THE SIMPLE BLUE QUILT

my simple blue quilt i found at a flea market that is hand quilted makes my heart swell. 

oh, their is nothing to it, no grand show piece other than i know she was well used by the owner before me and will be used my me on beds, couches and the ground.

my favorite kind of quilt, one that is used because so much love will go into it, being part of the family.

i do not own one show quilt nor have i ever made a show quilt. no, no, oh no, i make and use my quilts on beds, in the trailer, on picnics and children when they return home. not to mention all the quilts i have made for babies soon to land on the planet, family and friends. 

quilts are special, they keep us warm, comfort us when ill or just needing down time in front of the tv.

quilts mean home to me!

the comfort of a good worn quilt is a simple pleasure in my life.

A BREAK IN THE WEATHER

we had a short break in the weather yesterday, no snow, was to be warm but was not, though good “cleaning out the beds” weather and the dumpsters were here in the neighborhood!

eric and i went out around noon, realizing it was not going to get any warmer or done by a twitching of our noses. neither of us are young anymore, our backs always a nagging imposition and eric’s hands getting arthritis, but out we went because two sets of hands no matter how poor, cuts the work time in half. eric took care of the heavy stuff and i cut down the knee high stalks and pulled iris beds apart.

we were satisfied after only 2 hours of work time spent and in the house we went to warm up.

chilled to the bone we were crawling around the wet ground and into piles of unmelted snow. oh mid-november can be a bit late for yard work!

by 6pm we both were still chilled to the bone and getting stiff. under quilts we went with dogs there too, lots of quilts, homemade quilts, cozy quilts, oh november, how i love to settle in and prepare for the slow months ahead of me. that is once i get past december!

my mind is filled with homemade gift ideas for christmas and working i have been doing. not a stressed, frantic work but at a pace i am comfortable with, a pace that satisfies my soul. 

honey oatmeal soap was made on friday, cut early sunday morning, now curing till the week of jolly holly christmas.

of course we are to celebrate thanksgiving first, a favorite holiday for me. nothing better than friends, family and good food!

are you preparing for the holidays?

or just starting to tuck in for the slow months ahead?

snow is on the way again with high winds, so glad we spent the day outside yesterday.

WEEK-ENDING

it has been cold and snow the last 2 days, the kind of days where i move around the house doing things that comfort me. lots of knitting and cooking going on, a short trip to the flea market and found the beautiful (2) blue rugs for my kitchen. i also found a nine patch quilt, hand quilted for a mere 28 dollars! yahoo, i have never found a bargain such as that. when i came in the house with my treasure both husband and daughter said “mom why are you buying a quilt? you make them!’ oh i said, “ how could i leave this piece of heaven behind, it is hand quilted and i know the value of a hand quilted quilt!” the blue rescued quilt is being washed and proper pictures will be taken later in the week, then shared with all.

the first batch of christmas soap has been made, something that i thoroughly enjoy doing. batch one is lavender simple soap. this soap is great to wash hair, face and as a basic soap for all needs. batch number two, i’m going to try honey oatmeal. i have knitted up about and no fewer than 30 plus washcloths that i will wrap bars of soap in for small gifts this christmas season.

erin my youngest came over in the afternoon, always a pleasure to see her. she talks to me about nursing school adventures and tells me stories of her and fellow students crazy happenings in the hospitals, stories to be sure that only a nurse could find humor in, and laugh i do, people can be so funny. i often wonder why we take ourselves so seriously.  i have always said i can do just about any job (in nursing) as long as i can get a good laugh. i think that is why i have lasted 35 years in my job.

i will admit, lately i have too often forgotten to laugh at work, (changing times), but erin is reminding to look for the humor again.....thanks erin!

FIRST WINTER SNOW

the first winter snow to me is always magical, a drastic pictorial change of the seasons. i relish the idea of tucking in for long days with fewer hours of sun to sew, knit, quilt, read, make stews, soups, breads and basically slowing down. it is the season of rest ( once we are past the holidays), to spend long hours inside doing all those wonderful things that only can be done in winter.

i believe winter is my favorite season, not that the other 3 seasons do not hold dreams and a special place in my small life here on the planet, but winter, she is special to me. 

since it is november my knitting basket is full of special knits for special people in my life. the turbo needles are throwing off sparks from the speed i am running those amazing instruments that are feeling more like an appendage everyday. what an exciting time of year, will i complete all the projects, gifts i have planned in my head? will they be completely done by christmas eve, wrapped and ready for their intended recipient? i have been known to wrap half finished gifts only to take back and finish after the holidays. i have also been known to “hide” gifts so well, not even i can find them to give on christmas morning.

i hope you all are ready to tuck in and rest, tis the season :)

CHANGES

the one and sure thing in life...is that things are always changing. and today november 10 my neck of the woods has gone from 70’s, beautiful indian summer to snow and yes, winter has arrived!

november 10th is also my oldest son’s birthday- happy birthday nathan, how could things have changed sooo fast and you are 33 years old? it all happened in a blink of an eye.

but, with the end of fall and the beginning of snow, around the corner is that magical time of year...

christmas!

now i hate the stores and all the early christmas marketing. however, i am a mom that likes to make several of her christmas gifts for her family. and family every year gets at least one hand knitted, sewed or quilted gift from me. thanks goodness my brew likes quilts and other crafts i so enjoy making for them. i relish sewing seams and thinking about the child, ( grown to adulthood mind you) 

in full wonderment at what they have accomplished and the amazing people they have grown into. yes, i would say i have 3 grown, amazing kids! something i am so grateful for!

so, let the gift making commence in full anticipation of the wonderful season just in front of us. may i remember to remain calm and enjoy the memories of christmas past, all the while being present in this year’s magical christmas season!