THE SIMPLEST THINGS

Oh dear, it's so close to Thanksgiving, my imagination is running ahead of me. I can already smell the turkey in the oven, even though it's still in the frig. For the first time in years we have invited a larger crowd. Today I am juggling work with prepping for tomorrow. I bet many of you are busy as well, but I just had to pop in to say hello along with some important news.

First of all, drum roll please. I want to give you a preview of my soon-to-be released quilt pattern called Woodland Delight, of course. I have had several requests for it since Quilt Market, so somewhere between projects I have been working on this. Designing patterns is time-consuming, especially for a perfectionist. But alas, I'm coming up to the home stretch. I had hoped to have it ready when my Woodland Delight fabrics hit the stores, but I've had several indications that fabrics have been arriving this week.

I know Fat Quarter Shop will be offering the pattern and fabric kits as soon as I get the pattern to them. Theywill accept pre-orders, just email them and ask to be notified when the kits are ready. The pattern by itself will sell for $9.00. If you are interested in pre-ordering just the pattern, email me. I also know some e-stores plan on carrying the Woodland Delight pattern, so this is your official heads up, with gift giving season in full swing.

Speaking of the release of Woodland Delight fabrics, Hawthorne Threads (previously Fabric Supplies.Etsy.com) is having a Woodland Delight giveaway: Three Fat Quarter Bundles. For details click here. But hurry. You only have til Sunday, November 30!

Now see why I had to interrupt your busy schedules?

We got a huge Wyatt and Amelia fix on Sunday. We had them all to ourselves. Their request for dinner is always the same. Get this: salmon, couscous and edamame. Yeah. My kids would have accused us of trying to poison them. Anyway, W & A want to say the blessing. Amelia bows her head and starts, "God, don't you just LOVE this day"? Then she dives into a litany of simple, yet profound thankfulness. Now, don't you know it melted His heart? Oh, to be more childlike in my praises and wonderment.

So as I head back to my To Do list, I just have to let you know just how thankful I am for each one of you. Your comments are such a blessing to me. When you take the time to nod your approval at my quirks and weird humor is so good. When my last post talked about how I still love to embarrass my grown kids for the things they did when they were little, you understood. In fact, Nancy from A Little Bit of Heaven sent this poem that you might have read before, but it could come in handy these next few family holidays:

When I'm an old lady, I'll live with each kid,
And bring so much happiness...just as they did.
I want to pay back all the joy they've provided.
Returning each deed! Oh, they'll be so excited!
(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids)

I'll write on the wall with reds, whites and blues,
And I'll bounce on the furniture...wearing my shoes.
I'll drink from the carton and then leave it out.
I'll stuff all the toilets and oh, how they'll shout!
(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids)

When they're on the phone and just out of reach,
I'll get into things like sugar and bleach.
Oh, they'll snap their fingers and then shake their head,
(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids)

When they cook dinner and call me to eat,
I'll not eat my green beans or salad or meat,
I'll gag on my okra, spill milk on the table,
And when they get angry...I'll run...if I'm able!
(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids)

I'll sit close to the TV, through the channels I'll click,
I'll cross both eyes just to see if they stick.
I'll take off my socks and throw one away,
And play in the mud 'til the end of the day!
(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids)

And later in bed, I'll lay back and sigh,
I'll thank God in prayer and then close my eyes.
My kids will look down with a smile slowly creeping,
And say with a groan, "She's so sweet when she's sleeping!"

Thank you Nancy, and thank you to everyone who reads my posts. May you all have a Thanksgiving filled with wonderment and praise over the simplest things along the way.