Learning to Quilt

It sure seems like warm weather is never going to make it's appearance.  So, while the weather keeps our motorcycle riding to a minimum, I've decided to learn a new craft.  Quilting!

While growing up, I was surrounded by such talented and creative women.  Talents such as singing, playing musical instruments, sewing, crocheting, knitting, cooking, baking and quilting, just to name a few.  I have always loved to learn new skills, and I have taken full advantage of any opportunity to learn.  However, I totally missed out on the quilting lessons while growing up.  There was plenty of opportunities to learn.  My Grandma Yoder seem to always have a quilt in the works.  So, now I find myself desperately wanting to know how to quilt.

I found a wonderful quilt shop in Trenton, KY that offers classes to learn how to quilt.  I signed up for Quilting 101 and have had two classes already.  The class is small, there are five of us eager to learn students.  Our teacher, Justine, is quite a gem and a wonderful inspiration.  The class consist of ten class sessions, plus homework.  We are each creating a sampler quilt and I promise to post a picture of my quilt no matter how it turns out.  And 'yes' you can teach an old dog new tricks!

I have a couple of inspirational quilts made by my Grandmothers and passed down through generations. 

 

 

So, stay tuned for my progress.  Meanwhile I hope you will be learning something new this week also!

Untold Messages

Subliminal messages.  Ever wonder what or why a person says or doesn't say what they are feeling or thinking?  I've often wondered if people really have any idea the impact their messages make on another person.  And if they did know, would they change?  There is so much hate, jealousy and ugliness in the world today, do we really want to be a part of it?

As a child, I have no recollection of hatred and jealousy.  I always felt that we were all treated as equals.  And  my cousins and I would play and enjoy each moment we had together.  Now, I'm not naïve enough to think that there were not problems, however, it never occurred to me that the whole world was not playing and enjoying each moment also. 

Growing up changes your perspective on many ideals (or at least it should).  Reality has a way of knocking on your door and forcing it's way into your life.  Sometimes you can kick it back out onto the street - however, I believe that most times it hits you square in the eyes and you have no choice but to deal with it.

Back to those subliminal messages, I have recently watched people deal with the messages left by the deceased.  Living life as they please, never caring how they treat the other guy is really bad enough.  But to leave a lasting legacy of hate and lies is a tough pill to swallow.  And I know that it will take a lifetime of self doubt to get past the unknown.  This, in turn, will touch the next generations and can possibly impact generations to come. 

I guess my questions are: Is it worth it, to spend so much of your life, plotting a revenge to hurt other people?  Can you live with yourself through eternity, knowing that you ended up being this selfish and uncaring person? 

The Passing of Our Parents

It is inevitable, the loss of our parents.  Someone so important in our lives that we would not even be here, were it not for them.  They influence our lives even when we think we will never be anything like them.  I find it interesting how this loss can influence and change the rest of our lives and change the course of the path we are currently on.  Somehow, we lose sight of our goals, our hopes and our ideals during this morning period.

My first experience with the death of a parent happened when I was thirteen years old.  My father was killed in a farming accident.  I was totally sure that my world had ended.  And, yes, my world, as I knew it had ended.  However, my life continued, changed and was never the same.

My Dad and Mom (and me) mid 1960's

With the passing of my father, I was forced to 'grow up' much sooner than I had ever anticipated.  Even though we all must 'grow up' sooner or later, a little later might have been more preferable. 

Now life continued, I married, had three kids and went about life as normally as possible.  And although I would always find that I was missing a part of my heart, I knew that I would survive. 

In 1988, my husband lost his Mother.  It was also a very traumatic death and it too made a huge impact on the entire family.

My Mother-in-law and Father-in-law

My husband was a young 30 years old and he missed his mother dearly.

Many years have passed since we had both loss a parent.  However in 2007, my dear Mother lost her life to cancer.  I stayed by her side for two months - while she proved what a strong, grace-filled, loving woman she truly was.  My Mother , my best friend, is dearly missed.

My Mom

My Mom (right) and her twin sister.  I was so lucky to have two Moms!

This brings us to present day and the final loss of our last parent.  My father-in-law passed away last week.  Not an easy death for a proud man and very hard for his son, my husband.  This passing was even made harder by the miles we have between our home here in Kentucky and our old family life in Nebraska.  This will take some time, time to heal and time accept.

My father-in-law - rode his motorcycle to Sturgis Week at the age of 80.

So now, here we are, in our 50's and I sometimes feel as though I am an orphan.  I no longer have that security of having sage advice at my disposal.  I miss that!  It's really hard to always be the grown up the one that needs to have all the answers.  But, I am trying, although it is baby steps, and I don't always have all the answers, I am trying.  I pray that my husband and I will have the knowledge,  strength, understanding and patience that our parents showed us.

Contemplating the Gift Exchange

Contemplating the dreaded gift exchange, you know what I'm talking about, a group or club you belong to decides to celebrate the holidays with a fun, yet serious, gift exchange with a $10 limit on spending. 

Just to be clear, I do not enjoy this exchange because I am one of those people that end up with the really bad smelling candle and hand lotion that the gift giver was given 3 years prior.  I am the person that puts hours and hours of thought and shopping time in,
 to find the perfect gift that the recipient will be thrilled with.  And I am the person that frets and worries that the recipient will not be happy with the gift they receive.  I do not believe in re-gifting and I do not believe that it is ok to spend $3.95 on sale (marked down from $10) on gift when the decided amount for each gift is $10.  The giver needs to actually spend a full $10 for the gift given.  No exceptions.

Well, I'm sure you can guess where my story goes from here.  Once we moved into our home and settled into our life here in Kentucky, I wanted to join a few social groups in order to meet people and feel a part of the community. 

My first experience this year was with my Homemakers group.  The dollar limit was $10.  Gifts were placed on a table and at the appropriate time the president called out your name and you would pick a present out and bring it back to your seat.  Well, I carefully chose my gift and with bounty in hand I returned to my table.  Each member followed suit and when everyone had their treasure we each tore into our present.  This is where things get crazy!  For the first time, ever, I received a very nice gift.  I received two beautiful scarves and a bottle of very nice bath soap.  SCORE!!! 

Well, before we too excited, there was another gift exchange that I had to go to.  This was for my other social group.  The actual exchange of gifts was a great deal of fun.  A story was written about Right and Left and each time the word 'right' or 'left' the gift you were holding was passed.  Well this is where my bad luck came into play.  I watched other's open their gifts of very nice presents and thought perhaps I would be fortunate enough to receive another very nice gift.  So sorry to report that I am back to receiving the re-gifted, unwanted and cheap gift.  Yes, I am the new owner of a very bad smelling candle and a bottle of lotion that I am not fond of.

The good news for the rest of the 'Gift Exchange' world - this gift stops here.  It will not be regifted, it will not show up at another holiday party.  I will now take my ungrateful self and not complain about the gift exchange again.  However, I do thank you for listening while I unload how I really feel about the holiday gift exchange.

Fall in Kentucky

Before the beautiful fall landscape disappears

 I wanted to capture some of the beauty of Fall in LBL. 

We headed north and found this great little cafe in Crofton, KY.
Great home-cooking, southern style!

 

Found a few barns to capture in my camera.

 

 

The colors were vibrant and in full abundance for our late October ride. 

The trees have mostly loss their leaves by mid-November this year.

Best of Show

This past weekend, Cadiz KY, celebrated their very own fall festival.  They call their celebration Ham Festival.  This small town in Western Kentucky swells by thousands of people.  The usual 'fair' types of events take place and the typical 'fair' food is offered by vendors at exorbitant prices.

There were two events at the festival that I participated in.  The first is the Cadiz' Quilt Guild's Quilt show.  I entered two quilts in the show.  Neither quilt was judged because they are antiques, however, it was fun to show off these wonderful heirlooms.

This quilt I called the 48 States.  It was made by Tim's Great Grandma Wheeler.  I think it was made in the early 1900's, probably around the1920's.

-This quilt is the Double Irish Chain pattern.  This quilt was made by my Great Great Great Grandma Bowker.  Although, I no longer have anyone to ask about this quilt, I believe it was made in the early 1800's.  The back of the quilt still has the markings of the flour sacks they used.  This quilt was given to my Mother, from her Grandma, because she was the fist of the Grandchildren to marry.

The second event that I participated in was the Arts and Craft competition put on by the local Extension Office and the Homemakers club.  I entered in several categories.  I entered the following items and received the corresponding award:

Color Photograph of a red barn behind a field of tobacco - no award
Afghan - 2nd Place
Cross Stitch of Amish Farm scene - 1st Place, and Best Of Show - 2nd Place

Tim entered his fabulous Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies - no award

Jackie entered:
Crochet Hat with Bow - 2nd Place
Crochet Formal outfit including Hat and Purse - 1st Place, and Best Of Show - 1st Place.

Here are a few pictures of our entries:

My afghan made in brown, cream and tan colors.

My counted cross stitch of an Amish Farm

Jackie's hand crochet hat with bow.

Jackie's outfit that she designed and crochet.

Sign indicating Best Of Show

I was very pleased with the results and thrilled for Jackie's Best of Show, 1st place.

Back in the Saddle Again

Fall has arrived in Western Kentucky and it has been wonderful weather!  We had the opportunity to ride in a Motorcycle rally this past Saturday.  The ride was a benefit for Bright Life, a farm near Princeton, KY, home to adults with disabilities.  We rode with 107 other bikes from Elkton, KY to the Bright Life farm.  Taking back roads, which we love, I was able to snap a few pictures.  I choose to take pictures of KY barns.

I was hoping to find some fall colors along the route, but, I
only spotted a few trees that had actually turned.

 

 

I have my finger's crossed that the weather will hold out and we will be

able to ride the next few weekends and see more fall colors in Kentucky!