Change of Pace

Every once in a while it is nice to do something different
that doesn't include stitching, piecing or quilting.  It
seems I've spent my spare time in the evenings doing
a little knitting for a good cause.

A good friend of mine has been knitting hats that
will go with a humanitarian group to South Africa April 1. 
When she asked me a week ago at church if I would be
interested in doing a few, I jumped at the chance.  It has
been awhile since I've knitted anything.   Must admit, I
have loved making these sweet little hats and thinking
about the children that may receive them.  So far I've
completed six. 

When she first told me they were to go to Africa, I
thought "why would you send winter hats there
when it is so hot?"  But, these will go to the southern
part of South Africa where they will be appreciated.

I am always touched by the kindness and goodness
of people as they reach out to help others.  And, I am
so grateful that occasionally I am able to participate
in these worthwhile projects.

March Finished!

....March Sunbonnet Sue stitchery that is!  Awhile back I
posted about finding these patterns that have been hiding
(from me) for many years and that I wanted to finish
the ones that were started and then work on the others.

Well, this afternoon I finished the March "Sue."  It only
needed a few little stitches and now it is done and
framed to be enjoyed through the month.

Now, I will have to get busy and trace the other
months and start working on them.  April will be here
before I know it.

Gratitude Sunday

Sunday's heartfelt tradition. A time to slow down, to reflect, 
to be grateful.  A list of gratitudes.

This week I am grateful for:

1.  Being able to attend church today and to be taught by
wonderful teachers and to feel the Spirit.

2.  The sweet expressions of love my son sent his sister on
her birthday.

3.  My daughter.  Thirty-five years ago, Thursday, she joined
our family.  What a blessing she is and has been to all of us.

Kerri's 1st birthday

Happy 35th Birthday

4.  My son and DIL who live in New Zealand and their desire
to keep active and healthy.  They just completed their second
half marathon.  I'm so proud of them.

We did it!

5.  That I have been able to complete the history of my
craft business, "fun things."  I have been working on this
for over a year and now it is one more thing I can cross
off my "to do"list.

Title Page and Me

fun things catalog

This was one of the last catalogs we printed.  We sold
both retail and wholesale to every state, Canada, Puerto
Rico, and Japan.

Page from Westream's Catalog in Japan

I'm grateful for the many businesses who
represented us state side and in Japan, as well
as businesses and individuals who purchased
items from us through our catalog and magazine
advertisements.

6.  That the little bird that flew into my patio
window recovered after a few hours of sitting in a
dazed state and was able to fly away.  I was very
worried that he was injured and would die.

7.  I'm grateful for sunshine!  After the past few days
of dark cloudy, stormy skies, it is wonderful to
have had sunshine today.  I loved walking to and
from church and feeling the warmth of the sun on
my face.

8.  And, as always, I'm grateful for my life, health
and family.

Memories Are Stitched.....

I recently came across this free stitchery from Kerryanne
while browsing the internet and fell in love with it.
I had just the place for it and couldn't wait to get
it stitched and framed.
 


















In my living room, I have a wall of pictures that
depict my parents, their parents, etc., when they
were young.  I wanted my children to know
that their grandparents and great grandparents
were young just like them at one time.

Also, have several pictures of me as a young
child to adult hood with my mother and sister,
plus a 5 generation picture beginning with
me and ending with my gr. gr. grandmother.
My four generation history books can also
be found there that my sister and I have
compiled.

So, I knew this would be a perfect little
addition...and it is!  I just love it and am
so happy with how it turned out.

Gratitude Sunday

Sunday's heartfelt tradition. A time to slow down, to reflect, to be grateful. A list of gratitudes.

This week I am grateful for:

Family 

I am grateful my daughter is feeling better after being
diagnosed with influenza.  Their whole family have been
quite ill and I'm so grateful they are getting on top of things.

I am grateful we could spend time together yesterday,
Saturday, celebrating Valentine's and my daughter's
birthday.  We had so much fun playing games:

Heart Stack

How many conversation candy hearts can you stack
in a minute without them falling over?

Cupid's Arrow

Blowing q-tips through a straw into a red heart-shaped
bowl.  Mom and Dad tied!

Cereal Rings on a Straw

Using one hand and a mini straw trying to get as
many cereal rings on it and into the cup in one
minute.  Harder than it looks!

Mitten Race

Race to put on over-sized gloves, unwrap candy, chew
and grab a "bubble" packing square, place on chair
and then sit on it to pop it.

Snow Shovel Race

Using a plastic spoon and only one hand, "shovel" as
many "snowballs" (cotton ball) into bowls as you can
in one minute.

Roll and Draw a Love Bug

Roll one dice and draw a love bug.  Each number on the
dice indicates a body part to draw...legs, arms, nose, etc.

Candy on Pre-Printed Paper

How quickly can you match candy to pictures on the
paper?  Yeah for Hailey!  She's our winner!

Thanks for choosing Pizza for your Birthday dinner!
We LOVE Pizza!

Getting a little help blowing out the candles!

I'm also grateful for these first two little blooms on
my crocuses telling me that Spring can't be too
far away.

I truly have much to be grateful for on this Sunday.

Kids and Bloggers Can Make A Difference

I have been so touched by my daughter, grandchildren and 

their friends desire to help a family in their neighborhood 

with medical bills incurred when their baby son, Cru, arrived

6 weeks early and the father lost his job and insurance. 

Julie and my daughter Kerri have been friends since Jr.

High and I am good friends with Julie's Mom, thanks to

our girls getting us together.

During the first two weeks of February my daughter, her

sons and some friends set up a fund raising activity by

making and selling “band” bracelets, key chains, pencil 

toppers, etc. for a small donation of $5.00 for each item.  

We have all been overwhelmed by the generosity of family,

friends and bloggers who have responded.  I cannot 

thank my friend, Karen enough for posting about this on her 

blog and for the response that was received through her 

kindness.  Thank you so much, Karen!

 

There have been many tender moments as children have 

worked to earn their allowance and then dropped it off 

in little handmade envelopes, families who have donated 

jars of coins that they were using to save for family 

vacations, money received from a neighbor serving in 

Afghanistan who saw Kerri’s post and more.  Many donated 

who do not even know the family and do not live around here. 

My grandchildren and their friends have been blessed to be 

able to serve and do something for someone else.  It has truly 

made a difference in their lives.  They have learned lessons

that will stay with them throughout their lives.  They have 

loved using their rainbow looms to create simple little

bracelets as a way to say “thank you” to those who have so 

kindly encouraged them in their efforts.

My daughter posted on Facebook, Feb. 14, the above picture

 with this comment:  "Feeling the love.  Thanks to all those 

who have donated so far!  Together, your generous donations 

have raised, $1,292 in 14 days.  Let that be your Happy 

Valentine's Day!   THANK YOU!

The children have decided to keep this up until the end

of February. 

My daughter was also contacted by Amanda Grow

  http://studio5.ksl.com/index.php?nid=71&sid=28309718 

who has offered to do an ACT Strategy Workshop  and

Charity Benefit to help raise money March 1.

Needless to say, my heart is overflowing with thanksgiving

to each and everyone who has so kindly and generously

helped in any way.  "Thanks" just doesn't seem enough.

And, to my daughter, grandchildren, and their friends, I

want you to know how proud I am of you in your efforts

to bless the lives of your friends.  I know you are being

blessed.  Thanks, also, for the lessons I am being taught

by your kindness and selfless service.

Wishing You All A -----