On to a new me!

Well, it's been a week on our weight loss challenge. I have had ups and downs and some yelling at myself for not having enough will power, but I have seen a little weight go off, and that is spurring me on to try harder! Weekends seem the hardest... I guess because we get together more and on Sunday we eat and sleep after church! I am so glad that we are doing this, it will make be feel better and be able to do more and be stronger, which is what I need to get through each day! I am reading some books on how to cook the foods that will help the weight go off, and they are pretty much how I cook anyway, it's the EATING part that I have to control now!!! Anyway, I may not lose the most, but if I lose some, that is a plus in my book!

I don't have too many photo's of me, but this is the "BEFORE" shots. I really hope that the "AFTER" are better!!! Here's to a Healthier, Happier, Thinner me!

I finished a few more paintings. The first one was for Relief Society. My friend asked several of us to create something that had to do with the creation. The painting of Wyatt was one and this one was Curtis's idea. I call it Matter Unorganized. After Curt gave me the idea, I found a picture of a drop of water and then created this from it. It is an oil painting.

The original is actually deeper in color. I just have a hard time getting my camera to pick up the right colors without using the flash.
The second painting is a watercolor. We did these in a class setting. We all did the same painting looking at one by Ian Ramsey. It was fun and a lot easier than trying to figure out the composition by myself.

I won't be able to do anything with either of them, since they have originated from others work. They are both mainly practice pieces, but I think they turned out ok!

My newest Painting

Three different shots of the same painting. I was asked to paint something that depicted the creation for a church lesson. This is one of the ideas that I had. Birth is the miracle that I think of the most. This is of Wyatt when he was a baby. It was such a peaceful shot that I thought it would work for the lesson.

I have another idea for it also, from Curtis, that I am going to try. If it works out, I will post it, too.

Daren's Quilt

(Sorry- the photo was from my phone.. it wouldn't post larger)

I went to see my brother, Daren, yesterday. He is a strong, brave man. He is facing the cancer and living with the prospects. It is so hard to see him being brought down by the chemo, yet he is looking forward to when he will feel good enough to do things again. He has been a great influence on so many people, and he has the support of many friends and family members. I made him a quilt to wrap up in when he is having bad days from the meds. He was freezing that day, so the timing was good! I tried to pick some colors that would cheer him up and the pattern on the big blocks are animals... things that he has always loved! He is an inspiration to me. He knows what is coming, after watching our sister struggle with the same type of cancer, yet he is hopeful that the trials he is on will find a way to help him and the other people who are living with it also. We miss him coming and hunting with us and spending time visiting. He and his wife are in for a time when things are going to be harder. I hope I can help in some way to make it a little easier on them. With his strength and determination- Anything is possible! I will pray for him everyday and hope that he can handle what ever happens.

Snow Day at the Ranch!

We had a fun snow day today at the ranch. We had friends and family and friends of friends of family! It was a great day with sunshine and pretty mild temperatures. The snow was pretty deep in places. Curt had plowed out the road so that we could get in, so it worked out great! We had the snowmobiles and the sleighs and even had some experimental sleds... I heard that some of the "boys" decided to go down the hill in a canoe! Jenny made lunch for all of us, and we had a warm fire in the fireplace for those who wanted to warm up a bit! It is such a blessing to have the family be together and have fun. I hope we get to do it more often!

Christmas at the Christensen's

We had a wonderful Christmas and New Years celebration this year. We had great food, good people to be with us, a call from Texas that made our day, back rubs, of course we had the gifts and wrapping, tree, a fire in the fireplace, "The Christmas Vacation" traditional movie, laughter, tears, everything that makes a great holiday! I am so thankful for my family and being able to have them with me during this time and anytime that we want to be together!

I was so worried about the quilts I made for each of the kids, I wondered if they would like the ones that I chose for them. It made be a little nervous, but I think they all liked them when they got them. It was fun making them the last two years. When you are doing something for someone else, it makes it so much fun to plan and work on to finish!

Chester got to spend some time with us and we are so grateful to him for all that he has done for us. It was a very sad Christmas for him. He was missing his Bessie so much. Then he didn't feel very good, so he went to Kino's to stay until he is better. We are just glad that he got to be with us for the time he was here. We also got to see Ally and Kevin while they were here. They had a lot of places to visit in the time they were back, and I'm glad they chose to come see us!
My mother was in the hospital over Christmas. She broke her hip and had a replacement one put in. They thought she was going to be in re-hab for 3 months, but she fooled them! She was home before three weeks! She is a feisty, strong lady. I hope I can remember her every time I think I am tired or sick. She is an inspiration to me. She has a walker and wheel chair to get around until she is all the way healed. The doctors and nurses were so good to her, I think she would have stayed there just for them... except she wanted to go home! She really missed her friends and her own bed. She is getting around by herself and has an aid come help every other day. I know if it weren't for Myndi, she would have to have a lot more help! She is awesome and I am thankful that she is close enough to help her.

Kari is doing well on her mission and is feeling so much better... I am thankful that the doctors know what they are doing. One of the medicines is helping her not have so many pains so she can function and still go out preaching the gospel. She has an awesome companion and is in the big city now. A BIG change from our little town! I am glad she gets this opportunity to lose and find herself at the same time.

It has been a wonderful time for us. My hope is that the new year will continue on in this manner and all will be well with all of us. HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!

New Quilts

I finished another quilt last night. My friend; Cindy, machine quilted it for me. I love what she can do to make my quilts look so good!

We had the blocks as block of the month for our local group. Cindy and I talked about having something like this group for quite awhile, then she and her daughter and I picked out the fabric and the ball started rolling! We have 25 people that are making the same patterns, and learning how to put a quilt together. I never realized how many people are interested in learning the art. I am happy that it is turning out so well. It has been so fun getting to know these ladies better and to see then all progress with their quilts.

We have some who have never sewn and some who are pros... They need to teach me what to do now, they are all doing so well!

My quilt is a different color than the rest, but I think it turned out great!

I am also re-posting a quilt that I put on here, only this time it shows it quilted, front and parts of the back. Cindy quilted this one ,too. It has made all the difference in the outcome of the quilts. I especially like the back of this one, it shows the patterns so well!

I am excited to start a new one and see what I can come up with. I am going to wait until January though. I think this month may go by a bit faster than I plan, for some reason or another!!!

Who would have thought that I would ever get involved with quilting? I don't think my mom was ever interested in it, she liked to crochet and bake. I guess it must have been Bessie's influence that got me interested. It has taken years to get here, but now I am really enjoying putting them together and seeing what I can come up with.

I am so blessed to be able to do the things I like to do, in freedom and with safety. I hope I can create some keepsakes for my family, so that they will think of me when they cover up with them and maybe have some fond thoughts now and again!