All too true . . .

"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones." -- Albert Einstein

Thank you thoughts!

As you rushed around during the holiday season, you probably heard many words said that didn't take in the actual meaning of Christmas. One person was heard to say, "Of course I didn't tell him what I wanted for Christmas! Just let him give me pots and pans again, however, and see what happens!" Another said that the part she liked best about Christmas were the small packages from her husband that always contained expensive jewelry.

The children lined up for miles to tell someone in a red suit what all they were expecting under the Christmas tree and forgetting St. Nicholas who believed giving was better than receiving when it came to happiness.

There was an undercurrent of worry about the economy and many overpsent in order to meet 'needs' that might not be available next year. I heard a lot of "Thank God!" and "Oh, God!" as I went about my errands but got the feeling God was just an overused expression rather than a heartfelt comment about our Savior.

Very little in the way of thanks was heard as everyone stampeded for the best bargain. And since the overworked clerks were getting very few words of gratitude for their efforts, it is hard to believe many were putting God anywhere near the top ten for thank yous. There are so many thank yous we can all find in our lives as we get into 2009. In between the gift wrap and post-holiday activities, I would hope there were some thoughts about what we have been given by God in spite of economic mishaps, elections, etc.

1. Our child's cry of hunger can be satisfied within minutes.

2. Warm clothing is as close as our closet.

3. Clean water flows into our sinks and tubs. (Do we ever give this luxury a second thought?)

4. If anything is missing from our dinner table, it is because we forgot to buy it, not that we couldn't afford it.

5. We have friends and relatives who care about us.

6. Medical help is just a telephone call away.

7. Mass and sacraments are there . . . are we?

8. We have God's help in maintaining a one-income way of life for our families.

9. Electricity lights up our homes even when we forget to let God illuminate our hearts.

10. God gave us His only Begotten Son over 2,000 years ago. Don't put His thank you at the end of your list!

advertising your quilts

Hi Barbara,
I was thinking, I've seen your quilts and they are beautiful, and I've tasted your wonderful baked treats, they are delicious to say the least, why not advertise? I know people who might be interested. Do you think it's worth a try? Let me know. The IECH group lets you advertise on Fridays. What about starting there? I think this could be very lucrative for you!

Quotes of interest . . .

"I'm not a vegetarian because I love animals. I'm a vegetarian because I hate plants." Whitney Brown

"Disbelief in magic can force a poor soul into believing in government and business."
Tom Robbins

No calories in reading . . .!

Stir, Drop and Bake Sugar Cookies

2 eggs
2/3 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
½ teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Beat eggs until foamy; stir in oil, vanilla, and sugar. Add dry ingredients to egg mixture. Combine until smooth. Drop by teaspoonsful about two inches apart on very lightly greased cookie sheet. Dough should be rather soft. Sprinkle a bit of sugar on each cookie before baking. Colored sugar is fun if it is on hand. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.

This was one of the first cookies of my memory. It takes only a few minutes to throw together and is easy for older children to make on their own. On rainy days, my mother would makes me these along with a cup of hot cocoa. Rainy days and warm kitchens are great!

Starting at the beginning . . .

I have trouble settling on 'these are a few of my favorite things', With that said, I'm beginning a blog that covers three of my top interests but allowing for any other thought that even remotely touches on the topic!

I enjoy written conversation and keeping in touch with the benefits provided by cyber space. Too many times, I have to ignore a ringing telephone because I'm swamped with chores and duties. Sometimes, I have to miss out on touching bases with a friend. Blogs let me fill you in on what's going on with me and I hope everyone will take the time to put forth a thought, dream, or idea of their own . . . and lots of people respond.

As indicated by the name of my blog, I love to quilt, I thank God for my Catholic Faith, and I enjoy inventing and baking cookies. I don't mind the mundane evening meal, either! I can't understand moms who get bored at home. I haven't had time to get bored in the last 25 years and only wish that some days I could petition God for a few extra hours.

As an introduction, my name is Barbara. I have been married 25 years and have four children: two boys and two girls. Three are in college and the younger son is busy with home schooling and the computer.

After my required work is done (okay, sometimes I cheat and do the fun stuff first!), I enjoy quilting. Not being a particularly 'patterned' person, my favorite type of quilt project is the crazy quilt type. I'm getting to the point where I have more completed quilts then I have friends to bestow them on so am making quilts for the pregnancy crisis center.

I've acquired some skill in the cookie baking department over the years. Children make unbiased judges when it comes to THEIR tastes and wants in a cookie. I can read a cookbook like a good novel and like a challenge in the baking department. I hope to take the time to share some of my favorite recipes here and hope others will do so, too.

Dinner time approaches and I have to face my responsibilities.

God bless!