Happy Thankgiving

 

Posted with Blogsy

---

This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 11/28/2013, Nancy in Utah said ...

Susan, I hope you have a most Blessed Thanksgiving, surrounded by loved ones to share in the blessings of the day, and of our lives. Hugs....

---

On 11/28/2013, Barbara Anne said ...

Happy Thanksgiving to you, dear friend!

As usual, we shared cooking duties with AMIL and have just returned home from her house, leftovers divied up, and dishwashers loaded. The family recipes are every bit as delicious as they have been for most of my years. It's time to rest, enjoy relaxing, and watching the Locks and Loaded Castle-a-thon (our station 551) until it ends at 11pm.

I'm thankful our paths have crossed and we're friends!

Hugs!
-----

---

Time Passages

First we had to fall back. And my body and brain haven't even got used to that time change. Now this week, Jesse went on night shift for the first time. Another time change. He seems to be doing quite well with it, but me, not so much. I don't know if I'm coming or going. I'm waking up no later than 4:00, and not able to go back to sleep. And then I'm so tired by evening I can hardly make it till bedtime. Last night I went to sleep just as "Castle" was getting interesting. I'm glad I had the foresight to record it, knowing I might not make it all the way through.

It doesn't help that Skipper insists on sleeping with me, under the covers, snuggled up. Then at least one time during the night, Taco jumps up on the bed and Skipper goes postal on him. Which of course wakes me up and I have to get back to sleep if possible.

Jesse's is on swing shift on his new job. That means that he works some days and some nights. But looking at his schedule printout, there seems to be no rhyme or reason to it. He works four days and off three days, works three nights and off five days, works three days and off two days, etc., etc. There's no pattern. So I guess I'll just have to get used to being ever on a changing schedule.

And don't even bother to tell me that I should let Jesse go his way and I go mine. When somebody lives in the house with me, their schedule effects me. I've never been able to ignore people coming and going in my house. When my stepdaughter Amy lived with us and went to school days and worked nights, I got very little sleep. I think I worried Vann about crazy not being able to sleep until she got home.

Speaking of Vann, today is our 19th wedding anniversary--and I'm not sad. Every year since he died, on our anniversary I have been extremely sad. But not so much today. Of course, I miss him and wish he were here. But no depression today.

One bit of good news. Since I've been back on the Cymbalta, only a few days, my pain level has dropped a bunch. Just in time for our family Thanksgiving. 

---

This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 11/26/2013, Barbara Anne said ...

Happy Anniversary! I believe that love is for always so this is a time to remember the joy. May you feel Vann's closeness and love in your heart.

Bless your heart and other parts about your sleeping with one ear open to keep track of who is coming/going. Have you thought about keeping a tranquil CD playing all night as white noise? Something by Enya or the decades old "The Earth, the Sea, and the Sky" would appeal to me.

As far as the pets are concerned, is it possible to keep the cats out of your bedroom at night so nobody goes postal as you sleep serenely? Even if they're in a distant part of the house with cozy bedding, food, and the litter box, it might be better than you missing sleep.

Cheers that you're feeling better!!

Hugs!

---

On 11/27/2013, Diane Wingo said ...

I haven't gotten use to the time change either. Same as you have trouble staying up at night and then waking up too early. Congrads on your anniversary, a special day, glad your not sad, maybe healing a bit. Have a Happy Thanksgiving
-----

---

And It's Not Even December

I have my block of the month done well before the December quilt guild meeting. I'd love to win some of these blocks. I love the color, the fabrics, and the snowball design.

Well, November is halfway over. I can't believe how fast this year has flown by. I do believe Time has speeded up in the past few years. I know it's supposed to go faster the older one gets, but this is ridiculous. I can hardly get the calendar page turned until the month is over and it's time to turn another page.

And it doesn't help that retailers and television rush the holidays so. Christmas ads before Halloween is just a bit much for me. And here it is mid-November, and people are already putting up Christmas trees. What about Thanksgiving? I guess we'll eventually just cut that useless holiday out altogether. Is it because retailers can't make a pot full of money from a holiday where there's little opportunity to sell anything except Butterballs and pumpkin pies? That's not going to help anybody's bottom line much, is it?

Well Thanksgiving happens to be one of my favorite holidays, and I wish we could save Christmas until at least the week after Thanksgiving. But I'm sure that soon, the great celebration of consumerism will be a year-long event, taking the place not only of Thanksgiving, but also of the Fourth of July, Easter, St. Patrick's Day, and every other holiday. Is that why some people tell us now that we can't say "Happy Holidays" anymore? We can acknowledge no holiday except Christmas? Retailers don't want there to be any other holiday except the one where they're able to make oodles of money selling people useless things that they don't need. 

Well, I hate it all. I remember when Christmas used to be a wonderful celebration that took place in late December, with family and friends and good things to eat--and maybe a present or two if one was lucky. I remember when Christmas did not require credit cards or consumer loans, when going to church to worship the Baby Jesus and celebrate his arrival was a main event of the season, as was singing hymns that one heard only for a couple of weeks a year, not from late August on. Now Christmas is all about Black Friday and buying stuff and I just hate it. I'm sorry. Just call me Scrooge McGrinch.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, EVERYONE.

---

This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 11/16/2013, Helen said ...

Amen!

---

On 11/16/2013, Sandy said ...

I'm right there with you Susan. If I close my eyes, I can still smell the fruit bags our church would give everybody after the Christmas play. Oh, they smelled so good and there was always a candy cane inside. Makes me sad to see what they've done with the season we celebrate the birth of our Savior. Commercialism stinks as far as I'm concerned. Bah humbug here too.

---

On 11/16/2013, Sue, the Florida Farm Girl said ...

Can I hate it right along with you? Drives me crazy. The program at church was always the highlight.

---

On 11/16/2013, Mary Jayne said ...

Double AMEN!!

---

On 11/16/2013, Jan said ...

I agree completely! Rushing Christmas beginning in August is just such a turn-off! The stores have had stuff out for months! It puts me in a non-buying mood to see all the Christmas things out when summer hasn't even ended!! ugh.

---

On 11/16/2013, Jan said ...

Preach it, Sister!! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

---

On 11/17/2013, Alison said ...

I have been reading and enjoying your blog for a while now, but I haven't commented before, don't really know why. But I wanted to let you know that you are so right. I am trying to keep things special and Christian and non-consumerist in my own family, good to know that there are others out there who feel the same way! Hello to the cats and dogs too from England!

---

On 11/17/2013, Andrea said ...

Wow, right there with you sister!!!! Christmas was the church potluck where the kids all got a paper bag with some candies, nuts and an orange in it, driving to Granny's after breakfast on Christmas morning to see all the relatives, the gift exchange in the classroom at school (boys bring a boy gift, girls a girl gift), but the one memory that sticks out in my mind is my sister and I going to bed on Christmas Eve and hearing mom's sewing machine running late into the night. It's all changed so much but I don't get pulled into it at all. And Happy Thanksgiving to you and all your wonderful readers!

---

On 11/17/2013, Denise in PA said ...

Hear, hear, Susan! You said it perfectly!

---

On 11/17/2013, Julie in WA said ...

Yep, and out here in the Seattle area stores are open on Thanksgiving in an attempt to get the big customers before Black Friday. Retail employees can no longer spend Thanksgiving with family; instead they must deal with rude greedy customers who should also be home with families being thankful for what they already own. I was happy to see that Jo-Anns took a stand and said their sale would start on Friday.

---

On 11/17/2013, Wanda D. said ...

This is one of your all-time best-ever posts! Thanks for expressing one of my pet peeves.

---

On 11/17/2013, Linda said ...

Oh, I agree. Absolutely! You are not a Scrooge. You are a wise woman.

---

On 11/19/2013, Wendy said ...

Thanksgiving certainly does not stand out as it should among the holidays being crammed between Halloween and Christmas as it is. I believe our state (MA) just made it illegal for retailers to be open on Thanksgiving Day so at least Black Friday can't start until 12a the day after. I suppose that is progress but I am having a hard time seeing it that way. What has happened to the whole essence of the holiday for giving thanks? Don't even get me started on Christmas...
-----

---

OP Cuddle Quilt

Back in 2009, I took part in an online weekend challenge hosted by Pat Sloan. She called it her OP Challenge, OP standing for Orange Pile. Quilters were to choose some orange fabrics from their stashes to begin.

The colors of which I have never been able to boast an actual pile are purple and orange. It was true then, and it's still true today. Those are just not my favorite colors. But I was able to find enough orange fabrics in my stash to make a small pile.

I then pulled some pretty pinks and greens to match, and using Pat's instructions made the quilt in the photo above, entitled "Rainbow Sherbet." Some time or other, I don't remember when, I had it quilted. Last week, I decided to finish it to turn in at guild as my cuddle quilt for the year. I found some already made binding and a label that my friend Mary U. had given me last Christmas, stitched them on, and the quilt was done. I turned it in to the Cuddle Quilt Chairman at Monday's guild meeting, and my cuddle quilt obligation for the year is done. But although we're asked for only one donation each guild year, I hope to get at least one more turned in before the year is out. 

Pat Sloan has a new UFO Challenge posted on her blog today. It sounds like fun. If you have any unfinished projects for which you need an extra little nudge to get them finished, this might just be the ticket. As you know, I still have quite a backlog of UFOs, so I'll probably join Pat's challenge too. I think this might be a good time to finish the Psalms quilt that I've been wanting to give to my church.

---

This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 11/14/2013, Annie said ...

Oooh, love that quilt,I adore orange in a quilt. Nothing brightens a quilt like orange. My next favorite color is lime green.

:-)

---

On 11/14/2013, Julie in WA said ...

Woo Hoo! I've been waiting for this quilt to show up again!!! I found your blog through the OP quilt along. That means I have been reading you daily (or at least checking on you daily) since 2009. Time sure flies. And I am glad this OP quilt is going to be cuddled with at last!

---

On 11/15/2013, Wendy said ...

Hi Susan-

The OP quilt turned out beautifully and you got to cross off the top item on your ufo list. A win/win for sure. Keep up the great work. It is inspirational.
-----

---

Sue Spargo

My guild, Birmingham Quilters Guild, was very fortunate this month to have primitive folk art quilt designer Sue Spargo as our guest. Sue is so popular that we had to book her a couple of years ago in order to have her visit this year. She does speaking and teaching engagements all over the world.

As you can see, Sue is known for her hand applique, embroidery, and hand-dyed wools. She is teaching workshops for our guild this week as well. I am not attending any of these, although it was a great temptation to do so. I have too many irons in the fire now, quiltwise, and need to finish a few things before I start more.

Because yesterday was Veteran's Day, our regular meeting place, Homewood Senior Center, was closed. We did find shelter though in a church just down the road. Conditions were not ideal for picture taking, but I managed to get a few passable snaps of Sue Spargo's wonderful quilts from my seat several rows back. Here they are.

Sue's quilt backs are often just as creative as her tops. This is the back of the quilt above.

Of all the charming motifs in Sue Spargo's quilts, the little giraffe (right side) in this quilt was my favorite.

This is one of Sue Spargo's Christmas quilts. Though not made with traditional holiday colors, it's easy to pick out signs of the season throughout this charming piece.

---

This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 11/12/2013, Lisa A said ...

You got wonderful pictures! I'm so glad you got a good shot of the back of that one quilt.

---

On 11/12/2013, Melinda said ...

I love Sue and her work. She is coming here to Marietta in March but at the same time I have a retreat that I am helping run so I will miss her. I hope to see her again sometime soon.

---

On 11/12/2013, Sue, the Florida Farm Girl said ...

What a treat that must have been!!!!
-----

---

A Taste of Freedom Was All It Took

Freedom's just another word for "It's cold and dark out here."

A couple of nights ago, I had let the dogs into the fenced backyard for a evening romp. It was dark outside, but the backyard is well lighted, so I don't worry about letting them out at night. Jesse came home while they were out, and promptly decided it was time to clean the litter box. (Wonder why.)

Jesse took the litter box outside to do the task and came back in a little while later. The dogs always call me at the back door with a couple of sharp barks when they are ready to come in, and I had not yet heard the call.

In a bit, I heard Jesse go to the front door and open it.

"What's Skipper doing outside?" he called. I jumped up to see, and there was our intrepid terrier prancing in the front door. Jesse had heard him scratching on the door and let him in.

It turns out that Jesse had gone out the back door and left the gate open when he went around to come back in through the basement. Both Skipper and Sophie had taken the chance to escape. Now I don't worry much about Sophie. She can be trusted with freedom. She never runs wild. But not so with Skipper Lou Blue. Ever since he has come to The Yellow House to live, I have had to either keep him confined with a fence or keep him leashed, or there ensues a chase around the neighborhood to corral him. 

But Skipper is here to report that the saying "Live like somebody left the gate open," is not what it is cracked up to be. Somebody left the gate open, he escaped, it was dark, and Skip wanted back in the safety of his home. I had very mixed emotions about this incident. If you would have asked me what would have happened in such an event, I would have said we would never see Skipper again. I was happy to find out that the little fellow does indeed know where he lives and is not anxious to leave. But I was chilled to think what if I had been right. I would never have seen my Skipper again.

Where was Sophie during this hullabaloo? Over at the next-door-neighbor's house sniffing at the cat door to the garage. One command of "come Sophie" was all it took to retrieve her. And even though we've seen that Skipper is more reliable than we had thought, Jesse has promised to be more attentive to closing the gate behind him.

---

This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 11/08/2013, Barbara Anne said ...

Ah, we used to have a dog who dashed for the great outdoors anytime she could. After driving around the neighborhood (she'd jump in the car in a heartbeat) after one escape, I headed home only to find her at the front door. So glad your story had a happy ending!

One of the things that drives us nuts in movies is the many, many times a character goes thru a gate and then doesn't close it securely. What is the gate keep IN or OUT??? In one of the last scenes in The Holiday, Carmen Diaz dashes across a snowy field and back into Rose Cottage leaving 3 gates open in the process. Those gates were closed when she got to them. Dang!
It's that lesson from childhood: "Put it back like you found it."

Cute photo of one happy to be home Skipper!

Hugs!

---

On 11/08/2013, Nicole said ...

Ozzie has done that a few times. He always comes back, but usually does something to make the neighbors hate us while he is running free.

---

On 11/08/2013, Sandy said ...

I'm wondering if this little escapade will cause him to give up on digging his way to China??? Guess we'll have to wait and see!! He is such a cutie and he just oozes with personality. So happy he didn't run away and is safely home. Have a great weekend Susan.

---

On 11/08/2013, Betty said ...

Scary adventure

---

On 11/08/2013, Jan said ...

There's no place like home…lessons learned for Skipper & Jesse! So glad everyone is back where they belong!

---

On 11/09/2013, sophie said ...

I'm so glad that it all turned out well. I have, perhaps stupidly, started the habit of taking the cats outside in my arms. They both love it; neither has ever tried to jump out into the wild, but they now demand it whenever I'm in the kitchen (near the front door) or living room (with doors out to the patio). Even though I'm afraid that if they get away from me, they'll be off into the adjacent arroyo and at risk of being attacked by coyotes, I cannot deny them. I'm hoping the snow arrives soon ... because I know they don't like to walk in it ;-)
-----

---

November Bee

Yesterday Piecemakers Quilting Bee got together at Barbara S.'s house for our November meeting. Barbara served us some delicious refreshments, we planned our annual Christmas gathering, and then we had show-and-tell, which I share below.

Martha brought three finished cuddle quilts for show-and-tell. Here's number 1, a Christmas beauty.

Martha's second charming cuddle 

Martha admits that she made the blocks for her third cuddle quilt a number of years (decades) ago. Recognize those colors?

(I am reminded by Martha's industriousness in getting these three cuddle quilts finished that I have one to be bound before Monday's quilt guild meeting.)
 

Mary U. showed us the wallhanging she made for her brand new granddaughter...

...and the matching fabric butterfly.

Mary U.'s meticulously appliqued and beaded Christmas stocking

---

This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 11/05/2013, Barbara Anne said ...

I always enjoy your bee photos and again, love the quilts! Yes, I remember those dusky pinks and blues from ... a while back. Well done to Martha for getting so much accomplished!

Congratulations to Mary U. on little Jane's joyous arrival and love her butterfly quilt and extra butterfly!

Hope your binding is ready to sew on you cuddle quilt. I have a friend who always makes her binding while the quilt is away being quilted so the binding is ready. Isn't she a show-off?! Currently I'm ignoring the handstitching that is needed on a small quilt's binding.

Wishing you well! Hugs!

---

On 11/05/2013, Joanne said ...

Beautiful works of art! Martha's first cuddle quilt looks like a Christmas card.
-----

---

Chili Supper Repeat

The huge pot of chili that I made for Halloween supper lasted through a nice sister supper last night. Joanne and Ramey joined me and Jesse to polish off the leftovers. I think it was even better the second night.

We sisters had a nice visit, then watched a little "Ancient Aliens" before they said goodnight and departed.

Today, sometime between early afternoon, when I went out to do a bit of shopping, and late afternoon, when I took the doggies for a walk, our weather went from warmish to quite chilly with a gorgeous blue sky and cotton ball clouds.

Posted with Blogsy

---

This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 11/03/2013, Betty said ...

Leftovers with good people on a cool day is just the best

---

On 11/03/2013, Barbara Anne said ...

Ah, we followed your good example, made chili for Halloween night, and will have our leftovers tonight with corn bread. AMIL and DS2 have already finished off the chili we shared with them.

We're having glorious cool, sunny weather, too, and almost all of outdoors looks golden as the rest of the hardwood trees don their autumn garb. Love the evergreens for the wonderful contrast they provide in autumn and their beauty thru the winter.

My next task is hand stitching binding on a small Christmas wall quilt so my fingers are likely to be fussing at me tomorrow. Am trying to think of wording for the label, too.

Hugs!

---

On 11/03/2013, Pesky Patti said ...

Mmmm...Hooray for wintery weather. There are so many good dishes to make.

---

On 11/03/2013, Sue, the Florida Farm Girl said ...

I was in your neck of the woods the past several days at a quilting retreat. This morning there was frost over everything but the sun quickly made it disappear. However, the weather was gorgeous the past few days. Chili sounds like just the right thing for those cool evenings.
-----

---