Christmas season is upon us and the actual day is quickly approaching.  As usual Rick and I are far behind.  Breanna, Thomas, Reed and Henry came up to visit this last weekend and along with Chelsea and Everett we went to see the Christmas lights in Athens, Texas.  Both the girls and myself along with the boys rode in the back of Rick's truck.  Reed & Everett really enjoyed it.  Thomas bought popcorn and we all munched throughout the lighted hills.  Pictures with Santa Claus were taken, both boys said they wanted a bike for Christmas - fun was had by all! 
The travel trailer is a mess.  Rick is trying to get it all figured out.  Fresh water supply is a big chore to input.  Battery is running down while trailer is sitting.  We have enjoyed the beds and space while he is hunting.
I have not started Bonnie Hunter's 2014 Mystery Quilt yet.  I am working on a block of the month. 

New Toy Hauler

Rick's bringing the new travel trailer home tonight.  Will post pictures later.  The old one is being given to Eric T.  Yeah, it's out of here!

Taking Thursday and Friday off from work to get ready for the Bonnie Hunter Roll Roll Cotton Boll quilting class taught in Mineola at Stitchin Heaven on Friday.  Yeah.  Need to get to cutting for the class time of six hours.  Busy Busy Busy.

Will travel to Mesquite tomorrow morning and pick up the computer from Best Buy and possibly stop by Thomas Sewing Center to view and pet the fabric selections!  Need to purchase teal for the upcoming Mystery Quilt.

Great Weekend

Rick and I rode the roads yesterday.  First going east to Athens then on to Tyler then back west on I20 to Canton and then on to Dallas!  Good grief.   He's decided that it is just possible that we need a new RV.  He's looking at Toy Haulers and not at something beautifully fabulous but utterly functional.  It's so easy to get swept up within bumpouts and space and fabric choices and . . . I had to remind myself the reason and the purpose of having it.  If and it's a big IF money was not an option, oh my, hanging pendant lights, kitchens with actual islands.  All we need is bed, air/heat, toilet, and a place to sit.
Went to Toy R Us and purchased Grady's birthday gifts.  His theme this year for the big ole 3 is Monster Trucks (ha, so like his Daddy) - he's getting an electronic Grave Digger, a few small big trucks that will fit inside the car baggage along with batteries for the Grave Digger.
Breanna and Thomas are enjoying a weekend at Galveston with Thomas' brother and family.  So happy they are enjoying time away from Corrigan and having fun.  Breanna called up and we face-timed, Henry wanted to eat the phone! 

Bonnie Hunter's 2014 Mystery Quilt

Bonnie's 2014 Mystery Quilt began today with the colors and yardage needed for the mystery quilt.  She's going with Green, Turquoise, Yellow and Pink all decided from her time spent in Michigan on Mackinac Island at the Grand Hotel.
Here's a link to her post regarding this new mystery.
http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2014/10/surprise-quiltville-winter-mystery.html

Here's one photo shared in the post regarding the colors chosen.  The ceiling shows the reason for choosing the torquoise, the carpet is where the badge came from, the greens and pinks are showing and the yellow is visable through the many flowers and awnings outside.

So very many quilters are excited about another mystery, there will be many groups gathering together to discuss methods and share their progress through photo's.  Bonnie states within the 2014 introduction, quilters will be sharing their progress via Facebook, Blogs possibly Flickr and other message boards.  Again this year there will be a linky so that all can share the progress each Monday.  I hope to be able to share a few times within the linky!
One good thing about this years mystery, it's supposed to be easier than last years.  I remember those chevrons from Celtic Solstice.

And finally here is Bonnie with her clever yearly advice - -

Quilter's Apprentice day

Quilters Apprentice in Terrell, Texas provided a 40% off coupon through Facebook this week.  I am headed over there today to see if they have a spinning cutting mat and look at their gray and black/white fabrics.  America's Patchwork & Quilting magazine was purchased this week and there is a 'It's all in the Sashing' quilt I am wanting to make.

This afternoon Charlie Stone will be laid to rest alongside his mom & dad.  Rick will be a pallbearer.  It's going to be a hot day at least 100º is being predicted along with the usual humidity. 

Everett stayed overnight with us last night. It was a joyful night spent with lots of laughter. Chelsey and Kenneth had a date night where they went to the movies! Glad PawPaw and I are always available at anytime to keep him.

Grandboys are such joy.

This is a photo Chelsey shared of Everett, love love love.

Life to date update

Since the last post we have been blessed with two more lovely grandbabies, another boy in January 2014 and our first granddaughter in March 2014.  It is joyful to watch my own as they have their lives.  We did good!  My children have wonderful hearts and are good parents.

Kim quilted Chelsey & Kenneth's quickly put together quilt and it was given to them at Christmas.  Currently I am working on Bonnie Hunter's Celtic Soltice.  This is her 2013 Mystery Quilt.  It begins Thanksgiving weekend and continues on to the end of the year. 

Rick bought around 136 bales of hay from R. Busby this past weekend.  He's hopeing to have around 300 total for winter feeding.  I hope we can wait until October to begin feeding hay, in years past summer has burnt everything and there was nothing for the cows/horses to forage on, one year we had to begin feeding in July.