Rainbow Scrap Challenge-Green

Once again I'm going to attempt to sew along with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.

Last year I began this hash tag quilt but only got 2 blocks made.

They are yellow.

This months color is bright and light green so I made these.

I have two more pieces to cut and then there will be 10 in total.

I'm also making four patches from this pile of 1 1/2 inch squares.

When they are gone, I Have a bag of 2 inchers and a bag of 2 1/2 inchers to use up.

Really trying to get things used up and gone.

I finished this patch quilt for Kolby yesterday.

It replaces the one I made when he was 2- now he's nearly 11!

We collect patches in our travels as they make easy to pack mementos,

 then I sew them onto our quilts.

I did manage to use the stitch regulator on Bella the Bernina to sew on the patches.

It was somewhat easier, as I did not have to twist the entire quilt around.

I'm not good at the stitch regulator but I've had the machine nearly 4 years

 and this is the first time I've used it.

I had to look up a youtube video for instructions.

I'm currently quilting these leftover blocks from the "fuzzy" quilt.

This one won't be bed sized.

If Brayden doesn't want it for a lap quilt then I'll probably donate it.

This is the beginning of Ryan's Christmas stocking.

The Nutcracker is made of candy pieces-although Ryan won't recognize them!

It has been going really well and I'm enjoying it.

I've been sewing a great deal since Christmas but I've been up to a few other things.

The house is naked.

All the Christmas decor is packed away again.

I've been working on my Family History.

Just getting more organized and documented is taking FOREVER!

I spent part of three days last week dealing with my knee.

It's the gift that keeps on giving.

Anyway, Doctor's offices, MRI's and blood work-all fun.  NOT!

Lastly, I've begun the process of moving the blog to Word Press.

I hope that will be done fairly quickly-I'll post a notices and link here when it's all set up and running.

Here's hoping I'm back to regular blogging soon!

Library

Today, I spent a few hours at the marvelous Midwest Genealogy Center well know for being one of the top libraries for research.  I spent the time on their computers nosing around on Ancestry, Find My Past and Newspapers.com-I didn't find anything.  Working on brick walls is always frustrating, entertaining but frustrating.  I'm trying to decide if I want to spend the money for my own subscription.  The answer is still maybe but the 50% off sale is nearly over so I need to figure this out.

I began reading Frank Delaney's book Shannon this morning.  I love his books.  All taking place in Ireland, which as you know is one of my favorite places.  Anyway, I love this Author's note at the beginning (which kind of answers the question -"Why do genealogy?")  So I decided to share it with you.

"From Shannon by Frank Delaney

Author's Note
Much of our power comes from our past.  We have always drawn upon the ancient world for knowledge, for enlightenment, even for example.  Our philosophies, our political structures, our dramatic expressions have long been guided by the systems of old civilizations.  More narrowly, we also draw upon our own particular ancestries.  Why the tradition of family portraits?  How often do we tease apart the branches of the family tree---and grow more fascinated?

It seems not to matter much if that old family thread of ours is frail or poorly traceable or even if it fades into obscurity.  We need the spirit of our past more than we need the facts; we need the pride more than we need the proof.  And the more mobile we become, and the farther we travel from our point of origin, the more we seem to want to return.  That is, if the Irish example can be judged; to have come from Ireland, no matter how long ago, is to be of Ireland, in some part, forever.

Internationally, genealogical research has been one of the world's growing pastimes.  Within our origins we search for our anchors, our steadiness.  And everyone's journey to the past is different.  It might be found in a legend or in the lore of an ancestors courage or an inherited flair.  Or it might be found simply by standing on the earth once owned by the namesake tribe, touching the stone they carved, finding their spoor.  In all cases we are drawn to the places whence they came---because to grasp who they were may guide what we might become."

I find this very thought provoking.

Blessed Be

Beginning 2020!

First, let me wish all of you a Happy New Year!

May bright blessings fill your lives in 2020.

It is my greatest hope that all who live in New South Wales Australia, are safe and not suffering too much from the wildfires.

 I know how much damage they do to homes and lives.

Next up a few family pics from over the holidays.

Rob and Tanya were up for Christmas from Nashville.   We enjoyed having them-it's been an adjustment for all of us having them move away.  They like their new home and both are working so its all good.

Left to right front:  Lucas, Brayden, and Bri.
In background:  Kolby and Ryan

Again left to right:  Lucas, Ethan and Kolby-Brayden in the background

Scott and Beth

Rob with Isabel

Tanya with Isabel

Somehow, Ryan missed being in more photos!
Also missing were Steve, Candice and Nora who were home in San Diego.
(I'd say they were enjoying the warmth except for two things-it was 65F here on Christmas and only Nora escaped the FLU, Steve had pneumonia!  All are much improved now.)
Everyone here was pleased with their gifts-me especially!
I got toolboxes!
How many women get excited about that?!

Then, we were all off to Columbia to celebrate the birthdays of Ryan (5) and Isabel (1).
All these December birthdays!  We now have FOUR!

While Rob and Tanya were here they helped me get the Microwave installed!
I was giddy.

Also in December, The Chiefs won their division in the NFL and get a bye in the first round of the playoffs!  

My neighborhood erupted in fireworks/gunshots in celebration.

I had dinner with my cousins, Phillip and Mary Beth which is always fun and something I'd like to do more often!

Well, enough for now.  I'm striving to get better about posting, wish me luck!

Finished and delivered

One "fuzZy" quilt!  

Brayden requested one for his larger bed-he is 13 so a double bed is better

he was suffering (poor baby) from having to use twin size blankets!

When I asked what kind of quilt he wanted he said he liked the FUZZY ones.

This is the finished quilt on my queen size bed-think I might had gone overboard!

He likes it, it stays on the bed and is soft.

Every time I make one of these I say I'm not going to do it again, 

still all he has to do is ask for a Fuzzy quilt and I make one!

I also finished Ethan's Christmas stocking, 

but I forgot to take a photo.  

It's hanging with the others now so that will have to wait 

until January.

I'm off for Nashville on Monday to dog-sit

while Rob and Tanya go off to Jamaica!

By the time I get home it will be nearly Christmas,

 but I am nearly ready so it's all good!

It's seems to be getting longer

---Between posts.

Don't know what to say, or maybe I have nothing to say?

At any rate, my days are spent doing Physical Therapy at home or at the physical therapist.

I was cranky with him last week as I felt no progress was being made, 

so he began to push me a bit harder.

I know PT is a long slow haul after knee surgery as I've been there before but it does get discouraging.

Inspite of that things have been HAPPENING!
Last week my youngest son was here to give a talk to some High school kids and while in town he installed the new stair treads leading to the basement!
They still need to be trimmed out but I may be able to do that-
especially since I intended to purchase the precut stair trim!
One thing off the list.

Last weekend (as it was not longer frigid) I changed out my exterior lighting.
There's always a LOT of figuring out as the house is never the same as the instructions.
I did change out 3 like this in front and 2 night sky down lights in the back.
Another thing off the list!

Unfortunately, I cannot mark the new microwave installation off the list, sigh.
Brayden and I gave it our best shot but NOPE.
Tomorrow, I will have to look for someone to do that for me.
Big lesson learned,
no matter how simple it seems just pay to have it installed!
I'm not a huge fan of microwaves so I'm not missing it.

There has been stitching going on as well.
Should have two finishes by Friday!
I seem to be getting my MOJO back!
Yeah, I really wondered where it had gone.

Today, I finished mowing leaves.
Normally, I'd have the grand boys mow for me but leaves require SLOW
and they don't do slow!
Will probably have to do it one more time before I run the mower out of gas!
I also cleaned out the frost killed plants from the flower beds
so things look better outside.

Maybe, I'll post something new before a month goes by!

Updating again.

I'm really bad at this blogging thing.

I realized just the other day that I have not been seizing life with both hands since I came in from the 2016 Montana trip.

Must change that.

Feels like I've been just moving through the days waiting for something to happen,

Really not good.

Figuring out how to fix that is tough though!

I am now seven weeks out from knee surgery.

I'm doing well

about half way to full movement.

Hit a bit of an issue this week as my hamstrings are very tight- 

even though stretching is a part of my daily routine-

so there are some pain issues in the back of my knee.

Apparently this is quite common and normal.

Possibly caused by my interest in regaining a somewhat normal life!

Anyway, ice and more therapy will eventually fix it.

I'm having huge issues with accessing my blogger account 

as well as commenting on other blogs.

I'm going to spend some time looking at Word Press

for a possible move over there.

Since I can sit and do things without it causing a ruckus in the knee.

Now, I'm going to go to the studio and think about stitching.

Or maybe actually stitching.

A Little Catch UP

I am now 3 weeks out from knee replacement surgery.

The entire experience has been full of frustration!

The knee is good though,

perhaps it will be worth it in the end.

I spent a couple of nightmare nights in the hospital,

before I came home and realized that I couldn't get off the couch!

My sweet son in law took the time to run off to Nebraska Furniture Mart to pick up a recliner for me.

Made everything go so much better.

I sat and slept in that recliner for days,

hooked up to the marvelous ice water machine-pain relief and swelling reduction at the same time.

I've now had two weeks of home health physical therapy and start outpatient on Friday.

I am doing a routine of stretching and exercises from the last surgery on that knee and

walking the long block in front of my house.

I've graduated from a walker to a cane (likely, won't be using the cane much longer)

There is only some soreness and stiffness (of course) but I've been off heavy pain meds for over a week now.

Since it's my left leg, I'm also driving again.

For the most part I think things are going well, getting range of motion back will take some time and effort but I've been there before.

I am reading-a lot.

Stitching-a little.

Working on Family History-somewhere in the middle.

It's Hot-91F

Humid.

And I'm Quite bored!