Friday, December 31, 2010

Predictions for 2011

Predictions for 2011

1. Jesus will still love His bride – the Church.

2. The Holy Spirit will still move.

3. The Bible will still have all the answers.

4. There will still be God-anointed preaching of the Gospel.

5. God will still pour out His blessings upon His people.

6. Prayer will still be the most effective thing that you can do.

7. God will still honor and inhabit the praises of His people.

8. There will still be Spirit-filled singing of praise in thanksgiving to God.

9. There will still be room at the Cross for repentant sinners.

10. Jesus will still save to the uttermost those who come to Him.


HAPPY NEW YEAR!



H



H

Sunday, December 26, 2010

The day after

Well today is the day after Christmas. My husband spoiled me with a new camera which I'll get pictures of on Monday and a Kindle. Yeah... I've been reading manuals. I told him to get me a camera to take pictures of quilts and quilt ideas. We had snow yesterday - just a little. My Mom was sick so we ate the fancy meal without her. Today I found her on floor when I went to check on her after church. She was OK - she had slipped with her socks on the rug. My sister-in-law and her family came up this afernoon to visit her Mom-in-Law and then exchange gifts with us. My check on Mom after that ended up with her eating some and feeling much better. Please pray for her to feel better and for me and my brother to know what to do about her living arrangements.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Christmas

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Merry Christmas

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Power out

No power - working by generator - blog by phone - Happy Wednesday

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Fire and gifts and missing Ethan


So Sunday TDH says lets have a fire and we did.
I thought I could show you on the blog because it was so warm and toasty and the smell...
I'm so far behind on Christmas it's not funny.
I have hurt my foot and I go to the foot doctor on Wednesday.
I've borrowed someones crutches to get around and see if the swelling goes down.
I don't feel like sewing at all and the projects just sit waiting for me to work on them.
Michael called me Scrooge which BTW I got on a Facebook quiz.
Ethan is 20, but him not being here for Christmas makes me sad.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Cadets

So here are 4 of our 'rats' soon to be 4ths when they return and break out of the rat line.
We had a luncheon after the Christmas Cantata at church and the fabulous Sonja took this.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Look what you could win

This is a wonderful blog. She lives in Australia. You can win some yummy fabric. If I knew how to copy the picture she said I could use off her blog I would. Anyone with a Mac know how I could have done that? So click the link and enter to WIN!

The Christmas Story


Wonderful

Friday, December 17, 2010

Wreath


My wreath sent by one of our cadet's parents.
We put it up on the fireplace since I already had an outside wreath.
It's beautiful for sure.






I tried to get a picture of the bell with the nameplate.
It's a 2010 which is so cool since this is my first Christmas as a Rhodes.
Looking forward to getting some sewing done this weekend.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

1st SNOW!!!


Outside my building at work.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Christmas 2010


This is for my friend that has red/white/blue all over her house.
She was long ago in the army and her husband is a retired major.
This is a new take on the colors.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Christmas 2010


Here are two of the pillow tops I've started.
I did a wonky boarder which I can do easily, it's the matchy stuff that I struggle with.



Sunday, December 12, 2010

Wreath making

Boxerwood is a nature center and woodland garden just outside Lexington.
They had a pay $10.00 to use their resources to make what you wanted.
I was the third person there.
I made this after I saw a man make one for the birds.
I now have it on a feeder outside and the bagel fell of so since the rain has let up I'll get it hung up again.
This is the wreath I made for the house.
I went around and got one of each green they offered to make my wreath.
I found a nail on the wall and hung my grapevine base (which I made first) and started.
I added greens here and there and I LOVE it!
There is a red berry in the middle of the Magnolia that you can't see that well.
I'll put some nandina there with bright red berries as soon as I can.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Selvage Blog Winner

This is the magazine I won.


This is Karen's block and she signed the magazine.


Here is a selvage that Karen marked her block with.


Friday, December 10, 2010

Shimmer Surprise

I know there are people who like only the traditional.
Not me. I'm eclectic.
One of Webster's defintions;
composed of elements drawn from various sources.
I don't do themed trees.
I do what I like.
Presenting my pick of poinsettia this year.


Shimmer Surprise

* One caveat that my all time favorite is Jingle Bells, but the didn't get any in this year :(
Jingle Bells - picture the white in the Shimmer Surprise as pink. AWESOME!
Have a great weekend everyone.
I have quilt guild meeting Saturday and I'm counting the hours down.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

I WON!!!

Check this link Em where I won this book! I got the picture off Amazon.
I'm going to play when I get this in the mail.

This is my PLAY picture. Love my tiara.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

I'm BETTER!!!

I'm better. I feel like I am in the land of the living again - just tired as can be. Love the medicine that lets you sleep at night. I had a viral cold. Maybe I shouldn't touch my computer. Hey I did get an extra day off from the doctor as she didn't want me to work Wednesday since I answer the phone as my job and my throat hurt like heck.

I did take some pictures of what I have been working on with my new phone. I just don't know how to get them off the phone yet. hahaha Well I hope to by this weekend give you a peak of what I have been doing.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Black Friday checklist

* Had a visit from the stove man and he can fix it to the tune of $400, but that's better than the other estimate for $400 and they guessed at what was wrong. This guy plugged in his computer and ran diagnostics just like a car or computer.
* I finished four pillow tops. I'm using the tear away and I like it a lot. I never got that percision before.
* I spent two trips to my Mom's to make sure she was OK in the shower and eating. This shingles thing has been rough for her. I fixed her a Thanksgiving meal from leftovers.
* Went to Wal Mart after the craziness to buy 1st sewing supplies and then a set of dishes for my Mom - the Corelle type so she won't hurt herself if she drops them.
* Did a lot of cutting for more pillow tops and planned a new design.
* Went out for a sub and to see Unstoppable. Good adventure movie. I get one chick flick a year with my husband so I make it be a good one.
* Vegged out some with my husband watching some TV
* This and that around the house all day.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Black Friday SEWING!

Yes that's what I plan to do today is to SEW... a new tradition. I'm was up at the crack of 8 when my phone rang and I can not seem to go back to after a phone call. It was an 800 number so I didn't answer and they haven't called back. DH meanwhile is still snoring away. Well I made my cup of coffee and reheated sausage cheese balls for a nutritional breakfast. I'm sipping my coffee and planning my day. I have to check on my Mom who was diagnosed with shingles on the upper right side of her face on Tuesday. It was caught soon enough that the great medicines they have now are helping. She's a trooper at 89. Watching TV is about all she can do right now with her right eye puffy and swollen shut. She's looking forward to being able to read again. Well after I run over there is morning I'll come back and work more on my Christmas projects. I'll get DH up and let him Black Friday shop as some of you may remember that my gift is a camera since I broke my last one. Have a great weekend everyone!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

The First Thanksgiving was in Virginia

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! Give thanks


"By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." Hebrews 13:15


November 21, 2005

THE FIRST OFFICIAL THANKSGIVING IN AMERICA WAS IN VIRGINIA

The First Thanksgiving was in Virginia

Settlers held first Thanksgiving at Berkeley Plantation on December 4, 1619 -- a year before the Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth.

By Charles Miller / Richmond Times-Dispatch

Each first Sunday in November a Thanksgiving Festival is held at the Berkeley Plantation in accordance with documentation from 1619. The event fulfills instructions given to the 38 settlers who arrived on the banks of the James River at Berkeley Hundred as documented in the proclamation:

    "Wee ordaine that the day of our ships arrival at the place assigned for plantacon in the land of Virginia shall be yearly and perpetually kept holy as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God."

The settlers set sail in a ship called The Margaret from the Port of Bristol in England, where at the Berkeley Castle funding for the journey was supplied by landowners including Sir Richard Berkeley and William Throckmorton. Agriculture was going through difficult times and many people in the area wanted to start a new life for themselves in America, and so they joined the leaders Sir John Woodleefe, George Thorpe, and John Smyth, who had planned this remarkable and historic voyage. Although they encountered severe weather that delayed their journey, the landing on December 4, 1619, is well documented by the Virginia Company of London.

Charles Berkeley from the Berkeley Castle stressed in his speech for the 1994 Virginia First Thanksgiving Festival that "this was the first thanksgiving to be held on American soil but it was not officially recognized until President Kennedy's term of office in the 1960s, as beforehand the Pilgrim Fathers were considered to have been the first American settlers to offer Thanksgiving. The Berkeleys in fact preceded them . . . ."

Former Virginia Governor Mills Godwin summarized the setting well in his 1981 remarks: "Berkeley has been a working plantation in Virginia since 1619, and a handsome brick manor house was built here early in the 18th Century. Here was born Benjamin Harrison, V, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a post-Revolutionary Governor of Virginia, and his son, William Henry Harrison, the ninth President of the United States. Today, while privately owned, Berkeley has been magnificently restored and is open to the public as one of America's distinguished historic shrines."

Plantation Welcomes Festivities

Malcolm and Grace Jamieson purchased the Berkeley Plantation in 1928, and their son Jamie and his family continue the well-known gracious hospitality to the many visitors each year for the re-enactment of the First Thanksgiving. Berkeley is open daily and offers beautiful vistas from its 10 acres of formal terraced boxwood gardens and lawn that extend a quarter-mile from the front door of the mansion to the banks of the James River.


Clifford Dowdey depicts Berkeley and other plantations in his book, The Great Plantation, as an entrepreneurial endeavor: "These personal domains were built by men who, whatever their weaknesses of the flesh, contained the same ingredients that have built large successes throughout the ages -- ambition and energy, self-discipline and resourcefulness, and the power to conceive boldly. For the plantation was, above all things, a most bold concept: It was a private principality, a self-contained world that required a unique amalgam of talents of the very first order."

Perhaps Dowdey's remarks about Berkeley Plantation's success can be attributed to the leadership of King James I. His plan established the Virginia Company of London and the Plymouth Company, indeed opportunities that offered changes in the economic model for England that led to new world adventures.

William J. Carl, III, in his comments at the festival two Sundays ago, alluded to the importance of Berkeley Plantation in our economic heritage and as a place that our Forefathers and Foremothers birthed our great nation. The legacies are innumerable, including a signer of the Declaration of Independence, birthplace and host of Presidents, and the composition of "Taps" by General Daniel Butterfield when he was stationed at Berkeley in 1862 with McClellan's Army of the Potomac. So we honor the past but move forward to the future from this great place of history.


A Perpetual Celebration

As we express our gratitude at these Thanksgiving events, so we live out our words by offering thanks, remembering the past, and pledging to continue the great legacy of those before us who celebrated perpetually . . . and look forward to a great future in this free nation.

One of the attendees at this year's festival, Peggy Alexander, not only praised Carl's remarks but stated that the entire experience of being at Berkeley Plantation to celebrate the very first Thanksgiving was exceptionally enjoyable in an exquisite setting. Another visitor who came from Ohio remained in her seat to enjoy the historical environment long after the Chickahominy Indians ceased their dances.

I am a member of the Berkeley family through my mother's lineage and feel the sense of history each time I visit Berkeley Plantation. Indeed, Berkeley Hundred remains a historic treasure in the life of the Commonwealth of Virginia and of the nation.

Charles Miller is president of Virginia First Thanksgiving Festival, Inc., the foundation responsible for the re-enactment of Berkeley Plantation's annual Thanksgiving event.

Berkeley Plantation First Thanksgiving FestivalCelebrate the 1619 landing of the original colonists at Berkeley Plantation. Join us at the site of the First Official Thanksgiving in America, for a day dedicated to history, food, and fun with tours of the 1726 mansion, walks in the colorful autumn gardens and a formal living history program.


Thanksgiving

Thank You Medley

Give Thanks
With A Grateful Heart
Give Thanks
To The Holy One
Give Thanks
For He's Given
Jesus Christ, His Son
(X2)

And Now Let The Weak Say
I Am Strong
Let The Poor Say
I Am Rich
Because Of What
The Lord Has Done
For Us
(X2)
Give Thanks

For all that You've done, I will thank You
For all that You're going to do
For all that You've promised and all that You are
Is all that has carried me through
Jesus, I thank You

and I thank You
thank You Lord
and I thank You
thank You Lord

Thank You for loving and setting me free
Thank You for giving Your life just for me
How I thank You
Jesus, I thank You
I gratefully thank You
And I thank You

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Winner!!!


I'm a winner. No, not of the GO cutter I so covet, but something I can use just as much. 100 block's. I'm so excited - something to do after Christmas projects are done.

Monday, November 22, 2010

4th Kyu


My certificate


My gi


Our Mission Asia patch


Belt before test

Belt after test





Friday, November 19, 2010

Passed!!!

I passed my 4th kyu test! Yeah I will post pictures on Monday when I get back to work. Thanks so much for the prayers. Love you all...

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Thankful for Pine Trees

I was off on Monday and I realized as I spent the two hours raking the pine needles for free mulch that I wanted to think of five reasons I was Thankful for my pine tree. I had read a book about a month ago that suggested to write down 5 things a day to be thankful for, well that I did for about 4 days. I was thinking I needed to get back to that and I tranfered that thought to my pine tree in my back yard.


Now the first reason was the wonderful story I had read about pine trees at Easter making the sign of the cross. Now this in NOT my tree. You remember my camera is broken so I had to get this image off the web. I did see this way up high in my tree - I just couldn't get a photo of it.



In the summer I am very thankful for the shade this tree gives my house.
In the winter I'm thankful for the branches and pine cones I use in my wreath making.

In the fall I'm thankful for the free mulch.

I'm thankful for the green color the year round.
When you live in the mountains and winter brings it's grey tones the evergreens give you color.

I was thankful for the exercise I got raking.
I'm thankful for the birds that build their nests in the tree.
I found a nest of bunnies a few years ago under the tree.
I used to chase Zoey around the tree - a game I miss.
I'm reminded of how long the tree must have been there by the size.

Giving thanks made the time fly by Monday afternoon.




Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Hope

There is HOPE that I might - I just might pass my rank promotion test on Friday! I talked with my Sensei (teacher) last night about just what I needed to know for my test. I don't have to know Jion until my brown belt test! Yes, it's on the curriculum, but he knows he hasn't taught it to me the entire way through. I have to practice and know my pinon's and Jita. I've got those and just need to run through the 'street defense'. Who thought that after 50 I'd be doing karate like this? Well my husband loves it and I love the kata and just need to learn the 'street defense' from it. HOPE is a wonderful thing...

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Day Off???

6:45 get up
Start breakfast and coffee check and check
Take Mike to work check
Dishes done check
Laundry washed/folded/put away check
Freezer stuff put in cooler so they can work on it check
Look at blogs check
Two patterns traced onto tear away fabric check
Freezer fixed check
Call to arrange the oven man check
Post office mail and post card layout check and check
Bank to deposit karate money check
trip to Quiltery in Fairfield to get fabric starch and thread check and check
Wal Mart to get quilting pins check
Remember to pick up my husband's contact as I leave Wal Mart check
Eat lunch check
Rake up pine needles and spread around FREE mulch check
Two hours of raking counting for exercise check
It's only 3 Such a funny term day off
Watch the last 10 minutes of Devine Design on TV check
Talk to ove man and have him order relay part check
Pick up Mike check
Eat dinner check
Hem gi pants and top check and check
Fold and tie gi check and check
Load up freezer again check
Take shower check
Take notes on kata I still don't know (epic fail in the works) check
Go see the movie RED (excellent fun) check
Finish this list and to to bed check and check
9:30 I need to rethink what I do on my day off...

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Sunday Ironing well really Pressing

I spent my Sunday ironing well pressing my fabric for Christmas projects. I don't have pictures as I still longing for Christmas to get a camera. My blackberry just doesn't cut it when it is getting dark at 5:19... I'll try to take some pictures in the morning. I'm taking off Monday to sew and get the refrigerator fixed.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

A special day...


No matter your political leanings, I hope you are all remembering....and appreciating....what the members of our armed forces have done in the past....are doing even as you read this....and will continue to do in the future. If you know any present or former members of the armed forces, be sure to thank them today for their service! This post was originally from Pat.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Zoey


Look how happy she is in her new life!!!
I still miss her so much. It'll get easier in time.
John is surprised at how smart she is well
Zoey is a lab and plot hound mix - that's why!
and her Mom was smart...

Monday, November 8, 2010

Enter to win a GO

I hope Mr. Random generator likes me soon... Enter here to win.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Karate


This is me a while ago getting my 5th kyu rank. My next rank test is in a few weeks and I'm not ready. My sensei (teacher)pictured above says 'no excuses - you are married to a black belt'. My husband is a Shihan which is an 'older' teacher. Pray I'll be able to do well on my test. I'm only going for a stripe. One additional kata which would be OK if I hadn't forgotten parts of my already known katas. Have a great day.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

It's here!!!

The fabric that is..
Judi and Clint at Green Fairy Quilts got out my order lickety split.

I love Mary Engelbreit so I got these on sale and in season... almost




I love pinks and florals so I snapped this up.


I have loved this line for a long time. It's out of my comfort zone with the bold primary colors so I'm continuing to expand my horizons.


I'm not an orange and/or yellow person, but when it's done like this I had to get the pack to play with. Looking forward to making something for next fall and Thanksgiving with this.
Now you know I'm not going to be playing with any of these except maybe the Caroler since I'm in Christmas sewing mode.



Monday, November 1, 2010

Roses rainbow style

I was sent this picture today and I was told they are really grown like this. Well I had to Google and found yes real roses and no it is fake color. The stems are split and put into dyes to get these fabulous results. Looks like patchwork flowers to me.

Friday, October 29, 2010

I won!!!!

I won a contest and got a gift certificate from Green Fairy Quilts! The contest was held by one of my dear blogging friends Em. Go check out both the store and then the blog and Em's sites. They are all wonderful. Have a great weekend - we have frost warnings here.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Christmas 2010

Been sewing the tissue covers. Nothing to show... Yet

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Christmas 2010


Blurry cell phone photos of tissue cover tops


Some in the spirit - I'm using the dot one for the lining on these.

These will line each other and the colors on the top.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Christmas 2010 started


Love the snowmen


I had to piece together

I made two for the youngest nephews.


Monday, October 25, 2010

Sewing Room


My Diva..

My ironing board. I have to take it down when I'm done or I have a calico that loves to sleep on it. I don't like cat hair on my projects.


A view of my backyard.


Love what my TDH did for me.



Saturday, October 23, 2010

Sick

So when I came home Friday I just wanted to crawl into bed. TDH said no fever I need to take you out to eat and then you can go to bed. We ran into one of my most favorite ladies at church (Shirley) and her husband. She's been going through chemo and they were going out to eat. I said I'm not hugging you and sat as far away as I could because she wanted to eat with us. She was saying after we ordered about how she was wishing she had french fries. Knowing she wouldn't order them because she wouldn't eat many I ordered them for her. She was thrilled and ate way more than I thought. She loved them. We had a great time. When Mike dropped me off I hoped in my pj's, watched the end of project runway on the computer and then say Yes to the dress on TV. TDH came home from karate which I couldn't do and we talked a little and then I went to bed. Saturday I took it easy and shopped for Mom and cut out my fabric to make tissue covers. I'll post on Monday.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Friends

Friends visited so no pictures... We found out that my husband's partner in the field was traveling through with his family. I love interstate 81 south! Micheal cleaned the house and made a fabulous dinner. I enjoyed hearing stories from when they were over there and their memories. They ALL want to go back. Amazing things are happening over there. Please pray that we sell my house. I'm ready to go and ready to start the second part of my life. Have a blessed weekend everyone.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Foundation piecing


Jane Hall came to our guild and taught foundation piecing. This is one on paper with a pattern, but I didn't do well with the finger pressing and had to use the iron to get the perfection everyone else getting.


This is my first string block on tear away fabric.


This is my second string block.


This is a paper piece and I love it! I can do Y seams from sewing so many years. I'm so excited to learn this technique and make it look so good.


I'm at work so I don't remember the name of this. I have two to piece together.
Did you notice I'm using new colors for me. Yes, I haven't done black and white, I didn't like them until Boo (yes great name) used them in another clinic and I thought I'll push myself again.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Look what caught my attention



I was waiting for Alicia and I saw this young thing tied up outside the library where I work. I went over and played with her.

I don't know how well you can tell my hand was used as a teething ring? It's red and they are teeth marks. That's what happens when picutures have to be taken with my phone. Black Friday you will have one purchase from me a new phone.