He Put Up the Lights and NO Complaints!

So, how lovely was this day? My husband put up the lights with no complaints (we bought all new ones so he doesn't have to unwrap all of the old ones.....
and he put up the tree this morning and he is a happy camper. Glad the weather is mild enough and then when it snows the lights look beautiful. I am hoping for snow on the 24th of December and a nice melting January 1st. Stay tuned....

My Husband Didn't Do This But He Wishes He Had Thought Of It

Tomorrow is my husband's day off and he is going to put up the tree and I hear him grumbling under his breath.....I bought new outside lights at Costco and they are by the front door and I wonder if I will have to say anything like "hey, good, new lights, I was just wishing we had some of those...what do you think?
Just wondering if it is easier for you when you have a "honeydo" that needs doing.
I always say it is better to put them up now with no snow because once it snows, who wants to get up on a ladder or on the roof?
I used to have a wealthy friend who hired people to come and put up the lights and decorate the inside of her house....I envied that until I really thought about it and then I didn't envy it. It is in the doing (the journey) that we find the most value. I am hoping to get my Grandkids over to make paper chains this year...I always loved those and they go faster than stringing cranberries or popcorn. Ever do that? What a mess and it takes a long time.....I think I like more color and oomph to my tree also. What do you think???/

And Now It Begins.........

My Gift to YOU for Thanksgiving

Click on the link below for true blessings.

http://www.wimp.com/simplegratitude/

Give Thanks for Those Who Give So Much for Us

Just wanted to say that I am thankful for our troops and hope that most of them can come home for Christmas.

Blessed to Be A Blessing...How About You?

Just wanted to mention how very blessed most of us are and if you live in the US, 15% of all Americans are on food stamps and many people have lost their jobs and are depressed and sad this November. I would like to first of all say we all need a sense of gratitude for whatever gifts we have such as health, or being able to imagine, or having someone to love like family, friends or our pets, if your house is warm, if you have running water, food somewhere in your home, then please give thanks. I am giving to several food banks in three states because I know I am blessed to be a blessing. If you take stock of what you have then do something nice for someone and ask them to pass it along....if we all did that the world would be a much better place. I am taking the proceeds of my books this month and giving pajamas to the Mission as I often do...it is cold here already and as I drove home from Troy Montana today, the roads were icy and the snow was coming down as fast as my wipers could get it off the windshield. Wouldn't it be nice to know that what you gave which would not hurt you could make a huge difference for some little family or a widow or someone that needs help. This is Thanksgiving week here and I think the food would taste better knowing your helped make someone else's day better.

Count Your Many Blessings and Flower Power Fun From Mary Lou's book....

This photo was taken the morning I left Montana. What you cannot tell from this photo is all of the snow coming down. I am taking a photo of my view of the Kootenai river from my room and you can't see it due to the snow and the cold. Brrr. It was a slow and tricky drive home (4 1/2 hours) but my goodness Montana is so beautiful in so many ways. I felt really blessed to be able to visit there this time of year and pick up a wreath as a memory. Color, stories and blocks for borders was the theme of the class and everyone there was nice, and fun and wonderful. Just what you want at the end of a workshop. And I will be back to enjoy the area and the girls who were there.






Colored fabrics and cutting excerecizes provided alot of chatter and excitment.




I was blessed to learn that the food bank here needed help and I can do something.
One in 6 Americans cannot provide enough food for their table. I think this is shocking. If you haven't donated to your local food bank, perhaps you would like to think about a donation (anything) to help this time of year. We are truly blessed to be a blessing. Take count of your many blessings today friend.

Images of quilts made from my books, patterns or workshops-I am thankful for the whimsy and color in all of these

This final sample was made by Shaula Patton from my "Rejoice" pattern. Wonderful to have this time of year.

Roxanne's Quilt shop in Carpenteria a Great Experience (Notice the great COW quilts!)

I had the best experience visiting Roxanne's quilt shop this week. Pam, Jackie and Joyce came to visit, pick up books and fabrics and laugh along with me about life.

This shop has so much color and excitement in it and you are just giddy thinking about quilt possibilities and color and stories and happy things....it is a hppy place. No down faces, cranky people or boring quilts....it is all positive, happy, color and nice things...I am thankful to be able to go there and visit. Roxanne is a very nice person who has great style. Such fun.