Happy New Year - 2010

Happy New Year Everyone
Well actually depends on where you are. LOL
It is still NYE here.
I am working on my sewing room and finding many goodies
I have started (again) on 2 UFOs. I am determined to whittle that number down by 2 per month in 2010.
It is very cold and only to get colder today. They just said tonight there will be a full moon. Rather dangerous combination - full moon and NYE together.
Here's praying everyone stays safe.

Recipe for a Happy New Year - Anonymous
Take 12 fine, full-grown months;see that these are thoroughly free from old memories of bitterness, rancor and hate, cleanse them completely from every clinging spite; pick off all specks of pettiness and littleness; in short, see that these months are freed from all the past - have them fresh and clean as when they first came from the great storehouse of Time. Cut these months into 30 or 31 equal parts. Do not attempt to make up the whole batch at one time (so many persons spoil the entire lot this way) but prepare one day at a time.
Into each day put equal parts of faith, patience, courage, work (some people omit this ingredient and so spoil the flavor of the rest), hope, fidelity, liberality, kindness, rest (leaving this out is like leaving the oil out of the salad dressing---don't do it), prayer, meditation, and one well-selected resolution. Put in about one teaspoon full of good spirits, a dash of fun, a pinch of folly, a sprinkling of play, and a heaping cupful of good humor.


A New Year's Prayer
May God make your year a happy one!
Not by shielding you from all sorrows and pain,
But by strengthening you to bear it, as it comes;
Not by making your path easy,
But by making you sturdy to travel any path;
Not by taking hardships from you,
But by taking fear from your heart;
Not by granting you unbroken sunshine,
But by keeping your face bright, even in the shadows;
Not by making your life always pleasant,
But by showing you when people and their causes need you most,
and by making you anxious to be there to help.
God's love, peace, hope and joy to you for the year ahead.
Anonymous

We wish you all a good 2010

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

Happy Thanksgiving all
The turkey is eaten. The people weigh more (well at least I know I do - oh so full, LOL)
The Christmas tree is up with lights and tinsel. The ornaments have gone AWOL from last year. Hmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where did I put that box? A job for tomorrow to search the attic.
Tomorrow is a big day. Sale at the shop. Search the attic. Put Santa, snowman and trees outside in the yard. Clean to get ready for Saturday's Thanksgiving dinner.
Hope everyone had a wonderful day with their family.

Happy November

Hi everyone
Just one more week to work then we are on shutdown. Yea a week off.
My plans are to decorate for our Christmas open house. I can't wait to get the decorations out
Who is all ready for Christmas early??????
I have several presents ready, so I feel pretty good about being organized this year

First Snow of the Season

Hello everyone. Happy Saturday.

I awoke to a wonderful sight. The first snow of the season. Yea!!!!!!!!! It won't last, but it is beautiful. My family will not agree with me on that. LOL. This puts me in the mood for Christmas.

Here are some photos of our first snow of the season

Fall Mystery Giveaway

Ok I could not just do 1 prize, so there are 2 winners.

And the winners are:


Nancy @ Live love laugh

Carla

congrats!!!!!!!!

Send me your addy and I will get you your prizes.

Thanks all for stopping by.

I have some other ideas rolling in my head (dangerous I know, LOL )

King Size Quilt For a Friend

Here is a photo of a king sized quilt Mom and I made for a friend.

Mystery Fall Giveaway

Winner will be named Sunday

Happy Fall - Mystery Giveaway

Hello everyone
It's been a very busy summer.
Hopefully now that the race season is over I will have more time to sew.
To celebrate fall I will be having a mystery giveaway.

All you have to do is to leave a message on my blog stating 2 things
1. What is your favorite fall memory or favorite thing to do in the fall
2. Why should you win the Fall Mystery Giveaway

The prize is "a mystery". But it will be a fun mystery. LOL

Please make sure to include a way to contact you in the message.
It will begin today and last through September 25.

Girls Arrive Saturday

I am so excited. Just a few more days before the girls get here. Saturday DH will pick up Lisa at 3:30 and Francesca at 9:30. I have to work at the track for 360 Nationals. So, I will see them when I get home.
The 360 Nationals start Thursday and go through Saturday. Then there is a race on Sunday night also. Then the 410 Nationals are Wednesday through Saturday. Not much free time the next week and a half. But, the paycheck will be very nice.
www.knoxvilleraceway.com
Here's the link to check out the info for the races.
Talk to you all later.
Pat

Irish Muses Giveaway

Hi all I just visited Micki's blog and she is having a really cool giveaway.
You should hop on over and check out her blog, it is neat.
http://thedote.blogspot.com/2009/07/my-irish-giveaway.html

North Sea

Hi all

We went to the North Sea today. We were the only ones not wearing coats. The temp was 70 and very windy. I thought it was great.

The other photo is us in front of what remains of the Berlin Wall.

Dani, Sinje, Anna, Izzy Hamburg

Hello From Hamburg, Germany

Hi all
Yesterday we took a harbour tour of Hamburg and walked around the city a while. We saw a documentary of the firestorm of Hamburg during WW2. That was unbelieveable the destruction. I had never thought about what it was like here before. The city is neat, but too many people for me.
Today we are going to see Schenefeld (I probably did not spell that correctly).
Last night some of Sinje's friends came over to "speak" English with us. However the girls did not speak much English. LOL. The photo is of Sinje and 3 of her friends that were here last night.
The second photo if from St. Nicholi Church tower.
Hope everyone is doing well. I miss all the email chatter.
We go home on Sunday. We have to be at the airport at 5:30 AM.
I am enjoying my trip, but I am ready to get back to my sewing machine. I have some ideas floating in my head for Christmas presents, and I am anxious to get started.
Chat more later

July 5, 2008

Happy Birthday Bruce

Today we leave Osterode and go back to Hamburg,

We have had a fun filled week, and I do mean filled. LOL. We saw a castle in Kassel, we saw a large bird show, we saw a mine, we saw the mountains, we saw a museum about the East/West border, we saw Goslar, a very old town, we saw a farming museum, we saw the country side, the dome at Cologne, the old town at Dusseldorf, met our student for next year and many other things that I am forgetting to write down now.

Next week we will see the Hamburg area.

We have very much enjoyed our stay here and meeting Ann-Nika's family. It completes the circle for me to meet her family. It will be hard to say good-bye to her again though. You get very attached to these kids. They really become part of your family.

Goslar - 6-30

Hi all
Today we went to Goslar, a historic city here in the Harz mountains. It is so cool. The history is unbelieveable. I love it. The old houses, the palace, the market place all so cool. One house belonged to the Siemens family.
Then we went to a mine and took a tour. Yep me too hard hat and all. Hopped, well maybe not hopped, but squeezed into a mine car. LOL
Then off into the mine shaft went went on the train. Then we got out and walked - a lot of steps and then into the shaft. Then we left that one and went to another area and got on a boat and pulled our way into the shaft by cable. Then we had lunch in a lovely little cafe. Then drove into the mountains to an over look. It was so cool.
Tonight we are going to a German restaurant for dinner.
It is rather warm here, but not too bad. Hard to get used to no air conditioning for a spoiled American. LOL
Well off to dinner

Hello From Germany

Hello everyone from Germany. We arrived Saturday evening in Hamburg. We drove around the city a bit. Then went to Sinje's and had dinner with her parents. Sunday morning we went to a Fish market. They have everything there. We bought pastries, french fries and a sandwich to take on the train. Then we got on the train to go to Osterode. Ann-Nika and her father picked us up and we went to her house to meet her family. Then we went to walk around the city of Osterode. They have fantastic old buildings there. We had gelato. That is great. Then today we went to the Harz mountains. We hiked a bit, and looked at the views. Then we went to a lake, went up a ski lift to the second highest mountain, climed the ski jump tower and went to a dam. Then we went to have lunch at a secenic overlook. We did many things that I thought I would never do because I am afraid of heights. "We also saw where the border between East and West Germany was. We stopped at a glass factory also, but could not take a tour. This evening we went to a grocery market.

Tomorrow we will tour a mine.

Joshua told me today via email that the kitties miss us a lot. He said they are following him around

More in the coming days.

Grandma Berniece

Asking for prayers for my Grandma and my parents. Grandma is in Hospice. The indication is only a few more days.

Please pray she finds peace and goes home to no more pain.

She has had a great 90 years

"Gertie Bird" - Cardinal

Hi all here is a "Gertie Bird" - Cardinal in my yard tonight.

Taken with my new camera that DH got me for Mother's Day

Winner - Winner !!!!!!!!!!!!

Lisa
Please contact me with your address.

Lisa said...
I love your work! I would like to win because I have a dear friend that helped me through a rough time. She gave me a couch (new!) coffee and end tables and lamps when I was going through a financially hard time, and divorce and I had no furniture. Of course Ive told her thank you numerous times but it doesnt seem like enough. She loves quilts and her kitchen is red! If I won it would go straight to her to show my appreciation!!!

I decided to do a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place winner with 4 squares going to each. You can make your own wall hanging.

2nd Place - Quilt Nan
3rd Place - Micki
4th Place -Quilt Hollow
Please send me your addresses.
Thanks to all who entered.

Prom

Here are prom photos of Matthew and Whitney (Blue dress) and Ann-Nika (orange dress) and Zach

Rainy Saturday

It is raining in Iowa. Tonight was to be the practice night at Knoxville Raceway
http://www.knoxvilleraceway.com
It is also prom night for several schools in the area.
We will take photos of Ann-Nika and I can post one later.
I am bummed about no races. I work in the concession stand. It's a fun summer job.
Well back to cleaning.

Stress of a Prom Dress

A friend called me and asked if I would shorten her neighbor's prom dress. I have never done this at all. So I was stressed, but prom is tomorrow night. So..................I called Mom and asked if she could help me. We are done, but I am still nervous. I can't wait for her to try it on to make sure that it fits ok. The dress probably was around $400. I remember seeing one nearly like it when Ann-Nika and I were looking for hers.
Thank the good Lord for Mom. I would have never been able to get it done without her help.

Country Wall Hanging Give Away Reminder

Country Wall Hanging Give-Away

Just a reminder to leave a comment.
Drawing will be April 30

Give Away - My Corner of the Studio

Give Away - My Corner of the Studio
My Corner of the Studio is having a giveaway for all you scrappers....pop on over to tak a look.

Blessings Shelia Giveaway

Be sure to check out Blessings Shelia's latest giveaway. It is a beautiful bag.
http://blessingsshelia.blogspot.com/

No Don't Do It

No Don't Do It!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I like you just the way you are!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Easter Weekend/Giveaway

Hi all I just want to wish everyone a wonderful Easter weekend with their family.
I hope that you all have a great time.

I did not get any sewing done today. However, I did get some housework and laundry done. Tomorrow we may head out to the zoo.

Don't forget to sign up for the giveaway.

April 5

Yuky day in Iowa today. We here in Southern Iowa missed the snow, thankfully.
Yesterday we went to the Neal Smith Wildlife Preserve (http://www.tallgrass.org/). They have an area set aside to preserve the prairie. They have buffalo and elk. We were lucky to be there at the right time to see both the elk and the buffalo. We had Ann-Nika with us as well as another German student.
We also went to the Iowa Historical Museum and the IMAX theater. It was a very nice day. The girls enjoyed their day also.
Back to work tomorrow. But it's just a 3 day week as we have Good Friday as a holiday and I have to take my "extra" day off also. Hopefully the weather will warm up.
Friday I was able to get through my closets and get some other cleaning done. I did more last night after we got home and again some today. If I am lucky I will have the whole house gone through for my "spring" cleaning.
Well off to get around for work tomorrow.
Take care everyone.

Country Wall Hanging Give-Away

Hi everyone.

I have a wall hanging (pictured here) that I will give away on April 30th. All you have to do is post a comment

1. telling me why you want the wall hanging

2. why you should win it.

On April 30th I will draw a name from all entries. Please fell free to share this with your friends, the more the merrier.

Hope to hear from a lot of folks.

April 3

Hi all
here are a can and bottle wrap that I made today. You can find the directions on the project page of our web site
Also added recipes to the recipe page
http://www.b-b-creations-quilts.com/sew-good-recipes.html

http://www.b-b-creations-quilts.com/project-page.html

today I have done errands, cleaning, made the wraps, made lunch, done laundry, and done my work out.
I think that I will make enchiladas for supper

Happy March 22 everyone.

This was a busy week. We had the shop hop at the quilt shop. It was a fun 3 days.

Today I decided to play a bit. Here is a wall hanging that I made.

I wanted to make a purse, but did not have everything that I needed, so it will have to wait until later.

Fun Meal

Hi all

We recently went to Lambert's "Home of the Throwed Rolls". It was so much fun.

Here is our photo.

Left to Right

Mom, Bruce, Me, Ann-Nika and Dad

Fabric Shopping

Here is a photo of Ann-Nika while we were shopping for fabric for Mom's quilt shop.

We had the back of the truck full with bolts of fabric. It was great fun and the weather was great too. Made a nice get away.

Happy Thursday

Hi all
A day off work. Tomorrow Mom and Dad, Bruce and I are going to buy fabric for the shop. That will be a lot of fun. This is the first time that I have had a chance to go.
The sun is shining and the robins are back her in Iowa. The only thing missing is the green grass, leaves and flowers. Yes I have spring fever. I want to see some color, the drab grey and brown of winter has lingered long enough.
I am still trying to finish up a quilt. Then I am going to work on a couple of things for Christmas decorations. Try to get a head of the game. LOL

Ann-Nika and Kadyn

Ann-Nika (our exchange student) and Kadyn my Grand Niece getting a bit of exercise on the trampoline

Where did January and February go?

Hi all
Well here we are the last day of February. I am trying to figure out where all the time went.

I am woking on weight loss. Not much fun, but necessary.
I am using www.sparkpeople.com
It is a free site that helps you track fitness and what you eat. It helps set goals too. So far it is good, other than I really want a Pepsi and chocolate. LOL
I am currently working on a quilt for Mom's quilt Shop (www.b-b-creations-quilts.com ) called the Road to Tokoyo. It is done in red, black and white. Can't wait to see it all together.
Also worked on a wall hanging for the upcoming shop hop.
I am going to be showing a girl how to make a quilt for her room that she will show at the fair for 4-H. She has never done this, but wants to try. I think it will be fun

Here is a photo of one of the birds in our yard this weekend.

One of our Australian friends, Christine, is having a giving away of three cute projects on February 7th. Her work is really nice and who doesn't like to win free gifts? There were already about 74 comments left; She has a lot to choose from.
Pat

Puddy

Here is a cute photo of puddy

Here are some sunset photos that I took 1/20/09

This morning it was -18 degrees Farenheit with a wind chill of -43 Farenheit. Too cold for me. I am ready for spring.

Fay, Khris & Pat

Pat, Khris, Fay

We enjoyed Khris and Glenn's visit the past couple days. It was very nice to meet them. We took them to Red Rock Dam near Pella, Ia to see the Bald Eagles. Though it was nice to see the eagles it did not take long to get back in the truck with the below zero windchills.

Monday we went to Mom's (Fay) quilt shop (B & B Creations Quilt Shop) just 4 blocks from my house. Then we came back to my house and we made a notebook holder from This and That.

The pattern for this can be found on

B & B Creations Quilt Shop site

https://b-b-creations-quilts.com

It is called "Vitamin C" Bricks

Puddy and Noel. Puddy is a bit tempermental, he likes to have his own way. Noel is very easy going.

Skip Jackson's 2008 Sprint Car.
Can't wait for the 2009 Season to start. Just 3 more months of cold weather.