Glorious

Honestly, I don't mean to repeat myself but in the early morning when I look outside and see these gorgeous sunrises I just stand there in shock at the beauty.  I spend time remembering how much I longed for it when we were back east.  And I still have flashes of disbelief and joy that I am actually back home. 

Sometimes I look for awhile, then get chilly and go back into the house, thinking the show is over.  But I no sooner go inside than look out the window and rush back out to experience the magic.   It just seems to keep coming in glorious waves. 

I think glorious is a good word to describe it.

Evelyn watches the sunrises, too:

The sun is rapidly moving across the horizon towards the north.  When we got here in December, I would look outside the backdoor and the sun would be rising nearer the barn (to the southwest).  Here is a picture I took right after the Christmas blizzard:

It has moved quite a bit towards the north.  I took this picture, yesterday morning.  Yes, I know you can't

tell much from the pictures. 

By this summer, we'll be looking towards the city (which is northeast) when the sun first shows its face.

I attended the local quilt guild meeting, yesterday, and was very impressed with all the talent.   I'd been looking forward to doing that, for years, and it was nice that the day arrived and was everything I hoped it would be.   This guild has a day meeting and an evening one.  I went to the day one, feeling decadent because I wasn't at work.  I suspect there are more younger members, who are still working, at the night meeting.  The day meeting was primarily retired folk.  They made be feel very welcome. 

Quilt guilds typically have a "show and tell" to allow members to show off their projects.  My goodness, some beautiful and creative stuff.  One women who showed her art quilt was Charlotte Hickman, who I have previously blogged about and who teaches a class I am signed up for in April.  I was so excited I am amazed I did not pee myself.  I introduced myself and acted like a total dweeb telling her how much I admire her work.  She was quite gracious and told me "how she does it."  She assured me she'd teach me how to do it, myself (probably would have said anything to get away).   I have always prided myself at having enough self respect to not drool over people.  All that self respect went out the window.  And I don't care.  I want to be able to do what she can do.  I was so star struck, it didn't occur to me to take a picture of the quilt she brought.  Oh lord, I should have gotten her autograph.  I think I need to download a picture of her and hang it on my sewing room wall.  Or over my bed. 

Okay, I'll stop now. 

After the quilt guild meeting, I drove back out to the quilt shop in El Reno because they forgot to put all my fabric in the bag.  I passed several large hawks hunting on the side of the road and drove the back roads home.  The wide open spaces and bright light was so wonderful.  Like everyone else, I am ready for spring.

We also received some gorgeous daffodils from a friend that brought smiles to all our faces:

Truly, they are spring, itself.

My kids are on the east coast getting slammed by  that monster blizzard that grounded flights and brought much of the area to a halt.  I felt bad for them, especially my son and daughter-in-heart who had a long anticipated trip to London on tap and ended up stranded at the Newark airport, trip over.  I wish I could have let them share my lovely flowers. 

Sigh.  I miss seeing my kids anytime I want. 

Evelyn is really turning into a character.  She is getting sassier than ever.

Everyday, she comes up with new ways to delight us.  It is like someone said - she is entering her second puppyhood. 

And Pearl is turning into the sweetest dog every born.  She is a cuddling machine. 

I am weaning off all the medication, including the antihistamines (and feel so wonderful - thanks to all who have asked).  They had me so doped up that I slept alot but now that I am not taking them, I am having trouble dropping off to sleep at night.  Pearl cuddles up so at least I don't feel lonesome.  There is a certain comfort in lying in the dark of a warm, quiet house, listening to my husband breathe, feeling healthy, safe and loved.  So those long hours are certainly not a waste.  I figure in a few days my system will work itself out and my days and nights will be back on track.  Fortunately, I've been able to catch naps to make up for not sleeping soundly at night. 

I think flowers go a long way to making life wonderful:

I was feeling well enough to do some house cleaning, today.  Felt good to do things that needed to be done.  I also had some fabric arrive.  The package contained my yellow fabric for the paper pieced challenge quilt, as well some other fabrics I couldn't resist.  I know, I know - not for everyone but I fell in love with this grey/green stuff.  

I may be able to use it on my pendant art quilt. Perhaps for the shadow. I think it looks like it has captured daylight caught in the material.

I think this fabric looks a lot like the sample for the countertop that we are supposed have installed, soon:

And finally, FINALLY, I actually did another block for the Sylvia's Bridal Sampler sew along from the HGTV message board.  I decided I'd try to finish up row A.  This is "Amethyst."  Took about an hour:

I'm not proud of the edges.  I was really skirting the fabric sizes when I paper pieced it but it will work.  Those things are so addictive.  I'd forgotten how much fun they are to make. 

Husband said he would help me stabilize my bluebird houses, tomorrow, so I may be working in the yard instead of stitching.  The weather is supposed to be sunny and we all appreciate that. 

Happy Quilting,

Penny, Evelyn and Pearl