Thankful

Tuesday, November 24, 2009


I've been cleaning and cooking....getting ready for Thanksgiving. (I know you have too!!!)
My children are coming home for the holiday. Two arrived over the weekend. They will get to stay for the entire week and I'm awaiting the arrival of my youngest. He has classes today and will drive home late tonight. Late night driving always makes me nervous. Deer, tired drivers trying to get home ....I will spare you my anxiety because I know you feel it too. As parents we just feel better when they are all home around the dining table safe and sound.

Yesterday I planned on teaching Jeff, my second son how to bake cookies. He informed me he's already "in the know." According to him, you just "break and bake." My husband immediately went to the store and got the Nestle Break and Bake cookie mix. He wanted me to have a bake-off with Jeff. I was to make the home made kind and Jeff was going to make "his" recipe. Then we would have a taste test to see who's was best. Well....needless to say, I didn't play fair. I let Jeff make his recipe and I have to admit they were fine.

I'm working on finishing some photography for an engagement calendar. The Kansas City Star is going to publish this for 2011. The theme is sewing items. I'm really enjoying getting out some of my favorite things. September's theme will be the above needlework book. Just wish I could get several days of good light!!! We have really had some cloudy weather this year.

Barb and I spent last weekend at Country Sampler in Spring Green, WI. We taught a class along with Stacy Nash and Maggie Bonanomi. We just had the best time! Lots of wonderful people attended. Here we are right before traveling home. Jeanne Horton took this picture of Maggie's car. (We just happened to be in the picture! Left to right ...Alma, Maggie, Stacy, and Barb) Reminiscent of the old photos when everyone got their picture taken in front of their car.



We stayed with Jeanne in her home. This is a picture that Barb took of her dining area. Love those windows! The panes are on the top portion and down below, nothing impedes the view. Sweet wreathes grace each window.

Hope you all have time to enjoy your loved ones this holiday! Get out those break and bake cookies and save time to laugh with your family.

Until later!

Alma

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25 comments

  1. PriscillaNovember 24, 2009 at 1:03 PM

    I'm so happy to hear you are producing another calendar! I still have my BB calendar from a couple years ago.
    Thanks for remembering your blog groupies during Thanksgiving - and we are so thankful for you!

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  2. AnonymousNovember 24, 2009 at 1:05 PM

    Hey Alma, Remember when we were at Jeanne's and you taught me how to piece quilt squares? I was so envious of everyone there this time, it sounded like a fantastic weekend!
    Can;t wait for the calendar!
    love Tracy

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  3. TracyNovember 24, 2009 at 1:10 PM

    Hey A,
    Remember when you taught me how to piece quilt blocks? It was at Jeanne's when Kathy B and I were there to teach. Thanks to you I have several quilt tops in progress!
    Can't wait for the calendar. You ROCK girl!!!
    Love Tracy

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  4. Laurie in IowaNovember 24, 2009 at 2:15 PM

    Happy Thanksgiving! I'm looking forward to the 2011 calendar.

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  5. RuthNovember 24, 2009 at 2:31 PM

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

    P.S. I vote for your cookies.

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  6. LilyNovember 24, 2009 at 2:34 PM

    Alma, I am so looking forward to your calendar!
    Wish I had been in those classes too.
    Happy Thanksgiving!

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  7. kjb139November 24, 2009 at 3:42 PM

    You all look so happy in that photo and what a lovely room! I also love your cross stitch piece...but then again, I love everything that you do!
    Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family and the same to Barb.

    Kathy B in
    Massachusetts

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  8. pjNovember 24, 2009 at 5:28 PM

    Alma, it was a great week in Spring Green and I was thrilled to meet you and Barb!!!! We had fun with Maggie and Stacy too...super projects. Thanks for all your work and great ideas for us stitchers....Enjoy your family Thanksgiving and each moment with your children. pam

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  9. belenNovember 24, 2009 at 5:43 PM

    Happy Thanksgiving for you and your family!

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  10. MargaretNovember 24, 2009 at 6:42 PM

    I so wish I could have gone to the Country Sampler for that weekend of yours! Jeanne's dining room is to die for! Oh those windows! I love that picture that you took for the calendar. Beautiful needlebook! I hear you on the weather too -- it does seem like we've had tons of cloudy/rainy weather this year.

    I was happy to hear that my CHS Alphabet inspired Barb to start her own. :D As for the PS Alphabet, we'll see how I do! lol! Over one was never my forte.

    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! (I know exactly what you're saying about late night driving. He'll be fine, try not to worry.) Oh, and I bet your cookies would beat Jeff's break and bake any time!

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  11. dorisNovember 24, 2009 at 9:37 PM

    I loved reading this post! Your husband must be fun, setting up a bake-off ... that makes me laugh.

    Have a wonderful time with your kids. Family time is the best time.

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  12. WoolenSailsNovember 24, 2009 at 10:50 PM

    Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving!

    Debbie

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  13. NancyNovember 24, 2009 at 11:31 PM

    I love the sampler at the beginning of your post, and I love the dining room at the end of your post. The wreaths look so pretty in the windows. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

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  14. LindaNovember 25, 2009 at 7:54 AM

    Go with the Break and Bake cookies. As much as I like cookies from a recipe, I think they take a lot of time to make. So guess who is making the pumpkin pie from a garden grown pumpkin. Yes, I am but that is all that I have to make for tomorrow.

    Love those windows. :-)
    Love the way you stage your photos even more. :-)

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  15. sandi sNovember 25, 2009 at 8:42 AM

    Have a Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy time with your family. Sandi

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  16. AnneNovember 25, 2009 at 8:57 AM

    Hi Alma,

    thanks for your respond and compliments on my blog. Okay, then I hope I can ask your new book as a present on mother's day in May'10. I understand I just have to be patience(which is very difficult for me) I'm looking forward too it...Good luck with it, I keep an eye on you.....Anne.

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  17. VickieVNovember 25, 2009 at 10:51 AM

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! Hope everyone will be together safe and sound very soon!

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  18. MichelleNovember 25, 2009 at 5:12 PM

    Thanksgiving blessings to you and your family... enjoy your time together.

    I am thankful for the pleasure Blackbird Designs have given me over the years..

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  19. NitaNovember 25, 2009 at 9:33 PM

    Happy Thanksgiving for y'all and y'alls families!

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  20. LoraineNovember 26, 2009 at 9:34 AM

    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! What wonderful photos.

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  21. BarbNovember 26, 2009 at 9:40 AM

    Hi Alma!
    isn't it nice to have all the birds fly home to the nest for the holiday?
    Enjoy!
    barb

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  22. Jan VNovember 27, 2009 at 10:59 AM

    I am thankful for the many creative talents that you share with us Alma, your blog is a joy to read! I have been able to find your stitching patterns, but am in a quilt-free zone in So Cal so any hints you have for a good source for your quilting patterns and fabrics would be also greatly appreciated! Any chance you will be giving a class near San Diego? Thanks, Jan

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  23. SiobhánNovember 27, 2009 at 11:05 AM

    Oooh, a calendar!! I can't wait. Your time at the shop looks like a lot of fun. I'd love to be an attendee at one of those classes sometime! Thanks for sharing the pic of the dining room. I love it! What a great idea for the wreaths.

    I hope you & yours had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Enjoy the weekend!

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  24. GaylaNovember 28, 2009 at 9:33 AM

    Alma
    I purchased When The Cold Wind Blows and I want to do your Love Letters quilt but want it the same colors you used. What fabric did you use?
    I love your books! I have them all.
    Hugs
    Gayla

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  25. lovetostitchNovember 28, 2009 at 8:23 PM

    My daughter has a cookie exchange every year, but, but, but, we have to include the recipe with no cheating, so I don't think she would let me slip thru the rules - but hey, you can't knock tried and true.
    Excited about the calendar and look forward to all the beautiful picutures!!!

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