Monday, January 12, 2009

The Grace of Friendship & Family


Work still progresses on the baby quilt but I see now that I don't really like the solid-looking barn red squares. They seem to take over the whole thing. Tell me what you think?

This really cool guy who came from Dani's Mom. He's a music box and I don't want to put him away yet. Such a thoughtful gift. Cheryl said she saw that he was wearing a quilt for a coat and she thought of me. What a lovely woman. I can't tell you how much pleasure it gives me to see him each day. I must try and kidnap Cheryl sometime when the weather warms up and take her out for lunch so we can continue to tell embarrassing stories about our kids. Really such a good time and needless to say, lots of laughs. Dani's Dad is one of the nicest men we've met in a long time. So positive and full of funny stories. We really enjoyed our time with them and look forward to much more.

I really worried about meeting them since I'm basically very quiet and it is often mistaken for coolness. None of that with them. They are so welcoming and really genuine people. It's no wonder that they have a daughter like Dani. She's gracious, sweet and very kind...just like her parents.

The other pictures are of Christmas Booty...HAR! I got a few generous gift cards from my BIL Bob and these are a few of the books I got. Roger gave me bookmoney as well so I still have plenty of chances to go crazy when I need to. Dearest Pal Terry gave me a subscription to the new Food Network Magazine. It's really fun(except for the part with that fool Sandra Lee and her stupid tablescapes etc. Don't get me started. She clearly went to the Thomas Kincade(painter of light,pppfffft!!!)school of loveliness . Removing my finger from my throat, I continue. The rest of the magazine is really fun and has plenty of recipes by actual people who cook real food.

There are some books I got. B&N was having a 50% off sale and I got Marcella Hazan's biography...lovely walk down an Italian childhood and fabulous cooking career. The others are escapist travelling postcard-type books from good writers.

Got myself a copy of Jane D'Avila's wonderful book on making art quilts with less stress and lots of great info on simplifying techniques you might not be familiar with. Got it because I never fully give up on the concept of breaking away from the traditional.

I am very blessed to find myself among a collection of really wonderful people who inhabit my life. It really doesn't get much better than this.

8 comments:

Gerrie said...

Lucky you! I am not sure about the red strips. I do love red. Perhaps you need something more in the medium value to tie the lights and darks together. I think it is the strong contrast in values that is bothering you.

Anonymous said...

I loved Frances Mayes' book Under the Tuscan Sun; she is a wonderful writer. Let me know how you like the book in the photo.
Connie

Terry Grant said...

You are a happy mama--I can tell! It is so nice to really like the family of your son's future wife. And the Santa is elegant. He has a lovely face. Your book choices look like a good escape from winter, from what I can see.

Anonymous said...

I see your point about the red. But I like it. Once you get it quilted the red won't be so bold.

Cheryl sounds like a lovely person; there's a friendship worth cultivating.

Debra Dixon said...

It's always great to be friends with the in-laws. I am sure it will make the rest of your lives together much better in many ways.

Libby said...

I like the red. I much prefer baby quilts that don't just SCREAM baby *s*

Anonymous said...

Are you actually purrrrrring???? Wish I'd read this cheery post this morning instead of at the end of the day! Lucky you to enjoy James' new in-laws. You know what I mean?

Jeri said...

I like the red - just be sure its well-distributed in the quilt, like not always in the upper right corner of every block that the red is in. (know what I mean?)

I love Food Network, you are cracking me up about Sandra Lee's tablescapes. I want that magazine. Sounds like you had a good holiday!