Gerald

My Husband, Gerald, is the choir director at Yulee United Methodist Church. Of all the good things he does, I am most proud of him for this (after being a great father and husband, of course). When we joined the church, it was a homecoming for me, as I had been raised in this very church and many members of my family still attend here. But for Gerald and the kids it was a new church. It was also strange for them, since I knew nearly everyone and they knew almost no one. As in most UM churches, the pastor left for a different appointment and in came a new one. We also lost the choir director with that move, as she was married to the outgoing minister! No one volunteered for the job and the choir dwindled down to about 5 people. They valiantly struggled on without direction for a little while. The new pastor tried to direct but was busy with trying to be a pastor!
He had no idea how much Gerald loves music when he practically begged him to help. Gerald said he would commit to a year. That also meant the choir gained 3 new members, me, Rubin and Jessica. We were off and running with 8 choir members!
We recruited like the Army! Twisting arms, making promises, bribery, whatever it takes, right?
Each one that agreed to join we'd talk them into bringing a family member or friend along too. So in this picture there are six parent/child sets! This is Gerald's 2nd Christmas Cantata and it was awesome. He picks really big songs that they don't think they can do. Then he talks them into trying. Then he makes them practice like crazy! Here they are SMILING after standing up singing for an hour and a half! They ALL love being in the choir! That's Gerald on the far left, Jessica is the 3rd lady in front and Big Rubin in the black suit, he's our sound booth technician.

Check out the 3 goofballs on the right! That's Rubin and Weldon chillin' wit' da Pastor! They are so funny!
I am so proud of my family, they literally sing God's praises every week, using the gifts that He gave them to His glory. I couldn't ask for a better family.

Peace on earth

Wow! I have been busy! I didn't realize how long it had been since the last post. Sometimes during the Christmas season as I'm rushing here and rushing there, something stops me in my tracks.
Jessie has decorated the whole house singlehandedly, no one else had the time! A friend gave me this angel today, I thought she would look pretty near the little nativity. She does. I hope you take time for advent~ preparing for the coming of Christ in your life. Not the decorations, shopping for gifts, parties, church events and dinners, but taking time each day to realize how important HE is to every soul. including mine. God bless you.

All Stars Retreat

Each year I leave in plenty of time, with the full intention of arriving at the All Star's Retreat on time like everyone else. But every year I get distracted and wander across and down the state, taking a new route each time, until I've wandered the day away and someone has to call and remind me where I'm supposed to be.

This year was no exception. I went to Dottie's house in Palatka to collect smoke and fire damaged fabric from her sewing room. Her river house burned about 3 weeks ago. I am going to try to save her stash. After bagging over 8 garbage bags full and stacking them in the Blazer, I decide to take the road less travelled.

I knew there was a place called Fort Gates Ferry on the St. Johns South of Palatka and North of SR40. I wondered if it might be an actual ferry. After turning off US17 and passing through Welaka on a nice little winding 2 lane I found a tiny sign that advised me to turn right to reach Fort Gates Ferry. Then the road just ended. At the river at the end of a travel trailer park with more permanent residents than visitors. The bait shop was closed with a sign on the door. "be right back". I wondered how long the sign had been dangling there.

After a while a lady came and sat on the first porch and asked if I wanted to cross. She yelled and the ferrymaster ambled along directly.

The ferry boasts a two car capacity, but it would have to be two small cars. I enjoyed the crossing, and when I drove off the ramp the ferryman was already pulling out for the return trip. I was headed west on a dirt road with no signs at all. So, being no stranger to dirt roads I took off. West would have to eventually cross US19 which runs North/South. It did. Eventually.

More Harold's Quilt Shack

Topsy Turvy Time....

Remember last week's photos, all neat and pretty. Well yesterday I had 2 big groups call ahead to come and shop. What a total blast! I had so much fun watching all those ladies pick out fabrics for their projects. I think at one point the Fire Marshall may have fined me for being over on the capacity limit! Now my tables are overflowing with fabric that needs to be put back in place. My cash register overflowed too, see...
Okay, it's a tiny little cash register for a tiny little quilt shop, but I am having GREAT BIG FUN! Thank you to all who came and shopped.

Harold's Quilt Shack

I went on a field trip (fabric buying excursion for those of you that don't quilt) with the Yulee Stitchin' Sisters last week. One thing led to another and this week I have a teeny tiny temporary quilt shop! This ribbon started it all. We went to visit a lady who had closed her quilt shop and was trying to deplete her inventory from her home. The fabric was very inexpensive and abundant in quantity. I bought my share! I asked her the price for this ribbon. It was still a little high for my budget. I thought, "If I bought everything from her, I could have that ribbon and have fabric for all my friends too." Hmm...

Negotiations ensued, Father was consulted, deal was made and children were put to work. Of course I can't use the quilting frame til some of this is gone! Come on out to Parkerville and help me use up some of this fabric! I am practically giving this away at $1 to 2.50 a yard. I just thought it would be fun to share with friends this bounty.

I even have notions and other stuff, a few books and lots of ribbon and trim. Oh yea, that fabulous ribbon... $1.00 per yard!
I will be there Wednesdays and Saturdays to visit and play, and Tuesdays after lunch with the Yulee Sisters. Come on out and we'll talk quilt!

Why do all the teenagers I know come to my house after school?!? Specifically, my kitchen! Today it's fishsticks, Ramen noodles and tater tots. Very nutritious, huh? All out of carrot sticks. `"But Aunt Doodle we love you!"Yes, but who's gonna clean up this mess?

New Milestone

This week (only because it was absolutely necessary) I completed bindings on THREE quilts all by myself! I normally wait til the last minute and beg my friends to do the hand sewing to get the bindings down. Maybe I'm finally growing up.

Traditions and Treasures quilt show and dinner

Welcome to our little quilt show! The quilts are NOT little, just the show! We thought we would have a little show. Something for our small group (22) of mostly beginner quilters to do to show what we've been up to on Tuesday mornings. Cornelia's tumbling blocks had to be hung sideways it was so BIG!
With a little hard work and a bunch of talented ladies, we surprised ourselves by presenting a lovely evening of quilts, a gourmet dinner, beautiful dessert buffet, and wonderful company! What a fabulous event! Much BIGGER than we bargained for.

Our chef, and Queen of the Kitchen~ Mary Ellen.
What a gorgeous group of young people! The youth group served dinner for us. Thank you to our dining room manager, Jessie Lee, for training and managing the wait staff. She did an outstanding job! Don't forget Victor the busboy.


The tables were set using fine and not-so-fine mismatched china and glassware. Each table had a color scheme complete with a quilt topper in the center. Tables were set for over 80 people to dine. We sold out of dinner tickets and had walk-ins later that we didn't have room to seat!

After an hour for quilt viewing dinner was served, then I did my clothesline trunkshow. Boy, was I nervous! This was the first time I had done this presentation for family and hometown friends.

But Gerald, the Master of Ceremonies distracted them with a beautiful table full of desserts! He also gave away a dozen door prizes throughout the evening.

He is not a public person, but we're working on it. He also happens to be my biggest fan and best supporter. He made the evening run smoothly and was as charming as ever.

Current works in progress

Look! Right there in the top left corner of this pic! Proof that I am really working on something! This little girl...isn't she precious? I am trying to quilt her and frankly am afraid to quilt her face. I am almost done with all the background and will soon be forced to either quilt it or leave it alone. My friends Noreen and June took over 200 quilts to Ethiopia and gave them to kids in an orphanage. This little girl stole my heart! I painted her when Noreen came for a visit and was showing us her photos from the trip. Later (before she was quilted) Noreen took her to Houston and hung her in their booth (Quilts without Borders) and she helped them collect 200 more quilts for a second trip. Being the queen of the last minute I am trying to finish it for a NEW trunk show NEXT WEEK! Help me decide....quilt the face or not?

I sold the sailboat quilt a couple of years ago. I was sad at first, I missed it, and said I would one day make another one. Barbara, the clown (no really, she's a clown) that bought it, called and told me that she sent it to her dad for his 90th birthday. He loves the sea, but is now in Minnesota, and can't be near the ocean. He loves his new quilt and hung it right at the foot of his bed. I am using batiks from my collection and some handdyed fabrics from my friend Dave in West Pasco Quilt Guild. This one won't be as vibrant as the original, but I'm trying to use what's on hand instead of buying more.

Supergirl!

I don't normally just throw someone out there like this, but hey, I'm bored waiting on Sis to call to go walking.
This is Kristi. One of her 7 jobs (vet's assist., night attendant, doggie/housesitter, bingo number caller, semi-pro wrestler with 3 championship titles, oh I forget the other one) is serving as the youth director at our church. That should imply that she directs the youth. I think she has too much fun to actually be called a director, but I think she indirectly directs them. That is to say that the way she lives her life, (taking on any job with good cheer, joyfully serving others, honoring her mother and father like you wouldn't believe, being a happy, healthy, loving mentor to sometimes ornery, moody teenagers) is leading by example to the teens and preteens in our church. She sings in the choir too!
She is completely awesome, if the kids get crazy at youth group meetings (bickering, mood swings, pouting) she just trots them all outside for a game of foursquare, or puts them in a headlock, whichever the situation calls for.
Her wrestling persona is supposed to be one of the bad girls. When the youth group took their parents to a wrestling match, we were all instructed to boo and hiss at her instead of applauding. It was hilarious! She is supposed to come out looking mean and vicious and scream at an old lady in the front row. You should have seen all the kids' faces when she came out and screamed, "SHUT UP, GRANDMAW" at that old lady. They were in total disbelief! After watching her help all the elderly ladies at church week after week! The next Youth group meeting they were very quiet and behaved! Don't wanna make her mad, do we?

Day at the Zoo

Some days are good, and you feel all, "Look at me, I'm swell!"
You feel like all your friends are there to back you up. Everything's cool.

Then BAM! You're struggling with the monster blues.

You try hanging out and talkin' to your friends.

But some days you just feel like smelly, slimy fish!

Uh-Oh

I'm in trouble, but not too much. My last quilt, the one with my Dad at the gate. You know, the one that was so cool because the border is made with one of Dad's old workshirts? Well, today the local paper had our Yulee Stitchin Sisters on the front page. Lots of pictures, including one that described that quilt, including how I scarfed Dad's shirt to use for the border!
Well, today was the first Dad has EVER seen/heard any of this. He just doesn't understand quilts that aren't used for covering up! I think he is proud of me, without truly understanding what I do. or why.
I think he was pleased with the article, but won't admit it. He is definitely one of a kind.

This has always been one of my favorite photos of my mother. It was taken on the FSU campus around 1958. She is the center of attention in her salmon colored dress. She was a tall drink of water, wasn't she? Her two brothers (the tall ones) were always pretty close, watching out for baby sis. She looks like she is full of attitude, probably needs watching! If you only knew her for the last decade of her life, you really missed the best part. I remember her like this...beautiful, confident and full of spunk.

Sewing for little ones

This is a picture of my brothers a long time ago. My mom made those little plaid jackets along with many of the clothes we wore. Here are some pics of my girls wearing some pretties that I made for them.

Apology

My sincere apologies for leaving that poor lady's blonde head just sitting there for so long. Thank you (you know who you are) for the gentle nudge.

Dreaming

This is my dream home. It is in Fernandina, downtown in the historic district. It's actually 2 homes joined together and has a mixed used zoning. You know, like a home with a studio attached, or a home that serves as a super-fantastic quilt retreat that comes with it's own artist quilter?

Here is the realtor's description:

This exquiste home is located in downtown historic district Fernandina Beach, Florida. Over 3200 sq. ft with 6 bedrooms , 2 baths and 2 handicap baths. Rich and beautiful hardwood floors throughout. One cottage built in 1857 and the other contempory cottage built in 1993 are joined together to make this truly a home of your dreams.

See, she even says it's the home of my dreams!

And the price has dropped almost $200,000!

Surely it's affordable NOW!!

Okay, maybe not. That's why it's called a DREAM home...

just dreamin'

Surprise!

I got a wonderful, pleasant surprise this weekend! I gave this quilt to my friend Sherry a while back when her hubby was in Iraq for too long. I did not enter a quilt into Quilt Fest this year, but Sherry entered this quilt. See that? There is a Judges Recognition ribbon pinned to it! The judge had some nice comments. Of course, my edges aren't straight and my bindings are limp. That does not diminish my joy.

These are some pics from the boat along the St Marys River. The trees have been falling into the river for as long as I can remember. This causes the river to eddy and swirl a lot. The bottom is treacherous with tangles of trees and brambles.

It is a wild, beautiful river and I love boating there. My Dad used to take his grannie fishing in a little plywood boat he made himself.

Bad Blogger

I am a bad blog mother, leaving my blog to tend itself for so long. Even if I had anyone out there following my blog, they would just be sitting there in the same spot, behind that blond head, wondering, "Why aren't we moving? Has there been an accident? I wish that lady with the blond hair in front of me would MOVE!"

Well, maybe it's starting to inch along....

Bragging Rights

Yes, I know this a very good shot of the back of a head and a very poor shot of something in the background. That something is Jessie's Middle School Concert band at state competition in Orlando last weekend. Jessie is at the far right with her tenor sax.
They won Best Overall middle school band and 1st place in their division! Woo Hoo! They also got to spend 2 days at Universal and Islands of Adventure.

Went for a very short trip to North Carolina last week. My friend, Carol went to babysit her grandson and I tagged along. While Noah was in school we went to this little quilt shop tucked away on a sidestreet, in downtown Fayetville.





Carol loved these two red prints, but not quite enough to buy them. I took their picture so in case she wants to go on a search later. Sometimes that happens. We see a fabric and don't buy it, then later, can't stop thinking about it. Then it becomes an obsession and we MUST have that fabric!

I met new friends and added to my Facebook list. Carol doesn't meet strangers, so she has friends, neighbors and family everywhere she goes. nice trip.