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A few weeks ago, I received a Feedburner notification because I have been using "Follow by Email" widget on my blog sidebar. Subscribers have been able to follow along via email alerts. However, that subscription is about to expire and it will no longer be available to those who have been following my blog this way.   

Recently, I was contacted by someone from Follow.it. This is a service where followers and emails are unlimited, and it is free. I've added a "subscribe by email" gadget to the top of my right side bar. Those of you who already receive emails should continue to receive them. My daughter and IT son helped me import my subscriber list, and you should begin receiving emails with this one.  If you don't receive it, simply sign up again using the subscribe gadget to the right. 

I really don't want to lose any of you so thank you to all who subscribe. 

Make You Feel My Love

 

Stories of the past. Chickadee Creek has a lot of them. When Chelsea Spencer comes to visit her Aunt Rosemary, she is drawn into the past., as she flees from an abusive relationship in her present. Rosemary has been the caretaker of an antique shop, Rosemary and Time, for many years. She knows a lot of the history of Chickadee Creek. 

Liam Chandler has history in Chickadee Creek. His family has owned land here for over 150 years. He has a cabin there for hunting and R&R. But when his brother recently died, he needs time away to think. The lure of Hollywood continues to beckon with the next big break. Is he ready to go back? Is his life and faith back on track?

This dual time novel written by Robin Lee Hatcher is compelling, as the characters in both the present day and the 1800's draws you in to their story. Chelsea and Liam, and Cora and Prescott. Different but somewhat the same. A beautiful Christian romance with relationships that draw on God to overcome their fears. 

I received a complimentary ebook copy from the publisher, through Net Galley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

Patriotic quilt?

Have you made any patriotic quilts? I've made Christmas quilts, fall quilts, children's quilts, birthday quilts, wedding quilts. But not many patriotic themed. 

So I was putting together a quilt made with patriotic squares and am almost finished with the top.

How about you? Do you make quilts for the different holiday?

This is the day....

 

The Heart's Charge

 

"Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the land of the wicked."

The Heart's Charge by Karen Witemeyer is book 2 of the Hanger's Horsemen. I loved this story. 

Mark Wallace and Jonah Brooks come across a woman giving birth. Because she doesn't want to keep the baby, they take it to Harmony House, a foundling home. When Mark arrives, he finds Katherine, the woman he almost married 10 years ago. Kate and her friend Eliza started the home to house homeless children. 

I loved the slow build of romance between Mark and Kate and Jonah and Eliza. The characters were well defined. The secondary characters were just as interesting.  There were some serious and thought provoking moments, but I enjoyed the humor and witty banter a well. 

This is an action packed mystery. One that ended with a real surprise. It is beautifully written and very inspiring. Karen Witemeyer writes clean Christian romance, weaving how God is working in the lives of her characters. Her books are always a must read. This one has turned out the be my favorite. Definitely a 5+

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher.  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A little time away

 Last week we took our traveling cottage on a short trip. 

I say short, because we found out that our water heater is leaking and we had no hot water. :-(

We ended up spending a few days in Savannah at a beautiful location. 

The tree covered drive to our camp ground. 

We spotted a couple of deer, but this one did not run.

She just sashayed away. We figured she had a young one down and just wanted to distract us away.

We drove to Tybee Island, and did not enjoy that at all. The place was crowded with so many people and cars. 

It felt like people are back out after so many months of lock down.  

So even though we had cold showers, it was nice to get away for a few days.

What plans do you have now that summer is here.

Checklist

Always good to have a checklist handy :-)

Grand time with the grands

This weekend I finally finished the quilt for grandchild #5.

It was such fun fabric. This is the second quilt I made using this fabric.

And we had a surprise visit. My son brought two of his children over.

This is the first time AJ was on our playset. He had such a good time romping around in our yard. 

We discovered the pretty flowers.

And this little guy was not too happy.

If we come too close, his little bottom lip starts to quiver and you can be sure he will have tears soon after that. I think in time he will warm up to us. His sister and brother are always so happy to see us. Each child is so different. But we love them all. 

National Sewing Machine Day

 

This is my little Featherweight. I love this little machine. She is not my first Featherweight though. My Mom had an old Featherweight that she used once in a while for mending. When I started sewing for Home Ec, I wrestled with her Featherweight to the point of frustration. It never seemed to run right. I passed the Home Ec class and one of the first things I purchased after high school was a Singer Stylist sewing machine. After my proud purchase my thoughts at the time were, why would I need that old black thing that gave me such a hard time!! So I sold it to a co-worker. For $10.

The new Singer was not a very cooperative machine. It was in constant need of repair. I felt so much frustration that I pretty much gave up garment sewing. As I began to quilt, I realized the need for a good straight stitch. A friend was getting a new sewing machine and she asked me if I would like her old Kenmore. I have sewn many, many miles on that machine. It was sturdy and faithful.

But in the back of my mind, I mourned for that little black Featherweight. The more I heard of others sewing on Featherweights, the more I lamented. I was sure that my old co-worker was still sewing on that old black machine.

On Christmas morning in 2003, there was a little black box sitting under the Christmas tree. I wondered what in the world could be in that little box. At first I thought it was some kind of projector or camera. But when I opened the lid, there sat this little beauty. My dear sweet husband and son had been on a mission to buy me a new sewing machine. I was thrilled to say the least!! But that is not the end of the story. You see, my dear sweet husband and son had gone to a sewing machine repair store and asked questions. The store owner told my dh that the Featherweight had the best straight stitch, and that quilters everywhere covet them. Hummm, but it isn't a new machine. Oh if you want a new sewing machine you need to go to the store down the road. So in addition to this little beauty, my dear sweet husband and son bought a Bernina Virtuosa 155. Can you imagine my surprise when I not only opened the Featherweight but the next box was this incredible Bernina! 

What brand and model do you have?

Show and Tell

 This week was the first time I was able to get together with quilting friends. It's been over a year since spending time with friends and family. So there was a bit of show and tell.

And look how my SIL organized her fabric.

I was very impressed.

Have you been back to quilting with friends yet?

Fancy Zipper Bag

 Have you seen the fancy zippers? Have you made anything with them?

My sis in law introduced me to these fancy zippers and with the help of Jenny Doan, I used one to make a bag. You sew them to the outside of your project. Which makes them decorative and super quick.

Find the tutorial on YouTube Fancy Zipper Bag.

A Lady in Attendance

 

I loved A Lady in Attendance by Rachel Fordham. This story captivated me from the start. 

Hazel McDowell was a fiery flirt until she is put in a compromising situation and made to marry Nathaniel Williams. Six months into their marriage, Nathaniel is murdered and Hazel is accused of theft and sent to a reformatory for five years for a crime she did not commit. When Hazel is released, she tries in vain to prove her innocence but no one will listen to her case. 

Gilbert Watts is a quiet dentist in need of a Lady in attendance to assist in his practice. When Hazel applies, she uses an alias to obtain the job. They form a friendship which slowly simmers. Gilbert is a swoon worthy hero, a quiet sincere gentleman. Hazel's attempts at clearing her name are ignored until Gilbert hears her story and is determined to help. 

I have read several of Rachel's books, but this one is by far my favorite. I was fully engaged in this story as the characters came to life. Every character in the book felt true to life, human, imperfect, believable with hopes and genuine caring. A great historical fiction with romance and a bit of mystery. Highly recommended. 

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

A Quilter Is Someone Who...

 

Saves ten boxes of scraps

Has one corner of the house an eternal mess

Buys half a yard of fabric

When on vacation, goes to the quilt shop in every town

Is always looking for new ideas

Spends sleepless nights thinking about color combinations

Has a pile of books and magazines in her room

Is always picking up pins and bits of thread from the floor

Works on a quilt for a year, then gives it away

Watches TV with a needle in her hand

Is forever ironing 

Is never bored

Forgets to water the lawn

Finds treasure at a garage sale

Always has time to help a friend.

copied from Granny's Trunk