Potpourri Friday

Do we really have a three day weekend ahead? I have been looking forward to this for a LONG time! I plan to spend a great deal of it in my sewing room, finishing old projects and starting some new ones. And I love Monday mornings when I don't have to go to work. I don't ever sleep in because I don't want to lose one precious minute of a day off.

It will be quite a different weekend than last weekend - what a fun whirlwind it was. We had out of town guests whom we hadn't seen in a long time. It was so fun to visit with them. They were here bringing their daughter to college so they were busy too. We kind of passed coming and going, but we did get some good visits in. We also attended a 50th wedding anniversary party. I don't think we see too many of those these days. It was a special dinner in a nice restaurant and it was such a lovely evening. Many good memories were shared and it was so nice to be a part of it.
On Saturday I accompanied my husband to a horse training demonstration. I didn't really mean to. But he loves this particular horse trainer, Clinton Anderson-The Horseman Downunder, and watches him on tv. All. The. Time. One evening I noticed a phone number you could call to subscribe to his newsletter. So, being the supportive wife that I am ;), I thought I would do that for him. Well next thing I know we receive two free tickets in the mail to his demonstration coming to our area. Hmmmm....my husband was thrilled and assumed the other ticket was for me. After all, I was the one who got them. I guess. So off I went to spend 8 hours in a very hot barn to learn how to train a horse. It actually was quite entertaining. Training horses reminds me a lot of training children. Lots of positive reinforcement but also meaning business when rules are not obeyed. Except horses are a lot bigger. It was 104 degrees outside and this barn/arena was not air conditioned. I was positively melting. But my husband was in horse heaven. And I actually learned a thing or two myself. So all in all, it was a good day! Then on Sunday we got up early and drove to the mountains. It was very chilly in the mountains and this time I froze all day. We attended church with my in-laws, and then went to my brother-in-law's 50th birthday party. On the way home (our three daughters and two sons-in-law went with us) we stopped in a little town for pizza and this place had two pool tables. And we were the only patrons in there. So we had our very own little pool tournament. We had a blast but got home really late! I was totally and completely exhausted come Monday morning. Not such a good way to start a week.

This week I finished an old project that I started years ago. I was cleaning out my fabric and organizing it into piles when I found an old wall-hanging top I had started probably 10 years ago. I had actually made two and I sold the one I finished in a Holiday Bazaar. I never finished the one I intended to keep for myself. Well, I got inspired when I realized there really wasn't that much more to do on it. So last night I put it all together, and as we were watching the first BSU football game of the season (I am so not a sports fan, but BSU has captured my interest) I did the final hand-quilting and attached all the cute little buttons.
Don't look too closely, there are a lot of mistakes in it - it's one of the first quilting projects I ever did. But what a good feeling to finish an unfinished project! This weekend I am going to start a new Christmas project. Many years ago I cross-stitched Christmas stockings for each member of our family. They were truly a labor of love. Maybe when I do my Christmas decorating I will post a picture of them. I always intended to give them to the kids when they left home. But after they started getting married they told me to keep them - they couldn't bear to break up the set of 6. I didn't mind that a bit! Last year was Jayson and Andrea's first Christmas so I made them some quilted stockings for them to hang in their home. This year I am going to do the same for Michelle and Brad as this will be their first Christmas. Here is a picture of what they look like: They really are fun and easy.

This week I received a very thoughtful award from Mayhem & Miracles.



This award is given to those who "are an encouragement, a source of love, someone who has impacted you in some way, and has been a Godly example to you. Five Bloggers who when you reflect on them you get a sense of pride and joy... of knowing them and being blessed by them." Thank you so much Mayhem & Miracles! You are always so affirming and sweet. I really like your blog and I can totally understand how you got this award. Now it's my job to pass it on to 5 others. I usually don't pass these on because it is SO hard to choose only 5. I think all of you are worthy of a Blogger Reflection Award or I wouldn't be spending so much time with you! But this time I will try to follow the rules. And if you already have this award just consider yourself doubly blessed.
1. Gail at More Than A Song Gail is absolutely hilarious and in her humor she always, always, always drives home a point to ponder. She has a very quick mind and remembers lyrics to every song ever published!
2. Angie of The Knightly News.
God has recently used Angie to minister to my heart during a difficult situation. She is so kind and sweet and has words of wisdom that she shares willingly. She, of course, gives all the glory to God.
3.Mindy of Mindy's Life. Mindy is new to blogging and this would be her first award. Way to go Mindy! Mindy is a busy mother of 4 and she babysits too. Mindy is definitely one of my "pride and joy's" because I practically raised her - she is my baby sister!
4. Julie at Living By Grace. She is an encourager to women and always gives me something to think hard about. She loves the women God brings into her life and takes her responsibility towards them very seriously.
5. And Antique Mommy is such an excellent writer and her thoughts always stick in my mind for days. She really is awesome.
So girls, you know the routine, but in case you don't here are the rules:
1. Copy this post.
2. Reflect on five bloggers and write a least a paragraph about each one.
(I know. I know. I REALLY DO think these women have specific qualities that make them GREAT, but I have a baby crying every ten minutes in the background. I have to hurry. Plus this way, you can go see for yourself why I picked these sweet ladies!)
3. Make sure you link this post so others can read it and the rules.
4. Go leave your chosen bloggers a comment and let them know they've been given the award.
5. Put the award icon on your site.

Hey everyone - have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend. I won't be back blogging until Tuesday because you know, I'm going to be in my sewing room!