October Blessings

Well, it is Saturday here and I am home from Tahoe and back to my home which is surrounded by beautiful leaves and trees and my husband is here. He is experiencing night sweats now  and Wed. we will be going to the surgeon to see about removing his prostate which is cancerous. He and I are going down soon to get a juicer which we both agree would be good for us and a good step to better health. He went to my Grandson and Granddaughter's hockey game to day and my other Granddaughter's soccer game...he came home happy because she scored a goal right off the bat. He said it was cold sitting out there. Having come from California, it feels even colder. :0)

I am posting these cows that Mary Linfesty made as a reminder that Mel and I have gotten four BIG venues next year that will show cows quilts and we are hoping for new cows for each venue. I am making two new quilts and am hoping that you girls that made cow quilts will write me again so I can get you on the list and others can see your cow quilt.

If you haven't made a cow quilt, please think about it -any theme with the word Beef, cow, moo, heifer, Dairy,veal etc...

Cowafornia, A COWntant, Mooey Christmas, VEALentines Day, FrankenHEIFER, Etc.... Stay tuned and I will add more and you and your friends can come up with dozens of names...we do it all of the time...so fun! For the pattern purchase "Out of the Box with Easy Blocks" bY Mary Lou Weidman and Mel McFarland (you can order it on my website and get some fun extras from me)-Marylouweidman.com

OR

if you want a two day class on cows for your guild, contact me as it is one of the most fun things I teach!

This cow photo (nice sofa) was sent by a friend on Facebook- pretty fun

I had to add this- When my daughter lived at home she would check out 20 books a week and when she was home she would hole up in her room and read. My ten year old Granddaughter sent me this photo after she came home from the library....she is a chip off the old block. We all love books....I have switched to Non-fiction mostly but if someone recommends a good fiction one, I read them on the planes I ride...Who doesn't love a good book?
I am ready to start reading Agatha Christie again because I used to read anything she wrote...now my memory is so bad I am sure I won't remember "who done it"

When we had out Retreat this week in Tahoe was had a friend come to visit us...this was the best photo we could get as he started running when we started chasing him with our cameras...someone was saying grab licorace! I knew that was wrong from the time I worked at Yellowstone during college....he finally ran down to the water scare'ing a woman who was sitting peacefully on the dock....an exciting place Tahoe!

 

Linda Peterson is one of the best quilters I know. I stopped by Kathy Woods house (she quilts) and she had this quilt of Linda's that she had just done. I had to get a couple of photos to show you! Isn't this wonderful? Her color sense is out of this world!

 

As you can see, it doesn't matter what quilt Linda does...she does well and Fun! Linda lives on the coast close to Smokey Point in Washington and she has a beautiful house on the water, she cooks better than almost anyone I know and she is a hostess with the mostest...I love being around her because she is positive, talented and above all NICE. And if you are going to make friends, you might as well make sure that they are NICE because NICE MATTERS. Right? My friends bless me and Linda is one of those!

I am ending with this silly scarecrow I have in my yard,,,,he is old but he makes me happy and the crow on his should makes me smile too

Hope you are happy and that someone made you smile today.

For those of you who commented on my last post and the lady from Afganistan, thank you. These kinds of people are put into our paths to remind us of how God blesses us.

Be a blessing to someone today and say something they need to hear. It will bless you and them.

Thank you for visiting me today-you bless me when you do this. :0)

My Life and The Life of a Lady I met at the Airport in San Fransiscoo

Someone sent me some pumpkin photos they had from other sources...I have No idea where or what.  The first one is obviously done by children because it is so fabulous!

The "I Love You Moo" cow quilt is done by Mari Linfesty at my June retreat in Idaho. We had lots of great things come out of that class and this year's class is almost full. We have four spots left and that is it. Miss Tina is coming from LA to cook again and we will follow Farm Chicksn Antiques and Collectibles Sale as well as other awesome surprises. The cost is $750. for a five day workshop and three wonderful meals all homemade from scratch and delicious. The best thing? Creativity abounds and new friends too. Write me at Marylouquilts@aol.com if you are interested. June 3rd through the 7th- Farm Chicks is June 2nd and we will all meet with our aprons and tiaras on. :0)

The Cow who jumped over the Moon is by Sandi who lives in Vancouver Canada. She has been at my last four retreats...I think she holds the record. :0) These cows are not completely done but gives you ideas of what we can do for fun!

I mentioned this in my Mary Lou and Cherries Too blog and here I have quite a few different readers so I am mentioning it here also. Day before yesterday my husband Mark was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He will have surgery next month and then take a month or five weeks off depending.

Our five year old son went through chemo etc., for cancer many years ago and we both think this will go much easier for both of us. We have a strong faith in God and know that anything that happens is His divine Plan. We just have to let it play out and stay positive and be greatful for all of our many blessings including our children, Grandchildren and nice friends.

We all look at the same beautiful moon...isn't it amazing?

I have wanted to share a little story and I think this is a good time.

 When Mark and I went to Hawaii we got into the connecting  airport and it was packed. I was looking for two seats and I noticed a woman who was obviously middle Eastern and there were all kinds of seats empty around her and no where else. She had on a beautiful scarf and was reading a thick book.

So I went and sat next to her and we started to chat. She was from Afganistan and I asked her many questions and told her she was the face of that place as I knew No one from there. She had five children and four of them lived out of Afganistan all in different countries. She started to cry and said they would probably never be able to connect with each other in person again. I asked what she thought of the Americans there and she said that she and all of her friends were so grateful for the US and everything they have done there and she was very afraid of what would happen when they left.  Earlier in her life she had come to the US to get an honor from George Bush for what she was doing in her country. She had run a little school secretly for girls and then men came, ransacked her home and burned all of her books and forbid her to ever teach there again. She was such a great person I thought how sad for those girls. She said it is the problem of NO education for the people there that is the biggest problem and that girls were forbidden to go to school. People don't think for themselves because they are not educated to do this.  She said that she had her husband but was worried about her son who can't get a visa to get out of the country to go to Australia. She said 30% of women in Afganistan are single mostly because of their husbands being killed and it is against the law for a woman to have a job. Therefore if a woman does not have a husband, son or brother, they starve to death because the only way to get food is to beg and in some regions they are brutally beaten by men. This woman was lovely, well spoken and kind. We talked for about an hour and a half. I asked her name and it is Saleema (I am probably spelling this wrong) and I told her I would pray for her. She is worried what will happen to them when the US leaves. I have to say that it was nice to meet someone who does appreciate our troops and what they have tried to do there. We are so lucky to have education and I am so thankful that my little Grandchildren are free to learn and read and grow. I think women of the world could mostly get along if we focused on what we love like our family, children and friends.

Today be thankful you can read a book and share and grow and be thankful that you do not have to worry about a bomb or gun in your life today.

Aren't we lucky to be able to get into a car, have lunch with a friend, have a blog without worry or being arrested, buy fabric, shop by ourselves without a male chaperone etc, share with friends, go to a book store or library and load up on reading materials? As your week goes on this week, be thankful for all of your many blessings because if you are reading this, you are surely for somewhere that gives you that freedom.

I am traveling to Tahoe this week to sew and create and have fun with friends. i am going to dream up new patterns and new ideas and bring my artist out to play. If yu haven't done that lately, it is so much fun and your artist starts to come out without being invited. I hope that you have a lovely week this week and that you enjoy Autumn for all of it's many beautiful gifts it brings. Thanks for being my friend and visiting.

YES FRIENDS AND I AM LISTENING....THANK YOU FOR YOUR SWEET COMMENTS AND TAKING MY WORKSHOPS TOO

Hi Friends....SEE the copyright sign? Please respect it. I am working on that new drawing book and at the same time doing drawing with my Grandkids...the girls love these girl type drawings and me too. Some of these will be turned into quilts for the cover of the book. I think this one will be especially fun don't you?
Who wouldn't want an owl purse and some pumpkin cupcakes?
     I want to thank each of you who commented on my blog. I sincerely so appreciate reading your thoughts. I try to make this colorful and happy and upbeat to offer the opposite of the news and the c__p_ that we see on television.
It is disheartening to see how people view dishonesty and cheating and things that should be second hand nature to know is wrong. Even in my own classes my things get stolen and I have my name written large right across the top.  The good news is that sometimes a lovely person comes forward and has two and replaces the one that is gone. But in the end what makes someone (especially a quilter) think it is ok to take something from someone who wishes them no ill will? I don't get it. I guess it was the Irish upbringing I had that made me feel guilty for even thinking of such a thing. And in the end, what do you gain?
OK, that was a downer sort of.....
    This week my cousin Lance came to visit from Mozambique and I decided to make my chili verde. It is one of my favorite recipes and it always hits the spot with rice (I use brown) and tortillas. I serve it up with lots of good toppings and it is delicious, you may want to add more spices and chili's. I am a gringo and don't like my food so hot.
Start with a CROCKPOT
Mary Lou's Chili Verde
3 1/2 pound pork shoulder cut in cubes and browned in olive oil
1 Large can tomatoes-chopped
2 cans green enchilada sauce
2 yellow onions large , chopped
6 cloves garlic minced
2 medium size chopped green chilies (I use mild but I am a wimp)
green pepper and red pepper chopped  (add 1 1/2 hour ) before the stew is done
1 1/2 teaspoon cumin
salt and pepper to taste
Add all ingredients to crock pot and cook about 6 to 7 hours. Serve with brown rice, tortillas, shredded lettuce, sharp cheddar cheese shredded, green scallions chopped fine, fresh tomatoes chopped, guacamole, sour cream cilantro and salsa.
This is a recipe everyone asks for when I make it and it gets better everyday if there is any left.

So this was fun because my seven year old Granddaughter copied the lady in the middle I drew and then my six year old Granddaughter drew it and put a chicken on her head...she wasn't as interested in coloring it as inventing....and that is what I love to do also.
Stay tuned for the drawing book the end of the year.
I am also working on some paintings for a new fabricline and if the company accepts them, then we can all work with some really fun fabric!
      I am going to sew with girlfriends in Tahoe this week and so stay tuned to the quilts I make with fabric from three of my favorite companies!
     Also please check out my other blog -Mary Lou and Cherries Too later tonight for a nice story about a woman from Afganistan I met at the airport....

Always like to keep this in mind for someone who needs an uplifting something...you have the power in your smile and a nice little compliment of some kind. Isn't it nice to know that you have power anytime you want to uplift someone or change a situation for the better!

Richmond Virginia or ANYWHERE in Virginia....I have taught in West Virginia and drove through Virginia but never taught there...Isn't there someone there that would like to learn easy piecing, design and/ or story quilts? I would love to teach in Virginia and go back to Vermont and Boston before I retire-can you help me?

 

 

Dress quilt by my friend Susan Typpi

A FABULOUS and creative lampshade by Susan Typpi's friend Liz- LOVE THIS!

Laura's poem quilt (she is one of the Bunny Sisters)

This photo is also by Laura. When I get back in town I am going to show you quilts from she and Charlotte the other bunny sister. They have done more story quilts than any of my other students and I usually get to spend five days or more with them once a year creating.  They are creative, fun and will leave a great legacy of their lives in story quilts. Fun for us all.
I will be showing you some new photos I have gotten from other girls as well.
If you haven't taken a story quilt class, you should. They are so much fun and really if you were ever a kid, you too can tell the world about you!
Have a great week, friend.

PLEASE COMMENT

So I experimented with changing my template to photos you could click on to take you to the posts. While it was exciting and colorful and I had more hits, it drew in people that were "lookers" and I want people to read my posts.
I am going to write a couple of good things about people I met this week before I leave. Thank you for coming to my blogs. Please keep reading the ones from this week...

Hey, It's a Drawing from Me and My Seven Year Old Granddaughter!

I am going to post about wonderful Memphis and the girls I met there and the wonderful things I got to see but I watched my little 7 year old Granddaughter who is kind of shy about drawing. I drew and she copied me. I love teaching drawing skills and hints to both kids and adults...so fun and I think this would make the cutest quilt with names and dates etc.
I just had to take time to show this to you.
I am working on a drawing book for my story quilt and self portrait classes that I hope to start selling in Dec. or January. It will be nice to have it and put some secrets into it for people who want to draw alone or with kids and want to design their stories.

Memphis, a Lovely Place to Visit

This wonderful block is by Dana while I taught in Memphis. The girls there had all kinds of ideas and wonderful stashes and enthusiasm too.

I thought these fabrics were pretty and I expecially loved the plaid at the bottom on the left...don't you?
Once when I was teaching at Asilomar, someone came in and said "it looks like a clown blew up in this room"- I thought it was a wonderful comment and think of it often

Flower Power class was alot of fun and fun people too...there are always fun people who sign up for this class...I never get tired of teaching it and seeing what people come up with!

Here are some hoochy blocks the girls came up with...we all love the freeform flying geese!

This is Dana's quilt frame for her self portrait that will be the head and shoulders and things that relate to her growth in wisdom....I think it is going to be great. She is doing lettering at the top over the lime green background you can hardly see...super Dana!

One of my most favorite excercizes is cutting shapes and the cowgirls are my favorite...they are so much fun! No drawing, just cutting and aren't they super?

Flower pots always make me happy...they are all so different and so fun

We had a fire drill- the alarm went off and they made us leave the building and our machines and quilts! Yikes....false alarm, all was well and we started in again

Memphis is a wonderful place to visit with many people from all over the US living there. German Town and Collierville were where I visited mostly and there are wonderful restaurants and shops and museums there.

 Keep watching as Graceland photos are next and beautiful Memphis photos too