tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20591433538583778152024-03-13T12:49:55.276-04:00With Needle in HandDonnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10874435310037444379noreply@blogger.comBlogger127125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059143353858377815.post-34597460729922465262011-03-15T10:41:00.001-04:002011-03-15T10:42:12.414-04:00Lent....And Africa<div>I would like to share with you all some things God shared with me this morning in the Lenten devotionals I am using this season. The prayer and benediction especially.</div><div></div><div>Prayer</div><div>Loving God, the places you ask me to go are sometimes scary. I fear I’ll be alone, or that my needs won’t be met. Assure me with</div><div>your love. Amen.</div><div></div><div>Benediction</div><div>We have been told in the letter to the Hebrews that Jesus has journeyed to this unfamiliar place before us as a forerunner on our behalf.</div><div>Wherever you are, Jesus waits for you as the “sure and steadfast anchor” of your soul. Trust Him!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih67S-jqP8Oess6mhjmjBWOyJGERvD3ul4f0btKU_6i9q8eF5WJqTKbo3OC-Mef9uZhsfaef66vhW7J-vJD5LGWdVaJLna_YlIQTusHoGt3za075jX1UiZiYFMkJ18LmiHKdQl2l6ntOM/s1600/Crossroads+Boat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih67S-jqP8Oess6mhjmjBWOyJGERvD3ul4f0btKU_6i9q8eF5WJqTKbo3OC-Mef9uZhsfaef66vhW7J-vJD5LGWdVaJLna_YlIQTusHoGt3za075jX1UiZiYFMkJ18LmiHKdQl2l6ntOM/s320/Crossroads+Boat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div></div><div>As I read these words I was reminded of our trip to Uganda in 2009. We were leaving Llolwe Island late in the day to go to Bavuma Island. Just as in the story in Luke 8:22-25, “a squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped.” I’m not sure we were in great danger, as the scripture goes on to say, but we felt we were. We eventually(after almost an hour) turned back to Llolwe for the night and, the next morning, made it safely to Bavuma. What we didn’t know at the time was that as we stopped on the lake for the leaders to confer, or so we thought, the motor had actually fallen off the boat. We had no idea!! Praise God, they had tied a rope around the motor and were able to pull it back up and re-attach it to our boat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIu-dpomBHPVJDcf1Oe9CNx06j0mWjT6p_GW98tGvh_sRz6HRC_9MDriGu1TS0EfFAeuXeHUm5kU8g54mHIAS2omWjq_UPBgDOK1zdqo8FRYkFSMTpie38UM15gCtjZY1mc1Fuxi1Xc2Y/s1600/Llolwe+Sunset+%2528M%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIu-dpomBHPVJDcf1Oe9CNx06j0mWjT6p_GW98tGvh_sRz6HRC_9MDriGu1TS0EfFAeuXeHUm5kU8g54mHIAS2omWjq_UPBgDOK1zdqo8FRYkFSMTpie38UM15gCtjZY1mc1Fuxi1Xc2Y/s320/Llolwe+Sunset+%2528M%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div></div><div>As I read the above benediction God brought this all to mind. He is so faithful to remind us that He truly is a “sure and steadfast anchor”. He cannot be lost in the depths of turmoil as the storms of life swamp my little life. He is my ever present help in times of trouble(Psalms 46:1). I only need to “Be still and know that He is God(Psalms 46:10). I only need to Trust Him for He is God!!</div><div><br />
</div><div>The boat is the one we rode in (all 20 of us and our luggage and supplies) and that is the motor which we (almost) lost. The sunset is what we experienced upon returning to Llolwe. The squall had died down and God showed Himself in all His glory!!</div><div></div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85695/donnakay/c713f1b2ff83eb7ae084135fe06bd482.png" /></a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10874435310037444379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059143353858377815.post-73222438691099696272011-01-31T17:31:00.000-05:002011-01-31T17:31:15.006-05:00Finish #1<div style="text-align: center;">As the month draws to an end, I have one finish to show from my UFO list. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQKa_VNnbiLigB5UNxbBwnF7_uTvn_Nd6BaqiPrJm3pEkLCljbxa7lJewL29owGiXkO6iaa0xq1h738wrSM0WycxSDrkLeThvCHu0fv4SpUds1yyK7KRuVxAFeRu4vDJttAW1la_wFBSE/s1600/Sunday+School+quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQKa_VNnbiLigB5UNxbBwnF7_uTvn_Nd6BaqiPrJm3pEkLCljbxa7lJewL29owGiXkO6iaa0xq1h738wrSM0WycxSDrkLeThvCHu0fv4SpUds1yyK7KRuVxAFeRu4vDJttAW1la_wFBSE/s320/Sunday+School+quilt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My husband teaches 3rd - 5th grade Sunday School at our church. One week they were studying the gifts that each of us has been given by God. As an activity for the lesson he had them draw a picture of one of the gifts they studied. He feels sure the kids think he just got rid of their artwork but instead he came home and asked me to make the squares into a quilted wallhanging. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vp78q1CJO8WkkeHjeWcbDR7xmHiXc2ns0RVYpNYhAJCHtbN4R1VZl1YSWVSoItqkPAo56492xhtw9Q_TghHz09Tyzs7zIOdPYcSTe21Kri2EEO41MF34LKYdoW60SSGTDR0DxrlMuIU/s1600/Sunday+School+quilt+close+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vp78q1CJO8WkkeHjeWcbDR7xmHiXc2ns0RVYpNYhAJCHtbN4R1VZl1YSWVSoItqkPAo56492xhtw9Q_TghHz09Tyzs7zIOdPYcSTe21Kri2EEO41MF34LKYdoW60SSGTDR0DxrlMuIU/s320/Sunday+School+quilt+close+up.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The quilting is a little wonky. Hey, I'm a beginner with a new machine. What can I say? I don't think his kids will mind the wonky cornerstones. They will just be excited that their artwork has been saved. I'm excited that there is actually one UFO finished and marked off my list. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85695/donnakay/c713f1b2ff83eb7ae084135fe06bd482.png" /></a></div>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10874435310037444379noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059143353858377815.post-32368604259390606352011-01-25T08:12:00.000-05:002011-01-25T08:12:37.270-05:00Our New Year Started off with a Bang!!!The announcements have all been mailed so we can now make it public....I'M A MOTHER-IN-LAW!!!!!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">That's right!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">They Eloped!!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Michael & Veronica</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">January 1, 2011</div><div style="text-align: center;">Key West, Florida</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">"It's with joy that we announce</div><div style="text-align: center;">We had a change in plans</div><div style="text-align: center;">We snuck away at New Year's </div><div style="text-align: center;">To exchange vows in the sand.</div><div style="text-align: center;">So now we share our happy news</div><div style="text-align: center;">We've started our new life</div><div style="text-align: center;">Michael is her husband</div><div style="text-align: center;">And Veronica is his wife."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The announcements were so cute. Here are the pictures included on the announcement. I'm sure I'll have more to share later.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEr2ke69tk2uX0evV9IKkJlwC2ds5WRslrtyVHSu26V8cKAhyphenhyphenF4XX3K-orJD4wIL7VMAPfiuzIn0qtdWTI_41Skficw29j8Ej0aIzaZPQbeXmbVjvLwKvsrZEzxk_ytJjNP-kKKZ11JsM/s1600/Michael+and+Veronica+married+on+the+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEr2ke69tk2uX0evV9IKkJlwC2ds5WRslrtyVHSu26V8cKAhyphenhyphenF4XX3K-orJD4wIL7VMAPfiuzIn0qtdWTI_41Skficw29j8Ej0aIzaZPQbeXmbVjvLwKvsrZEzxk_ytJjNP-kKKZ11JsM/s320/Michael+and+Veronica+married+on+the+beach.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhiMXYXbqcA_jrnRzZahv636tYtOy52tIn6HQWxr5z3hN_r0ktDjmJElzVb0qq6sNUrfPGjlvUJzLFzBawrESaWAEmH5APczqXYqWc6Ngzy-0M5uS3jihk13FMetyM1n3BaSl5jIFjJc/s1600/Michael+and+Veronica+under+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhiMXYXbqcA_jrnRzZahv636tYtOy52tIn6HQWxr5z3hN_r0ktDjmJElzVb0qq6sNUrfPGjlvUJzLFzBawrESaWAEmH5APczqXYqWc6Ngzy-0M5uS3jihk13FMetyM1n3BaSl5jIFjJc/s320/Michael+and+Veronica+under+tree.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLLhWwmTrDwUgOXGIRFVM2G5-67rxIZOxqrPqoSjuKSOIYK0U_-eInnaU9m6b-2xgRzKXlhX5JuUZ-kPIbrUeehm0lOA0jDcHKyZFvryanpAJMPbUxqbjP0yZbD7DgrnMlIdPNyNY8PE/s1600/Michael+and+Veronica+sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLLhWwmTrDwUgOXGIRFVM2G5-67rxIZOxqrPqoSjuKSOIYK0U_-eInnaU9m6b-2xgRzKXlhX5JuUZ-kPIbrUeehm0lOA0jDcHKyZFvryanpAJMPbUxqbjP0yZbD7DgrnMlIdPNyNY8PE/s320/Michael+and+Veronica+sunset.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>They surprised us on January 3rd with a call saying they had gotten married. It was just the two of them on a beach in Key West. It suits them. We are so very happy for them and so very proud to have Veronica as a member of our family. I'm not sure where I read this(on one of the MANY blogs I read)but instead of a daughter-in-law, she will be our daughter-in-heart!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGg0vryAUU8pxq2e4Th7P-l9TgEA4oLjrs9umPc95oEs09wMyKTwePHTl4wX2em-Ou2aoKn-ApoNl3n67xbDBlyxLMIs0-ii_rhFYxbWqC4PFm5IidUlANdcPuQOi3TYpPBz7OeKn2ic/s1600/Michael+and+Veronica+up+close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGg0vryAUU8pxq2e4Th7P-l9TgEA4oLjrs9umPc95oEs09wMyKTwePHTl4wX2em-Ou2aoKn-ApoNl3n67xbDBlyxLMIs0-ii_rhFYxbWqC4PFm5IidUlANdcPuQOi3TYpPBz7OeKn2ic/s320/Michael+and+Veronica+up+close.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Congratulations Michael and Veronica!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85695/donnakay/c713f1b2ff83eb7ae084135fe06bd482.png" /></a></div>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10874435310037444379noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059143353858377815.post-53231344338335792562011-01-22T15:18:00.001-05:002011-01-22T15:19:52.113-05:00Always Playing Catch-UpIt seems I am always playing catch up when it comes to my quilting projects. I see soooo many cute designs and opportunities to join in a sew along while I am reading my favorite blogs. I already told you that <a href="http://withneedleinhand.blogspot.com/2010/10/what-can-i-sayim-joiner.html">I am a joiner</a>. So here I go again, I'm joining Rachel's Postage Stamp Quilt Along. You know Rachel, from <a href="http://www.psiquilt.com/">p.s. I quilt</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.psiquilt.com/"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpeKF44Y9V5_Rtew7WqBRc79mgqOBQQjaV82ATN_v8iOzD6_lB16966bsNka4DfGyLhSL5rEVfpHS0uU2uaRLwqpALKZHbZKfS8mXiluaTCFbkukVzvIUjP1qQj5gYSrGX2nFiuUgTv64/s320/postage+stamp+button.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Yep, I'm three weeks behind but no fear. Since the holiday season has ended my work schedule has gone back to the normal part-time status which means I only work 3-4 days a week. YEAH!!! I have had the past four days off so I have been sewing, sewing, sewing. Here is my progress. To stay true to my resolution to use up what I have, I chose a jelly roll I bought back in 2008 at the NQA convention I attended. It is Daydreams by Deb Strain by Moda. (I told you I have been hoarding fabric for a long time).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmEQkJkMGWMafqbogi_1JA7EsWjFRY_sbFP3vuKklUZoThvaIaudIjvcZYvOU3b6369WlVgkZSqk5YVA70sj8m2rDDydcfZVZp_-9UM0zocDcqQh7hd1Zz3k-YRmLeQhKX4Mwayf6qLc/s1600/Daydreams+Jelly+Roll+Strips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmEQkJkMGWMafqbogi_1JA7EsWjFRY_sbFP3vuKklUZoThvaIaudIjvcZYvOU3b6369WlVgkZSqk5YVA70sj8m2rDDydcfZVZp_-9UM0zocDcqQh7hd1Zz3k-YRmLeQhKX4Mwayf6qLc/s320/Daydreams+Jelly+Roll+Strips.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I love all the pre-cuts offered out there. I have fat quarter bundles, honey buns, jelly rolls, layer cakes and charm packs. I'm addicted!! I buy them and then never know how to use them. So when Rachel started this project I just knew this fabric line would be great. The contrast fabric I'm using is just a white solid. <br />
So I sewed and sewed and sewed and ended up with all the strips sewn together.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoz4_0gtw3MgN6aIYR4p4S90HASt9cwswI66irvEZh4JrAiZbzuiymL4DxhW-PIrvYwO0xejYc73-FmWxLWVixZU4WO6Q7eyCH3m8vc8wkDd3-ffBZPk5YhCMCjjQsm0vRR7FcHrwr74/s1600/Cutting+STrips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoz4_0gtw3MgN6aIYR4p4S90HASt9cwswI66irvEZh4JrAiZbzuiymL4DxhW-PIrvYwO0xejYc73-FmWxLWVixZU4WO6Q7eyCH3m8vc8wkDd3-ffBZPk5YhCMCjjQsm0vRR7FcHrwr74/s320/Cutting+STrips.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtNeYkc3Lgag0vLs1_H_le0kQgzsZkM50ILQ8b6zVYy4kCc2IpwbRTLhtSObFHBN0KDf8cgg06rtoGjseBioJj860UQ8RlImCDBKbuGxnc2gFG8qR0H4sb88lHrCYxRfkQfsWrFNVV6Y/s1600/Lots+and+lots+of+strips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtNeYkc3Lgag0vLs1_H_le0kQgzsZkM50ILQ8b6zVYy4kCc2IpwbRTLhtSObFHBN0KDf8cgg06rtoGjseBioJj860UQ8RlImCDBKbuGxnc2gFG8qR0H4sb88lHrCYxRfkQfsWrFNVV6Y/s320/Lots+and+lots+of+strips.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lots and lots of strips!! So, then I went back to sewing and sewing and sewing! Whew, I'm finally catching up!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXOkZ9H0_QoGAN0kTjdbvK3P4dTqYAEfAgUdCLnwQAP0AqyAQ9vy0tlUAgy7adxyGP522EMZjyzil06QmBkGKGjUqQ_REw2QPzJkOcKwPdp9mIKCz0U1Gk9AOjVGreQ7KvKdNdxuetcQ/s1600/Four+blocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXOkZ9H0_QoGAN0kTjdbvK3P4dTqYAEfAgUdCLnwQAP0AqyAQ9vy0tlUAgy7adxyGP522EMZjyzil06QmBkGKGjUqQ_REw2QPzJkOcKwPdp9mIKCz0U1Gk9AOjVGreQ7KvKdNdxuetcQ/s320/Four+blocks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Here are four of the forty-eight(yes, 48!!) blocks that I have finished and now I'm all caught up and can stay up with each step as they come. These colors are out of my comfort zone but I thought the fabrics were so fun. I guess that's why I bought it in the first place. DUH!! <br />
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Now onto another of my WIP's. Thanks for stopping by!!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85695/donnakay/c713f1b2ff83eb7ae084135fe06bd482.png" /></a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10874435310037444379noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059143353858377815.post-85052007940470524272011-01-20T15:28:00.000-05:002011-01-20T15:28:47.552-05:00More Thoughts on 20112011 started off with a bang!! Not literally because I went to bed around 10pm on New Year's Eve. I know, how boring can you get??? Anyway, I can't tell you what kind of bang we had around here YET but I promise I will tell you all about it real soon.<br />
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Anyway, I have decided that 2011 is going to be my year to Finish It Up and Slash my Stash. I have so many projects that are in progress. I know all quilters do but I'm tired of having far more unfinished projects than finished ones. So, since I got my Janome this past year<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8ON0sahUs5XIUo1XfM3WK7ecEvnVJrq7G_XOEw5Wdo4nlZf8VY1GmUa2EFRk8hgOJWBXlqtch3beKOs-AG2W2UnuYacxWNP2PrAX6tyxk0lYO88-1YOlOlIfX3eNagVcq53htXY2Iw8/s1600/My+Janome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8ON0sahUs5XIUo1XfM3WK7ecEvnVJrq7G_XOEw5Wdo4nlZf8VY1GmUa2EFRk8hgOJWBXlqtch3beKOs-AG2W2UnuYacxWNP2PrAX6tyxk0lYO88-1YOlOlIfX3eNagVcq53htXY2Iw8/s320/My+Janome.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I am determined to finish up as many of my unfinished projects as possible. I am also going to attempt to not buy any fabric except what is needed to finish up those projects. Now I'm not saying that I might not start some new projects but I will use what I have to do them. I have so many kits and patterns that I have bought that I just have to get to these or I'm going to drown in my sewing room. Besides, that way I can buy more fabric and patterns without feeling guilty, right???? I thought so!! <br />
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So the first step was to clean up my sewing room. That started last fall when our daughter went off to college and my sweet hubby took over her room for his art studio. I took over the formal living room. We definitely are not formal people here!! Here are a couple of pictures taken during that process. Beware, it's a mess!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHEGt-EDLRpjvYP9B9FP7OTbUSZu6b0CJHk0teIHZH8JWZzbISAWoxXF5w1j2b_uG46Ze8dT5yoJE9K2VTPuv75pmMtsXA-rhzw9m9__bUxEs2gdrMojN9Q7cGTMQc7HiYUdbrpfPqWY/s1600/Sewing+Room+cutting+table+side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHEGt-EDLRpjvYP9B9FP7OTbUSZu6b0CJHk0teIHZH8JWZzbISAWoxXF5w1j2b_uG46Ze8dT5yoJE9K2VTPuv75pmMtsXA-rhzw9m9__bUxEs2gdrMojN9Q7cGTMQc7HiYUdbrpfPqWY/s320/Sewing+Room+cutting+table+side.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oOPDFdv-BtrHLOUdFpriD0D5Dc-huizfHRcg68-SVEUjpWHWAV8WWkg0Lxi16RwBgTDY6J1ygwBSsXIe3zTyX9Kh-dvReG3x0A4mPdC0fuFdqLY1rykV1nkOQ-bSrXe4jx0oelxiGX0/s1600/Sewing+Room+empty+corner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oOPDFdv-BtrHLOUdFpriD0D5Dc-huizfHRcg68-SVEUjpWHWAV8WWkg0Lxi16RwBgTDY6J1ygwBSsXIe3zTyX9Kh-dvReG3x0A4mPdC0fuFdqLY1rykV1nkOQ-bSrXe4jx0oelxiGX0/s320/Sewing+Room+empty+corner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I told you it was a mess. You can't even see my sewing machine in any of those pictures. Anyway, here is the start of the re-do. There is still much more to be done but it is in good enough shape that I can get to everything easily so I've been sewing instead of re-doing.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPyqrB8pxTeoi3uVLk4yRzqWlS1X6vJqkxKUH_mecw6KtxA_MTqo_U5GjYZLzQChb1NsUa2z8ZrLubW79XwtvMUPdzb9cc8f-HiyWDSFHCm2PQpUrNnbNp8yIUFvd4z76NqTUdNvwrk4/s1600/Fabric+Storage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPyqrB8pxTeoi3uVLk4yRzqWlS1X6vJqkxKUH_mecw6KtxA_MTqo_U5GjYZLzQChb1NsUa2z8ZrLubW79XwtvMUPdzb9cc8f-HiyWDSFHCm2PQpUrNnbNp8yIUFvd4z76NqTUdNvwrk4/s320/Fabric+Storage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
That's better but not done. The bookshelves hold only my craft paraphernalia. The cutting table has been moved but still needs a skirt to hide all the junk under it. I still need more of the storage bins to hold my fabric and scraps. Well, maybe not once I get finished stash-busting, huh? So, we'll see if I can finish up the room re-do and stay the course for my project finishes and stash busting. I'm signed up for a machine quilting class on February 14th so that should REALLY help. I have so many quilt tops that need to be quilted. <br />
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Thanks for stopping by,<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85695/donnakay/c713f1b2ff83eb7ae084135fe06bd482.png" /></a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10874435310037444379noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059143353858377815.post-7512738493698007782011-01-19T13:22:00.000-05:002011-01-19T13:22:37.214-05:00How Do You Like My Vue?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLB6J0BhS8hLcWdZilP_OANVVv1x8cyZLo4odHtML7Tlr3fQjXs5vW2A1BF0DLzcRokCj0Pu5qyTVCRbZRPsswfvhegHhsxs7rrm2Aqcj5Y2u1Qb-d0wNQV8Q-2EXmkfE47gEJuTH8iI/s1600/Vue+and+icy+driveway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLB6J0BhS8hLcWdZilP_OANVVv1x8cyZLo4odHtML7Tlr3fQjXs5vW2A1BF0DLzcRokCj0Pu5qyTVCRbZRPsswfvhegHhsxs7rrm2Aqcj5Y2u1Qb-d0wNQV8Q-2EXmkfE47gEJuTH8iI/s320/Vue+and+icy+driveway.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
No, not my "view", my Saturn Vue. This is my new ride. And yes, it is sitting out in the icy driveway. Welcome to northwestern Ohio weather in January!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGxHa70XwQjoiejC5zODzs3wxBkcTFaw38AU5mvmqpWwUP4WfITSORe82bMcgmRv-cwZRzkSa2XZN1J-TGjm1sblBbPIJAyf2n-iD2tWk2aI7Gr4xan8blfQFXdMgbwev0pnSY1iznHQ/s1600/My+Vue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGxHa70XwQjoiejC5zODzs3wxBkcTFaw38AU5mvmqpWwUP4WfITSORe82bMcgmRv-cwZRzkSa2XZN1J-TGjm1sblBbPIJAyf2n-iD2tWk2aI7Gr4xan8blfQFXdMgbwev0pnSY1iznHQ/s320/My+Vue.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-C6E76uwzFUL9GhA-gaoz5FwPUPKt3dIKHHCz2cZCd2ExFGqTn19UYXsdvekZaHEtK8uvKtxzb6cfjDQG2LtuIuf3pUo2SJpNGljK-He6PJmqFpAeE2o8MKAx8neu3HN_BBzGRS87X8/s1600/My+Vue+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-C6E76uwzFUL9GhA-gaoz5FwPUPKt3dIKHHCz2cZCd2ExFGqTn19UYXsdvekZaHEtK8uvKtxzb6cfjDQG2LtuIuf3pUo2SJpNGljK-He6PJmqFpAeE2o8MKAx8neu3HN_BBzGRS87X8/s320/My+Vue+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Isn't is great?!!! One of our vehicles died week before last. After looking at all the options, we decided that we didn't want to put any more money into an old car so we headed out in the snow(of course) to look at what was out there. After driving seven different SUV's this was our choice(well,mostly my choice...my sweet hubby wanted the Jeep). I LOVE IT!! <br />
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Thanks for stopping by.<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85695/donnakay/c713f1b2ff83eb7ae084135fe06bd482.png" /></a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10874435310037444379noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059143353858377815.post-35613621263177645702011-01-05T12:27:00.000-05:002011-01-05T12:27:52.626-05:002010/2011I just love a new year. Getting out that new American Patchwork & Quilting calendar and writing all the birthdays in it is one of my favorite things to do during the week between Christmas and New Year's Day. There is just nothing like the feeling I get when I hang that calendar on January 1st. If you are a golfer, it's like a mulligan. It's a do-over. My favorite scripture is in the book of Lamentations, chapter 3, verses 22-23. <br />
<i><b> "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are</b></i><br />
<i><b> new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."</b></i> <br />
I guess that's why a new year excites me so MUCH. If God's compassion and mercy is new every MORNING, how much greater is it in a new YEAR? <br />
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2010 was a good year but full of changes for me. <br />
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January started out poorly with lots of snow to add to my grief over the loss of my precious Grandmother.<br />
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February, March and most of April were spent looking for a part-time job. I began working for a popular retail store April 22 and have a new appreciation for people working minimum wage jobs. I won't bore you with my soap-box speeches on that subject!!<br />
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May was spent planting our VERY prolific garden. <br />
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The first week of June was spent in Myrtle Beach with friends but I received bad news while there that our sweet Scout had died. <br />
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In July I received my new Janome sewing machine and I wish I could say it has made a BIG difference in my quilting output but it hasn't yet. I spent a great deal of time canning strawberry jam, jalapeños, tomatoes and salsa. We were also getting our baby girl ready to go off to college. She left us on July 22 to attend school in Washington state. Talk about change!! It took me almost a month to be able to talk about her without crying. We had become so close these past 3 years since moving to Ohio. My, oh my, was that van loaded!! <br />
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August was spent working almost 30 hrs. a week and canning. Did I tell you our garden was VERY prolific? We ended up with 22 half pints of strawberry jam, 55 pints of salsa, 44 pints of tomatoes, 27 pints of jalapeños, and 4 quarts of green beans. Whew!!!<br />
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September was spent working with a short trip back to Illinois to visit friends. <br />
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October started out with a trip for me to visit our baby girl. It was great seeing all the places she talked about and meeting all her friends. Then after a week home I went with my sweet hubby on his business trip to Washington DC. What a week that was!! While he was sitting in meetings, I toured the Capitol, the White House, went to the top of the Washington Memorial, toured several of the Smithsonian's, several of the Art Galleries, the National Archives, the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Wall, the Korean Memorial, the WWII memorial, Arlington Cemetery. I was so proud of myself for figuring out the Metro system. There is so much to see that even though I was going, going, going all day long for 5 days I feel like I missed so much. The architecture alone was amazing. I fell in love with DC and am looking forward to another visit soon, I hope!! Then after a week home we left AGAIN!! We took a long weekend and went to Florida to visit our oldest son and his fiancee. That was a quick trip but fun, fun, fun. <br />
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November and December are a blur. Working retail during the holiday season was crazy! My part-time job became as close to full-time as they could get without having to give me benefits. Needless to say, I was exhausted so the New Year rang itself in without me. I went to bed and slept 2010 out!! I did get some sewing done for Christmas.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBa-ptmh4ew73BOf0ks7MFX_pV3xtdPwHkwnjGG29gadsiEokdPikpecHz-8cKcTix5jTg_0cU9UIw6k8TO39l3LWVUdsQ9gTY8ev_QWoHgYoUX1lIM-AViDqbyFoK-61VzdQxL8XzwAs/s1600/christmas+bags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBa-ptmh4ew73BOf0ks7MFX_pV3xtdPwHkwnjGG29gadsiEokdPikpecHz-8cKcTix5jTg_0cU9UIw6k8TO39l3LWVUdsQ9gTY8ev_QWoHgYoUX1lIM-AViDqbyFoK-61VzdQxL8XzwAs/s320/christmas+bags.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBa-ptmh4ew73BOf0ks7MFX_pV3xtdPwHkwnjGG29gadsiEokdPikpecHz-8cKcTix5jTg_0cU9UIw6k8TO39l3LWVUdsQ9gTY8ev_QWoHgYoUX1lIM-AViDqbyFoK-61VzdQxL8XzwAs/s1600/christmas+bags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>These little goodie bags are a pattern from Better Homes & Gardens Quilts and More, Fall 2010 edition. Monica from <a href="http://thehappyzombie.com/blog/">Happy Zombie</a> created them and as with everything she does, they are too cute for words!! I made 22 of them as gifts mostly for our baby girl's house-mates and friends at college. I filled each one with some shower gel, hand sanitizer, kleenex, and some sweets. They were a hit with the girls. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLrB791PKX_ipn5C8E2smYtfa9ktnMpXxKK0IYHsejJWXAQ91ar6ssnDhS2flJCiYdefc4srwLyP02E5AqcFbLLRXuGrz-HlPAVnGdrbQHYaW3edhdCVghMV6BjED-v5vLWohuJckKKU/s1600/Megan%2527s+quilt+2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLrB791PKX_ipn5C8E2smYtfa9ktnMpXxKK0IYHsejJWXAQ91ar6ssnDhS2flJCiYdefc4srwLyP02E5AqcFbLLRXuGrz-HlPAVnGdrbQHYaW3edhdCVghMV6BjED-v5vLWohuJckKKU/s320/Megan%2527s+quilt+2010.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Excuse the picture, it's just the quilt top. I forgot to get a picture of the finished quilt. It was cut out, pieced, quilted and binding sewn on in less than 10 days while I worked 59 hours during that same 10 day period. I wrapped it on the 22nd and gave it to our middle son's girlfriend for Christmas. She was leaving to go home the next day. Nothing like getting it done at the last moment. But it was done! As you can guess, purple is her favorite color and I think she really liked it. I'll try to get her to get me some shots of it finished. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I even read 84 books in 2010. (Maybe that's part of the reason I didn't get too much sewing done.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm really looking forward to what 2011 holds. I see many adventures coming in these next few months and hope to share those adventures with you on a more regular basis. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks for stopping by!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy Quilting!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85695/donnakay/c713f1b2ff83eb7ae084135fe06bd482.png" /></a></div>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10874435310037444379noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059143353858377815.post-77793113698684365952010-10-19T11:58:00.000-04:002010-10-19T11:58:24.814-04:00What can I say.....I'm a joiner!We have a break in the regularly scheduled travel updates. Okay, I know I've only posted one and I'm about to leave on my third trip of the month but this is a completely different subject matter.<br />
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So, I wanted to announce that I'm joining up with some pretty amazing bloggers for a Sew Scrap Along.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.pleasant-home.com/2010/10/sew-scraps-along-with-me.html"><img border="0" src="http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt7/Simplythisandthat/1sewscrapsalongjpg-1.jpg" /></a></center><br />
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Jodi Nelson from Pleasant Home blog fame is hosting a scrappy sew along and I have joined up. I just know I have told you more than once that scrappy quilts are my ALL-TIME FAVORITES of any quilts out there. So this is right up my alley!! <br />
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Now we all know that Christmas (sorry Anna, I used the "C" word) is right around the corner so I really don't have time to start 4 or 5 new projects but how can I refuse when I LOVE scrappy quilts? I Can't!! So we are off. If you are a quilter I would invite you to join us and join in all the scrappy fun we will be having over the next few weeks. If you aren't then you can just watch as we sew up some scrappy goodness, or at least start a few more UFO's to feel guilty about. <br />
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Thanks for stopping by. Now we return to our regularly scheduled travel blogging(maybe).<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85695/donnakay/c713f1b2ff83eb7ae084135fe06bd482.png" /></a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10874435310037444379noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059143353858377815.post-18389478511837010852010-10-05T11:23:00.000-04:002010-10-05T11:23:53.720-04:00OctoberI am so excited about October. Not only is it probably my favorite month of the year due to all the beautiful changes God brings to pass with the onset of autumn but this October is going to be a month of travel for me. As I have mentioned before,<a href="http://withneedleinhand.blogspot.com/2008/08/i-love-to-travel.html"> I LOVE to travel</a>. The excitement of making a list of all I will need for the upcoming trip and preparing everything then actually getting in the car to drive, drive, drive or even driving to the airport and hopping on a plane is almost as exciting as the trip itself. ALMOST. For the past couple of months I have been planning four, yes you heard me right, FOUR trips, three of which will take place this month.<br />
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I have, in fact, just returned from a long weekend trip to Spokane, WA to visit our baby girl who is attending Moody Bible Institute there. It was my first trip to the state of Washington. What I saw of it was really great. We had beautiful weather all but one day and even then it wasn't that bad. I was able to spend lots of time catching up with our sweet girl and also meeting and getting to know her house mates and other friends. I was able to tour her school(and attend Friday chapel), which is really just a church that shares it's space with the college since there are less than 500 total students at this campus. Many of the students are aviation students who meet for many of their classes at another location called "The Hanger". I didn't see that facility. The photo below is the church/school as seen from her front yard. I love that she can walk to school!!!<br />
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Spokane has a really amazing downtown area. The river runs right through the middle of town with the falls providing much of their energy. The park downtown is great with so many different areas to explore. The photos below are of Hannah with the Clock Tower in the background(and, yes, she did "steal" the flower from one of the many beautiful planters downtown); the falls, the wagon, and the runners sculptures. I didn't make it over by the wagon and was really disappointed but we passed it several times in the car on our way to the parking area for the park. <br />
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Thanks for stopping by!! <br />
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Oh, you want to know about the other THREE trips I am planning. Well, you will just have to come back by later. This post is long enough. HeHeHe!!<br />
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DonnaDonnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10874435310037444379noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059143353858377815.post-36079309288787162062010-09-20T10:49:00.000-04:002010-09-20T10:49:15.084-04:00Free to a Good Home!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcX5Lq1DI1xMY4kpelq3jjl6C5qMT4nZSDoSuCZAefptRnxKVuOXTPGBMKzYXUevO4UqVUqao2Dhbj7vPqSy_TBAofItFdaL85lXYoD5Zj9H32oTkDQWNGT1xJmEjzN_K8BBFq4R8NcMw/s1600/Preston+face+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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REASON:<br />
Caught eating a dead bird on the cutting table in my sewing room!! <br />
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Eeeeewwwwww!!!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85695/donnakay/c713f1b2ff83eb7ae084135fe06bd482.png" /></a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10874435310037444379noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059143353858377815.post-35480948751282365402010-09-01T12:48:00.000-04:002010-09-01T12:48:31.226-04:00Speaking Out about Loss<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Wow!! Here it is September 1st. I love fall!!! Not that it feels too much like fall yet but I love the changing colors of the leaves and the cool, crisp fall temperatures where you can turn off the a/c and enjoy the fresh air blowing through the open windows; having to add an extra blanket to the bed because you won't close the windows at night; having to switch out wardrobes because now you need sweaters and long-sleeves. I just love fall!!!</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">So much has been going on around here this past "silent" six weeks. A dear friend reminded me recently that I still have a blog that needs updating (Hey, Lynn. Love ya and miss you guys bunches!) so I thought I would try jumping back in. I have encountered a great deal of loss this past nine months. I guess I'm not dealing with it all very well. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRnG0A3iXmSjzmee7s90Ijh2lK9zfdHsTP1T903IBdSbCUYaW1OL2ag7H2PEKiDA8aVQy37fuec92vHY13OXzzeWHyzI9-4MMDEQUwzvDqGqXnVEDgBjc0pFz7F4Vw_gkB3PlCSZouX8/s1600/Grandma's+quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRnG0A3iXmSjzmee7s90Ijh2lK9zfdHsTP1T903IBdSbCUYaW1OL2ag7H2PEKiDA8aVQy37fuec92vHY13OXzzeWHyzI9-4MMDEQUwzvDqGqXnVEDgBjc0pFz7F4Vw_gkB3PlCSZouX8/s320/Grandma's+quilt.jpg" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">December 17th, 2009 my sweet grandmother left this world to join my grandfather in heaven. They both hold such a special place in my heart. Some of you longtime readers may remember the quilt I made commemorating her 90th birthday. I'm so glad I finally got it finished and to her. She was so proud of that quilt and the fact that I had made it. She was one of my greatest cheerleaders!! </span></span><br />
Each block on the quilt held a signature of friends who attended her 90th birthday party. What a sweet time that was. I'm so glad I got to spend so much time with her the last couple of months of her life. I miss her terribly. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMH_IAWXphW_x86xIgO36Ai_fxpYgw6YpcIWTDLTKIA3e6gh7iDrJn3MeBa6V-Z_DMnQqOZVzrObeMNAskJHNkdOtcNzLE8_r3QLjVhn-ldROmbx9tbvYyAEd3BJseOIgMDm4wMsqmgk/s1600/Scout+Cutie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMH_IAWXphW_x86xIgO36Ai_fxpYgw6YpcIWTDLTKIA3e6gh7iDrJn3MeBa6V-Z_DMnQqOZVzrObeMNAskJHNkdOtcNzLE8_r3QLjVhn-ldROmbx9tbvYyAEd3BJseOIgMDm4wMsqmgk/s320/Scout+Cutie.jpg" /></a></div>In June, I was so excited to be able to join dear friends from our time living in Illinois at Myrtle Beach for a week. What a great time that was just relaxing on the beach, at the pool or at the many of the wonderful restaurants in Myrtle Beach. During my trip, though, our sweet dog Scout, who had been sick for a while, took a turn for the worse and died. Now I know many would say that he was just a dog but that's not the way we see things at our house. The pets we have (the MANY pets we have) are really members of our family. We take them quite seriously here. It was a real heartbreak not to be able to say goodbye to him. We "rescued" Scout in December, 2003 and he was such a good dog. He is missed.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOnuh7RwbkopknnPwosjCbhCxU-huijes9lLilpXfWVoM_mgpUDfAOPiLU-x-dgW8gRPQ7P9J5K5pRWFOaulviBtsaP9jnBv6ecu0xMQnXjj9AFTAgOTNDMhw3ILz8hpzOlnZNsVJJ4g/s1600/IMG_0424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOnuh7RwbkopknnPwosjCbhCxU-huijes9lLilpXfWVoM_mgpUDfAOPiLU-x-dgW8gRPQ7P9J5K5pRWFOaulviBtsaP9jnBv6ecu0xMQnXjj9AFTAgOTNDMhw3ILz8hpzOlnZNsVJJ4g/s320/IMG_0424.JPG" /></a></div>July 22 brought not quite so permanent a loss but a loss, nonetheless. Our baby girl left to go off to college. The problem is that she is clear over on the other side of the country in Spokane, WA. It's not like I can just jump in my little car and go see her on the spur of the moment or that she can even come home for a weekend visit!! Her leaving brings us an empty nest. We are so proud of her and are cheering her on whole-heartedly but, man, what an adjustment this is. So many have told me that when we do finally adjust, we will love it but at this point I'm still not so sure about that. I have kids spread out all over this country and, just so you know, this mama isn't so happy about that! I REALLY miss my kids!!<br />
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So sorry this post has been such a downer. I'm just keeping it real and letting you see what's been going on inside and why, I think, I have been so quiet on the blogging. I do hope to get back to it on a regular basis(Lynn!!) so that you can keep up with my boring little life. HaHa!! Excitement I don't need. Calm would be nice!!! <br />
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Thanks for stopping by!!<br />
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</div>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10874435310037444379noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059143353858377815.post-22992517199526406742010-07-29T11:29:00.003-04:002010-07-29T11:31:55.220-04:00Summer Squash and a Murder MysteryWhat do you get when you cross two prolific summer squash plants with a murder mystery? Here at my house we got cookies!! Let me explain......<br />
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I just finished reading Apple Turnover Murder by JoAnna Fluke. It is a cozy mystery whose main character Hannah Swenson owns a cookie shop in Small Town, MN. I love cozy mysteries - no sex, foul language, or blood and guts! The author always includes recipes used by Hannah in her shop. They always sounded so mouth watering but until yesterday I had not tried any of the recipes.<br />
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Here's where my yellow squash plants enter into the story. In this book there is a recipe for Rose's Zucchini Cookies. Now, we didn't grow any zucchini because we couldn't find any to plant last spring but our two little yellow squash plants have given us MORE than enough squash. I thought, What could it hurt? We have eaten squash almost every way you can imagine so why not in cookies? <br />
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They are delicious! Granted, it doesn't hurt that they include pecans and chocolate chips in the recipe. They are so soft and chewy. Who knew I could get in my 5 fruits and vegetables each day by eating cookies!! Yummy!!!<br />
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Thanks for stopping by!!<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85695/donnakay/c713f1b2ff83eb7ae084135fe06bd482.png" /></a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10874435310037444379noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059143353858377815.post-65142596729144291102010-07-12T16:46:00.001-04:002010-07-12T16:47:36.007-04:00Spicy Doin's Round Here, Ya'llAnother week has come and gone. We have been busy. Besides all the normal happenings of life and gardening, we have been preparing to send our youngest off to college in a few weeks. Very bittersweet days!! And, since I don't want to cry all over you I will move onto another happier subject.<br />
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Our garden is doing so well. We are just so excited about the bounty! I spent yesterday afternoon canning jalapenos. Yes, jalapenos. We are native Texans, you know!! I guess it's true what they say...You might take the girl out of Texas but you'll never take the Texas out of the girl. <br />
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And, I think I forgot to tell you that a couple of weeks ago I spent one afternoon canning 18 half-pints of homemade strawberry jam. It didn't have to set up and we are really enjoying it!!<br />
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I'm really enjoying the new sewing machine. The knee lift for the pressure foot is great for speeding along on chain piecing. Soooo much more to learn!! <br />
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Thanks for stopping by!!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85695/donnakay/c713f1b2ff83eb7ae084135fe06bd482.png" /></a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10874435310037444379noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059143353858377815.post-41252767513732842592010-07-06T14:52:00.000-04:002010-07-06T14:52:07.569-04:00Our WeekendI hope you had a great July 4th weekend. We didn't do much different than any other weekend but it was nice having Bill home on Monday (or at least until he got a call to go play golf for the afternoon!!). We grilled out Saturday night and it was scrumptious, especially since the squash and green beans came out of our own garden. We were so excited!!! <br />
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It took me three whole days to gather enough nerve to actually plug my new Janome into the wall and turn it on. After reading the instruction manual Friday afternoon, I had myself convinced that a Janome rep would need to come live with us if I was ever going to use the machine. Since that was not remotely a possibility, I convinced myself that come Monday I would venture over to the sewing shop and ask for lessons. I chickened out!! So again, I grabbed the intimidating instruction manual, moved my little Singer off the sewing table and plugged in the electrical cord, the foot petal and even the knee lift bar. Good to go!!! I mustered up the courage to flip the little on/off switch and Woo Hoo..you should have heard all the little beeps!!!<br />
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So, I thought, "so far, so good! Surely I can figure out how to thread the bobbin and then thread the machine." And, what do you know, I did it!! (Thanks to the step by step instructions with illustrations, I might add. Have I ever told you I'm a visual learner??) Well, next think I knew I was sewing along piecing some blocks and sewing on borders and today I finished up my 2008 (yes, that's not a typo - 2008) Thimbleberries Lodge quilt top. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdTTiYM9zuX1g8HstiXpNcKo-UJI8dTGmq9yM8i9pMKJlIHvZ3ECM1QCjVJianMV4i8DP71DsAGnWO02caIkvCWT9j_0JO6aI1BA8ipgtNhx1evhzWnxGEnRJDPG6JMCp4P5cqO2GH60/s1600/2008+Thimbleberries+Lodge+quilt+top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdTTiYM9zuX1g8HstiXpNcKo-UJI8dTGmq9yM8i9pMKJlIHvZ3ECM1QCjVJianMV4i8DP71DsAGnWO02caIkvCWT9j_0JO6aI1BA8ipgtNhx1evhzWnxGEnRJDPG6JMCp4P5cqO2GH60/s320/2008+Thimbleberries+Lodge+quilt+top.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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That's Rudy, our daughter's border collie, guarding the top from the wind so I could get a picture. <br />
One UFO down (that's unfinished object for you non-quilting readers) and a couple more tops to go. Then I'm going to have to get brave again and learn how to quilt with my new machine since I told Bill that's the main reason I needed the new machine. I can't even begin to tell you how many tops I have to finish up with the quilting and binding but I've decided that July and August are going to be FIU (yes, that's finish it up, non-quilters) months here. <br />
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I'll keep you posted on the progress. Thanks for stopping by!!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85695/donnakay/c713f1b2ff83eb7ae084135fe06bd482.png" /></a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10874435310037444379noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059143353858377815.post-21939214671974541152010-07-02T14:09:00.000-04:002010-07-02T14:09:27.899-04:00BirthdaysMy birthday was last week. Besides having to work, Bill,Hannah and I celebrated at Buffalo Wild Wings. A pretty uneventful birthday EXCEPT.....I found out that my husband is a poet. Here's the birthday poem he wrote in my card.<br />
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Ja No Me Better Than Anyone<br />
Ja Luv Me Like No Other<br />
Ja No My Faults<br />
Ja No My Strengths<br />
Ja No Me<br />
Janome - Buy It!!<br />
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And you better believe, I did!!! It arrived today. Brown showed up and left me this!<br />
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Now I just have to figure out how to use the thing!!<br />
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Thanks for stopping by!!Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10874435310037444379noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059143353858377815.post-57308691450319972352010-06-29T13:00:00.002-04:002010-06-29T13:02:51.376-04:00Garden Revisited In May, I wrote about our hopes to have a garden that actually produces more than frustration.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwLvvdMXjIcJaokfQTdS2X5LyLpyxCC-Safit8-f1esI9_YZe_HVQb8UJTP8TqPXjDloEbvOeWeXyAj19iJ88loxhSPxJdjJeRE1rdy3kCMVD-EBDxr-_ovSxgZBFIig95VcJXYb30O0Q/s1600/Bill+tilling+garden2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwLvvdMXjIcJaokfQTdS2X5LyLpyxCC-Safit8-f1esI9_YZe_HVQb8UJTP8TqPXjDloEbvOeWeXyAj19iJ88loxhSPxJdjJeRE1rdy3kCMVD-EBDxr-_ovSxgZBFIig95VcJXYb30O0Q/s320/Bill+tilling+garden2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So after Bill's hard work at tilling the garden plot. I jumped in the van and did the easy work of buying the plants.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8wXe0WzA-5GgZkEzqYuZ5yEUf-EPOEXLR5fDIjS2G4L66L9kqc7dbCBEL25BlYAHktsNE5Y_lsqCaiyaUCHQnCHrOqE02mhGyAnlV4pEBSdSy_1axvAwyKjxlUKeMrxXE_cXcSnSzJys/s1600/Garden+plants+in+back+of+van.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8wXe0WzA-5GgZkEzqYuZ5yEUf-EPOEXLR5fDIjS2G4L66L9kqc7dbCBEL25BlYAHktsNE5Y_lsqCaiyaUCHQnCHrOqE02mhGyAnlV4pEBSdSy_1axvAwyKjxlUKeMrxXE_cXcSnSzJys/s320/Garden+plants+in+back+of+van.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then he did the hard work again and got all these into the ground along with some sweet corn.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLH1-DhyOzCT26yDJ5adroZ3yldIX4MMk6IR_vEXIbbqACtSBIZTzdvTpp5nCp8B-KUYPV9bKZhUKLHG0b87PAflZx44O-JrACnCMPRYIPSz8EuPIZJ0KblnqTxLNYCpq3llO8qJfCPjU/s1600/Garden+view+from+deck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLH1-DhyOzCT26yDJ5adroZ3yldIX4MMk6IR_vEXIbbqACtSBIZTzdvTpp5nCp8B-KUYPV9bKZhUKLHG0b87PAflZx44O-JrACnCMPRYIPSz8EuPIZJ0KblnqTxLNYCpq3llO8qJfCPjU/s320/Garden+view+from+deck.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">God watered the garden for us yesterday and as you can see from the standing water He did a great job of it. I, however, didn't want to slop out in the mud so I took this picture of our little garden plot from the deck. Don't pay any attention to the acres of corn planted behind it. That belongs to the farmers next door!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_0SmppkoV_l62CA8h0dyF9PrTxno2gkHBAUUao52uYK9xIQTEFnQ4tVirtgs2QtHZRj3YrFKOAaJ2DZqe4bzgqs5BuPZGMzcw35ZWurgAsa8CV-fVNATuvTfNRCvoMNEIhjzNlWLHTo/s1600/first+green+beans+of+the+season.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_0SmppkoV_l62CA8h0dyF9PrTxno2gkHBAUUao52uYK9xIQTEFnQ4tVirtgs2QtHZRj3YrFKOAaJ2DZqe4bzgqs5BuPZGMzcw35ZWurgAsa8CV-fVNATuvTfNRCvoMNEIhjzNlWLHTo/s320/first+green+beans+of+the+season.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here are the first fruits(or veggies, LOL) from the garden. Not enough for a good pot of beans yet but hopefully in the next day or so more will be ready and we can have some fresh from the garden beans. Nothing else is ready to be harvested but it looks like we may actually have a producing garden for the first time in our gardening experience. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks for stopping by!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85695/donnakay/c713f1b2ff83eb7ae084135fe06bd482.png" /></a></div>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10874435310037444379noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059143353858377815.post-10705622072205521702010-06-28T10:20:00.001-04:002010-06-28T10:22:08.926-04:00Myrtle Beach RevisitedSince Monday is usually laundry day here I thought while that was going on I would update all my readers (all 2 of you!! LOL) on what's been happening this past month. June has been busy and I have some wonderful news to share but that will have to wait for another day!! (It deserves it's own post!)<br />
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As you can see by the last post, I spent a week at Myrtle Beach with precious friends from our time living in Illinois. I had a great time just chilling at the beach and by the pool reading, reading and reading some more. And then there was the food!!! Oh, my!!!! We, of course, had seafood at both Joe's Crab Shack and Landrys.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzf3l6KshIYFpTNPL5LkZ9nNCgcBWMQj_KtcNUrNZ8BHIjqCMO3k1tyBGzzMFQxyUZ0CL5oKgdQa1rlvEHDEX-JzqGMcxt_TChiPHfu_eV5tmfceRP_-2uSMUolrgV6aQwQVNuyMBGLQY/s1600/Myrtle+Beach+2010+Joe%27s+Crab+Shack+food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzf3l6KshIYFpTNPL5LkZ9nNCgcBWMQj_KtcNUrNZ8BHIjqCMO3k1tyBGzzMFQxyUZ0CL5oKgdQa1rlvEHDEX-JzqGMcxt_TChiPHfu_eV5tmfceRP_-2uSMUolrgV6aQwQVNuyMBGLQY/s320/Myrtle+Beach+2010+Joe%27s+Crab+Shack+food.jpg" /></a></div><br />
This picture is blackened tilapia topped with etoufee, fried shrimp and barbeque shrimp I ordered at Joe's Crab Shack. Oh, my my my my, was it ever good!! But I have to say that my favorite restaurant was Myabi, a Japanese steak house. It is not just gooooood food(and lots of it), it is also quite a show.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLgdZm5RKaTeG64VkHlbMUIeDxK9vdDmGyhasTpDyk1LqIkk6lQbc3R_gc1ivlaDPAr0gSMojmF12gOb_kIp8uOI963RuD-ZLNTnl6tQbijGYNW37JvNpwm7lmM2ceoxh1qdBvo-rtroM/s1600/Myrtle+Beach+2010+Myabi+volcano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLgdZm5RKaTeG64VkHlbMUIeDxK9vdDmGyhasTpDyk1LqIkk6lQbc3R_gc1ivlaDPAr0gSMojmF12gOb_kIp8uOI963RuD-ZLNTnl6tQbijGYNW37JvNpwm7lmM2ceoxh1qdBvo-rtroM/s320/Myrtle+Beach+2010+Myabi+volcano.jpg" /></a></div>This is the volcano he made out of onion rings. It was a really fun evening spent with special friends.<br />
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Thanks for stopping by!! <br />
(Sorry for the poor picture quality. They were all taken with my phone.)<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85695/donnakay/c713f1b2ff83eb7ae084135fe06bd482.png" /></a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10874435310037444379noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059143353858377815.post-64097955204664303202010-05-30T17:28:00.005-04:002010-05-30T17:58:24.823-04:00Memorial Day celebrated at Myrtle Beach<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0kVgS5C4v3JHI9pAkwKs8uJruSIg2IN5bfTUEGQZWXlsZnTBkloBz_pnQvh4gKfO4Sn3KNM73h0ysWgh5zNHUR5HbEtR6sDdF3YxG0girMVKCaJD_lBo_eMrKvFT6i3ePpvS6AlgBerk/s1600/beautiful-north-myrtle+beach.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477185121422486002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0kVgS5C4v3JHI9pAkwKs8uJruSIg2IN5bfTUEGQZWXlsZnTBkloBz_pnQvh4gKfO4Sn3KNM73h0ysWgh5zNHUR5HbEtR6sDdF3YxG0girMVKCaJD_lBo_eMrKvFT6i3ePpvS6AlgBerk/s320/beautiful-north-myrtle+beach.jpg" /></a><br /><div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Life leads us down so many pathes. As I sat in church this morning at First Baptist Church North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, I was reminded of the sacrifices made by so many that I could attend this very service. How grateful to them and especially to God I am for this freedom we take so for granted.<br /></div><div>As I sat in church with dear friends from our seven years spent in Illinois, my thoughts were on a dear friend from our time now spent in Lima, Ohio. She is a precious lady who continues to be one who challenges me daily to "remember" the things of God and the pathes He guides us down. The pastor this morning spoke on "Stones of Remembrance". I know he was taking that subject because of Memorial Day but it is a topic I have been pondering this past couple of weeks because of my sweet friend <a href="http://brickhousenews.blogspot.com/">Kathy's blog</a>. She has reminded me lately of the many times the Bible speaks of remembrances. </div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Memorials were set up to recall divine visitations so that others might learn about God when they would ask, 'What do these stones mean?' (Joshua 4:6 - The Bible Knowledge Commentary) Divine visitations - isn't that a great thought? That the Creator of this grand universe would set up a time to meet with me? Wow!!<br /></div><div>But the most prevalent use of "remembrance" in the Bible is the command to remember the Lord and His mighty deeds. As I spent the afternoon gazing out on the beautiful ocean and the amazing beauty, the precision of the tides, the wonderful sun, how could I not remember the God who made it all and who takes the time to meet me where I am and to love me unconditionally through it all. I stand amazed!!</div><div><br />(Photo not mine. It was taken from tripadvisor.com website. Hopefully, some of mine will follow soon.)</div><div> </div><div>Thanks for stopping by!!</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85695/donnakay/c713f1b2ff83eb7ae084135fe06bd482.png" /></a></div></div>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10874435310037444379noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059143353858377815.post-28719360488229736042010-05-09T15:07:00.004-04:002010-05-09T15:39:42.463-04:00Happy Mother's DayMy heart is so full this weekend. So full it keeps leaking out of my tear ducts. I'm not sure if it's because of Mother's Day or not but I will put the blame there, nonetheless. My kids are all now grown. That is really bittersweet to me right now. I love being a mom. It has been the joy of my life!<br /><br />I have never been one to set goals for myself. I have always struggled with that when made to put goals on paper. I know it's said if you aim at nothing that is what you will hit. BUT, I can tell you that my one and only stated life goal was to be a wife and mom. Thankfully, I have had the privilege of achieving that goal for the past 25 years. I consider it a privilege to have been able to stay at home raising our children. I know we did without many things for that to happen but what a blessing it was. <br /><br />So many changes have come in the past few years and, I know, many more are yet to come. In July, we take our baby off to Washington state for college. We will then officially be empty nesters with children from coast to coast and one right in the middle of this large country. Something tells me that my frequent flyer miles are going to go up far more quickly in the months to come. <br /><br />I do love the fact, however, that later this year I will also become a mother-in-law. I'll be sharing a lot more about that as the date draws nearer. It is going to be a real fun time.<br /><br />But before I close, I would be remiss if I didn't mention what a great mother I have. She has been such an encourager to me. She is such a strong woman and I love the fact that we are so close. I just wish we lived closer to each other. Here she is just a couple of weeks ago on a trail ride with some of her friends. I love you, Mom!! Happy Mother's Day!!!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPiBwVACb9I-YEnbQD6XH330i1jITqFvVWBS8eyGXPpvog3YzSo4GXJLd9d7L89zp_VxUgMhUPa1IoWgailZfVuBBrUGljxAXcHHqFjg6vpCIHySnafpfZP5l04efsmJ6yM9Ho5NNkWdI/s1600/Mom+on+the+trail+ride.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469349502189799266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPiBwVACb9I-YEnbQD6XH330i1jITqFvVWBS8eyGXPpvog3YzSo4GXJLd9d7L89zp_VxUgMhUPa1IoWgailZfVuBBrUGljxAXcHHqFjg6vpCIHySnafpfZP5l04efsmJ6yM9Ho5NNkWdI/s320/Mom+on+the+trail+ride.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div>And to Michael, Adam and Hannah....You mean the world to me!! I am so proud of who you are and who you are becoming. I love you with all that I am. <div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85695/donnakay/c713f1b2ff83eb7ae084135fe06bd482.png" /></a></div>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10874435310037444379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059143353858377815.post-75409439606536297572010-05-05T14:12:00.005-04:002010-05-05T14:34:49.494-04:00One More Try<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8nMzP6VTSE24npDrGyBrWVmUNbvuUphi8YBz6yWISeRbb82yv_L4OZm8LeLx8Hadi35mpdiLyAAahMxiGRWnI1I9A-ypEdSmbEr_89YdbTBxkQYBOnzzX_x9ozhBf0oPFjPNnE5Iexg/s1600/Bill+tilling+garden.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 118px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467851920716937346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8nMzP6VTSE24npDrGyBrWVmUNbvuUphi8YBz6yWISeRbb82yv_L4OZm8LeLx8Hadi35mpdiLyAAahMxiGRWnI1I9A-ypEdSmbEr_89YdbTBxkQYBOnzzX_x9ozhBf0oPFjPNnE5Iexg/s320/Bill+tilling+garden.jpg" /></a><br /><div>This little plot of land has been sitting idle the three years we have lived here. I'm sure it's where the previous owner's had grown a very prolific garden. We have talked about using the space since we got here but, you see, we have never had very good luck with gardens.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEhihjsYqyBU4pvfCdoHF5BHjlmqDqc6pWsK1OGvZ_V1ybBYQQogOkqCk6AtjLibe3GuoSEjdGR5U5wFu7JJMMGAjWpwkE6L3dPXjNggKNqDjrrt1koEeAo3-aBBWUFKPNUm7M_nNVW0/s1600/Bill+tilling+garden2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467851720428377394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEhihjsYqyBU4pvfCdoHF5BHjlmqDqc6pWsK1OGvZ_V1ybBYQQogOkqCk6AtjLibe3GuoSEjdGR5U5wFu7JJMMGAjWpwkE6L3dPXjNggKNqDjrrt1koEeAo3-aBBWUFKPNUm7M_nNVW0/s320/Bill+tilling+garden2.jpg" /></a><br />In fact, you could very honestly say, we have had very bad luck with gardening. The first time we tried we were still living in Houston and had a draught you would not believe. Of course, everything died no matter how much we watered. The next year, still in Houston, we had floods and AGAIN everything died. So we gave up.<br /></div><div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXrSwAKhTmqV3FZ-Mq3HNHEpfLbSy0NL_S-q5q41QUDZiJaEK0dITQ7YU4kWUSjQgEjUAOqr7FUG1HGMQ5xQrxomPUIuBU2UsmW1qwJPOLJf-iXWE9Fg2ORKDwm3D5VUUdFVolpJlgYw/s1600/Bill+tilling+tongue+stuck+out.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467851487902241298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXrSwAKhTmqV3FZ-Mq3HNHEpfLbSy0NL_S-q5q41QUDZiJaEK0dITQ7YU4kWUSjQgEjUAOqr7FUG1HGMQ5xQrxomPUIuBU2UsmW1qwJPOLJf-iXWE9Fg2ORKDwm3D5VUUdFVolpJlgYw/s320/Bill+tilling+tongue+stuck+out.jpg" /></a><br />We even tried again after we had moved to another house in Houston but had no luck again. We decided it was much easier to buy vegetables at the grocery store!! <br /></div><div></div><div><br />If you blow this picture up you will see that my sweet hubby is sticking his tongue out at me. I guess he didn't like me standing around taking pictures while he was working so hard. Go figure!!<br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdL3ikrqNXTAiJZ-jtIveEg06dC3rqTkC4_VN38gNqKz8WQV2pHAKYU6ch09RJ5RFFjuP3qYMf_p5xE-Mhwx_e3iOEdQX2WwR07E23LvQ8nRcsm5OThgG7u5EEdrM_kf0EL3i3vfL1yhM/s1600/Garden+Rich+soil.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467851289481529810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdL3ikrqNXTAiJZ-jtIveEg06dC3rqTkC4_VN38gNqKz8WQV2pHAKYU6ch09RJ5RFFjuP3qYMf_p5xE-Mhwx_e3iOEdQX2WwR07E23LvQ8nRcsm5OThgG7u5EEdrM_kf0EL3i3vfL1yhM/s320/Garden+Rich+soil.jpg" /></a> Well, we are going to give it one more try!! We are hoping that this nice Ohio weather will be better for garden novices. We (that would be HE) tilled up the rich dark soil that looks very fertile (at least to us). He has gotten the rows all ready for the planting. And now, I'm off for the easy part.....the garden center to buy the plants. </div><div> </div><div>So, if you would, say a prayer for our gardening efforts and come back soon to check in on our new adventure!!</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85695/donnakay/c713f1b2ff83eb7ae084135fe06bd482.png" /></a></div></div>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10874435310037444379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059143353858377815.post-6558990665934036842010-05-04T16:21:00.005-04:002010-05-04T16:37:32.636-04:00Sweet SunshineThe past two days have been really beautiful here. We won't mention the vicious lightning storm we had last night!! Such sweet sunshine and temps in the low 70's. I have been sitting out on the back deck reading and getting some much needed sun.<br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467513468960076722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgds-ulxoTNx2WLyJErgz5gk9WlDXrNtaEOIOUtyfx9fL54MViOkmwkWATaeqxhRh3-y-M1jJX2wjttjgxHyPDpgecWFBcuU0GzquwuH3ubxD1vAfjsiFEL_nPK4apMJFgmfeohH6Gx2Jc/s320/Johnny+jump+ups+2010.jpg" />I just love these little johnny jump-ups. I'm so glad they come back every spring. The colors are just beautiful. Wouldn't that combination of purple and yellow make a gorgeous quilt? Hmm, I might just have to think about that. As if I need another project!!! I have so many WIPs (Works in Progress - for all you non-quilters). They have been weighing heavy on my mind lately. Just not heavy enough to get me back into my sewing room and get them finished up. </p><p>Now, where did I lay my book?????</p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85695/donnakay/c713f1b2ff83eb7ae084135fe06bd482.png" /></a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10874435310037444379noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059143353858377815.post-647864366209083512010-04-22T10:45:00.005-04:002010-04-22T11:02:17.656-04:00I miss my boys!!!I have really been missing my boys lately. I haven't seen either of them in quite some time. I REALLY need to go visit them SOON. Problem is, they don't even live in the same state as we do. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKgngM4KSXbJTo1Pdjd99A_kklCmudMI6dEAj5NfQCk0DEkv6HR40mcS0SoCi0LwZSwkI57UdudYKyIcbNEhelMXfuyd1gbhMflUURVkI13qLMga9O8R27uu4eqAhd5SPVNlg17Ipn4So/s1600/Michael+and+Veronica+swearing+in+day.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462973279763085250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKgngM4KSXbJTo1Pdjd99A_kklCmudMI6dEAj5NfQCk0DEkv6HR40mcS0SoCi0LwZSwkI57UdudYKyIcbNEhelMXfuyd1gbhMflUURVkI13qLMga9O8R27uu4eqAhd5SPVNlg17Ipn4So/s320/Michael+and+Veronica+swearing+in+day.jpg" /></a><br />This is our eldest son with his fiancee. She has just been sworn in as a lawyer for the state of Florida in this picture. We are so proud of her!! They are going to be married this October. Aren't they are cute couple? <br /><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQ2YP1_F6WGpOjYkOavAbH1wGzX-MK-33TNb69ThkuWPjdcSTF9jCbDGg-iBszggA4OjWoWQLyY-cclNbeFefxdRqYcUbwGkBBBz55yCLhURuHppAY6pEFU6C8UE_T0udnGBmqLSEmBs/s1600/Adam+and+Megan+Easter+2010.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 218px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462973177263970946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQ2YP1_F6WGpOjYkOavAbH1wGzX-MK-33TNb69ThkuWPjdcSTF9jCbDGg-iBszggA4OjWoWQLyY-cclNbeFefxdRqYcUbwGkBBBz55yCLhURuHppAY6pEFU6C8UE_T0udnGBmqLSEmBs/s320/Adam+and+Megan+Easter+2010.jpg" /></a> This is our other son with his sweet girlfriend. They are also cuties!! He is finishing up his junior year at the University of Illinois. <br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85695/donnakay/c713f1b2ff83eb7ae084135fe06bd482.png" /></a></div></div>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10874435310037444379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059143353858377815.post-46528710491374206262010-04-21T10:10:00.005-04:002010-04-21T10:44:37.915-04:00No More Excuses<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFl8-FHQyRMjYgNXAcm0XJ04fWLsSa9QkYjw-L6vELKxgk02K4oxp3-ZNQ2BwyDxj7gaBlopve9yACN1GV970EpgmUSQphckBS8zLmqigi4m85A_rUinzzcrQTR-_ewSqWurbPFFGxoLo/s1600/New+Net+Book.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462601050767696786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFl8-FHQyRMjYgNXAcm0XJ04fWLsSa9QkYjw-L6vELKxgk02K4oxp3-ZNQ2BwyDxj7gaBlopve9yACN1GV970EpgmUSQphckBS8zLmqigi4m85A_rUinzzcrQTR-_ewSqWurbPFFGxoLo/s320/New+Net+Book.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div>Isn't she cute? My little red net book. I am trying to learn how to use her. I'm not the "techie" one in my family, to say the least. One of my sons is on the Geek Squad at Best Buy. The other is heading towards his senior year in computer science. Anyway, that's why I opted for the netbook and not a laptop. Maybe less of a learning curve?<br /><br /><br /></div><div>I have fussed and whined and complained because every evening my sweet hubby and sweet daughter sit and watch TV and have their laptops to play on. I mostly sew while I'm watching TV. You know what they say about idle hands, huh? Well, now I have a choice. I can sew or I can surf. Funny thing is....I still mostly sew.<br /></div><div>So now I don't have an excuse for not staying current on my blog. Well, except that I haven't yet transferred all my photos from the desktop to my Lil Red!! </div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85695/donnakay/c713f1b2ff83eb7ae084135fe06bd482.png" /></a></div></div>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10874435310037444379noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059143353858377815.post-10433214541271405372010-03-31T13:50:00.008-04:002010-03-31T14:36:23.010-04:00Around our HouseSince I can't seem to get my thoughts to quiet enough to write about the past few months I will show you what is happening right now at my house.<br /><br />Remember these?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThyfXihWkIm-V8gts2R2gd_W5xw-3fWQGoJfJ0jRwCrVqOWgbOAvQN3XQXOt0H0Dz1rcNkg5YiODu92LaDzCFV2-3tCOPWciEERNp_rH4daWKPzin3b67-aH25x5XDYs78T2HF6oeCnw/s1600/Kids+pics+by+Bill.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThyfXihWkIm-V8gts2R2gd_W5xw-3fWQGoJfJ0jRwCrVqOWgbOAvQN3XQXOt0H0Dz1rcNkg5YiODu92LaDzCFV2-3tCOPWciEERNp_rH4daWKPzin3b67-aH25x5XDYs78T2HF6oeCnw/s320/Kids+pics+by+Bill.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454857482468432482" border="0" /></a>Well, actually you don't remember them framed because I just picked them up from Hobby Lobby yesterday. They are the pictures my talented artist husband drew of our three wonderful children. He's good, huh? I certainly think so.<br /><br />Well, when you walk in our front door now you are greeted by this arrangement.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6zuugDk2GM0yy2vx4Kg6ReX1sI1I8nikcM0zMMbMtaQNfM0GHcgEt3UVwAx9uRgkFQGiStM0GQ1xUwbENyXk4Z8iypwCD0hg_qtqGqHME13P3vmO5Phz1CP5X6NKpeueoEmD6ayQOd8/s1600/Entryway+table+and+pics.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 193px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6zuugDk2GM0yy2vx4Kg6ReX1sI1I8nikcM0zMMbMtaQNfM0GHcgEt3UVwAx9uRgkFQGiStM0GQ1xUwbENyXk4Z8iypwCD0hg_qtqGqHME13P3vmO5Phz1CP5X6NKpeueoEmD6ayQOd8/s320/Entryway+table+and+pics.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454858129071749186" border="0" /></a>I know the table scape needs some help but I am so pleased with the way it's turning out. I have been looking for something to go in that spot since we moved in almost 3 years ago. I finally found the little table at Hobby Lobby (I LOVE that place!!). And, I just am so excited to be greeted by my three kiddos every time I enter the house.<br /><br />And that basket, you ask????<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0oOSzWr63WVbYFNGPm-XCOiBnIcDmKUfpWG0ZD2Iz8OI8cq1Te2ZsDDne79wSJuiWA5tgPP0oqKK22tIwSjdtn4DGWuW65YAz-yT4d4chPx-XASdJmjgu2lF5bnzPxrfjXTu2NU7oB0/s1600/Ugandan+raffia+basket.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 313px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0oOSzWr63WVbYFNGPm-XCOiBnIcDmKUfpWG0ZD2Iz8OI8cq1Te2ZsDDne79wSJuiWA5tgPP0oqKK22tIwSjdtn4DGWuW65YAz-yT4d4chPx-XASdJmjgu2lF5bnzPxrfjXTu2NU7oB0/s320/Ugandan+raffia+basket.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454859057001581778" border="0" /></a>Another of my souvenirs from Uganda. It's a handmade raffia basket. Isn't it beautiful!!<br /><br />I have been spending a lot of time in the sewing room. I have opened an <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/onpencilsandneedles">"etsy" shop</a> hoping to make a little cash to help out our 3 "starving college students". OUCH!!! It is pretty skimpy on items right now but I have several things in the works that are about ready to be added. I'm also hoping to include some items that are a combination of hubby's artwork and my sewing. We'll see how that works out. As I've said before on this blog, I'm also hoping to improve my camera skills so that my pictures will be more appealing.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by!!<br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85695/donnakay/c713f1b2ff83eb7ae084135fe06bd482.png" border="0" /></a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10874435310037444379noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059143353858377815.post-52243450596251637312010-03-12T10:33:00.004-05:002010-03-12T10:48:20.429-05:00Breakfast of Champions???<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisk57rAifbiWgkXnPlCG5zpOObH6vMpX7nLcdSTqeFeHIhLrT0TB5LcXYT6Qh0m9ae0h9zmKqcv4RyGbSIDjnUuVdbYnSW1gTYcP1ZRVso0iynXyocensjHd0g3Q9YnMLic_wgonr1u5g/s1600-h/twizzlers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisk57rAifbiWgkXnPlCG5zpOObH6vMpX7nLcdSTqeFeHIhLrT0TB5LcXYT6Qh0m9ae0h9zmKqcv4RyGbSIDjnUuVdbYnSW1gTYcP1ZRVso0iynXyocensjHd0g3Q9YnMLic_wgonr1u5g/s320/twizzlers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447773540010296930" border="0" /></a>I had Twizzlers for breakfast. I. Know!! You haven't heard from me in months. 136 days, to be exact, and that's all I have to say?? <br /><br />Well.....no. The problem is there has been too much to say. I have been completely overwhelmed by all I could say. <br /><br />These past months have been so full of life. And, as we all know, that also includes heartache and death. I hope to share with you (on a much more regular basis) all I have been through these past "quiet" days of blogging. <br /><br />Thanks for sticking with me. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85695/donnakay/c713f1b2ff83eb7ae084135fe06bd482.png" border="0" /></a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10874435310037444379noreply@blogger.com3