Lora's Quilt

Hand-stitching while watching Christmas movies over the holidays I got Lora's quilt finished.  I'll UPS it out tomorrow.

Her yellow walls and white cabinets will be the setting for this quilt.  Her farmhouse kitchen -- complete with fire place will make the perfect home for this piece.

 It may be late, But I did a much better job not being rushed by a date on the calendar.  I'll get another shot at it next year.

We showshoe'd twice a day for the last 4 days.  The trail is packed enough now to go without snow shoes.  Bruno has had a little trouble managing the deep snow with Ripley being a puppy and rough-housing him.  I got a puppy backpack for Christmas so Bruno rides until Ripley settles down a little bit. Plus I get an extra work out lugging an extra ten pounds.  Pictures to come soon.  

Tomorrow we have family coming from Florida -- but tomorrow I also turn back into a pumpkin and return to the office.  But that's life.  I'm grateful for the time off and grateful for the job at the same time....

Merry Christmas....

Christmas is forever, not for just one day,

 for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away

 like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.

 the good you do for others is good you do yourself.

Norman Wesley Brooks

From my Covered Porch, I wish you not just presents under the tree, but presents in your heart.... And remember sometimes presents come in unlikely places and events....Kind of like thinking you are getting a labrador and ending up with something really special, like Ripley..

My Mom's Gift...

Remember these blocks?  Every Christmas I make something for my Mother. I should have done the Christmas gift throughout the year--- I didn't. Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda....Next year.  I remembered I had these blocks and coupled with this fabric it will look nice on my Mom's Louisiana table.  I mailed their Christmas packages on Monday--- this got mailed a day later... But at 80+ years old I wasn't going to save it until next Christmas.  Some things just won't wait.

It's December now--- see the snow covered steps.

A Gift Almost.....

Stacks of Blocks have been sewn into place to become this....

Tonight I sewed on a 6 inch border and made the bias binding.  I am holding onto the fact that my sister in law does not read about the daily quilting here, so I'm showing  pictures.  She's is arriving at my house on Wednesday--- 48 hours from now.   Logic tells me that time is running out.  I made an adult decision.  Last minute picking up, groceries need to be bought, a dessert or two needs to be made.  Oh yeah -- I have a full time job to go to every day.  The backing, quilt top and binding were gently placed in a box. They were wrapped with care and they are going to my sister in law to be unwrapped with the family this weekend.

 I'm pretty confident she'll give it back to me to complete for her... I wanted to do a good job - and I wanted to enjoy the quilting.  I know she'll understand.  I'm a lot harder on myself than she will be. Sometimes priorities  have to be realized and torturing my husband for the next 48 hours was not an option.

Family is coming-- not strangers that do not understand. Christmas is just around the corner...