Tag Archives: family

Doris Delight/#AtoZ

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The April A to Z Blog Challenge is an annual blogging event in which participants blog every day (except Sundays) one post for each letter of the alphabet for the entire month. My theme for the year will be “Quilts and Ozark Slang.” So gitchur coffee or sodapop, grab a pilluh, and sit a spell.

The Letter today is D

Book Illustration
The Layout

So, it appears we have another star-ish block for letter D. It’s titled Doris’ Delight as the picture tells. A pretty simple block to sew together, and you’ll notice how the triangles are not pointed before sewing. This is very helpful in getting that perfect point in the finished look. It would be a good beginner to intermediate block if you’ve wanted to try a star block that’s just a little different.

I do wish the book had a story behind each block name. If it were up to me, I’d be inclined to tell of my Great Aunt Doris from Virginia. We became penpals after a visit early in my marriage. She was my husband’s aunt and we were instant friends. She was a true lady in my opinion. A very tiny, but mighty Christian woman who was always quick with a Bible verse to lean on. And talk about a teddy bear collector! Sadly she passed on quite a few years ago and I would like to think they’ve named a star after her.

And thanks to my husband who blessed me with Aunt Doris, I was also blessed with a new word from his Ozark roots. Discombobulated. He used this word with a little glint in his eye the first time I heard it. It took me aback I’ll admit. I’m pretty sure he intended to use it to impress me. (Along with his impressions……but now I’m getting distracted.) Now I’ve heard some unusual words, but I chose this one just because of him. It’s meaning: “Totally messed up beyond repair or recognition.” I can only imagine the looks of his new Marine Corp acquaintances in Cali when he blurted this one out.

There are many more wonderful blogs this year that I hope you can spend a couple minutes reading. All you have to do is click here and select something that interests you. To read about the A to Z Challenge and what we are all about, click here.

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Columbia, Missouri/ Thursday Doors

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A simple phone call can change your plans quickly. Such was the case when we discovered Mother needed a catheterization on her heart before moving forward on a separate procedure. The red flags seemed to be waving at both my sister and myself. Doctors wanted it done as soon as possible……like yesterday. So without further questioning, we took the day off to hopefully be totally wrong.

Extremely large waiting room
A world class team behind these doors.

Mother is pretty much the picture of health and so we were really figuring she’d be scolding us after her procedure. Mom hates for us to miss a day of work, especially for her sake. She forgets how many she missed for us. Time for paybacks.

What a showpiece!
Cafe offering Starbucks among other items. I went with H2O.
Hallways on this floor had so much artwork!

This blog is for her as well as you Thursday Doorists. Not sure how much she got to see of this hospital? And it is fairly newly renovated in the last couple years. Job well done!

This creation depicts early settlers following the Boone’s Lick Trail down Broadway which is beside this hospital, Boone Hospital. It takes you through the old part of downtown Columbia, Missouri. Just outside of Columbia you’ll cross the Missouri River to take us home.

Which is brings me to the end of Mother’s outcome. It seemed she had two blockages in her right heart artery with a 95% and a 98% blockage. Two stents later, she is home recovering nicely and we are extremely glad!

To see more great Thursday Door posts, visit Norm 2.0 and look for the blue frog at the bottom of his page. And hug your mother today!

2017 Favorites/WPC/Sunday Sampler

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2017 Favorites

 

This is the last post for 2017 Favorites”>2017 and as the title states, it’ll have my favorites for the year. So without further ado, I hope you’ll enjoy my little rendition from various photo/blog entries of the past year.

To begin on the Sunday Sampler portion of the blog, I introduced my lovely bride-to-be-niece shopping with me for a quilt project. This was a true delight to me to have another member of the next generation interested in creativity of this kind. I was very honored to make the couple a quilt for signatures and sentiments at their wedding reception. And of course, love went into every stitch 🙂

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The post that went with this pic also had the most likes for the2017 Favorites“> WordPress Photo Challenge this year. Seems roads to fabric stores are favorable to many.

Which leads to the next pic which won the 3rd most Hearts on my Instagram page for 2017…

Nov 8 White

But it was my personal favorite for the Little Moments app project. (yes, I have been neglecting you a tad bit WordPress) 

And at this point, I would be amiss to not mention the A to Z Challenge from April 2017.

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The vote for here on Word Press was a tie between black and blue. On my Facebook page, the blue was the winner. Sadly, I still need to make those sashings. It is coming soon. Gotta be ready for the A to Z of 2018 so wouldn’t want to leave this behind. It will be hand quilted by myself and will be no small feat with my schedule.

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For my Thursday Doors entries this past year, the post with the most likes was my post on Route 66. I’m pretty sure it must be the idea of Ice Cream that did the trick. Ted Drewes being world reknown might have a teeny bit of influence as well. 😉 And my lovely models truly enjoyed that refreshment–as did the hubster and I.

Here’s to a Wonderful, Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New 2018 to all of you!!                 As always, thanks for reading!

Veterans Home/ Thursday Doors

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Mother leading the way to the entrance of the Veterans Home in Mexico, Missouri. 

According to information provided on the Missouri Veterans Commission home page, a person must require institutional health care services, among other criteria to become a resident of one of these facilities. My Uncle Neal is one such person. He has severe short term memory loss and requires a significant amount of supervision. He can have a decent conversation with his visitors, but tomorrow, it will most likely be forgotten.

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We’ve all entered the doors of these sort of places that have ‘that smell’ and I commend this home for not being in that category. And for my Uncle’s sake, I’m much appreciative.

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This is a display donated by a previous Missouri governor, Kit Bond. It houses ‘coins’ he collected over the years. I only wish I could have read the card a little better. Basically these are Challenge Coins (the proper name) and are presented to recognize special achievement to military members.

You can see the childlike state my uncle is in at this moment in the way he holds a hand.
Watching a parade put on by the wonderful staff.
Three of the 5 siblings & me.

Pictured above: our humble entourage that included my husband (the photographer for these shots) and my mother, aunt and myself. I love the moment captured between my aunt and uncle above. This is her true, genuine, caring, nurturing nature. Love her!

Let us all remember and honor those who have served in the upcoming Season of Giving and be especially thankful for the sacrifices made.

For other Thursday Door entries, please visit Norm 2.0 where you’ll be met with wonderful door posts from around the globe.Just find the blue frog button and click.

How’d It Go?/ Sunday Sampler

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Sunday Sampler

The season to begin Christmas shopping officially opened yesterday here in Central Missouri at the Windsor Septemberfest 2017. We were stationed at the Windsor Elementary School gymnasium in Windsor, Missouri, respectfully, along with many other crafters from around the region. Mother, my husband, and I were set up by the 8:45 am deadline.

Special thanks to our family and friends that showed up to help out, purchase or even just say hello! We loved seeing you!

Windsor September 17

Mother’s jams, jellies and salsas are a main attraction each time we attend an event. 

Kerchiefs are a great seller on Etsy and they get lots of Ooh’s and Aah’s during the day.

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Going to be in the Etsy shop by end of today.

And then I have a little collage of the ‘Sold’ items.

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A common denominator to purchases at these venues seems to be the desire to find that One of a Kind item. Even the LuLaRoe seller behind our booth tended to know this little tid bit. Nothing seemed to have a duplicate.

So, Sellers of the Land, let it be known that mass produced items are not in huge demand to small-town USA (exceptions: candles and other great scented items). I hope this trend continues because buying handmade truly supports small businesses.

Sweet Memories/Thursday Doors

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Last Sunday, another Lawrence trip to spend with both daughters was the agenda. Oh Happy Joy!

Being it was a birthday celebration, we slipped through these doors for some pre-dinner treats. Yes, dessert came first 🙂

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dappled lighting was my struggle for a decent pic. 

Once inside you can see what a lovely little place this is! Delicacies and yummy items for whatever tickles your fancy.

Menu and all the info
Displays wrapped around this corner.
My chocoate with cream filled rolled cake

We had the place all to ourselves for a little bit and so I was able to take advantage of the moment with this indoor view without offending any diners.

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“Life is Short, Eat Dessert First!” Especially if celebrating your birthday!

For other wonderful Thursday Doors posts, click here.

Pint-sized Scraps/Sunday Sampler

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Sunday Sampler

Gardening has slowed down at last and none too soon. The first craft show of the season is next Saturday. Piles of scraps from over the years are crammed into my XXL Space Bag (aka giant ziplock bag). There are also several small storage tubs with more organized scraps. But for the purpose of trying to use up this ginormous stash, I’m sticking with the bag until my supply diminishes significantly.

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Speaking of bags, pictured above is my portion of an order I split with my dear mother. She’s also in a sewing, frenzy mode. Her church sewing group is making cloth diapers for children in need in another country. Forgive me for not remembering which country. Note to self: Future post on this topic needed. 

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Snaps and Press (top left) Snaps inserted (top right)  Yesterday’s haul and a back view (bottom left to right)

Scrap project #1 is these bibs that I use on a day to day basis in my own daycare. I can testify for their durability. I have, in the past, used sew-on metal snaps. They can leave irritation on some infants and toddlers. I also have used velcro. Same issue as well. Velcro tends to wear out with many washings. It attracts lint, strings from fabric, as well as hair. Le yuck!  I definitely find the plastic snaps are my preference! The scrappy appearance of these String-quilt-style bibs give a child visual contrast. Early childhood professionals know that this visual stimulation is a positive way to engage brain development.

For the back, no stone is left unturned. I have a stockpile of worn out jeans and work pants from over the years that simply come from this family of 4. Some black will be used this season as that is what’s on top of the pile. Plus, I like a little change from the blue denim.

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Note: Bibs should never be left on an infant or child during napping.

Personally speaking, I’d like to send prayers for my dear family and friends in the path of Hurricane Harvey. May you be kept safe!

 

Sharing Effects/Thursday Doors

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Quick and painless is my motto this week for Thursday Doors. Canning and freezing (and canning) and working are leaving me a bit weary. The garden is having a bumper crop year. So thanks to suggestions from Google Effects, I think I have a beauty to get me through.

gmas houseEFFECTS

This is the back porch door to Grandma’s house. Mother, mother-in-law-, grandmother, Nancy’s house, neighbor……… but never, ever Granny. It’s just the rule. But whatever you call yours, everyone knows the kids are always welcome there.

Thursday Doors finds its beginnings over at Norm 2.0. Please visit and find more door posts there by clicking the blue frog at the bottom of his post. You won’t be disappointed.

 

Helping Out/WPC

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Satisfaction

The Big Day
Before the Big Day

Meet Evette, again. She’s my niece and there’s no doubt she’s “Sew in Love”. I’m getting pure satisfaction from seeing her use her beginning sewing skills towards gift-giving while her new husband is off at basic training. We are very proud of them both. Proud for his service to our country and to her holdin’ down the homefront while he’s away.

Last week she came to me with a preplanned embroidery project. Unfortunately, while making the project, her friend’s sewing machine bit the dust. So I was getting to do a little more than planned. Not a problem. Glad to help.

Fast forward to the embroidery…….

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She showed me what she needed and chose a beautiful font. I had it digitized and ready to go. The A was well on it’s way in this picture. With this design, there would be some re-hooping of the item in order to fit the project. (My hoop is pretty much ancient compared to newer ones. Mine’s circa 18 to 20 years old.) Unfortunately, the A was all that got completed before my memory card fried. Unable to fix it, we improvised, overcame and adapted. Marines out there will appreciate that last sentence. Semper Fi!

Moving on, I must let my niece know that her “Large” pins were a hit with me. I’ve always used the normal size, but after using hers, I may have to get some of these. They were so generous in size and I didn’t prick my fingers nearly as much. Who says you don’t learn from the younger generation??!! And that Minky fabric is soft! And slick to sew with. I tried the walking foot but reverted to the normal foot after about 10 inches. Any hints out there would be appreciated for future minky projects.

carrier cover

 

Above are the completed carrier cover and the baby quilt.

And just for the baby’s sake, I’ve a little message I’m sure Evette would want to pass along…..

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A Gem on Route 66 /ThursdayDoors

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Thursday Doors

When at the Missouri History Museum we were tempted with the display of an ice cream shop on Route 66 that is still open after 80 years. Introducing Ted Drewes.

But first, probably the only door I could find worth a hoot for this post…….

telephonebooth

A reminder of something that has disappeared within the last 80 years. Related are: Where will Superman do his quick change, How to make collect calls, Answering a random phone booth ringing and Using actual money to make a phone call, all a part of history.

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Back to Ted Drewe’s –a first view. Here’s a little hint. If you see nuns eating at an establishment, it’s gonna be O.K.

Who is Ted Drewe’s? Ted Drewes Sr., was a St. Louis attraction, winning the Muny Tennis Championships each year from 1925 to 1936. Feel free to read more here.

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A ‘door’ for posterity’s sake.

Boasting 12 serving windows, Ted Drewes motto is “Our Business is Service”.

The website tells that it is hardly recognizable during the Christmas season as they sell trees and the lot is loaded with them. They’ve been doing that for over 50 years. One thing you can say about this place is that they are certainly good at longevity and have obviously found their niche in St. Louis.

A line in the summer sun makes the treat even more delish.

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The daughters approve! Our ‘adoptee’ daughter was a great tour guide to go along with the GPS and we thank you Miss Meaghan for your outstanding hospitality! Til next time….

Other Doors posts seen here at Norm 2.0. Enjoy!