Gratitude

Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.  Everything we do should be a result of our gratitude for what God has done for us.  That is a powerful statement. 

Everyday we are reminded how blessed we are to live in a country with freedom.  As I sit and contemplate on the blessings in my life I am filled with gratitude for everything that God has given me.  Today and tomorrow Roger and I are compiling a list of all the things we have to be thankful for.  I encourage everyone to do the same.  When problems arise it is always easy to get down and waller in the pitty of a situation.  But when you stop and remember all of the blessings that the Lord has bestowed up you it is hard to stay defeated. 

May God continue to bless each of you during the holiday season.  May you have many, many hours of peace pursuing your Quilting passion!
Happy Quilting,
Shelia

3:00 in the Morning

I've been up since 3:00 this morning.  Awoke at 2:00 with a bad headache so I chose to get up and take some excedrin so I didn't keep Roger awake tossing and turning.
Around 4:00 I was feeling better, but wide awake.....so I've been working on my Quiltville mystery challenge.  I started going through my 2-inch strips to find the pink and green needed for part one of the mystery.

I then started sewing as instructed pink/green/pink strip sets.  Now I am cutting some of the sets into 2-inch sections.

This is going to be a fun challenge and hopefully I will be able to stay pretty close to the clues being posted.....we'll see as the weeks go by.  Mom is coming today and bringing some of her pinks & greens so we can start on her sets also.
Happy Quil

Delicious Soup Recipe

Several months ago I fixed Taco Soup for my bee girls.  Everyone has asked for the recipe and I just kept forgetting to send it out.  So here it is. 

TACO SOUP

*2 pounds ground beef

*1 large onion, chopped

*1 can pinto beans

*1 can whole kernel corn, drained

*1 can stewed tomatoes-mexican style

*1 can Rotel tomatoes (I used mild)

*1 pkg. taco seasoning mix

*1 pkg. original hidden valley ranch dressing (dry)

*2-1/2 cups water or more, to make soup broth

*optional ingredients for serving:  Sour Cream, Shreaded cheese and Taco Chips

Preparation:

Brown ground beef and onions in a large pan, drain off fat.  Add remaining ingredients and simmer for an hour or so.  When ready, serve in big soup bowls, top with a dollop of sour cream and shreaded cheese if you like.

You can  also have a skillet of hot corn bread or taco chips to eat.  I served with taco chips and everyone loved it.

Since I have decided to use my stash this year for quilting I am going to do Bonnie Hunter's new mystery quilt. 

Roll Roll Cotton Boll

You can pop over to http://www.quiltville.com/ to get the directions.  She has just put out the instructions and part 1.  It also uses my favorite color "pink".  Wonder what it will be when it grows up into a quilt?????

Roger and I are working on our goals for 2011 and reviewing the goals that we set for 2010.  I've always been a big believer in setting goals, writing them down and keeping them in front of you so you can stear your way to accomplishing them. 

Hope all of my bee girls are having a great week quilting.  Looking forward to our next meeting.  Until next time........

Happy Quilting,
Shelia

Happy Birthday To My Sweetie

Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband Roger.  I am looking forward to many more special days together.  Enjoy your cherry pie!!  I am so blessed to have you in my life.

Some of the Menopause challenge quilts are on display at the http://www.quiltersofsc.org/  website.  Go on over and look at the president's challenge quilts.  Some are so funny!!  My 7 menopause dwarfs is one of the challenge quilts on the site.  I am always amazed at how everyone interprets each challenge and  menopause was a great one.

I haven't had a lot of time to quilt this week as work as been H*******!!  Hopefully next week will turn out a lot better. 

Happy Quilting,
Shelia

Back Relief

The Versa Disk is one of the best purchases I have made.  Not only does it keep your "butt" from totally going numb while you sew and quilt, it helps with back pain.  I was reminded how great this disk was at bee last week when Susan told me that her mother had hurt her back and was now using the disk all the time to help with pain.

I first learned of this from a vendor at our quilt show.  I noticed she was sitting on a blue disk and I asked her about it.  She then demonstrated how it helped her keep her posture and cushioned her buttocks when sitting for long periods of time.  I loved it.  The disk sits in your chair, since it is air filled it moved you side to side or front to back helping take pressure off of the muscles supporting your spine.  The cushion also relieves pressure off your coccyx (tail bone).   I purchased one as a gift for each of my quilt bee buddies, my mom and Susan's mom for each of us to use at our State Quilt Retreat in 2009.  We all loved how much it helped while we sewed all day.  It's a good thing!
If you attend classes or sit for long periods of time, you too may love this item.  You can purchase them at http://www.power-systems.com/ .  It is called  a Versa Disk.  It retails for less than $30 with shipping.  Well worth the investment!

Last night at our Quilt Guild meeting we had Dixie Haywood as our speaker.  She did a wonderful trunk show.  She has been quilting for more than 30 years.  Her work was beautiful.  Below are some of the quilts she brought, no way I could take pictures of all of the beautiful quilts she showed.  (I was so in awe of the beautiful quilts I kept forgetting to take pictures!)

Hope you have a great quilting day!
Shelia

Election Day

VOTE

Today is Election Day across the country.  Don't forget to go VOTE and let your voice be heard.  Roger and I are off to vote at 7 am when the polls open, then off to work.  Thankfully my night coordinator is staying over for me so I can vote.  When you work 7a-7p it is hard to be able to get to the polls and vote.
Happy Quilting,
Shelia