New Blog Hop Coming Soon!!!

There is a new blog hop coming soon!!! I just found out about it today on Grandmama's Stories blog post, so I thought I would let my followers know, too. It is hosted by Hayley at http://mrspicklesgarden.blogspot.com

Quoting Hayley "I have found you can take a class, buy a book or just search the web for hours trying to find tips that will help make your quilting experience easier. However, sometimes having an experienced quilter show you a secret they use can make the whole quilting adventure that much more enjoyable!"

So, stop by these blogs and check out their quilting secrets and see what you can learn!!! Tell them I sent you if you comment. Thanks!!!

Christine from http://www.quiltmonstercloset.com  December 31st

Melissa from http://blog.sewbittersweetdesigns.com/  January 1st

Barbara from http://catpatches.blogspot.com January 2nd

Linda from http://buzzingandbumbling.blogspot.com/ January 3rd

Sharon from http://vroomansquilts.blogspot.ca/ January 4th

Sue from http://quilttimes.blogspot.com January 5th

Hayley(this is me) from http://mrspicklesgarden.blogspot.com January 6th

Have a blessed day!!!!

Teresa

Thankful Thursday!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and wish you a Happy New Year! We traveled to spend time with our daughter, SIL, and of course, the grandson for Christmas. The bad thing about this is that we miss out spending Christmas with our son and his wife. They spent it at her parent's house, though, so they weren't alone. We had a blessed time with Jen and her family. Love seeing the joy and thrill in Jackson's eyes when he opens gifts and then sees what Santa brought him. He received a new bike and helmet for Christmas. He was thrilled. That is what he asked Santa for, so he was so excited! He rode it several times that day, and Jen said they had to ride bikes yesterday while we were on our way home. It is a cool Hot Wheels bike and his helmet has rubber things that look like a spiked mo-hawk. He looks "cool" in it. I am thankful for the time we got to spend with them and for a safe trip home.

I am sew ready to get back to sewing! I am thankful that I have the time to sew and quilt. I either never had the money, or I didn't have the time to sew until the past two years. I am thankful that I have been blessed to donate several quilts, to make a few smaller quilts for children and Jackson. The biggest quilt I have made so far is the Desert Mirage that is presently on our bed. I have been blessed to make my first Crazy Shortcut quilt for a client/friend. I am to the putting it together stage with sashing and then bind it. I have also been blessed with the opportunity to make her two crazy quilt pillows using all kinds of embellishments. I am excited about trying my hand with these. I will add to me project goals page within the next week or so of what I want to accomplish in 2013 with the Lord's help.

-I am thankful for my husband and what he means to me. I am thankful for the time we spend together and that God has blessed us with over 34 years of marriage.
-I am thankful for my children and their spouses. I am thankful for their love.
-I am thankful for my grandson. He is our only grandchild at the moment. He is so precious to DH and I. We love him so much!!! He is a blessing.
-I am thankful for my extended families. My DH has two brothers and their families. Love them! I am have thankful for my sister and two brothers and their families. None of them will know how much they mean to me.
- I am thankful for the two aunts and uncle I have left on my side of the family. They are all elderly and not in good health. Love them so much and pray for them often.
- I am thankful for all the cousins I have. We don't get together as much as we did as kids, but I love them so much!
- I am thankful for our puppies. I've missed them while we were gone for Christmas and ready to go pick them up! 
- I am thankful for a roof over my head and a car to drive. I am thankful for food on my table. Even if I fuss about washing dishes, I am thankful for those, too. LOL

I think I will stop for now. I pray you will take the time to count your blessings. We are approaching a new year in just a few days. Let us put God first this year and watch His blessings unfold.

God Bless you,
Teresa

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

http://tablet-of-android.blogspot.com

To you and yours from
The Nance Family

Merry Christmas Eve!!!

Have you been good all year? Tonight is the night Santa visits your house! Yes, I know Jesus is the reason for the season, but Santa also is a special icon for Christmas. Love the spirit of Christmas and how we do the best we can to show love to one another. Remember the less fortunate!

Can't wait to see what Santa is bringing our grandson!!!

May God Bless each and everyone of you!

Teresa

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! I am spending time with family, but want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!!! Remember Jesus was born and is the reason for this beautiful season!!! Be kind, and love one another!

Teresa

What Does Christmas Mean to You?

As we approach Christmas, I was sitting here wondering what Christmas means to me. I thought I would ask you this question to.

Christmas is:
1. The birth of my Lord and Savior
2. family- husband, children, children's spouses, and especially my grandson. I also include my siblings and extended family.
3. Friends- I have made many new friends in the past couple of years since I started quilting. Friends on Facebook are included here. I have met a few of them in person, but have become as close as I can to others online.
4. Kindness- some people are more kind and loving during this time of the year than any other time. That is sad, but it is true.
5. Love- for all
6. Food- my hubby's wonderful ham he cooks each year; carrot cake with pineapple, nuts, and raisins added in that our daughter wonderfully makes; pickle/olive plate; pecan pies. Those are our mainstays on Christmas Eve.


These are a few that came to mind as I contemplated what Christmas means. Until this year, Christmas also meant stress about getting the family gifts. What to get, money to get them something, how much to get, making sure we spent about the same amount on each child, etc. But this year, we got the k ids the same thing for the couples together. We were able to get our grandson something he really wants, too. We haven't gotten each other something, but you know what? It is okay. We both need a pair of shoes, so we will probably get those for ourselves. Our money is tighter this year than it ever has been, but God has blessed us so much in the past year that the "not much money" is okay with me. I am learning a lot about myself and our lives together during these times. We lean on the Lord and each other.We are blessed to be celebrating our 36th Christmas together.

Now, it is your turn. Tell me what Christmas means to you. Is it giving and getting presents? Is it celebrating the birth of Jesus?  What does it mean to YOU?

Newtown, Connecticut

My heart is broken tonight over the senseless killing of twenty precious children and the adults.I do not understand why anyone would do this. I believe God is big enough that we can ask WHY? I know. I've been taught not to ask God Why? But, I believe His heart is broken, too. In respect and condolence, this page will go silent for the weekend. Please pray for these precious families.



I borrowed this photo from Facebook posting.

I Can't Believe It is Almost Christmas!

Good morning! At least it is good, because I am alive and up. I am praying you are all well and ready for Christmas!!! We are getting close. It will be here before we know it, then be gone again in a flash. Have you ever realized how hyped we get and work so hard getting just the right present for everyone, and then Christmas comes and is gone so fast? I have. It just doesn't seem right. LOL  I have always loved the Christmas season; lights, decorations, laughter, family time. But I love especially the reason for the season; my Lord and Savior. It is His birthday, and we should remember that. Our commercialism of Christmas has gone way overboard. They put out Christmas decorations earlier and earlier every year. One season runs into another so fast it makes my head spin. I wish you all the merriest of Christmases. Please spend time with family and enjoy the time you spend. Love your family. Before you know it someone will be gone.

Our son and daughter at his wedding this past spring.

Our awesome grandson

Since our children grew up, Christmas has never been the same. Then we were blessed with a grandson. Christmas was magical again. The main problem with it now is that he and his mama and daddy live 500 miles away from us. :-( It hurts his Papa and Mimi's feelings that we don't get to be with him any more than we do, but we understand why they had to move. Jobs are extremely important, you know. :-D

We love our children and their spouses and our grandson very much. God has richly blessed DH and me with them.



My December goals are to continue working on the crazy quilt I'm making for a sweet lady in Virginia. Now she has hired me to make two crazy embellished sofa pillows for her. Did I say that I've never done this type of craft before? Well, I haven't, but I have been buying some fabric pieces to make them out of and some wonderful things to with which to embellish them. I have also been blessed with friends who have given/donated lace, buttons and other doo dads to use. I am excited about trying this! I sure pray they turn out pretty.

I have finished a couple extra gifts, and still want to make a couple of things for Jackson. I turned in the black and white rag quilt to the person who will be donating them to the Ogden House in Guntersville, AL. I sure hope some teen enjoys it.

Well, I need your prayers. Some how I hurt my back last night changing clothes out of the washer to the dryer. I hurt all night and am hurting really bad right now. I know there isn't anything the doctor can do, so I guess I will take pain medicine and try to deal with it. Please say a prayer for me.

We also have some friends from church we attended in Dothan, whose baby was born with her intestines up in her lung cavity through a hole in her diaphragm. She has been in Children's Hospital in Birmingham ever since she was born a few weeks ago. She has been on a heart/lung machine, and has a lot of other issues. The doctor's told them on Tuesday to prepare to take her off the machine, that she has been on there longer than is safe. Please pray for a miracle to take place in this baby's life. If not, comfort for the family. Thank you in advance.

Have a blessed remainder of the week and weekend.
Teresa