Memorial Day Festivities

All in all it was a very productive weekend.  We each got a lot done, had an exceptional amount of fun and ate a totally decadent amount of food.


On Monday, Mom and I left the retreat to attend the Memorial Day service at the U.S.S. Kidd.


Mom had a blow out on the side of the interstate back in April.  A medically retired veteran of Iraq pulled over to assist and he and his son Michael changed the tire for her.  She was really really impressed with the man and with his son.  


She quickly got her fabrics together and created a Quilt of Valor for this gentleman veteran.  She had considered making a quilt of valor before, but this was so fitting to make one for a person that you actually know.

We did some research to find the man.  Mom visited the U.S.S. Kidd only to find out that there is an honor wall there dedicated to SSG. Douglas M. Ducote, Sr.  He was walking with this food on a cardboard tray when a scud missile hit and he was struck in the back with shrapnel.  

After viewing his honor wall, she was able to speak to one of the workers who knew him and find out that he would be at the Memorial Day services.  What better day to present the quilt to him.  They are Facebook friends now and will probably be life long friends.

Busy Busy Day

Quilting Retreat this weekend.  

Lots of progress being made. 

Theresa laid out blocks on her bed to get the orientation right.

Jo sewed these romantic star blocks.

Kind of a side shot of the quilt  top I made on  Friday.

Had to leave today with Mom to attend her high school class reunion -- 59 years.  We drove to Lake Arthur, LA to spend the day with 15 of her remaining 20 classmates. Then we drove back to the retreat in time for dinner.

Lake Arthur High School Class of '53

Quesadilla Casserole for dinner Friday with sinful chocolate cake and ice cream.  Karen's homemade scones for breakfast.  Gaye made pulled pork stuffed baked potatoes for lunch. And Theresa (yes, Theresa) made lasagna and bread and salad for dinner.  She almost had a nervous breakdown.  She doesn't cook, you see.  Tomorrow we are due for chicken enchiladas  for lunch and ribs for dinner.  Who said we were here to sew? It's all about the food!


Theresa dreamed she was milking a cow and out came condensed milk.  (you had to be there)

Procratination!

Yep!  Here I go again!  I only have 2 more days until my retreat and I have done nothing to prepare.


Yesterday was physical therapy for my shoulder.  Today I was working out with my trainer.  Tomorrow is physical therapy again.  Thursday is my appointment with the orthopedist to see how I'm doing.  Then Friday morning is retreat.


What a great weekend for a retreat!  We have four whole days to sit and sew and laugh and eat.  I could get a whole lot accomplished if I can just do some prep work.  The only problem with that is that by the time I get home in the evening, I am totally worn out.  I'll either do some prep work before the retreat or I can wait until I get to the retreat.  


Last minute surprise.  Mom's 60th high school class reunion is to be this Saturday in Lake Arthur. Lake Arthur is a really small town near Jennings, La.  This may be the last time she'll see some of her classmates.  A few of them have been having serious health issues.  We should be able to drive there and back and still be back in time for dinner.

The Wonder of Love

Yesterday was a wonderful day.  I attended the wedding of James, a young man that I have so much love and respect for.  I am so proud to have known him even for a short time.  I met him when he became my student worker.  I grew to respect his integrity, his dependability, his passion for his dreams, his love for his family.  I was proud to meet with the police interviewer to speak of his great character.  I was excited for him when he was accepted into the police academy.  I rejoiced with him when he gave the ring to his fiance' Megan.  I was proud to know the recruit's recruit who received academic awards and marksmanship awards.  I am sure (without doubt) that he is a wonderful police officer. I pray that he will live a long, loving life with the love of his life.  I wish him the best of everything, now and forever.


I hope that they will enjoy the quilt that I made for them.  I didn't know the colors they like but there are enough colors in the quilt that hopefully something will blend.  Like the saying goes, it's the thought that counts.  My thoughts and feelings and wishes for this couple are so profound and if any of that became infused in this quilt, then it will bring them warmth for years to come.

Design Wall Tuesday?

This was a bento box quilt that I finished up this weekend.  It's been a long time since something was on my design wall, especially something that was finished!

Progress!

The only real sewing I've done in a while now is working on my secret "quilt in a box" blocks.  It's a project we have in our quilt guild.  Each participant puts an assortment of coordinating fabrics of their choice in a box.  Each participant picks a block to make and the coordinator makes sure that they are all different.  The boxes get traded back and forth and each person makes their secret block from each person's fabrics.  I finished my last block last night and turned it in today. It'l be months before all 18 people are finished, but I am glad to have mine done.  I was also glad to have them to work on.  They've helped me at least to sew a little now and then.  I get to keep my  irons in the fire so to speak.


Today, I did a quick diagonal grid on the quilt I made for a wedding gift. It's been a while since I tried this.  I didn't do any marking, but I was able to use a ruler to help keep my lines straight.  I think it came out pretty well.  Sure hope they like it.

 I'll be working on the binding tomorrow.  Then I'll have to label it and wash it and find an appropriate sized box and some appropriate wrapping paper.  I have a week to get it all done, which sounds like a long time, but it's not when my week is full of work, physical therapy, cooking, laundry, and quilt guild meetings. 


One day when I have more time or am less invested in a quilt, maybe I'll take the time to practice a new motif.  I always seem to be under the gun or worried about screwing it up.  One day......

Design Wall Monday

Here it is again Design Wall Monday and I have no picture.  I was going to post my finished quilt, but I was so excited to finally have finished that UFO that I gave it to the recipient and totally forgot to take a picture.

Two of my favorite things

I was so happy to see that Friday finally made it.  There were times this week when I was sure it would never come.  I took off work at lunch today to get a head start on chores so that I could actually enjoy my weekend.  Did the grocery shopping and the laundry and all those types of things.


Our new local quilt shop is opening tomorrow.  Have a trip planned with a quilty friend.  We'll be doing lunch and then going to check out the new quilt shop.  Two of my favorite things - food and fabric!  It'll be an adventure!