One Flower Wednesday . . . . Plus One

Happy Package

A few days ago I walked to the mailbox to collect the bills. 

But wait! It's not a bill! 

It's an unexpected package all dressed up colorful like. 

(I wanted to wag my tail!) 

Even had a pretty, quilty picture on the front.

(Should have been a clue.)

 And the back was decorated too.

You know I was smiling and I hadn't even opened it. 

What was inside?

It was kinda squishy.... but a crunchy squishy.

hmmm

A puzzle!  I love puzzles!

A country scene with a house I'd love to live in, quilts, and horses!

The housework won't go anywhere if I do a puzzle instead.

Actually I used it as a bribe.

Made a list of chores.

Each finished chore was rewarded with puzzle time.

Win, win.

Thanks Karen!!!

One Flower Wednesday

Lucy!

Karen H (I can't find her blog again for anything - grrrrr) made this quilt top and sent it along to me to be quilted.  She didn't let me know ahead of time what it was so when I opened the box I had to laugh out loud.  What a delightful quilt.

I thought at first white was called for, but she wouldn't let me near her with the white thread so . . . . loopy meandering with red thread.  And I snuck in a Lucy just for fun . . . .

Two Small Words

Thank you

to my grandfather,

my father,

my uncles,

my aunt,

my brothers,

my cousins,

my sons,

my nephews,

and to all the other veterans.

It seems like such a small thing to say in comparison to what they did, but it must be said.

Proof

Sarah and the boys were here and gone much faster than usual.  It was crazy chaotic commotion while they were here ... and for once it had nothing to do with the kids!  As a result I barely had a chance to enjoy visiting and, except for the fact that Sarah was my rock for the day (thanks Sarah!), once they were gone it felt like they hadn't even been here.

But this morning I opened the cabinet to get some tupperware....

Yep.  They had been here.

 

Quilting Again

Anita made this quilt.  And I had the pleasure of quilting it.  It looks so fresh and clean to me.  The fabrics look like a Spring or Summer or Winter depending on your mood.  The only season I don't see is Fall.  Lovely quilt Anita!

The backing is white and I was tempted to use white thread (and really scared to use anything else) but it really seemed to call for light green.  So every blip shows on the back.  But I think green was the right choice.  It blends beautifully and looks great in the white areas.

Sorry about the picture quality. So much harder when you can't photograph outside, but it's been much too windy.  I didn't want the quilt to wind up in the next county!

10 years ago...

An afternoon out would be spent hiking through the woods with Scott.
Now its a drive through the country.... farm fields all around - sometimes a few trees if we follow a creek.

Exercising meant a two or three mile run.

Now its a walk for a mile or two.

I'd walk up the long steep flight of stairs at Decorative every weekday morning eagerly anticipating a fun day at work ;)

(really, I was thankful for the job and a great boss)
Now I'm there on the computer while still at home at my desk.
(still thankful for my job and a great boss)

I'd spend weekends hauling Beau to gaming shows so we could run barrels (but never quite fast enough).
Now I watch him graze in the pasture when I drive past the farm.

I wondered if we would ever realize our dream of getting our own horse farm.
Now I have fantastic memories of doing just that.


I wondered if my grown kids would find jobs and live on their own.
Now they have and they do.  
And I miss them.

I also wondered if they would bless us with grandchildren.
Thanks be to God, they have blessed us with five awesome grandkids... so far.
(the 'so far' is on the number five.... they'll always be awesome)
(and no, that's not a hint that there are more on the way. I'm just saying...)

A run through the woods on horseback was the exhilarating highlight of my week. 
Now its a hug from a grandchild as they say "I love you".

I didn't worry about my sons going off to war.
Now they have been there and come back, by the Grace of God .... whole in body, mind and spirit.

I thought "we already have two little dogs, what's the harm in a few more?"
Now I think "what were we thinking?!"

I wished I could someday make a quilt.
Now I quilt almost daily.
And love it.

I'd think "if I could just lose 10 pounds I'd feel a lot better and that sweater I like so much would fit.
Now I think "if I could just lose 15 pounds I'd feel a lot better and there are more sweaters that would fit.

Coffee was my favorite beverage and ice cream was my favorite food.
Now coffee is my favorite beverage and ice cream is my favorite food.
Some things don't change.