A Good Read:: Quilting for Peace

Make the world a better place one stitch at a time. 

• The Sunshine Circle created in 1912 and still sewing quilts and 'comforts' for those in need.
• The women of the United States Sanitary Commission who answered the call from President Lincoln to outfit soldiers with hand-made blankets/quilts. 
• Quilts of Valor  - coordinated through the VA to distribute quilts for wounded soldiers in communities across America.
• The Binky Patrol - providing thousands of quilts and blankets to children who need a little comfort.
• Morsbags - sewing your own reusable shopping bags to reduce the millions of plastic bags that litter our planet.
• The Aids Quilt - made in memory of those who have lost the battle with this horrible disease.
• The Boise Pease Quilt Project - honoring individuals for their peacemaking work.

All those and more organizations/individuals -- along with patterns and suggested projects to stitch a little 'peace' yourself -- are between the covers of this amazing book. 
It's definitely a good read.

Reflecting

Over the past week or so, I've been busy with sewing, reading, spending time with grandbabes and life in general. But, I've also been doing some reflecting, reviewing & re-evaluating this space -- the who, what, where & why if it.

While I'm doing all that pondering -- here's a cool picture. My pretty little PTCruiser reflecting a Oklahoma Summer Sky.

Taking a break -- & a pretty picture . . . .

This week, I've been busy cutting out & sewing shorts for the youngest grand-daughter and pj pants for her brother. Easy sewing projects with almost instant results. Until last night.

Seems that my sewing machine and I are not getting along. It all started with a little 'tension' whenever we worked together -- and then there was the heated discussion about stitch length and another little 'talk' about who exactly was the responsible party in our relationship. Currently we are 'taking a little break' to let the dust (and frayed nerves) settle a bit.

Hopefully with a little counseling, some cleaning issues and re-reading of the manual -- we will be back on good terms in a couple of days. Until then -- here's a pretty picture of my hollyhocks after the rain yesterday afternoon. This was a 'pass along' plant from my Mom's garden 4 years ago. The stalks are almost five foot this year and just covered with lovely old-fashioned blooms.

So much prettier to look at than my last sewing project.

Flowers (and that's all)

Pictures from the weekend -- absolutely none of family or places.

Just flowers --

I loved this picture so much, it now my new 'header'

You just have to look . . . . .

After days and days of rainy, cool weather; summer is finally putting in an appearance.

And, my plants are loving it - - - -

Having a husband who is color-blind is an asset when he puts together a pot of flowers. I would never have thought of mixing pinks with orange -- but, it works beautifully !

The passion flower vine is almost growing before my eyes -- this 10 inch vine is after only a week. So many changes each day. Just after supper each eveing, I'm lured outside into the garden. Walking among the pots and plants, I notice new growth and blooms that weren't there yesterday. I realize that all the surprises and wonders that a garden holds are a blessing -- I just have to go out and look for them.

I hope you find some 'blessings' out there in the world today

Attitude Adjustment

All the 'talking heads' on various cable channels are all shouting about all the gloom & doom in our nation and the world around us. They bicker and rail against each other all throught day and into the evening. Calling each other names and saying that 'other' cable-news program is too liberal -- and then the 'other' program is declared too conservative by the first 'other' program. From the outside looking in, the world of politics today has the attitude of 'you are either with me or against me' -- no one seems to understand how to 'agree to disagree' and respect each other's views anymore.

It's all too depressing for me. And, like any woman - when confronted by a depressing situation -- I bought new shoes. New sandals to be exact.

They are so cute and green and comfy and the best thing - - - - They were on Sale !!

I feel much better now. Maybe all those 'talking heads' need to go out and buy new shoes - it can do wonders for your attitude !

P.S. The sandals also come in black -- and, I bought a pair of those too !

Mother Nature, passing through . . . . .

A couple of nights ago, I was standing in my driveway trying to get a photo of the sunset -- it was one of those 'technicolor' sunsets we are blessed with here in Oklahoma. All soaring clouds, every shade of gold & orange you can imagine; then I happened to glance over my shoulder to the North and saw this - - - - -

Very angry clouds -- but also amazing in their own way. Wish my camera could have captured the play of colors as these clouds boiled and rolled over us. They were in a hurry and only dropped a little rain on us -- they were saving the 'big show' of 5 tornadoes for destinations further south. Lots of damage to property but no serious injuries - and, for that we are thankful. According to our local weather-wizards, we have a few more days of unsettled weather and then we'll have some hot sunny spring weather. I know I'm looking forward to it.

Scent of Spring

After a little side trip on my drive south on Friday -- there were fresh cut lilacs filling my vehicle with the sweet scent of spring. I had almost forgotten how wonderful these smell. Lots of memories of Easter pictures of grandchildren taken in front of this same lilac bush -- and, those memories are just as sweet.

I didn't have any water so their 'vase' is a fountain drink cup from 7-11 filled with ice.

At MoMo & Papa Bill's House

You can color and draw as long as you want . . . . .

You can wear MoMo's knitted shawl while you play with your Brobee . . . .

And, at the end of the day -- MoMo will rock you to sleep.

Cat Rules

1. The cat is not allowed in the house.
2. Okay, the cat is allowed in the house, but only in certain rooms.
3. The cat is allowed in all rooms, but must stay off the furniture.
4. The cat can get on the old furniture only.
5. Fine, the cat is allowed on all the furniture, but is not allowed to sleep with the humans on the bed.
6. Okay, the cat is allowed on the bed, but only by invitation.
7. The cat can sleep on the bed whenever the cat wants, but not under the covers.
8. The cat can sleep under the covers by invitation only.
9. The cat can sleep under the covers every night.
10. Humans must ask permission to sleep under the covers with the cat.
    
    

Pictures of our oldest cat - Muffin. She's 18 years old and very frail. She spends most of her time sleeping on my bed in a patch of sunlight. Muffin's never been much of a 'lap kitty' -- in fact, she's tends to be more 'prickly' than pet-able -- an independant, aloof little cat. But, despite all that -- she's brought much joy into our lives and we will miss 'The Cat' when she's gone.

P.S. With all the snow here today, a nap in a patch of sunlight sounds pretty good to me !! (yep - it's snowing in March -- big fluffy flakes and temps hovering around 30 degrees. But wait, it's Oklahoma and our predicted temp for Sunday is 60 degrees !!)

Multi-tasker

Over the past week or so -- I've been straightening up & sorting things out in my little sewing corner. With all the sewing/crafting going on right up until Christmas -- things had gotten way out of hand. The first task was to sort through my fabric scraps. This took some time and floor space.

And, yes -- that is a full set of drums in the picture. Doesn't everyone share their sewing/crafting space with a set of drums ??!! You do if you live with a former jazz drummer -- that would be Willie Jay. And, besides the grandbabes love to dance around when Papa is playing.

After all the scraps were sorted by color, print or theme -- they were stored in large zip-lock bags. And, all those bags were then stored in the closet in this very handy 'multi-tasking' tote. A Christmas gift from Ikea -- really it's a garden tote, in fact you can even use it as a planter according to the tag. But, I really think it's a 'sewing/crafting/knitting' tote. Of course, that's totally my own opinion.

Just wish there was an Ikea store here in OKC -- I need a couple more of these bags !!

No pictures -- just wonderful memories !

I will apologize first - - - -

No pictures were allowed at the Chris Botti concert --- so, no pictures to share. I did play around with the idea of snapping a shot of the Civic Center from the outside --- but, a little thing called 'wind chill' changed my mind in a hurry. Officially the wind chill temps that night were in the teens with a brisk north wind whipping my scarf around as we walked to 2 blocks from the parking lot to the civic center. We were frozen by the time we got inside.

But, the concert it was so worth all the cold. Our seats were in 9 rows from the stage. The music was amazing and watching the musicians up close was a treat for my former jazz drummer Hubby. As an encore -- Chris Botti had all the microphones turned off, walked up the middle aisle and played "It's Three in the Morning' -- an old Sinatra standard. It was just the mellow tones from his horn -- playing to the audience. And, we were just 6 feet away !! A truly wonderful memory to cherish.

Note: I do have pictures to share tomorrow -- think very white and very cold !!

Friday Night in the Big Town

Normally on a Friday night, Willie Jay and I go out to dinner and then maybe walk through the local Target.

I know -- we lead such a 'wild and crazy' life.

But tonight at 8pm we'll be downtown in the Civic Center.
Sitting in Row J of the orchestra section --
listening to Chris Botti !!



Full report next week

Another sunrise --


Before school this morning, Joe-Joe and I shared a breakfast of 'circle donuts' (aka - donut holes) and chocolate milk at the local donut shop. Our breakfast was very yummy and the sunrise was totally cool !! Way to go God