Independence Day!

From our home to yours~ be safe today and enjoy our liberty and freedom!

Life is Good!

Turning Sunflowers Into Fireworks

I've been looking at my cookie cutters creatively. How could I use that sunflower cutter in other ways?


I could add fireworks for the 4th! Wishing you all a safe and happy celebration today.

Happy Independence Day!

Life is Good!

July 4th

Life is Good!

Independence Day 2009

You're a grand old flag,
You're a high flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave.
You're the emblem of
The land I love.
The home of the free and the brave.
Ev'ry heart beats true
'neath the Red, White and Blue,
Where there's never a boast or brag.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.

-George M. Cohan

Life is Good!

The Independence 'Sandwich'

Ever since our children have had their driver's licenses there has been that one looming phone call, the one every parent dreads: "I've been in an auto accident, can you come?" That call came yesterday, but not from one of our children; instead it came from one of our parents. My mother-in-law phoned to say that someone had driven into her car, my husband took the call. "She sounds fine", he said, "I'll go to where the collision occurred and see what I can do." It was immediately apparent, upon arrival, that things were worse than Mom had led on. She'll be fine, in time; the car won't be. She's bruised and stiff today, mainly due to injuries sustained from the airbag. We knew she wouldn't be driving indefinitely, but the fact that she could was one remaining bit of independence that she was holding on to, and tightly at that! Her short trips to the grocery store, post office, card shop and hair dresser were just enough to affirm her autonomy. Now, in an instant, all of that has changed. I am thankful that she, and the occupants of the other car, weren't injured any worse than bumps and bruises. But, I'm sad for her today too. The span of life to be independent, sandwiched between being cared for by others, is never as long as we'd choose.

Life is Good!
... and blessings abound, I'm remembering that today...

Psalms 30:11

Yes, you're at the Strawberry Patch! At first glance you may have thought you were Near Philadelphia, right? Close. The center portion, the ladies dancing, was given to me by Nancy, who blogs there. You'll recognize these wonderful ladies as her identifying logo. I received the applique piece from her when she "paid it forward", a challenge that she issued last summer to promote random acts of generosity among bloggers. With Nancy's permission, I decided to use her gift as the focal point of a wallhanging (29.5" X 31") to be placed in a silent auction for the purpose of raising money for the Charity Reserve Fund* at our church. The auction will take place in April. The *CRF helps with utilities and rent for those struggling to remain independent in difficult economic times. I added the words from scripture, Psalms 30:11 "...you have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy..." and incorporated the Wild Goose Chase border. I'll machine quilt it, I found this great batik for the backing (see below). I hope this cooperative effort will bring in a fair amount of cash for a very worthy cause!

...when bloggers unite, watch for ideas to ignite...
Life is Good!