Romania

Recently Paul and I had a short trip to Romania.

At the Charlotte airport close to our gate I spied this kaleidoscope that kept changing with pictures that scrolled through the screens.

This sculpture was across the walkway from the gates.

The plaque summed up my feelings about the sculpture.

At the other end of the airport was a wall with live plants. A custodian told me that it takes 3 or so ladies 3 days a week to come in and keep up all the plants at the airport.

Romania

Sheep on the hillside with their shepherd.

I’m sure the electric company has men that know how to deal with all these wires.

Paul and Jon discuss geography.

We needed Cornelia to translate as we visited with Jon and Ana. Please pray for them as Ana has cancer.

We stopped at Gica & Maria’s for a visit. This emblem, a gift from their friend Willard, greeted us as we walked through the gate.

Gica & Maria

This is the time of year when a lot of people butcher a hog.

We stood and watched for quite some time as they singed the hair and skin with a torch and then scraped it clean.

We visited with Ada and Corina with her 2 boys.

Tibi and Marcella with their children. Their daughter Ester is having some health issues. Remember them in prayer.

We drove out to Ceregau and enjoyed the landscape as we went. Notice “Abraham’s well” on the left.

Gica and Maria pose in front of the house where she lived as a child.

The well and corn crib were essential for daily living. They kept the chickens behind those doors under the corn crib.

Small farms, chickens, and gardens are a way of life for the villagers.

Catching up on current events as they go.

Iosef & Cornelia, young Iosef and Lois

Paul shares a few words at …

… the Potter’s House.

Gabe, Anna Maria, and son.

Gabe’s parents, Daniel and Elena with his sister Dana.

I can see an art quilt.

I took a walk and met our neighbors, Alin and his wife Diana.

The youth share in the evening church service in Hapria.

Aden shared how God answered our prayers when we missed our flight in Munich.

Ann Marie, Cornelia, Jenny, and Paveluk’s wife (I’m sorry I forget her name.) help prepare a snack.

A small check point by the railroad from communist days.

Here she comes!

There she goes!

Aden & Ann Marie accompanied us on our trip. This is one entrance into the old fort in Alba Iulia.

We had an informal tour of the fort …

… and the orthodox church.

These pastors met in our living room to share about their lives and involvement in the Son Light Mission sponsorship program.

And then it was time to head back home.

Magnolia II

… as a Quilter

It’s time to begin my “real” Magnolia for our PTQ Ultimate Guild Challenge. You can see my first sample HERE.

Can you see a very faint sketch of the magnolia through the background fabric?

I cut out oblong shapes to fill the petals and now that I’ve placed them on the background fabric I think something needs to change.

The small oblong pieces were cut from the bottom fabric. It seems I need more contrast to make a distinction with the light and dark on the petals. Should I choose another fabric for the petals? Or for the background? Or both?

I hope you enjoy lots of inspirations at these creative links.

 

Christian Aid Ministries Guests

We had guests on Sunday for lunch from all over the US. These folks have come to help rebuild with Christian Aid Ministries in the Louisville, MS area where the tornado went through this spring.

Anthony Miller – Ohio, James and Joanne Lengacher – IN,  -- and Norma Schrock -- TN

Dennis, Donna, and Dawn Petre – AL

Marlin & Karen Eicher family – Sterling, Alaska
Dale, Rita, Judy, and Rose

Then for supper we had our children and their families in along with Larry and Joann Yost from Nebraska.

Darryl & Laura Schrock also came for one last time before moving to Detroit.

--Parting Shot--

Josiah had fun splashing and sloshing in spilled water.

Stitching – Bonnie Hunter’s Grand Illusion Mystery Quilt

With my sister Polly’s persuasion, I decided to join in the fun of making Bonnie Hunter’s mystery quilt, Grand Illusion this year.

I’ve thought long and hard about fabric selection considering the value of the fabrics along with the color. And yet, we don’t know how the quilt will end up so it’s hard to know which values to use. I guess it’s all part of the fun.

Bonnie posted the first clue on Friday and I’ve made 30 of the 100 broken plate blocks that are needed. Then I arranged them just so to get some sort of a design.

This is last year’s mystery quilt, Celtic Solstice, that Polly and I made. I love the way both of these quilts turned out in their own unique color ways, so different, and yet so alike!

You can find more inspiration at these linky parties.

 

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?