Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!  I do hope that all of you who celebrate Thanksgiving are blessed with a day to enjoy your family and friends.  I will have have 11 guests today and one handsome dog named J.D. (Just Dog).  J.D. is welcomed to our home anytime since I think he behaves better than some family members, just kidding.

I have to tell a joke about myself.  I got up early to start preparing the turkey and I was trying to be ever so quiet so I wouldn't wake up my husband and son.  Gary, my husband, sleeps in another part of the house this will make sense as I continue this story.  So I get the turkey in the oven, start making the baked apples, etc. and I'm trying to be every so quiet.  I didn't even make my smoothie because the ice crusher makes a lot of noise as does the blender so I continue to wait.  Suddenly my front door opens and in walks my son and husband.  They had left earlier to go deer hunting.  Here I was alone in the house and I could have made all the noise I wanted!  I have to give them credit because they were ever so quiet when they got up at 5 a.m. and didn't even wake me.  I just love being able to laugh at myself.

So here is my menu for our Thanksgiving dinner:  Turkey, dressing, baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, coleslaw, baked apples, rolls, relish tray, and cheese tray.  I realize I forgot to buy the cranberry relish that I love from Kroger's so I may be making a quick trip to purchase the relish.  We will also have pumpkin pie and a pumpkin roll.  I keep thinking I should make some deviled eggs just to round this all out.  Any suggestions for what I'm missing?  I think my mother would be proud.  I'll try to post some pictures later.

Blessings to all this Thanksgiving Day.  I pray for a lasting peace for our world, prayers for all who are struggling and for all people to show kindness, tolerance and grace to everyone they meet.

Happy Sunny and Cloudy Monday here in Monticello, Indiana, USA.  Well Gary and I survived the weekend with Boom-Boom a.k.a. Eli spending the night with us Saturday night.  It was a bit touch and go at first because he really wanted to stay with his Mom, but after one Welch's Fruit Snack pack and an ice cream cone Eli decided he wanted to stay.  Thank goodness.  Then on Sunday afternoon when it was time to take him home he decided he wanted to stay at Grandma and Grandpa's house and ride his bike.  Don't you just love the mind of a 2 1/2 year old?  Eli was thrilled though when he saw his Mom and Dad and his four siblings were all making over him as if they hadn't seen him in a week.  Ahh all is well and Grandma did got back home and take a short nap.  Here is a picture of the little guy I've been writing about.  Isn't he just the cutest?

Blessings to all.

Happy Sunny Saturday and Happy Quilting Day.  What a beautiful day of bright sunshine today and 50 some degrees.  I'll take that combination any day in November.  My guys (Gary and David) are out deer hunting since it is the first day of shotgun season here in Indiana.  I really think they just go out to enjoy each other's company and to "watch" the deer.  But don't tell them I told you that.

I am happy to show an absolutely beautiful quilt I had the pleasure to work on this week.  I don't think the pictures really do this quilt justice, but I tried to take pleasing pictues of the quilt.  I have the greatest respect for beautiful, exceptional piecing of quilt blocks and Pam S. really did an extraordinatry job on this quilt.  Pam said the quilt was a block of the month quilt pattern from Rossville Quilts in Rossville, IN.  I'm not sure if this was last years' pattern, but this is a lovely pattern.  Pam said she wanted "lots of quilting" on this quilt and thankfully she wasn't disappointed with my choice of patterns.  It was fun to watch Pam look at each quilting pattern as she delighted in seeing her quilt top now become a quilt.  I really do have a great respect for each quilt top that I am allowed to quilt.  I appreciate the love and effort each quilter puts into their quilt tops and I truly am honored that I am entrusted to turn the quilt top into a quilted quilt.  Thank you, Pam.

I'm glad I had a quick half hour rest this afternoon because Boom-Boom a.k.a. Eli is coming to spend the night at Grandma and Grandpa's tonight.  I'm excited to have some one on one time with him, although he likes one of his siblings to come with him.  I'll have to make sure I am armed with fruit snacks and have his sippy cup full of a fresh smoothie during the exchange process.  I have learned being a Grandma of five grandchildren that food and/or drink always works. 

 

 

Blessings to all.

Happy Wednesday Everyone.  It is a cold morning here in Monticello, Indiana, USA about 25 whoa wake you up degrees.  But atleast it's not snowing and there's no sleet so I'm happy.  As winter comes you will probably notice that I am one big chicken when it comes to snow and ice on the roads.  But that subject is for another day.

Today I want to share a bible verse that has touched my heart today as I am doing my bible study work.  My good friend Kristie and I are working on the bible study James Mercy Triumphs by Beth Moore.  Here is the verse that touched me today and I want to share it with you.

James 1:25 - But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this,  not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does. (NIV) 

Beth Moore uses a different bible interpretation and her verse read as follows:

"The one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but one who does good works--this person will be blessed in what he does."

I can only pray for guidance as I try to follow and live-up to this verse.

I have been quilting this week on a stunning block of the month quilt that Pam S. completed.  I will post pictures when it is completed.  I did do three quilts last week but in my haste they went home on Monday without pictures being taken.  I promise not to let Pam's quilt out before a picture is taken.

Blessings to all.

Thank you to all of our veterans in the United States of America who have so bravely fought for the freedoms that we enjoy in this great country.  My dad, Ben Shipley, was a Word War II veteran who served his country and was stationed outside London during the war.  He saw much destruction but was always humble when asked about his service to our country.

Thank you Veterans!!  Blessings to all.

Happy, Happy, Happy Monday.  I won't even begin to tell you how my day has gone, I'm just glad to be back home and have a quilt quilting on "Miss Smith".  I kept thinking as I matured (after all I did turn 60 this year) that life would slow down or atleast be more scheduled -  guess not.  So it is with that thinking in mind that I will share this bible verse with you today.

From Colossians 4:5 - Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders, make the most of every opportunity."

 This verse has made me realize when my day does not go as planned and I am called away from my house to help someone that just maybe God is putting someone in my life for His purpose.

Blessings to all.

Good Morning All on this sunny but cool day in Monticello, Indiana.  My heart goes out to all of the  people affected by Hurrican Sandy.  The devastation I am seeing is heart breaking, but I know the American spirit of helping our neighbor will prevail.  For me it makes me realize that possessions are only that but peoples' lives are the only irreplaceable possession.

Here is a bible verse that has touched my heart today.  From Colossians 3:12 - Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

I have been working this week with three quilt tops completed and one on the machine which will be completed this morning, hopefully.  The first six pictures are two quilts done for Nancy J.  I have the pattern for the first quilt (pictures 1-3).  This pattern is a quick pattern to put together with stunning results.  If you have material that you really don't want to cut up this is a great pattern for you. 
With only five blocks to make and you place full lenths of material on either side of the blocks this quilt can be put togethr in no time. The pattern can be purchased at Nancy J's, phone: 1-260-563-3505.  The pattern is called Sundance by Villa Rosa Designs and is printed as a cute little postcard

The next quilt (pictures 3-6) are a cat lover's dream quilt since the theme fabric is all about cats. Cute quilt don't you think.  You can contact Nancy J for information on this quilt.

The last quilt made by Beth W is stunning and a good way to use up your scraps.  This quilt makes me think of spring, but your fabric choices could make this quilt be a christmas quilt, 30's quilt, etc.
As with all quilt patterns are choices are only limited by our imagination.

Blessings to all.