Christmas Time
We sang the Christmas carols
And danced around the tree.
While Mother mixed the eggnog
We hung our stockings carefully.
Brother talked of Santa Claus
He saw at Wal-Mart's store
He'd asked for things like trucks and jeeps,
And then a dozen more.
He said that Santa's loaded sleigh
Will land upon the roofs,
And if it snow, I know we'll see
The print of reindeer hoofs.
My father read the story
Of the Virgin's baby born
And how the Angels always sing
To celebrate the Christmas morn.
He read about the wise men
And the shepards long ago,
About the gift of love sent down
Because God loves us so.
I fell asleep within my bed
As evening bells began to ring.
I'm sure I heard the reindeer prance
And heard the Angels sing.
Then I awoke in silence still
For I am 'deaf' you say
But my heart soars with sounds of love
As I rejoice this Christmas day.
Mary Alice
Silent Screaming(c)
Have a great holiday and I'm sure I will have all sorts of pictures to post after Christmas.
We were supposed to use old ties or belts for the ties, but since I had leftover fabric, I made the ties.
This is the way we tacked it. I did a running stitch going through the quilt every 8 inches going down and 4 inches going across. Then Heather came behind me and cut between each and tied the yarn - then I came along behind her and snipped the ends. I've heard that two heads are better than one and I'm not sure about that, but four hands are certainly faster than two.
We wrote directly on the quilt that it was from the "My Brother's Keeper Quilt Group" and the date and our initials. They also asked that we include a poem or song inside the quilt. I have a lot of old church song books, but when I started looking through them, I realized how "preachy" they were, so we just put in a large picture of nature from a slick magazine (this was a picture of large trees on one side and a garden scene on the other).
We delivered the quilt to the Manna House here locally. We didn't see a 'green door' but we did say "Sarah sent us"! If you don't understand the reference to the green door, then you are young! Peter said,"Thank you, Sarah, for recommending them".
The Manna house is a day-drop-in kind of place, there the homeless can come to eat a hot meal, get a change of clothes, watch a little tv and play chess or checkers, that sort of thing. It is not a sleep-in place. They were crowded the day we went and since it was a school holiday, there were several teen-agers volunteering there. Heather said she would like to go volunteer some too.
We do plan to make more quilts to donate to them, but maybe not until we finish getting caught up on Christmas gifts.
Yesterday, we were planning Heather's first birthday party and now.............
How did she grow up and I didn't grow older????We have a new adoption in our family. In fact , two. They are named Bandit and Hoppy
.
One is under the hammock and one on the bottom. See, Rusty is very interested in getting acquainted. He is thinking Yum, Yum.
Heather has been told these are strictly HER responsibility. Yesterday she gave them a bath and clipped their toe nails. If you have ever wanted a couple of ferrets, you may want to watch this blog as they may be up for adoption again soon. I went to a 50's party last night and I tried to dress 50's. I didn't have a poodle skirt (the 2 winner's each had on a poodle skirt, of course). But I was the only one there with saddle oxfords and real pony tail!!
H and I are working on an "ugly" quilt for the homeless. They ask that you use rummage fabric, etc. even for the padding, as they don't want it to have any monetary value. The only problem is that it is so large to work with. I bought these tablecloths from a church rummage sale for .50 each.
enthusiastic!!!
I worked at the fair and that was nice. The day I worked they weren't very busy, but there were five of us from MKG (Memphis Knitting Guild) so we had a nice visit. I had entered a quilt and it didn't win anything. I think there must have been 50 quilts entered. I counted 30 hanging from the ceiling and then there were others displayed around the room. Here is mine:It is the one of the jars. It is all hand pieced and hand quilted. Each block has 12 pieces in it so it was a lot of work. I belong to an Australian Quilting Guild and they have what they call the "Friday Flaunt" where you show what you made or worked on that week. I would have to have a "Yearly Flaunt" as this is the only quilt I made all year.
The other thing I entered was a scroll saw Jigsaw Puzzle AND it won 3rd place - so I got a white ribbon and $3.00. Yeah....
Then last week (with the help of DH) I made a Shepherd's bag for S2 - He is a Sunday School teacher and he will use this to put his visual for the week in and then ask the sweet, darling, precious little children to guess what is in it. YES, you can tell I no longer have a little brat in my home. We used a leather shoestring for the tie and DH put the brads in the holes.
I have found a really neat blog where you can print out labels FREE. Also the blog is fantastic. It is http://justsomethingImade On the left hand side is a link to FREE STUFF
Now for a family thing: Last Saturday night I had a surprise birthday NASCAR party for my husband. And guess what - he really was surprised. We had about 25 people here and he felt so special- well, really he is anyway. He had mowed the lawn and then cleaned up the "drankin' porch" real good so S3 said maybe he knows something. But I said "No, it's just that when he gets started cleaning, he can't find a stopping place". I did not take any pictures but we did have a good time. He even won a quarter bet on the race!
This one is really for a man, but this is the only "head" I have and as you can see Heather (when she was little) painted the eyes and lips. But I really don't have a need for one since I'm not bald anymore and therefore don't wear wigs.
This one is called a dreadlocks cap. I hope you can see the dreadlocks. I am not finished with it yet. Please don't send me a message saying this is racist. A black woman taught me how to make the dreadlocks and she absolutely loves this cap. At our last MKG meeting, they ask that each member knit one of these caps and they will donate them to a charity. You pick any color you want and this is a left over from another project. (cheap person that I am). You can see that I keep up with my yarn by putting it in an old Mayonnaise jar. (told you I was cheap).I know it isn't really the end of summer, but now that school is starting (well, really the 19th) it seems like the end of summer. I did finish all 5 chairs and other things as well. We went on vacation and while there I completed a Christmas gift, which I can't show. This is the view from our vacation balcony.
And the day it stormed.
The girls slept late and I sat out on the balcony and knitted or sewed and read. I went to my FAVORITE book store and he bought some books from me, but I still ended up owing him money. It is about 150 miles from home and I always buy enough books to last me a year or two. But we did accomplish a lot. Just Heather, one of her friends, and me. We made it a "girls" week. We went to an outdoor passion play, a little theatre production of "Steel Magnolias", shopped, went on a cruise. Ok, it was just 1 1/2 hour cruise on the Belle and it stormed while we were on there. The two girls got a massage at the Arlington Hotel so all in all it was a good week
The other thing exciting is that Son2 and GD2 went sky diving. They free fell for 60 seconds and then opened the chute. That was really fun, at least for us on the ground the whole time
Now that we are back in the groove, I will get back to my regular schedule. But it has been a good summer and I am ready for school to start. (Heather is not)!!!
We went camping last week at a park near Chattanooga. My, was it hot! We were in a pop-up camper and it is nice; however, after we got everything set up, we found out the air conditioner didn't work. While it was still cold, Son1 loaned the camper to someone and they said the heater wasn't working, so he put the camper in the shop and had a switch replaced. He didn't know the a/c was out too. The days were hot, but it started cooling off around 11:00 p.m. and we had fans so we slept just fine. In fact, early in the morning, it was chilly - the perfect time to go walking around the lake. Harrison Bay park is really pretty- they have a great pool area and the lake is so nice. We had swimming (them, not me) and fishing (them, not me) and a roaring fire every night for smores (them, not me).
We had some visitors and the girls named one of them Oscar. He just kept returning, maybe because they were feeding him hot dog buns.
He even brought a friend along!
H had a friend with her and it was her friend's birthday so we had a birthday party. Also we went to an amusement park on Sunday and had a picnic lunch.Back at home, I am in the sewing, knitting, crocheting mode. When Son3 moved back home and I moved my work room out behind the garage, I needed a cutting table, so now I have one. I know, I know, it looks like a dining room table but I take what I get FREE. Also Son1 found some antique lawn chairs and guess who gets to make new seats and backs for them????? I don't where why he accepts things just because they are FREE!!
This is the outdoor fabric I chose and I will brag on them when I get finished.
The other thing I have done this week is decorate a hat for a friend's birthday.
YES, that is beer tabs and YES I should use my time more wisely.
This room is nice. My in-laws had a kiln out there and did ceramics as a hobby. In fact, my husband has lived in this house since he was about 12 years old - except for the years he was married before. Then he moved back in here when his parents were ailing and he was divorcing. See how things work out!!
As you can see, it is still junky, but I'm working on it. I do have a TV, a Fridge, a Stereo, my three sewing machines (one is my mother's old one, still in the cabinet). and my Scroll saw. When I have more time to get it tweaked, I will be happier with it. For now, I just go out there and work. I am working on Christmas gifts, so I can't show them yet. But I feel I am making progress. As the old saying goes, it keeps me out of the house and off the streets!!!!
I did the swap for Mother's day. The first picture is what I sent. I was trying to get a color scheme going. I couldn't find the fabric I wanted in a fat quarter so I asked if a fourth of a yard would be a fat quarter. But I was told that would be skinny and long, not a real quarter. DUH. So I bought a half yard which really makes two fat quarters so I sent that and she can cut it any way she wants. I crocheted the pot holders with a really neat pattern that shapes itself. I made a copy of the pattern and mailed it too, since most quilters are also crocheters, knitters, cross stitchers, well, you get the idea. The journal, file folders and ribbon are the same pattern.
Then from my partner I received a nice gift also. She sent beautiful material that has teacups and roses on it. And four oriental coasters she made. I saw this pattern somewhere on line and it is so neat how they fold together to make the top. Also she sent a small wooden container from Bulgaria with perfumed oil in it. (see it at the top right of the picture) and also some soap that was made by the town librarian. She sent some notes pads,etc with cardinals on it. I was very happy with it. It is fun to have a "pal" to send things to and wonder what you will get.
We now have our storage room built and just waiting for a break in the rain to start sorting and putting things in it. I will FINALLY have my crafting room to myself - a place for my two sewing machines, my wonderful scroll saw and stacks and stacks of crafting materials. I will have such fun just sitting there and planning. After all, planning is what I do best. Now if I could just DO some of it. Also, I have someone coming to look at, and hopefully, purchase all the Star Wars things and get those out of here. And, when we go to Hot Springs again in July, I will take boxes and boxes-whatever the car will hold after we pack - of science fiction books. My favorite used book store is there and he said he can't keep science fiction books on the shelves, because most people that read science fiction are also collectors. That will give me a good credit balance for what I will purchase there.
I am really hyped up about the summer. That is easy to say right now, while it is still pleasant weather. Not too hot and not too cold. As Goldilocks would say!!!!!
I belong to an Australian quilting group and I enjoy that. I did a Valentine day swap and now I am in a Mother's day swap. In the valentine swap you had to send a fat quarter with hearts on it, something you made (the scissor holder and birds), something that you wanted to regift (the heart shaped cake pan) and of course, I included a picture post card from Memphis.
I am making progress on the SSHH project for Heather. I am making her a memento quilt
I am making some blocks outs of her old jerseys and even used the shorts for strips. Also I printed out some pictures onto fabric (never too old to learn). I will also make some blocks out of the bright basketball fabric and use the pink for the back panel and binding. I hope it comes out looking like I see it in my mind. In fact, I need to get off the computer and get more done on it. I have to work on it when she is in school and I'm off work.
HE SITS SO FULL OF GRIEF.
UP FRONT LIES HIS BEST FRIEND
IN A CASKET 'NEATH A WREATH
AND IN HIS SORROW HE SITS ALONE.
THE CHOIR SINGS, THE ORGAN PLAYS,
THE EULOGY IS READ
BUT ALL HE HEARS IS HIS OWN HEART BEAT
HIS BELOVED ONE IS DEAD
AND IN HIS SORROW HE SITS ALONE.
THE PREACHER TELLS OF A BETTER TIME
OF HOPE AND NEW DIRECTION.
ABOUT THE GREAT REUNION DAY
AND THE JOY OF RESURRECTION
BUT IN HIS SORROW HE SITS ALONE.
SCRIPTURE VERSES ARE ALL RECITED
AND IN THE GROUND SHE LAY
THE CHOIR SINGS "TILL WE MEET AGAIN"
AS THEY SLOWLY WALK AWAY
BUT IN HIS SORROW HE SITS ALONE.
HE STAYS THERE CRYING THROUGH THE NIGHT,
LOOKING AT HER GRAVE,
'TILL IN HIS MIND, HE SEES HER SIGN
"DARLING, PLEASE BE BRAVE".
AND IN HIS SORROW HE'S NOT ALONE.
Mary Alice
Silent Screaming(c)
Now to other things: I have a picture of my three sons when they were small and while we were in Hot Springs vacationing, I tried to duplicate the pose.
You will notice right away that they have gained weight and lost hair, but don't tell them I said that.
This is spring break at H's school, so she went with GD#2 to visit GD#1 in Knoxville. This is the perfect time to start a Ssh project I have in mind for her. At least I can get it started. I have been planning it in my mind, so now I will plan it on paper and try to get some of it done. This may turn out to be a Christmas present as slow as I have been on my projects lately.
"What do you think of someone whose idea of good brain exercise is to put together a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzles that is solid red?" John Stratton, Baltimore, MD. The answer of Marilyn von Savant was " The person may want to challenge his or her concentration and attention to detail, and that's great-occasionally" SO THERE!!!! We have finished the 2nd 1000 piece puzzle and now I am waiting for an email to give us the solution since DH and I don't agree. He thinks the butler did it and I think the sister-in-law did it. I will keep you posted. When I see the answer, I will then make a bet since DH doesn't use a computer. Just kidding!
We have been on vacation to Hot Springs and that was fun. Just a big family get together. We had great weather and of course, the horses are running so we went to the races. We played pool and ping pong a lot, just relaxed and watched movies. While there, I did a cross stitch, very small. Idle hands, etc, etc. you know.
But now we are home, and as soon as I get caught up with other things, I have a couple of good ideas to start on.
Now we have another one to start but I think we will rest our brains for a while (Not to mention the dining room table).
In another vein, last week was homecoming at H's school, so each day they had designated dress days. One day it was sports, one day western, one day nerd. Excuuussse me, now it is called "geek" day. Here is a pic of H and her idea of "geek".She attends a Christian school so they love any day that gets them out of uniform. But notice you still can't see her knees. Horrors if you could!!
This is a pic of my mom and dad-not sure of the year, but it is the way I remember them most. Then also for Christmas S2(need I explain?) gave us a "Mystery Puzzle" . The ones we made were about 60/65 pieces and this one is 1000. I think the "Mystery" is how long it will take us to work it. 
It took almost a week just to get the border finished. Any time one of the family walks past, they stop and try to find a piece. My DH (Dear Husband) stayed up there so long I asked if I needed to call "Puzzles Anonymous". This certainly makes you consider shapes and colors. Might come in handy with my quilting too.
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