New Year's With My Boys!

This Sunrise - 

I hope the promise of a better year ahead comes with this beautiful sight.

Truthfully, I can never capture how deep and glowing a sunrise is by camera.  There are definitely some tricks I haven't learned -

I did put this one on "night" exposure and it helped a bit.  But not enough.

This sunrise was spectacular in every way.

It's been an uncomfortable few days here in Quiltville.  It all started with a throbbing "heartbeat" in a troublesome tooth that overnight developed into quite a bit of pain.

Finding a dentist over a holiday weekend is not easy - my own dentist's recorded message of "We are closed from December 24th, 2021 and will reopen on January 3rd, 2022." did not bring me much hope.

Of course this would happen not only on a weekend, but a major holiday weekend! 

Luckily our neighbor-friend is also a dentist, and a quick text message to him was met with "I'll be in the office until 2pm, just come in."

I'll follow up with my regular dentist on Monday, but I'm already feeling much better after a couple of days of antibiotics, so I can make it through the rest of the weekend.

This was my joy yesterday!

Ashlyn was working yesterday, Jeff needed to come help finish the back walkway at Quiltville Inn, so he brought Casden with him!  

And also many things to keep the busy 5 year old entertained - including his new tee ball set.

Batter up!

Assume the position!

Saaaawwwwinnng Batter!

Even funnier - Zoey would run after the balls and play keep-away with them.  We laughed until our sides hurt.  It was SO SO SO good.

Say CHEESE, Casden!

Once worn out, it was time to snuggle in to the big comfy chair in Nana's studio and watch some cartoon thing on Netflix.

I am SO out of touch with what little kids want to watch these days!

I finished up the last of the mail order going out in 2021 while he watched.

My heart completely melted when he said "Hey, Nana?  I love you!" 

Meanwhile next door -

The path to the garage was under way!  

Check out those angles, folks!

They got as far as they could go before sprinkles started.

This metal edging will keep things in place.  It will be filled with soil and in the spring we'll add grass seed to fill in the lawn.

More sprinkles - but check it out!

The polymeric sand will happen next - and there are a few more pavers to add to the garage path - we ran short.  But most of the BIG labor is done.

And what about this weird weather?  We are supposed to be hitting near 70f on New Year's Day today?

And they are calling for snow on Monday.  WHAT?

Two buddies driving tractor!

Just check out that grin!

Dinner was a weird affair.  That's all I'm saying.

I needed something SOFT with this mouth thing.  Pasta fit the bill, only I didn't have any spaghetti.

Back in the depths of the cupboard - Well heck.  It's been such a DUCKY year, and this seemed like the perfect way to tell 2021 to just Duck Off.

The original plan was to use these in chicken soup, but just making a pasta dish hamburger-helper style was easier and quite yummy. (And funny as heck as we ate it.)

Good riddance 2021!  There were many wonderful things that happened, but this overhanging black cloud of Covid, conspiracy theories and politics have made this year exhausting, not to mention have threatened my hope in humanity as a whole.

Last finish of 2021!

I finished the binding, label and hanging sleeve before calling it a night last night. Such a good feeling!

My Top Nine on Instagram!

It's always interesting to see which posts have received the most response through the year - Three great quotes made it, along with the celebrated sale of the Wallburg house. (hooray!)  I also love that a reposted share of an Appalachian Autumn block made it in!

Three great quotes on quilts were also up there with likes. What a great reminder as we start off this new year.

THREE of the Top Nine are of this quilt - which does need a name.  And since that bottom left photo is of that tumble down cabin that was not visible in the summer due to the overgrowth, but plainly visible once leaves had fallen -  I have decided on a name.

This cabin is found on Bear Branch Road.  So I am calling this quilt Bear Branch.  It just fits.

Photos to come when the weather is a bit more cooperative. It's still wet out there right now.

Today's plan for New Year's Day?  NOTHING!

I'm staying home at the cabin.  I may lay out my string blocks and start that top assembly.  

I'll likely binge something on Netflix - there may even be a nap.

How about you?

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Quiltville Quote of the Day -

Allietare is an earlier Quiltville mystery - and will always be one of my favorites.

This little piece of wisdom is on a little card that I keep above my kitchen sink where I can be reminded of it every time I wash dishes – hey, it’s probably the longest amount of time I've ever stood in one place, so it is a good place for it!

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It’s not who you ARE that holds you back -⁣

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It’s who you think you’re NOT.

New Year's is a great time to adopt this into your thinking.

Happy New Year, Friends!