Granny's Quilt

Do you read Valerie's blog about Granny? Valerie's Granny will have a birthday October 24 - she will be 96 years old! Granny makes one quilt a week. You heard me, one quilt a week. Recently I bought one of Granny's quilts and when I got home from vacation it was waiting for me. It is perfect. Perfectly perfect. Oh I don't mean perfect stitches, or perfect seams, or perfectly square. It is perfect for snuggling under on a rainy, dreary day. It's perfect for wrapping up a grandchild who's spending the night. It's perfect for making a house when draped over a chair and an end table. It's perfect for winding around and around a doll. It's perfect for covering up in the car when the air conditioner is on full blast. It's perfect for laying on the carpet and putting a baby down for his nap.

God has touched Granny's heart, and her hands, and her life. He as made her an artist. He has given her the gift of perfect quilts.

An Early Morning Sight

Last week we left Amarillo, Texas early in the morning for the last leg of our trip home. The sun was just coming up on the horizon and I was dreading the thought of facing it for several hours. I made my little nest in the truck....socks on (he likes air, I like heat), blanket in place, embroidery waiting for enough light to see by, and I was all settled. I looked up and this is what I saw.

What a lovely reminder for all travelers passing by that He is there. Beside the highway, in the truck with us, even lurking in the rest areas...He is there.

Why is Everything So Loud?

I got a haircut today. Normally I wouldn't be telling you this but since you all know that my beautician retired I thought you'd like to know I went to a new one today. It wasn't quite as bad as a new gynocologist, but almost. Oh not her - she was really nice. And even nicer was that today she was in the shop by herself. No other customers, no other beauticians...just me and some soft music. Mondays she's by herself and you can bet I'll be going back on Monday.

I've never been a noise person and the older I get the less I like it. I hate the music they play at Sonic while I'm waiting in line even though it's music from my teen days. It's loud and I can barely hear the waitperson asking me what I want. And when they can't hear me I get frustrated because I just want to say, "turn the music down and you can hear me!" And there are some shops I won't even go in because the music is so loud...Abercrombie & Fitch is one. Not that I would go in there anyway except at Christmas when I would go to buy a sweatshirt for my grandson since he's addicted to their stuff.

Is it just me or stores making the music louder these days? And if it's not me, why are they doing that? Any theories?

What Was I Thinking?

SEPTEMBER GOALS:

1. Applique 6 blocks of the wool sampler. I only got five done but I just love this sampler! And yes there are six blocks here because I started writing this post several days and since then I've completed the sixth one. :) I'm ready to put the sashing on these and then I'll start the borders.

2. Complete 4 blocks of the redwork baby quilt. That didn't happen. I did get one done but didn't realize how much detail there is on that quilt. I'll show you a picture next month.

3. Embroider and make 2 redwork baby bibs. I'm more than half way good with these - I finished the redwork for both but only actually made one bib so far. My sewing machine started having a problem which I've since corrected so this week I'll make the other one.

4. Embroider one fall tea towel. Nope, didn't get this started.

5. Embroider one fall wall hanging. I drew it onto the fabric. That's good right?

6. Get two pumpkin applique blocks put together. What was I thinking? It takes me a couple of hours apiece to put these blocks together - maybe more! There weren't that many extra hours in my month!

7. Applique the border for the sampler quilt. Haven't started - does it count that I got the leaves and flowers ironed on and it's all ready to stitch?

At the beginning of the year when I decided to put monthly goals I thought it would really inspire me to work hard. Now I've decided I work hard all the time anyway! but that doesn't mean I get more done. Maybe I should work harder on inventing a way to add more hours to my day. Then I'd be a billionaire and I wouldn't have to do all the housework, errands, etc. that take time away from my sewing. :) Wouldn't it be nice to tell someone each morning: today go to the pharmacy, the cleaners, the library and WalMart. Then mop the kitchen, dust the ceiling fans, and clean out the living room closet. When you're done .... I think I'd like that!

The Last Day

On the last day of our time in the Rockies we saw God. We saw him in the golden Aspens.

And on the misty mountains.

He stood with us on the overlooks peering into the valleys.

He smiled at the tenacity of a tree bravely growing out of solid rock.

And He made swirls in the rocks and the snow.

He spread both arms wide saying all this I made for you.

From the frozen lakes...

to the greens and yellows....

and the azure sky.

He showed us the gentle slopes

and the mass of color

set atop trunks of white and gray.

He gave us breathtaking views as we drove.

He laughed at the playful trout,

and chuckled at the ones who patiently lay in the current waiting for food to come to them.

They thought they were hiding, but He saw them.














He rested by the lakes,

and He walked in the grass.

He looked at His creation and said "It is good."

Baby Eli

I showed you baby Eli in my last post - isn't he just perfect? He is so beautiful, so sweet, so beloved! Baby Eli has a small problem - his thyroid gland isn't working. So on the sixth day of his life he started medication that he will take the rest of his life. There's not a liquid medication so his parents are crushing the pill and mixing it in a teaspoon of applesauce. Can you even imagine having to get a teaspoon of anything down a 6 day old baby? I can't!

I'm telling you this for two reasons. First of all, Eli is a first baby for his parents. It's a difficult enough transition to parenthood without complications entering the picture. The doctor said this is a lifelong medication. I'm sure they are feeling all the emotions that we expect...shock, apprehension, fear, everything Satan can put forth. So if you would say a prayer for them....and for Eli. I'm praying for God's grace and His peace to surround them. I'm asking for healing and hope and for the sure knowledge that God is in control here.

And the second reason? Well, it's this. We have tests that are automatically done on babies that detect this problem. We have lab technicians who know how to read those tests. We have doctors who know how to take care of medical issues and pharmacies who have the medicines and parents who are able to understand the responsibilities they are undertaking. We have a God who has given us every one of those things. Every one. Every single one! He gave us the intelligence that enables us to learn how to diagnose medical problems, treat them, and make the medications necessary. He is so loving that he has given us the means to take care of Eli. He is holding this baby in His hands, loving him and caring for him. Eli is tiny but our God is huge. How great is our God! Will you join me in praising Him?