My Grandson is a STAR!

Newest Kindle Cover

 I recently returned from a quilting retreat - COF (Circle of Friends) in Branson MO. Months before the retreat, all participants were send a FQ (fat quarter a piece of fabric approximately 18" x 22") in a beautiful leaf and fern print. If I'm not mistaken the fern is the state plant of Missouri.

The FQ challenge was to make a project, put it in a paper sack, and submit it to be voted on in several categories.

I made a Kindle cover. I didn't even vote for it myself. While I believe it is definitely pretty. And I used almost all the FQ provided. The other projects were so far superior in design that I could not vote for my own.

The next retreat is June 2013 in Harrisburg OH. Unfortunately I will not be able to attend.

C*H*O*C*O*L*A*T*E and Other Less Important Stuff

Sam won a bag of goodies at the last HOG (Harley Owner's Group) meeting. The bag contained HD straws, napkins, beer bottle opener, coasters, and a HD ice cube tray. Of course the tray was not in the shape of cubes, but the HD emblem.

I have an ice maker so wasn't too enthused about the ice tray.  That is until I thought CHOCOLATE!  I melted a bag of dark chocolate chips, spooned it into the compartments, jiggled the spoon around hoping to fill all the crooks and crannies. I tried to unmold one at room temperature...that didn't work so I popped the tray in the refrigerator. That worked! They popped out perfectly! 

I told Sam that I'd make some for the next meeting he attended for a door prize.

WHAT? Someone had to take care of the QC department! 

Yes. It is a sacrifice but somebody's gotta do it. :D

I made English muffins this afternoon.

And finished my COF table topper by adding some decorative machine stitching to some select rows.

COF Quilting Retreat in Branson MO

 I had a blast in Branson MO at the 2012 COF (Circle of Friends) quilt retreat. We met, visited, talked, played games, learned new techniques, attended the Springfield MO quilt show, won door prizes...so much in just 3-4 days. 

I finished my Prairie Points...but that's it.

I did learn the basics of the Chevron Placemats, but finished sewing them together (quilt-as-you-go) this evening after I got home. Just need to make seven more and bind them...and hope I have enough fabric for a table runner.

I got the Table Topper sewn half together...finished it when I got home too...except for the backing and batting.




How about some Missouri clouds?

 

This Evening

 It's been quite awhile since I pulled out the camera for cloud photos. These were on the way home from work this evening. We've had rain for a couple of days now. The result? Great cloud formations!

For supper: Texas Gulf brown shrimp on a bed of mixed greens. Half a sliced avocado. Drizzled with Sam's homemade red sauce. A dollop of homemade tartar sauce.

ANY Weekend Spent with the Grands...

Is a GRAND weekend!

Pool Time Can be Tiring...

Isn't Cain just THE sweetest little boy?! Poor baby...I think he's being starved. ;-)

BIRTHDAY Time!

Grand niece's birthday. Brianna is now officially 6 years old!

This is poor preemie Ty. He turned a year in June. Awful skinny isn't he?! ;-)

He is in therapy to help develop his motor skills.  Looks as if it's working!

Here's Isabel in the dress I made...showing one of her many tricks.

Dehydrating and Quilting

 That dehydrator full of pears yielded this much:

Last night's supper - pork tenderloin marinated in Italian dressing.  Perfectly cooked.  Deliciously juicy!

Isabel's curtains...

Isabel's quilt top for her Christmas quilt. I still have to machine embroider her name in the bottom square on the left - in red of course.

Yep. I think it will look just fine with her curtains. Rather proud of myself. :D

Now Tell Me Again...

...that this country was NOT founded on Christian values...

Christianity in the Capitol

I love my country!  The Constitution of the United States of Amercia was set up so that you can worship God as you please.  The document and laws that enforce it protect you against a government run religion.  The document and laws that enforce it protect you against being forced to worship at all! 

The Constitution and laws that uphold it give you rights even if you do not believe in God. If the words in the motto of this country - IN GOD WE TRUST - means absolutely nothing to you...then they are just that...words. When the pledge to the flag is recited with hand over heart, if you do not believe the line "One Nation under God," then you can either not recite the pledge at all or not recite that one line.  When heads are bowed in prayer, do not bow yours.

I will defend your right to worship God OR NOT. I will always be appalled that some madman walked into a Sikh temple and killed innocent people.  I will always be angered that a so-called Christian blew up an abortion clinic.

HOWEVER, do not infringe on my rights as given to me by the Constitution of my country to worship my God as I please.

ALSO, do not move to my country from yours where you are escaping persecution by your government and try to turn my country into a country like yours.