A gift in the mail--- on a day that I really needed it. I’ve mailed over 3 dozen postcards—this is the first I’ve ever received. I often wondered the feeling my friends, my Mom or even Sunday school kids had when they received theirs… I was right on target. It was just the feeling I was aiming for. Thanks again Susan.

Aside from the everyday tides of life—the ups and downs were totally different that day than I had ever experienced before. Our community made national news for totally horrible reasons. Four teenagers were shot, three fatally by a total stranger. Teenagers from 17 to 20 years old swimming at a local railroad bridge happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Just when we get lulled into thinking “Not in my town” we get the shock of our lives. Hey it could have been my kids—they both swam there before… talk about reality check. Chelsey’s taking it pretty hard. While only one boy was a friend, in a small town you know everyone.

There are no “right words”. I’ve always considered our woods as a comforting place. But I was scared to death to leave my house that Friday morning after it happened on Thursday with the guy still loose with an assault rifle. I had never been so glad to see state troopers as I was when they were at my office when I got there. They had refueled their helicopters there throughout the night looking for the guy. They did get the guy 16 hours later—why did he do it? I don’t know, but there’s no answer to justify this.

Chelsey has a friend that ran—literally—for his life that lived. Funny, I pick at her lately about using the house as a closet because she’s never around, working two jobs and an active social life. She’s never home. That Thursday night when everything went crazy, she had stayed home with us. Something she hadn’t done in ages. Cellphones put our world in a different place now. She had friends calling and checking to find out where she was before it was announced on the TV, radio, or internet. It continued throughout the night. I sent her to Green Bay the next day with a friend. I didn’t want her in town with this guy on the loose. There were so many speculations—I wanted her away from the rumors. But even in Green Bay, news travelled.

She worked today. Calling to check in every hour or so. She’s still having a tough time. ‘Mom, I have helped people pick out clothes for funerals before, but I could always separate myself from the situation. I know why they need these clothes today. This is so hard. Mom—I don’t want to talk about it.’
I just told her that people need strength, and maybe they draw strength from her. But she doesn’t realize the comfort she can give others. A tough lesson for an 18 year old kid.

I didn’t mean to dump on anyone, I guess I’m rambling because as a parent I am living the “what if” scenarios in my mind. I can’t imagine the heartache the parents are going through.

Eric surprised us and came home for a couple of days--- Just what the family needed. Everyone was “jockey-ing” for time with him. If that kid doesn’t feel loved--- he won’t ever…. Even Ransom was in on the act.

So I just got a couple of stitches in last night.
The Ladybug Postcard will be for Don’s cousin that just recently had a baby. I was hoping for a baby quilt to be made for her, but it’s just not happening right now. But she will get a postcard welcoming her into the world. Amanda did the baby’s room in Ladybugs. The other postcard will be for a couple of friends that recently lost their husbands. I made two just a like of that one.
Never easy.

We have Chelsey’s softball game tonight, so it’s pretty safe to say that I won’t have much time for sewing. But It’ll be there when I do get the chance.

Gratitudes:
Scholarship Money for Chelsey—easing burdens ahead.
Safe travel for Eric coming home
Pretzels
First Cherry tomatoes of the season

Summer is fleeing and I’m trying to cram as much into it as I can. In the Upper Peninsula I find myself trying to enjoy the outside weather as much as I can because the winters keep us really sheltered inside. I was talking to my Mom about the great summer but how at the same time I haven’t sewn as much as I would like to. Just not enough hours in the day…. She keeps me grounded and reminds me I have all winter to sew. But when you are a Quilter---It’s just not a seasonal activity for you…we all just have to find balance I guess. I’ve been working on My Journey of a Quilter block, but I hit a roadblock when I ran out of thread.
My Mom is rescuing me and mailing me DMC 838, as our Wal-Mart doesn’t carry it and it was our only source for thread. Another example of little things you should never take for granted….

I picked my first mess of green beans on Sunday.
I’m cooking them tonight. I have one tomato ready to pick but the rest are still pretty green.
Here’s a snapshot from my front flowerbed. It’s on the North side of the house and is shaded all but a couple hours of the day.
I just love impatiens. Marigolds line the garden fence.
This geranium has been my rescue project for the summer. It almost died on me, and I’ve nursed it back to health most of the summer. I think it’s just a beautiful color.


Last night Don & I road our bicycles to supper. We grabbed a sandwich at a local restaurant and rode home. We’ve only had one day over ninety degrees, the remainder hovering at around 80. The windows and doors were open all weekend, gathering fresh air through the house.

I’ve almost completed 6 fabric postcards, maybe snapshots tomorrow. I’ve also been working on a few things for Chelsey to take to school, 24 days away… Ransom entertained us all weekend. We’ve been doing some target shooting on the back of the property. He’s a born hunter and dances when the rifles come out. It’s been years since I shot a rifle. Don and I had fun and my aim is getting better all the time….

Looking back over this post… Summer is being filled with all of the good stuff… Have a good week.

Life – you get out of it what you put into it. I’ve reminded myself this several times this week, so I’m having a pretty good week. On the way home from work Tuesday I pulled over to the side of the road and picked a batch of Black-eyed Susans
for the kitchen table--- first of the season. Don’s been working late so Ransom and I have been trekking out daily on our own. It’s been threatening a thunderstorm or two each evening, but always misses us. The wind knocked down these acorns before they were ready…


Quilting---this wasn’t on my list, but I couldn’t resist. It’s a Needle case. It’s from a free pattern of Cinderberry Stitches. Linda had made one.
I had not even heard of a needle case until about a year ago. My needles are stored on spools of thread, bulletin boards, pattern sheets… hit or miss.
It’s discovery mission every time I need one. I had printed and studied the pattern for while. Then Linda encouraged me to do it. The embroidery was a piece of cake. I think my stitches are getting better. Practice is definitely the answer. The assembly instructions weren’t easy for me, I’m a visual person, but when I took it a step at a time at “acted in faith”, took everything literally and was careful not to read too much into each step. It worked--- and I now have my very own needle case. After work tonight, I’m going collecting my needles . I never really considered myself a ‘Blue’ person, but the thread and fabric called me. The project was fun and easy--- I recommend it to everyone.

I’m about to make my lunch—a ham sandwich, mayonnaise only--- grab my coffee, and head out to the hangar….

Two blocks completed this weekend. My July House sampler block looks a little off sides but after the seam allowances are taken up I think it will look fine.

My Capricorn Quilts BOM is set for July too.

It’s now the 14th of the month and I’m going to spend the remainder of the month on 3 things/ maybe 4:
Postcards
A Baby Quilt
Journey of a Quilter BOM
Connecting the blocks on my Primitive garden.

Realistically, I’ll probably get one thing done off the list unless we have an incredibly rainy July. But it’s nice to know I’m never short on entertainment.

Eric made in safely back downstate. It was hard to see him go. He was home for 5 days, but it just wasn’t long enough. Went to church yesterday. There were 9 kids in my Sunday school class. They’ll promote in about 9 weeks. You can tell they’re growing and ready to move on. You get them broke into the routine and then you have to give’em up. I guess that’s the way it is with most things in life.

Green tomatoes, green beans and inch long, and quarter size green peppers in the garden--- it’s come along nicely.

Ransom and I got 3 good walks in over the weekend. We need to get out and pick flowers for the table this evening.

Thought for the week: Value. What is Value? What do you give Value to? Have you ever been told you have Value?

My Gratitudes:
Vanilla Milkshakes
My K Swiss Tennis Shoes
My thermos of Coffee this morning—Will get me through the day

Friday evening—I made it to the weekend. Eric came home Wednesday for a few days and I don’t think I slept as good as I did Wednesday night in a long time. There’s just something about having all your kids under one roof --- no matter how old they are.
Quilting business first.
Here is my Four Season BOM Summer house. I love each block every month. I had spotted this wheelbarrow set up in someone’s yard on our bike rides. So today after work, my camera and I went trespassing and grabbed a couple of snapshots. The clothes pin at the bottom holds it still and the wind kept tossing it around.

I took the water hose to the garden this evening. The rain keeps missing us and it looked pretty thirsty. I planted a coneflower perennial.
The stem keeps shooting off new flowers. I Hope it survives our cold winters and comes back each year.

Both kids went to Green Bay together today. We’ve all been fighting for time with Eric. Chelsey decided a road trip was the best way not to have to share. Hey—I’m glad they’re such good friends.

Don and Eric have movie plans tomorrow so I’ll get some time for sewing.
I sent my Sunday school class letters this week. It was the first time in about five weeks. I’ve never gone that long without writing them. I guess I’ve kind of been going through a dry spell…but maybe it’s over. I kind of feel like I’m getting back into the groove of things.

I’d like to make some post cards this weekend. Maybe it’ll happen. But there are so many parts of summer to enjoy….

Have a great weekend.

It’s Independence Day… The beginning of a three day weekend. As I lay in bed this morning, (6:30am as compared to the usually Friday 4:30 am) I contemplated the upcoming day. For the first time in about twelve years I had no child in the town Fourth of July Parade. I guess it’s a sign of things ahead and the many changes to come. As a quiet reflection I decided not to attend the parade but yet sit back and remember good memories of the past. I got up with Ransom, and stitched until Don awoke.

Don and I ran three miles and began our day. Eric is away at school and Chelsey ran frantically to meet friends for the parade and a day at the lake. It would be just Don and I --- and Ransom for the day. We ate on the back Covered Porch.
The Daisies grow wild in our woods. Ransom and I picked a bundle. Lunch was grilled shrimp and steamed vegetables followed by a lazy afternoon nap.

We woke to our afternoon pot of coffee on the porch. Funny—we both find ourselves pondering the next few months ahead.. not with dread..just with curiosity.

Ransom and I are off to the garden to battle the weeds. Don is staining one of the 7 six panel doors for the upstairs. It’s our ---scratch that----his home improvement project for the summer. They’re just beautiful… We’ve got a two mile run with Ransom this evening and our bike ride on the docket….oh and I plan on talking Don into Ice cream.

Enjoy your weekend--- these summer days pass so quickly

I did it… My goal was to get caught up on my Block of the month projects by June 30th and I did it. I even had a few hours to spare. My house sampler has 6 months together now--- The neighborhood is growing.
I love every thing about it-- The fabrics, their colors and the ease at which this piece goes together.

Summer is in full swing now. Here is an early morning photo of a perennial in my garden.

The flowers close up every night and reopen during the day. I just love the yellow.

I didn’t share it at first because I was too upset. Then it got to the point where in the grand scheme of things it really didn’t matter. But now I can talk about it. We’re going to say someone borrowed my bike and forgot to return it. Don refuses to let me throw a tantrum and scream someone stole my bicycle. So we are going to hang onto the premise that it was borrowed. I was crushed. It had been a birthday gift and while it wasn’t the most expensive bike on the market, it wasn't the cheapest either. For a couple weeks after the discovery I road Chelsey’s bike and decided I’d mourn for a year and possibly replace the vehicle in 2009. After all, we can only ride about 4 months a year. Well, Don came home from the store one day---“I found something you need…” We went and looked….he said---“Mel, it looks just like you…” I was in love. It was a boy’s bike, less than $100 bucks and it came home with me. The borrowers did not need my basket so after a red spray painting it has been attached to it’s new home. Now having over 100 miles across the wheels—I’m sharing a photo…My New Bike….


Chelsey has now described me as a “Cute Dork…” She’s probably correct, but man--- it’s a great bike…One speed, pedal brakes, and a basket…..

I’m here. Enjoying every minute of summer I possibly can. I struggled with quilting time—and I finally got some. I completed June’s block for Capricorn Quilts. It’s photographed in front of violet petunias.
My Four Seasons BOM is caught up.
The Spring blocks were strung up in the woods last night for a photograph.
I love the stitching and the color combinations The Country Loft is placing with these blocks.
My House quilt has a new addition to it. The saltboxes are really easy to put together.
I was nervous about attempting the quilt because house block seams have to match.

I’ve been playing in my garden—though I’m not alone. Here’s the big guy visiting on Saturday.
Don said--- ‘Get the camera, you need a picture.” While we have no poisonous snakes in the U.P., growing up in Louisiana, I still carry a healthy respect for them. Apparently this guy choked and died on the frog he was snacking on. I’m pretty much on the frog’s side so I feel like the snake had it coming…Don disposed of it and life goes on.

We’ve been biking daily and Ransom sleeps well after long runs with us every night. Frogs, chipmunks, and birds keep the woods noisy. Chelsey is almost through with your summer college course. It’s a writing course and she’s thriving. Eric has only the final left in Bio-Chemistry. He’s studying hours on end, but he too, is seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Have you ever have asked for things in prayer and received the answer --- No. That recently happened to me and yet almost immediately I realized I was not even disappointed. Just maybe someone knows what’s best for me--- more than I do…

Counting My Blessings----

A Random Act of Kindness…..Quilters are famous for these….sharing patterns, books, squares of fabric. Quilters make quilts for fundraisers for worthy causes throughout the country and through the world. Friday I had a Random Act of Kindness bestowed upon me.
The timing was everything. Someone was let go at work this week. A good man, just the sales numbers didn’t add up. It was a mathematical decision. Doesn’t make it any easier to swallow, but it happened. I came home and had a package in my mailbox. No card, just a Maryland return address. I remember admiring a pink and brown quilt.
The seamstress included the remnants for bindings and backings. I feel so special…it sort of healed the tough week on the job.
I’ve folded and unfolded both the quilt and the fabrics several times just admiring them. Don’s been out of town so it’s been up to Ransom and I to work through our disappointments on our own.
We went up the road to an old abandoned house and barn I’ve travelled by several times.
People find beauty in different places. This was the place for my pictures. Overgrown grass, trees and bushes provided the perfect background to the worn paint and rust.


Thanks friend--- I really love your piece. Wish you would email me….. I’ve already measured out the batting to complete it. If I have any say—your kindness will be repaid tenfold…..
Thank you…….

have been telling myself all spring I wanted to take a snapshot of the blossoms of the trees to share, but life wouldn’t slow down. With the wind storms of late, I thought I waited too late. But Don and I stepped out this evening and I grabbed my quilt block and camera. With the patience of a saint, we got about a mile up the road and he pulled over for the photography session. Here is the Spring house block for my Four Seasons block of the month.


We’ve got Chelsey’s freshman Orientation for the next couple of days. I got some hand quilting set up for the journey. I imagine this trip will make the entire college thing real. Her future roommate, a friend from home, is going also. Maybe we’ll get time for some quilt shopping. I don’t need anything – period. I’m trying to live with the reality that there will be two sets of college tuition and living expenses coming out of the budget. But even Don says, “Hey, were going to set you up with a quilt budget you can’t do without that….” Just when you gott’em figured out they say something nice….

It’s raining to beat the band right now – Eric called from downstate telling me horror stories about gathering buggys in the Kmart parking lot with the thunder and lightning serenading him…another positive reason why that kid needs to be in college…but his “life lessons” are just too funny sometimes.

Goal for the weekend--- to catch up on my block of the month projects… Below are my Quilters Blessings quilt squares from Capricorn quilts.
The June block is in progress so I’m counting it caught up. No pressure…just enjoying the process. Joann’s had there perle cotton on sale. After a rough week at work a couple of weeks ago I needed to treat myself.
To a quilter, at least to me, this is better than candy…No rhyme nor reason, I just picked out several pretty colors. But I am setting up a 3 x 5 card with numbering so I’ll be a little more organized and know I have.
These Iron-On transfers were a gift from Catherine at Willow Valley Store.
I’m planning on ironing them to tea dyed muslin and making postcards with that new perle cotton.
Eric is away at summer school, settling into the groove of ‘Bio-Chemistry’. I have no idea what it’s all about, but I call him every so often and make him talk to me about it. It sounds marvelous and Makes a mom feel like she’s getting her money’s worth.
Chelsey is away at a friend’s wedding this weekend so Ransom, Don, and I are the ‘Dynamic Trio’ of sorts. Don tested teenagers for their black belt in Tae kwon do last night, so I plowed through the weekly chores, so the weekend was truly ours for leisure. Make a bike ride or two, some grilling, definitely a milkshake and some quilting.
But honestly the U.P. summers are so short I kind of play by the rule, “ The sewing machine only gets turned on rainy days and after sunset.” There’s plenty of hand sewing to be done…out on the Covered Porch. The ceiling fans provide a nice breeze, keep the bugs at bay, and seem to hum along with the birds…. Enjoy your weekend…

As sleepy as I am this morning I couldn’t be happier. After work yesterday I got all my vegetable plants in the garden. The seeds are to be planted tonight. Don took the day off yesterday for some home maintenance projects and got the garden all tilled up and ready to go. I spent the evening getting all the hanging baskets placed back in their spots and the frost/freeze warnings have passed.


Chelsey had friends over last evening and the grilled and ate outside for the first time this summer.


This project began last summer and completed a week ago today. Excuse the poor photography but the front porch got a facelift.
Don built the brick sidewalk last summer and put a new rail on the front porch last week. The flowerbed is filled with impatients that were planted last week by my MIL and me. With freeze warnings for the past two evenings, I’ve been tucking them in at night with blankets. I think they made it.

I close today with this photo of sign on our back porch ---the Covered Porch--- that remains out year round…

I getting My groove back…The last of the relatives have departed. I’m about to start my second day back at the office. Chelsey’s Graduation was outstanding. No tears… more of a feeling of victory I guess. She was asked to speak for Memorial Day on her Voice of Democracy and how she will honor today’s veterans. While she is not smiling-- you can tell she spoke with real conviction.
All the relatives got to hear her talk on Saturday. She spoke again at her high school graduation Sunday.
Here is a snapshot in the same pose as taken when her brother graduated two years ago. It was great having Eric home for the holiday.
Yep – I’m probably bragging…But today it’s OK that I do.

I enjoyed visiting with my Mom. My Dad shared several stories of my Grandmother quilting when he was a kid. I’ll definitely tuck those away.

It was 28 degrees this morning. I’ve been hauling flowers in every night. Mother Nature is definitely reminding us where we live. I have all of my garden plants and seeds ready to go. My dad and I bought them together. I got digital photos ready to post….probably a week’s worth. I’m thankful life is slowing down.

Gratitudes:
Safe travel for everyone home
Green Leaves on the trees
Muslin in my sewing basket

I’ve been around, just not quilting a stitch. We’ve been making preparations for Chelsey, my last, to graduate from high school. Both sides of the family are coming up for graduation in ten days. It is customary up here to throw a open house for the graduate. We’re doing a Barbeque theme, with just barbeque snack items as there will be tons of these ‘get-togethers’ the same day of ours. People go from party to party.

Eric came home for Mother’s day this past weekend. I was Queen all weekend. I really did nothing productive, but the whole family spent a lot of time just talking together.

Last week was a tough week at work. It was a great surprise to open the mailbox Friday evening to this:


It was a thank you gift from Leanne in Australia. What a treat. I think I have worn the pages out already, reading it cover to cover--- over and over again. My favorite part is the Natalie Lymer Embroidery piece in the issue.

Spring is creeping in to the U.P. I’ll probably be ‘out-of pocket’ until the end of the month. I’m definitely looking forward to a summer of gardening and quilting. Thanks for the emails checking on me. I’ll be back to posting June 1st.

Gratitudes:
Don’s Patience—So many hidden emotions about your last kid finishing school
Ransom---always being glad to see me.
Daffodils – reminding me that winter does end….

I’ve been tagged several times and finally got around to putting my thoughts on paper. So here goes:

Five things found in your Purse/Bag:

1. Checkbook with quilted checks. – No-Brainer…
2. Deck of Cards - If I’m ever deserted overnight anywhere, I have to be entertained.
3. Change in the bottom – Always a gold mine there because I never put in back in the wallet… I just ‘chunk’ it at the checkout counter.
4. A wallet with a photo of Terry Redlin’s ‘Comforts of Home’ tucked inside…My definition of Paradise.
5. A Jar of Bubbles – You know the little kid kind that has the stick attached to the top. I guess it is left over from a Sunday school class, but I’m sentimentally attached to them and they are great therapy--- Everyone needs bubbles.

Five favorite things in your Room:

1. A Treadle Sewing Machine
2. Eric and Chelsey’s first Trick or Treat Photo Together—Tinkerbell and Peter Pan.
3. A framed Copy of my Wedding Invitation – 24 years old this year.
4. A grapevine wreath over my bed
5. Bronzed Baby shoes of both my kids’ first pairs of Nike Baby Shoes. My Mother has the same of my Brother and I

Five Things you’ve always wanted to do:

1. Own Property that I could stand in the middle of and own as far as I could see.
2. Take a photography class.
3. Write a weekly/monthly column in a magazine.
4. Have a sewing room with windows and yellow paint
5. Be a Grandma

Five Things you are currently into:
1. Quilting – Embroidery on Quilting
2. Table linens
3. Rubber Stamps that speak to me
4. Old Keys
5. Lanterns – I have three…

I’m not tagging anyone but it’s kind of neat putting your thoughts down on paper and looking back later to remember--- Do you still have “that stuff”? How many of the “always wanted to’s” did you do? And what are you into now? You should play along. Thanks Caron for the idea….

I had a great day…There was chaos at home and so no one asked, I didn’t offer, so here I am.

I normally get to work at 6:00 am. Sometimes ten minutes one way or the other depending on the weather, but today I was there at 5:40 am. I tied up loose ends. Checked emails, handled a couple of parts quotes. By that time, my boss arrived and we headed toward Lake Superior. We have an outstation there and it’s opening for summer aircraft maintenance. I inventoried equipment and parts while the boss dealt with policy and employee issues. You’re thinking what was so great about that?

Well, for starters--- I drove. We all know I have a driving “history” to put it nicely. This guys gambles on me and I drive the company HUGE Chevy Silverado Cab and a half. First thing—“Bruce, I can’t drive backwards…” His response, “Sure you can…” With all the confidence to the world.

There’s a coffee shop in town that makes the best coffee, but I can’t bring myself to spend the calories on it. First stop--- the coffee shop. All the while working with me on driving the monster of a truck.

We travelled two and a half hours talking about everything but work. When we arrived, We knocked out the work. Bid our good byes and cruised through the town. It’s a college town with the workings of an abandoned mining community around Lake Superior. We stopped for lunch and a place called The Library. Decorated with old books, it was a brewery and pub. I had the best Chicken Chef salad in a while. We rehashed this morning’s meetings and checked the menu for Key Lime Pie. They didn’t have it so we decided not to settle and moved toward home.

They next stop--- a Quilt shop. We Stopped at the Portage Quilt House. He even went in. He told me not to rush, he chatted with 2 other customers and the 3 ladies that worked there. We played with a cat named Cheddar.
I paid for my purchases and we moved on. Being a businessman, we went through a discussion about how the shop could make more money. It was an awesome shop. Tons of samples, “primitive toys”, a line of needles, threads, and thimbles that were the best I’d ever seen in the U.P. --Confession—I hope I get to go back real soon. Here are my purchases. Truthfully, they are for giving away. Ever have a friend you want to remember “just because”. Not having a quilter’s resource close, I purchased these just for that.
It was 37 degrees with the wind blowing off the lake. But we stopped for ice cream just because the ice cream store was open and they don’t stay open year round in this part of the country. I opted for the Pepsi—kicking myself now—I should have done the ice cream. We got back in the truck and headed back to the office. The road meandered next to Lake Superior a ways and we noticed a statue. I told him I had to find a picture to take. “There’s your picture.” We turned down a dirt road that led to the top of a cliff where the Snowshoe Priest stood looking out over Lake Superior. It doesn’t matter what your faith is, you have to admire the work of this man remembered. Coupled with the dangerous weather conditions… it really restores my faith in humanity.
A couple of snapshots and a chat with the Sister there and we headed home.
It was a ten hour day, but I’d do it again tomorrow. Everybody needs a break from the back of the hangar every now and again. A great day.