Last post of 2023

Shazam!  just like that another year has passed like lightning....and the first word that comes immediately to mind is thankfulness. A few notables made my year happier, better, more enjoyable....i'll toss in a few finish photos for diversion...lol!  but at the forefront, i thank my God always for constant care, love and guidance.  He did some awesome things for me this year, not always noteworthy, but always an expression of His deep love.  This was evident not just in my life, but family members too.  

my family--all of them!  a special mention of my dear sister-in-law who came to my aid after leg surgery, discharge one day and moving 4 days later!  it was an adventure, wasn't it?  

all my healthcare providers.  the news wasn't always welcome, but the treatment was...and those home care RNs and PTs who got me back on my feet...unsung heroes indeed! 

the folks at my wonderful new place....staff, neighbors, others who guided a newbie in town, and my new church family who welcomed me and found a place for me to worship and fellowship.  i haven't completely bonded but feeling more at home every day...it is so very difficult to move and establish all new connections.

have to include my online and in person quilty peeps, some i've known thru several moves!  the gals from 'down under', the stashbusters, the senior center gals....all have enriched my creative life by several notches.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2024!

(photos:  twisted star, kaffe fassett pennants, bonnie hunter pineapple blossom)

up for air

i've been at the machine nearly nonstop the past few days sewing stuff....miss sunny had to be oiled TWICE and needle changed the same.  she was delighted to be of regular use...assembled more of bonnie hunter's scrap block; more are sewn ready for assembling.  astonishingly quick and easy!

deep in the desk under some stuff, found yet another UFO.  haven't decided if this will be a flimsy to donate or something for me to quilt.  i do like repro quilts a lot and this would be easy to hand quilt....food for thought. i think that gives me 23 for 2024...sheesh, i thought my list would be smaller!

finally all wedding quilt blocks are done and ready to lay out and assemble.  thinking will utilize a meeting room at the library where there's plenty of flat and walking around space.  

have cleared the decks somewhat ...few more blocks to have a flimsy but laundry and dishes have been waiting too long already.  friday is gym day and a few errands, then i'll be back sewing.  the week has flown by and new year just around the corner....hardly seems possible.  ***  tree and decorations will remain another week or so before reluctantly relegated to wait another christmas.   maybe it won't be 50 degrees then...LOL!

A Blessed Christmas!

 

'Twas the day of christmas and all thru the house,

no seniors were stirring, no sign of a mouse.

 

The stockings were hung, the tree brightly lit.

Grace was missing her family, much more than a bit.

 

The scraps were all piled in an orderly mess,

And Grace was in jammies, her usual dress

 

at the vintage machine, her usual place,

and blocks being sewn, threads all over the place!

 

A plan was in place for a sewing-filled day,

making some quilt tops to then give away.

 

A pizza for lunch that must be home made,

to keep down the salt and no check to be paid.

 

But the meaning of Christmas was clearly in mind,

as she sewed the bright fabrics from quilters so kind.

 

It isn’t the gifts, or turkey or ham,

but the greatest of gifts that was long ago planned.

 

A babe in a manger, very far from here,

and angels with news of clearly good cheer.

 

So when Christmas is done and tops neatly made,

life will go on in the usual way.

 

But the best gift remains, unselfishly given,

of a Savior who came and the promise of heaven!

by grace thorne (c) 2023

Christmas somewhere

 

woodstock flying in to say a very merry christmas to my quilty peeps in the southern hemisphere!