique. When she pulled it from the wrapping today, the first thing she noticed were bits of materials that are also in other quilts I have made for them. That, for me, is a great part of the charm of quilting. Just like her boys, as each is different from the other, but also so much alike, their quilts will reflect the same thing. I hope they will always know the love their Ludee has for them as they receive the warmth from their quilts.
But I digress...
Today was a special day. Precious Andrew Graham Moza was christened and dedicated to our Lord this morning. His Mommy and Daddy have set their hearts toward raising their boys in the "training and admonition of the Lord." Their covenant was duly witnessed this morning by Jo Schweizer, Doug and Lois White, Jeff and Cynthia Vollmer, and two doting grandparents. May God be praised. Because, in the midst of our intense sorrow over Dickey, He reminds us through the new life of Andrew that this is His world, He has heard our weeping, and has given us each new day as a testament to His goodness.
The ride of the last ten days is over, the bars are unlocked, and my feet are back on solid ground.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Remembering Richard
My brother-in-law, Richard Wilson, suffered a massive stroke last Tuesday evening and passed from this life into glory at 2:40 a.m. on Saturday, the 16th of January. He had just celebrated his 68th birthday on Christmas Day. He is Graham's younger brother by three years, with Pat somewhere in the middle and Judy being the baby. All four kids were only six years in the making; consequently they have had a close relationship all their lives.
Dickey, as only his closest family members called him, was particularly keen on family. He had a love for his siblings and their spouses and children, just as he loved his own children and grandchildren. He didn't have "in-laws," just extended family members. After their father died in 1972, we began a Christmas tradition of getting all the siblings and their respective families together before Christmas for dinner and an enactment of the Christmas story by the children or sometimes read by one of the adults. After about twenty years of that, the extensions of family grew too large and complex to continue, but we always had a Christmas/birthday visit where Graham and Dickey exchanged birthday gifts. It was just something that had to happen.
I rummaged through boxes of photos tonight, looking for a recent picture of Dickey to post. This one was taken in 2002 at Graham's graduation from Dallas Seminary. It should have been no surprise for us to look around the cavernous auditorium at Prestonwood Church and find Dickey, Sue and Rich smiling broadly in support of their brother. And right in the midst of the festive group is middle brother Pat, lending his encouragement to the "old man's" accomplishment.
We are left today with more memories than can ever be recounted. But we'll surely try to capture them all over and over again. That was almost a tradition at our Christmas gatherings. All the kids and grandkids gathered around to hear the exploits of three lively Wilson boys of long ago, with the occasional inclusion of baby sister Judy. The stories were told every year so that the successive generations will remember and savor the legacy and share them with their children. And on and on it will go.
I would be remiss if I didn't recall that Dickey was the first of the Wilson siblings to trust Christ. He and Sue prayed for the rest of us until we were all finally brought into the family of God. We have the assurance that some time in the future we will all be gathered together again, maybe for a pre-Christmas dinner and reading of the Christmas story as in days of old. How comforting to know that these children, so close in age and held together by love, will enjoy each other's presence throughout eternity.
As Dickey was prone to say, "Until then, our brother, until then."
Dickey, as only his closest family members called him, was particularly keen on family. He had a love for his siblings and their spouses and children, just as he loved his own children and grandchildren. He didn't have "in-laws," just extended family members. After their father died in 1972, we began a Christmas tradition of getting all the siblings and their respective families together before Christmas for dinner and an enactment of the Christmas story by the children or sometimes read by one of the adults. After about twenty years of that, the extensions of family grew too large and complex to continue, but we always had a Christmas/birthday visit where Graham and Dickey exchanged birthday gifts. It was just something that had to happen.
I rummaged through boxes of photos tonight, looking for a recent picture of Dickey to post. This one was taken in 2002 at Graham's graduation from Dallas Seminary. It should have been no surprise for us to look around the cavernous auditorium at Prestonwood Church and find Dickey, Sue and Rich smiling broadly in support of their brother. And right in the midst of the festive group is middle brother Pat, lending his encouragement to the "old man's" accomplishment.We are left today with more memories than can ever be recounted. But we'll surely try to capture them all over and over again. That was almost a tradition at our Christmas gatherings. All the kids and grandkids gathered around to hear the exploits of three lively Wilson boys of long ago, with the occasional inclusion of baby sister Judy. The stories were told every year so that the successive generations will remember and savor the legacy and share them with their children. And on and on it will go.
I would be remiss if I didn't recall that Dickey was the first of the Wilson siblings to trust Christ. He and Sue prayed for the rest of us until we were all finally brought into the family of God. We have the assurance that some time in the future we will all be gathered together again, maybe for a pre-Christmas dinner and reading of the Christmas story as in days of old. How comforting to know that these children, so close in age and held together by love, will enjoy each other's presence throughout eternity.
As Dickey was prone to say, "Until then, our brother, until then."
Monday, January 11, 2010
An Armful....
Often, when Meredith drops by with the children, it's after she's been shopping and Andrew is ready for a clean diaper and a little nourishment. So Adrian finds his toys and plays with Ludee or Papa and is quite content. But some days he just prefers the attention of his Mommy. Today was one of those days!
Somehow he found room in Ludee's rocking chair to sit on Mommy's lap and read to her. His favorite PBS program is "Super Why" and I found some books on the PBS website that go with the stories on TV. Adrian has mastered all four stories and has a ball finding and identifying the letters and words on the page.
Andrew is fine with the interruption, just as long as he doesn't lose his place up on Mommy's shoulder.
This reading is serious business! I love that he knows the stories so well and gets into the drama of each tale, which always ends with "a big thumbs up!"
Somehow he found room in Ludee's rocking chair to sit on Mommy's lap and read to her. His favorite PBS program is "Super Why" and I found some books on the PBS website that go with the stories on TV. Adrian has mastered all four stories and has a ball finding and identifying the letters and words on the page.
Andrew is fine with the interruption, just as long as he doesn't lose his place up on Mommy's shoulder.
This reading is serious business! I love that he knows the stories so well and gets into the drama of each tale, which always ends with "a big thumbs up!"Thursday, January 7, 2010
Julie & Julia
Our Bible Study ladies got together today for lunch and a movie. We celebrated the beginning of a new year and the art of French cooking!
The table....
The sparkling juice for a new year toast...
The punch... 
Salade Nicoise... 
The movie....
Seven happy "cooks" plus two of our canine friends, getting ready to dig into the salad. Unfortunately, Treasure was not feeling up to a party, so Chloe and Jefferson had the place to themselves.
Diana and Calla serving their plates.
Kathy, Lois and Viva take a turn.
Jo serves the French Silk Pie...Yummy!
Chloe showing her interest in Julia's cooking style... Jefferson would rather sleep through it!We had a wonderful (and delicious) lunch, laughed our way through the delightful movie, and are now looking forward to diving into the book of Daniel next week when we start our next Beth Moore Bible Study.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Progress Report
I have been plodding along on Andrew's birth announcement. Really, I have. It's just that with the holidays happening, and all that goes with that, I just haven't progressed as quickly as I would like. Here is where I've come. This first photo is from November 11th, before the holidays began. I felt pretty triumphant when I completed the frame down one side of the piece! And when the firetruck emerged as a recognizable figure, it was Hallelujah time! Then came Thanksgiving!
I was happy to grab fifteen minutes to myself and stitched as much as I could. Each little box contains a small item that can be completed in short order. So it's just a matter of finding the time to do what needs to be done. And it doesn't help that my stitching room is the back closed-in porch that has no heat. Even in south Texas, temperatures in the low 40's are pretty cold for stitching! But I am determined to finish this before Andrew's first birthday! The next photo was taken today. At least there has been significant progress made.
I also have a sewing project that has been interrupted by a naughty sewing machine, so I should be able to get a little more stitching done while waiting to buy a new machine. Look for another progress report soon.
I was happy to grab fifteen minutes to myself and stitched as much as I could. Each little box contains a small item that can be completed in short order. So it's just a matter of finding the time to do what needs to be done. And it doesn't help that my stitching room is the back closed-in porch that has no heat. Even in south Texas, temperatures in the low 40's are pretty cold for stitching! But I am determined to finish this before Andrew's first birthday! The next photo was taken today. At least there has been significant progress made.
I also have a sewing project that has been interrupted by a naughty sewing machine, so I should be able to get a little more stitching done while waiting to buy a new machine. Look for another progress report soon.
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