ANOTHER SUNDAY IN KANSAS

Hello everyone!!!  It is in the mid 50s here with rain moving in.  At least it is not snow and/or ice.
This has been a busy January.  Trying to get some quilting done and lots of other things.  I started a sock class at one of the local knitting shops.  It is fun so far. 
We had some mini workshops at the last quilt guild meeting.  One was on making a pon-shawl.  So since Hancocks had their heavy fleece on for 70% off, I had to make one and put some machine embroidery on it.  I really like it.
The new cat is still here and haven't found his family yet.  He causes quite a stir when he gets mad at papacat.  Time to get the gonads removed. I do not think he intends to leave.
Red went to the groomer Friday am and they put the cutest bows on her for Valentine's.  Here is a pic of both our girls.  Neither dog likes her picture taken.  Sarajane has to have all her upper teeth between the canines removed on Feb 2nd.  She just had a dental in August, but this is just so sad.  They don't know yet about her canines.  I have to put mouthwash in her mouth  every day - she hates it.
My next two blocks in the "50 Paper Pieced Blocks" by Carol Doak are done and you and see them.
I have two Quilts of Valor to get quilted as soon as I can.  I seem to always be behind-my own fault for getting into too much stuff.
Have a blessed week, everyone.

Hello There!!

January is just flitting by, it seems.  The weather has been just super this past week.  Today it is mostly cloudy, windy and in the mid 40s.  Could certainly be much worse.
I'm posting my second star block in the series called Alaska.  I have all the pieces cut out for the next one, but will probably not get started on it today.
We are going to start a project at church for the next several months.  In conjunction with a mission group going to Africa to see about re-opening a hospital in Mozambique, we want to make little "pillowcase" dresses and boxer shorts for the children there.  Pastor will take them with him, so shipping won't be a problem. Our youth pastor wants to involve the youth, so we will be teaching beginning sewing in this process. 
In the feral cat colony, there is a new addition.  He is an intact male that at some point has had half his tail cut off.  Since he seems to have joined the group, we shall have him neutered and rabies shots done through Friends of Felines.  This group has been so good to us in helping with the trapping of our colony.  MamaCat definitely does not like him and routinely chases him off.  Perhaps when he is neutered, she will be better to him.
I do have a quilt on the longarm that needs attention this coming week.  I'm having a little difficulty trying to decide just how to quilt it.  Think I just need to stand and look at it until something comes to my feeble brain, lol.
Have a blessed week, all.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Here it is already, 2012.  Seems like last year flew by soooo fast. 
We went to church this am, no sunday school.  Had a great service.  We are joining in with other to read through the Bible this year-have to try to keep up.
Yesterday it was 66 here in Wichita, a great day!  Today it is going to be about mid 40s and sunshine.
We don't have any black-eyed peas; maybe black beans? 
I suppose I shall do some knitting, perhaps some machine embroidery and really need to get Shawn's quilt on the longarm.  I did not even remember having it to quilt-evidentally  I've had it for a few years!
I certainly hope 2012 will be a healthy year and I get lots of unfinished quilting done.  Someone is interested in the longarm, so I need to get caught up so I can sell it.
Have a blessed day, all.

After Christmas

Now that all the hustle and bustle is over, it's back to ordinary things.  We had a very quiet Christmas; attending communion service Saturday evening and church Sunday am.  I spent most of the afternoon on my embroidery machine, making new towels for the kitchen.  Had one of the come unmounted, so have a slight blurb there. Talked to almost everyone yesterday.  
Gabby wanted to know when I'm coming to see her.  She got lots of stuff.
Today I'm doing several little things to catch up on and then shall do some sewing, perhaps some more embroidery on a couple of kitchen towels and end the day with knitting. 
Have a blessed day, all.  

Good Morning !!

It is raining here in Wichita and the temperature is headed downward.  This afternoon the wind and thunderstorms are predicted.  So we shall do anything outside this am and just hunker down and enjoy the rest of the weather episode.
I'm playing catchup in a Block Of the Month that I have participated in this year.  Next year I'm doing a BOM of Carol Doak's 50 paper pieced stars.  Now I have to audition my stash of fabrics for background fabric and see what I can match up with that for the stars. 
We thought we had solved the possum in the laundry room problem, but now I see another has intruded, or perhaps we just didn't know there was more than one.  Anyway, now Don has to dispose of this one.
We had a really great brunch at church and a good program instead of the regular service.  Saturday night we have a communion service and just church service on Sunday.  I'm glad we are not cancelling Sunday service on Christmas Day.  After all, Christ is what it is all about!!!
I must get busy and try to accomplish something today.
Have a blessed day, everyone!!!

DONE AND DONE

I will be mailing out the last package today.  As all my folks live out of state, I have to mail everything unless we are together, which is not the case this year. 
After the long trip to FL, we decided not to drive to AZ for Christmas.
Our small quilting group has it's Christmas party next Tuesday, and it is supposed to snow.  Hopefully, we can still get together.
Most all of my gifts were handmade this year.  It has been a fun and busy time, to say the least.  I do still have to shop for Don and make him a bib (which he has been fussing for).  His birthday is January 4, so I need to shop for both.  But I know what I am looking for, so should be easy.
This Sunday we have a brunch instead of Sunday school and a program instead of the regular service.  We joined this church last week and really like the people there.
Have a blessed day, all.

We are home!!

After 3,547 miles, we are back home and some kind of road weary!   The Honda did great and Don did a great job of driving.

Thanksgiving was spent with Gabby, her dad and his family. 

We had a great time all week with Gabby, picking her up on Tuesday and taking her to her church on Sunday. Afterward, grandma Maryann took her on home. 
She had her first tea party with Nanay and it was really fun.  Of course, we had big hats and it was just a blast.  Our camera videoed this event.  Gabby loves computers, coloring and painting. We found the Jumpstart web site and the paint program was just what she loved.  For a four-year-old to stay engrossed for half an hour is pretty amazing.  She is also now a great dog-walker, helping walk the two little dogs with Nanay.
On Tuesday night, we attended the family night for Joe's firefighter school and had supper as well.  Quite a nice display they put on for the families. 
Today we just got out and did some errands before the rainy and mix come in for a couple of days.  I had hoped to start putting out the Christmas yard stuff, but it will have to wait for a couple of days.
It is time to get back to knitting Christmas presents.
Have a blessed evening, all.