Calm Before The Storm -

Thanksgiving week.

I think back to all of the big family gatherings we had while I was growing up.

All of the traditions - food, family, fun.

It's a nostalgic feeling. A warm feeling.

The arrival of Thanksgiving always somehow feels like the gateway to the holiday season, but it still gives me permission to slow down - just a bit. A Calm before the holiday storm.

My own feelings of the origins of Thanksgiving, as they came to light - the real story - (Time magazine article HERE.) and the things I think about during Thanksgiving have changed.  A bit.

That myth of a community of pilgrims and natives dining happily together? Nope.  And this is a hard thing as the Hubster's 9th great grandfather is William Bradford.  Yes, THE William Bradford of Mayflower fame. My sons are 10th great grandsons.

The focus of being grateful (The THANKS part) is still here. It's a day of gratitude, of family, food, movie binging with perhaps some hand quilting in progress, and pie.

But I think it is also important to focus on the second part of the word.  The GIVING part.

We can't change what happened 400 years ago. We can only change what we do today and forward.

This year is going to be a bit different for us. Jason is in Portland, Oregon.  Jeff is celebrating with Ashlyn's family so it's just the two of us.

We'll be sharing our meal with others from our community down at Corner Market where the proceeds of a very traditional Thanksgiving dinner will go to those who need help in our community.  

We'll give thanks....and keep the focus on the GIVING part of the Thanksgiving word.

I will still be making some pumpkin pies - because nothing is as good for breakfast on Black Friday morning (Mystery Day! YAY!) as pumpkin pie for breakfast as I wander down here to the studio and push PUBLISH on Indigo Way Mystery, Part One.

The blocks above are where I am at on my Cardinal inspired project. (Photo at the top of yesterday's post HERE.

So far - so good, and a long way to go yet.

And yes, there is Y2K fabric and penguins.  Because I make the rules for my quilts.

Big projects happening at Quiltville Inn!

We've wanted to refinish the butcher block top of the kitchen island since we bought the house 5 1/2 years ago. (Yes, it's been that long already - time is flying!) 

It needed to be a winter project with time in between groups to get it done.

Loads of sanding - there were old stains, gouges and scratches.

The Hubster took it all the way down to where things were smooth as silk.

We used Butcher Block Refinisher from Watco - it's food grade safe.

It just gleams!

I'll be writing a post later today that needs to only hit publish in the morning.  It will contain all of the sale/give-away info for stuff we are doing through next Tuesday.

It's too much to also include that in Friday's mystery post - so that post will just have a link back to tomorrow's post if you miss it. Don't worry, you'll be in the know. (I know this is likely clear as mud.)

But today I have this!

The two winners of our Keaton Quilts  $100.00 gift certificate gift-away are:

From Instagram: Marty @_suryasmiles was drawn by Justin from the 347 comments on my post there.

And from the blog:

Who is entry 599 out of 3,337 enries?

Donna Slusser!

Donna, there is nothing you need to do but look for the email from me letting you know of your win.

Justin will email your $100.00 gift certificate to the email address you provided with your entry, so be watching for it!

Okay...time to head to the kitchen and get those pies under way.

And maybe some more block assembly?

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

There is nothing like being around people who understand you for everything you are and you get them in return.

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Find your peeps and love them hard!

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Vintage double-knit polyester quilt found in Virginia.

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Have a wonderful Wednesday, everyone