The Girls, Gardening, and Quilting

On Sunday afternoon, Sara and Elizabeth came to visit for a couple of days. We had a wonderful time. Elizabeth has quite a personality. We found Sara & Kate's Cabbage Patch doll clothes and Sara found their blankets. Elizabeth had fun taking the blankets out of the bag and then walked around the room with the bag on her head.
After Elizabeth had gone to bed, I was able to finish Sara's "Annie's Choice" quilt. Sara had started the quilting, but asked me to finish it. It really turned out nice.After the girls went home on Tuesday, I went to our back flower bed and transplanted some of our berry vines to the garden. I have more plants that need to be moved, so if anyone is interested in some berry vines, just let me know. On Wednesday, I bought some white cabbage, red cabbage and broccoli plants and planted them in the garden. Great timing since the rain was coming. On Thursday, we put up our Spring Dinner quilt. It's title is "Trashcan Treasures", but we've decided to change its name to "Scrap Basket Treasures". It's great weather for quilting!



The quote this week comes from the book of Proverbs, "He who tends a fig tree eats its fruit, and he who is attentive to his master will be enriched."

Play, Meeting, and Workshop

Yes.....it's been a busy week. On Saturday evening, John & I attended the play, "Godspell" put on by the Rogers Theatre Department. Rachel was one of the extra cast members. The play was wonderful! The kids did a super job. It's amazing how the teachers and their helpers could pull off such a great production. (Can you tell I was very impressed?) Rachel is the one in the middle with the purple mask and colorful bandana tied to her right leg. On Tuesday evening, I went to the Wildflower Quilt Guild meeting. I was part of the hospitality group, so I had to get there a little early. I made 15 items of Amish Cinnamon Bread and gave away 14 them (we ate the other one.) I also gave away 11 starters. At the meeting, Dot Collins presented a trunk show of quilts mostly quilted by machine.

You really can't see the quilting, but it has lots of feathers in it. I thought this was a cute quilt.

On Wednesday, I attended Dot's workshop, learning how to machine quilt on a regular sewing machine. It was very interesting, but before I show off any of my quilting, I've got to practice, practice, practice.

This week, I ran across a passage from the book of Ephesians, "For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advanced, that we should live in them."

Quilting, Weeding, Quilting Some More

This week has been busy with quilting activities. Had a bee meeting on Monday (hand quilted at the meeting), helped Joan P. with a quilt top on Thursday (9:30 - 7:30) and today I went to Ocker Brethern Church and quilted on one of their quilts. We finally put away all the Christmas decorations and got out Valentines. Tuesday was so pretty outside, so I was able to weed and clean out a majority of the berry vines from the back flower bed. On Wednesday, Carla K. & I did our resthome visiting. If you don't know....Carla has broken her right ankle. We usually do our visiting on Thursdays, but since the weather man predicted rain, we decided to go on Wednesday (thank you, weatherman!) After our visits, we had lunch at Cotton Patch and had a nice visit ourselves.
Found a passage in the book of Proverbs I thought related to my week, "She makes her own coverlets; fine linen and purple are her clothing."

Staying Warm

The cooler weather has made it so easy to bundle up in a chair and lap quilt, drink hot cocoa, and read a book. This past week, not only have I done those things, I've also cleared out our 2009 files and started our 2010, completed our 2009 books, and downloaded a some new software for our computer. If you haven't used PE Photo for developing your pictures, you may want to look into it.........CHEAP and EASY! (Thanks, Sara!) I'm really enjoying it. Santa gave John & Elizabeth a web camera for Christmas and I've installed it as well. Since downloading SKYPE, we have been able to see and talk to Kate, Nick, Sara & Elizabeth! It's soooooo cool! John even likes it. At first I think a few folks were a little hesitant to use Skype and the cameras, but we really enjoy it. It's great to actually see your family even though they're hundreds of miles away. Now we just need to get Jana, Jacob, Karen, & Joanne to use them! By the way, Joey, is this what Iowa felt like? Man, is it cold!
Ok.....time for me to get back under Sara's quilt (stay warm) and do some quilting!
I'll leave you with a quote from the book of John on how to stay warm, "Now the slaves and the guards were standing around a charcoal fire that they had made, because it was cold, and were warming themselves. Peter was also standing there keeping warm."

Happy New Years......2010!

Happy New Year, everyone! While I'm not going to make any new year's resolutions, I am setting some goals for 2010. My first goal is to make a blog entry once a week. After looking at some of the other blogs, I realized I was setting a bad example. So, for those of you who haven't updated your blogs as often, I challenge you to the same goal. I really miss seeing your family as the miles keep us from visiting you as often as we'd like.
My next goal is to make at least one quilt per month.......ok.....let's define "quilt". A quilt could be as large as a king size bed to as small as a placemat. From October to December of 2009, I made 4 quilts, so I think this is a "doable" goal. I already have 4 tops in the making. I'll show you pictures when the quilts are complete. I've also joined a small quilting group with Ocker Brethern Church. The quilts they make are being donated to an overseas orphanage. What a wonderful cause.
I'll save you from the other 8 goals. (My first entry would take all week to write at this rate!)

I'll leave you with a quote from the Book of Numbers: "The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!"

Blessings throughout 2010!

Jacob & Lacy's Rehearsal Dinner

The dinner was held at our parish hall. The meal consisted of beef and chicken fajitas, Spanish rice, beans, tortillas, chips & salsa, and then toppings of cheese, guacamole, sour cream and jalapenos. This is some of Lacy's family.Here are a couple of shots of the bridal party & friends.

Here's Mary & Lucy along with Lacy's family.
Here Father Walter talks with some of Jacob's family.
Pop & the Andel family enjoy the meal.
Mary Helen & the Mikeska's are enjoying the food.
The aunts & nieces are having a good time....Sara, Monica, Kate & Jana.
John stocks up on the preferred beverage of the night......well, for the wedding party, at least!
Nick Rossi (Kate's boyfriend) and Travis watch Elizabeth as she eats supper.
We all had a lot to eat and enjoyed the evening.......Thank Mike & Monica!

More pics of Jacob & Lacy's Reception

The Jahns Family......before the weddingThe three musketeers.....I mean....Groomsmen
The Groom's cake.....and yes...it is an Off-roading decor.
The Brides cake......
Pictures of the tables......The Bride & Grooms.....
The Wedding Party....
The Parents & Grandparents.....
The guests......
Stacy Springer & Ethan at the snack table.
The group of friends....(back row) Chris Janke, Brett Marek, Nick Kasner, Cody Reinders (front) Stephanie Kasner, Julie (Nick's girlfriend) and Matthew
Matthew, Travis, Elizabeth & Sara pose for a family pic.
Matthew listening to Grandma Schigut (Mary Helen) and Ruth Jahns.
Enjoying the reception.....Richard Schigut (Pop), Nick Rossi (Kate's boyfriend) & Kate
Introducing......Mr & Mrs Jacob Jahns........