Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 2:20 am on December 15, 2013 Permalink  

  Completed For Enjoyment 

  

  The Butterflies Pop With the Quilting Surrounding Them

  Over time I have posted about my Grandmother Laura’s quilt blocks featuring butterflies.   From the 1960’s to 2013 we can now honor her efforts as it is completed right down to the label on the back.  So many people had looked at the squares over time and everyone had differing opinions.  Yes, the stitching from  her treadle sewing machine may have been uneven.  Yes, there were lead pencil markings where she decided to sew the black antenna of each butterfly.  One of the blocks had a bit of nick from a way ward scissor that is now covered by an appliqued heart.   All of these suggestions plus were noted with no firm solutions added.

  When I looked at the blocks during these years all I could see was this very wonderful grandmother that maybe stood five feet tall.  Her attitude in life was one to applaud.  When I finally decided what I wanted to do to release the butterflies from the cedar chest and make Grandma proud everything after that fell into place.  Pink was indeed Grandma Laura’s favorite color. I chose a variety of colors to show case each nine patch block of the pink butterflies. Butterflies are found everywhere in nature with no limit in nature’s background.

  Old Alley Quilt Shop in Sherburn, MN is a wonderland of inspiration and assistance.  Sharon takes control of the long arm quilter and her imagination finished the king sized quilt to it’s utmost.  Sitting at the dining room table while hemming the quilt I had many hours to reminisce of the years when grade school summer vacations were spent at Grandma Laura’s elbow whether making cookies or picking just the ripest strawberries.

  The chapter on the butterflies is by no means closed.  This quilt is now ready to be enjoyed for many years to come.  Grandma Laura will not be forgotten.

   
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  Noreen 6:03 am on December 14, 2013 Permalink  

  Fleeting Thoughts: 

  Today the 13th of December would have been my third child’s 40th birthday.  Scott Howard would have made a great addition to the team of Carrie Brett and Kevin Michael Schafer.  Sometimes I can’t help but wonder how his life would have impacted the family going forward.  It was not in the Lord’s plan.

   
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  Noreen 6:22 am on December 13, 2013 Permalink  

  An Outing With Dennis 

  With 20 degrees above zero we just had to get out of St. James and do some errands in the big city of Mankato.  Many items we shop for locally but for the two of us it’s called a ‘date’ when we schmooze some of the big box stores and some unique shops and then – – having lunch congratulating each other for filling the tick list.

  I was thrilled to hear many Christian Christmas songs being played in the background of the stores.  There is an element that tries to force the “Happy Holidays”. I do not think twice as to whom I am addressing – it is “Merry Christmas”.   It is my freedom of speech.  The Christ in Christmas makes all hearts more tender, more patient, more understanding and more resilient – no matter how hard some try to cross their arms across their chest to keep the love of Christ out it’s going to sneak in.  If you are nice it’s a given and if you are the one that is naughty it matters not.

  You Tube has a video “Say Merry Christmas” the vocal by Carrie Rinderer with the American Christian Life United Choir.  It is a catchy tune and it just says it all.  Enjoy.

   
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  Noreen 4:36 am on December 12, 2013 Permalink  

  Brrrrr! 

  After a week of this I am ready for some numbers with a plus sign in front of them.  The high winds over night moved the new snow as it was falling.  Dennis and I were on the same page this morning. We had a bite of breakfast and hit the work that was needed to clear the driveway, sidewalk and patio. It’s too early in the winter to have the attitude that God put it here and He will take it away right around the time of Easter in 2014. Surprisingly with the two of us working together we made short work of the winter wonderland.  The day is winding down and supper is now simmering on the burner and it is going to be one great pot of chili.  Catch ya later.

   
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  Noreen 4:18 am on December 11, 2013 Permalink  

  One of My Favorite Hobbies 

  

  It’s Beginning to Look like Christmas

  The year before I retired from Watonwan County as the County Assessor, I wanted to get my hobbies organized within my home.  The quilting was a given but when I saw the Cricut I was hooked.  My horizons were expanded.  It is an electronic cutting machine for paper, vinyl, card stock, fabric and foil. The web was a wealth of information before I actually purchased one. I have been working with my wonder machine during the past four years. I don’t use it everyday but when the light bulb of creation goes off it’s there to be enjoyed.  There is no scrap of paper too small to have tucked away in a folder for future use as images can be cut from 1/4 inch to 24 inches.

  This time of the year the paper, glue and embellishments take over the craft area in the basement and the quilting is put on hold.  Hey, you’ve got to be a multi-dimensional person when it comes to crafting.  Sometimes I find a card that I want to mirror but most times I am totally winging it.

  Cutting fabric on the Cricut is perfect for applique designs used in quilting that would otherwise call for hand drawn artwork in multiple sets.  The designs are specific on cartridges that are purchased separately.  Several cartridges that I have acquired include over 700 images per cartridge.

  

  My Niece Laura’s William and His Cricut Tile

  We have had little ones added to the family and one of my favorite gifts for them is a tile that can be hung in their bedrooms.  The designs for the tiles are cut with vinyl that has the adhesive on the back.  The tiles are actually floor tiles that can be bought for less and $1.00 in any Menards or Home Depot.  I have seen many items in the hobby stores with vinyl art sold in phrases for home decor.   My daughter Carrie has used her Cricut and made original phrases for her home.

  There was never a worry that I could not find my way through all the uses of the Cricut when I realized what You Tube had available.  The world of the Cricut is huge and so enjoyable.  At a time when everything can be bought and usually in a variety of price ranges, I still like to put my personal touch on gifts and cards.  The entire process that happens in my basement sewing and craft area is totally awesome and I never ever run out of items to try.  Oh yes, we go from fuzz and lint to paper scraps and sticky stuff.  Priceless!

   
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  Noreen 7:48 am on December 10, 2013 Permalink  

  In our town we had the best Pamida… 

  In our town we had the best Pamida store.  In the fall of 2012 it was converted into a Shopko Home Town.  What a disaster.  Here it is the 9th of December and there is not one single decorated Christmas tree in the store.  No holiday feeling goes right along with an inadequate amount of inventory.  The price of the inventory is notably higher than before.  Our Family Dollar store is bursting with products and is busier than they can handle at times.  I think the only thing that is keeping the Shopko store going is the pharmacy. The pharmacy is not Dennis’ favorite place to go as the eight people working behind the counter are tripping over each other with total disorganization.

  Sometimes bigger is not better.  It is wonderful to have choices in a small town.  Many small towns don’t even have a loaf of bread or a gallon of milk to sell.

  Catch ya later.

   
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  Noreen 4:45 am on December 9, 2013 Permalink  

  Fleeting Thoughts: 

  This is the second night that Dennis is making me supper that includes all the cleanup.  This is huge for the cowboy and very much appreciated.

   
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  Noreen 4:07 am on December 8, 2013 Permalink  

  The US Postal Service Loves Me 

  I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason.  When I logged onto the computer this morning and saw -13 degrees, I reasoned that there was no way I wanted to be out and about and rely on a vehicle to endure the stops and starts of being out and about.  I know what the projected life of a car battery is suppose to be but I also know that cold weather can zap the life – right now.

  Out came the stash of Christmas cards I had been working on off and on.  Yes, I still send some out.  Social networks can send out typed sentences in a heart beat to as many as there are on the ‘friend’ list – no cards or stamps required.  I think about my aunts and uncles that are in their 80s that have no idea how to network unless it’s nose to nose and toe to toe or in this instance their mail.

  I am 99.9% sure that I am the chosen one from my Mom and Dad’s four children to keep in contact with those that deserve the respect of a note coming in the mail during the Christmas season.  Even during the later years of my parent’s life they were ready in a moment’s notice to check on family members.   During good driving weather I have enjoyed continuing that tradition.  And that my friends has gone by the wayside and not because the hours in the day have lessened.   It may be that some have forgot that highways go both ways.  It may be that some forget that one day it will be our turn when we look forward to a remembrance coming in the mail or sharing a cup of coffee around the kitchen table.  What goes around comes around.

  Monday morning the temps will be a little warmer and I will be at the post office picking out the best of the Christmas stamps that are available.  The month is still early and no doubt as the days dribble by I will find a few more people that I want to greet with a Merry Christmas.  As I said the US postal service loves me.

   
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  Noreen 6:28 am on December 7, 2013 Permalink  

  Of the Ritis boys – Art was the worst 

  Running errands today in the cold allowed the arthritis to bark when I got home to the warmth of the home and relaxed. The kid’s grandmother, Esther Schafer, told the stories of arthritis traveling through the body and then there would be a respite.  O.K. – I have my ticket punched – are we there yet?

   
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  Noreen 4:18 am on December 6, 2013 Permalink  

  Fleeting Thoughts: 

  

  The Lord’s Light Shines Through

  Only three above this cold morning but the Lord can make all things beautiful.