There are many more things that I am thankful for, far too many to list on this post. So to start out the New Year I will Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

She was a strong woman, one could say stubborn. She loved to read and loved her books and papers. I think that was where she and I connected. I love to read also and take good care of the books that are on my shelves. But sometimes I think she became obsessive about them. She worried about money a lot, and like most people who went through the depression years was thrifty or frugal. She spoke her opinion regardless of others feelings sometimes. As one who leans towards encouraging others I  found myself pulling my children aside and mending hurt feelings from time to time. She was often leery of me because I am from a northern state. At one point she called me a foreigner, at best I was a Yankee to her and would always be viewed with suspicion.  She often made us laugh with her observations and the way that she did things. She was very much loved and cared for. She lived to be 97 or 98, depending on if you went by her birth certificate (98) or by a story that she told about a mix up by the clerk that had her confused with a cousin born on the same day but a different year which would have made her 97.  Either way a long life in these times. She survived breast cancer and loved having pork, greens and black eyed peas on New Years Day. She loved sharing the history of her family with anyone who would listen. My husband and I love antiques and would always question her about old pictures and books that she had. We tried to write down the family tree whenever we got to sit with her. She had seen so much life and so much history.  She often wanted us to just sit and talk with her about anything. Just spend time with her. She made us slow down and think about life and what it was really about. Sometime directly sometimes indirectly.

Looking back over this past week has made me wonder about the hope that each of us has in Christ. I pray that she did know Jesus with a real loving relationship and that one day I will see her in Heaven. I think the part that her life has made me think about most is, Do I show that the Holy Spirit lives in me? Any one can talk the talk. Have I put feet onto my faith in Jesus. Have I shown that He is my “All in All”?  Have I been generous, kind, loving, obedient to Christ? Have I really set the example for my children that I want them to model?  I don’t want to end up old one day and have someone wonder whether or not I was really a Christian. I want people and mostly my family to be sure beyond a shadow of a doubt, that not only do I love Jesus, but that I have been His hands and feet and heart here on this earth.

Thank You Lord for the lessons that You have taught us through this strong willed, wonderful woman. Good Bye, Big Mama. I love you and will miss you.

Blessings to all~ The Quilted YaYa

Blessings to All ~ The Quilted YaYa

Have a great and blessed week! ~ The Quilted YaYa

I have been busy cleaning houses for people and canning peas, and yesterday I canned 7 quarts of vegetarian veggie soup. Today I helped a friend with her home that she is renting out, and somewhere over the last few weeks we have managed to get most of our school work done that we had planned for the summer. YEA!!!  We even got the basement a little more organized and emptied up several boxes that we moved here four years ago. It’s always good to go through stored items and get rid of some of them from time to time. After all if you haven’t seen it in four years you probably aren’t going to use them now.

I also was totally blessed this summer with some vintage quilt tops from my husbands Grandmother. They are really great, but in need of some loving repair. I am planning on using them to teach my girls hand quilting this winter. I look forward to passing on my love of all things old fashioned and vintage. Just thinking about it makes me feel closer to my Grandma that taught me how to quilt. How I miss her.

My goodness but, I am ready for winter to be here. One of my daughters commented at church this past Sunday that it was only 5 months until Christmas. Sort of stopped me in my tracks.  In about eight weeks we will have to get started with our Christmas shopping! How much fun! I totally love Christmas!

Well, I’m off to the kitchen again. My dear sweet Hubby will be walking in the door soon and I like to meet him at the door with his tea and a kiss.

Blessings to all, The Quilted YaYa ~ S