Here am I, send me

This video was played as part of our church service this weekend.  It’s ten minutes long but has a powerful message if you take the time to watch it all the way through.



Our pastor asked us how often do we want to wait until we have all the answers and details figured out before we say “Yes, God.”  When we should be saying “Yes, God” and letting Him work out the details. 
Here am I Lord, send me. 

October awareness

In honor of family members and friends who are battling breast cancer and are truly Survivors in every sense of the word, here’s Martina McBride’s new video – “Love you through it”.

It really touched my heart so I wanted to share it in case you haven’t already seen it.

Another finish

I can finally show you this finish as the recipients now have their gift.  I put together this Twister table runner for my nephew and his wife who were married Easter weekend.

Twisters are so much fun to make.  I used fabrics from a charm pack of Fossil Ferns  on this one.  I’m really pleased with how the bright colors turned out. 

I’ve never been in their home as they don’t live close to us so am hoping it works out well for them. 

Congratulations to Jason & Mary!

Stay-cation riding

We had planned to go away on a mini-vacation with the motorcycles for a long weekend but as the time neared we decided that we really didn’t want to be gone more than a day or two right now and to get a hotel room on a Saturday night during prime leaf looking is next to impossible, so we stayed home and rode out from here.

It worked out great.  Joe & Kristen(son & daughter-in-law and riding companions) came home late Friday night so we could head out right away Saturday morning.  We rode all day Saturday and came back to our house for supper and sleeping.  How nice it was to relax like a vacation with no packing and no nasty hotel bed! I could sleep in my own bed which I knew had been laundered recently.  I try not to think about those things when we stay in a hotel but sometimes I do wonder.  Ok, so I confess, I’m Lori and I’m a tad bit of a germophobe but that’s a story for another post.

On Sunday we rode most of the day as well.  We didn’t very far from home but sure added up the miles.  We have some beautiful riding roads within 30 – 40 miles of our home.  Here’s just a small sampling of what we saw over the weekend.

I love autumn!

Finally MORE Finishes!

It’s been a bit quiet on the quilting front around here.  I’ve have a bunch of projects in the works but didn’t have anything finished to show you.  I’m finally to the publishing point!

When we were at the Madison Quilt Expo, I found this cute pumpkin table runner pattern.  I needed something different for our table as what we’ve had the last few years has seen it’s better days.  Then I decided that there were a couple of special women in my life that needed one as well, so these were created assembly line style.

The pattern called for a patchwork pieced background but I think I’m just as please to keep it solid.

I found this whirligig pattern a couple of months ago at a wonderful little quilt shop in Belleville, Wisconsin (see this post). 

The colors are a bit deeper than the pictures shows.  I thought I waited long enough into the evening for a bit less brightness.  Guess not, but you get the idea.

The pattern used prairie points for the whirligig blades giving it a dimensional effect and I loved the idea of the buttons in the middle! 

And to give credit where credit it due, the beautiful quilting was done by Mrs. So & So.

I have one more finish that I can’t show you as the intendeds haven’t received their gift yet.  On the chance that they read this or their mom does (yes, this means you, Sandy ), I’m waiting to post the picture.

I have a number of other projects either started or planned but most of those you won’t see posts on for a long time as I’m working on Christmas presents now.  Only 81 more days til Christmas you know!  ugh!

Fall’s progress

Sunday was the start of a gorgeous week here in Northern Illinois.  We are even predicted to hit 80 a day or two! 

Even though we’re experiencing Indian Summer, fall is marching ahead.  Compared to last weeks ride, we saw soybeans being harvested

and the corn is getting close. 

Some farmers have started on the corn as we saw empty fields and heard & smelled the dryers running.  I would guess most will let it stand a bit longer to dry naturally though.  It costs a whole bunch less $$$ to do it that way.

Just look at the miles of fields waiting to be combined!

We checked out a couple of old railroad bridges.  DH has a fascination with those kinds of things.

Just look at how much the color has changed from last week’s ride.

If the weather holds we’re hoping to get away this weekend for a couple of days a bit further north.  It’s been a bit crazy and stressful lately so  I’m excited. I think a couple of days away, riding and relaxing, is just what the doctor is ordering for me.