A late Christmas present for James?

(OMG, I uploaded the photos 4 days ago to start this blog ... and forgot to finish it)

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James had talked about a hybrid car for a while. When Helen announced that she and William would visit at Christmas we asked whether she would want to swap cars with her Dad. Her car was aging and repairs had started. We had even considered to rent her a car for the 600 miles drive. She did not have to decide before the visit but we suggested if she was considering it she should bring her title. 

Well, she did like the idea and the swap was made. So, her car was the one James traded in for his new one. 

Of course the present car buying situation is one like never before. The pandemic, closed manufacturing places for some time, supply chain problem and transportation issues caused that dealers don't have much to sell. James had decided what he wanted and called our local dealer. He wasn't even interested in talking. But one further away where James had bought his previous car because they are so easy to deal with was helpful on the phone. Unfortunately he had been a day late. The car market is very interesting. 

Yes, they had told him that they had received a car the day before and sold the same day. So, eventually, when the weather was favorable, we made the drive to the next town to get better informed. It was very helpful. The salesperson was very nice and found out that one "not yet spoken for" car (like James wanted it) would arrive between January 4 - 8 and one in mid February. Guess on which one James wanted his name on? This meant we had first dibs but if we didn't like it, we were not bound to buying it. Frankly, it was a no-brainer. 

Thursday the 6th James got the call. Unfortunately I had an appointment the next day in the middle of the day. Fortunately I was able to change it to the following week. I didn't want James to have to wait. 

January 7: And here he is. The paperwork always takes a while so we got a very late lunch. But of course it had to be Chinese food. Family tradition. It used to be Chong's in Paducah, KY. One time we didn't do it and somebody ran into the new car. Since then it is a fun way to celebrate. 

Everybody wants to play with their new toy. So when I suggested a visit to the Hanover Museum of History & Culture James was all for it. Of course I had an ulterior motive. My favorite quilt group The County School Quilters (meet monthly in Montpelier) had agreed to a quilt exhibition and asked us members to contribute. I offered my 4 little 'Round Robins' and the curator really wanted them. 

This is how that corner next to my bed looks at the moment:

The new museum was just established last August in the historic courthouse because the County is celebrating the 300 year anniversary. We had never been in Hanover and had not realized how much history there is. 

We were very impressed with the museum and the exhibition. Of course I have seen many of my quilting friends' works but we were the only visitors and could take our time. Of course I have more photos but here are those of my 'minis'.

Above another of the historic buildings. There were signs were we could read about some of the history and we had a good time. Glad we went. Note from James: he likes his new car!

I am a person who takes things as they come. I am grateful for every day no matter what. In summer, when people complain how hot it is, I usually say "I am not complaining because I complain in winter and you only can complain once. Yesterday I phoned a lace friend in Germany and told her that we had "German weather" = a gray sky. We already had several winter storms this season but whenever we can we go for our walks. But a blue sky makes me really happy.

Blue sky on this day but it was still cold even though the sun was shining. My mother always looked at the good in bad things. Here is the good: of course I usually don't wear a mask outsides but this day it really cold and kept my face comfortably warm. Yeah!

We had several inches of snow. We had frost and freezing cold days. But look at these daffodils. Buds! They are popping up in many of our neighbors' yards. So looking forward to spring.

Oh, and I am still enjoying some of the flowers from Helen and William for my birthday.

Of all the happenings (like the new car etc) I totally missed Epiphany this year. Christmas time had ended but my decorations were still up. I hate to actually use the word "decorations" because I find all our things especially the nativities so meaningful. 

A quick photo and then it was time to pack everything up. 

Our "German tree": German candle looking electric lights and a collection of straw ornaments. As a child I used to make straw ornaments. Oh, the memories.

Our "family tree": ornaments our girls made when they were in kindergarten etc, ornaments from trips we took together, things like that. I didn't even put half of it on this year but I enjoyed looking at our collection. I had left unbreakable ones off until the three younger grandsons came and they were very happy to "help" and put them on. 

Our "Chrismon tree": I can't believe how many there are by now. But now I need ideas for a new symbol I have not done yet.

Before and after Christmas I had a lot of email from people looking at the Chrismon blog. Google had changed a setting. Too complicated to explain except it gave me a lot of work. The good thing about it was that I was communicating with many people which I normally don't get to.

But exactly when that was happening I saw this on FaceBook. I don't care about hits but I thought it was funny.

 And that is it for today.

Astronomical Challenge

A girl has to have fun. I love to create. Helen and William had left. True, I should have done some housework ... get things back into order ... put the toys away. But where is the fun in that? I remember that my mother told me she would leave the girls' fingerprints on the glass door for weeks before cleaning it after we had left.
Well, so I gave myself time for sewing. Sophie challenged us on Block Lotto to participate in THIS.
Can you imagine NASA Astronaut Karen Nyberg made a quilt block in outer space up in the space station? There is more info on the NASA website!
I love how the video shows the challenges of the fabric and tools floating around in the weightless atmosphere.

There are so many sooooo mannnyy star blocks out there in the quilt world ... which one to choose?
Destiny! Look what this month's calendar photo is? Helen gives me a quilt calendar every year for my birthday.

The calendar block is 14 inches. The challenge is supposed to be 9 inch (9 1/2 unfinished).
9 divided by 7 ... awkward! So I just had to put a little more background around. I must say that I like the vibrant colors.

I was not so proud about my corners (not meeting perfectly) but I decided to leave it up to the receiver whether they want to use it ... and actually mailed it off.
I was supposed to write my name with a marker onto the block though. This felt like graffiti to me and I didn't like to do it. But the good born-German I am, I stuck to the rules.

I wonder whether I will ever see it again.
Note: my father would be proud. He loved Space-travel and all about it, the stars, the moon, the constellations. When he came to the USA to visit us we took him to Cape Canaveral. He was "on the moon" or "in seventh heaven" (sorry, couldn't help it).
Another time when he was visiting the girls and I had a girl scout event where a female astronaut was present. I took a picture of him next to her and it was standing forever on a shelf above his bed (I wished I could find it. That was before digital time).
He will be smiling down on us because I think Helen his granddaughter is participating too.

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Monthly quilt week

2nd Tuesday of the month (June 10) at 10 am = CR quilters!
This time Marsha showed us how to make a Dresden Plate. She was wonderfully prepared and gave us a great lesson. You do need a special tool to make the right cutting easy. I got one now, ha-ha. With a coupon it was less then $5.

Marsha brought samples of what you can do.

BOM # 5

Show + tell !
Janet is almost finished with her wedding quilt. Well, "her" wedding is way before mine. She kept moaning that the bride wanted a red and yellow one but I think it is really stunning!

Becky brought two of her mother's quilts. This double wedding quilt is so special. I wished, I wished ...

She had made a quilt as a wedding gift too.

The back. I think she did the quilt-as-you-go technique.

Somebody is ahead with her Christmas gifts.

I wished I remembered the name of the lady reluctantly showing us these. It will be a gorgeous wall hanging. I love the color choices.

And a newcomer showed us the things she had started a long time ago.

Same day every month in the evening: church mice quilters. This time it was the yearly picnic at Bonnie's house.
But we did have a little bit of show+tell. This is jaw dropping!

And the hostess showed us her "invention" of a family tree quilt.
Front.

Back.

Well, and then every week on Thursdays I try to work at the Stitchers-for-a-cause.
Since it is always a potluck lunch I made scotch eggs to bring.

There is kind of a show+tell to. Sometimes we discuss projects. This is going to be a special quilt. It's going to be raffled for a special cause. The top is finished. Amazing was this person did with the fabric on hand.

Sometimes somebody shows us their "private" quilts.

This is my project I am working on. The three birds were donated (like all the fabric). I guess somebody decided paper piecing is not her thing. They were different sizes and a couple of weeks ago I did the panel. I should have taken a "before" picture.
This Thursday I added the trees. Have to think what to do next with it. And yes, the birds need eyes. I am pretty pleased so far.

Oh yes, I also finished this "Lace Chrismon" today. Its part of a special project for myself but that will be a different blog in the future.

I guess this blog is for my "textile friends" ... or is it "thread friends"?

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The patient and me

Friday morning I brought our German visitors to Richmond airport and had to say good-bye. The three weeks have gone so fast. It was unfortunate that some (of my initial) plans for their stay had to be scrapped due to James' accident but I really think we all had a good time together anyway.
I must say how proud I am of both of my daughters who dug up their German and did really great with their conversations. I had no idea they were THAT good.
But there was no time to dwell on being alone. It's Sarah's day off and she came for lunch. She left Caleb with us for a couple of hours because she had promised to visit a friend.

When Caleb got very tired I thought a little walk in the neighborhood would be good. It didn't take many steps until he was asleep. A neighbor took this photo with my phone.

I did have a chance to take a look at my flowers in the front.

While I had been on a walk with Caleb, our very good friends from church Betty and A.P. visited James. Visits are great because James is quite bored! They brought gifts which seem to be for the whole family. I am sure we will have more fun when William comes too.

Video: Caleb and the frog
Video: Caleb and the balloon

Sarah had to work on the weekend so we also had Caleb Saturday morning. Unfortunately I did a big boo boo. Wade had lunch with us (he even brought the sandwiches) and when I wanted to quickly retrieve my sewing machine from being serviced while James had company, I backed out of the garage and into Wade's car. I was very upset with myself but when I confessed to my son-in-law (after he had carried the ton of a sewing machine upstairs) he said in his usual calm way that it was not a big deal. Really? How quickly one can make a mistake.
Wade must have forgiven me because he even came with Caleb to church Sunday morning.

I was happy though to have my machine back and used it Saturday evening to try my luck with the Block Lotto sneak peek. This must be the most difficult BL I tried yet. I did try paper piecing for the first time on the rays and really liked it. Sewing the curves need improving.

Sunday afternoon I realized that I needed to send the email to all CR quilters with the next monthly block pattern and needed to make my block to include the picture. And since I had missed last month's meeting I still had to make that block too. Needless to say I had a grand time because I find sewing projects relaxing. Thanks, James, for being a patient patient.

Besides that we had to think what needs to be cancelled. My flight to Europe, rented car, B+B in England, our tickets to the Henley Regatta etc etc. What did we forget?

Of course there is some good in everything. Since we are now not gone in the week with the 4th of July Helen and William can now visit. The flight tickets are bought. Between her and William's vacation schedule it gets more difficult every year. She couldn't come for Easter and that July week seemed the only opportunity for the whole year. So, yeah ...!!! 

We tried to get organized and into some kind of a routine. Where is James comfortable to sit, when to use crutches, when the wheelchair? It is all good. The weather has been so nice that we sit a lot on the back patio and enjoy nature. It's now my job to refill the bird feeder but they don't seem to care. I also changed the hummingbird food and had a visitor there too.

And yeah, James got his staples out yesterday. Progress every day!

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