Merry Christmas!

I wish each one of you a very Merry Christmas.
May the true meaning of Christmas fill your heart
now and in the coming year.  May your New Year be
filled with peace, hope joy and love.

Thank you for your friendship via the net and for
taking time to read my blog and leave comments.
Each one of you have touched my life in so many
ways and enlarged my circle of friends.  Thank you for
sharing your wonderful talents, your family, your
struggles, joys, and heartaches and enriching my life.

Merry Christmas!

Nola

Joy in the Visit

Today while waiting with my bagged items for my
daughter to go through the checkout at Walmart, an
elderly gentleman who was also standing there,
started up a conversation.  I am always a little nervous
when something like that happens and wasn't sure
what to expect.  At first I wondered if he might need
some help.  But, no, he just wanted to visit.

He was waiting for his bride of 70 plus years to
finish her grocery shopping and said he like to stand
at the front of the store and visit with people.  He was
a spry 90 year old man with a sharp mind and
delightful sense of humor.

As we stood there conversing, I found that he had
been raised in the eastern part of the state--an area
I was very familiar with.  As our conversation
continued he told me several delightful stories of
his life.  He was quite surprised I was familiar
with Tabiona, Duschesne, Woodland and other
small towns.  Then when I told him where I
originally hailed from we found many things in
common.

He has had open heart surgery and tells me he is
a miracle as they said he died on the surgery table
but was revived.  He's also survived a stroke and
other health issues.  I think he is a miracle!

We probably only spent 10 minutes or so visiting
but as my daughter, grandson and I left him, we
left with a smile on our faces.  He thanked us for
taking time to talk with him and wished us a
Merry Christmas as we departed.

As we walked out of the store, my daughter asked
if he was someone I had worked with at the temple
when I served there as we seemed to be enjoying
our visit.  No, I said, just a stranger who brought
some Christmas joy into my life today by striking
up a conversation.

It's a Tradition!

Last evening my daughter and family invited me to their
home to join in making their traditional gingerbread
house.  It is really fun to just watch the grandchildren
and their creativity as they decorate the house,
people, trees, "fido" and all the little cutout fixtures.
In the picture below they were just getting started
decorating and sampling all the candy, etc.

My daughter keeps it pretty simple for the kids and
they can hardly wait to eat the finished house...me
too!  But, that will be for another day!

Be well and stay safe,
  Nola

A Few Little Projects!

Well, thanks to my daughter I finally got my Christmas
tree up and decorated. With all that has been going
on I had decided I just didn't have the energy to
dig it out, set it up and decorate it only to take it
down in  a couple of weeks.  This year I just
did one tree and I must admit I'm glad she convinced
me to dig it out as I love sitting in the dark with just
the tree lights on listening to Christmas music playing
in the background.

I have been able to finish a few gifts:

This little apron is for my granddaughter along with
a recipe box of simple recipes she can make with
her daddy's supervision.

Couldn't resist making this stitchery that I found here:
http://theodoracleave.blogspot.com

Finished three of these Christmas banners
http://www.sewhappy.me
as pre-Christmas gifts for my family:

And for myself, because I absolutely adore anything
with Sunbonnet Sue, this stitchery from
http://www.littlequilts.com
that was featured on the Henry Glass Jolly Holiday
Party Blog Hop.

And on a more personal note:

My grandson Ian was baptized by his father Saturday
December 3.  We weren't sure there would be power
at the Church or if things would have to be moved
to January. But, thankfully the church had power
and we were able to proceed.   It was a wonderful day
and we were grateful so many family members
could be with us.

Be well and stay safe!

Nola

We Survived!

Goodness it has been a long time since I've posted
anything.  Things have been a little crazy around here.

One week ago we were hit with devastating East
Canyon winds with gusts up to 100 mph.  We haven't
had bad winds since about 1999 so I guess we were
do for one.  We really looked like we were in a war
zone.  The winds whip down three canyons by
us and it can be quite nerve wracking.  Our town of
Kaysville, Farmington, Centerville and Bountiful
took the brunt of the storm.

Our community will never look the same.    One of
the golf courses 1/2 mile from me lost 419 trees.
The beautiful pines we had lining main street are
gone.  Pine trees really took a beating as did other
trees.  Roofs, siding, trampolines, patio awnings, etc
all gone!  My neighborhood now has a new look to
it.

I have lived through several of the east winds, but
this was the worst!  We were blessed to only lose
some branches from our large Maple tree in front.
Thank goodness I had followed my prompting a
few weeks earlier to trim back as far as we could the
limbs overhanging the roof or I'm sure we would
have had some pretty bad damage to the roof from
them.  Many trees and limbs were just snapped in two.
Our patio awning pulled loose and ripped the
aluminum, but it didn't go flying.  I was worried
about my windows and the neighbor's house.

We live in a awesome area where everyone pitches
in to help their neighbors.  My neighbors were there
with their chain saws cutting and stacking my tree
limbs before they did their own trees.

Two of my children and their families lost power.
My son and his daughter stayed with us Thursday
night.  The kids all thought it was great to have a
sleepover at Grandma's.  My daughter and family
were with me through Sunday evening.   Their
power was restored late Saturday night.  We never
lost our power which was highly unusual for us.

Sunday all our church meetings were cut short as we
were supposed to have more winds (up to 75 mph)
in the evening.  Everyone (in the 4 cities) was asked to
help cleanup the piles of debris so more damage would
not be incurred from flying objects.  We tied down
the awning as best we could.  The national
guard was also called in to help and areas were
opened for dumping.  In about 8-10 hours things
were cleaned up that would have taken the city weeks
to do.  We have an awesome community and people.
Thankfully, we did not have more wind.

When we came home Saturday morning from my
grandson's baptism, some one had come and hauled
all my limbs away.

We are so thankful no life's were  lost or anyone
injured, although a few people were swept along
with the wind. 

I have great empathy for those of you who have
also been through devasting storms, floods, fires,
earthquakes etc.  Thanks goodness for insurance.

Things are beginning to settle down and now I
hope to get some decorating down for Christmas.

Be well and safe,
Nola

Give Away

My friend Karen is having a giveaway for a pattern from
Kim on her website.  It is open to all and will end on
Saturday, November 12.  Kim also has other patterns
beside the one being offered in the giveaway. 

Take time to enjoy Karen's blog if you haven't visited
before.  It is a wonderful blog and she always has
so many interesting pictures of the area she lives in.

Right On The Mark

The weatherman was right on with his weather
prediction and white coat last evening.  He said we'd
get 1-3 inches of snow and we have a couple of inches
already.

Last evening when it started snowing lightly (about
10:30 p.m.) I could hear squeals and laughter outside
my front window.  As I peeked out I saw a group of
girls from the neighborhood playing out in the street
trying to catch snowflakes on their tongues.  They
were having so much fun.  Made me wish I was
young again and could just enjoy such a simple thing
without giving thought to getting up in the morning and
driving to work in the snow or even having to shovel
my drive or thinking about the cold temperatures.

As I glance out my window it has started to snow
again and the snow is drifting down in the form of
large fluffy flakes.  It is really pretty---especially
since I'm indoors.

Most of the trees have not dropped their leaves yet
and are laden down with the snow.

My neighbors "red" leaves look so pretty with the
snow clinging to them.
















I am going to have to brush the snow off the vines
on my arbor.  My burning bush and mums are
totally covered so I guess I'll need to trim them
back as it warms up later this week.  They have
been so pretty.

So grateful my SIL came last evening and mowed
my lawn picking up many of the leaves that had
fallen or blown down with the wind that brought
in this storm.

Wonder if there is enough snow to build a
snowman!  Maybe the grandkids would like to
come play with Grandma.  LOL

Must remember to change my clocks tonight.
My smoke alarm went off about midnight a couple
of days ago (scaring me to death!) reminding me
it was time to change the battery.  So with a new
battery and an extra hour of sleep I should be in
good shape!

Take care,

Nola

Happy 11-1-11

Can you believe it is November 1st  already?  I expected
to turn the radio on and find Christmas music starting
like last year when that was all they played until
Christmas day.  Thankfully there was not any.  I am not
a scrooge but I just like Christmas music after
Thanksgiving.  However, when I looked out my
window this morning and it was snowing or trying to
snow, I almost changed my mind.

Can't believe Halloween has come and gone.  We
had perfect weather for the trick or treaters---very
mild.  All we needed was a light jacket and then
not until  we were almost finished.  I love being
invited to go with my grandkids and their parents.
It brings back  fond memories of when my
children were small and I'd go with them while
their Dad stayed at home and passed out candy.

While  the children all dressed up we adults
just wore hats.  I got to wear the witch's hat this
year.  Parents and children all dress up in my
daughter's neighborhood and really decorate.

This was Ty's first year and when he realized you
got candy he was off and running---not the least
bit hesitant.  We could hardly keep up with him.

Just one of the many fun decorated houses we stopped
at.   Had to snap a picture of my daughter, SIL
and two of the grandkids. 














Today my house is looking rather blah with the
Halloween decorations put away.  There are still
a few fall things left out to enjoy.  Before I know it,
it will be time to pull out the Christmas decorations.

Take care,

Nola

Orange-Pumpkin Muffins

While browsing through an old Leisure Arts Christmas
book the other day, I came across this recipe and the
picture looked so tempting that I knew I had to make
some.

They are wonderful and perfect for a crispy fall
morning especially if you love oranges and
pumpkin.  I loved the flavor the orange zest
added.  However, nuts were omitted as I was
out of them and didn't want to make a special
trip to the store for one item.  The nuts are only
sprinkled on top of the muffin.

Here is the recipe if you'd like to try them:

Enjoy!

Nola

Two Years Later

Finally, it is done and ready to enjoy this Christmas.
I started this free BOM: "A Christmas Wish" from
Gail in January of 2009 fully intending to have
it completed for Christmas.

All the stitchery and piecing of blocks were finished
on schedule and I had even started quilting it, but for
some reason (which I have now forgotten) it didn't get
finished and has sat in my sewing room staring me in
the face waiting to be done.

Now it is DONE!  It was a great way to use up my
old Christmas fabrics from my business.  However,
it really didn't make a dent!

The only thing left to do now is make a label for the
back.

Utah's Own Icon

Today I had the opportunity to meet Nancy Halvorson,
Utah's own quilting and designing icon.  She was
coming to "My Girlfriend's Quilt Shop" in Logan
and my friend, JoAnn, invited me to drive up and
go with her.  It was a beautiful drive, perfect
temperatures, and still a little color highlighting
the canyon.

Nancy lives near by in Layton and is a very
talented and gifted lady.  You may be familiar
with her books, Art to  Heart or her fabulous
fabric line.   It was fun to hear her story of how
she got started in the industry and have her share
some helpful sewing tips.

Loved seeing all her wonderful items featured in her
books made up and on display for everyone to enjoy
and "drool" over.

Here she is with one of the store's owners.
Nancy is the one without the microphone.

It was difficult to pass up her wonderful fabric and
books especially because the store was offering a
discount for those attending.  And so I didn't. I
purchased a kit to make the garland hanging above
Nancy.  It is way cute!

It was a fun day and so nice to meet Nancy.
Nola

Priceless!

Stuck in the House

It is such a beautiful fall day and here I am stuck in the
house with an eye infection.  Since I am contagious for
24 hours decided the best thing I could do was cut and
sew the border's to my son's quilt.

Sorry the picture isn't the best.  Now just need
to print off  some more coupons and get the
backing tomorrow.  Then as soon as I find
batting on sale I can put it on the frames and
tie it. 

It will be nice when it is finished and I can cross
it off my "to do" Christmas list.

Off to treat my little eye.  Have to do this every
two hours today and tomorrow. How quickly the
time flies by---seems like I just did the drops.

Take care,

Nola

Taking The Easy Way Out

After searching around for flannel fabric for my son's
quilt, I have decided to take the easy way out and
not piece one for him.

Our local craft/fabric store recently got in these
beautiful Riley Blake flannels and I am going to
use these:

The colors are so rich and beautiful and seem very
manly to me.  The plaid will be the center and I'm
thinking of using the green with trees for an outside
border with a tan for the backing.  What do you think? 
Do you think the trees would make a better backing? 
They have a dark brown that I could use for the back
but it is by a different manufacturer and I'm not sure
I like it.

Good quality flannel is so expensive that I have to
use a 40% off coupon.  The coupon is good for a
two yard cut and you can only use one a day, so I
am stopping by each day.  Now I just have to find
a coupon for the batting somewhere else as they
will not let you use a coupon on batting.

These will now be pre-shrunk, dried and pressed
so I can get the borders cut and sewn in the next
day or so.

And, I'm excited to say my Christmas quilt is
almost done...just a couple of more blocks to
quilt.  Think while I'm pre-shrinking the flannel
I'll go cut strips of fabric for the scrappy
binding so everything can be pressed at the same
time.

Take care,

Nola

Absorbing Vitamin D

How I wish these warm sunny Autumn days could last.
Today was one of those days that just called to me to
be outside and absorb some of that Vitamin D that
only comes from Sunshine!  Spent the afternoon
working in my yard pulling out more annuals,
trimming perennials and cleaning and organizing my
garage.

This is one of the last flower beds needing to be done....

 



 
 ....but I'm going to wait a little longer.  The Mum's
are so pretty and the Profusions are still looking good.
Will need to cut back Jupiter's Beard by the fence
and my Black Eyed Susan's since they are all
bloomed out.  Maybe I'll trim them back tomorrow.

Did get a little quilting  in this morning while
waiting for the day to warm up.

This is the scene out my window where I sit to
quilt.  It is so beautiful when the sun is shining on
the leaves.  My neighbors Red Leaf Maple has
almost faded and dropped all its leaves.  But, oh
was it beautiful when it was bright red!

Well, I'm off to see if I can get a little Christmas stitching
done this evening.

Take care,

Nola