Thursday, December 24, 2015

Happy 93rd birthday, Mom!

It doesn't seem as though it has been almost 30 years since I have seen my mother. There are days and weeks I don't think of her, but today being her birthday she has been on my mind alot. A couple days ago I made cookies with my grandaughters with her 'shooter' machine. My sister Lissa has had this contraption in her cupboard for years just because it was mom's and gave it to me this past summer. I had to at least  try it once! The cookies didn't taste as good as the cookies  mom made, but the tradition has been passed down to another generation.

Love you. Mom!

Until next time,
Happy Quilting.

Friday, October 2, 2015

Differences between here and there......

Julie and I were talking today about the diffences we encounter while driving between other places and here. We have found that the speed of vehicles are always 5-10 miles an hour faster than the posted speed limit every where else.... here it is 5-10 miles slower. I have also noticed that when the light first turns red it means 'go' and Julie figures that everybody wants to get away from that line of cars behind them that they created with their 5-10 miles an hour under the speed limit..... On the other hand I have found that the people around here are more generous with giving donations then anywhere else. On our counters at work we have buckets for donations and we get more money in 24 hours then I did in a week when I worked at Circle K in AZ. I'm not sure if the generosity cancels out the driving or not.....

PS, Happy Birthday Norm!

Until next time, 

Happy Quilting, Sharon Permanent "Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2013

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Another concert at Loretta Lynn's Ranch!

On our anniversary we went to see Loretta Lynn at her ranch in Hurricane Mills, TN. Then when Lissa was here in July we did the tours which were fantastic. Lissa and I spent a lot of time in the museum. This concert was a 'sister' concert with Crystal Gayle. Peggy Sue was there too, which was a nice addition. 


Here is Loretta's bus. We didn't realize last concert that this was out back of the stage. To the left of Loretta's bus was Crystal's, but it wasn't a clear picture so I didn't take one of it. 


Crystal came on first. Great show.


Peggy Sue and Crystal.


Loretta, of course!


Crystal's hair. It is just a mite shorter now. It goes just past her knees instead of to the floor.


Peggy Sue, Loretta and Crystal.


Loretta and Crystal.

I really love going to these concerts. It just amazes me the strength of the voices of these ladies. Loretta is 83, Peggy Sue is 72 and Crystal is 64. They just knock you out of your seats when they sing.



Happy Quilting, Sharon Permanent "Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2013

Saturday, August 15, 2015

Catching up with life!

I couldn't believe that it has been 3 months since I have been on here pestering all of you. So I decided to get everyone caught up on what is going on in my life.

During the spring and our drives to the gym in Hendersonville we past many wild animals. One of our favorite sites are the vultures. Unlike the western vultures we saw in Arizona these bad boys are all black. They remind me of grumpy old men. In this picture they are sitting on a wooden fence waiting their turn at the deer dinner in the ditch. It was raining and the wind was blowing so they were facing away from the ditch. 


Carl tried walking up the other side of the road to get a better picture, but as he got closer they took off for the trees one by one to wait until they could go back to their dinner.


We've also seen turkeys all over the place. I wanted to see the 'turkey dance' and one day on our way home from church we happened on one. We sat and watched while this gobbler danced his way across a yard. The hen was just a ways in front of him and every time she wasn't watching he would do a quick 3 step to get closer. 





One of the 'visits' we made this last spring was to Johnny and June Cash's grave site. Both of them have a bible verse quoted and their signatures. It was funny because Carl and I kept talking about finding different grave sites of 'famous' people and we were driving right by Johnny and June every day we went to the gym.

I'm not sure how many people know that I have a true appreciation of our American flag and everything that it represents. I have probably told this story before, but I am going to repeat it here tonight. On my very first trip across this country with my in-laws I saw my first large American flag in Oklahoma, OK. I was sitting at the table in Mom and Dad's motorhome looking out the front windows at the new to me scenery. In the distance (it is very flat in Oklahoma....) I saw something moving against the sky. At first it was just a dot that looked out of place against the blue sky so I just kept my eye on it as we traveled down the road. Then I noticed that it was blue, next it had a little red mixed in with the blue and finally I realized it was an American flag. I had never seen a flag as big as that one in my life. I have seen many large American flags since that day and I am still just as amazed so when we first moved to TN and I spotted these flags I knew I had to share them with you. I have taken many trips to the area to take several pictures of this trio, but I think these are the best. They are flying over 3 auto dealerships on Rt 31E in Hendersonville, TN. The first picture was taken from a Wal-Mart parking lot right next to the one of the dealerships. The second photo was taken several miles east of where the flags fly.

 



In August we traveled to New York to visit family and to go to the Voorheis' 75th family reunion. I took a picture of a picture of another family reunion many years before. Carl was just a kid in this picture. Not sure where he is, but Mom and Dad Voorheis are in the top row, right side.


This is one of my favorite pictures of Carl. I just happened to take it while we were at the reunion.



Here are a few of the clan standing around getting to know each other again.

A great picture of Carl with his oldest aunt, Ida Voorheis White.







Another great picture of Carl and his aunt Glenna Voorheis Berry.







It was interesting when we heard that Wayne, Florence, Orin and Chartina were making the trip from Utah to New York during the reunion time. Also, Elwin and his family made the trip from Conneticut so we got to spend time with a lot of family from all over the country on this trip.







Here is Kai, Elwin, Nikolai and Wayne enjoying the great weather and visiting with everybody.








The day after the big family reunion just the immediate family got together. We had good food, good conversation and a great time.




Here is Joyce, Carl and Wayne. I'm not sure what they were smiling about, but they were probably up to no good.....
I tried getting around to get pictures of everybody that was there. We had 2 tables surrounded with family.







Here is KiKi with the beautiful smile. She didn't want to talk with anybody until the camera came out. She sure is a cutie. Of course that is me in the middle with Meggin, KiKi's mom.
Carl and I stayed with my sister and brother-in-law, Lissa & Bruce most of the time we were there. On our first night in NY she had our brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Roxanne over for supper. There is only 4 of us 'kids' still living and we were hoping that we would all be together with this trip, but our oldest sister, Loretta couldn't make it. So this is the 'other 3' kids, Lissa, Larry and Sharon.


It was great getting together with both sides of our families to share special times and good laughs. The older we get the more special these times are.

Until next time, 
Happy Quilting, Sharon Permanent "Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2013

Saturday, May 9, 2015

Good Evening!

I really have not been avoiding my blog, but have been having some issues with my computer and haven't wanted to spend much time on it. The weather has warmed up and we have started mowing the lawn and getting things cleaned up around here to make it easier to keep everything looking nice. With this nice weather we have also seen a lot of animals running around and I have several cute pictures to share with you when I get my computer cleaned up. 

Since I have been saving time not being on the computer I have been working on increasing my towel stock to be ready for the summer farmer's market. The Hendersonville Farmer's Market will start on May 23rd, which happens to be our 20th wedding anniversary. As of today we are planning on spending the morning at the farmer's market then we are going to see Loretta Lynn in concert at her ranch. I'm really looking forward to that weekend.

Until next time,

Happy Quilting, Sharon 
Permanent "Quilting the Kaye Wood Way"
Certified Instructor since 2013

Sunday, April 5, 2015

Happy Easter!

Today kids usually get an easter basket with lots of goodies and it wasn't any different here. I even got a plant from the youngest members of the house. Boy, these sure do smell nice! I can also plant them outside next to our back door this fall so I can enjoy them next spring too! Thanks, girls!



I hope everybody had a great Easter Sunday and receive all the blessings they are in need of.

Until next time,

Happy Quilting, Sharon 
Permanent "Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor 
since 2013

Monday, March 2, 2015

While looking for my birth certificate I ran across this poem. I typed it up on a small piece of paper over 40 years ago and have carried it in my wallet all this time. I have no idea who penned it first, but it really hits me every time I read it.


"But You Didn't"

Remember the time you lent me your car and I dented the fender?
I thought you'd kill me.... but you didn't.

Remember the time I spilled Coke on your new rug?
I thought you'd kill me.... but you didn't

Remember the time I forgot to tell you the dance was formal and you came in jeans?
I thought you'd hate me.... but you didn't

Remember the countless times you'd try to be serious and I'd giggle?
I thought you'd leave me.... but you didn't

Remember all the times I'd flirt with other guys just to make you jealous and you were?
I thought you'd drop me.... but you didn't

There were plenty of things you did to put up with me and there were so many things I wanted to tell you after you returned from Vietnam....

But You Didn't



Happy Quilting, Sharon 
Permanent "Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2013

Friday, February 20, 2015

Life can throw you curve balls at times.......

Many years ago we left the great state of New York in part to get away from the weather. We did have a few times when we were in Arizona where we did get a layer of ice on the yard. It didn't stay around like it has around here this past week. We haven't been house bound because of snow and ice in 22 years and we were out of practice! We have a pool but as you can see here you can't really tell where it is. I don't think I shall jump in anytime soon...


Then we took a ride into town after we managed to get the van up the driveway. It really surprised me that the post office didn't have their parking lot cleaned up. It was a solid layer of ice with lots of ruts.


Nobody was ready around here to get snowed under. From what I have been told this hasn't happened in over 14 years so why would they spend the money on snow plows and salt/sand stockpile. Now I am ready for it to be over so we can get back to life without the white stuff..... Do you think I'll get my wish? 

Happy Quilting, Sharon 
Permanent "Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2013

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Ideas for blog posts...

 If you have followed my blog over the years you know that we love to see the wild creatures around us. As Carl & I travel back and forth to the gym each day we see some neat sites. On one stretch of road there is a hawk that sits on the electric lines just waiting for a snack to pop up in the field. 


On another one of our trips we went traveling a new road. Coming around a corner we saw an old house or barn that was falling apart. Of course I had to stop and get a picture and while I was clicking away I noticed  a vulture in the rafters. Can you find it? It took Carl a couple minutes to find it even though we were right there. While we were there a second one came hopping out to join the first one.


Over the years we have seen a lot of natures beautiful creations and I think a couple of our other adventures have been my favorites. This one while we were on a picnic not far from Lake Pleasant in Peoria, AZ and on our way back from Hoover Dam a few years ago. What are your favorite sites you see around you?

Until next time,

Happy Quilting, Sharon 
Permanent "Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2013

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Barns and churches in our area.

As we have traveled around this area I have noticed a lot of barns that are no longer being used and are falling down. It would be interesting to know what secrets these buildings have hidden in the wood. These are a few of my favorites. 



The first 2 are the same barn from different directions.


This one is out in the middle of a large field.


I have a feeling that this one was a store front at some point. Recently someone bought this property and removed the front addition that someone added at some point. This has much more character. 


The rest of these buildings are inspired by Lynne. When we go to 'town' we pass a minimum of 9 churches and here are a few of them. Check out the signs if you can read them.





Same church from both directions.



The one below is also in the picture above. Two churches next door to each other. One starts at 9 or 10 am and the other starts at 2 pm.




Happy Quilting, Sharon 
Permanent "Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" 
Certified Instructor since 2013

Friday, January 16, 2015

Deal of the day!

We stopped in a local Goodwill to look for sweatshirts for Carl and I always have to look all over for great deals. Today's deal went to the 6, 5500 yard spools of Robinson-Anton rayon embroidery thread I found for $1.99. One was full, 3 are 99% full and one is 25% full. Regular price is about $15.00 each! Yep, a great day at Goodwill!


Happy Quilting, Sharon 
Permanent "Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2013

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Just surfing the web....

As I sit here going through my e-mail, Facebook, library and applying for jobs I think about what I wanted to do on my blog. I love to add picture here, but at times it takes so much time to get them ready to add that I just skip the whole process. Over the past week or so on our way home from the gym I have managed to get a few pics of old barns that I have fallen in love with. As we were coming home this morning I was composing a post here with my pics, but this is what you are getting. 

Yesterday on our way to the gym it was raining cats and dogs, today it was spitting that white stuff.... Just a little temperature change and we go from water to frozen ice.... So today ended up being a great day to lay around and read which I excel at. 

I will get my pics downloaded and posted just as soon as I get my nose out of my current book. I sure hope it isn't a blustery day tomorrow with more of that white stuff it just might give me a reason for another book....

Until next time,

Happy Quilting, Sharon 
Permanent "Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" 
Certified Instructor since 2013

Friday, January 2, 2015

Happy New Year!

I know, I know I'm a day late.....but better late then never, right? As in years in the past I am not making any resolutions, but this time of the year always gets me looking back through my 'adventures'. 



With today being the last day my hubby is 63 years old, it gets me thinking about our life together. I have 26 years of 'adventures' with him going through my mind while I sit here watching 'Purgatory' for the umpteenth time.

The first time I ever saw him at Groton Residential Nursing Home, our first date, our 'remodeling' project in the Groton house, our move to Arizona and most recently to Tennessee. The jobs we did together, the vacations and people we've met. The joys and challenges.

We have had one heck of a life together so far and I am looking forward to a few more 'adventures' to add to the ones I have already. 

So, Carl whats next in our 'adventure'?

Love you!


Happy Quilting, Sharon 
Permanent "Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" 
Certified Instructor since 2013