Intergalactic laws concerning...
Pie making. I'm sure there is one 'cause making only one pumpkin pie just doesn't seem right, somehow. It doesn't matter how many other pies I need to make. Or how many desserts can be eaten without making the family ill. Yep, it's always two pumpkin pies. Well, DS #3 says he'll eat one for me. But DS #2 adores anything apple, so we had to make an apple pie for him. That was easy, as we had already canned about 40 quarts of apples this summer. Oh, and it's square 'cause who would ever need more than three pie pans? I used to use a quich dish for the apple pie as that seems to be the favorite among the kids. But I broke it. There was still some pie crust dough left in the bowl...and I hate to waste all that work... OK, a chocolate-pecan pie. That's all. Then DH asks if I'll make a chocolate cake for him. I had planned to make fudge... "Chocolate cake or fudge?" "Yes" stupid question. How could I refuse when he is working in my laundry room putting in shelves when I know he'd rather be out tromping through the woods... read that, sitting silent as the grave in the woods, hunting. And he doesn't ask for much, just chocolate cake and fudge. Blech. Notice how big the cake is with the buttercream frosting? That's how DH likes it- a proper cake/frosting ratio of 2-1. But then DS #4 doesn't have much of a sweet tooth, and would it really be a holiday without his favorite Chex mix? Better triple the batch, 'cause there are 11 people to consider. See, Sarah? Just a quiet day home with the family. Then there is the home-made cranberry sauce, the dressing, fried corn from Grandfather's stash, and we have to have yeast rolls and grean beans-I'm sure I am the only living American who doesn't like that green bean casserole. I'll have mine plain, thank you. Then there has to be mashed potatoes and gravy- don't you think that gravy deserves it's own food group classification? The little girls in my family like steamed peas and carrots, and I am baking a couple sweet potatoes- just plain. That's my attempt to keep things simple, this year. Hilarious, I know. Have I mentioned how much I like to cook? I don't think Thanksgiving should center around food, but I do want all of the kids to know that I want to make the day special for each of them. DS #2 says he doesn't remember ever seeing "so much foily goodness."

I talked to Sarah, a couple days ago- while she is in Arkansas, with the in-laws. (Speaking of in-laws, I would absolutely love a little insight into maintaining good relationships with in-laws. Or establishing good relationships with in-laws. I figure Sarah would find the study interesting, herself. I am wondering why it has to be so complicated. How to simplify... I'd really like to hear from those of you who just love their daughters-in-law. "tis the season for making peace and getting along with family. Appreciating differences. And having six sons, myself, well, I'd like to get set straight before it all comes back around to bite me...er...make life difficult.) Sarah is going to be traveling all over the South this week and she is planning on hitting a few quilt shops along the way. I finished her Xmas present. I am so excited and want to share pictures, but I know she'll be snooping. I also made a small (50x65") quilt for another friend. (I think I am settling back into home.) I want to quilt it, first, before I post a picture. I am hoping to get it all finished up before the weekend, so I can mail it to her for her to enjoy it for the season. It started as a panel, and I have decided that I despise them. I cut it all apart and used houses as my alternate blocks- wonkied them per Bonnie. It is also flannel and harder to get the points to come out like I'd like. Well, time to peel those 10 pounds of potatoes and get the rolls started... Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

I'm gone for one week....
My DH rents the movie War of the Worlds, and I am coerced into watching it... How does he do that? Did you hear about the time he took me to see Arachnaphobia, for my birthday? I can't breath at the sight of a spider... So tonight's feature film was... disturbing. I won't give it away for those who haven't seen it yet, but it brought back memories of creepycrawlies. So, afterwards, I think that I will sit myself down in front of the computer and catch up with my friends at Quilt Mavericks. Won't that be a nice way to unwind? Ah, now that's like coming home. But wait. Seems there is a murmur of contention among the ranks... Now I can't sleep, 'cause it bothers me when folks can't seem to get along. And I don't even have a clue as to what the story is. But WAIT! As I so often tell the kids, "I don't want to know. Sit down on the couch and work it out like normal human beings." I find this method usually works quite nicely without overly exhausting me or frustrating the daylights out of me over the sheer idiocy of arguing over... something stupid. It was a full moon, last week. That can affect people in weird ways. Makes 'em act...different. (A word of unsolicited advice to those who might be acting out of character. Most people can act polite- like nothing ever happened. In a relatively short amount of time, it will be like it never happened. But my DH is a wise man, and you know what he used to say when we had a disagreement that got ugly?- and yes, it happens, "What can we do to prevent this from happening, again?" 'Cause if you act like it never happened, you'll forget it ever happened, and then, yes, it'll happen again. Yuck. let's not. I don't think I've ever been described as "polite." I tend to be one of those people who are constantly slapping their hands over their mouths with a "did I say that outloud?" look on my face. Now I wonder if anyone ever thinks, "Wow! am I rude or what?" I do know how to keep my mouth shut. Man, it sure is hard sometimes. But, I hate to hear people putting labels on anybody that they don't choose for themselves. Doesn't that seem rude? If I want to be called a quilter, then fine. An artist, then fine. Newsflash. Anybody who creates anything is an artist. A grilled cheese sandwich is a work of art in my book. Yes, if you use some of that fancy sourdough bread and colby cheese, that would be a "prime" grilled cheese sandwich, but when you get down to it, it's still just a cheese sandwich. So let's all be generous and kind, keeping an open mind that maybe we haven't all evolved as far as we might and that maybe, in time, we'll be farther on that side than this. you never know.)

30th Anniversary quilt....
This is a picture of the quilt that my sister and I and our two sisters-in-law made for my parents for their 30th wedding anniversay. They just celebrated their 42nd. It was my sister's bright idea that we all pitch in and make them a quilt. My sister-in-law, Lisa, doesn't sew at all so Laurie handed her the strips and she made all of the log cabin squares. My other sister-in law, Beccie, made all of the stars- she is a very good quilter and does a lot of hand-quilting. Laurie, my sister did all of the victorian-type blocks. She loves anything "tedious" and she handquilted the entire quilt, herself. She did an excellent job. My blocks are the geometric ones in, of course, the warm colors of green and orange, turquoise and yellow. I was the last one to get my blocks done, but I like how they all came together nicely and my parents love it.

For the beauty of the earth,
For the glory of the sky,
For the love which from our birth,
over and around us lies...

For the joy of human love,

Brother sister, parent, child,

Friends on earth and friends above,

For all gentle thoughts and mild...

Lord of all, to Thee we raise This our hymn of grateful praise.

Thank you all so much for your prayers and concern during my father's recent surgery. We came so close to losing him and I am not sure if any of us are over it, yet. My two brothers and my sister all gathered around him on Sunday and as my brother, David, said later this past week, "Sunday was a dream. Monday was a nightmare." David gave such a good sermon on Sunday (on Caleb and being wholehearted) and my other brother, Craig, led the singing. It was all so sublime. Monday, we were left with prayer. I am home now as I needed to be with Will and my sweet children- he is the glue that holds me together. And there is nothing like the love of a child to keep things in perspective and to lift your spirits. My dad is recovering very well. He has some damage, but they never know what that will mean. This picture was of his first meal in four days. You should have heard him, "MMMM..." and that, over hospital food! We are hoping he will be home early this coming week, in time for Thanksgiving. And we have so much to be thankful for- don't we all?

Dear Hubby here... I don't have much time but my better half wanted me to update all concerned with her Father's condition. The doctors did a triple bypass procedure Monday a.m. and two of them failed. They went in and replaced those two again Monday evening. After two good days, he is progressing well. My Better Half says he is off about 80% of everything they had hooked up to him. We thank everyone for your kind thoughts, prayers, and wishes. The recovery road is long, but looks like things are going well. My Sweet wife will be gone at least a few more days, probably longer because help will be needed for quite a while. So please continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers if you don't mind.

I mentioned I didn't have much time. That's because, for reasons I won't try to defend or explain, but seemed logical at the time I had the kids each pick out their own box of cookies for a treat the other day at Wal-mart. We have great kids (mostly of Nina's doing), but they have been so rowdy lately... I hadn't read Nines blog about me watching the kids til today... just another proof of how well that beautiful woman knows me, and how much I need her! Sugar bunnies....I'll remember that next time... DH

Lookie, lookie...
As some of you may know, I am going on a little trip, and will, no doubt, be spending vast amounts of time in hospital waiting rooms. I was thinking of something to bring to work on . I have yo-yo's that I am making for a bedspread, but that can get monotonous. And then there's the UFO applique I started when I was pregnant with Abe- over two years ago, but I'm a bit burned out on that as I have been working on it some, lately. So... I was inspired by Lucy and some others here who actually still handpiece. Sarah is rolling her eyes now 'cause if there is an easy way to do something then I know how and that's the way I do it. But, but, but... I was thinking that there are certain applications that are not conducive to machine piecing. Like inset corners. I have read every word of advice that is out there on the proper way of accomplishing these with a sewing machine, and mine only come out satisfactorily about 30% of the time. And Sarah also knows that that ain't gonna cut it so I don't sew inset seams if I can help it. Well, then I saw these adorable stamp things-by Kate- and figured yep, I could try that. Now I do think they would be helpful in machine piecing also, but they are perfect for handwork, 'cause they give you a cut line and a sew line. How simple is that? No templates and no tracing. I did the inner little flower in no time at all and it came out pretty much perfect, if I do say so myself. I tried to keep what Genny said about enjoying the simplicity of the process and I found it very relaxing sitting in front of my fire (a gas heater) in my rocking chair. I am a bit clumsy at it and I have found that if I stick my tongue out that I make a straighter seam, but I figure these are all kinks that will work out as I practice. Don't worry Sarah, I still don't see myself handpiecing, say, a nine patch. I know someone who is doing that and I just have to tilt my head and wonder, "why?" Now if I can only stop myself from working on this instead of getting the million and one things done that need to be done before I leave the DH alone in a house chock full of children and one invalid. (And yes, he is the dearest, sweetest thing and I know they will miss me, but be just fine while I'm gone.) I think I might "need" to go fabric shopping as I only have enough for three flowers in fabrics that I like. These three were all from Sarah. She has a gift for finding the tiniest, most delicate little flowers and bugs. Blues and yellows in the center two rows and then flowers and/or bugs in the outer. I have blue dragonflies, gold bumblebees and yellow butterflies. And that is what I am thinking I will go with, so...hint-hint... a chubby eighth will do me! I am thinking that I will set them in muslin- a word about muslin. I think it is such a shame that it has fallen out of style. No, it doesn't look very interesting there on the bolt, but it quilts up so beautifully and adds a lot of simple charm to a quilt. And that's my opinion. I think I'll pack the flower garden stuff and carry on the crocheting project- since that won't require scissors. I am making DD a shawl. Well, time to climb Mt. Neverest. That's what we call the laundry around here. Thank you all so much for your prayers on my dad's behalf. He is a very fine physical speciman- so the Dr. says, so I feel confident that he will get through this fine. But like most men, a poor patient. Sorry Dad, but it's true. Anyone who rips off a heart monitor in the cardiac ward... well, you get the picture. Maybe I should ask for prayers for my Mom...

This is my Papa...
Isn't he cute? He is having open-heart surgery, Monday. I think it's quadruple bypass. He had a heart attack when he was only 47, and had a by-pass surgery then. Well, it is 14 years later and he is up for it again. Poor dear! He has some kind of congenital heart disease or something. I am planning on flying to WV on Saturady, to be there for the surgery and to try and distract my mom. I don't know how long I will be staying as I want to make sure they are both settled in at home. I just hate being so far away from them- and I am the closest of my siblings at 6 hours. I care for my ailing and invalid mother-in-law, so it is hard for me to leave her, but what can I do? My dear husband, is so great with the children and I am leaving him with a detailed list of schedules for meds and care and such. You know how some men seem completely helpless around children and the elderly? Well, Bill is not one of them. (Don't you wonder if the whole "I'm so clueless" routine is a put-on to get out of work?;) Of course, he doesn't have any hang-ups about making sure the kids look presentable when they go out or having cake for breakfast, or getting to bed at the same time each night... But I figure that if I'm not with them, how could I be embarrassed and if he wants to feed them cake three times a day... well, he's a strong and tolerant guy, so no doubt the sugar bunnies won't drive him up a wall. No really, he'll do fine. I'm sure they'll be fine. fine...fine...fine...I just won't ask what they were wearing to church...