Saturday

Well, here I sit - still recuperating from cellulitis.  Spent two days in the hospital on intravenous antibiotics.  Sent home with oral antibiotics and orders to keep my leg elevated... elevated it is!!!  And will be for a couple more days.  It is getting better daily.  Much improved each morning when I first look at it.  I am able to read a book and do some handquilting while down.  But I cannot wait until I'm back up and sewing on the machine - I have orders for several quilts!!  Want to get them done!! 

It's very hot here in S. FL - setting records with high temps again.  We'll probably skip Fall and go right to winter...  oh well we went from winter to summer this year - no spring...  I love FL winters!!!  The sky is so blue. 

Plans for the wedding are slowly but surely coming together.  Dec 5 will be here before we know it!!

I'm home

This past weekend found me very sick with the flu... Sparing you the details - it was the worst flu I have ever had - more pains than aches it seems.  But was better within about 36 hours. Just to wake up to something I've never experienced before...

I woke at midnight on Sunday - I noticed my leg was red - just thought it was how I'd slept so went back to sleep - Woke up Monday morning with a much redder, hotter, more swollen leg (mid-shin down).  Not being a doctor type person - I decided to let it go to see what happened.  Ended up in the ER on Tuesday - - diagnosis (after testing for blood clot) - cellulitis - needing intravenous antibiotics.  Two days in the hospital put a big bite into the infection and now I'm home.  Oral antibiotics for 10 days and a trip to the doctor in a week... hopefully a complete recovery will be achieved soon!!

ok... Here we go...

I promised a true attempt to make this interesting.  I've looked at so many other people's blogs to see what they do to make theirs interesting.  I see, often, things like Monday Menu, Wacky Wednesday - you know alliteration!!! - -- short of being REALLY genuis (which I'm not) or a copycat (which I'd rather  not be) I cannot think of anything so creative as something different for each day... consistency...  so, for today, Monday I'll just post the blocks for the bom's that five other ladies and myself are doing.  We began in July.  Each of the six of us chose 2 blocks each and we are each making blocks of the month.  I have through November done - plus one more (Ok, I got out of sequence on one of them!). I chose to do them in florals - all scrappy.  I love doing scrappy quilts I have found!!!  I will definitely be doing another one, or two, or three... :) I have chosen to make two blocks of each because I want a queen size quilt for our guest room - Ok here they are...

This is one that is called Antique Tile

This is called Lover's Knot

The other Lover's Knot

This one is called... ???? I forget!!! And I only have one - I do not like the block - but will do the other one to make sure my quilt is 'even.'! :)

This one is called Jacob's Ladder as is the next one

Depression Block for the next two

You can see how these are opposites too

This one and the next one is Snail's Trail - don't care a whole lot about this pattern either - made a mistake in one of them... :(

Here is the last one - Antique Tile again.

Flu

It hit Saturday and it hit hard... never hurt so badly and deeply before in my life.  It was bad.  All day Saturday I was sleeping off and on into Sunday afternoon... then this morning when I got up all was better - as if it never happened... except now I have something wrong with one of my legs.  The lower part of my left lef is read and hot - not swollen, a bit sore but not bad... keeping an eye on it.

Ok...

... I feel like I've approached this blog like a diet - "Starting tomorrow, I'm going to eat less"/ "Starting tomorrow, I'm going to blog faithfully/meaningfully."  EGAD!!!  I AM getting routine down here at home - and am really trying.  This morning as we were doing our character study for school we were discussing 'diligence' - I had to confess to the boys that I am not always the most diligent person and need to work onit as much as they should be.  They just sort of looked at me!!!  :)  It is sadly true - I used to be so self-disciplined - but am truly lacking of late. 

I am going to TRY really hard to be consistent with my blog offerings and hopefully will be able to give some words of wisdom from time to time.  Still want to keep all updated on our family as well.

SO - - - - I am going to spend some time this weekend committing myself to figuring out exactly what I want this blog to do... Here's to Monday and the unveiling... ;)

QUILT ORDERS

I am in the middle of making three quilt projects that others have ordered.  One lady has ordered a lapsize quilt for her husband and then she'd like a king size quilt for their bed!!! :)  Another lady who was a teacher's aide at the school where I taught for two years is meeting with me next week to talk about a queensize for herself!  Slowly but surely this will happen.  I'd love to be able to do this all the time but I just need to find an outlet for my quilting projects.  I have a new table runner ready to be quilted - it only took me a couple hours to get it together and will take about three hours, maybe four to finish it - I have stockings ready, some little kleenex package holders (Great teacher gifts!) to sell - just no market... maybe one day.

Haiti

Well, DH came home on Monday - needless to say we've been busy since.  His trip was very successful and all he wanted to accomplish he did!  Pictures in a day or two.  One of the guys who was scheduled to go with him could not - he cut his finger, to the bone, and the doctor advised him, strongly, to stay out of any third world country!!  He will hopefully be able to go in January when we go again.  The other two men who went enjoyed their time there. 

DD is sick - in Haiti.  Seems she may have gotten bitten by a mosquito carrying dengue fever - nothing fatal, thank goodness, but she is still sick and I cannot be there to help her.  Thankfully she has her future mil there - she is taking care of her :)

Took orders yesterday for Angel Food boxes - well, only one order so far.  We do have about six more orders this time than before - that is a good thing.  Prayerfully we will have tons more next time. 

Sunday and cooler weather

Finally - a break from the hot weather of summer - we woke up to the 50's this morning -what a welcome cool front... just hope the cooler weather is here to stay.  After record breaking October weather this is so nice - our windows are open and the breezes are blowing.  Our sky is the beautiful winter blue of S FL!!!

And DH comes home tomorrow!!!  Been a long week - lots of emotions and mental stuff going on - spiritual warfare for sure... he did, however, get to go see our dd and her fiance as a surprise - I'm sure they were glad to see him!! 

Been busy while he has been gone - I finished and sent the four quilts to IN - hope the kids love them as much as I've loved making them... can't wait to hear and see pictures...  I will post some here of the tops - never had the chance to photograph the pics of finished quilts - camera in Haiti and the quilts needed to go - it is COLD in IN!!  Pictures later this week...

I made a table runner top - same table runner I already have but DD wanted one to take to Haiti with her - she will get to take it next time she goes (Dec.).  I also was able to make three blocks for my BOM with five other women.  I am done through November now - need to get Dec done soon as Dec will be a very busy month for us - because of the wedding...  and Christmas... and getting ready to go to Haiti in January. 

I love being busy at home.  Tomorrow night we will be having chili - cool weather is a perfect time for it!!
More later in the week...

Finally, some pictures

This is my oldest stepdaughter with her quilt - she chose all the fabrics and loves the quilt...

This is the back of her quilt - You can see the quilting quite well

This is my new nephew (Great nephew, actually) Isn't he cute?

Can you see where I quilted his name on here - Jonathan Paul?

Here is the quilt - the yellow/white is flannel.  His mom loves it - and he will too!! :)

  So DH is still in Haiti -we are missing him but he is doing God's will so we are keeping busy trying to not miss him too much!! :)

Good days/bad days

Anyone reading this, and I know one person checks in!, knows I just resigned my job that I held for nine and a half years.  Without going into detail I have had a rough three years - mentally and emotionally.  Now it seems to be effecting me physically also from time to time.  I seem to suddenly run out of steam at odd hours of the day.  Today, DH and I were out to lunch and to buy some items for him to take on his out of the country trip on Monday.  We ate at Olive Garden (gift card!) and as we were finishing, I ran out of steam... this usually means a two hour nap - the sooner the better...  we still had to go shopping.  I've not really spoken much to anyone, DH included, about my last three years - learned as a child to just suck it up and take it.  SO... when we came out of the store something was said and I let him know - briefly, that I am not the 'wimpless' person people seem to think I am... while he is wonderful, he just does not understand... I came home and took a nap... still in a funk, but physically feel better :)  Now, I just need to get up and start tying the last quilt... and then start on the order of the one I have to do, plus quilt another top AND make our DD's wedding quilt.  Thankfully, quilting makes me relaxed...

Just found out...

... how I could make a more intersting looking page... hope you enjoy!!

Quilt Lessons

Many years ago, we won't say when!, I came to college here in S FL.  I was away from home for the very first time for a long period of time.  I mean I'd spent, at the most two weeks, away from the rest of my family.  Now, I was about to embark on the adventure of my life.  I came down a week early (that's when my ride was leaving!).  I stayed with my, then future, brother-in-law's sister who'd been here a couple of years ahead of me for that first week.  Then into the dorms, with a good friend from high school as a roommate.  Do you remember that first semester in college, away from home - a small town as a hometown, where you had TONS of friends?  Well, I had plenty of friends my first semester, but it wasn't family.  Then the rains came.  S FL - rain... uh huh!!  It was a rare thing for November but it was RAINY that Thanksgiving.  Every year there was a Thanksgiving Banquet so the Jr. class in the college could raise money.  The electricity in the dorm was out - how in the world could we get dressed and ready!?!?  Then my friend, Cheryl, decided to invite a couple of us, maybe three - don't remember - to one of her classmate's mobile homes on campus so we could get ready there - they had electric.  Little did I know how that trip to their home would change my life. 
I met a man and his wife I'd seen around campus but did not know... Mr. and Mrs. H.  - and their three year old son and BRAND SPANKING NEW twins.  To make a long story get to the point - quilt lessons - suffice it to say - this entire family influenced my life - by entire I mean entire - - - His parents and younger sister moved down soon after, his next oldest brother/sil were already here and his youngest brother/sil moved down shortly after.  They were ALL here!! I became very good friends with the whole family. 
However, as time would have it... I graduated (after many, many, many visits to their various homes) and moved on... they began moving away (some of them) and we all went our ways, sometimes crossing paths...

THEN - Facebook happened.  I re-connected with the wives for two of the brothers and also the younger sister...  The younger sister - DA - is about to become a grandmother and wanted to learn how to quilt - to make the baby a quilt, of course.  We were just not able to get together .... until yesterday... she called me as her husband was out of town for the weekend.  I just happened to have planned a 'teacher work day' with the boys so I had no responsibility there!!  DA and I were talking - we had YEARS, literally, of catching up to do - but to the quilt.  I was trying to explain to her what to do - we just were not communicating - so I asked if she had a webcam - sure enough!! - we both got on our computers and webcammed our first quilt lesson!!! :)  It was a blast!!  Her granddaughter will now have a wonderfully beautiful quilt and we have re-connected - hopefully to the point that we can continue to share our lives more often.  We spent four hours on our quilt lesson... ending it just in time for me to be able to get our supper prepared and still be ready when my DH returned home from work.  I love quilt lessons!! :)

Ok, Wednesday already

I can hardly believe it's already Wednesday.  The days are just flying by.  I was supposed to post a recipe on Monday, wasn't I?  My days at home are extrememely busy - I'm so surprised.  I truly thought when I came home from working after nine and a half years I'd be so looking for something to do that I wouldn't know what to do... NOT!!  :)  I am busy all the time -  not enough time in any day!! :)  I'm glad - it's better than being bored and looking for something to do.  Tomorrow night we have company coming so I'll post THAT recipe now... Black beans and rice... it's a 'meeting' dinner for those who are going to Haiti next Monday :) - don't you think the whole beans and rice thing is appropriate!?  Anyways - make the beans like you normally would - soak them overnight in water (or boil for a bit of time first thing in the morning).  Drain the original water and fill the pan about an inch above the beans, bring to a boil.  Add a diced onion, some garlic (however much you like to your taste).  Do not add salt until the beans are cooked.  After the beans have cooked for several hours they should be soft.  Add salt, pepper and any seasoning.  Make the rice (I use brown rice) before the beans are done.  I also cook my rice in chicken broth - a tastier rice!!  Do not drain the beans, just set the pot on the table, set the pan of cooked rice on the table.  While both are cooking - dice a red onion, a red pepper, mash an avocado, shred some cheddar cheese, and put some sour cream in a bowl.  Keep all these in separate bowls and place them on the table also.  Let everyone put their own toppings on the beans/rice... so good - you may want to provide some extra hot seasoning for those who are hearty and like some spiciness!!  ENJOY! - This is very tasty and addicting.

Sunday evening

It's quiet in our home right this minute so I thought I'd sneak a post in...  Boys are in bed for the night - DD and fiance have made it to Haiti for the next seven weeks - we talked to her today via Skype! - and DH is outside.  Old "I Love  Lucy" reruns are on the TV - but I'm not watching it.

Church this morning, sandwiches for lunch, nap and then Bible study tonight.  Home and quiet for the rest of the evening. 

Beginning tomorrow I will try to post a recipe I've found that we enjoy each Monday.  I would LOVE to be able to post something each day of the week - but time will tell.

I am almost done with one of the quilts for my great nieces/nephews - binding almost handstitched all the way around... the binding is machine sewn on another (just waiting to be handstitched on the back.)  I will begin the last two tomorrow - need to piece the backs for them, tie them and then bind them also.  I promised they'd be on their way in two weeks time so I'd better hurry.  I then have another top to quilt for my stepdaughter but have to wait to be able to buy the backing.  And I have two orders for quilts - a lap size and a king size (both to the same person).  I will need to get those done quickly.  I am letting people know that if they will buy the fabrics/thread/batting/etc for any items I will donate the labor costs to our dd and her husband to be in Haiti for their support - for one year.  Today I gave the ordered item (a dish soap 'apron') to someone who'd ordered it - wasn't paid - hopefully she will give me money for it next week :) - if not, well, a lesson learned - get money up front when possible...  we'll see.  Granted it was from scraps, but I STILL had to pay for it at some point... I will need to just let it go if she chooses to not pay...

Well, DH just walked in - I will go for now - tomorrow I will post a recipe of some kind :)

Saturday night

Well, here I am again.  I had a busy three days.
On Thursday we took DD and her fiance to the airport (1.5 hrs away) EARLY in the morning - made for a very long day.  Came home and intended to get the backings ready for four quilts that need to be done.  Could not even make it to the bed hardly - before I went back to sleep - way too early to be up - we had to get up at 3:30!!!  Went to church to do Angel Food Ministry with our Food Pantry people.  Sold six boxes!!  Then home to continue recuperating!

Friday spent about six hours on the quilts - backing's made, batting's cut, fronts ironed.  Then a friend came over to help with the tying - we finished tying two of them. 

Saturday, spent the morning machine sewing the binding on the quilts (what I did not finish yesterday) and hand sewed about 1.5 of one of them.  It is coming along nicely now.  But I am TIRED.  My DH says it's age - I pointed out I'm ONLY 47 - he said, "That's what I mean!!"  :)  Gotta' love 'im!! :)

This evening we had to go out and buy a new computer.  The first two 'sales' we found - they were 'just' sold out - we went to five or six stores and ended up buying one at WalMart - we still have to buy MS Word - have a trial version...  Happy to be back on line though.

Tomorrow is Sunday and I hope that this is the week I can keep up with this blog and begin downloading then uploading some pictures...