Advance or Retreat!?

My household has taken a dramatic turn!

I've gone from just me and the boys -- easy living, really.  There's the running, but we mostly foraged for food and went to our corners of the house:  Sam with his drums, Will with his video games, and I in my sewing room!!  So from me and the boys to me and the boys and the husband (home on Sunday)and the college age daughter (home on Wednesday) all home at the same time!!

Yesterday morning I was struck the by the CROWD!!
In my little sewing room, first one boy then the other came in.  Then Emily, then Jeff....FIVE people in my sewing room. Asking me stuff.  Needing or wanting my attention. All talking at the same time.  Wanting to be fed!!

Calgon take me away!!!!

Advance or retreat?  Too late.  I already retreated BEFORE they came! LOL  I spent Thursday, Friday and Saturday at a retreat center in Central KY far out in the country.  I live in the country! This was even further out in the country. And it was lovely!  The gals were such fun. Games, giveaways, stories, projects, food -- all the good stuff!

I mostly worked on one UFO -- my Thimbleberries Hometown Christmas -- and a new project, Spools, from Edyta Sitar's book, Friendship Strips and Scraps.

Autumn took some great photos of the different projects and quilts at the retreat and you can see them here.  I took photos while I was there, but hers were so much better than mine. So pop over and take a look!!

I came home from retreat on Saturday and picked Jeff up on Sunday.  Then Wednesday, we packed up Emily's dorm room at Asbury and headed south. 

It really is good to have the whole family under one roof again for the first time in over a year!

It will take a while to get back into our routine.  Jeff will return to his "real" job in a few weeks; he's an Agriculture Extension Agent for a local county through the University of KY Cooperative Extension Service.  He'll take some much needed R & R time at home, though. :-D  My sewing time may get curtailed a little! :-D

Emily is spending her summer home with the family, too.   In previous years she did summer missions work with a camp in Lafollette, TN, but this year the luxury of our family being together is one she's going to take advantage of.  Jeff says there is work enough here at home to keep her busy if she doesn't find a summer job locally.

So advance it is!
Into renovated routines.  Into postponed projects (UFO #9 - the Circuit Rider and another recently  "discovered" (that's what I get for cleaning out the closet! :-D)  UFO, Star Sprinkles from Adkinson Designs).

Into the haven of home!

I am so very, very, blessed!

Psalm 13: 5-6
But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing to the LORD,
for he has been good to me.

Blessings!

Getting Ready!

Twice a year, a bunch of my Quilt Club gals and I get away from it all for three days and two nights of games, food and quilting!! It's always a hoot -- and I was so afraid I wasn't going to get to go!!  Jeff was scheduled to return from Afghanistan this same week, so my plans were to skip the spring retreat and hope for the timing to be better in the fall.

But the army is never predictable! LOL and Jeff's Welcome Home ceremony is Sunday!! Which means, I get to go to retreat (which ends Saturday), AND I won't have to keep him waiting at the armory while I diddle-daddle with the gals! :-D (As if I would!!)

So I've got double duty for getting ready.  Retreat stuff, the house, my toenails!! :-D

(Don't mind the grime; I just fed the cats and chickens -- and Oh! Look at little "Smokey" (? tentative name since we don't know if it's a he or a she, yet! :-D)! It's a wonder my feet didn't scare the little thing!! LOL

I've got most of my sewing stuff ready to go:

I always take way too much.  I wanna be prepared for whatever I'm in the mood to sew, you know? That's the thing with UFO's ....the reason they are UFO's is that you get out of the mood to finish them!

Some things are mandatory, though.
My leaders-and-enders 2" squares.

Chocolate (the good stuff! :-D)

My annual hauling out of the scrappy-spools-which-I-have-already-made-two-large-quilts-and-one-lap-quilt-of project:
Then, of course, there's the new project that I'm totally inspired with and wanna get started on!
I spent the better part of this week sorting my scraps by color. I'll eventually cut  them into Bonnie Hunter's Scrap User's System, but I had to sort them so I could find scraps for this quilt by Edyta Sitar in her Friendship Strips and Scraps book!!

The pattern calls for 1" strips!! I'll be using some small stuff on this one!

(What is it with me and spool quilts!?!)

So after cleaning up my messes and packing clothes (I should probably wear some on retreat! Jeff probably won't mind if I don't! LOL), I'll be ready to walk out the door. 

I can't wait! No dishes. No phone calls ('cept to check on the young-uns). Just friends, fabric and fun!

And Jeff on Sunday, home for a good while, thank the Lord!  I'm so ready!!

“Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready."
Revelation 19:6-7

Blessings,

He's a SHE!

It's been an interesting week so far at the ol' Casada homestead! I'm diligently working on my #4 UFO, "Wilfred and Cloves" with it's applique'd center (which I've changed, of course! :-D), but I've been thwarted somewhat in my sewing plans....

It started Sunday afternoon as I was returning home from Asbury University where I'd dropped my daughter for another week of school.  I called home to check on the boys, and they told me about a huge rat/mouse the cats were playing with on the porch. Lovely!!  (not) "I'll check on it when I get home!!"

So an hour later, I'm looking at this thing Lucky cat has under the paws....
And it's moving.
And it's got a tail like a rat/mouse...but the head is not right...

Oh.
My.
Word.
It's a KITTEN!!!!

Lucky is not, as we'd assumed -- as we'd been TOLD by my brother who brought him to me after rescuing him (um, HER!) from the motor of a car -- a MALE cat!  He's a SHE!!  Lucky had ridden into town inside the whirring motor of a car and survived to tell the tale, thus the name and my brother's subsequent rescue and arrangment of our adopting him (HER!).  We'd have never taken a female (for obvious reasons).

But the kitten....Sigh.  Sweetest thing. EVER!  It's little eyes aren't open yet, and Lucky cat is the sweetest mama cat ever.  What's a chicken-owning, quilting, homeschooling mama like me gonna do!?  Fix her, of course.   Ironic, really, that he's a she ....here I was lamenting a few days ago about the identity crisis of my chicken.  Apparently there are LOTS of secrets on this erswhile homestead of mine.

See what happens when your husband goes to Afghanistan!!?!

Oh!
And the bees swarmed.  They COULDN"T wait until he is home in a couple of weeks. NOOOOOO! They do it now. 

Kittens. (Well, blessedly, only 1 kitten!) Fine.  I can handle that.

Swarming bees!?! NO.  I worried about killing Jeff's bees through neglect, and the dern things have prospered and multiplied until there's enough for two hives!! The chickens, which I actually kinda liked, are knocked off one by one by varmints or pestilence or neighbor's villainous dogs, and the bees which freak me totally out are taking over the place!!

Where's the justice!?! Where's the fairness of it all!?!

In Afghanistan, apparently.  As usual, my beloved if annoying husband gets the last laugh! :-D 

Oh well.  I'll tell him my stash has reproduced in proportion to the bees.

Those piles of fabric on the tables and chairs are SWARM.

Hehehehe.  Maybe there is some justice in the world after all!! LOL

He has told you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God?    Micah 6:8 (NASB)

 Did I mention my husband hates cats!?! God is good. All the time!! :-D

Blessings!


P.S.  Don't forget to qualify for the Traveling Stash drawing!!!  You'll find the post here!

Instant Connection

I picked my husband up at Lexington's Bluegrass Airport on Monday evening!!  It's so very good to have him home!!

But....I'll just tell ya...Jeff being home on R & R from Afghanistan has put a damper on my sewing room time! :-)  It's a good thing, of course, but I an accustomed to sewing everyday and leisurely reading blogs on my computer and leaving facebook up on my own I.D.  Having him home means re-arranging my priorities a bit, and it's thrown me off my routine!  I'm having withdrawals! LOL

But I've gotten little doses of quilt-mania that are sew refreshing! :-D

I went with Jeff to the doctor's office, and while I sat in the waiting room, I worked on my Tumbling Blocks -- an English paper piecing project that I keep in a box and carry with me when I'm in the mood.  It's portable and interesting and fun....and what better way to while away the time!

As usually happens, a lady inquired about my quilt blocks....and then talked with me about her current projects!! Another quilter -- an instant connection!! Moira is new to the area, so I invited her to Mountain Laurel Quilters, gave her my phone number and was thrilled to talk "quilt" while Jeff talked with the doctor (nothing serious, a rash on his hands and feet that needs some prescription-strength cream).

Later, my friends Autumn and Tracy looked over the blocks and played with arranging them....one of my favorite parts of making the Tumbling Blocks!

I love the instant connection we make as quilters!  It happens both off-line and on- and it is a blessing every time.  During this week when I need to keep my quilting more subdued so as not to neglect my gone-for-the-last-eight-months spouse (!), having a dose of quilting tonic with new friends and old is an extra special blessing.

The apostle Paul told Timothy, "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine." (2 Timothy 4:2 KJV)

Seems I am always ready to talk quilts! Summer or winter, hand- or machine-piecing or quilting, applique or patchwork...I'm "instant in season!"  I hope I am also always ready to "give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have," (1 Peter 3:15) to tell them about the God Who gave His only begotton Son, so that we might have everlasting life!!

So Jeff has my (mostly!) undivided attention.  The UFO for February, Moon and Stars Whimsy, is languishing; perhaps March will be more productive for all those projects I'm delaying while I spend time with Jeff and accomplish some things he wants to see done while he's home.  For now, I have Tumbling Blocks for ballgames and doctor's offices, with old and new friends.  Connections abound!!

It's always good to be a quilter!!

Blessings!

Ready or not?

Sometime next week, the man of the house returns! :-D
Jeff gets 15 days leave from Afghanistan...and boy, has it been a busy week!!

I'm trying to prepare for his homecoming. Getting laundry actually put away (a minor miracle, you understand, not to dress from the clothes basket!). Floor swept. Furniture dusted. Bathrooms spic and span. Or they will be.  BEFORE he arrives. (I hope!)

All the housework I've neglected for the ten months (2 months in training, 8 in country) he's been away, is now getting done! LOL

 My story is that I've spent the last ten months keeping his bees and chickens alive...

Well, the bees, anyway.  I saw them buzzing on a pretty day earlier this week (we've had temps in the 60's!).  So they survived the winter (no thanks to me!).

The chickens, however, have not fared so well.

Coyotes or foxes got several.  Neighbor's dogs probably got a few more.  One we think was eaten by a possum or a minx (head of poor Bucky nipped clean off! UGH!  He was such a pretty rooster!)  Only three (of thirteen!) survived.  Not good to be a chicken at our place these days.

The truth is, of course, that I've been too busy quilting.  (Who has time for chickens and bees!?)  I've done other things, too.  Homeschooling and running with two active boys takes time.

But all the available time I've had I've spent in my sewing room.  It is, truly, my therapy! :-)

And yes, my obsession! LOL
This week, while juggling the many things I need to do, I've worked on the Brown Bag Quilt!  The top is complete, and it goes into the "to-be-quilted" pile. My deadline for the challenge is April 1st.  Quilted and bound! :-)  I've come this far, I'll try to see it through! :-D

It's amazing how my priorities change, though, with the eminent arrival of my deployed husband.  Suddenly, the quilting can wait.  I want the house to be ready.  I'm preparing myself  (I've lost about 15 lbs.  My butt is firmer from step aerobics! and I got my hair done.  I'll try to work in a pedicure --- what is it about painted toenails that guys like!?!?).  I wanna get the taxes finished (so I can give him news of a refund, Lord willing! :-D). It wouldn't do for him to come home and find that he was second in my priorities!

All week long this scripture has circulated in my head:

“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.  It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night.  (Luke 12:35-38 NIV)

Wouldn't it be something if we lived like we thought Jesus would arrive at any moment!?

I want to be able to open the door immediately for Jeff.  No scrambling to do what has not been done.  No covering up misdeeds or mismanagement of what he's given me.  Just,

"Come on in, honey!  I'm so glad you are here!"

When He comes, will He find me ready!?

Blessings!

Can We Have a Little Healing Over Here!?!?!

It's such a romantical notion! That a quilt can have healing properties.  Sylvia Compson's mother made an Ocean Waves quilt that was said to have healing properties in Jennifer Chiaverini's Elm Creek Quilts series of books.  Lauraine Snelling wrote a whole book about it (The Healing Quilt).  I, for one, am hoping it's true.

You see, I am well and truly sick.

Oh -- it's nothing so bad...Started with a little sore throat day before yesterday.  Figured I would slough it off and go on about my merry business of running boys here and yon (while the little balloon man whistles far and WHEEEEE!!! -- sorry, e.e.cummings) and making quilts for little girls. Ah! the life of a homeschooling quilting maniac whale of a mom.

I should have understood I was in the full throes of denial when I purchased (and devoured) some large extra salty fries (with the Applewood Bacon cheeseburger) from Wendy's thinking they would probably feel every bit as good on my pitiful throat as that briny glass of warm water "they" always tell you to gargle. ("Feed a cold..."  Right!?)

So last night I retreated to my Sanctuary (translation: bedroom -- not quite as pristine as it was here :-(....you're seeing the eye roll, right!?!) and rolled up in my very own "healing" quilt.


This pinwheely, whirlygigy beauty of a body warmer is made of homespuns (with all the same background fabric because that's what I do. I know...I'm trying to break free!  :-D), and it has the yummiest, softest brushed cotton flannel backing in rich olive green plaid you ever had the pleasure of laying on your skin.

This is the quilt that Jeff and I snuggle under on a Sunday afternoon -- after church, when Sunday dinner is over and the kids have retreated to the family room (downstairs! Yippeeee!!) to play video games -- and we breathe deeply of each other and then roll over, each to our own side! and take a two- to three-hour nap!!!

Heaven!

So, yeah, I'm thinking this quilt definitely might have healing properties.  As I delve a little more deeply into "memory time" while Jeff is overseas, I'm smiling to myself and enjoying the view....and

AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGHHHH,humph,humph,humphAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGHH.....
The coughing spasm hits, and I know the wet stuff in my lungs has to go somewhere! and my fantasy takes a dramatic turn....

"NOOOO! Baby! Stay in the desert!!
I would not have you die of this horrible plague!!
Save yourself!!! Give my best to the Afghans.....
Tell the children I love them...
I love you tooooo much to inflict this on you!!!!!"

Healing quilt, my...Well. Nevermind.

So, I'm thinking there are some clear clues that I'll be seeing a doctor today.

1. When my very real deployed husband tells me in my fake insipid daydream to get my rear end to the doctor.
2. When every coughing spasm reveals there are other uses for certain drug store products besides consistent incontinence.  (Yeah, and all my relatives wanted to throw away the Poise pads when gramma died!!! Hummmmph!!!)
3. When my children back away from me saying things like, "Is that one gonna make you hurl, Mom!?!"

It's bronchitis.  I get it every year.  I'll probably live. AFTER I see the doctor. :-)

And I could pray! I had a pastor who, when someone would suggest prayer for a sicko like me, would respond, tongue in cheek --"Has it come to that!?!"  He's a keeper! Gotta love it!! LOL

They don't call Jesus the Great Physician for nothin'!  God tells His people Israel, "I am the LORD, who heals you." (Exodus 15:26).  Psalm 103, recounting all the benefits of the Lord, tells us He "heals all your diseases."

Malachi 4:2 offers this promise:  "But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.  And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall." 

Yeah...I'm not too excited about the calf bit (I already called myself a whale -- "heifer" is just a little further than I wanna go today!), but I'll take the healing! Thank you, Jesus! and pass the antibiotics!!

And Daydream Jeff!! Quit hogging all the covers!! I'm trying to nap over here!!

Blessings!

Fall Colors For People Who Don't Do Anything

Jeff asked me to send him photos of the house and what not.  He's got alot of rocks and sand around him in Afghanistan, and I'm thinking he asked for photos because the colors of fall might be particularly pleasing to see.  So I sent him the spectacular tree color from our yard.  No...not the trees in the background that are a quarter mile away....our yard:

Yeah, buddy.  It's a virtual kaleidoscope of brilliant color from the side of our home.  We are the envy of every house around us.  We are the epitome of stunning autumnal resplendence.  (It's a Thanksgiving miracle!)   LOL
Wait 'til you see the front yard:

We planted a lovely hemlock there before Jeff was deployed.  After the fourth time the wind blew it over last March, we staked it down.  I can't imagine why it didn't last through the summer.  It's as if it were never there....

We have some lovely mums.  It's a good thing they are perennial...Lord knows my not-so-green thumb would have done them in weeks ago if not!

They need a little...weeding? perhaps.  Pruning? Cleaning up? (Do you deadhead mums?)  Of course, I'd have to leave the sewing room to do that.  There just SOOO many hours in the day!! If I were going to leave my sewing room, don't you think I would sweep and dust!?!?

And, like any good homeschooling mom would do, I assigned the children to do animal husbandry -- meaning, it's Sam's and Will's jobs to keep the chickens and bees alive until Jeff returns from overseas. (They are his hobby; quilting is mine, thank you very much.  Do I ask him to watch my fabric when I'm gone!?! Nooooooooooooooooo.)

So far, so good!

Bucky, the rooster, is some of the best fall color we have! And, the bees are still buzzing, so I'm optimistic.

Lest you think I never DO anything...there is some lovely fall color INSIDE the house. :-D

After Mary at Quilt Hollow posted about her beautiful little quilt by Lori Smith using Jo Morton fabrics, it reminded me of the little quilts I have (long had!) in my "to be quilted" pile. They are "Little Jo's" -- designed by Jo Morton and using her fabrics (I tweaked a couple of them because I got carried away and cannot leave --hehe, get it, leave ...!?-- well enough alone).

Now there's some fall color to love! They may actually be quilted some day....assuming I can find the time in the lazy days of fall.  (....at this point, I'm thinking the bees have a better prognosis!)

Good thing the Lord is a little  more reliable than I! :-)  The Psalmist writes:

Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep. O LORD, you preserve both man and beast. How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.  (Psalm 36:5-9)
 

He preserves "both man and beast" -- bees and chickens, and my Jeff in a foreign land.  I don't have to do anything!

 

 

Except maybe send a photo or two to show everything's OK at home (right after I deadhead the mums!).

Blessings!