Tuesday, November 30, 2010

The End of November

One last photo of this project. It’s at its new home with Eric. Definitely the hardest piece I ever completed. Eric loved it so he’ll have it for years to come. I sent a care package back with him to bring the holidays to him and his two roommates.

 They are all pharmacy students living far away from families. He called and they bought a Christmas tree. He called it a Charlie Brown tree, but he said it had “a lot of potential”.


It was his first trip home in almost 6 months. Study loads and distance combine with jobs and no holiday time off kept him from coming home sooner. He must have commented on quilts and “pumpkin stuff” ten times. He said it felt like home. He said –“ You don’t realize what a difference it makes”. I guess I type this out because I wanted to remember it……..

Here are my stockings finished. We got our Christmas tree put up – all ten foot of it, a Frazier fir and it’s gorgeous. So much different than the chaos of last year. Contentment is the word of the season.

If you didn’t live where you do now--- where would you live?…I always pretend it would be on the east coast somewhere….definitely close to water. I wish over cottages like the ones Jane Coslick talks about.
I won a copy of Cottages in a drawing she had. I curled up on the couch the day it came and got lost in the pages. What a treat. Coupled with a pot of coffee, warm socks, and quilt--I'm good.

The kids will both be home in three weeks for the holiday.  We've had two days of rain so our snow is gone, but there's a chance for more the remainder of the week. Most of my christmas shopping is done.  I did it on-line this year.  I knew what I wanted to purchase and took advantage of the free shipping deals out there.  I've been making a couple of gifts, but if they don't get finished it will be alright. Some times the best gifts are gifts given "Just because...". I'm ready to kick back and enjoy the season-- the colors, the music, and all its meaning....

Gratitudes:
My laptop
Breakfast for supper tonight
An envelope of DMC Thread

15 comments:

Loris said...

Your quilt is gorgeous! Good for you warming those boys hearts :-) That looks like an amazing box of good cheer! Wish them my best too.
I love those east coast cottages too. Congrats on winning the magazine :-)

Quilterbee said...

Having children come home and realize how wonderful it is just to be home is the best gift they could give a parent.
Your quilt is beautiful and it will warm both your hearts when he cuddles up in it.

Gypsy Quilter said...

Now that is one purty quilt. I know he'll always treasure it and you.

Anonymous said...

So glad your whole family will be together for Christmas and it will be a happy one!

If I could live anywhere..... deep in the woods in Minocqua, Wisconsin, in a log cabin. I love nothing more than chilly days and nights snuggled up for the winter with nature views as far as the eye can see :o)

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

How funny you should ask that. I'm so happy right where I am. Mr. Sweetie and I were just talking about that on Sunday.

The quilt you made for Eric is gorgeous. And how sweet a mother you are to send goodies for him and his roommates.

Mary @ Neat and Tidy said...

I absolutely adore Eric's quilt; maybe it's because it's stars and the color red! Please, what is the name of the pattern. You may have shared it when you first started cutting this one, but I can't remember. It would definitely be one I would try.

You have really had the year, and I'm so happy that it's on a much higher note now. Enjoy; you deserve it so much.

We had breakfast for supper last night, too. Great minds think alike, you know :D

If I could live somewhere else, I think I would move to New England. I could handle more snow and cold weather any day.

Glad to have you as a friend.

Karen said...

Your pinwheel quilt turned out so good. All those reds make me drool! Definitely a good gift.
Well, since you are dreaming about the east coast, you could end up being my neighbor. Wouldn't a cottage like that be wonderful!

Anonymous said...

The quilt is absolutely wonderful as well as the stockings. Nearly Christmas....Happy Holidays!

Libby said...

Nothing like a care package to bring a little slice of home *s* You're a good mom!

Nancy in WI said...

I love your quilt! I would be on the shores of Puget Sound in Washington State. Miss that place!

Shelley said...

Melanie, your quilt is gorgeous! And isn't is sad...sometimes they have to move away to realize how wonderful "home" really is :) I live on the east coast..move here anytime you want..you'd be very welcome!

Mrs. Sew and Sew - Karen said...

Mel, I love Eric's quilt. It is beautiful. Glad you are enjoying you holiday season!

If I could live anywhere I wanted it would be next door to my grandson. Isn't that weird? They only live 2 1/2 hours away. But since I babysat him for the time she was is college their move in June about killed me. It was a good move for them...the right decision. The kids have brought him to see us often and let us keep him a week. We have gone to see them also. I'm just a doting old granny. LOL! I am grateful for the time I get to spend with him. Enough of my whining! Have a great holiday season Mel...you deserve it. Many blessing, Karen

Quilts And Pieces said...

I"m almost there with Jenna. She does her Pharmacy rotations in a year and a half. She has signed up for a rotation in Australia! Now that will be far! But I"m using it as an excuse to go back in 2 years!

Quilts And Pieces said...

Forgot to tell you - I LOVE Eric's quilt!

Evelyn aka Starfishy said...

I love Eric's quilt! And your stockings came out great. You are so smart to prep everything on the weekends so your project is ready to pick up and work on. Nice care package! Shipping to Europe is so expensive for me, but at least I did mail off my little boy's presents from Santa today. It doesn't look like I will be able to be there for Christmas (still hopeful though), but at least I know Santa will find him. So happy to hear that both your kids will be home this year. Cheers! Evelyn