Getting-in-the-mood!

I'm loving my new and improved "sewing sweatshop"! After foundation improvements, fresh paint, additional work lighting and floor/carpet cleaning I was able to return everything to it's rightful place.

The sewing area was a snap ... if I didn't use it in that area it needed to find a new home. I soon discovered there was alot of freed up space. So the bulletin board, evidently, housed alot of used items -- but they did not need to be "displayed"! The pegboard housed ALOT of rulers and rotary cutters ... why? ... I don't cut in that room!!!

Because the cutting room sports four wall anchors ... two yet to be "disguised" ... an additional pegboard was mounted to cover two of the plates. A new home for my rulers and rotary cutters!!! Yeah ...

I am so lucky to have all of this organized space now. Fabrics, mags, quilt kits, and instruction manuals are neatly labeled and live on the bookshelves. Even had Larry install additional shelving "just in case" I found more fabrics, mags, quilt kits, etc. I just had to have!

I'm loving my new area and have even (after three years of waiting procrastinating), finally, begun working on a t-shirt quilt for Tyler.

Share-time

Proof that they can get along when there is an adequate sun spot. Sami is on right (or front) while Little Bit gets what is left, she obviously needs to sun her round little belly!

Our "furry" girls ...

Mama "Sami", 11-12 years old.

Even tempered

Loves kids

Tolerates dogs

Prefers to nap on or under bed

Likes her cat house

Loves sun spots

Cuddler--on her terms.

Has "adopted" me.

Sami's "daughter"

Little Bit - approx. 10 years old

Naps in recliner (or on Larry)

Is known to sleep under covers

Skittish, but inquisitive

Follows you like a puppy

Will fight her mom for sun spot.

Has "adopted" Larry.



Harley riders ...

While her dad rides ... I think it was bound to be in her blood with a great-grandpa that also rode!

Squaw Creek NWR

Took a "little" road trip to escape our cabin-fever feeling. What we both miscalculated was the distance ... we've taken the route several times ... but time needed just did not come into play! Since we don't wear watches and didn't take the GPS we had not a clue. We did however have our binoculars as we were setting out to do some "Eagle Watching" at "Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge" near Mound City Missouri. It was a beautiful sunny day (55F), traffic was light and our vehicle had a full tank.

It was after two hours of driving, and finally looking at the map, we realized that our destination was two-thirds of the way to Kansas City ... should have packed an overnight bag! When we got to the refuge we had less than two hours to explore as gates automatically closed at five (leaving home after lunch probably did not help). We chose the auto-tour, which took us around the perimeter of the lake. There were several walking/hiking tours, but many were closed for the season.

There were literally hundreds of beaver lodges on the lake, of course no one came out to greet us, but it was very interesting to see. I'd like to go back when weather is warmer to have the opportunity to see one of the little critters in action!



As we made our way around the lake we saw countless ducks and geese.  Imagine our surprise when these Trumpeter Swans came into view, and yes they do make a trumpet like sound and are such beautiful and graceful birds.

We were able to see an occupied eagle's nest ... with an adult head visible. Also spotted a golden eagle perched high up in a tree. Passed a vehicle stopped along the roadside, and when an individual stepped out we saw what looked like an adult and immature bald eagle take off in flight. We watched them through the dense tree growth flying toward a clearing. Probably got startled ... darned tourists anyway.

Did see several unoccupied eagle nests and have learned that the eagles are migratory visiting the refuge in early December. Park website statistics as of January 13th show that there were still 66 eagles on site ... so we considered ourselves lucky to have seen just a few of them.

A good trip --- next time though we'll take the camera, GPS and pack an overnight bag!!!

Maple Leaf Quilt ... continuing progress

Was so excited to receive the phone call from Kris (the long arm quilter) that the quilt was ready for pick up! She had promised it by December 31st and I had it in my hot little hands by our Christmas Eve-Eve celebration (a new family tradition?).

Tackling the final step is a very "heavy" process. The quilt measures roughly 104" x 132", add to that the backing and batting ... this thing must weigh at least 100 pounds ... yes I exaggerate, I'll weigh when finished. I was able to get binding cut and sewn onto quilt. Hand stitching is not a favorite task as needle slips off thimble and fingers get pricked. I am past the half-way mark ... yeah!

(I wad it up for easier handling...it's doggone heavy!)

This quilt became a labor of love. I began it over 30 years ago, the pattern given to me by my mother. It contains fabric remnants from her stash, Grandma Bessie's, Grandma Elsie's and my own. I used an old sheet (as pattern directed). I traced the maple leaf by hand, cutting and appliqueing. For whatever reason it sat in a small storage tub on a shelf in my sewing room cupboard. Something this past year gave me the inspiration to get it out and finish it up. That is when the fun truly began. As I appliqued the final blocks and assembled the quilt top I was reminded of the family members no longer with us. I took my time selecting the sashing, border and backing fabrics that would compliment the final project.

There is still a little work to be done ... creating a label ... erasing pencil marks ... cutting loose threads ... etc. It's next posting will be it's final, it will be gifted and off to a new life!

Santa's visit ...

T’was the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,

in a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone.

I had come down the chimney with presents to give,

and to see just who in this home did live.

I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,

no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.

No stocking by mantle, just boots filled with sand,

and on the wall pictures of far distant lands.

With medals and badges, awards of all kinds,

a sobering thought came to my mind.

For this house was different, so dark and so dreary,

the home of a soldier, now I could see clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone,

curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.

The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder,

not how I pictured a United States soldier.

Was this the hero of whom I’d just read?

Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?

I realized the families that I saw this night,

owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.

Soon round the world, the children would play,

and grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.

They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,

because of the solders, like the one lying here.

I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone,

on a cold Christmas eve in a land far from home.

The very thought brought a tear to my eye,

I dropped to my knees and started to cry.

The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,

"Santa don’t cry, this life is my choice;

I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more,

my life is my God, my country, my corps.”

The soldier rolled over and soon drifted to sleep,

I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours, so silent and still,

and we both shivered from the cold evening’s chill.

I didn’t want to leave on that cold, dark, night,

this guardian of honor so willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure,

whispered, “Carry on Santa, it’s Christmas day, all is secure.”

One look at my watch, and I knew he was right.

"Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night.”

(written by Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt

and included on a Christmas card

 printed by the DAV)