reverse side of map quilt

This is the back side of the Map of the World quilt for Calan.  I like to sew by hand while I watch movies or good programs on T.V. (like Antique Road Show or Masterpiece Theater).  So Calan's Quilt is completely hand stitched.  I like to think about his family and pray for each of them as I sew too.  How many squares are there in the quilt?  Do the math: 9x15=___.

This is the quilt that Nanna Pennie has been working on for youngest grandson, Calan. His big brothers, Cade and Cole, got Nanna quilts when they were babies, but Calan had to wait a few years. Nanna got the map of the world fabric from Aunt Lois in Arkansas. Nanna hand-quilted along the longitude and latitude lines of the map. It felt like traveling around the world without having to leave home.

While Pappa was shoveling the steps and the driveway, Nanna made a little snow man. He has a carrot nose. He's about the right size for Claire and Emily to play with.

More Snow

Definitely too cold to play in the playhouse. The front door has a 2' drift, we shoveled this morning so the mailman can get through.

White Christmas

It snowed all day on the 24th and we got 11" by Christmas. Left our toasty fireside to take some pictures for those who missed a white Christmas. Enjoy!

On the left, Brooklyn, Alex and dad Barry walk down the steps as Peg and Cary talk to Tammy. We stood in the driveway enjoying the sun until all had headed home. The weather on the 20th was amazing, it may have been 68F in bright sunshine, even at 5:30. We are still expecting snow for Christmas.

Loving Dads

Chris holds Molly, Barry has Maverick and Shane looks on as friends gather for our pre-Christmas party. We loved having the clan over and only wish that even more of the family could have attended (although that may have taxed our seating).

Grace (pink ribbon) & Emma (blue ribbon) check out Auntie Pennie's Nursery kitchen. ( "We wish cousins Emily and Claire were here too!") At one point, there were six kids in there and a half dozen adults chatting away in the nursery--a popular spot. We moved the little kitchen stuff inside from the playhouse because it's been so cold outside.

Oklahoma kinfolk gathering

Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009, Phyllis & Johney Sidwell and children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren gathered at Graystone Manor, the home of Martin & Pennie, for the annual Holiday feast and fellowship. There were thirty one of us, ages one to eighty. We gathered in the big dining room for a group prayer before filling our plates with lots of satisfying comfort foods. The little ones scrambled upstairs to the nursery to play in the little kitchen Aunt Pennie fashioned in the walk-in closet. The adults gathered in clusters throughout the house to catch up on everyone's latest news. About 3:00 we all squeezed into the family room with the Noble Pine Christmas tree to open "white elephant" gifts and play a rowdy game of dirty Santa. I know, I don't like the name either, but it's a lot of fun. Fotos to follow.

Palin Book Tour

We were there to meet and greet Sarah when her book tour brought her through Oklahoma. She stepped off the big bus with her little son Trip in her arms. Approximately 1500 people waited many hours to meet the former Governor of Alaska. Her book is very clearly written, not clouded with political jargon; it was a good read!

This has been my year of reading biographies: Agatha Christie, Rose Kennedy, Kathryn Hepburn, Winston Churchill, Mary Higgins Clark, Jimmy Carter's book about his mother Lillian, Churchill's mother Jenny and his wife Clementine. So how could I pass up Sarah Palin when she was so near!

A New Neighbor

Just south of us about 1/4 mile they are drilling a new oil well in a pasture. If they strike oil we may reap some benefits, but for now it is just exciting to watch. The drill rig runs 24/7 and we can just hear it at night. The rig will disappear when the production well is in place.

Arrows New Friend

Home Sweet Home

A Winter Haiku

The winter sun is setting,

Silhouette of trees,

Evening comes quickly.