OLD QUILTS & FRIENDS

I was in Colorado Springs last weekend with my friends I've know since childhood.  We had a blast, laughing, shopping and eating chocolate chip cookies.  My friend Connie lives there because of what happened to her husband when we had the draft for Vietnam, his birthday was drawn #1.  He was at Oregon State and quickly wrote to one of our senators for a recommendation to the Air Force Academy.  They loved Colorado Springs so much they decided to live there after 25 years in the Air Force.

This quilt was made by Connie's aunt who was a very frugal woman.  When looking at it up close I noticed the entire formation of the star was pieced differently.  Then she laid it on a white background and appliqued it on.  Gee, we all thought we had a new idea when piecing our quilts randomly and all it took was being frugal and using everything we have.  When I held the quilt up to a window you could see the seeds from the cotton batting.  I love these old kind of quilts, and because it was so big I had to stand and shoot the picture from upstairs.  

Here we are 40 years after graduating from high school.  From left to right, me, Connie, Melinda and Jill.

 Jill modeling glasses....I could always get her to do anything, even be my room mate in college.

This was painted on a canvas cloth and hung behind the cash register in a funky shop in Old Colorado City.  I thought it was marvelous!!!

This was the dressing room....to fun!

We saw repurposed things every where.  This flower was made from newspaper and tissue paper.  I also noticed several women's stores with repurposed clothing.  It was inspiring.

LIFE IS GOOD...

WEDDING RING QUILT

I have made three wedding ring quilts.  One each, for our son and daughter when got married.  But I wanted one too.  I used Aunt Gracie fabric and that beautiful green that goes with it so well.  It is in our "pink room."  See the pink walls and carpet....women stand in line to stay over night in that room.

  Here's a close up.

      I am sharing this with you to tell you about the ministry I have on the farm.....
     My Dad decided to leave our family and divorce my Mom when I was 19 and in college.  It was an excruciatingly painful time for all us left behind.  When I wanted to marry, my Dad told me he would give me $100 if I married in a church or $1,000 if I eloped, because he didn't want to see my Mom again.  I took the $100 and did the best I could with what other money I could scrounge up.  Although it was 37 years ago and the cost to get married was quit a bit different then now, I was able to have the wedding I wanted....in a church.  I bought a dress, fabric & pattern for my bridesmaids, flowers, cake and supplies to make hot fudge sundaes.  A family friend took our pictures and another made our wedding announcement.  I was enormously bless by others. 
      Now I hear of parents writing a check for $20,000 or more for their kids wedding.  What has happened???  I know there are others out there like me who didn't have the funds but can still have a beautiful wedding.
      When we bought our farm, we knew we needed to share it.  So I started a ministry helping young couples get married.  My husband and I decided we could handle three weddings a year, and would help family and friends with their special day.   I encourage the bride and groom to send out invites, get a dress and buy a cake.  Starting life in debt, for a couple hours of celebration, can be daunting for a young couple.   

     We have had a helicopter land and pick up the newly weds, a Dad who borrowed our tractor and put his daughter in the bucket and raise her high enough to throw her bouquet.  Also family members make up funny songs and serenade their bride and groom.  Although they think they are receiving a gift from us, in fact we are the ones who are receiving the blessing.  Oh, the wonderful memories they have given us here on the farm. 

                                      LIFE IS GOOD!
   

4TH OF JULY

WEDDING, VACATION, BEING A GRANDMA

Here are some pic's of our Bride, Gina & Groom, Frank....

 Friday was set up day and it was beautiful...Frank even got a sunburn.  Saturday, wedding day,  it RAINED...so an hour before the wedding everything was taken to the barn and set up.  It turned out great and the kids were happy.  When they get to this point, basically all they want to do is get married and they don't care where.  So much planning goes into two hours of joy. 

The wedding was at 2:30pm and by 8pm my husband had me in the car and off for vacation.  We always spend a week at Black Butte Ranch.  It has bike trails, swimming pools, dry heat, and The Stitchin' Post down the road.

 Loved these quilts...this is the 36th year for the outdoor quilt show in Sisters.  It's always on the second Saturday of July.  Thousands come from all over the world.

Our son brought his family and Gramps and Gram kept them for six days by ourselves.  God created us to have children when we were young....we have a lot more energy.

 Treat time....even the dogs came.

 I took them home on the train.  It was a hour and a half of eating and wrestling and then a hour and a half of sleep. 

Life is good!!!

THE FARM CHICK SHOW

Where does time go???  I want the answer!!!  It feels like my eyeballs are hanging out of my head which means I'm extremely tired today.  I have been out in the yard with my husband working madly to remove EVERY weed and then throw bark dust in the flower beds before our first wedding at the farm this year.
But before that I want you to see some pictures of our time in Spokane Washington, two weeks ago.
We flew up and met our BFF's....aren't the fields beautiful?

We lunch at the airport diner.  That's Tim my BFF's husband.

Then we headed to our hotel...the famous Davenport.  We stayed in the tower and it was decorated with a safari theme.  Do you have an elephant lamp like this?  Me neither...

There were elephants everywhere....and we woke up to a HUGE picture of a rhinoceros.  Very different but very luxurious and comfortable hotel.
We asked the concierge for a cute coffee shop and she suggested Madeline's down the street.  And we were HAPPY.

 We even hauled the hubbies down there for Sunday breakfast...and none of us were disappointed.  IT WAS FABULOUS!!
Saturday was Chicks Day....

The dolls were all dressed up...

It was a great show...

Then we were off to The Buggy Barn...a quilt shop that is out in the middle of "no-where"

 They even had quilts hanging on the ceiling.   LOVE IT TOO!!!

Last stop for the day was Mel's garden store.  MB (the BFF) and I love this store because they have everything a girl could want....garden plants, clothes, purses, jewelry, even food!

 And check out this chair.  I had to sit in it to see if it was comfortable...basically, not for a long time.

 

Our last day was Sunday so MB and I took a historical walking tour of the Davenport hotel.  

 Beautiful huh?  It was like time stood still.