Tomorrow officially starts Fall.  Ready or not here we are.  Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't like fall.  It's what comes after fall and is usually accompanied by snow that I don't like.  I guess I had just better resolve myself to that fact that 'it' is coming whether I like it or not. 

News, News, and More News

It seems that summer has flown by.  We are looking Fall straight in the eye - and I'm not blinking!!

The highlights of my summer have been finding out I'm going to be a grandma!!!  My daughter is expecting a little boy on December 20th.  I'm thinking he will be my Christmas present.   My son Evan received his mission call to Morristown, New Jersey.  He leaves November 17th.  He was so excited he wanted to go out and buy his suits the very next day. 

As they say, the only constant in life is change.

Pretty soon Gary and I will be staring at each other - over Hank.

Moab 2010

Gary and I are celebrating our 25th anniversary this June and so we decided to take a little vacation - just the two of us.  We haven't been away just the two of us in 13 years so I think we are long over due.  We went jeeping around Moab - and well, I saw this flower in kind of a 'cheddar' color that I would love to find in a print of fabric so that I could put it in a quilt.

I just LOVE the colors.  Funny how we are always looking at colors in nature and wanting to bring them home to our projects. 

Evan's Graduation

It was a couple of very fun days for us as Evan graduated.  We are proud of him and oh so grateful that this day came.

I can't believe that my little boy is graduating.

It seems like just the other day I was walking into the store with Evan in tow - Cool Whip bowl on his head, because I couldn't get him to take it off.  Now he's my great big boy with a deep voice and huge feet.  I just keep asking myself,  How did this happen?

Where is the sun?

Ok, so spring is supposed to be "unsettled" with lots of April rain bringing May flowers.  But I am so ready to see the sun.   We had a little teaser of nice weather a few weeks ago and that has left my longing for the summer days.  I'm sure what will happen is that the storms will finally stop rolling in and we will immediately be thrown into the HEAT of summer.  Ahhh, I wish it were a perfect world.

Another Year Has Gone By . . .

Ok, so with my last posting being over a month ago you could probaby surmise that December was a pretty hectic month.   As is the case with you too I'm certain.  I always think this year will be different and I will slow down and enjoy the Christmas Season and then, before I know it, it's over. 

With the new year come the plans for all the fun things to look forward to.  My calling in Young Women keeps me pretty busy with activities once a week and lessons on Sundays.  I love it though and am trying to enjoy every week with my very energetic and LOUD Laurels.  They are wonderful young women.  My life revolves around them right now.  Next month we start planning YW camp!!

Since Thanksgiving I haven't gotten much sewing done, I just have to do a little here and a little there.  I did take two quilts that I finished over Thanksgiving to the quilter yesterday - when I get them back I will post pictures. 

My wonderful husband bought me such a fun toy for Christmas.  An iPod Touch - Now I can order FABRIC while sitting in bed with a computer that fits in the palm of my hand!!!!  It is so wonderful!!  I was working on a project the other day and couldn't remember how to do prairie points from a strip of fabric so I grabbed my iPod and within a few minutes had downloaded all the information!!  Technology is Magic.

A Thanksgiving Holiday

Gary, Evan and I spent the week of Thankgiving at a condo in Island Park Idaho.  It was a very relaxing week.  I spent my time sewing and the men spent their time fishing.  I was able to get three quilt tops finished and several Jane Stickle blocks done.  It felt fabulous!!

We also found time to visit the Bear and Wolf Discovery exhibit in West Yellowstone.  These bears looked so cute, how can they be dangerous?

He has such a cute face - and those ears!! I love 'em.

I think we are boring the bear.

Ahh, a little to the left, now to the right, up, up, Ahhh

The Last Halloween Costume

I've made the last halloween costume for my baby.  No more Ninjas, pirates or vampires.  No more cowboys or football players either.  Kinda makes me feel a little melancholy.  As much as a hassel as halloween was, it really was fun for kids and gave us lots of great memories. 

Tonight we await the spooks.  I love to have the little kids come trick or treating.  They are so cute and so excited about the whole thing.  I guess you could say that one of the best things about getting older is that you learn to appreciate things like halloween, trick or treaters and the joy of childhood.

Lately I have been facinated by vintage beaded purses. On our trip to New England I saw several that were beautiful. This one was at the Bennington Museum. It has little seed pearls and topaz beads on it. I am in awe of the hand work that it took to make it.

This next one is a blue velvet with white beading. Also from the Bennington Museum. So very pretty. Looking at them I couldn't help but wonder who made them and what kind of parties they had been to.

The Textile Museum had this little beauty. The rings look to be crocheted around and then connected. Don't you just think this little bag is the coolest thing! I'd love to have one - not that I go anywhere that would require me to have such a little bag mind you.

I'd love to see some that you may have!

Jane A. Stickle

I just returned from a trip to New England with 88 wonderful women and fellow quilters. Our primary motivation for the trip was to see the quilt created by Ms. Jane A. Stickle and which is housed in Bennington, Vermont. It is displayed only once per year for one month. The quilt is in remarkable condition considering it's age, with the colors still very vibrant.

I felt almost giddy as I got so close to the quilt. It wasn't under glass but rather on an approximate 45 degee angle on a board. We were able to get look very close at the fabrics and the stitching. It was just WONDERFUL. I can' t say enough.


Bennington Vermont is a beautiful quaint little town with wonderful shops. We spent a good part of the day shopping and eating - something we did a lot of 0n this trip.


We stopped at the Bennington Pottery factory where I picked up a few little things. They had some wonderful clay bowls that I just loved but didn't think I could fit in my suitcase. There's always the internet!! Gotta love it.




What I loved in Bennington and most of the other New England towns we went to and through, is that all of them were decorated with big beautiful mums, pumpkins, scarecrows, staw bales. It made thier communities so beautiful.





More to come.

Canning Chicken

These may not be the best pictures! The local supermarket had their boneless chicken breasts on sale over the weekend so I decided to stock up. My Gary doesn't eat much red meat so chicken and turkey are our staples. I canned chicken last year after my sister-in-law told me she had done some. The canned chicken is really good plus it is super easy to do. I just pack the cut up chicken into pint jars, add about 1 tsp. salt and process in my pressure cooker. The chicken tastes excellent and it is so nice to have on the shelf when I'm looking for a quick solution for dinner. I use it in enchiladas, quesadilla, chicken salad, and the list goes on. I have added it to soups too.

Sunrise, Sunset, swiftly flow the years

That song from Fiddler on the Roof has certainly been going through my mind lately. I wish I could go back in time and enjoy her being little again.

What a beautiful baby, and what a beautiful daughter I have been blessed with.

So it's now just a couple of days until my daughters wedding. I think I have everything under control - I THINK!! Tomorrow will be the real stress day as I make my final assessment of all that needs to be taken to the church. I am so very glad that I'm not doing this alone. I have wonderful sisters and sister-in-laws along with my mother who will be there to help me decorate and hold my hand.

Anybody got an extra valium?

My sisters and sister-in-laws with grandma Matthews put a bridal shower together for Karen. It was so much fun. Karen had a great time as did we all and received a lot of wonderful gifts.

The food was great, fresh fruit and muffins.

Grandma Matthews and Aunt Kay

And of course no show would be complete without the divine Ms. Em.

This girl has more singing and dancing personality than anyone I have ever

known!

You go girl, rock-it!!

Thanks to everyone for making this a great day.

My daughter Karen and her fiance Shawn are getting married Sept. 10th. They are pretty excited and we are happy for them. We have been super busy getting things prepared for their big day.

Newest Creations

Look at my cute pincushions. I got the idea from Kim Walus from the Alpine Quilt Group. I have made about four of these now and they are all wonderful. I should be sewing wedding stuff, but ya know, these were more fun.

Bitty Bits and Pieces

Check out this darling bag that Kim Walus created and is now on Moda's website in their Bake Shop. If you haven't checked out their Bake Shop, this is the perfect time to do it. They always have darling projects to download and Kim has added another. You can find it at: Moda Bake Shop

Kim also has an incredible blog where she posts other projects she has created as well as giving tutorials and tips. She has just debuted as the new Sales Representative for Superior Threads in northern Utah and is highlighting their Texture Magic. I can't wait to give it a try. Her blog is bittybitsandpieces.blogspot.com

Summer Days

Where has the summer gone? It seems like in the blink of an eye we went from the first of June to the end of July. Somewhere in between was our 24th wedding anniversay, my daughters engagement, YW Girls Camp, and the Matthews Family Reunion. It all seems like a blur. I sure do hope that things slow down a little.





These are my Young Women. Our hike at camp took us to an overlook of Heber Valley Girls Camp. It was gorgeous. Of course, I think my Young Women are pretty top notch too. We had a great time at camp. We took 26 girls and 8 leaders. Our camp cook went home sick the second day. The rest of the ladies all stepped in and helped prepare and serve the food. The ladies I serve with are just awesome.

The Matthews Family reunion was out at Dock Flats near Strawberry reservoir. Sharleen, Lynette, Michelle and Kim all went up the weekend of the 18th and stayed until the 25th. I wish that I had been able to stay for a whole week. I didn't get to visit with them very much.

Gary and I - along with our kids spent one day on the lake fishing. We didn't catch much. Hank enjoys boating. Mostly he like to watch for ducks. Sometimes it's all we can do to keep him in the boat.

Hank was so tired when we came home from Strawberry. He had been on guard duty protecting the camp from squirrels and gophers constantly. He fell asleep the minute we left camp. When I got him home I had to drag him from the jeep, gave him a bath and he immediately fell asleep again.

I think he's glad to be home.

Alpine Quilt Group

Tuesday we had Lori Holt from Bee in My Bonnet Company come and share her many beautiful quilts and wonderful patterns with us. She is so talented. Her patterns are whimsical and wonderful. The detail that she incorporates in them is wonderful. I remember seeing her quilt with all the aprons on it some years ago and bought the pattern. It has sat dormant in my filing cabinet but after her quilt show last night I am inspired to get it started.

Check out her blogspot - you'll find the link under my favorites. She is having a give away that you won't want to miss out on.

Top of the World

An easier jeep trail took us to an amazing overlook.

You could see for miles in all directions. It was awesome

Indian Ruins around Blanding

This is called House of Fire because of the way the rock looks on the ceiling. It is really pretty cool.

We just got back from a vacation to Moab. What a way to start the summer. Gary tried to kill us all on Kane Creek.

Earlier that week they had a flash flood go through and several jeeps were caught in the water. Luckily no one died.

This is one of the jeeps that had yet to be recovered. Notice the rock up under the wheel well.

Sun Hat For Summer

I made this darling sun hat to take to our Young Women's Camp this summer. Kinda need something to cover the hair. It's an Amy Butler pattern and I think it turned out soooo cute. I think I may need to make another couple.

These will be great in the jeep too.