Life is Like a Patchwork Quilt!

A couple of weeks ago,

a stunning bouquet of roses was delivered to my desk ...

I recognized the vase and knew immediately who had sent them!

The farmer has a lot of class!

The time went quickly that day - 3:30 p.m. arrived

and I was called to Carol's desk where a fragrant corsage

was gently pinned to my sweater.

We all walked together up to the gallery where some "busy bees" had 

transformed it into a beautiful reception area!

There were quilts on display,

fresh flowers in crown jars,

pretty tea cups and saucers,
on lace table cloths.

Cheri, you are amazing!

Sparkling drinks, coffee and tea

was served to the guests.

Cheri and her incredible kitchen team

had prepared delicious  finger foods
which was presented like works of art!

A keepsake signature quilt was being signed by friends and colleagues.

Sweet words by Sara,

the one who master minded this whole event and with whom I have worked closely in the accounting office for these past delightful years!

There were kind words read from former co-workers and a sweet note from our Becky.

I fought hard to hold back the tears.

On a lighter side,

Trevor, Derek and Fred - our very own blue grass trio - performing a revised version of Bill Monroe's Georgia Grebel Rose!!!

I heard someone say it was worth coming to the party just to hear this song!

I loved it!

Here is a snippet of the song .... 
youtube link - http://youtu.be/kMnyZPH_ski

Beautiful gifts were presented - all so unnecessary but greatly appreciated.

President Susan Schultz Huxman presented this Hebron Glass Pitcher.
Little did anyone know that it matches the water glasses that we
purchased in Israel a few years ago! 

A framed quilt block - I love this! Thanks Sara!

They saved the best for last - a stained glass panel designed after the Grebel Chapel windows - this was such a surprise!

Thank you Ruth - you are a dear friend!

And then there were a few words from Ruth.

It was she who gave me this poem by Elizabeth Ryan Decoursey - which set the tone for this party:

Life is like a patchwork quilt and each little path is a day. Some patches are rosy, happy and bright, and some are dark and grey. But each little patch as it's fitted in and sewn to keep it together, makes a finished block in this life of ours, filled with sun, and with rainy weather. So let me work on Life's patchwork quilt through the rainy day and the sun --- Trusting that when I have finished my block the Master may say "Well Done". 

There were even quilt decorated cookies!!!!

I shall miss you all ................. thanks for such a wonderful send off!!!

Found the perfect spot for the quilt patch!

A beautiful hand made "quilt" card that everyone signed - such a nice gesture!

There's a USB stick, thanks to Danielle, our Winter Term Marketing Assistant, 

who took most of these pictures - now I know why they call them "Memory Sticks"!

Till next time ........... looking forward to what life's quilt has in store for me in this next chapter.

  

Binding (and Loosing)

It's been a winter of quilts ...

you may have read my post about this special quilt here

The quilting was finished and now is ready for the binding.

Foreground centre is Sara - the mastermind behind this fun project

We got the call from Mandy (middle of picture) in the library that the final stitches were being added to the quilt! I grabbed my camera to capture this moment, the culmination of our Relief Sale Quilt project.

Ruth, Janet and Loretta - some expert quilters whose stitches are perfect!
I hope that someday my stitches will be half as good.

The quilt was "loosed" from the quilt stands and given a quick underside check to see if any stitches were missed or needed correcting ... there was such excitement in the air.

The efforts of so many hands just made this project so special!

Mandy and Sara - let the binding begin!!

This weekend I also finished the binding of another quilt:

My stitches leave a lot to be desired but I've been smitten by this process and by the beauty of quilts.

Do you remember back in the day when "liquid embroidery" was popular? As a young girl we had a Happy Helpers Club at church and had fun colouring with liquid embroidery on fabric squares. These squares were then made into quilts and comforters (I'm talking a long time ago so maybe you've never heard of this).

My mom also enjoyed this "art" and made several sets of this crib quilt pattern.

I found the pattern along with some finished patches in the bottom of my dad's desk drawer at the Nursing Home - several years ago.

 I promised myself that I would make a crib quilt someday with these lovingly painted patches.

Well the time is right so I purchased some colourful batik fabrics to reflect this colouring book style of  pictures.

This has been so much fun!

The binding is now finished and every stitch (uneven and all) has been done with a thankful prayer!

This will be a wee gift from a Great-Grandmother and a Grandmother for a much anticipated grandchild ....... yes, you've probably guessed it - I am going to be a Grammie!!!!!

I can't even tell you how much love there is my heart for this unborn child.

There is more binding and "loosing" to talk about but I will leave that for another blog post.

Till next time - feeling so blessed and humbled!

"Now I - Lay Me - Down - To Sleep - Heavenly - Angels - Guard - My Sleep - Amen"

Chia It's Cold Outside!

'nuff said!!!

It's a crisp and cold Family Day here in Ontario.

Time to break out the chia seeds and warm the oven....

Chia Seeds are said to be a super food and this bread, called "Super-Power Chia Bread" from the Oh She Glows Cookbook does not disappoint.

My sweet daughter gifted me with this book some time ago and this is one of my favourite chia seed recipes.

It's quick and easy to throw together and bakes in about 25 minutes.

The only trick is to have a good blender to pulverize the rolled oats!

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup Rolled Oats

1/4 Cup Raw Buckwheat Groats

(or just use 3/4 Cup Oats)

1/2 Cup Chia Seeds

1/4 Cup raw Sunflower Seeds

1/4 Cup raw Pepita Seeds (aka - pumpkin seeds)

1 tsp. dried oregano

1 tsp. sugar

1/2 tsp. dried thyme

1/2 tsp. sea salt

1/4 tsp. each of garlic powder and onion powder

Pulverize the oats and groats in the blender till a fine flour forms.

Mix the "flour" with the other ingredients

Stir in 1 Cup water until combined and pour mixture (it will be very runny) into a parchment lined square cake pan. Smooth the top and bake for 25 minutes at 325F.

Cool bread for 5 minutes in the pan. Remove and cool for an additional 10 minutes.

Slice with a pizza cutter or knife. Bread is approx. 3/4 inch thick.

I like to cut it into wedges and then slice it horizontally to make a sandwich.

This bread is very dense and moist - stores well in fridge for 2 to 3 days or freezes well too.

Today for my lunch it was delicious with some soft cheese, a slice of avocado and hot pepper jelly!

Now for some dessert ....

I've noticed many Chia Seed Pudding recipes on Pinterest and thought I'd give this one a try:

It only made two 8 oz. servings - I wonder if it'll last till dinner?

Mint Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding

by - Young Idealistic Baker

I had some fresh mint on hand so why not try this ... I set the pudding out in the cold snow to take the picture and the mint froze immediately - soooo cold out there!

I took a wee taste and it's delicious but I'll wait till the farmer gets home for dinner - or should I just make another batch??

Till next time ......... how are you surviving the Winter where you are?