Blog Hiatus

Miss Jean is taking a little bloggy break. I wrote about my Sweety and his medical problems here so I won't go into them again now. He has had another small episode this past week. Hopefully it will stay small and no further problems will arise. In the meantime, Maggie and I have to concentrate on taking care of and watching him.

I'll still lurk around and be checking up on my blog friends. I just want to tell you all how much the entire blog community has meant to me. When times are stressful, I can always count on you all to make me laugh, appreciate what I have, learn something new, travel to wonderful places and just "get away".

Blessings to you all.

Passing Down Traditions

As most of you know I love to quilt. I don't always get (or make) the time to do it, but I love it none the less. I think it comes from my Grandma Somers. I am fortunate to have some of the heirloom quilts that have passed down from generation to generation in our family.

My daughter is not interested in quilting. Not that she isn't artistic or talented. Just the opposite, there isn't anything she can't do. Sewing just isn't her thing. I have a wonderful daughter-in-law. I would love to sit and teach her to quilt but she lives near Denver and I'm in California. I would like to start making trips back there and take her to quilt classes at a local quilt shop. She has just started a new job in a new city with a new house so perhaps now isn't the time. Maybe next year.

I don't have a granddaughter like my friend does. She is eight and is already quilting and stitching. So much fun!

So what am I to do? Hmmmmmm.........

"Maggie, would you like to learn to quilt?"

"I think so, Mommy. What's quilting?"

"Well, you buy beautiful fabric that costs lots of money, cut it up and sew it back together. That's called quilting."

"You're kidding me, right?"

It's a mystery to me!

One of my most favorite things in the world are old quilts. I love them even more than new ones or making them myself. I guess it's the feel of them and the history that they evoke.

This quilt rack is hanging in my bedroom. Enlarge the picture to see what it says! These quilts are not my family heirloom quilts. Those I have displayed in a glass quilt case in my guest room. These are found quilts that somehow got separated from the family they came from. That's the mystery to me. How could someone part with a family quilt! Shameful! But a bonus for me.

Last weekend my sister, Janice, called and wanted to meet and go antique shopping at The Green Pea here in town. I wasn't really looking for something, but I always keep my eyes open. Sandi had just put this quilt out for display the day or two before. She didn't think anyone would actually be interested in it and really hated to get rid of it herself. Well, girlfriends, Miss Jean spotted it. With heart racing, palms itching, sweat beading up on my forehead, I quickly checked the tag and grabbed it! It is in P-R-I-S-T-I-N-E condition. No tears, no stains, no nada. It goes back to the late 20's or early 30's from what Sandi and I can ascertain. Sandi had purchased it from a lady who said (correct me if I'm wrong, Sandi) it was made out of her mother's dresses by a great-grandmother. The stars are vintage feed sack fabric (re-purposed into clothes at the time) and 30's fabrics. The green fabric used for the sashing strips , binding and back is the popular shade of green for that time.

Now I quilt but I am no expert at it. I quilt to have fun, not to enter quilt shows. If my corners match up I'm a happy camper. I have all the latest gadgets, rulers and rotary cutters to make quilting so much easier than our ancestors had. They had cardboard templates and scissors and did everything by hand. This quilt is all hand stitched and hand quilted. The squares are spot on even, the points are perfect. This person was a true craftsman.

The colors will go just perfect in my bedroom. I use vintage china and glass for dinners and I use old quilts to cover up with, I don't just use them for display. There is nothing, nothing, better than napping under a vintage quilt. The softness of the well loved and well worn fabric is intoxicating.

Guess who else thinks so? The first day I had the quilt, I put it on the bed and thought I would take an afternoon nap. Maggie immediately jumped up on the bed and cuddled herself down.

Pure puppy nap heaven!

Thank you for selling me the quilt, Sandi. I know if was difficult for you to part with. It has a good home and you can come visit it anytime you want. Just don't try to make Maggie move. She thinks it belongs to her!



***Now I don't want any of you to worry. You may remember this story that involves a fabric emergency I had last year. I needed the fabric because Maggie had eaten chewed a good size piece off of a quilt I had made. She has been rehabilitated and does not chew household items any more. Whew!

Patrick Swayze

Can you remember when Dirty Dancing came out in 1987? My daughter and I watched it over and over again. I still do. I love that film and what it stands for: unconditional love.

My heart is sad today.

Patrick Swayze

August 18, 1952 - September 14, 2009

Patrick: We love you and will miss you. Our prayers are with your wife, Lisa.

Lest we forget

Lissa, over at Moda Lissa had this wonderful graphic on her blog and has written a very concise post about the tragedy of 9/11 and the American flag. Hop on over to her blog to see what she has to say.

First of all, we all need to take some time to reflect on the tragedy that happened to our country eight years ago. It is incredible that that many years have passed. Can you believe it? It seems like yesterday. As a military family, I can tell you that my heart ached for a long time after that awful event.

Like Lissa says, the patriotism that swelled throughout the country united us. We need to united again in the face of the tragedies and trials that this country is going through today.

Fly your flag.

Pray for our military.

Pray for our firefighters and law enforcement personnel.

Pray for our leaders.

Most of all, pray for this great country.

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14

A Lovely Day

I'm the last to post about a recent blogger "meet and greet". Last week Becky from Sweet Cottage Dreams, Sandi from The Green Pea Boutique and Dawn from Cottage State of Mind and I met for breakfast and shopping here in my little home town. Becky and I have been good friends since meeting over a year ago via blog-land and we both know Sandi because she owns an awesome antique store here in town. None of us had met Dawn other than through her blog. It was decided that a meeting was in order and what a fun day we had.

First thing we did was meet for breakfast at our little restaurant here in town. It's owned by some friends of ours and we were able to sit and chat for quite a while. Once the picture taking started I'm sure that the other patrons thought we were crazy but, hey, what's breakfast without a few (make that hundreds) giggles. Let's just say that Becky has a unique way to make you smile for the camera!

Then it was on to Sandi's store. We spent hours going 'round and 'round looking and shopping, shopping and looking and talking and laughing!!!!! The other ladies took much better pictures than I did so be sure to check out their blogs to see all the fun! We all we able to find some treasures to take home. If you are ever in the area be sure to stop at the shop. You won't be disappointed!

Becky was very generous and brought us gifts. Who doesn't need a little Mary Engelbreit love in their life! The darling book mark, magnet and note pad were lovingly wrapped up with delicious cookies. No cookies you say? Why they are long gone!!! Yummy!! Thank you, Becky!!!!

Dawn knew that Becky and I are Scottish Terrier freaks nuts collectors. She brought us copies of a Sunset Magazine cover from 1933 that she owns. See the Scotty? So cute! This little puppy (yuck, yuck) will hang in my sewing room to cheer me up!

This was the piece de resistance. Dawn made these darling cupcakes for Sandi, Becky and I!!! OMG!!!! You should have heard the squeals!!! Before I had "met" Dawn I had seen the post that she did on these absolutely darling vintage cake candle holders. I called Becky and screamed calmly said "did you see those Scotty candle holders!?!!!?!" Man was I coveting them. I had no idea that one day I would own two of them. Sandy made these "pupcakes" out of styrofoam balls, spackling compound and spray paint. Imagine! She lovingly put them all together on a vintage plate and VOILA! Little bundles of love wrapped up in a darling little cake box. I admit I had more than a few tears in my eyes over this one. Bless your little heart, Dawn!!!!!

What a fun filled day we had and it ended with promises for another visit from Dawn who wants to bring her daughter up to meet The Green Pea's guard dog, Barney.

Ladies: I really encourage you to get out there and meet your blog sisters!!!!!! Instant friends, instant fun, instant love!!

Car Trouble...

Need I say more?

This was my Monday after picking up the boys 1 1/2 hours from home. I was about to check us into a motel and call it a day, but their dad got my car started and we limped home. I didn't want to have to ride all the way home in a tow truck with two little boys.

I hate car trouble. So much for Labor Day!

***Just a note to let you know we got the car fixed. It was the alternator @ $498!!! This evening the car started making a LOUD humming noise! Some days it doesn't pay to get out of bed.....

A Real Hero

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