Summer Fun

July has been busy!

Dean and Karen enjoying the incredible Garden of the Gods.

It has been a while since I have posted anything, but then, we have been having too much fun! July is a vacation month for most, and we were supposed to see our son Brian during the first week, but he had some car problems and missed his flight, soooooo, since we had planned to take the time off anyway, we just did some fun things around town. Shortly after, we enjoyed a visit from Dale's brother, Dean, and his wife Karen. We always have a great time together, and this was no exception. We visited the Farmer's Market in Fort Collins, and afterward, since they were having a sale at The Cupboard, Karen and I had to stop in. You can spend a lot of time in that shop, and we certainly did - so much time that we were late meeting our son, John, for lunch! The guys all teased us, but we didn't care - we were enjoying ourselves.

Dean and Dale find a great place to rest while the girls shop.

We also took a mini trip with them to Colorado Springs, where we walked through the Garden of the Gods, shopped in Manitou Springs, and toured the Air-force Academy.(along with lots of shopping!)

When we returned home, we prepared for the arrival of our niece and her family, and all of us enjoyed lots of fun as they explored the area for the first time. Amy wanted to check out Fort Collins, so after visiting the Sculpture Garden in Loveland, drove on up and hit an ice cream store (that's what summer is about, right?!) Our shop exploration did not get very far as Amy got hung up in one particular store right at the get go and we never got her out of there!! I think she will come back for a visit just to go back to that shop again.

Jeff. Amy, John, Cathy, Dale, (back row)
Grace, Anika, Patricia, Dean, & Karen (front row)
at a family backyard barbeque.

Everyone has gone home, and I sort of have my house back in order again, so now I am working on catching up on my quilting - definitely behind. I have finished my "Chain of Fools" quilt, and hope to get it quilted soon so you can see the finished product.


That's it for now. I hope all of you are enjoying your summer - it is quickly coming to an end!

Until next time, happy quilting!
Cathy

Verse for the day: "Every word of God is pure; he is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him." (Proverbs 30:5)

Enjoying Fall

A Train Ride in New Mexico

The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic RR line, going
 from Antonio to Chama, NM.

We have a son who is quite a train fanatic, and planned a little vacation in NM with a train ride from Antonio to Chama - the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. We had taken the Durango to Silverton route a year ago and really enjoyed it, but John (our son) told us this was even better. I had to agree - we did enjoy this more, but I think it was because the scenery was so beautiful! The fall colors were really coming out in those mountains, and the many scenic vistas were spectacular.

John and Patricia in the open air
car, and getting a little rained on.

John, Patricia, Cathy, and Dale
enjoying our ride.

We did, however, run into a small problem during the trip down - I fell and broke my wrist! We ended up spending 5 hours in the emergency room is Alamosa, CO. We were supposed to meet John and Patricia for dinner, but did not make it to Chama until after 9 pm. We missed dinner with them, but were to meet them at 7am for breakfast the next day. I decided I needed to get up at 5 am, since I did not have any idea how long it would take me to get dressed when I very awkwardly only had the use of 1 hand, was still in a bit of pain, and could not get my cast wet. (A wise decision - I needed every minute of that time!) After breakfast, we rode the bus from Chama to Antonio, boarded the train there, and enjoyed a wonderful and leisurely ride back to Chama. I was very thankful that I could just sit and relax that day!

Cathy and Dale overlooking the Rio Grande -
what a view!

A Huey displayed at the Vietnam
Memorial - my brother flew one
of these, so this was a very
tearful moment for me.

The home we were able to tour
at the Earthship community.

After our ride, we enjoyed  dinner with John and Patricia, then headed on down to Taos. The ride there was also very scenic, and we were able to enjoy fall immensely - don't you just love the wonderful colors this season offers?. In Taos, we were unable to do all that we intended, with me being handicapped, but we were able to enjoy our stay. Taos is a very friendly and nice town, with a lot of interesting (and bloody) history. For probably the very first time, we did most, possibly all, of the touristy stuff - enjoyed the town market (lots of history there!), drove the Enchanted Circle (hiked a little bit and visited a Vietnam Veteran's Memorial), toured the Kit Carson home and cemetery, visited several of the local historic churches, checked out the Rio Grande gorge, and finished with a tour of  the Earthship community - a self sustaining group of homes that are built into a hill using spare tires, bottles, cans, and other interesting items. They look unusual, but the Eco-friendly concept was very fascinating and quite different from the typical home.

I have since had surgery on my wrist - they put in a metal plate to hold everything together - and am trying to get along with the use of 1+ hands (I have gained the use of my fingers again), but, amazingly, am still able to quilt! (The Lord blessed me greatly by leaning me to the left when I fell, instead of the right!!) I am able to hold the quilt with my left hand, while I move my machine with my right, but I do have a little problem trying to handle that bobbin.

Well, that's my vacation report. Life brings us many challenges, but we are still always blessed in so many ways! Until next time, happy quilting!
Cathy

Verse for the day: "For as many are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us." (2 Corinthians 1:13)

A Visit to California

Samantha and Emily enjoying the
Lake Tahoe beach.

Family - What a Blessing!

Sarah with Emily, Ryan, Samantha, and Adam at
 beautiful Lake Tahoe

Dale and Cathy with Ryan, Emily, and Samantha.

It was about time we were able to make it out to California to visit our daughter and her wonderful family! The grandchildren are growing up way to fast, and this visit we saw some big changes in them - We both had to reach up to hug Ryan, and the girls are becoming beautiful young ladies. But we had so much fun!

Emily doing some serious painting.

Samatha often gets a bit silly.

The girls and I always do lots of crafts while Dale and Ryan play golf. Usually, Sarah's husband Adam plays also, but since he hasn't played for quite some time, he decided it would not be very good for his ego to go against those two.

Sometimes the girls do some
silly things to poor Grandpa.

Grandma trying to figure out the game.

The girls tried to teach Grandma their new game - I'm a slow learner - somehow you obtain an apartment, get married, have a baby, and the baby grows up. When you tune into the game each day, it is a surprise as to what stage your baby is at - but you have to care for it! A good game to learn some responsibility, but I have to say, I don't think I was a very good parent, since I never quite got the hang of what was going on!

We have been back home for a little over a week now, trying to rest up (it was a long drive!) and get caught up on things. Cathy is, of course, back to trying to get those quilts out!

More quilts soon!
Cathy
"For He has satisfied the thirsty soul, and the hungry soul He has filled with what is good." Psalm 107:9

California Grandchildren

Happy Spring!
My daughter in California sent us this wonderful Easter gift - photos of 2 of our beautiful granddaughters.

This is Samantha. She is 9 years old, and what a surprise this photo was. Last time I saw her, she was quite the tomboy, and would not even think of wearing a dress, but I guess things have changed!

And this is 7 yr. old Emily who has always been a girly girl. She has the sweetest personality, which I think really shows up here in her beautiful smile.



Sarah also sent this photo of her son Ryan not too long ago - he just turned 16 and towers over mom!

I am so looking forward to seeing these precious grandchildren again this summer!! We don't get to see them often enough, and our time together always is too short, but we have lots of fun and laughter and do lots of crafty stuff, take walks, play cards, etc.  I get to be a kid again when I am with them!


Thank you for indulging this grandma - if you are one, I know you understand!!

Until next time,
Cathy

A Christmas Sampler

Happy December!

 

We really enjoyed our Thanksgiving, and I hope you enjoyed yours as well. Holidays are such a wonderful time for family gatherings, but unfortunately, our family is so scattered that we were not able to get everyone together. As a replacement, our wonderful daughter sent this photo, and I just had to show off two of our cute grandchildren! (Our daughter Sarah with Samantha and Emily)

 

 

As for that Black Friday shopping, I don't know about you, but I chose not to brave the shopping the last couple of days and decided to remain in the safety of my home. I enjoy Christmas shopping, but I certainly do not want to be around crowds of crazy people who are in a trampling mode!
I love this time of year - the music, lights, family fun, children's pageants, laughter, decorating, baking, etc. I love most of all to watch children's faces - they are all so full of wonder, joy, and excitement - which is really what Christmas is all about. After all, the very first Christmas gift was a child, so it is only natural that children should be the most excited.
 

A Christmas Sampler Quilt

For me, this time of year also means lots of quilting, so here is a Christmas sampler for you to check out.

The Poinsettia Center block



A sample block - Path Through
the Woods - with continuous
curveand feather swirls

Christmas Star  block

The quilt border as a busy fabric, so the pattern would be hard to see. This is the back of the quilt, which allows you to see the Ivy pattern, and some of the feather sashing. 

I really enjoy working on samplers, and this one was no exception. Some of the block patterns in this quilt I had not seen before, and sometimes it was a stretch for me to determine what to quilt, but I do so enjoy the process!

 

Well, its time for me to get to wrapping all those gifts that have to go into the mail. Have fun with your Christmas projects - I am sure all who receive them will be delighted with the special effort you have put into them. Enjoy the season!!!  

 

"...and unto us a child is born, a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders; and His Name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace."  (Is. 9:6)