...goal accomplished!

In our quilt guild we had a challenge this year to complete some of our old projects--UFOs they are called. I really can't tell you where it came from. Just one of those things........... We were to set our own goal......"how many UFOs do you think you can finish this year?" Now, to appreciate this, you need to know that I had never before completed my goal! In some years past we had a contest to see who could complete the most..........well, I didn't even try those years..........after all, I had a family to care for and a more important goal of putting a nutritious meal on the table every night! That I did most nights........still, not every single one, but I feel okay about that. I'll stop talking........short story here is I COMPLETED THIS ONE!!!! I committed to four UFOs............not many, but certainly more than I had ever done before!! AND I MADE IT!!!! Here are three of the quilts...........the fourth was one I quilted for my daughter-in-law next door.........she pieced the top for her new baby boy and it sat for months on my quilt rack waiting for me to quilt it. Now the baby is four months old (she finished her part at least a couple of months before his birth) ...........but now it is quilted!!! RAH!!! Here they are......!!!

This one, I had to make the top............I've had the rabbit done for more years than I care to admit. Now it's done so Dan can enjoy it and use it while he's still in school...........I was going to say "while he's still a Rabbit" but he will always be a "Rabbit"!!!!

This was a class I taught years ago............finally quilted!!

And a humanitarian quilt............the white was donated to the guild and we were to go home and use some scraps, etc., to make a quilt...........this is left-over pajama fabric...........finally!!! DONE!!!!

It was/is such a good feeling to actually complete this.........I was beginning to think I couldn't "finish" anything!! But I can!!! Thanks for celebrating with me...........

Thanksgiving

I thought I should tell you about our Thanksgiving..........it was perfect.........we had everyone here but John and Sarah........so I guess it wasn't quite perfect. Lisa and Kelly came Tuesday night and worked so hard on Wednesday, doing all those little things I just never get to. They vacuumed up dust older than they are!!!! Well.......almost.......... On Wednesday morning we had a big steam engine come through town on it's way to Ogden. I think I remember reading that it is the last 4-8-4 engine Union Pacific had built. It certainly was big. It was certainly noisy. And it was certainly a thrill to see it so close up and working! My only regret is that I didn't ask to ride it to Lynndyl.....Tooele would have been better!! These huge machines fill me with awe.........

We put some coins on the track, but you can see he outsmarted us by coming on the other track......... I think the nearer track is a siding.........

They were pumping grease in somewhere...........very noisy.......... But look at the size of those drive wheels!!

After all that excitement it was back the house and preparing for Thursday........ More people came that night. Kevin and Brian came with their families on Thursday. Brian always has to work some hours on holidays...........we ate about 3:00............

Michelle made these lovely decorations for our tables...........

It was just so wonderful to have them all here...........it was so "right". I loved it!!!! I'm so glad we have Thanksgiving Day!




P.S. This is my first post since changing my template..........I think this is such a pretty one.

Thanksgiving Proclamation

This was published in the Deseret News on Thanksgiving Day. I read it aloud at the table. I love our country! I love George Washington! And I hope to someday have the courage and the opportunity to thank him for all he has done for us. A man truly "raised up", guided and inspired (whether he knew it or not), and absolutely faithful to his foreordained calling! A truly indispensible man!!!! I'll stop. Here are his words:

Thanksgiving Proclamation

By Pres. George Washington—October 3, 1789

          Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and

          Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me “to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness”;

          Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26^th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the Beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have enabled to establish constitutions and government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted; for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

          And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our national government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally, to grant unto  all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

          Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, AD 1789, —George Washington

meanderings of my mind... (it's kind of long.....)

Yes, it's been a while (but only three weeks)..........yet it's one of those times when I feel I've lived years. Let me see if I can express the feelings I've had. I don't know that I can...... An ancient prophet once wrote "and our lives passed away as it were in a dream". I think I finally get it! And this isn't the first time I've felt this way. October was filled with new and sometimes turbulent emotions. Spending a few precious hours with Mother were just that: precious. And then to have all the family together, and to know that we will be together forever.....that even when emotions are unruly and feelings are raw we care deeply about one another and love deeply. It's still a little incomprehensible that she is gone. And I've had my moments of struggle..........even with as happy and excited as I am for her.........and I couldn't wish her back. I couldn't remove her name from my Christmas gift list for this year. But I figure that's okay. And I think a little of my delinquency in writing here is because somehow it makes it more permanent and real if you write about it. And I'm still really happy for her!!!! I hope this makes sense..............

So with all of that.....here's a really quick run down..........we worked on Daniel's Eagle project. He was cutting tree roots to level sidewalks and cutting down curbs to make them wheelchair accessible. H.a.r.d. w.o.r.k!!!! We are so thankful for friends who loaned tools, equipment and time. There is no way to thank family members who gave their all............

We had a dinner party for Daniel and his friends.......it was Homecoming, so we served a formal dinner to sixteen very nice young people. Thanks to Michael and Michelle who acted as servers and photographer............and to Audrey and Michelle for the table decorations (I love doing this! It's easier for a smaller group, but this was fun!)

We also got to play and snuggle with baby Ros............a "bundle of love"..............Suzanne does a great job!

Roger and I took the "scenic route" to Provo one day. We went to see the leaves, knew there would be some snow, but not this much!! It was magical.............we live in such a marvelous, glorious world..........I don't know big enough words to express what I feel............

And another band competition............this one in Pleasant Grove.........

Then on to Salt Lake for the All-State Choir concert. I didn't get any decent pictures inside the Tabernacle, but I loved the way the setting sun shone on the temple as we waited in line...........

I baked cookies in our sun oven!!!! They were wonderful!! I can see though that I'm going to have a challenge cooking in the winter time..........I might have to go out in the street to have direct sunshine for long enough. There are too many trees in the neighborhood!!.......well, for solar cooking.........

While I was outside I talked to our beautiful mums..........they were especially brilliant this year.....

 And we finally finished the Eagle project.............I took these pictures for Dan to submit with his application. It was in three days before his birthday! He had his board of review last Sunday. The papers are on their way to Dallas.............seven Eagles..............I have anticipated this for twenty-something years.......... There are times when we do things and we have no idea how far-reaching they might be. This is one of those times. I'm so glad we pushed as we did. Now he knows he can finish hard things.........I hadn't thought how valuable that would be until after it was all in......another time when I "lucked out".

...the second half of September

Which really is less than "half" but...........well, you understand. And just so I have an excuse for being less than consistent--my sweet Mother "graduated" two weeks ago. I was able to see her the day before she left us. It was wonderful to have another chance to tell her how much I love her and thank her for all she has given me. To learn more about this remarkably lovely woman, click here.

We blessed little Roscoe Jack on the 25th. All of our children were here........we had a great time. This is the little suit I made for him. Boy clothes are significantly more simple than girl clothes!

 Here we all are but for Suzanne. She hasn't felt up to being out of bed for very long for some time now..........we miss her.............

These last three pictures are of Daniel playing in the band. Homecoming 2011!! And new uniforms!!! They finally allowed the "band man" who was already teaching at the middle school to take over the band at the high school. (I know. You'd think that would be a no-brainer.......but sometimes it takes a while for the powers that be to figure things out.) At any rate......he had been at the high school a few weeks when he started having early morning practices to teach they a half-time show. Of course, they had no uniforms..........we hadn't had a "marching band" for more than twenty years!!!! Some of the band students lobbied to wear the old moth-eaten wool uniforms from THIRTY years ago. They did a good job! Convinced the administration and the "powers" that they were serious and deserved some new uniforms! Got 'em!!!!! Don't they look sharp? We are so proud of these kids! Last year, while waiting for the uniforms to be made they marched in black slacks and white polo shirts. They are getting better with every competition and performance. Daniel is kind of in the middle playing the silver trumpet...........he's pretty good............the pictures are kind of fuzzy--sorry--but really, I was in Provo watching BYU play..........my sweet DIL took these for me. I have other pictures taken in the daylight.......for another time...........

consistency...Chapter Two

Roger and I took the truck from there and went to Grace for potatoes.........I love the drive from Preston to Grace. At times I fancy I would love to put in my winter supply, pull my lane in after me and wait for the snow to pile up. At any rate, I thought you might enjoy seeing a small part of it....

Start off with the piles of potatoes at the Stoddard Farms "stand"..........a very large metal shed filled with bags of potatoes. And while there were plenty of people coming to buy and "take away", there were tractors pulling wagons loaded with more to "bring". The volume is staggering..........

standing just outside the shed full of potatoes looking to the north-west

you can't see the other "cellars" behind these two--they are enormous!

The rest of these are the country south of Grace and before Preston. It's so hard to capture what I feel in a picture. Maybe impossible. But! Maybe you will feel it too!

consistency.........yeah...right!

Yes. I've thought I need to be a lot more consistent with posting here. It's not that I don't have things to share. Some of it is beginning to feel like the "same old thing". I'm sure you understand. The harvest/canning season is winding down. I've done peaches, pears, tomatoes--kind of. We picked all the peppers, squash and pumpkins. I pulled up the onions, and still need to get the rest of the beets. We went to Idaho for a load of potatoes. I have a couple of boxes of apples in the garage so I can make chili sauce. But I told you about all that last year..........this year is different in that I haven't done as much. And that has been wonderful! ..........now..........with all that as a disclaimer.....I'm going to try to back up a little and share some of it with you anyway.........just because I want to. We need to do some of those things "just because I want to", right?

We are going to have a kind of quick "September in review..."

We spent a beautiful day with loved ones in Logan for a wedding--peace, love, joy, "rightness", healing, a re-filling of the reservoir, and an absolutely gorgeous day..........

It just doesn't get any better than this..............

...of fall, food and tools........not necessarily in that order...

Wow!!! It's been so long since I was here I just about forgot how to get "here"!! Do they have a limit on how many times you can try your email and password?? If so, I might be in trouble!

I have quite a few things I need to post, but tonight I want to share with you my absolutely wonderful find!!!! I have been looking for a good peeler for several years now--ever since my favorite cheapo grocery store peeler got too dull to peel pears or I accidentally threw it away when I got the "near-worthless new" peeler mixed up with the "good old" peeler.............do you ever do things like that?? At any rate, we were in Logan last week.........during some of our "free" time we went shopping. First stop was "Kitchen Kneads"!!! I LOVE THAT STORE!!!!! It's just so fun to wander around a look!! We happened to be at the kitchen gadgets wall when a clerk came by and I happened to remember that I could really use a new peeler........yes, we have others, but I hate to take off a quarter inch of potato with every swipe!!! So I asked............she showed me some and we talked (she has the same fettish I do....thin peels).........so I made a choice--sometimes a difficult thing for me--and bought one!! I LOVE IT!!!!!

I've been doing pears tonight........it peels as effortlessly as possible when it comes to pears. And below is another tool I must have when doing pears...........I don't remember when I bought it. I can't remember doing pears without it since I got married. And my children know their lives are forfeit if they lose it. Yes, I let them use it--that way, they know its value! I bought a couple extra many years ago.......I think I gave them away. It's a wonderful tool. If any of you see one, please buy a couple for me..........It cuts out the stem with the little 'u' shape in the very bottom of the curve, then you dip down to get the core, then back up and 'out' for the stem.........all in one motion...........it has saved me countless hours over the years.

I'm loving the beautiful fall weather........thankfully, we have not had frost as we have had very few ripe tomatoes. The vines are loaded, but they are all green. The watermelon and peaches have been marvelous. I love the fall with the turning leaves, the good food, and I get to feel like I'm really caring for my family. The potato cellar is full with some of the best potatoes it's possible to find and my fruit room is filling up too. Wow!!! You gotta love this time of year.............

...31 amazing years...

I just returned from "candle-lighting" at Delta High School. Our Daniel is a class officer and was sworn in today.

It gives me cause to reflect...........I've had thirty-one "first days of school"!!! No. We have not celebrated every single one. There were times when we were lucky to remember that it was the first day of school!! This year is my last...........and I find myself both happy and sad. Twelve years ago, when Daniel started kindergarten I mourned. Even going for registration, I had to hurry out before the tears started sliding down my face. I knew I had to do something for that "first day", so I bought licorice jelly beans and black m&ms to take to his teacher and the principal. It worked! No tears at school! But then I found I couldn't go back home! Whatever would I do with myself for 2 1/2 hours?!?? I went to the warehouse for at least part of that time.........and that was the routine for the first few days.  I got over that and was just beginning to enjoy my solitude when a neighbor asked if I could watch her nine month old daughter while she went to work. I did, and I've had very little "solitude" since! I am tired. I don't have the energy I once had. There are other things going on in my life that require me to focus much of what energy I do have in other directions. I am a grandma! And I have to remind myself to not feel guilty when I can't get to every activity he participates in. But at the same time, I want to be as much "mom" to him as I was to our other children. In general, I have thoroughly enjoyed being "Mom". Granted, there were times, long and short, when I didn't want the job! But on the whole, I'd do it all over again. I love being "in the trenches", "on the front line"........and "grandma" doesn't get that job.............and, as Grandma, I'm pretty sure I don't want it! Perish the thought of never holding my own newborn ever again........worlds without end.............that fills me with deep dread.............but...........for now, in this mortal experience, I find myself ready to enjoy a new season. And I truly mean to enjoy it! I realize there is at least one thing that will happen to bring deep sorrow as the season changes, but I can not stop that. I can only try not to shrink from its coming. Even with all I know and am absolutely sure of.........I find I want the summer to never end. If it could go on just as it is...............but that is so unfair to Suzanne. And I don't really want her to have to lie in bed indefinitely............I don't want to go through the pain of separation, either!!! Thankfully, it is not up to me. I'm so grateful to know I have a loving Father in Heaven who knows me, Suzanne, and all of us........who wants us to return home and will do and has done all that He can to make that happen. I am learning more about the atonement and our Savior's love for us..........I have no words to express my feelings.............and my thoughts could go on forever...........and maybe not make much sense to anyone else.............I'm trying to live the now with a joyful heart.

...another hat

I'm stepping w.a.y. out of my comfort zone and donning a new hat.............let me back up some and explain...........I love to make quilts. I am a member of our local quilt guild. For the past nine years we have sponsored a quilt show in connection with the "Delta Snow Goose Festival". I have helped set up and even "taught" a couple of very small demonstrations. Since our show last February the president of our guild has reminded us regularly that no one had signed up to "be in charge" of the quilt show. The past three months at meetings have been a little uncomfortable because no one was willing to step forward and do it. I have felt the need to contribute to our guild--I have a little in the past, but with the things going on in my life for the past five years I felt I had my plate full. Well............I was just so afraid our show would die, I began thinking of how I would accomplish this task IF I were to volunteer. I thought about it for a couple of months even! While waiting for the play to start in Cedar City last month...........WHAT!?!?!??? Did I forget to tell you that we went to the Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City??? Sorry............we saw "The Music Man" and "Midsummer Night's Dream". So much fun!!! Now back to the quilt guild saga..........While waiting for the play to start I was telling Roger how I hated to see the show die for lack of someone saying "I'll be in charge." He shocked me by replying, "Why don't you do it?" I told him that was all I needed.........I needed to have his support.........Sooooooo, I'm "in charge" though I am the very newest kid on the block!! I've never been involved in the planning of this thing!! I show up the day before to set up chairs and tables and climb ladders to hang the quilts! Now.........with all that..........I have created a blog for our quilt show..........remember, it is in the beginning stages and I'm learning as I go......I hope everyone will be patient with me--so far they have been very kind and encouraging--we will have a great show! I have some wonderful people to help me............and I'm EXCITED!!!! Here's the link to the new blog, if you are interested............goose festival quilt show. Let me know what you think, please..........and pray for me..........I've never done anything like this before in my whole life!!! AGH!!!

...some of my favorite things...

Yes, it's been a while..........there are times when I feel I don't have anything to share and other times when I feel I don't have time to sit down and write something. That doesn't mean that I don't spend time doing other things on the computer--like read someone else's blog. I have a favorite heirloom designer. She has a blog and she's faithful. I wish I lived in her town..........or better yet, that she lived in mine! We had a talk with our 17 year old the other night about making things happen instead of making excuses. (I know, you've never had such a talk with your child.) But afterward, as I was looking at the exquisitely lovely little clothes Jeannie makes and reading of her classes, I decided I'm going to make something happen! I'm going to save some money--don't really know where it's coming from--and go to one of her classes! I can read directions and decipher illustrations as well as the next gal, but there is nothing like being right there and watching as she embroiders........so I'm going to make it happen! Tell me, if you dare, that this is not one of the sweetest, most beautiful dresses you have ever seen.......

...or this one...

See why I want to go to at least one of her classes????? So beautiful they make my heart ache.....and I need to be getting started on a little white something of my own. We have a new grandson!!! He's still a wee little thing, but so perfect in every way. Mother and baby are doing well..........

And we had a wedding in the family two weeks ago! As per the standing arrangement with my sister, I made a quilt. I love to make quilts! And I hope that someday I can be as happy with my machine quilting as I am with my hand quilting..........it's going to take some work!!

 And I want to share some pictures of one of my favorite buildings in all the world.....(there are about 150 of these "favorite" buildings) it was absolutely and totally beautiful that day...........one that could not be improved upon.....one to "fill my reservoir"....

And now! I think I will go and make something happen! Goodness knows, I have enough to do!