Family History

I love this quote..."Knowing who our family WAS reveals part of who we ARE!"

This photo is of my Aunt Ina, we lived in her home with her from the time I was born, till she passed away when I was 10 years old. I loved Aunt Ina like a Mother and she loved me just as much. Aunt Ina never had children of her own, and was married later in her life ...to a man much older than her. After he passed away, she invited our family to move from our small apartment and live with her in her home
. She lived upstair,s and that is where I spent many, many wonderful hours and days with her. She was a fabulous cook, she shared her love of jewelry and hats with me... and always let me play and dress up with her. She taught me how important I was to her! That was probably the greatest gift she could have ever given me. I was LOVED! What a great gift to pass on to the next generation!

This photo below is a of my Grandma Johnny ( her last name was Johnson )

I had to laugh when I saw this photo of her, because it is quite out of her character. I don't remember her doing any snow mobiling, but the fact that she did at her age was inspiring to me. Grandma Johnny was the one who first taught me to crochet and sew! I spent countless hours in her home. Her home was a safe place for me. I loved my time with her! She loved cornbread and made the best around. She taught me how to cook, and told me that I could do anything that I set my mind to! Oh how eternally grateful I am for her in my life. She loved me and I felt it!

So how did these ladies effect my life? They taught me that I was important and loved. They told me it was ok to do what I loved...the arts!

So at the age of 12 I started selling my crafts in a craft shows.

 Here is a photo of me in 1974  ( age 15 )at a craft show. I was sharing a booth with a dear friend.  She was a painter,  and you can see her artwork behind me.

Then here I am 39 years later in Texas at a Quilt Show with my dear friend! Still loving the opportunity to do what I love and meet new people!

So as I look back at the photos of Aunt Ina and Grandma Johnny, I hope that they can see ( from Heaven ) where that Love and Encouragement they gave me all those years ago...has taken me. 

And how many lives it has effected. My marriage, my kids and my grandkids!

I love passing on to my kids and grandkids the love of CREATING!

Grateful that I have the time to be with them, that I get to tell them how loved they are! I love being able to hold them in my arms and tell them how proud their Aunt Ina and Grandma Johnny would be of them too! 

Yes, family roots are important!

Good Night dear friends!

Trying to wish the miles away!

Today I just worked on some more things for Miss Oakley...it's so hard to be so far away from them right now. Tomorrow our little Oakley Ann will be born, I wish that there weren't so many miles between us. So grateful though that they have some family there with them, that will be a big help to them and to Big Brother Kai ( whose world will be changing very soon ).

 I am so excited to see her sweet little face, and pray hard that all will go well with her and her Mommy tomorrow. I sent this afghan to her and they got it today just in time! Of course she will only need it indoors with air conditioning, because Texas is pretty hot this time of year. Still just want her to be wrapped up in something from her Nana!

She will be born on July 31st, that is a very special day because that was my Aunt Ina's Birthday. She was the woman that we lived with for the first 10 years of my life. She was like a 2nd Mother to me and someone that I loved dearly. She died when I was only 10 years old, I was pretty sure my (10 year old ) world was ending when she died. She left me a quilt and a few photos and they still hold a very special place in my heart and home, and to this day I still miss her!

 How sweet that my 4th granddaughter will be born on her birthday. 

I hope I can sleep tonight, I am soooo excited! 

 I just love being a grandmother and realize that I am so blessed to be able to be a part of these sweet children's lives. Now, another sweet grandchild will be here to teach her sweet Nana ...all the things that I will need to know about life!

Good Night dear friends!

His promise!

This week, I found out that two of my dear friends were just diagnosed with Cancer. I so remember both times, that I was diagnosed with Cancer. It is like your whole world is turned upside down and everything is put on hold. Actually the best word is...your whole world gets  Prioritized. All the things that you worry and become preoccupied all day long with, now changes because you, your life and your family become front and center. Your priorities become crystal clear.
I remember looking out the window and watching everyone going on with their day as if nothing was different and I thought, the world just keeps going on and no one knows that my family and I are going through something terrible.
I felt the same way when my Aunt Ina died, we lived with her in her home for the first 10 years of my life. She was my best friend, protector and my world. The day of her funeral, I remember the Milk man coming early in the morning ( as he did each week ) to drop off our milk ...and I thought it was so rude of him not to realize that my sweet Aunt had passed away. He didn't know her, but  I thought he should have, I thought everyone should have known my Aunt Ina, I loved her so much. And as we left her funeral, I remember looking out the window of our car and I couldn't believe that everyone's world was still going on, as if nothing ever happened. Something did happen and to a 10 year old girl, it was the biggest thing in my life, and for some reason I thought everyone should at least stop for a moment and recognize that my Aunt had passed away.

So I try hard to remember when I am around these people that I am respectful that their whole world has changed in an instant. The things that normally filled their days will be exchanged for appointments and treatments. A huge change in their lives is going on and so even though I can't do much, I can pray for them. I can try and send them cards and letters of hope and encouragement.
Both of these individuals are already amazing people with great family support. They will do fine, they will share something with the world as their courage shines through on their darkest days. How grateful I am to know that there is a God in the heavens, who loves us and knows us by name. He will keep His promise to be with us. For that we can be sure!
Good Night dear friends!

Aprons!

Just looking at this photo makes me miss my Grandma Johnny and Aunt Ina, both were incredible women in my life, and ones that taught me how to create things with my hands. I can hardly remember a time that they didn't have an apron on, well except when they went to church. So when I ran across this again, it brought a sweet memory to my heart. I hope my Grandchildren have some special memories of their Nana and Poppa and of our home as they grow up.
Good night dear friends!

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The History of 'APRONS' 

I don't think our kids know what an apron is. The principle use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath because she only had a few. It was also because it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and aprons used less material. But along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids..

And when the weather was cold, Grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men folk knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

Visiting hours in heaven!

I saw this photo quote on a friend's post the other day. What a beautiful thought.
I sometimes wish that were true too, then it wouldn't seem so hard to wait and see
our loved ones in the next life. Just think about if we could have visiting hours!
I would visit my Grandma Johnny and tell her about how my life turned out. I would
tell her about her Great Grandchildren and how fun and sweet they are. I would thank her
for teaching me to sew and tell her that I know work and teach in a Quilt Shop.
I would stop by and see my Aunt Ina and thank her for the incredible influence of LOVE and
Acceptance she was in my life. I knew she loved me and that no matter what she would always
protect me. We were together the first 9 years of my life. I think of the special relationship I have with Angie at the age 8, and so I could only imagine how much closer she and I were, because we lived in the same
home.
I would stop and see my Mom and tell her about all that is going on in my life. I would tell her that Lauren is getting ready to get married soon. I would tell her how well Lee is doing in college. I would tell her about her great grandchildren too. I would check on her and let her know how much I miss her.
There are a ton of other people I would visit. I am just grateful that I know that this life isn't the end. That we can go on through the eternities with our loved ones, if we live worthy to do so.
Knowing that there is life after death;  that are loved ones are ok, and that we will be able to see each other some day, is a knowledge that brings me great peace and joy.
Good night dear friends!