Red Sampler

Isn't this the cutest little sampler? I've been wanting to make one for my red, white, and blue living room and I think this one is just the right size. It's a free pattern from Blackbird Designs blog a few months ago. I bought the linen and variegated thread (color pomegranate) and then the holidays and shopping sneaked in. I guess it's going to have to wait - sob~

R

Missionary Shopping

We all went missionary shopping today; Dad, Mom, soon-to-be missionary, neice, oldest Son and his daughter. We traveled through a snow storm to get to Taylorsville's Mr. Mac. It was like a "over the river and through the woods" type trip.


The first thing was realizing that we left the missionary's list of items-to-buy home so Dad had to go back through the blizzard to retrieve the list. Meanwhile Nate picked out two suits.
One is black with small stripes and the other one is blue with subtle woven threads.



Next it was time to pick out the ties. Nate wasn't too sure about the whole trying on the suit things but he really got into the tie selection. I think he spent about 1/2 hr. just picking out what he liked, getting everyone's opinions, comparing the ties to the suits, and then finally paring down the pile to only six. He's got pretty good taste.




Next he tried on shoes. He normally buys a size 11 1/2 but they fit him in a 10. We were all quite surprised. The sizing must be vastly different for dress shoes compared to gym shoes. Shocker! He picked out black shoes.

He found a belt, he loves the new raincoat, he settled on some socks, and then it was time to pick out his luggage. He could pick out the black set or the olive green set. Not a tough choice. . .

I'm not going to go into a lot of detail about oldest son picking out his suit or his dd being unhappy during the whole shopping trip but suffice it to say that he found a bishop-looking suit, and "U" tie and the little one finally convinced him it was time to leave. Her cousin tried really hard to keep her happy and succeeded part of the time - sigh.

It was then time to pay. Randy had budgeted $2000 to get Nate's clothes for his mission. The total was $1992. WOW! He's good. We still have a few little things like a watch and he needs a bike but the big chunk has been taken care of.

Here they are loading the van with the sun shining (for a moment). We have since received about 5-6" of snow and are glad to currently be sitting in front of a blazing fire.

It hasn't felt that 'real' that Nate is leaving for his mission until today. I'm so excited for him.

R

Projects

You have to feel sorry for this little project. It has been in this stage for over 2 yrs. now. Do you recognize it? It's the 12 Rows of Christmas. I did the fusible thing one year, I appliqued them by machine another year, and it has been hanging on this rather rickety hanger in my sewing room waiting and waiting and waiting. It would take me all of 1/2 hr. to sew the rows together. What am I waiting for?

I finished block #5 for the Birds of a Feather quilt by Blackbird Designs. The little footed bowl at the bottom is really symetrical. There is a fold in it in the fabric that makes it looks odd. This quilt is really a lot of work!!! I keep thinking I'm going to give it up but as each block is finished and placed on the design wall it adds to the magic. I absolutely love the colors and my name is Robin after all. . . who wouldn't like a quilt with birds on it?


My cousins gave me a signed copy of "Amish Quilts" by Dowdle. They bought it at a local art show last summer. Since he was in the booth, she made him sign it. http://www.dowdlefolkart.com/


I just got it from the framer and hung it a few minutes ago. It looks so pretty.

(That blue leaf sure stands out, doesn't it? If you saw the whole quilt. . . it goes, really~
See Oct 24th post below.)

Here is a close-up that shows the color of the matte better although it washes out the colors in the actual picture.




It's Henry's birthday today. He wants to go see the "Giant Mouse" (Chuck E. Cheese).


Don't you love listening to Christmas music on 106.5 and 100.3? I love this time of year. It's not cold yet, the frenzy of shopping hasn't hit, and I can blissfully listen to Holiday music.

R

Bonnie Hunt is doing another online mystery quilt beginning the day after Thanksgiving.
Go to http://quiltville.com/ She's calling it Carolina Christmas.

Singular Song Sunday

Sometimes living the gospel of Jesus Christ is very hard. It's demanding on our time and energy. It asks us to do things that are difficult both physically and emotionally. As I was singing a hymn last Sunday I sang the words;
"Rejoice in his glorious gospel, And bask in its life giving light."


Bask, an interesting word.
It means;
lie around,
stretch out,
relax.


That doesn't imply work, or stress.


Yes, it's important to live the gospel by loving one another, helping those in need, and improving ourselves but maybe we're making it too hard.


Bask in it's life giving light..................
It's going to take some practice.


R

Halloween 1960

There she is, Carmen Miranda, false eyelashes and all.


I loved this Carmen Miranda costume. All that jewelry adorning my turban, neck, and wrists was really worn by my mother in the 50's and 60's. I wish this was in color but at least I have a (albeit poor) old Poloroid picture to remember it by. My costume was in blues and burgundys, I have no idea what color the towel is on my head. It was probably this color.

This is an example of the "good" costume jewelry that my mother had. It is by Weiss. She had some Eisenberg pieces too. These, along with the "cheap" costume jewelry pieces decorated both my head and my older sister's. Her costume was in yellow and green.

My mother sure went to a lot of work to make things special for us.

HAPPY AND SAFE HALLOWEEN.

R

I went visiting teaching this morning. I appreciate so much that these women welcome me into their homes and their lives. I am so much richer for visiting them even though it is my companion and I who are doing the 'watchcare'. I learn from shared experiences, feel validation, and am motivated to do better.

R

The picture is actually of my sister and cousin. Posts are always better with a picture.

Snow - rific Day

What a delight it was to come out of the Oquirrh Mountain temple this morning and see the whole valley blanketed by the soft snow clouds. The snow was coming down fast in big heavy wet flakes (my hair is completely straight). I had to clean off the windows on the north side of the van and the snow covered up the passengers side window by the time I finished the rear side window. I think we are being blessed by having this heaviest part of the storm come well after the morning commute.

It makes me want to do a Charles Wysocki winter scene puzzle. I think I'll be starting one right after I get home from my 1:00pm meeting. If anyone else is interested, see you then.

R