Inspire me

 Quilt shops are closing all around. Which is really sad. But one that seems to be going strong in our area is "Inspire" in Plant City. 

Lots of inspiration and a large selection of fabrics to choose from.

New Project

 I recently learned about an organization that makes Quilts for Kids. 

In my quest to use up fabric I am going to make quilts that will be donated to this group  I discovered there is someone in our area who collects the quilts, so that makes it easy on not having to mail them.

Last year before I fell, I was making quilts to give for Hands to Help Quilting Challenge.  That all went by the wayside after my fall and eventual physical therapy.  But I had started two quilts already.'

I also have plans to do something with this fabric.

Hoping to bring a smile to a child's face.

Happy Quilting!

Blog giveaway

I thought I would post what I am giving away for my blogiversary.

Glam Bag pattern with fabric and zippers to make two!

I never finished a project that I started, so I am also going to add fat quarters of woven fabrics.

I might add a thing or two more as well.

Please leave a comment on my last post to be entered. I will leave it open until Thursday 2/23. Remember to leave your email if you are a no reply comment. 

Thanks again for visiting. I'd love for you to follow is you don't already. Your comments make me a Happy Quilter  :-)

Happy Quilting.

It's my blogiversary!

 What do you know. I completely forgot that TODAY is my blogiversary!  Yep, on February 19, 2009, I started this little blog. Who knew that I could blog for so many years. 14 years to be exact. And what an adventure it has been. I have enjoyed getting to know my blogging friends. And from this little blog I expanded and started Just A Little Southern Hospitality to blog about my tablescapes and travels and other interests. 

So what to do? Well I think I should have a little giveaway to celebrate 14 years on blogville. I'm not sure what I will give away, but if you are interested, please leave a comment and a way to contact you if your name should come up on the random number. Remember if I cannot contact you (no reply) I will have to draw another name. (sorry, US comments only. Postage has gone through the roof)

Thank you SO much to my faithful followers and all the comments that have been posted over the years. I truly enjoy having you as my blogging buds.

A gift for a friend

 I recently had lunch with a friend who lost her husband last year. I decided to gift her with a quilt.

She really liked the blue :-)

The Words We Lost

 

The Words We Lost by Nicole Deese is a story that will stay with you. It is beautiful, insightful, touching, heart probing.

Ingrid Erickson sits on a dock, reading when Cece Campbell comes across her. Cece befriends her and along with her cousin, Joel, the three begin a bonded friendship that holds on even after Cece passes away. Ingrid leaves Port Thompson, the only home she has known, after he father passes away under mysterious circumstances. Her only connections remains with Cece. But when she dies during a dangerous surgery, Ingrid grieves the loss. 

Joel makes an appeal for Ingrid to return from Los Angeles, as a lawyer finds a package for them both. Could this be the lost manuscript that Cece was working on? I love how the romance is rekindled between Ingrid and Joel, as Ingrid learns that her fathers death was not Joel's fault. 

This story is so powerful, it is hard to describe the deep emotion the author has put into it. At the end of the book, we learn of Nicole Deese's own tragedy that gives credence to her words. It is a hauntingly beautifully written story. I have read Ms. Deese's other books, and like the others, this one is clean and will not disappoint. I highly recommend it. 

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

Happy Valentine's Day

Love is missing someone whenever you're apart, but somehow feeling warm inside because you're close in heart. 

(Kay Knudsen)

                                                  

Update

 Updating progress for the nursing home quilts.

Now I have to get busy and quilt them!

                                    Sew and Tell

                                      Can I Get a Whoop Whoop?

                                      Finished or not Friday

                                      Peacock Party

Strawberry Pie

I have posted this before, but I love Florida Strawberries, and it is the perfect time to share.

Strawberry season has arrived in Florida! Plant City has THE most delicious strawberries, and right now they are plump and sweet. It's a perfect time to make a Strawberry Pie!

The original recipe called for "Wild" Strawberry jello, but it's no longer available. So here is my version.

Cast of characters includes -

Fresh Strawberries
Strawberry Jello (large package)
3 Tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup Sugar
1 1/2 cups water

Combine cornstarch, sugar and water. Cook over medium high heat - stirring constantly until thick and bubbly. Stir in 3/4 package Strawberry Jello and remove from heat. Let cool.

In a deep precooked pie shell, layer washed and hulled strawberries. Pour Jello mixture over strawberries making sure all the strawberries are covered. Refrigerate.


Serve with a dollop of Whipped Cream

Enjoy!

  All About Home

                                                      Grace at Home

Tablescape Thursday

Full Plate Thursday

Saturday Sparks

Charity quilts

 After evaluating fabric for donations, my quilting buddies and I decided that we would make some quilts to take to the nursing home/memory care facility. We got together and put our heads together to decide which patterns would work for those ambulatory and those with memory issues.

Here are a few that we made....

This is the one that I made

We've got about 20 more to go :-)

                                      Sew and Tell

                                      Can I Get a Whoop Whoop?

                                      Finished or not Friday

                                      Peacock Party

The Last Chance Cowboy

 

The Last Chance Cowboy by Jody Hedlund is the last of the Colorado Cowboys series. 

Catherine Remington is an upper class young woman who is also a midwife. She assists in a birth in a Chicago brothel that turns sad with the passing of Kit. Kit's last request is for Catherine to take the baby to his father in Colorado. Catherine is at odds. How is she going to take the baby from Chicago all the way to Colorado? But when she witnesses a murder, she is forced to run, as the killer is placing the blame on her.

Dylan McQuaid has changed his ways since returning to Colorado, leaving the drunkenness' and womanizing behind. He is now the sheriff of Fairplay and hopes to be reelected in the fall. But when Catherine shows up with his baby, the misunderstanding leads to a quick marriage as Catherine has fallen in love with baby Austin.  

This is absolutely the loveliest love story I've read in a long while. Jody Hedlund has written such an engaging story that is clean, uplifting and beautifully written about God's forgiveness and redemption. I had a hard time putting it down, as I loved every minute of it. 

Hedlund is such an outstanding author. Her stories are full of believable characters. Romance, drama, adventure, self forgiveness.  I have read many of her books and she never fails to bring an element of faith that is not preachy.  Just good story telling. 

I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in clean Christian historical romance. Beautifully written and inspiring.

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