Our Busy Life

Georgi is in first grade and is sharpening her reading skills. I take it from her smile that she comprehends what she is reading. She didn't know I was taking this picture.

Recent visitors in our home were our neighbors, Nathan & Amanda Cronkleton and family.

Kirby had his 9th birthday.

He did a great job serving his own cake.

The Mustard Seed Handbell Choir gave a delightful program for the MQA attendees at a recent meeting.

We are getting a new roof put on the house.

Tim demonstrates how his handy gadget bends the metal just right.

This machine cuts the metal for length, creases or folds it just right, and makes holes in it for the screws.

We are glad to have Magnum Metals close by to do the work for us.

Here the slat comes from the machine ready to be put on the roof.

We were blessed to have my cousin Kathy and Steve Rhodes stop in for a short visit.

Some people think that Kathy and I resemble each other.

Amy and Ashton

Lee Hilty with his dog Bernie. I really like Bernie's disposition.

David Jenkins is one of our landlords. He enjoys coming for pizza when he is around.

Quinten & Evie and family.

Joel & Sheila and family.

En Provence Finale

This is my version of Bonnie Hunter's mystery quilt "En Provence." I finished sewing all the blocks together recently at our annual Heatwole Sewing Retreat.

My sisters Emily and Polly and a friend Queena also joined in the fun of making "En Provence."

It's so neat seeing how the same pattern looks with different fabrics.

And now I'm already looking forward to next year's mystery quilt.

Some Highlights of Our Heatwole Sewing Retreat

I love being with my family.
We sure missed Sheila ...

... and our sister-in-law Cheryl joined us later for a couple days.

Mother and Polly worked with color and value on this project. For most of mothers life she has been an artist painting with oils. Polly heard her say several times that she sure was enjoying this layout of color.

Then Polly worked all day making blocks for this quilt.

Our sewing space was simply amazing. Lots of room to spread out.

Mother is telling a great granddaughter Dori the story of the time she worked in a sewing factory on a fast machine and after going home she sewed over her finger with her momma's slow sewing machine.

Here's a finish. Emily's Moo Cow.

I made this quilt for a grandson Josiah and have blocks for another grandson Bryce.

This one has a modern feel to it.

June did a lot of hand sewing on this heirloom quilt that was started years ago by her husbands relative.

Coleen's project was to put the finishing touches on her velvet pillows. Mother did the piecing years ago and Coleen did the fancy stitching and is making them into pillows.

Afton was a trouper making this from start to finish. She even wanted to quilt it but didn't have a backing.

Her momma Jolene's final creation.

Cheryl made this stunning quilt from a layer cake packet. Love it.

This quilt is for a competition coming up soon. I call it "Summer's Heat."

Trip to Sarasota ... Continued

I always enjoy watching the quilts sell at the Haiti Benefit Auction. So often they just don't bring what I think they are worth.

The folks from Meigs, GA made blooming onions for lunch.

We left after lunch and went to Sarasota Jungle Gardens.

We ... being Paul and me, ...

... my cousin Ann Marie and Adan, and ...

... my sister Coleen and Glen.

The flamingos were so pretty and would eat right out of our hands. Wouldn't it be wonderful if they could survive on our pond?

And I loved the beautiful colors of the parrots...

... but wasn't too fond of all these alligators!

The walk through the gardens was also pretty.

And then it was time to head on up the road. Paul and I chose to travel along the coast just west of Tampa crossing the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

We stopped at Treasure Island, walked out onto the beach, and watched the kites for a while.

And then it was time to head on north for home.