The Dash

Yesterday, Jim and I went to a memorial service for a lady who lived to be 100 years old! Jim was her pharmacist for many years and later found out that she was the mother in law of his fishing buddy Doug. It is a small world even in the big city!
I had never met the woman and it's a big odd when you attend a service and you don't know the person. Well, the family of this dear lady, presented such a lovely afternoon. One of Virginia's son in laws sat on a chair and  told  the group her life story. Virginia passed away about a month ago, so her family could enjoy the celebration without too many tears. Her children and grandchildren spoke kind words and told funny stories. It was touching, meaningful and very sweet.
Towards the end, another elderly lady wanted to share a story. She was another MIL in the family and told us when three of them had gone on a fun road trip. Then she told us a little thing to remember that I will never forget.
She said that she had been to another funeral last week and the pastor reminded people about the DASH on a gravestone. We all know there is a DASH between the date that someone was born and the date when that person passed away. Yes, those are important,however, the DASH between the dates represents the person's years on earth. That's what's really meaningful. That tells it all.
This is a photo of my dad's cousin's grave up in Washington state. I wanted to us a gravestone from my family for this post.
Anyway, the point is how will you be remembered for your DASH? Something to think about, heh?
I hope you have a great week ahead.

The Leaves are falling!

We have had a very lovely fall week here in Oregon, but we have also had a lot of wind. It's been a warm wind and I have to say, I like it. I would miss the wind if I moved from Troutdale! Sadly, the trees are almost bare now.

It's been a busy week with labs, blood tests a and another doctor appointment this afternoon. I hope she can adjust the BP meds again and I have several other things to discuss with her. The presidential election was also a BIG thing this week. This threw me off with my attempt to get back to blogging. I am learning to just take things as they come and do what I can, when I can. Not an easy task for me. So, I decided just to post a few photos around my house of things that I really like before November and fall are gone. Maybe next week, I will be able to return to my weekly posts with more of a plan...maybe not, who knows!

I like scarecrows and I leave this little quilt up for the entire fall season. I didn't make it but have always liked it.

This little guy is one of my favorites and I have had him for a long time.

Of course, I adore my Thanksgiving teapots and china. I have added to my collection for many years and love my turkey plates. I mix and match a lot of different Johnson Brothers patterns.

I have had the pumpkin teapot when I had my store...Holiday Card Shoppe. I think this set of turkey salt and peppers came from that time period.

The vintage salt and pepper set mix well with this look.

I have always loved this little pumpkin pitcher...I actually have another smaller one, just the same. I'm not sure what they were originally intended to be used.

I found the small teapot for my collection last spring. It's just a cute little one cup size pot. I've had my turkey pie bird for many years. He's always happy to join the fun in fall.

I also love vintage postcards and place cards. Maybe I can share that collection in the future.

Well, just a little tour of a few of my treasures.

I want to thank all of those who stopped by during Stephanie's exchange reveal. What fun to visit new blogs and meet new people. Thank you also to all who have kept me in their prayers along my medical journey. Thanks for your patience as I try to get back to blogging and visiting your blogs!

Have a good weekend and remember all of those who have served our country. 

Another Sweet Tea Cup Exchange Thanks to Stephanie!

Happy November....Happy Tea Time Tuesday! I have the pleasure of sharing my latest tea cup from Stephanie's Tea Cup Exchange. Stephanie organizes these exchanges as her little ministry. Actually, it has grown into a large ministry! I have participated in each one and have been blessed with new friends and beautiful tea cups and sweet memories.  Thank you Stephanie for all the work you have done to bring us all such happiness.  Please check out her blog The Enchanting Rose and see all the lovely tea cups that the ladies will be sharing.

So now let me show off my gift! My package arrived from Kim at Wisdom With Needles and Thread.
I adore this beautiful floral cup and saucer and my favorite vanilla black tea.

Isn't the floral pattern lovely? I even like the special decoration on the handle.

The tea cup is by Royal Worcester and is made in England.

She also tucked in the darling vintage linen that someone lovingly embroidered  with a sweet tea pot design.

Thank you Kim and thank you Stephanie...it's a pleasure to know you both. Happy November.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween! It was a busy weekend with Gina here and the Antique show. We are thankful for a very profitable show. Jimmy is pretty tired today.
Making two pots of soup for dinner tonight at the grands. Our traditional ham and navy bean and a veggie soup for Grandma.
It's windy and rainy, so the perfect day for soup.
Can you believe that October is gone?
Have fun. 

Sunday Thoughts

This is going to be my bible verse this coming week.....I had some more difficult news and will be seeing a kidney specialist next. It is so hard to stay strong and continue to hope, to be patient and to keep praying. Some days it just comes so naturally and other days, it just doesn't.
My daughter came home this weekend and we had some good talks. I forget that I am sick and that I need time to mend and time for the meds to work....in short, I all takes time. PATIENT IN AFFLICTION? I just want to be better so I continue to hope and pray. 

Aurora Colony Quilt Show "Home At Last"

Every October, I can't wait to attend the quilt show at the Aurora Colony. Jim and I are members of the historical society and love any excuse to visit! This year's theme was Home at Last and it was the 44th annual quilt show. We have been working on getting ready for the Expo antique show, but we got our work finished and headed out to Aurora. It is a small quilt show, but it's just so sweet and charming. We like to support the colony too.

I am fascinated with wool quilts these days. This one was stunning. Can you see all the quilting on it too? This was one of my favorite quilts at the show.

I had to take a photo for LaVonne! Chickens and roosters seem to pop up on quilts!

This was a stunning quilt. A couple quilters and I had a fun talk about this one and really appreciated it. It is a scrappy quilt, but what a dandy. The quilter really tied it all together with her sashing and border work.

Nice quilting too. So simple but yet just a lovely quilt.

I liked all the work on this one too!

Who's that guy buying those raffle tickets?

This is another favorite of mine...lots of applique on this one. I love all the colors too.

I especially liked the quilting and the interesting border. Borders often make the quilt just fantastic.

In this photo, you are looking at a petticoat and part of a special exhibit at the show. I couldn't believe the work on this. Special articles of clothing were often quilted for warmth. Wool batts were used as the batting.

The exhibit also showed several different sizes of quilted bonnets. Very sweet and useful.

You will always find a fire going in the little laundry room The local herb society sells fun products in this building during the show. It's just an inviting little building to visit.

Firewood ready for those fireplaces on a wet fall day.

Jimmy waits for the cookies that are served in the little cabin and store. He always sits and has coffee and cookies while I do a bit of shopping. All the money goes to the colony from the sales. I always find something I just can't live without! Jimmy leaves extra money for the extra cookies he eats. The cookies are all homemade by the volunteers.

It was wonderful to take in this little show. I can't wait for the show next year! 

A Sunday Afternoon

I'm looking out my back window, watching the falling leaves as the wind is blowing them from my maple trees. It's been a long month since I last posted. The weeks have been full and I am thinking, oh my, fall is here and it will soon be on the way out. So many changes have filled my days. I have gone to Montana, enjoyed my brother-in-law Allyn's visit from Illinois, have had too many labs and medical visits, diet changes and this past week LaVonne has been here visiting from Montana. So, I guess you could say it's been quite a mixed bag.
I am still not feeling normal as the doctors continue to adjust the meds. I am not a patient person and have learned a great deal about myself this past month. Prayers from faithful friends have been so coveted and appreciated. I very much want to get back to normal, but I know life will never be as it was before all of my heart and blood pressure problems showed up! I don't do well with change but am faced with it now. I need to get back to some of the things I love to do, such as blogging. I hope this time I can continue. This is my humble beginning. I do love fall! I don't want to miss all of it's beauty this year.