Monday, August 30, 2010

My New Adventure


Saturday found me working as the new Event Coordinator at Friendship Farms.  My dear friend, Nancy, has asked me to join her in her adventures at her home in Schoolcraft, Michigan.  Nancy owns the Garden Gate Cafe in Shipshewana, IN and also had a store there called the White Picket Fence which no longer is open.  Nancy is one of the first people I met when I moved to Michigan seven years ago.  I frequented her store often and ended up working there part-time as well as assisting her in barn sales from the farm.  I'm looking forward to seeing where this new road leads me.


Friendship Farm was built in 1840.  It is 170 years old.  As a reference point, Abraham Lincoln was president when the home was built.  Schoolcraft, MI has been designated as part of the Underground Railroad helping people enroute to Canada.  


The home has 12 rooms and hosts three barns on four acres.  Nancy and her husband, Doug, take their stewardship of the farm very seriously, conserving and restoring different parts of it yearly.


Often when I am out here I try to imagine what it must have been like in it's infancy.  Off the living room is a "marrying door" that leads outside as well as a "burying door" off of the dining room which reflect the 19th century customs.  Truly if these walls could talk, what a story they would tell.


The weddings that have been held here in the past were family and friends of Nancy and Doug's and recently they decided to open their home to the public for weddings and other events.  How fortunate for the rest of us that they did, because the grounds are perfect for hosting events.


Couples marry near the gazebo and then have appetizers in the barn.  One of the weddings I attended here as a guest, had a photo booth on one side of the barn and a farmer's market decor on the other side where the guests had appetizers.


Tomorrow I attend my first meeting for wedding vendors where I get to meet the local companies and I'm very excited.  For today, I get to sew!  My machine is back from repairland and running at top notch speed.  Have a blessed day!

Hugs,

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Sunday Scripture


"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations."
Psalm 100


Saturday, August 28, 2010

Have You Seen This?!

I want to share with you a fabulous giveaway that is happening at The Vintage Sheet Blog.  Jen has contacted Moda and they have generously donated "Dream On" for three wonderful winners.  The first winner gets...

A layer cake and jelly roll!

The second winner gets...


The entire line in fat quarters!

The third winner gets...


This adorable charm pack!  ( I can't believe it!)

Make sure to bop over there to enter.  This line looks alot like the vintage sheets I've been collecting.   While my machine was gone to repairland, I did manage to get two quilts cut out.  One is from vintage sheets.  While I'm excited to make something with them, alot of them are thinning and stretch easy.  With "Dream On" you have the look but not the hassle.  There are advantages to both.

I wanted to share alittle about my trip to Chicago.  My husband had a meeting and the kids and I tagged along.  We hit the Field Museum, Water Tower Place (loved that my almost 16 yr. old still dragged me into the American Girl Store) saw a musical and ate some good food.  But, three days were enough.  My checkbook is in pain, and honestly, my heart hurts a bit.  I have a very difficult time going into a store to buy things I don't need when there a people begging on the street right infront of the entrance to the store.  Now, I know that some of them may be begging for ill purposes but others clearly are in need.  I couldn't stop thinking about this passage of scripture... 

"Then the righteous will answer him, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?  The King will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:37-40.

The one thing I've learned, is the more you walk with Jesus and study his word, the more you will notice what is going on around you.  You will hear him talk to you, maybe in scripture, maybe through the eyes of someone else, maybe through his creation or any number of ways.  It is what we do with the knowledge he gives us that matters.  So for now, I'm pondering this experience.   It was good to get away and have family time together before one child is back to college and the other is back to highschool.  Chicago has an energy that my husband loves.  For me, I started to exhale when our train crossed into Michigan and I could see Lake Michigan through the fields.

Blessings,

Friday, August 27, 2010

Friday Pretties

Back from Chicago (you ladies know your buildings) and ready for Friday Pretties.  I will tell you more about Chicago when I get a moment to breathe.  I certainly missed blogging and talking to you, so more on the trip tomorrow.  For now let's see pretties...


I found these darling birthday candles when I was out searching for treasure.  I can't decide which I like more, the candles or the box they came in!


The same antique store had these pretty candy/nut cups.  Oh, how I wish there was more than two!



A wonderful find to add to my collection.  I have never seen the pyrex with the metal lid before.  It is a bit bigger than a loaf pan.  Can't wait to use them!


I found this rose bush at our local farmers market a couple of weeks ago.  I can't believe how many blooms it has.  The fragrance of this rose is amazing.  After it's been open for a few days, the center turns more peach and the outside a deeper pink (I kid you not!)I love it!



My morning glories are in full bloom.  I planted a mixed variety this year and have never seen so many different colors together on the vine.  I can't get over the beauty of this one, it takes my breath away.

For more Friday Pretties visit Joyce at I Love Pretty Little Things.  I'm off to get caught up on your blogs!

Joyfully,



Monday, August 23, 2010

Where's Waldo?


My post title should actually read, "Where's Renee?"  I am going on a little journey for a few days and thought I would give you a clue.  Can you guess from the picture where I am going?  I'll see you soon!

Joyfully,

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Sunday Scripture


"Lay hold of my words with all your heart;
keep my commands and you will live.
Get wisdom, get understanding;
do not forget my words or swerve from them.
Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
love her, and she will watch over you."

Proverbs 4:4-6


Be Blessed,

Friday, August 20, 2010

Friday Pretties


I've got teacups and flowers, cloth napkins and roses on my mind today.  Wouldn't an end of summer tea-in-the-garden be wonderful?


The days here in Michigan are getting shorter.  Darkness is falling much sooner so we need to grab this last bit of warmth while we can.


The zinnia's are in full bloom and my white fall clemantis is just about ready for it's spectacular coming out party!


Time to bake something yummy, fill our cups with ginger peach tea and watch the dragonflies light upon the morning glory.

All Photos Country Living Magazine

"There are few hours in life more
agreeable than the hour dedicated to
the ceremony known as afternoon tea."
Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady


For more Friday Pretties visit Joyce at I Love Pretty Little Things.


Smiles,

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Quilt Story

One of my favorite blogs is Quiltstory.  This blog is the creation of sisters Heather and Megan of Fresh Poppy Designs.  Every day they feature a quilt and the story that goes with it.  They tell you how you can submit your own quilts.  I want to show you a few of my favorites but I'm not sharing the stories - I'll let you have the joy of discovery at Quiltstory!









I should warn you though, you will need a box of kleenex to get through some of the stories but it is so worth it!


Be blessed,

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Two Cups


I have been a Susan Branch fan for many years and of her items that I have purchased, this postcard is one of my favorites.  I have it out where I can see it and many times have thought it would make a great applique project.


It is true, dear bloggers, you are a thousand miles away and I wish that wasn't so.  Can you imagine everything we would say to each other in person?  Oh, the hours in a day would not be enough!


But, there are always two cups at my table...or more...for you!  Have a truly blessed day!

Hugs,

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

A Good Day


It was such a comfort to know that I am not the only one who struggles with fabric measurements.  But after reading Beverly's comment and printing out her list, I feel like I've been set free.  I should have asked you all before, but I was a bit embarrassed.  With conversions in hand, I remeasured my fabric and labeled it.  Then I made up a little fabric chart and started cutting.


Needless to say, things went much smoother and I didn't have to wonder if I was cutting up the wrong fabric.  Knowledge is a wonderful thing!  I learned a valuable lesson too, just ask.  I don't think I'll be working in a fabric store anytime soon though, who knows what I'd cut for a customer!


With too many fresh blueberries on hand I decided to start the day with blueberry pancakes.  My daughter had a good buddy sleep over so they really enjoyed the overabundance of fruit.


I'm dropping off my sewing machine to be serviced today.  I feel like I'm dropping off my child at Kindergarten with all my separation anxiety.  It's been running so slow that soon enough it will be faster to hand-sew (ugh!).  Hopefully I'll get alot of fabric cut today.  Have a wonderful day!

Joyfully,

Monday, August 16, 2010

True Confessions


It's almost 1:00am and I've been tossing and turning in bed for almost an hour.  I've been having a conversation with myself along the lines of this:

-  Take the car in for an oil change first thing
-  That means you have to get up at 7:30
-  Maybe you should stop tossing and turning and try to get that 6 1/2 hours of sleep
-  Call Doctor and ask about headaches
-  Maybe if you'd get some sleep you wouldn't have headaches
-  Why didn't I learn to read a ruler in grade school?
-  Was I sick that day?  
-  Was it chicken pox?
-  I bet it was a boy
-  David with the big beautiful eyes
-  I'm 48 for crying out loud

So, the most logical thing to do is to get up and google "how to read a ruler"  which lands me on a site called "The Ruler Game".  This is the first paragraph before the timed test.  Yeah right.

"Reading a ruler is a valuable skill that you will likely use on your job, in your hobbies, and in your personal every day life. Without measuring devices like rulers, and people that can read them, we would still be living in caves."


I think I've just been insulted.



I managed to live quite a long time without this skill (in my comfy cave) until I started quilting.  So a few years back I confessed my shortcoming to a good friend who sat me down with a ruler. I get the whole inch thing.  My problem is what is 5/8 of a yard? 7/8 of a yard?  It's those darn 8th's.  


When you don't buy the exact fabric the pattern calls for and then you don't cut it out right away, you forget which fabric you chose for the 5/8 yd. AND this is what keeps a quilter up at night because I'm not cutting into that beautiful stack of fabric just to mess it up.  So, I'm asking you dear blogger friends to help me on this.  I will be forever grateful... goodnight...

Humbly yours,

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Sunday Scripture


"Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom
and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?
Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay him?
For from him and through him and to him
are all things.
To him be the glory forever!"
Amen.

Romans 11:33-36

With joy,