Mattoon soon!

Mary and I are going to be meeting in Mattoon this week for a few days of quilting fun.  I am so ready. 

I plan to bring along my wolf quilt top that still needs more done on it.  We are also going to work on a house block project together.

And how about a bit of really good news?  My son got a job!  He starts in a week!  It is a good paying job, close to home, and in his field.  A lot of prayers were said for him to get this and I thank everyone for that.

Summer Salad

Last night I made Chef salads for dinner. It was such a nice summer supper!

I finished quilting Roll Roll Cotton Boll over the weekend. All it needs now is to have the binding put on it! Sure felt good to be sewing again.

Visiting Family

This weekend my absolutely fantastic Uncle is coming to town and I am thrilled.  He has always been a positive force in my life. Cannot wait to see him.

Rolling Along

Over the Memorial Day Weekend I started quilting Roll Roll Cotton Boll finally.  It has been a very long time since I quilted on Gemma.  It felt pretty dang good!

Things like getting back to quilting are helping me feel like I am in a better place, mentally.  Not to sound like a public service announcement or anything, but if anyone feels like they just aren't themselves, please, please tell your doctor and don't be afraid to take medication if it's needed. 

Drinking Jars

Kind of a weird title, but that's what I call them.  These are 24 ounce wide mouth canning jars, plastic screw on lids I drilled a hole in, stainless steel straws, and crocheted sleeves.  I have been crocheting a lot lately and these little sleeves are quick to make in cotton yarn.  Some have been sold and some have been given as gifts.

A little personal update.  My son seems to be doing well.  He is still in a recovery program and as far as I am concerned, can continue with it as long as he needs to.  It is outpatient, so he lives as much of a normal life as possible.  He is still looking for a job, but that is getting closer, I believe.  Daughter is doing very well and keeping busy at work.  I am doing okay.  Just try not to let things get to me, although that is difficult at time.

Thrown Together Supper

I didn't think about thawing anything out for supper, so I just threw together a few ingredients and called it good.  And guess what?  It tastes good! 

There was a pound of ground check in the freezer that I just put in the skillet on low to kind of defrost and brown at the same time.  When it was all browned I added a diced onion and let it saute til done.  Added some noodles and a mix and match of things to make the sauce.  Lots of garlic powder, onion powder and season salt for flavor.  The sauce had a pouch of velveeta and some leftover cream cheese filling I used on tortilla roll ups. 

Happy Easter a little late

We had a great Easter weekend.  The kids came over for dinner and stayed for a while and visited.  I made a beef roast with gravy, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, glazed carrots, rolls, devilled eggs, and a few other munchies.  We have lots of leftovers, of course, but that’s okay.

I ended the day with wine and chocolate.

Chili Cheese Dogs

Saturday morning I planned to get some chili cooking because somebof the family was coming over for chili cheese dogs.  Here is how it went:

After the loss of two pounds of ground meat (it smelled funny once I started frying it, even though the date was good), one chopped onion, one chopped green pepper, 1 wooden spoon (because Addie chewed it up while I was on my way to IGA to get replacement meat)  and not to mention the loss of my dignity because I was wearing purple, green, and black stretch pants when I went into IGA to get replacement meat, my chili has finally been started. Hallelujah.

Oh, and did I mention the one inch long slice in the pad of my thumb from the stubborn can of chili beans? Have you ever tried to peel a soft-boiled egg without your thumb? It's not easy. The soft boiled egg did not go in the chili, it was part of my much-delayed breakfast. Sigh.

Yes, I am alive

Okay, so I know I have been gone for a while. Life has been quite an adventure. It has not always been the adventure I would have chosen, but an adventure just the same.

My family has gone through quite a bit of changes in the last couple years.  We have had two weddings, both of the kids made it official.

My son is still having difficulties but the improvement we have seen is remarkable.  If any of you are going through addiction problems with yourself or family members, please remember it can get better. We are not out of the woods yet, but the trees are thinning.

I haven't done a lot of quilting over the last couple of years but I have done some. Just recently my friend Mary and I went on a mini retreat, just the two of us, and I accomplished quite a bit. I was able to put this quilt top together.

Just wanted to give you all a quick update. I'm still alive, I'm still breathing, and I'm still quilting!