Merry Christmas!

Even though 2020 has brought much heartache to family and friends, we still have much to be thankful for.  Having Elijah and his family at our home these past five months have been a joy and a blessing.  I'm not saying it hasn't been a big adjustment for everyone but we seem to be making it work. I know this time is helpful to them as they prepare for their own place. This is the first time they have been stateside at Christmas since moving to Edinburgh in 2014.

The kids participated in their church's Christmas program.

The kids got to experience a white Christmas!  Such fun! Emma dressed and went out early this morning. Our temp was 18 degrees with a feels like of 8!

My son Elijah, and his beautiful wife Katie.

Wanted to remember what 2020 was like during a pandemic.

I don't think I've ever seen the wonderful joy of children opening presents.

Our little family.....

So blessed and so thankful....

 

Holidays

 Thanksgiving has come and gone.  The kids were visiting the other grandparents, so we had a few days of quiet, and I was able to get some sewing done.  I did a virtual Turkey Trot 5k on Thanksgiving morning.

Afterwards we ate a wonderful meal. I wanted to cook even though it was just the two of us.  We took food to some friends who were quarantining with the Covid.  Left it outside so we would be safe.

Was able to finish the Appalachian Autumn quilt (pattern by Bonnie Hunter). I ended up making it exactly as the pattern instructed, no bigger.

Got the house decorated for Christmas. I don't do a lot, at least compared to all the Instagrammers.

My (pink) Christmas quilt. The red flannel backing faded and I did my best to get it all out, but it still has a tinge of pink to the whites.

My daughter in law is doing an Advent series each night until Christmas.  This was night one.

The swing set is finished and boy is it  lot of fun!

While the kids were gone I was able to do some painting, which I've really missed

Made a few for us to go hide. Figured they would enjoy doing that.

I received the latest magazine that has one of my quilts.  I was selected to be in one of their Designer Spotlight articles in this issue.

I tell a lot about myself and my other hobbies.

This is my quilt.  It was the first of four Quarantine quilts I made during the spring/summer of the pandemic.

November 9, 2020

 Life is moving on day by day.  Our home is busy, chaotic, but mostly fun.  The little ones seem to have adjusted well to their school/preschool schedules.  I'm sure it is very difficult for all of them to be living in someone else's home.  I try my best to make things easier on them all.  I am not able to sew much these days but did manage to get these blocks finished on Bonnie Hunter's Appalachian Autumn quilt pattern.  I'm still debating what size to make it. For now, I'm just making a block when I have a little time.

We celebrating the hubby's birthday last week.

He and the little grandson are thick as thieves these days.

We are wanting to build a swing set for the kids in our backyard.  I've been drawing up some plans.  We hope to get it built before too long.  The kids need more outdoor activities.

I've mentioned this book before.  I had a copy as a young woman, about 19-20 years old.  I loved it then, I love it now.  I lost or gave away my old copy, but found a new one a few years ago on eBay.  Amazing how the topics from 1968 are still relevant today.  Just love it.

Changing Weather

 Such a beautiful day today.  Sunny but cool and windy.  The kids are outside playing in the sunshine and don't mind the cold.  Me, I'm just hanging around the house after morning errands.  Changed the quilts on the big bed this week.  I really wanted to use my scrappy pandemic quilts on our bed....

Recently downloaded Bonnie Hunter's Appalachian Autumn quilt pattern.  I started it but not sure I'll make the full quilt.  Not committing to anything quilty at the moment.

Just finished a memory quilt for a sweet couple who lost their 21 year old son a year and a half ago.

The DIL and the kiddos painted pumpkins a few days ago.

The blue/green is Haddon's of course.  Blue is his favorite color.

These little ones keep us hoppin'!

Blowing Rock, NC

 The hubby and I went on a short fall getaway last week.  We traveled through the smokies into Cherokee, NC, and Maggie Valley, to Asheville, and then up to Blowing Rock, NC in the High Country.

We stayed at the historic Green Park Inn.  Established in 1882.

There was lots of history to learn about in the hotel.

Tweetsie Railroad wasn't open, along with several other attractions but we still stopped in for a look.

There were a lot of beautiful churches in the area.

This marina was on the way home.  We had to stop and check it out.  A new lake for the hubs to fish!

I just loved this little home.  With the cute quilt block, and the sign, "Everything will be ok."  Love it.

It was a nice, short trip.  Saw some beautiful scenery and buildings.

Ring Cycles Quilt

Finally finished the ring cycles quilt.  It was a super challenge for me.  But it's done and I'm glad.  My granddaughter has claimed this one.  So, I'm sure one day it will be hers.

 My next project will be a memory quilt for a friend from her son's shirts.  After that, I have a couple more projects I'd like to make.

Fall

 The days are passing so quickly.  Our lives are much different than they were a couple of months ago.  With my son and his family living with us now, the house is louder and messier, but I wouldn't have it any other way.  :)  I want to make this season special for them - a time for them to save up some money, have help with the kids, and support from family, something they've rarely had in the last six years of living in the UK.  I also want this time to be one full of happy memories - pool time, cooking, cleaning, sewing with Mamaw....breakfast with Papaw Jim.....playing outside on the ezyrollers, with Mamaw chasing behind, and lots and lots of pretending.

Working on the school workbooks I found for them at Costco. Big sister helping little brother.  :)

                                        More pretending.......fighting dragons!

                                motorcycle rides with daddy......and his "long horn" helmet!

Lots and lots of lawn tractor rides........

Even amidst the busyness I finished the piecing on the Ring Cycles quilt.  Whew!  Way over my abilities.  It is on the machine and I hope to have it quilted and bound within a week or so.

Those Y seams were so difficult for me and they are very wonky.  I am hoping when done, the eye will be drawn to the big circles and the pretty colors rather than my very less than perfect piecing.  My granddaughter has staked claim to it.  She likes it and that is really all that matters, right?