Life in the Country

GP sat straight up in bed about 2am...."I heard something". He went downstairs, looked outside, then decided maybe he dreamed it. Then about 15 minutes later.....I heard it. The high pitched panicky yelps of a coyote. It wasn't on the front porch or anything but it was pretty close. My mind immediately went to Banjo, do we need to start putting him up for the night in the barn? There are bats in the soffetts, spiders at the back door, racoons, ground hogs, deer and opossums a plenty....now I have to get ready to face a coyote (although I don't plan to be out much in the middle of the night).

I am also learning more about the economics of country living. Like Dry Cleaning, when there is only one place in town...its expensive! We will be taking that back to WS in the future. But the little grocery store is pretty good both for selection and price so that makes it easy for quick trips when in the middle of a recipe we are missing something. And the local florist....she did a great job on both the wedding and the funeral and for a very good price. I'm learning.

The Most Traditional of Wedding Gifts!

Not china, towels, or silver...but a quilt. For many generations a wedding marked a time when friends and family of a bride would work on a wedding quilt as a gift for the new couples home. My quilt friends stepped up and did the same. How in only 8 weeks I am not sure. There was a trip to Mary Jo's, some cutting of kits, and about a dozen quilters involved in getting these log cabin blocks pieced. They are arranged in a barn raising pattern. Could it be more perfect for Go Postal and I's room? Salem Stitcher did a lot of the assembling and Mrs Goodneedle and Sundance did a fantastic job quilting it. Quiltkeemosabe even provided matching pillow cases with a lovely crocheted (sp?) edging. This picture doesn't do it justice since my little blackberry didn't have enough light but I couldn't wait anymore to share it.

Many oohs and ahhs were heard when we opened this at the reception and several friends have wanted to see it up close when they visit the cabin. I have the greatest group of quilting buds and not just because of gifts like this, but because no matter what is needed they are there. We love our quilt and you all very very much!

A Goodbye, and a Welcome Home

Many of you know that GP's dad has been in declining health for some time. Saturday night (almost two weeks exactly since we were married) he passed from his earthly home to his one in Heaven. He was a sweet and jovial man and will be missed dearly by his many friends and family. I was blessed to be a part of his life for the last few years and so happy that he was able to be a pary of our wedding day. Love you Poppy


Joe's unit was already scheduled to return from Iraq this week but were to be in de-briefing for two more weeks in Texas. They were able to intercept him in Kuwait and divert him home to be with his family. We joined his plane in Greensboro this morning. Its gives us all a peace to have him home.

Summertime Treats

I can't decide which I like better, a homegrown tomato or a juicy fresh peach. We had some of both this week. GP's Dad wouldn't eat all day yesterday, but he couldn't resist this peach pie I pulled out of his oven last night. My garden has succombed to all the deer/groundhogs/rabbits for the season but thankfully we have friends who have plenty and are sharing!

Before the Big Moment

We had thirty minutes of music before the wedding, and we all stayed back in parlor until it was time to walk around to the front of the church for our big entrances. The kids found a jigsaw puzzle in one of the Sunday School classrooms to work on while we were waiting. Cuteness!!

Images from Charleston

We had a lovely three nights in Charleston. GP and I had never been, and what a treat. We stayed at the corner of Market and Meeting so we walked everywhere. The meals were outstanding, the crepe myrtles were blooming and it was more humid there than any place I have ever been on Earth (maybe the butterfly garden in Singapore was close) We will definitely go back as there is still lots to see and enjoy over and over.

Last Day, strolling around Battery Park and up Rainbow Row

The Circular church. One of the oldest continually meeting congregations in Charleston. We went to an African Spiritual Singing one night....they caught me yawning and made me come up and sing with them.....

The beautiful gates and iron work were fun to see, some of the ornate fencing was probably worth more than my whole home.

I got to go to People, Places and Quilts. I bought a pattern for "Stars over Ft Sumter" It was a Bonnie Blue pattern, but more special since we had just visited the Fort.

So GP went to the quilt shop....yes the ladies thought it was funny he was in there on his honeymoon (and speculated that it wouldn't happen after a few years of marriage) But we trade off, I go to car shows...and to this: The Charleston Post Office. They had a small museum of old postal uniforms, stamps and tools that he enjoyed seeing.

This fountain down at the waterfront was made for wading...so we jumped right in. We were lucky to catch the pretty sky just as the sun was setting.


We also went through three house museums, took a carriage tour, and drove accross the big suspension bridge. I think our entire family should go back sometime and stay at the beach....and let some of us come back in for side trips to enjoy all the sights.

Ring Bearer Pillows

I mentioned at Black Mt...how nice it would be to have ring bearer pillows that you could actually use again. I have a great group of friends.....they took the idea and ran with it. Based on the google image I posted on my blog to announce our engagement, this is what I recieved. The fabrics are from the Garden Party line and will match all the signature blocks that were signed at the reception. KB and Gina did an awesome job...they are even hand quilted. Thank You!!!!