One Step Report #11

Wow.  Another week gone, and before I know it, April will be here!  That’s both good and bad, because it means the weather will get better but I also have a lot to do before then… wish me luck.  We’ve had blue skies and sun for two days in a row, and we’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.

Steps taken this week:  83 steps.  Wow.  That sounds like a lot.  I must admit that I’m tempted to penalize myself 20 or 30 steps because my house is so messy right now BUT the purpose of this program is to focus on the positive.  Hopefully I’ll be more successful in the housekeeping department this week.  If not, we’ll still live.

Highlights from the week:

1.  I finally chose a pattern and cut into my Rouenneries layer cake that I’ve been saving since last October.  The pieces are all  cut and waiting to be put together.  I’m excited about this quilt! (Look at that aqua…)

Rouenneries and aqua quilt pieces

2.  I was able to attend a gymnastics meet that my oldest daughter was competing in and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  It was one of those experiences when you sense how much your child is growing up and you feel so happy for them and so happy about who they’re becoming.  I’ve been consciously working on my interactions with her and I feel pleased with what’s happening.

3.  We had our first soccer scrimmage of the season, and I’m taking a deep breath.  The next 9 weeks are going to be CRAZY but I’m going to do my best to enjoy it instead of stress about it.

4.  When a bit of rough play caused an electrical problem in a bathroom this week, my husband and I were able to take a deep breath and handle it calmly.  This allowed us to let our son spend time helping repair the problem and created a memorable father/son experience.

5.  I had a couple of brief but good conversations today with other mothers while I was in the hall at church with a noisy baby.  It’s such a blessing to connect with other women I admire, even if it is only for a minute or two.

6.  Today I made some homemade peanut butter cups.  YUM!


On that sweet note, I’ll wish you a wonderful week!

Hopeful Homemaker

Vintage Sailboat Quilt

In honor of National Quilt Day today,  I thought I’d post pictures of my favorite vintage quilt.

vintage sailboat quilt

This quilt is my favorite for so many reasons!  I purchased it about 3 1/2 years ago on Ebay.  It was one of those love at first sight moments.  It’s made with my favorite colors:  red, white and blue (two shades of blue!) and depicts one of my favorite scenes, sailboats on open water.  I love the symmetry of it and how the overall composition of the quilt works together so beautifully.

There are also many little details that I appreciate about it.  I love the applique work that makes up each sailboat, and how there are little white waves or ripples in the water embroidered in white on the dark blue.

applique sailboats on vintage quilt

I also love the quilting on this quilt.  Done by hand, it is quilted in squares set on their corners with some gorgeous little floral medallions inset in the light blue panels.

flower medallion quilted on vintage quilt

The borders are also fun.  The white border is quilted to be a rope.

rope border on vintage quilt

This quilt is lovely, but is also worn.  It is also very thin.  As you can see from the pictures of the entire quilt, there are sailboats that are almost completely detached (I guess I should mend them!) and places where the fabric, particularly the white fabric is threadbare or worn with small holes.  Still, I love it so much.   It’s a piece that makes me feel both happy and calm when I see it.  It reminds me of trips to the ocean, of my favorite holiday (4th of July) and of cool breezes.  Truly, it’s one of a kind, and I’m so happy that it lives at my house!

vintage sailboat quilt 2

P. S.  Thanks to my helpers who held this for the pictures, and wanted to be in one!

Simple pleasures

I’ve always found it interesting how much comfort can be found in feeling grateful for simple things.

Today I’m thankful for the gift of fresh fruit, oranges to be exact.

sliced oranges

They looked so beautiful with juicy sections glistening in the sunlight.  I love the many shades of color.  Things like this seem so simple, but when you really look at them you realize what a composition they are in themselves.

orange slice

They tasted as sweet as they looked.  Mmm.  Not many things better than a sweet, juicy orange in the winter.

What simple thing are you thankful for today?

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