~ From Fabric to Fabulous ~

My sweet mother is an expert seamstress.

You name it, and she's made it.

Her latest interest is baby quilts.

I don't have any grandchildren yet, but since life is uncertain,

I wanted to be sure and have something that my mother made,

should the glorious day ever arrive that I become a grandmother.

And that's why I purchased these fabrics and gave them to Mother.

And this is what she did with them.

Magic.

The flannel and fleece are dreamy soft.

This ready-made panel was finished off with white fleece.

Perfect.

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This post is part of Susan's popular Metamorphosis Monday.

What It Cost

While in Arlington National Cemetery last year, I captured the above sobering sight. It reminded me again that freedom is never free.

This small monument appears in a park in Beaumont, Texas.

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Our ultimate freedom required the ultimate sacrifice.

This weekend, I'm thinking of those who put it all on the line, so I could live free.

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This post is part of the Spiritual Sunday collection.

For more inspirational readings and photographs, visit Charlotte and Ginger.

Photo of crucifixion, Photobucket

Home is ... stuff on the walls

I've always been a gal who loves simple things... and if they're old, well, that makes them even better.

I'm joining in with Sandy at Reluctant Entertainer (a fabulous place to visit) for her weekly series, "Home is..." Today, it's all about stuff on the walls. Instead of wearing you out by showing you every wall in my humble abode, I'm just showing a few of my favorites... and explaining why.

You're probably wondering, What is that? Well, it hangs in my family room and it is, apparently, a sock holder. My husband's grandmother stitched this and there are actually little pockets where socks could be placed, but it was probably more for "show" than anything else. It's old and I love it.

Also in my family room is this built-in bookshelf. Up top, it holds a visual reminder of what I need to do every day, and those scrapbooks and photo albums? They represent a lifetime with The Man and my wonderful daughter and family. There are 29 albums. I didn't plan it, but that's one for every year we've been married. I'm starting book #30 this week, just in time for our 30th anniversary in August. The family photographs on the lower shelf remind me of what's important.

In the kitchen, there's a coffee theme. I love coffee!

My guest bedroom is my "old" room. On this particular wall are five generations. One of these days, I will post about my ancestors shown here. Fascinating history. (The couple in the oval frame ... that's my mom and dad.)

In my book, a home is not a home without stuff on the walls.

God's Message in the Sky

One evening, feeling anxious and longing for solitude, I stepped out into a quiet October night and walked to the towering pine tree in my front yard. Slumping down onto the cool ground, I pulled my legs close for warmth. Overhead, the sky stretched wide like a dark blue umbrella, as sounds of the night swirled around me.

The past few months had been filled with unspeakable sadness. People I loved were in serious trouble. Many days found me unable to stop crying. Some days I found myself bargaining with God. If you’ll fix this, God, I’ll never ask for another thing.

But it appeared that the heavens were brass.

I’m not sure what I expected on this particular night, but as I sat there, an urgency consumed me. I had to know that God was still out there, listening. I felt I could not go on another day without some kind of sign.

Where are You, Lord? I said, my words coming out in desperate sobs. Please! I need to know you are with me, in all of this turmoil and grief. I need to know that you hear me. Can you hear me, God?

My frantic plea floated across the lawn and faded into the night as I waited, anxious for a sign. A bird singing. A wind-chime catching the breeze. Something indicating that God had heard me.

But there was only silence of the deepest kind.

With a heavy heart, I leaned back against the trunk of the pine and closed my eyes, letting the tears run down my face and onto the ground. I don’t remember how long I sat there, but I will never forget what happened next.

When I opened my eyes, there, suspended in the blue heavens directly in front of me, framed perfectly between the branches of a neighbor's tree, was what appeared to be the biggest diamond I have ever seen.

An enthusiastic observer of the heavenly bodies, I knew immediately that it was the magnificent Venus. I’d seen Venus many times before and it’s never failed to thrill me. Though it’s often called the morning and evening “star,” Venus is not a star at all. Venus is a planet—the most brilliant planet in the solar system; so brilliant it can often be seen in daylight hours.

Had I been sitting a foot to the left or to the right, I would have missed it altogether, but there it was—Venus, flickering and sparkling in a stunning display of colors. Its light entered my grief and took my breath away.

I knew it was God’s personal gift to me on this evening, because, for the first time, in a long time, I felt Him there, filling the vast space around me. And I sensed that He was reassuring one of his despondent children: I am here, dear child. Morning and evening, I will always be here.

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Photo of Venus; source unknown.

This post is part of the "Spiritual Sunday" collection, hosted by Ginger and Charlotte, and the "Tuesdays Unwrapped" crowd, hosted by Emily.

A version of this story appears in the book, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Devotional Stories for Tough Times.

Home is ... an old quilt

This quilt is at least 86 years old. It is one of the oldest things in my possession, although it’s not alone, as I am blessed to have a number of old things (including other quilts) that I consider family heirlooms. None of the items I have are worth all that much, but they’re priceless in my eyes.

This quilt was made by my great-grandmother (my mother’s father’s mother... how’s that for confusing?). Her name was Edna Earl, but she was called Kate (pictured on the right in the photograph below, with her sister). She made this quilt and gave it to her son (my grandfather) and her new daughter-in-law (my grandmother) the first winter after their marriage in 1924. It was a custom back then. If your son or daughter got married, you gifted the newlyweds with a quilt for their first winter together. I must say I rather like that cozy custom.

As you can imagine, after years and years of use, this quilt is not in pristine condition, but I like that even more. I adore things with a rich history. The idea of my grandparents using this quilt in the early years of their marriage, then wrapping their two children up in it (one of them being my mother), or making a pallet for a sleeping toddler, perhaps, fills me to the brim with warmth.

Although I handle it carefully, the quilt is still being used today. Right now, it's draped across one of my sofas, just waiting for me to gather its softness around me as I seek out a bit of comfort on some rainy evening.

In my opinion, an old quilt is the perfect definition of "home."

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I'm sharing this post as part of Sandy's weekly Home is ... series.

The Graduate

On Saturday, I watched my beautiful niece graduate from University of St. Thomas, with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. As the graduates stood in line to receive their diplomas, I snapped this photograph from way up in the bleachers. The quality is fuzzy, but I know which one she is and when I look at this picture, I think of all the time and effort that she spent, reaching for this particular moment in time... and I am so proud of her for sticking with it, even when it required long nights and late hours.

Hearing my niece's name being called, and seeing her walk across the stage, is a gift I will always cherish.

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Do you have a special moment to share? I'm linking up with Emily today for Tuesdays Unwrapped.

Home is ... being with those I love on Mother's Day

We chose to avoid the Sunday rush and celebrate Mother's Day on Saturday. And since I'm pretty much spoiled all year, I chose to eat at Cheddar's. It's a nice place, cheap prices, good food, and close to home.  See how easy I am to please? The daughter (and the boyfriend) blessed me with wonderful gifts.

I missed seeing my beautiful mother on Mother's Day, but she was out of town helping old friends celebrate 50 years of marriage. I had a piece about her in the Beaumont Enterprise (Mom's hometown newspaper) on Sunday, and I know she will love it. Like the typical mother, she's my biggest fan, and I hers.

Me and The Man

 

The daughter and the boyfriend

 "A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path."
~ Agatha Christie

Me and my homies

I can't imagine life without them, and pray I never have to.

They are truly the wind beneath my wings.

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I'm linking up for the first time with Sandy's weekly Home is ... series.

There's A New Girl In Golf ~ Outdoor Wednesday

I've never had the slightest interest in playing golf. The Man has played for a number of years (that's him above), and much more since retiring in 2008. On occasion, he has mentioned that I should at least "give it a try." His conclusion being, "You never know what might happen."

So on Monday, I decided to see what would happen. At the driving range, The Man purchased me a cute little glove that I was to wear on my left hand.

He bought a bucket of balls and handed me his club known as the "driver." He placed a ball on a tee and I addressed the ball, per his instructions. What a nice surprise when I actually made contact with the ball. It didn't go all that far (upper body strength is not something I have a lot of), but The Man provided great tutorial, which I tried really hard to understand and carry out.

After the first day at the driving range, The Man said, "Let's go buy you some clubs." I assured him his thinking was premature, but when he gets his heart set on something, well, there's just no talking him out of it, so away we went.

We left the store with a lovely set of reasonably-priced golf clubs (complete with golf bag), some delightful pink and purple golf balls, and a pair of those not so pretty shoes, although The Man insisted they looked "really cute" on me.

Yesterday was Day 2 at the driving range. The Man wanted me to try out all of the various clubs that looked so pretty sitting in my new golf bag.

 

 

He bought a bucket of balls for me and a bucket for him. I tried out all of the clubs, including the cute putter below. (It's too bad you can't tell the balls are purple. And yes, that's my shoe.)

Overall, I had some okay strokes and some not-so-okay strokes (that's me below), but The Man is convinced that, with enough practice, I can only get better. At least one of us is hopeful. In the meantime, it's been a lot of fun.

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I'm joining Susan's party today.

Click over to see more Outdoor Wednesday offerings.

 

 

Happy Mother's Day

A mother is a mother still, the holiest thing alive.

~ Samuel Taylor Coleridge

This is one of my favorite childhood photographs of me (left), my mom, my big sis, and my twin sister. We weren't wealthy people, but we were rich in all of the things that matter.

Find piles of inspiration at Spiritual Sundays blog.

The Power of Flowers

The Man and I had a little spat. It wasn't a big one (in the last 30 years we've had plenty of those, too), but just enough of a spat to make you feel all icky inside.

We parted ways. He went to the grocery store (a wonderful trait about him) and I started a load of laundry.

An hour later, he walked in the door with these (another wonderful trait about him). He was sorry. I was sorry. All was forgiven.

Flowers make all things better, don't you think?

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Join Emily for more of "Tuesdays Unwrapped."