A WEEK IN PROVO

Yes, a week in Provo, not Provence, but we loved it!  We got home from Utah late last night and we are still recovering. After sleeping most of the day, I just showered and am now pouring myself a Diet Coke. Ahhh.

We spent a delightful week with my son Renn, wife Keira, and baby Isaac Michael! Isaac is three weeks old and we loved every minute of time we had with him. He coos and gurgles and squeaks and even smiles sweet little baby smiles as tho he is having the best dreams. Sometimes when his daddy starts laughing at something he appears to laugh as well. A good omen, as we laugh a lot in our family. This was their first Christmas together as a family and it was wonderful to be able to share it with them.

I will try not to overwhelm you readers who are looking for quilt-action here, but having just returned from what is facetiously called Happy Valley you must forgive my exuberance in baby sharing!

More later on my visit to The Corn Wagon Quilt Shop in Springville, Utah.

It was snowing in Utah yesterday and we were afraid our flight would be cancelled. Son Renn drove us to the airport, and it got icier as we progressed. We got there by 10:15am and found our flight had been changed to leave at 1:00, an hour later. We watched out those big airport windows and saw the snow stop and the ground visibility clear. What a relief! We caught our connection in Dallas with no problem and got home late, but happy to be home again. Sigh. Yes, Dorothy is right, there is no place like home!

And I really should add Happy New Year to all!

SWEET LITTLE GIFTS

 

Thursday was a sweet and peaceful day as I gathered with two friends for lunch, visiting, and a gift exchange. These are the sweetest gifts because we all love the same things and that makes it fun to give and fun to receive! Joan made us each the darling little framed log cabin block. Isn't it adorable?!

Sue and Joan with Ladybug in the middle. I am so blessed to have these ladies as my friends! They are the best!

Sue made each of us this really great sewing kit. Opened you can see all the pockets for various items. The flaps fold down to cover things while it is folded. A small cutting mat fits in the back pocket and a 4" square ruler will fit in the right square pocket. Sue has been teaching this as a class at the LQS and everyone loves it! Joan and I have been wanting to make this but now we have one made by the expert! Isn't it great!

  

This is the little quiltlet that I made for each of them. I made the hourglass blocks with 5" squares, and the simple applique is wool, ala Cheri Saffiote Payne. What a fun day we had!

I BELIEVE

 

Recently I was sitting on the couch in our living room and my eyes darted past a pile of magazines scattered on the table. I did a quick double take as I focused on the one thing in the pile that had instantly brought peace to my soul. I love my quilting and other things that bring me happiness and satisfaction, but the flash of this image of our Savior had an effect that came so quickly and so quietly, and it was amazing to me. I am not even going to elaborate, but leave you to "ponder these things" as the shepherds of old in that faraway field were left to ponder.

 

Four year old Kathryn told her mother, my daughter, that she and her friend from school REALLY believe in Santa, because if you don't believe in Santa he won't bring you presents. My daughter replied that there are probably some children in her school who don't believe in Santa. "Yes", Kathryn said. "Claire doesn't believe in Santa".  "What does Claire believe?" my daughter asked. "Claire believes in kittens!" said Kathryn. 

 

Well of course! Who doesn't?! 

Along with kittens, here  is what I believe: I believe in the Spirit of Christmas! I believe in Peace on Earth Goodwill to Men! I believe in the Golden Rule of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. I believe in many other things as well, but this is enough to get us through the Holiday Season no matter what religion we may be. In fact, this is a great way to go through life! At least that is what I Believe!

A NEW LITTLE PATCH

I want to thank all of you who left comments on my last post. Wow, there are some really funny stories of food flubs out there! If you haven't had a chance to read some of these stories you should go back and see the comments on my previous post. I feel so much better about myself now!

There is a new star shining in our family! 

Yes, for unto us a new grandchild has been born!

My son and his wife have a new baby boy! Born December 2, 2009 at 8 pounds 2 ounces and named Isaac Michael Patch! We are so delighted! All is well with both Mother and Baby, and Daddy is thru the moon! We will be spending Christmas with them, so we have to wait a couple weeks before we get to see him. 

Big yawn for the little guy! Let's hope he is a good sleeper. His father was a good sleeper---during the day!

Ahh, to coin a phrase, Life Is Good!