Merry Christmas

Thank you God for the gift of your Son.

The times they are a changing

I do believe that there are many seasons in our life.  Those times that we are to do certain things ... and then the season changes and the time for change happens. That is where I feel I am at.  I have thoroughly enjoyed blogging the last few years. Initially it was a great way for me to 'journal' about my life and, at that time, caring full time for my parents. I was essentially house bound and it allowed me to connect with so many wonderful people around the world.

My life has changed with our move in September, and right now I am finding I do not have the time or energy to keep up with everything, including my blog.  So, at the end of 2013 I will be closing down my blog.  Perhaps I will do another one, someday, but for now I know this is a right decision for me. Thank you for reading and commenting on my blog. It has meant a lot to me.

Before I sign off, for the last time, here's one final update:

Mom recently turned 92 - amazing!

Two of our sons came for Thanksgiving - YUM

We're going to AZ to see our Miss Bailey... and her parents - woohoo!

In January I'll have health insurance - whew

My sewing machines are not feeling quite as lonely - hmmmmmm

The house is decorated for Christmas - ahhhh

We are healthy, happy, needs met - Thank you, God!

... so Blessed

I hope each of you have a wonderful Christmas -- 

celebrating the real reason for the Season, 

the love gift from God

in the person

of 

Christ.

Tidbits of what's going on in my world

I'm finding I do not have as much time now to be blogging or reading blogs, doing my emails, etc.  Not only do we have limited time we can use our internet, but I've been really busy with my responsibilities here at the Retreat.  I'm even having a hard time finding time to sew and create.  A lot of it has been because it is taking longer to get all settled in, plus there have been fix-ups to do in the house, and then learning how to do our jobs here, etc etc.  This week DH and I both felt like we're starting to get the upper hand on things and not in a constant stage of trying to catch up with things.

A Different Kind of Project

The fellows here have been working to get the snowblade hooked up and able to maneuver not just up and down but angled left and right.  It's been quite a project, and there are still a few bugs to figure out ... before the snow flies.  In the meantime, I have been working on enclosing the front of the machine for them to try to keep the snow and cold out as much as possible while they are out clearing the roads.  I designed a vinyl window/door that is attached with industrial strength velcro.  Sewing vinyl is always a bit of a challenge, but I found that the little Wonder Clips you can get for holding your binding on a quilt while you sew it down worked great!

http://www.connectingthreads.com/tools/Wonder_Clips__DWonderClips.html

This is my Father's World

It is so awesome to take in the beauty, the diversity, the ever changing world that God created and blessed us with.  Each place, each season has its own beauty.  Living here at the foothills of the Cascade Mountains we get to enjoy nature up close and personal each day.

The rest of the Cinderella package for Bailey

Today I made the nightgown that will be going to Bailey, along with her Cinderella dress, AND, a letter from none other than Cinderella!

My Clever DH

Saturday Scenery

As I was prepping one of the lodges for guests today and doing my daily hot tub check I looked out over the valley, below the lodges.  Today was the prettiest day so far as the leaves turn their glorious autumn hues.  

It's definitely that time of year to keep the camera handy and the memory chip NOT full. How do I know this?  I was out in our yard this afternoon taking some shots and got the message it was full.  Mind you, it is a big chip - lots of pictures can go on it.  Guess I haven't emptied it in a long while. That will soon be remedied!

Okay, break time is over.  Time to get back to the sewing machine. I'm making a Cinderella dress for my granddaughter and I need to get it done and in the mail to her soon. October is almost half over already. Where does the time go?

OCTOBER ... that means ...

We got a good start on stacking the wood. Now to split the other 2-3 cords that are waiting. We are enjoying our wood stove, which once we figured out the various ways to control it, it is very efficient and can warm up our house nicely.

The leaves are starting to turn to their autumn hues -- such a lovely time of year with such rich, varied, and vibrant colors!

The deer are looking around this morning for where the party is. They heard it is someone's birthday....

... it's ME!  WooHoo! Today is my birthday and I'm excited.  I LOVE birthdays, mine and everyone else's. It doesn't matter that I am now 59, that's just a number.  Inside I'm as excited about birthdays as when I was a child. I think there are some things that it is good not to grow up from.  DH made me delicious Apricot Sour Cream Scones for breakfast, along with a hot cup of Chai Latte Tea.  Yum yum. What a great way to start the day.  He's working on one of my favorite desserts for tonight. It's his first time doing this one, and (with just a little bit of help) it is turning out fabulously.

If you want to celebrate with me today, have some of your very favorite type of chocolate.  I certainly plan to!

First sales?

This weekend my friend Stephanie is participating in a Craft Bazaar and was kind enough to allow me to put some of my Thread Painted pictures in her booth.  I don't know if I will sell any (of course I hope I do).  It will be good to hear the feedback she gets on them. This is my first baby steps into seeing if my art will sell.

DH and I have been busy with projects here at the house, in our yard, and with the Retreat.  This week Shane and his family moved into the other staff house. He and DH will work together on the projects around the Retreat. I'm learning the ins and outs of the guest relations and office here as that is becoming my main job. I got my first "smart" type phone. I need it for the job.  LOL - talk about a learning curve.  Actually I'm catching on to some of it fairly fast, but there is much to learn.  Saturday will be a major training day for me -- hope my brain can absorb it all. 

The big pile of wood is to be split and stacked this weekend (hopefully).  We borrowed a splitter, which will make the job so much easier.  We should have about enough wood for winter now ... I hope. I'm loving the warmth of the wood stove -- it's been a lot of years since we've used one for our main heat source.

.... for a warm & cozy winter

We have a quite efficient wood stove to keep us warm and cozy for winter ... but it does need a bit of wood to do that.  Yesterday was Wood Day.  DH and the fellows here at the Retreat headed out into the forest to collect wood for the various staff houses here.  They brought three big pickup loads to our house.  Then my brother showed up with a big trailer full of cut and chopped and seasoned wood to add to the other.  What a gift that was!

Oooh, the Cedar sure smells great!

                                                                                

Now to start stacking the chopped wood, chopping the unchopped, covering it all.... sounds like there will be some heat created even without a fire in the wood stove! LOL We have our work cut out for us this weekend ... and beyond.  I'm actually looking forward to it. It's a small price to pay to not have to turn on these old, inefficient, and costly baseboard heaters.

Gwen's quilt

Earlier this year a good friend of mine, Gwen, lost one of her sons and a granddaughter in a tragic drowning. I got together with several quilting friends and we worked on blocks for a quilt for her.  Blocks came in from all over the US, from Canada, from England and even Australia.  It took a bit longer than I had hoped, but we finally got the quilt finished and delivered to her.  Needless to say, she is thrilled.

Until I got all the blocks I wasn't sure what the design of the quilt would be, but I love that I was able to do the large heart in the center, surrounded by all the ones people sent in and signed for her.

Sunday Blessings

I woke up early today to a gorgeous painted sky - Thank you, God! What a great way to start the day.

Just waiting for a new outlet, then the machines will start humming!

This is the kind of outlet we have in our two attic rooms. I've never seen one like it before. This is the one in my quilting room and it is not functioning. DH will be replacing it (soon?) with 3 prong outlets and making sure the wiring is good. That's the last step before I can turn on my sewing machines and give them a workout.  I have curtains to hem and a Cinderella dress to make, as well as a couple orders for thread painted pictures and a swap to get thinking about and ready for. 

I got my quilt room finished and organized today ... well all but some of the "froo froo" things (pictures, etc.). A few are up but I have more I'd like to try to display. For as big a house as we have there is not a lot of available wall space (especially upstairs) to hang quilts, art quilts, photos, etc. 

I have room to keep my cutting table fully open without being in the way.  The only time we'll need to take it down and move it is when we put up the inflatable bed for overnight guests.

It's so nice to have most of my things in clear plastic containers and easy to access. The side walls are 4 foot tall which allows for a lot of items to be stored there. We converted the two tall wire shelf units into 4 short ones and it looks like they'll work out great for my purpose.

I have two sewing tables set up with my thread drawers in between. To get to the attic access we just roll the thread cart out and we can open the access door.

I am going to love having all my thread in one spot and easy to access. I have a lot of room in the drawers for more spools. The top tow drawers are Superior Threads. The third drawer is Connecting Threads thread. The larger drawers at the bottom hold the big spools - the ones on that drawer are also from Connecting Threads.  The next one down has my older Coats and Clark brand thread, mainly. 

  

Looking like home

I finally feel like I've got the upper hand on our settling in to our new home. The main level of the house is 95% done now. So far one quilt is up on a wall, a couple over chairs, and more will be finding a new home. This afternoon after I got back from visiting Mom and getting groceries I headed upstairs to where my quilt room is going to be.  My first task was to put together a couple of tables for my sewing machines and a cabinet I will use for my thread, and other sewing necessities.

I got the tables and the cabinet at IKEA.  I think I am going to like them both and am already thinking about getting another one, or two of those tables.I like the size of them for my sewing machines and I think one would be great for my desk and computer.

Just like the rest of our belongings, I think that they multiplied when they were in storage this last year. AUGH!  I will be going through and whittling down things here too, keeping what I know I'll use and giving away things for others to enjoy and use.

 

Tomorrow I'll head back upstairs and hopefully get things set up and put away and ready to start 'playing'.... once DH changes the outlet in the room. I had never seen a four pronged outlet before, but that is what is up there, in both my space and the room DH will have for his office and hobbies.  Very strange.  At least I have a couple of overhead lights in my space -- unlike DH.  Yep, some wiring and lighting is on our list too.

The weather is much cooler this week and we will be collecting firewood soon to keep us warm this winter. Nothing beats the warmth you get from a wood stove.

Getting Settled - or - Where did all this STUFF come from?

This is just part of the boxes that were emptied today as I found/made/created places to put all the STUFF we have in our new place. What I've learned is that after having lived WITHOUT over half of our belongings for a year, and then having it all again, we still have TOO MUCH STUFF.  When we moved 10 years ago we did a HUGE downsizing. We moved from a 6 bedroom house, with two car garage, and many years of accumulation into a 3 bedroom apartment, no garage, and a small storage closet.  Then when we moved 5 years ago we got rid of a bunch more.  So.... without having accumulated much in the last 5 years how do we now have all this STUFF?  Even my DH is feeling like he still has too much.

I'm filling boxes to take to the thrift stores and have also concluded that when it comes time to move from here there's a lot more that will NOT be going with us. Some will be given to our kids and other things will be donated.

Along with the unpacking, we've been doing some fixing up as we go.  Had to put in a new motor in the fan in the bathroom. Then we searched for the cause of the mildewy/moldy smell in the kitchen (it was gagging me).  Discovered it was up inside the faucet, where the leak also was.  We pulled it out and threw it away and put in a new faucet. Oh... so much better.  We also added some upper cabinets in our kitchen - yep, for all that STUFF I have.  We have a bit more to do on them, but oh my, what a difference they make!

In addition to gathering wood for our woodstove next week, I do hope to start organizing, arranging, and undoubtedly purging things from my sewing/quilt room. It's calling me, but I needed to get the rest of the house in shape first.

We are loving our new place and hope to be here for several years, God willing.

The elusive Baking Powder

Sunday morning our oldest son requested muffins for breakfast. I had unpacked my kitchen and had all my food put away, so sure, no problem.  Into my bowl went the egg, milk, flour, sugar, and .... wait ... where's my baking powder?  I know I have it as I recently bought a new can!  I looked high and low and it was no where to be found. DH ran out to the (very expensive) little store near us and got a new can for me and I was able to continue my baking.  The muffins turned out great.

Yesterday DH went back to our old house to do the final cleaning. He started opening the kitchen cupboards, for a last check and, yes, it's true, there on a shelf was by baking powder, along with some other baking items that I would have eventually missed.  He told me I had to have been a lot more tired than I thought to have missed packing a whole shelf. All I could do was laugh.

We've been busy packing, putting away, and organizing things in our new house. What we have both discovered is that with having lived without at least half of our belongings for a year (they were in storage) that we have too much and want to rid ourselves of even more of what we have.  We are collecting items in a give away box (or two or three) as we unpack. I'm already thinking ahead to when we leave here -- which we hope won't be for several years -- that I'll be not taking everything with us that we are currently keeping. I enjoy what I have, but in the scheme of things it is much more than I truly need.

The sun is out, shining on the hills behind us and there is a light breeze blowing through the trees. Another glorious day here in the "woods".

Sneak Peek of our new to us Abode

Today we went out and did another 'tour' of our new place.

Just four days until we'll be there!

Out of the mouth of ... Bailey

Yesterday was my DH's "Medicare" Birthday - yep, he's 65.  We celebrated by going to Red Robin for lunch. I bought (I know, I didn't bake this year -- most of my kitchen stuff is packed up and ready to move. I'll make a special treat once we get settled) a Chocolate Silk Pie that we enjoyed at home.

During a birthday call from Adam, little Miss (3 year old) Bailey got on the phone and said,

"Happy Birthday Grandpa.

You're old!"

We both got a great laugh out of that one!


A special quilt has finally been finished and is in the mail to it owner (it's a surprise)...

This was a group signature quilt project, with blocks from all over the US, as well as Canada, Australia, and the UK.  I think she is going to love it.

Today when I went in to see Mom the staff gave me a card. It was a wonderful thank you card.  Yesterday they did a Luau Party and it was rather hectic with a lot needing to be done and not enough hands to do it all, so I jumped in and helped. It was fun to do. What a surprise to get the card. Totally unexpected.

The head nurse at the care facility where Mom is is having cancer surgery today. I'm praying that all goes well and that soon she'll be cancer free and feeling good again. She is such a caring nurse to all the residents.

Can one be too efficient?

DH and I are busily packing up our house in preparation for our move in a week and a half.

This morning DH asked what I wanted for breakfast.  After some thought, okay after little thought, I suggested we have a coffeecake, which he was fine about making for us, until ...  yep, I had already packed the cookbook with that recipe. Phooey!  So much for efficiency. We settled for English Muffins and OJ.

As you can see, most of the boxes piled up are sewing boxes. LOL  I'm working to get my sewing room empty so I can get the carpet cleaned in there and have that out of the way. That room and the kitchen will be the biggest tasks (and I have several boxes from the kitchen done too).  Right now I'm feeling like just tossing things into boxes, the car, the moving truck ... that's why I 'm doing some boxes each day so it won't be so daunting.  Of course, if I could get some better sleep right now it would help.

Well.... tomorrow we're taking time out to celebrate. DH turns 65!  Hello Medicare!

Time to move on

(photo from morguefile free photos)

Today we will be starting to do this ... packing up our worldly goods (once again. I've lost track of how many actual moves I've made over the years) to move to our new adventure at a Christian Counseling Retreat. It's in a lovely setting, heading up into the mountains. For DH and me it is our dream job, something we've talked and dreamed about since we got married (41 years ago).  We met at a Church Camp and backpacking in the gorgeous mountains in Central Oregon.  It's in our blood.  The plan is to have everything moved in 2 weeks. Fortunately a lot of our goods are already packed and in storage, but there is still plenty to do.

We will also need to get some good winter wear as we're going to snow country.  Thank goodness we have a nice supply of quilts. I think they will be put to very good use this winter!  DH will have great opportunities to perfect his fly fishing as the river will be just steps from our front door.

We are really excited about this opportunity that God is blessing us with, and hope to be there several years. God took care of all the roadblocks that popped up, clearing the way for us to be able to go and serve. 

DH will be bringing home (today) our pile of boxes we have in storage to pack up what's here in the house. I'm making my lists and they are growing in length.... what to check on, what we need to bring from storage, what we need to buy ...  Thankfully we've had LOTS of practice so this should be a piece of cake, right? LOL

We will be a bit further from Mom, but close enough that I should be able to get in to see her at least twice a week. Unless fuel costs lower or we win the lottery (which I've heard you can't win if you don't play) that is all we'll be able to manage for now. My sister lives quite close to her and will be able to drop in more often.

Thanks to everyone for their prayers for work for DH over this last year. We know that none of the other great opportunities worked out as this is what God was getting ready for us, as well as preparing us for it.

NAME CHANGE:  I'm changing the name for my blog. I'm getting ready to (hopefully) start selling some of my art and the new name is more fitting for that.  It's an exciting new adventure for me.

Tidbits from my week

Mom decided to add some color this week.  Early in the week she tumbled head first out of her wheelchair and got a doozy of a rug burn on her forehead and several fingers of her hand are colorful with bruises.  Two nights ago she decided to add to that when she got out of bed ... onto the floor, and tore open the skin by her elbow.  Solutions, or at least the best we can do solutions, that are now in place are:
1) She can only be in the wheelchair unattended if she is pushed up to the table so if/when she falls asleep (as she is doing at the drop of a hat these days) she can't get further than the tabletop.
2) A new hospital bed was delivered that lowers close to the floor so if/when she gets up on her own there isn't far to fall.
Thankfully no serious injuries in either fall, but it only takes one fall to cause great havoc!

I took some pictures of my sister's new kitchen. It's not totally done, but it is coming along. One of my brothers has custom built all the cabinets. This project started in February and the kitchen may be done by or in September. That still leaves the diningroom and hallway to finish. Oh, and then there is the one bedroom that was in the middle of renovation when this started and has remained in that state....

I finished two thread painting postcards, gifts for a couple of my friends with birthdays this month.

We had another meeting with the directors where we are hoping to soon move and work last night. We're feeling very hopeful that we soon be packing up and heading closer to the mountains, to a beautiful setting, helping to serve God and a great ministry.  

Got some great deals at JoAnn's today -- some patterns for our Miss Bailey that were just 70 cents each and some Sulky threads on closeout for 50 cents each!  Couldn't pass those up.

DH is all signed up for Medicare and his supplement insurance now ... to be in effect by Sept. 1. Now to find affordable insurance for me ... with our very limited income. 

That said, we are so thankful for how God is taking care of us, helping us meet our obligations and providing for our needs. We are blessed!

Thread play for Postcards

It's been a while since I did some thread painting. This week I'm working on a couple of postcard size pictures. I'm still working to improve the look of water and waves.  With each piece I feel I'm making progress ... and having great fun too.

Background Prep

Now that I'm caught up with projects that needed to be done by a date that is quickly approaching I can take some time out to do some other work... a couple more thread paintings.  They are for a couple of birthdays (hmmm.... which are approaching fast, perhaps I was a bit hasty saying I was caught up! LOL).

A Friday Finish! WooHoo!

While "visiting" with Mom today I worked on stitching the binding on this quilt. Okay, I stitched and Mom slept, but I was there for those brief moments when her eyes would open and she'd say a few words before back to the Land of Nod.  I was very pleased with how it turned out.  To mark my quilting lines I used a new to me tool -- The Dritz Tailor's Marking Set that uses ceramic leads.  A friend told me about them, actually she told me about another brand name (which of course I can't remember at the moment) of a similar product.  The lines can be either erased or washed out.  They all came out beautifully! It's always chancy when marking on white fabric, but these leads came right out. I used the pink color (that's what my friend likes to use the most), but there are green and white ones included as well.

He's a Keeper!

Got a 2 for 1 deal today.  First, DH steam mopped our kitchen floor and then ... as you can see, he helped me pin this quilt! Yep, he's a keeper!  You know what I'll be doing today - before and after visiting Mom. Now to get that walking foot on my machine and get started!

Blessings

41 years with the same fellow

4 children and 2 "in laws"

1 grandchild

So Blessed!

Meeting a Quilt Blog Friend

Today was a really great day. A Quilt With Us friend who I've only known online came to my house today. We had a great time.

FUN surprise

Yesterday when I logged on to Facebook and started scrolling through the posts I had a most pleasant and wonderful surprise.   On the Quilting Daily post they featured the Dutch Canal group quilt that my friends and I made in 2012. I have it posted on their website, where you can download your creations.

Family Time & Sunny Days

Waterfall scene -- FINISHED!

A couple of days ago I "painted" (with thread) the rocks and water for my picture....

A bit of thread painting going on

It's been a while since I started a new picture. Most of my energy has been going to be with Mom the last many weeks.  Yesterday I decided it was time to start a new picture. I have several more lighthouses and ocean/beach scenes I'd like to do, but this one is venturing away from that and is a stream/waterfall picture.
The background is painted and ready to go.

All's quiet ... mostly

Celebrating our Country

Patriotic Stars by bje

As I "blog" DH is in the kitchen pitting the pie cherries that will soon be baked into our dessert for today. Yum yum - cherry pie! We'll also be traditional by having hot dogs today as we celebrate, along with a yummy pasta/broccoli/grapes salad - recipe courteous of Pinterest.

Enjoy your day, however you celebrate.

Ready to SHOP

Just finished making a cute little (literally) bag that carries a LOT ... credit cards, cash, camera, cell phone.... all those necessities when out shopping or attending quilt shows.  The pattern was given to me by my friend Betty. It's called "Barb's Little Shop Hop Bag"  by B.H. Quilting.  Just takes 3 fat quarters fabric.

Feeling Good!

A Shutterfly Book - by Me!

Just created a book (at my daughter's suggestion) of the lighthouses and beach pictures I've been creating with threadpainting.  Hope you enjoy it!

Sunshine, Sewing & Sickness

After most of a week of lower than it should be temps here (only in the 60's) and cloudy skies, the sunshine has once again graced us and it is a gorgeous summer day.  Hooray!