August - A Busy Time

Hi All, 

It's getting close to the end of August.  It's also getting pretty busy around here.  We went away for the weekend to visit family.  It was a nice visit.  I'm especially glad my DH got to visit with his family.  We've stayed away so we don't get anyone sick, but took a chance to go this time.  

It's harvest time starting up.  We've been picking blackberries for about 3 weeks.  The raspberries are starting up, now, as well.  I've made 2 batches of blackberry freezer jam, 3 batches of blackberry syrup, and one batch (pints) of crushed tomatoes.  I'm very blessed that my DD comes to help me.  

They are waiting to be washed and labled, then put on the shelf for the coming year.  I forgot that I had made blackberry syrup last year, so I need to start using it up, and giving some to the kids.

My DH has been experimenting with sourdough (like the rest of the world), only he's just been at it about 6 weeks or so.  Today's sourdough became tonight's dinner - scones, or frybread.  It was delicious!

They were light and fluffly, but had a lot of chew time because it's sourdough.  It just isn't the same texture as regular white bread.  Delicious with peanut butter and blackberry jam!

I also washed some raspberries to have with our dinner.

Delicious with cream and sugar!  Just like grandma used to serve!  I love this time of year!

I am working on a very big customer quilt.  And it is custom, so it takes me a while to get it done.  In the meantime, I keep getting quilts in to be done.  I'm at 25, with 2 coming tomorrow and 1 on Monday.  I need to really buckle down and get some done this weekend.  I'm hoping the custom quilt will be done by tomorrow evening.

Here's as much of the quilt as I could get a picture to work.

Here is the first row, what I have been doing.

Here's a small sample of my quilting.

Usually on custom quilts, I do a mixture of computer designs and free motion.  I'm trying to do everything as I go, but I forgot to quilt on the eagles near the top, so I will be returning to that after I finish to the bottom of the quilt.

I have 2 blocks I am working on for the store.  We are part of a shop hop coming up in September.  We are making one of each of the blocks that are being provided by the participating stores.  I'm only doing two, and I need to have them finished by Monday.  So, no quilting after 9 pm, so I can piece instead.

Over the weekend, I finished binding some small quilts for my sister, so she can give them as Christmas presents.  

Next time I'll share some of the things waiting for me on my sewing table.

Keep on Sewing and Quilting!

Considering Family & Gratitude

I have spent a lot of time with my family.  Or at least I try to.  I worry over them, and hope for the best for them.  And sometimes that means I don't get to post very often.  At least that's my story for now.

Last night I visited with my Mother and my Aunt.  They are both aging (as we all are), and I know they feel young inside.  It made me ponder about families.

Growing up, I thought I had it bad because I had an absent dad.  But, instead I had it pretty good.  I was surrounded by loving aunts, uncles and grandparents, and my mother loved all of us and worked very hard on our behalf.  I always knew my extended family loved me very much.  It was just easier as a child and young adult to focus on what I didn't have.  However, as an adult, I've found it better to focus on what I have.  I still have loving extended family member that love me.  They have memories to share with me, and are willing to spend time with me when I have time for them.  For this, I am grateful.

Even now, I have to focus on what I have.  Children can be difficult.  And watching your children make life-changing decisions without awareness of the consequences can be extremely difficult.  (Surely no mother looks at their newborn baby and thinks about them being a bum when they grow up).  (Not that mine are bums, but you get the idea).  We all want the best for our children.  We want them to have it better than we did, learn to love, learn to work hard and to be around forming memories with us as we and they age.   However, when these decisions are made, we need to stand by and let them, because they have their agency.  So, I try to focus on what I do have.

I have a child that thinks a Sunday isn't complete without a game of Aggravation with his dad and me.  He also still doesn't mind spending a little bit of time with us, and helping out around the house.  For this, I am grateful.

I am grateful that I have time to quilt, sew and create.  I am grateful I have a part-time job that stretches me, allows me to be creative, and share my knowledge with others.  I have a great boss, fabulous co-workers and it is nice to laugh at work.  They support me in my hardships, and we can share our lives.  For this, I am grateful.

I have a sewing group that gets together once a week (usually).  We share our triumphs, our sorrows, and our work.  We help each other and teach each other new things.  We try to solve the world's problems, and laugh at ourselves and the mistakes we make.  For this, I am grateful.

I am enjoying leading the Ward Choir this Christmas season.  The choir members have been very responsive to me, and we are enjoying singing together.  Good music and beautiful harmonies touch my heart and soothe my soul.  For this, I am grateful.

So, I may not post very often, although I would like to do more.  Just know that I am working, learning, sewing, spending time with family and friends, and serving where I can.  Life is full and overflowing.  For this, I am grateful.