More Cup Towels

I finished sewing the borders on this set of cup towels for the All I Want for Christmas swap on the HGTV quilting forum. I want to make a few more for me...probably with some different fruit designs.

Cup Towels

Remember the apron I made? It's for a swap I've joined on the HGTV board...All I Want for Christmas. I would've never purchased the orange fabric for me, but I have so fallen in love with it!

I attached my embroidery base to my sewing machine this afternoon and stitched a couple of flour sack cup towels. (The designs are from www.annthegran.com. I don't think they offer them any more so am sooo glad that I saved them on my computer!)They were for the swap too until I realized that I used the wrong stabilizer...the second design was stitching when I tried to tear the stabilizer off the first one. eye roll So these are mine. I took my little scissors and cut the stabilizer from behind the larger areas. I've got the other cup towels for the swap stitched with the Dutch dolls, but decided not to do the day of the week. I don't like the green (it looks like it matches in the photo, but it really does not) and, besides, I have some vintage DOW cup towels and never use them on the correct day. So...I've omitted them from the swap gift.

I also made these for me. Red, purple, and green grapes.

I Do NOT Understand

Cranky Old Woman time...On a forum that I frequent, I related a recent incident. I ate at Chicken Express a couple/three weeks back (and loved every grease laden morsel). I started visiting with another diner, and she mentioned the receipt. I looked. There was a Bible verse printed at the bottom. I thought Bravo for the owner! He came around and asked about our meal. It was good, and I told him that we both appreciated the Bible verse. He said that a week before he did the same thing...visited with the diners and asked if everything was okay. A woman said No. That she was offended by the Bible verse on the bottom of the receipt and would not be back. He paid for her meal...gave her $10 for a $7 meal.

Another poster on the forum said that she would've been offended too.

WHAT?! I buy gasoline from people who do not believe as I do. I stay in motels that are owned by people of different beliefs. I purchase clothes and various other items from people who worship differently from me...or don't worship at all. I would never dream of telling them that I was insulted by a religious icon or quote from one of their religious leaders in THEIR store. Nor would I say anything about displaying a flag from their native country. I would be more apt to ask, "Oh, where are you from?"

But if a cross is displayed. Or a Bible is on the counter. Or I say "God bless you." Or an American flag is flying. THIS IS INSULTING?!

When did EVERYTHING become acceptable except for Christianity or country pride in the United States of America?! EVERYTHING else can be jammed down our throats, but if we have a Bible verse printed on the bottom of a receipt in OUR store that is not acceptable?!

Where do we live?

In America where soldiers have died for our freedoms...

...or in some middle eastern country where people are killed because they do not believe in the 'state' religion?

Swim Day

I didn't get many photos Sunday...just too busy having fun as are these family members.

Grant was a water hound!












Brianna squealed at first, but then whenever she got ready to jump in, she did so in front of an adult fully confident that she would be grabbed before she went under...Jonathan saved her this time.


Lauren had to take a break from all the fun.












Then, today after visiting with Mama, I noticed the colt...Sam and I saw the baby a few days ago and it had evidently just been born because its legs were so wobbly.

Awwww.

Poor Pogo does not look happy. I told Jonathan to be certain to send me a photo of Pogo in her pup tent. So...it does look like he plopped her in it and told her to STAY doesn't it?

Thank You

...To my ancestors who served in the Spanish-American War and the War Between the States.

...To my uncle who served in WWII...with the group of men on Normandy Beach. The uncle who came home with holes in his back spaced like he had been jabbed with a pitch fork.

...To my uncle for his stint in the USN.

...To my cousin for serving aboard the USS Ponchatoula during the Viet Nam "conflict."

...To my husband for his stint in the USAF. Thank you for coming home. Thank you...

...Those whose family cry beside your grave. ...Those of you whose families have no graveside to visit.

Thank you... ...To Sgt. Joshua A. Tomlinson... of Minden Louisiana. Who did not come home to his family but was buried Saturday afternoon. To his comrades in arms who served before him, with him, and after him.

...To every active personnel and veteran of every branch of the military of the United States of America.

...To the family members of those veterans. They serve our country by loaning us their fathers, brothers, sons, grandsons...and now their mothers, sisters, daughters, and grand daughters. I humbly and prayerfully thank you.

God bless each of you.

Patriot Guard Riders

Have you heard about the Patriot Guard Riders? They perform a tremendous service for the families of our fallen military heroes. Most recently, they escorted the body of Spc. Joshua Tomlinson Thursday, from the airport to Minden Louisiana. Then once again yesterday, the day of his funeral.

THANK YOU!

Patriot Guard Riders Mission Statement

The Patriot Guard Riders is a diverse amalgamation of riders from across the nation. We have one thing in common besides motorcycles. We have an unwavering respect for those who risk their very lives for America’s freedom and security. If you share this respect, please join us.

We don’t care what you ride or if you ride, what your political views are, or whether you’re a hawk or a dove. It is not a requirement that you be a veteran. It doesn't matter where you’re from or what your income is; you don’t even have to ride. The only prerequisite is Respect.

Our main mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family. Each mission we undertake has two basic objectives:

1. Show our sincere respect for our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities.
2. Shield the mourning family and their friends from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors.

We accomplish the latter through strictly legal and non-violent means.

To those of you who are currently serving and fighting for the freedoms of others, at home and abroad, please know that we are backing you. We honor and support you with every mission we carry out, and we are praying for a safe return home for all.

http://www.patriotguard.org/

Shame on YOU!

How dare you! How dare you add to the grief of those parents, family, and friends of our fallen heroes.

HOW DARE YOU! Sit in judgment on our brave men and women.

HOW DARE YOU! Accuse God of murdering our members of the military.

Westboro Baptist Church HOW DARE YOU set yourselves above God.

But the joke is on YOU! The Baptist church in Minden planned to turn your presence against YOU...by taking donations for Spc. Joshua Tomlinson's family based on how long you were there.

Is that the reason you decided not to show up and insult Spc. Tomlinson and his family?

Humphf. Just goes to show that you do not truly believe what you spout or nothing would've kept you from standing up for YOUR version of God's truth.

Full Circle...

This is where I work now. The entire section of the building in the photo below belongs to the Chamber. My office is in the red brick section with the two windows...and the functioning door. See the two doors that have been boarded up on the far right? It once was a separate business...now an interior door connects the two spaces (that one is rented to a government agency helping people pay bills). Some time before they were converted into one space, several businesses were housed there at one time or another...including...are you ready for this? My grandfather, Pa Bill, ran a taxi service out of that space on the far right! How coincidental is that?

(The City has received a grant to redo the sidewalks. Can hardly wait for the improvement!)

I fought the vacuum...

...and the vacuum WON! OH MY GOODNESS! That thing. Yes. I finally got it turned on...thank you very much. It is not self propelled! I will be vacuuming once every six months. Anybody got a 'stick' vac they don't want? LOL These gorgeous beauties are across the road from my house. And take a look at this! How cute is it? A "pup" tent. LOL Yes, Jonathan, it's for Pogo.