Florida Vacation

We just got back and we had sooo much fun! Even with 22 of us, things went pretty smoothly, (If the kids dared to tell me what went on, that is!) We got to go do things that we probably won't have the chance to do again, so I enjoyed every minute of it! We went to the beach, Disneyworld, Nascar,(Jason, Jim, Doug, Kari, Alan and Quinton), Kennedy Space Center (Kari, Shauntae, Wyatt, Molly, Gina, Kaden and McKay), Go-cart racing, Swimming, Deep Sea Fishing (Doug took me and Curt, and Jason came with us), shopping, eating, etc. etc. etc. The time went so fast but we fit in what we could. The flights were great and we all made it home safely. Alan's family and Jim were there a week, Cresta's (except Molly) a week and a day, the rest of us stayed until the 23rd. We left on Kari's birthday and got home on mine. What a way to celebrate! The smiles on the faces of our family made it all worth it!

Food and Quilts, yes they tie together!

I was doing some quilt blocks the other day and was looking for some scissors to

cut some threads. I pulled out the drawer and there were the pair that Bessie had given me one day when she was cleaning her drawers.

They are HUGE and they have her name engraved on the side. I know she must have used them when she was making her stuffed animals, with all the thick fake fur. It made me remember the things that she helped me on after Curt and I were married. She helped me when I was learning to sew. She was good at it and she was precise. She would look at my zippers and make me un-pick them if they weren't straight at the top. It made me learn to do it right if I was going to do it! She made the cutest stuffed bears and animals and the stuffed stick horse, sheep, bulls etc. that she made were awesome. I had to mend the bull the other day because it is falling apart from so much use. She was able to show Gina how to make them and she is carrying on with the talent! She took the time to sew my kids clothes when they were young, just for fun. I thought it was great that she would make matching outfits for my girls. She must have loved them to do that for them! I wouldn't have ever tried quilting if it wasn't for her. I love to go to the church and visit with the ladies and quilt, and I love belonging to the quilt guild, too! She was a great quilter and she liked being with the ladies at the church. They like to remember her when we are there, and I believe she is still considered "the boss" of the group! She also taught me alot about cooking. I know, she never really liked to cook, but, she did make some things that I still make today. I was making fried purple cabbage and some parsnips to go with dinner the other night and that also made me start to remember all those things again. I had never even heard of those two things until I married Curtis. (I have to make the parsnips just for me, Curt can't handle them!) I had Bailey and Quinton for dinner last night and had them try them and both of them liked them, so I guess I can make them for them too! So many times I am cooking something and remember that she liked that particular item. They will always stay in my memory because of that. She helped me learn another side of things that I wouldn't have had a chance to if I wouldn't have known her. I'm glad I had the opportunity.