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

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

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

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

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

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

A review of 2014

Rereading my posts from this year I thought I hadn't posted very much, but after checking other years I did post quite a bit. This one is number 43 for the year and that is almost 3 per month, so I guess I do spend some time around here. 

This is my 58th 'last day of the year' event. When I was a teen my mother broke the law and got me some Boone wine for me and I spent some time on the telephone with a friend while I drank it. In later years I spent time in the local watering hole a time or two, then the laws got more strict with drinking and driving and I decided to stay home on this night. As time has gone on I have given up the bars to drinking at home to being a teatotaler and debating if I want to stay up and watch the ball drop on TV. I am contemplating on that ball drop tonight, but that will be decided at 11:45, if I happen to be awake then......

Lots has happened around us this year. We started off in El Mirage, AZ with me working at IMS Allergy & Immunology Specialist and Carl 'disabled'. Now we are in Cottontown, TN, with Carl 'retired', me working on Coyote Quilts & Specialties inventory and spending time with Julie and her family on a daily basis. 

In the spring on our trip across the states we were able to visit with family we haven't seen in many years. Thanks, Vince for sharing your family with us! 

Over the summer and fall we spent weekends at farmer's markets or craft fairs. We had some good days, some wet days and some great days. The best part was meeting other crafters in the area. Another couple of gals moved from Pennsylvania to get away from the cold and we spent a lot of time at the same shows with them. 

In May Carl and I went to New York for Larry and Roxanne's anniversary party. We were able to visit Carl's family also.

Then in October I made a second trip to New York with Julie to keep her company on her trip for Kristen's birthday. I managed to visit family I haven't seen in many years.

Cheryl and Larry

Jeff, his wife and daughter with Lissa and Bruce

And of course Tim and Rhonda.

I took care of Jeff, Tim and Robin many Friday or Saturday nights while a teen. It was the best paying job I had when I was babysitting....

During the summer we spent time in the pool with the grandkids, visited with Julie's friend's that visited, explored our new area, and made a trip to Georgia for camp with another grandkid. 

This fall as the leaves were falling we noticed a lot more things that were behind the leaves as we travel our favorite roads. There are a lot more houses hidden in the woods around here, LOL!

Over Thanksgiving there was a large party. Friends of Jim and Julie visit frequently and we get to join the festivities until we drop, which happens early compared to the 'kids'. It's nice to have things going on around us and being able to visit with new people. 

One of my early posts of the year was about the American Flag that I watched each morning on my way to work.

I have replaced the above site to the one below. These 3 flags can be viewed from 2 different roads that we travel and I just love it when the wind is blowing. This site still makes me pause and reflect what they represent. Over the years the number of stars and their placement has changed, but the meaning has always stayed the same.

Through the year I made several quilts and finished up a few UFO's. 

A new baby quilt

A finish UFO

Now to think about 2015. What do you have planned for 2015? Me, I am just going to plug along just like I did in 2014. No resolutions because they get broken real quick......

Until next time, 

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