Block Party

Quilt #1: Block Party

This quilt took me several years to make. I bought the fabric in Indiana and cut it out with the intentions of sewing the top together before we moved. It came in pieces with us to Washington. I did not give up and with sheer determination and mighty willpower, I managed to finish it.

I found these great tutorials on binding a quilt here, here, and here. They each have a different spin on binding a quilt with great visual tutorials. Did I mention I am a visual learner? If you have never made a quilt before I recommend checking out a book at the library and finding an easy pattern. (That's what I did.)

Quilt #2: Rail Fence

My second quilt is almost done..... It has fabric that was given to me at a Pow-wow, mixed with some leftovers from a dress my sister wore. I followed the tutorials above and cut my binding strips at a 45 degree angle, had them sewn in a long strip to fit around my quilt, and then proceeded to sew the binding to the back of the quilt.

That's when I got red in the face and smoke billowed out my ears. It took me one hour to sew it on and will take two hours using a seam ripper to get it off.

You are not suppose to sew the binding to the back of the quilt... you are suppose to sew it to the front.

Let's just say, I hope I learn from this mistake or this may be my last quilt.

The Theme at our House

Love

May you reach all the sweet things in life! Wishing you all Happy Holidays!

If a tree falls in the forest....

Fallen Tree

A moon in the outhouse!

Hornet Nest

Babies

I am sooooo watching this movie when it comes out.

Here is a link to the official site.

Enjoy the view!

Seasons

The cool weather has set in. All the flowers are gone, except those ones my daughter planted that had half their roots exposed. I rescued them and gave them some more soil. They are still blooming. They are nestled close to the house near the door. I don't know why they are still blooming because it's getting pretty frigid out. My neighbor gave them to my daughter in a little bucket as a gift and she planted them all by herself. This time of year reminds me of the song Turn, Turn, Turn by the Byrds.

To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep

To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones
A time to gather stones together

To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time of war, a time of peace
A time of love, a time of hate
A time you may embrace
A time to refrain from embracing

To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time to love, a time to hate
A time of peace, I swear it's not too late!


My daughters are enjoying the holiday season. They loved the time we spent visiting family and playing with cousins over the Thanksgiving break. Holding the little tiny baby chihuahua puppies at my parents house was definitely a highlight of the trip. Every time we mention that we are going to Grandma's house they inquire as to what pets they will get to see. We were all saddened to hear that Socks passed away this week. She was a dog my in-laws have had since before I married their son. She had kidney failure. When they girls heard the news they were both heartbroken. They wanted to know where she was buried and how she had died.
Now they are busy making cards and letters for Santa. Lu Lu told Z that she must remember to say "please" when asking Santa for a Christmas gift. In the car on the long drive home Lu Lu mentioned that if she were rich she would share her money with people who were poor. This conversation was started when we read Fantastic Mister Fox. The three Farmers in the story are very rich, nasty men. We read the book twice, once on the way to Grandma's and once on the way home from Grandma's. And then there was that part during the visit when we saw Fantastic Mr. Fox in the movie theater. It is such a different, creative movie. I recommend it because it's got great music and may get your kids thinking about sharing.

Make over

Our bathroom was in desperate need of a make over. The linoleum was peeling up in the corners and had a 60's feel, mottled in blue and cream. I took out the toilet and wedged a screwdriver under the old stuff and hammered until I had a big enough piece to pull. Then pull and tug and pull some more. Under the linoleum was some tile laid down by black glue. I opted to tile over this because I didn't know if it contained asbestos. I found this advice on the web. "When asbestos flooring needs replacing, install new floor covering over it, if possible."
And down there in that second picture.... Yeah, the wall wasn't painted behind the toilet. My neighbor and husband laid the tile. Thanks! I love it.

Veteren's Day

To honor those who selflessly serve. Thank you.

Adventures

We took the North Pend Oreille Valley Lions Club trian ride. It was the weekend right before Halloween. The girls bundled up in coats and hats and blankets. We choose to ride in an open air car with a pic-nic lunch consisting of rotisserie chicken, potato salad, and cranberry apple juice. The ride began in Ione Washington where we boarded the train. It took us along the Pend Oreille river north toward Canada.

We got to stop at Box Canyon Dam on the trestle bridge. This is a view of the river from the bridge. Then we looked down, down, down into the water below us. Our ride snaked along the mountain and through two tunnels. We stopped in Metaline Falls and were robbed by Ma Cutter and her gang. It was quite the adventure and very majestic.