Hello again.  When I decided to try to make a quilt top each month, I had no idea that I would end up doing 4 in one month.  Actually, I thought I wouldn't even get any done in October but was I ever in for a surprise.  I am glad that I had enough kits precut that I had plenty to work with.  I still  have about 3 unsewn kits  in my stash, but I didn't feel up to tackling a Double Wedding Ring yet.

This first one is called Virginia Pinwheel.  Unfortunately, when I cut this one out, I hadn't learned the lesson that lavenders and blues do not create enough contrast to really appreciate the pattern.  Therefore, the pinwheels do not stand out.  (There are a couple of quilts that I'd like to "do over" and choose fabric that have a definite contrast.)  It still is a pretty quilt top and I am sure it will be very pretty when its quilted.

The last one I got the idea from Accuquilt.  They frequently have patterns featured and this one they used the Parallelogram die.  I am not sure if they had named it but theirs is a wallhanging in 2 colors.  I decided to make individual pinwheels in assorted colors.  I made each one different so it was like a jigsaw puzzle to put together but once I got the hang of it, it went fairly fast.  I had done most of it in one day but then today I decided to add another row on the bottom to make it fit a twin bed.  That took most of my day because I had to find scraps that matched the bottom row and do more cutting.  I was very pleased with the end results.

 

When Susana was out here, a friend gave us 2 pickup loads of apples.  We borrowed Herb Lattin's cider press and 2 of their children to help us.

It was cold and rainy so we set the press up here in the living room.  I am so glad for hardwood floors that clean up easily.    Amber and Abram had to leave after one day of cider making but we plugged on for the 2nd day.  We made about 70 gallons and decided we didn't have the stamina to do any more so gave the rest of the apples away.

Since Jonny has a broken leg, when we found a wheelchair for $20 at the local secondhand store I bought it.  Now the family has been having fun! 

In this picture Vernon is popping a wheelie with Kaity while is Abram playing with the other wheelchair that our neighbor loaned us. 

P.S.  Vernon usually is better at most things but I can pop wheelies better than he can!   (I am not sure if there are any pictures to prove it though.)

I had already done a lap quilt for October (in September) since we had planned to be gone this month.  Since God made it very clear that our trip was not in His plans at this time; I have been trying to recuperate.  I have not been able to do much these past 2 weeks so I've been able to finish 2 more of my quilt kits that I had cut out.

So, here are the results.  One is Queen and made with the skillions of little samples that I got from Good's Store for the Tropical Breeze fabric.  Most of those little samples were 2" x 2.5" so I cut them into 2 inch squares.  It took scads of them...over 1,000.  The solid white pieces are 5" squares so that will give you an idea of the size.  The picture didn't take as nice as I would've like.  I really would like a new camera!    Oh well, I think once its quilted it will be very nice.

Here is a close up:

The next one is another red, white and blue one.  If I don't soon get that fabric used up folks are going to accuse me of being patriotic.  I am not so much, although I do appreciate the privilege of living in the US, but I do love the colors together.  It is a twin size. I can't remember the name right now. Whoops, I didn't notice that this was blurry until now.  Either I need a new camera or need new glasses.  I believe I need both!  (Actually, I am surprised how well I can see out of this 7 or 8 year old glasses!) 

I have already started a new one.  It is a Virginia Pinwheel. 

I am quilting Kaity's little quilt but haven't done any for awhile as my right arm was too sore.  I hope to get that done yet this month if I can. 
I didn't realize how badly I was hurt in the wreck but I sure know that I am not as young as I used to be.  While Jonny is making big progress every day, I am still limping about clutching my sore back or stomach; whichever is hurting the worst at the moment.  I had a rough night last night..I finally took some pain pills this morning.  It even hurts to sit.  I have some rolled vertebrae, and maybe some twisted muscles in my stomach.  The chiropractor believes my pubic bone may have separated too.  It feels like it.  I just pray that it won't last for years.  I do want to thank God for His protection and my friends for their prayers.  

Now, I wonder how many October quilts I will actually get done! 

Here is more pictures of our van and other stuff.

  My glasses went flying.  Fortunately, I have some from years gone by to use.The ill-fated cake plate!

Another shot at the scene.  Officer, Vernon and Marvin talking to Jonny.

Left front fender and light.

Interior from 2nd bench seat where Jonny and I were seated.  The cake hit the seat first and then the ceiling.

Picnic stuff.

Blood from Jonny's nose.  He went through this window onto the ground.

Left side.  Looks like it rolled on the nose mostly.

Vernon was in the front passenger seat.

How did Vernon escape with only a bruise and a scraped elbow??!!

Driver's seat.

See the cake splatters?

More cake splatters. 

Must've gone out the driver's window.

Now, how did the left side of the van escape any injury?  It doesn't look as if it was ever in a wreck!

Kaity's sweater and shoes.  Mostly cake and icing.  Her shoes are yellow from the cupcakes.

Jonny still has to do school.  Math U See.

He is learning to motivate better each day.  We are so glad he is not in a body cast.

This is all folks.  Hope it wasn't too boring.  Have a good day. 

Since I had a birthday yesterday, Vernon invited Ted Miller's family to join us for a picnic at the ski slopes at Christy Mountain.  We had an enjoyable time together as we always do.  We parted company around 4 as Ted's had to do chores.  We also had communion scheduled last night....having the feet washing in the morning.  I was thinking that I'd have a little time for a nap before leaving for church.

Well, we went south at Bruce on E and over on P and Ted's continued on 8 through Ladysmith.  Both of our families were wondering if we would met each other at the intersection of P and 27.  We didn't as God planned something else for our family. 

About 2 miles west of the intersection, Vernon saw a deer in the field to the right of us and was pointing it out when Tiana got distracted and left the road.  I think if she would've just driven straight on, we wouldn't have rolled, but she tried to get it back onto the road, ending up rolling us 2x.  It landed almost right side up with the right side about 3/4 over.  Most of us either fell out or crawled out the broken windows.  I was strapped in the middle of the second bench seat and know I didn't hit anything while rolling. 

Rose had made a cake for me and I was holding that in my lap.  It apparently flew out of my grasp and up and out the driver's window.  There is cake and whipped cream all over the driver's door inside and out.  Vernon and Kaitlyn was splattered with cake too.  Weird isn't it?  I got some bad cuts on my forehead and right arm and I feel its from the cake plate.

Jonny fell out when the van stopped and the impact broke his right femur.  He was transported to Marshfield for surgery and will have 3 nails put in to keep the bones together.  He will need to be there until at least Friday.  But this way he won't be in a body cast.  He's in a lot of pain.

I am not sure how I ended up getting hurt the worst but the seat belt did a number on me.  I am dreadfully bruised across the lower abdomen and hips.  I think the seat belt was trying to cut me into half!!!

As some of you know, our family has been facing some fiery trials from the devil.  I had been praying that God would do anything that would help in this situation...so I really feel this is answer to my heart's cry.  Please pray that this will be a positive experience for us. 

One thing for sure, its answer to our prayers about driving our van to Guatemala in the next week or so.  :-S

Today, we are just trying to rest up from our traumatic experience.  It is something that I hope never to experience again but I was amazed that I didn't panic when it happened.  I knew God was with us!  What a calming thought.  Also, for the record, there was no time to beg God for forgiveness for anything....had anyone of us died it would've been so final.

We appreciate you prayers on our behalf.  Thanks,

 

Some of you knew that we are planning to go to Guatemala for a visit.  We had planned to leave around the 19th of Sept. but with Darlene Kauffman's death we postponed it.  Now our date is Oct. 3.  If God doesn't put another roadblock in our way. 

So in anticipation of this trip, I did my October project.  This one is Plaid Lap Robe from Creative scraps: Quilting with Bits & Pieces  (House of White Birches).  This one is for paper foundations but after trying one block or triangle in this case, I decided I wasn't comfortable with that method so I made templates and cut them out with the rotary cutter.   It is smaller than I had anticipated.  42" x 48".  Interesting but I doubt that I'll ever do another one. 

Have a good Lord's Day tomorrow.  I am supposed to teach Sunday School so I hope I am over the flu by then. 

When we got the phone call that Darlene (Mrs. Harold) Kauffman had passed away at MAM headquarters early Wed. morning, Sept.14th, I had trouble believing it was for real.  We ladies sat around after church discussing funeral plans as far as the meals went, but no one mentioned lodging for anyone.  Once the viewing and funeral plans were tentatively made, phone calls began pouring in.

So, without really delegating a lodging committee, I became it by default.    First, Stephan Gingerich called from Guatemala to see if it would suit for his parents, Mark and Norma to stay with us while they were up for the funeral.  Would it????!!!!! I would've been dreadfully disappointed had they not come here and it pleased me to know that they requested to stay with us.

I called to Maryland and talked with Mama Doris and told her to plan to stay here if she could come.  It wasn't long until Sharon Eby, also from MD called to see if it would suit us for her and Duane to stay here.  Sure.  

Then, it was Verton and Anne Miller from Arkansas.  But they weren't sure if they were coming so I wasn't to save space for them.  OK.  Who's next? 

Sharon called back and said that Ian and Dorcas Alpires from Salisbury, Md was coming too.  Now problem.  Still had enough beds. 

Vernon called Melvin Kuepfer from Ontario and told him he was welcomed to stay here.  I thought he could sleep in Marv's bed.  

Next, Mark's daughter Sarah called and she planned to come and surprise her parents.  Now, how could I even think of placing her anywhere but here?  Sarah and Janelle

It seemed I barely had time to put the phone down when Edgar Frey's wife Sadie called and said that they were bringing Melvin plus Mervin Kuepfer, Elizabeth Weber and Katie Jantzi.  

Ohhh---I couldn't say no to Mervin....he is a very special person to our family.  He and his wife Norma, spent 3 months in Novillero with us in 1997, encouraging us when we were at a point of discouragement.  He could sleep in Marv's room too.  And..... Elizabeth, Mark's youngest sister.....she's been my friend since we were about 10 years old.  She HAD to stay here too.    I decided that we were full up so the others could stay with Ted Miller's.

I had just made those arrangements when Leighton Zook's wife called and said that they were bringing Mark's oldest son, James and his wife Sylvia.  Oh my, Leighton has been one of Marvin's good friends since Leighton's served at MAM in the mid '90's.  Also, there was James'....no way could they be parceled out to another place.      James, Silvia, Sharon and Norma

But, I was running out of room!  Then Sharon called and said that Wilmer Lehman was with them.  So, Marv's room was filled and he took the couch.  Actually, he usually does anyway. 

Wilmer and Mark

I called John and JoEllen Weaver who gladly hosted the Zooks.  Leighton's parents, Tim and Kathy came down and joined them there and we also sent Ian's over there too.

Last of all, Verton's called and needed a bed too.  I called a couple other places but it didn't suit them so we quickly cleaned up Jonny's old bedroom downstairs and took a bed down and fixed up one more bedroom. 

Mark's and Verton's came Saturday and the rest on Sunday afternoon.  Duane's load arrived just as we were returning from the fellowship meal at church.  I served supper to our guests and we all enjoyed our mini MAM reunion.  Some of these people we hadn't seen for years!

By the way, Norma shared what on her heart to the ladies' SS class, Verton had the men's class and Mark preached so we all got a break. 

The viewing was held at Shiloh Sunday evening, although it was nip and tuck for the body to arrive, what with Independence Day in Guatemala and getting the body released from the Airport, etc.  The family couldn't just take the casket, it had to be released to a funeral home before it could leave the airport in Chicago.  Its a good 6 hours from here to Chicago and the body wasn't released until 10 AM.  The funeral home here in Ladysmith had to give another funeral home the authority to get the body.  Red tape.

It drizzled all day Sunday but Monday dawned clear and absolutely gorgeous.  After a breakfast of pancakes, lil smokies, bacon and juice...(and of course, the Guatemalan coffee) we all headed over for the funeral.

Ted Miller moderated, Victor Ovalle had devotions, and Phil Wenger (Harold's granddaughter's husband who is a minister at Beloit, WI) preached.  Another grandson-in-law Ezra Martin lead the singing.  Then, Mark, Duane, Melvin, and Urie Sharp gave short talks.  Oh yes, Harold also got up and spoke too.

It was a very nice service and we were glad to see so many people we knew.  Juan and Luky Ovalle, Luky's sister, Flor and Freddy, Lloyd Mast's, Tim Korver's,  oh there were many. 

Mark's were the only ones to stay over last night.  They left this morning after we served breakfast to them, Harold and Victor.  They took Victor along with them to Beloit to make connections to the O'hare Airport tomorrow morning.  We enjoyed every minute of our time together.  But after they left and the weather became cloudy and drizzly again, suddenly I realized that I was exhausted.  I actually took 2 naps today!  I must've been running on adrenalin. 

Someone said something about us being about to host 15 people and my reply was that I'd rather be on the lodging committee anytime than to be on the food committee.  Now, THAT would scare me! 

PS.  Just for your info....Marv and Jonny slept on couches, Vernon and I in Lavina's room and the girls camped out in the semi.

Maybe I can add photos later.

 

Well, I am here again, trying to post yet another blog.  As usual, my mind isn't really in gear to put together a nice interesting post.  I'll try my best but am not going to guarantee anything.  I do hope that I don't bore you.

Since I knew that we were planning a trip to Guatemala next month, I thought I'd better be cranking out my September's Quilt this month.  So, I grabbed the last kit that I'd cut.  This one is called "Scrappy Stars" from A Treasury of Scrap Quilts by Nancy J. Martin.  I decided to do a lavender and purple version of that one.  The original was 60" x 60" but I used 3 and 1/2" squares instead of 2 and 1/2" that the pattern called for.  Also I did 20 blocks instead of 16.  Now, I have a queen sized quilt.  It went together very fast and I got it done in 3 days.  As usual, Vernon and I disagreed on its beauty.  I love scrappy quilts (which is a good thing since I have all those scraps left over from the store and our dresses) while he prefers only 2 or 3 fabrics in a quilt.  He thinks this is too busy.  I had thought it wasn't too bad since I only used lavender and purple.   Oh well, we do agree on the comfort of the the quilts after they are finished and on the bed.

Vernon announced yesterday that he wants to leave on Monday.  I am glad to finally have a tentative date to shoot for but suddenly I feel a little panicky.  There is so much to do before then. 

Our neighbor gave me 6 Walmart bags full of cucumbers on Sat.  I started a batch of the cinnamon ring pickles but that takes nearly a week from start to finish.  Today, I did a batch of relish but decided there was no way I could do them all so called Gary Bear's girls and asked if they could use them to sell at Farmer's Market.  So glad they did. 

Now our older girls and Jonny are picking the apples on the next lot.  It is an old tree that belongs to the village.  When we moved here I thought they were crabs but the children assured me they were sweet and delicious.  We have been pruning the tree and making applesauce for the last 4 years.  This year, Vernon sprayed it and that took care of the worm problem.  I plan to thin the fruit and see if we can end up with bigger apples.  This year they are slightly larger than golf balls.  Some folks probably wouldn't bother but we really like the flavor of the applesauce it makes.  And the apples are free so that is a plus too!

Our Concord grapes are starting to ripen but will not be ready to pick for canning juice until after we leave.  I sure hope that Melisa will be able to take care of them for me.  I would hate to lose this crop.  I have been trying for 30 years to have my own grapes and finally I have some only to be gone when they are ready for harvesting.  I am sure there is at least 2 bushels of grapes hanging on.

I have started a list of things that need done before we go....that should help me stay focused.    We plan to be gone most of the month.  A Mexican bought a semi cab and is hiring Vernon to drive it to Mexico.  Our son who lives in Guatemala has a load of farm equipment to take down so we plan to take a loaded trailer on down for him.  

Today is Kendra Lily's 22nd birthday.  Wish we were already there to help her celebrate.  Our family's tradition is to have pizza, Root beer, Mt. Dew and Pringles for our birthdays.  I sent a can of Pringles, a small bottle of each of the pops with someone from Guatemala that was up for Mark Andrew's wedding.  At least she can have a Taste of Home for her birthday. 

Well, until next time, may God keep you all in His care.  Keep looking up!

We were invited to Rolette, ND for Mark Andrew Gingerich and Abigail Harlow's wedding on Aug. 19th. so we left Thursday morning for the first half of the LONG journey. 

                                                                          

                                                                                          Breakfast at Stauffer's

We spent the first night at Japheth and Aimee Stauffer's near Bemidji, MN.  We had first visited A Stitch in Time where he sells sewing machines and Handiquilters.  What a dream come true for me, I just love that type of store!

We left the next day for ND which is another 6 hour drive.  We were glad that the Stauffer's live half way up there so it broke up our trip into "do-able" sections. 

Jonny, of course, wanted to stay with them and skip the wedding.  He is at the age where weddings bore him and he thinks they are way too gushy.  At this wedding he blurts out during the ceremony: "At least they aren't gazing into each other's eyes!"  He can be sort of embarrassing at times.    This time, he went to get ready for the wedding only to discover that he lost his shirt at Japheth's and his pants were "high-water britches."  I am not sure if they belonged to the Stauffer's or not but I made sure we didn't bring them on home with us.

                              

We sure enjoyed seeing our Mennonite Air Mission friends again.  Mark and Norma were very much a part of our lives during our time there so we were very glad to see them again.  When Stephan found out it was Jonny's 9th birthday and gave him some money to buy ice cream for the family, I think Jonny was glad he had gone with us!

We spent the night at Merle and Doreen Beachy's whom I had known from Messiah Bible School days.  It was a surprise to learn that their son was married to Vernon's cousin's daughter.  Small world.

I say it is a small world but I found North Dakota too large.    Too flat and bleak for my liking.  I had to wonder why anyone would ever want to settle in a place that flat and devoid of trees.  I guess I like hills and trees although I don't like being crowded I do like have more people around.

There were fields of sunflowers and Abigail used them for her arrangements which were very pretty.

                            

                                                                                                                                                     

                                                    I just love the way the sunflowers were used in her arrangements.

 

Our second son was in the wedding party, first groomsmen after best man who of course was MA's brother Stephan.  Kaity was interested in seeing her big brother up front.  She even went up to the bridal table to join him from time to time. 

                                                                    

                                                        Don't get too close to a groom who has a mouse trap set in his salad! 

 

When the firecrackers began she was ready to retreat indoors.  They were too loud for her.

We learned one thing:  Take your camera's battery charger along!  I didn't think I'd need it and regretted that.  We had Kendra Lily's new camera too and didn't think to bring extra batteries.  Bummer.  We were without a camera for the rest of the trip.

After visiting more with the Gingerich family on Sat. we left at noon for Japheth's again.  We all enjoyed the ice cream sandwiches that Jonny bought for us all.

We enjoyed Sunday morning service at Kitchi Pines Mennonite church.  Arrived home at bedtime.  I think there is NO place like home!

                                                               

Now for my August quilt:  I found 22 Log Cabin quilt blocks at a yard sale.  I wasn't sure how to arrange them as there were the right amount to use them all.  I used 20 for a crib sized quilt and will use the other two for something else.  Makes me wonder who started it and what she had in mind.  I wonder if there were more pieces that got separated somehow.  I had looked around but didn't see anything of extra fabric so bought what I could find.

Also, while at Japheth's I've decided to do something that I've never done before.  He has a contest called Fall in the Northwoods.  I got 2 fat quarters that I must use in a quilt or wall hanging.  I thought I wouldn't be able to do it but when I found out I had until next July and I dreamed how I would do it, I decided to take the plunge.  Now, I have to see how it will go.  I can't wait to get started.  But right now I have a lavender quilt started that I need to finish before I'll let myself start it. 

In July I didn't get anything outstanding accomplished in the quilt top department but I did get a comfort top sewn together for the sewing circle.  These were 4.5" x 5" softique etc. samples from (the now defunct) Windsor Fabrics.  Beautiful prints but in softiques.. help!  I know, I know, I used to wear it and I even used to wear double knits too.   Oh groan!  Just the idea makes me overheat!    Anyway with about 5 large totes worth of polyester scraps I thought it was about time to do some more house cleaning in that department.  I think it will make a nice cozy comfort for someone.  

Life has been about as usual this past month.  Vernon's parents were up for the month to help Lily and Delvin on their house but we didn't get to see much of them as they were over an hour away.  They had planned to be with us every weekend but it ended up only being one for some odd reason.  Our children felt a bit jipped but we reminded them that Uncle Delvin's needed the help.  Sounds like the outside is all done, but there's still lots to do on the inside.

We spent July 4th up there with them and also with Japheth Stauffer's from MN.  We had a delightful time.  Japheth has a way of livening up things so with he and Uncle Delvin together we didn't lack for entertainment.  Of course, with their 7, Weaver's 10 and our 5 it was a 3 ring circus!

Another milestone was Vernon and my 30th anniversary on the 18th.

I know this post lacks inspiration.  There's not much else going on, just the usual: picking and canning greenbeans, canning cherries, sweeping, mopping....bathing Kaitlyn (she's one dirt magnet!)  but that's all so mundane so we won't even go there.

Maybe my next post will be more interesting.    In the meantime take care.  Keep looking up!

I decided to go ahead and finish this.  I was hoping to find the fabric white on white paisley that I ran out of but I didn't so I used a different pattern.

Its called Swirly-Gigs.

 

And here is my Rapunzel.  I took this photo when she was in the hospital.