Baby It's Cold Outside

Well, just as I thought- old man winter returned last night. I woke to heavy rain pouring outside during the night; we can use the rain, but that quickly turned to snow.  We are on a Blizzard warning today and lost power throughout the morning.  Thankfully, we have a battery back up in one of the fireplaces and also have a gas stove.  This morning we had at least 8"; it has stopped this afternoon and is supposed to be gone by tomorrow.  What's a gal to do but sew.  Hubby and I played some games at lunch time and he is watching a movie right now, so I'm going to make use of the time, while we have power, to work on some blocks.
Hope you aren't snowed in!
Hugs,
Noreen

Tuesday's Treasures

Good Morning friends! When March began, the weather person predicted that it would come in like a lamb and go out like a lion; that certainly seems to be the case here in Colorado. Last week we got about 7" of snow and tomorrow we are supposed to get some more as well as Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Really?! Today seems like it will be a nice day and I will be at home, so hoping to get Hunter out for a walk. I don't like it when I miss our walks and I'm pretty sure he doesn't like it either. I have two granddaughters coming over this morning so think I'll take them along. This is the last block I finished for the Splendid Sampler sew along; I like it a lot. I've skipped the embroidery blocks; I also am starting another sampler that the club I've joined is doing. It is a traditional quilt, so I'm sure I'll like it.

I mentioned yesterday that I was visiting a friend and getting a necklace for another friend whose birthday is tomorrow. Here is the necklace I bought my neighbor-isn't it gorgeous!

When I got to my friends yesterday she also had a present waiting for me, although my birthday is not for another week. She was so thoughtful, my gift held a soy candle, a pair of small bunny salt&pepper shakers and a book by Philip Yancey. She knew Mr. Yancey's mom quite well and I was touched at the gifts.
My friend sells her items on Poshmark, which I'd never heard of before. I love her stones and am sure my neighbor will love this also.
Well, I want to get downstairs before the girls get here, so I best bid you good day.
Seize the day!
Noreen

Another Busy Week

Happy Spring to all of you!  I hope you all had a great weekend and spent some time enjoying life.
The play I saw on Friday evening with my girlfriends is called "Dixie Swim Club" and the story of five girls from a college swim team; the time span is when they are in their early 30's until they reach 77 yrs old.  I can tell you that it was a great play~funny and sad.  I enjoyed spending time with the two gals I went with. Saturday was a day filled with birthday parties and yesterday was  a low key day.
Today I'm off to a friends house for a visit and lunch, but the main reason is that she sells jewelry and I want to get a necklace for my neighbor who turns 60 on Wednesday.  The rest of the week is jam packed too~sewing with the grands and preparation for Easter.  I'm going to start my grocery list now.
I hope whatever you have going on this week gives you a bit of time outside or partaking in an activity you love. 
Hugs,
Noreen

A Treasured Concealed by Tracie Peterson review

Once again, Tracie Peterson has shown me why I love her books.  Tracie weaves a story of historical fiction, rich with developed characters and bound with faith.  She has accurately portrayed the struggles of gold miners lives as well as the cost to their families.  This story in the first in Sapphire Brides and set in Montana in the late 1800's. 
Here is the synopsis from the authors website:
"Emily Carver wants a home where she can put down roots instead of following her gold-hungry father from one mining camp to another. She also longs for tenderness and love, both of which are missing in her life. Yet when she realizes she’s losing her heart to the intriguing new man in camp, she fiercely fights her feelings, afraid that love will only result in disappointment and heartache.
Caeden Thibault, a young geologist, comes to Montana to catalog minerals indigenous to the state. He’s a serious and guarded young man trying to escape the pain of his past. He has avoided all romantic entanglements, fearing he might become like his abusive father. But something about Emily Carver has caught his attention, something he never expected. . . .
Will these two broken souls allow God to bring healing and hope to their hurting hearts?"

I would rate this book a diamond rating and I can't wait to her next book in the series.
I was provided this book free of charge, from Bethany House a division of Baker Publishing, for my honest review.  If you enjoy historical fiction, you will definitely want to get a hold of this book.
Thank you once again to Bethany House for their blogger review program.  If you are interested in this, you can find them here:  http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/bethanyhouse/bookreviewers?utm_source=Blogger Reviewer& 

Noreen

Puppy Love

She's here! WE are all so excited and the family named her Copper. What I can tell you is that at this point she is the same size as Lily, but very skinny(though with her beautiful fur you wouldn't know it). While we were over at Carrie's, she was pretty mellow and so sweet. Lily didn't have any problem adjusting to her either, other than being on my lap a good portion of the time. Copper looks very regal and so different from Lily and Hunter when they were pups.

Today I will be pup sitting this afternoon and Hunter will get a chance to meet her.

I just heard that she is settling in so nicely~loves all the kiddos and plays, as well as goes outside to do her duty. She didn't cry all night and slept from 12:00 to 6:00 a.m. this morning. I just can't wait to spend more time with her.  I have a picture of our grandson holding her and will post when it arrives at my inbox from my IPhone, it is taking longer than usual this morning.
Hugs,
Noreen

Turning 15

Happy Tuesday to you! I mentioned last week that our oldest grandson turned 15 and Saturday we had a family party for him. When you have a group as big as ours, no need to have a party with others-we are one big party. Our young man is such an incredible person, he has the gift of service-meaning he loves to help others. From the time he was 5, he always helped his dad when friends were moving. The box might be as big as he was, but he'd carry it. As long as he's been able, he is right there lending a hand. His parents are like that too and his Papa. When we moved into our home two years ago, we had him, his younger brother and Miss F helping us. He continues to be like that; some church friends have a business growing garlic and last summer he worked endlessly helping to pick the garlic. We are so very proud of the person he is and the man he's becoming.

What he didn't know and should have figured out was that there were 15 trick candles that would blow out and then start again.

Lots of smoke.

He is incredibly intelligent and I expect will go into engineering of some sort. 

Today is the day that the puppy arrives for this family; I can't wait to meet her.
Blessings~
Noreen

Honor Flight Quilts

Happy Monday to you all; I hope you've recovered from the change in time for those who live in an area where the clocks are moved up. I have always had a hard time with this and was pleased to see on the 10:00 news Saturday that women typically have a much harder time adjusting than men. As I mentioned on Friday, our grand daughters had sewing last week and we made Honor Flight quilt squares for a friend who does the sashing and hands them over to be given out to the Veterans. I really wanted the girls to participate and honor the Veterans who risked their lives for our country. So here they are~ Miss O and Miss F.

Miss M and Miss S.

Here are the four blocks I turned in on Friday.

I've got to say I love this project and may just incorporate it into our sewing-possibly every other lesson. I will definitely keep making more, there is a shortage of 90 quilts which will be passed out in the fall.  I also had dinner on Friday night with another friend who is also a quilter. She couldn't believe that our grands were making these and even sewing; she figured they wouldn't be able to reach the pedals. While I didn't grow up sewing until my teens, I had a friend whose daughters were sewing by the time they were six.  These two sisters learned to sew proficiently and started making wedding dresses. It has turned out to be a good career for them. 
I'm off to walk now and then not sure what the afternoon will hold.  Probably sewing and some other things.
If you live in California, could you please keep the storms to yourself, especially the snow; I do not relish the idea of snow this week.
Have a wonderful Monday!
Joy to you!
Noreen