Christmas Evening with the Grabers

We had a fun evening with the Grabers on Christmas Day.

With help from the adults, the children made and decorated pretzel log cabins.

It's so nice that Paul's folks are still able to be up and around and enjoyed the evening with us. Later in the evening we sat in a circle and sang gospel songs along with a few Christmas songs.

Joel provided deep fried hot poppers and cheese sticks.

Craig helped me cook taffy.

Graber Reunion

Life ...

We had a Graber Reunion this weekend at the school with around 75 in attendance.

Elizabeth & Maria Miller

Kelly kept the children entertained with her watches.

Sherri fixing poppers for the children.

Get ready, get set, shoot!

Jeanie sewed this comfort top together from Mom's scrap bag.

Miriam, Evie, Autumn, Josie, Bonnie

It wasn't long until we had it all completely tied.

Evie, Autumn, Maria, Josie, Elizabeth, and Dorcas

Frying fish and hush puppies for Saturday's supper.

Craig, Galen, Richard, Kevin, and Jason with Tina looking on.

I enjoyed the beautiful sunset as we drove home from all the activities of the day.

... as a Quilter

From this picture that I took of Paul's folks about a year ago ...

... I fashioned this 18"X15" quilt and gave it to them for her 80th birthday.

Sunrise Beauty, Picnic, Fixing the Pond, Grabers

Life ...

The beauty of the morning sky continues to enthrall me.

What does it matter if the landscaping grass becomes flattened and my best sofa pillow becomes soiled? Ashton, Georgi, and Talya had fun making their own little nests.

Paul pulled dirt and mud from the pond...

... and will pack it down along the banks to try and stop the leaking.

He was glad for a sandwich and Mt. Dew for a break.

At their suggestions and pleas, I fixed a picnic lunch for us.

A portion of Paul's family gathered at the school for a Thanksgiving lunch and fellowship.

Paul, Lois, Josie, Mark,

Rhoda, Mom & Daddy, Jeanie

Mom and Daddy with 20 of the 43 cousins that were present.

Thanksgiving Day

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. –Psalm 100:4

This morning the birds flocked around the house by the thousands.

There was only a small group of us Grabers together for lunch at Lanell & Rhoda’s.

This looks like a fun and easy way to farm.

I cleaned the counter tops in the sewing room getting ready for Bonnie Hunter’s mystery quilt, “Grand Illusion” which debuts tomorrow morning. I’m having second thoughts about my choice of pink fabric. I like the richer darker look, but I’m second guessing if it contrasts enough with the green and blue.

I wonder how many of you readers are joining in this year or just following along?

Quilts for Lois and Josey

Remember how the Graber ladies got together to celebrate Lois’ 60th and Josey's 40th?

I decided to make them each a small quilt.

I enlarged the pictures and tweaked them on the computer and then printed them onto fabric.

And then the stitching began.

Josey

Detail

Lois

Lois’ neck looked too fat and puffy so I added some stitched lines to slim her down!

 

Detail

The backs are labeled and finished with fast finished triangles and ready for hanging.

Visit other Friday Finishes at Quilt Matters.

      

Graber Ladies’ Outing

I went with Paul’s sisters and Mom to Fort Payne, AL for a weekend birthday celebration for Lois and Josey.

I just couldn’t obey the sign above the door.

We had brunch at Cracker Barrel and …

… then shopped at quite a few thrift stores. Josey is contemplating. Should I or shouldn’t I?

Yes, she did!

We stopped at Rainsville, AL to visit the man with over 2000 Purple Martin houses and confirmed 1067 pairs of nesting birds.

Most of the martins had already left for the winter.

Dorcas grilled steaks for our Saturday evening supper.

Happy Birthday to Lois and Josey.

 

On Sunday we took a drive up to Desoto State Park and passed this …

… church built into the side of a rock.

Dorcas briefs us on the A. A. Miller dam …

… and Desoto Falls. 

Hey Dorcas!

I’m so privileged to be part of Mom and her girls! We missed Miriam and Kathy.

Our Sunday morning church service consisted of singing.

We followed the Little Canyon River back south.

Mom and her daughters.

In birth order: Lois, Jeanie, Miriam, (Paul, Mark, and Timothy,) Dorcas, Rhoda, and Josephine

Sisters

~~~Parting Shot~~~