The First Shall be Last

Our first Grandchild, a boy ... Andy, was born in 1978. He has been followed by 11 more grandsons and 11 grandaughters. I have made ALL of them quilts except Andy.... I just kept putting it off, never forgot him, just kept putting it off. Then I got an idea from someone else's quilt and decided THAT'S it. It has still taken me almost 2 years to get the courage to do it, and to work out the logistics

BUT here is the picture of the finished product,and doesn't Andy look grand wrapped up in it.

we took Andy to Britain in 1991 and as we travelled he bought himself tea towels as souvenirs, this quilt uses some of those tea towels.

I have made a lot of quilts over the years. The first were made from a leopard pattern backed with tricot. I made them for my four boys one Christmas, when they were in elementary school.

I have sent quilts to friends and family in Belfast and England. The one I sent to Belfast was destroyed in a house fire.

I also made them for my grown boys with fabric representing their favorite NFL teams. I have always tried to suit the fabric to the person and all of them are one of a kind. It takes many hours for me to complete a quilt. I rarely buy the material on the first visit or first fabric store.

Then there is the upheaval of the living room or family room depending on which room I use.

The quilt must first be pinned on...

"

Then the antics of "tying" before "rolling"

Granpa always is very patient with the upheaval although he likes everything to be tidy and sometimes he has wielded a needle also. I always tie, except for Lilian's baby girl's quilt. It was hand quilted. I bought a piece during one of Lilian's pregancies and it waited and waited. Finally when Michael Teryle was on the way and we didn't know the sex of the baby I decided to get the quilt done because this was Lilian's piece. Well, the finished product awaits Lilian's girl although now it will be her granddaughter.

I then handsew the edges, that is a favorite part because I get to sit for HOURS and sew and watch TV or videos. Rest assured that ALL of the quilts were made with love and anticipation on our parts as to how much the receipient would enjoy curling up and being cozy. Usually quilts were given (at least to Grandkids) as a gift, not for birthdays or Christmas, just because.

Lilian, Cory, Taylor, Jacob, and Michael

All Granma requires is a hug.

From Jeffrey

and From Derek

Lesley, Michael and Caitlin

Our first Granddaughter Melissa is now waiting for her baby girl. Wrapped in Granma and Granpa's love.

And if you can't find your own, a sister's quilt will work just as well, as Becca and Granpa cuddle.

And if you are too sick to go to school, bring your blankie and chill with Granma and Granpa. Chelsea likes that idea.

And when you live in sunny California, it is nice to be wrapped in a blankie made by G'ma and G'pa. Don't you think so Tara and A.J.?

Andy wasn't the only one who waited. So did Emily, just not as long.

Jeremy is a hard guy to get a hold of but if at first you don't succeed.......

And after two years in the mission field, Russell finds it nice to have a quilt waiting.

Megan shows us how it is put to good use.

And for JuLee, Alyssa and Aubree they know they are loved at home. But poor "Biscuit" wants to know where her blankie is. :o(

Being away to school it is a reminder to Ammanda that she is loved.

Alan is looking in vain for his, but letters will do :o)

Even Granpa got one

Sean won't need his for awhile in Australia.

Granpa and I tried to count and we figure 70 plus quilts.

This started out as being about Andy, but once I get started I am hard to stop. Everyone has been thought of (with or without a picture) as I have remembered all the antics and joys and needled poked fingers. Many years of memories and NO QUILTING FRAMES, I always used Lesley's. Thanx love.

Hey!! I forgot, I took time to make one for ME!!!

Subliminal Hymns

I received this as an E-Mail and decided the best way to keep the copy was to share.



As a lover of the Church hymns I found this really clever.



I note that as, sisters in Zion, we who are called to serve, are all enlisted, to go marching marching forward, because the world has need of willing men, to all press on, scattering sunshine. We wonder if we have done any good in the world today, because we have been given much, and want to do what is right, keep the commandments, press forward with the Saints, choose the right, and put our shoulders to the wheel, going where He wants us to go. However, as the morning breaks, high on the mountain top, truth reflects upon our senses, and while we still believe that sweet is the work, we also realize there is work enough to do ere the sun goes down. And thus we ask Thee ere we part, where can we turn for peace.

A Tale of Two Dresses

Perhaps you have seen the picture on Lilian's blog of her wearing this dress. Therein lies a story. I do not remember just what year the picture was taken, probably 1969. But Lesley was in Primary and there was a Daddy Daughter Date planned and I made Lesley a new dress for the occasion. Lilian as you can see got a dress also. BUT, when she discovered there was a Daddy Daughter Date planned and she was not part of that invitation she was annoyed. So Daddy promised her that he would take her for icecream for her date. I don't at this point remember the exact details but the promise was fulfilled, and the "date" did take place at "The Cottage" on Main Street in Bountiful.

A Quote From Conference

I was delighted to hear President Monson use this quote on Sunday morning session. I first "saw" it posted in St. George's Chapel Windsor, on the portal to the entrance of the burial place of George v1 of England. He was the King I grew up with, and is the Father of the current Queen. Seems like we all want to know the end from the beginning but only our Heavenly Father knows this. This is sound advice.

Psalms

A year ago Christmas Alan gave me a new set of scriptures. I HAD A SET! How do I use the new set? I decided I would start with "In the beginning....." and go through all 5 books of scripture. It has taken me longer than I anticipated but TODAY I finished The Psalms. Sometimes it was hard going because of repitition. but I FINISHED Psalms. What a glorious Book. It is all about praising the Lord. We are all probably familiar with the 23rd Psalm, and other verses throughout, but I particularly liked Psalm 90 and 91, and 116. I enjoyed reading (although it was hard going) because as I read I would say to myself, "That's how I feel". The last verse in #150 summed up the whole book, and can be condensed in Hymn # 72.

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
Oh my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
Join the great throng, psaltery, organ, and song,
Sounding in glad adoration!

Praise to the Lord! Over all things He gloriously reigneth.
Borne as on eagle wings, safely His Saints He sustaineth.
Hast thou not seen, how all thou needest had been
Granted in what He ordaineth.

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy way and defend thee.
Surely His goodness and mercy shall ever attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
Who with His love doth befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord! oh let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath breath, join with Abraham's seed to adore Him!
Let the "amen" Sum all our praises again,
Now as we worship before Him.

I/We need to remember that He has taken care of me/us every day of our lives!
He is not going to quit now!
I/WE just need to be faithful!

Stripes

When I was a child it was wartime. We didn't have

a lot of clothes. Everything was rationed and clothing was one of these things. We were allowed so many clothing coupons per year.
As an adult our clothes needed to be replaced regularly, not just because of style but because clothing wore out.
Not so these days, seems like we have our things forever. Case in point. Recently when we were visiting family in California my Grandson (who
will remain unnamed) made some comment about the shirt I was wearing.

You have all seen it, red with white stripes (or is it white with red stripes?) either way he indicated that I was wearing it again/still.
Apparently there are pictures taken of me holding him the day he was born wearing "THE" shirt and now he is 16.
So to perpetuate the fun I told him I would not

wear it anymore because I would save it for the day we took him to the MTC. Actually the "oldest" picture I can find of me in the shirt is 1989 at the Rockfeller Center in New York.

I wore it at a family picnic to celebrate our 50th
in 2006. That is a long time. I went through my pictures and here are some of my findings.

Some pictures do not need explanation but.........

New York 1989

Portland Temple 1989

50th Anniversary 2006

Tara's birthday, Peter Vidmar in San Diego, Alan Nielsen, Family Reunion, London, Bountiful Temple, San Francisco

Seasons...........

..........of my life......

I am Lesley's Mother

I am Lesley's baby Jeffrey's Grand-mother

(and Andy's,but this isn't about Andy :o))

and now I am Lesley's baby Jeffrey's baby Avery's Great Grand Mother.

Does that all make sense?

Either way I am one richly blest lady.