A Party Weekend...

Saturday found me at a 70th Birthday party for a dear friend and high school classmate, Karen. She hasn't been able to attend our monthly dinners because she's been battling cancer, but we were all invited to her party. 

Her two daughters and two sons hosted a wonderful celebration for her, and although she'd had her treatment the day before, she showed up. When she got tired they had a rolling chair for her, but she mostly went from table to table, thanking everyone for showing up. The kids had hired a professional photographer who followed her all evening, taking pictures with friends and family.

The food was outstanding - all buffet style - so no one went home hungry, and the cake and cookies were fabulous sweet treats. The cookies came in the same colorway as the dogwood cookie above, some with her name on them, some with "70", these flowers, and hearts. They didn't miss a single detail to celebrate their mom. It was so heartwarming to be a participant, and I'm sure Karen must have been exhausted by the time she went home. We continue to pray for a miracle that will remove all the cancer from her so she can live a long life with her children and grandchildren...family and friends.

On Sunday we celebrated this two-year-old sweetheart. He's my great-great nephew. As soon as I walked in the house with his wrapped gift, his mama got all excited and said, "I think I know what that is!" She could hardly wait until later in the day for him to open it, and she was a tickled as he was. Perhaps more.

His daddy has a smoker, so there was delicious smoked, pulled pork as the headliner for lunch. His mama made her tasty macaroni and cheese, and there were lots of other sides - and cake. At one point during our meal, my nephew said, "Must be good. Nobody's talking." He was right. 

I got back home by mid-afternoon and for the rest of the evening, Handsome referred to me as a "social butterfly" because I'd been to parties both days. Then, as we sat down before dinner, I got a message from "sis" Deb inviting me to lunch today with another group of ladies. Of course, I jumped to accept the invitation, furthering the cajoling from my husband. 

I have a few things I need to do this morning. Time for my annual doctor's wellness visit next Monday, so I need to go for my lab work today. Off to lunch after that. THEN, I'm coming home to celebrate this guy's Birthday!

I've already given his gift to him, but when I get home, I'll be making a special dinner and dessert. Have I told you he loves my cooking? We'll be spending a quiet afternoon and evening here at the farmhouse, but it's going to get busy soon.

He's seen all four of his specialists who've given him a clean bill of health. All his "troubles" from this summer and fall have healed, and he needs no further treatments. That being the case, we've decided that he's healthy, willing and able to go to Florida for a little while and make music with his friends. So, he's currently finalizing plans, and he'll leave some time this month. Happy Birthday, Darlin'.

One more celebration...My dear friend, Linda shares a Birthday today with Handsome. I want to wish her a wonderful day today, too. I'll be making a phone call before the day is over. Happy Birthday, Linda Mae.

November Sewcial Sisters...

I love the time I spend with the Sewcial Sisters. They're all such talented women and I learn so much from them. 

Lori is an accomplished quilter, and I watched her hand quilt on her Everlasting quilt on Monday. She took the time to show me how to do it, and shared a few other pointers. I'm really inspired to work on a sample piece with the goal of getting good enough to hand quilt my own Everlasting quilt. 

During our monthly Show and Tell (or, as I call it Bring & Brag), she shared this lovely table mat she'd completed since our last gathering. I love how the colors just pop off the black ground fabric.

Kathy D. has been busy! She shared five or six finished quilts, but this one was one of my favorites. It's so colorful! Kathy has her own longarm quilting machine, so she always finishes her own pieces. Her machine quilting is so professional and beautiful. It really enhances (as it should) her precision piecing. 

Karen made this beautiful quilt and shared it with us on Monday. She's always shy and hides behind her quilts when the cameras come out. The colors make this piece subtly Christmas, but it's perfect as a year-round quilt, too. 

Darcy has been working on the multiple blocks of this quilt as a gift for her husband. She's completed most of the blocks - which I think she said she started in 2016 - and it getting really close to putting it all together. I had to get a photograph of this block, because of the sweet camper. I loved this quilt, and would love to create my own version. Note to self - Add this quilt to the list!

Before we left for the day, Lisa B's son brought Darcy's new sewing machine to her. It's a Ltd. Kaffe Fassett Bernina. Sorry I don't know the model number. The machine is decked out with the same decals as the colorful fabric shown on the protective cover. As you can see, she's in love with it. I have to admit, I was a bit taken with it, too. Lucky for me, they were all sold out of the Ltd. ed machine.

Our next meeting is December 1st. I'm planning to have a few pieces completed so I can brag, too. If I don't get them done, I'm perfectly happy to cheer on the accomplishments of my friends. They're the best!