Nicole. I share your cabin fever. We live in Minnesota where the winter weather is often just like yours. We’ve had so much snow there isn’t any more place to put it and it is hard to see around corners. The bright side is fires in the fireplace, lots of time to quilt or do crafts ( I’m making home-made valentines this year). We are lucky to have lots of plants inside plus large windows. It’s a great time to sort photographs, draw and read through recipes.

Love the idea of homemade Valentines!  Thanks for reading.

                                      -Nicole

This installment made me smile. I remember those nasty, never ending winters. Blessings on all the indoor activities. What quality time to share.

The photos are lovely and anything nature inspired helps me with cabin fever.

Thank you, and thanks for reading! 

    -Nicole

This is a great reminder to enjoy the "extra" time we are given and spend it making special memories with our famiies.
I love the idea of a special breakfast to get the day started on a positive note!
Beautiful pictures too!

While we have winter in Colorado, eastern Slopes are usually pretty mild. I don’t envy you all the snow and cold, but your attitude is wonderful. Enjoy your little girl, they grow up so fast.

Sounds like you have been keeping busy. Winter is beautiful the first couple of weeks then it is get it over with. But everything has it’s own time and spring will be here. Don’t forget to make some snow cream for the children what ever the age we (I) love as much as my kids and grandchildren. So enjoy the winter wonder land today, I’m sure in a few days being stuck in it will become the Wicked Winter of 2011!

I’m in central Minnesota and this winter has been one of the worst, mostly because of the cold. I can’t even get myself to shovel anymore (thanks son-in-law and neighbors). The worse is my cat, at least 3 times a day he has me open the door to see if he can go out (fenced yard). I had to put down his sister a few days ago and he keeps looking for her. (I thought she had something similar to alzheimer’s, turned out cats do get it. She purred until the last second. I’ll always miss her but I’m not sad. Horrible was seeing such an independant kitty deteriorate.)

Carmen, so sorry to hear about your little kitty.  Stay warm.

       -Nicole

Coming from India living with snow was a big adjustment for my husband and me. But after the ‘newness’of icing on the landscape wears off- I repeat to myself ‘If Winter is here,Spring is right around the corner’ like a mantra several times during the day, make pots of soups with a touch of Indian spices, and crochet scarves for people who have to go out and work.
Aloka

Sounds like you have the right attitude, Aloka!  Spring is going to be extra-sweet this year, for sure!

        -Nicole

Winter Wonderland definitely! I’m right there with ya Nicole. We are south of Boston and still have over a foot of snow on the ground! I have to say though, it’s beautiful! I’ve spent my fair share of time in front of the stove too and just being close together inside is worth being a little cold!
Thanks for the winter lift!
Your New England sister in Plymouth,MA.
Beach Blessings,
Deb

What an excellent idea! I am starting with yesterday. "Made a great pan of lasagne" and "found 7 eggs in the coop". I bet I can find one great, good or less bad thing about each day to jot into my calendar. Thanks! My new years resolution was to put more beauty around me. I dolled up around my computer area with doilies, candles, smooth stones and pictures of quilts I want to make someday stuck on the wall. Next I am going to paint the inside of my kitchen drawers green!

I share your thoughts and feelings. Words like slowing down and simplify are high on my list. I have recently discovered that by not having the television on in the evenings has allowed me to feel more relaxed and yet I seem to be accomplishing more. It has really been a shock. I’m finding that I would rather have memories of experiencing life and the joy that comes with it, than trying to remember which show I watched that looked like something I would enjoy. Television is great, but I think by breaking my dependence on some of the conveniences, I will feel more happy and satisfied.

I stopped making New Year’s resolutions some years back. I make lists of things to do all the time because I misplace the previous list. (Maybe sub-consciously on purpose – you think?) :o) I like your idea of celebrating accomplishments, maybe write them on the calendar. I think I will implement this w/my grandchildren. Maybe it will be an encouragement to them and we can all use encouragement! :o) Thank you! Rhonda – Prosser, WA

Great idea about putting our accomplishments right on our calendar, Rhonda! 

                                                  -Nicole

This year, I purposely did NOT make any resolutions. I made a priority list, and they are all things that will improve my life. As I integrate them into my life, I go to the next priority. While I do this, I am clearing, giving away things, repurposing things that have been hidden under the clutter :).

Heike
FarmChick #2245

I have been really enjoying your posts and look forward each week. This one just really hit the nail on the head for me(especially the chocolate in the stocking)! I don’t know if it is the fact I turned 40 this year or if with age I am slowly the wiser, but slowing down, taking it all in, finding joy in the smallest of things and being proud of what I can do or get done have become the staple of my sanity in this fast paced world. That being said, my New Years resolution was to not make anymore, ever! I feel so liberated! As I and my family have pretty much given up TV over the last year, I do not have the weight watchers, 24hr fitness, or home depot commercials haunting me. As each year passes, the next goes by faster than the one before. I am in the snow globe of life and just when it slows down and starts to settle, there is always someone or something ready to shake it up! I’ve just decided to slow down and go for the ride and make the most of the little things along the way!
Oh, and I almost forgot, My 4yr old wrote his entire name on his own and brought it to me for a present! I home school so that was a big accomplishment for the both of us!!

Jennifer, how sweet a present was that!  Enjoy every minute with your little one, it sure goes by fast.

                  -Nicole

Good post about resolutions Nicole. I don’t do resolutions anymore either. I choose a word for the year( per Ali Edwards) and let that be a guide, inspiration, etc for the year. I do have my list of things I want to pursue but have long ago given up any guilt if I don’t get to them all.
Love your posts and look forward to them.
Happy New Year all.

-Thanks, so much, Jeannie!

Hi Nicole! I’m finally getting to look at the blog! Nice work!
I couldn’t agree more. I have had 3 or 4 year run of small ups and major downs. I have had many, many health problems and
problem kids and the only way to hang on to my sanity some times was to give myself a break, figuratively and physically.
Some days you just cannot see the greater purpose in being here… until you slow down and let it find you.
My only resolution for the last two years has been to slow down and not let society or social pressures make me feel
inadequate any more. That sounds easy, but it’s really not…at first. It’s much easier now! I’ve got the hang of it! I’m so glad to see so many sisters here also getting the hang of it. Now I don’t feel like No body understands my methods. Thanks for the post, rock on and take it easy! Sue

Hello Farmgirl,
This is my first time to discover your blog, I can so identify with your posts, 2010 was a year of lots of changes for me as well, a very emotional year, today I am living in Waianae ( Y N I) Hawaii on a winter break from the cold and snow. but what has started to be just a winter break of five months and now possibly longer, I can bloom where I’m planted and am learning to reach out to those around me. I miss my fur persons and the sacrifice of leaving them behind for the winter, not knowing if I will ever get them back. To let go of things at our home and be happy in a small apartment just to be together with my sweetheart of 30 years, wow 2011 will already be half over by the time I figure out what this year is going to look like. I guess I’m learning to LOVE LIVING IN THE MOMENT. 

-Sounds like this new year is quite a new adventure and journey for you! Hope it all works out good.  Thanks for reading and sharing.  Farmgirl Hugs! -Nicole

Nicole, I’ve heard talk about you and all your talents. I love the idea of the towel sewn into the apron.  I have a weird habit of always cooking/baking with a towel over my shoulder. You wash your hands or something a million times. What a good idea. Isn’t Rose a gem? Happy New Year.

Thanks, Gail! What a nice compliment!  Rose is a very dear friend, indeed.  I’m lucky to know her.  Happy New Year!!

-Nicole

I really enjoy reading about (and seeing) your aprons! I have a collection of some of my Grandma’s aprons, as well as
a few I’ve bought from second-hand stores. In Grandma’s collection is one of those "dishtowel aprons". Now I’m inspired to get it out and use it! Also thinking about making patterns from some of them for new aprons. My favorite second-hand-store apron is from Denmark and has a colorful print of some happy people – one playing a horn, one fiddling, and 2 women doing a clap-dance. And every Christmas season, while making cookies and breads, I wear the Christmas apron that Mom made me. There’s so much history in aprons. Thanks for sharing yours!

– Thanks so much for sharing, too!

-Nicole

Your thoughts are lovely! Aprons are a favorite of mine also and I am in the process of making different ones for my daughter and other members of my family! Aprons are a page in our history and each one can tell many stories! Keep the old values! They are timeless!

Nicole, I am enjoying your blogs and seem to have a lot in common with you. I LOVE APRONS! Love the pic of you in your sweet apron in you very pretty kitchen…looks so warm and inviting. Looking forward to reading more about you while sitting in my Oklahoma log home:)…………Raynita

Thank you so very much, Raynita! 

Hello Nicole,
Some years ago I sold a few aprons with towels that were buttoned on them. I too, like you, liked to cook then, and was able to do that. And like you I washed my hands frequently and wished I had a hand towel sewn onto my apron. So I made a few. When friends saw those they suggested I sell them in the local consignment craft store.So it was a surprise to read about the same idea in your blog. Aloka

Greetings Nicole,
I just finished reading your blog and had to respond.
I collect and sell vintage clothing and aprons are my very favorite.
I must have a few hundred on hand at anyone time.
It a funny thing that I have so many and never remember to wear them when I am in the kitchen.
I have many that are very elaborate and some that are very simple.
When I was a Girl scout Leader that is the first sewing project we did. It was a gift for their mom’s on Mother’s Day.
Thank you so much for the knowledge that I am not the only collector of many things that have no dollar value.
Take Care and keep the writing coming.
Melissa

Melissa, Your collection sounds like a true treasure trove to me!

                 -Nicole

I love aprons too. I am interested in buying some if anyone has any to sell. I would like to see some pictures of them and have the price of them. So please if you know anyone who has any aprons for sale I am interest in the full body aprons. Thank you everyone and Have A Blessed Day. Barbara

 Barbara, have you tried Ebay?  It’s a great place to go for aprons, even vintage ones, reasonably priced. 

                –Nicole

I too LOVVVEEE aprons! I remember when I was just a wee little girl, opening my mama’s big wooden chest and trying on her aprons that she made as a wee little girl herself! They were so good looking with all their colors… I still have my hand on some of them…But I must take the time to make some! And why not, give some to my friends! I dont know if it’s because I’m almost 40, but I feel much need each year to go back to my roots…Brigitte

I hear, ya, Brigitte!  Thanks for reading!

      -Nicole

Hi Nicole, & all you fun ladies that respond here,
Last year I made vintage full body aprons for my three girls, and a mommy & me matching ones for my daughter in law and grand daughter who is turning three, she calls them "cooking dresses" and wears hers when she plays mommy with her little cousin… I have a picture of my grand mother wearing hers to gather eggs , she just held up the skirt and filled it up, also one where she is feeding the lambs a bottle. I too love aprons.

Thanks for sharing your story, mishaps included!  Sometimes we get so caught up in making the perfect memory that we don’t realize the funny parts are just as good if not better than the ‘Norman Rockwell’ moments of our lives.

My trees are often tied up to the wall or ceiling to stay straight with the weight of 4 cats in them at any time! LOL!  All ornaments are unbreakable types.  Breakable ornaments go on stands around the house in protected shelves!

Congratulations on cutting your Christmas tree with you daughter. We always cut our trees when the kids were still at home and those are memories that will last a lifetime.

Thanks so much, Cindy!  Picking and cutting our first tree together has definitely made this Christmas special. 

-Nicole

Hi Nicole, I vote real, however, there are a handful of valid points made that favor "faux". Allergies are also on the list.

I had a faux tree for about 5 years. I never bonded with it. The difference between real and not real is the same as a bouquet of synthetic flowers and a bouquet of REAL wildflowers. The comparison isn’t even a fair comparison. I have the opportunity to make an easy trip to the country to cut a tree, but not everyone has that option. When that is the case and you have to buy a real one, there is a reason why they dry up so fast … they’re often cut in October. Mine never dries up because it is so fresh and they will STAY fresh and supple all through the Christmas season if they’re harvested in December and watered properly. Water conditioning additives for florals help too.

Whatever you decide, I’m sure you’ll have a lovely tree. The faux trees are so much prettier and realistic looking nowadays. My friend has a 6 foot faux spruce, complete with cones. Gorgeous. It was expensive, but it will last for years.

I don’t use real evergreen boughs for decorating elsewhere in the house. One area to tidy up is enough. I get my evergreen fix from the tree. Happy HolYdays, Shery J

Love it!!!  I never thought about our tree always looking the "same" with the artificial tree, but you are so right! We didn’t always have an artificial tree and I was quite adamant about NOT having one for years!  Then my inlaws gave us their "old" pre-lit tree for us to use. We decided to use it only when we would be out of town visiting my folks for the holidays and we have since never gone back to a real one! UGH! However, the lights are starting to go on the prelit tree and it’s starting to show it’s wear and tear…the kids are begging for a real tree and campaigning…maybe next year we’ll enjoy the fun of hunting down the perfect tree in the snow @ a tree farm! I’m dreaming of a "real" tree Christmas! 🙂

I always tell my family I would rather have a tree much like an unbrella fully decorated that you could pull out of the closet every year and then shove back in when finished. Unfortunately, my kids like to decorate a tree and they like the hunt. To be honest, I like the smell and look of a real tree eventhough I have allergies. We get a Charlie Brown tree every year. We pick one that is growing too close to another tree. It’s flat on one side, but who cares? That side goes toward the wall. Decorate it and it’s beautiful.

I’m in the same boat as the previous comment, grown kids (25 & 28), and I put my tree up at Thanksgiving, just lit with fall leaves on it. But as soon as I get my first grandbaby, I can’t wait to make Christmas special again with a live tree. It may be a few years away, but I’m looking forward to it. Only problem, we have three dogs, oh well, I’m sure they’ll be many funny moments. Thanks for sharing!

You are so real! Sometimes we get so wrapped up with trying to have things so perfect that we have a meltdown instead of enjoying life. I’m glad you can laugh and keep on going! After years in the desert with an artificial tree I am so looking forward to next Christmas on a small farm in the Midwest. We desperately need a windbreak along the property line & what better way to do it than to add a new live tree every year!

What a wonderful story to start my day! I also have a PERFECT dog named Blue. My husband called me from a job site and said ‘Do you still want a puppy???’ When I bounded out to open the van door, I saw a large dog, complete with huge ears and feet, curled up on my husband’s coat. It seems Blue had been surviving on grasshoppers and mice…He was about 4 months old and 37# of bones. The plot thickens when we found out that he is a wolf hybrid! He is also a perfect match for us! He loves the outdoors and is never ‘needy’. In short, the best fit for us…

I too love animals and right now our home is blessed with 3 dogs (SMALL,Jack Russell/Cairn Terrier mix; MEDIUM, Cockapoo; and LARGE Chocolate Lab) and 1 cat. The lab came to us right after Christmas last year after someone dumped her. When we took her to the vet to be checked out and get her shots, she was diagnosed with Heartworms. The vet told us we had some decisons to make. My eight year old daughter spoke before I did and said "WHATEVER IT TAKES". She saved that dog that day! She is approximately 3 years old per the vet and she has some training and had been spayed prior to coming to us. She is my wild child too, but we love her and she makes my daughter and I feel safe. The cockapoo was adopted through a foundation and the Jack Russell/Cairn terrier was found from an individual on Craig’s list. The day after we got her the owner told us somebody poisoned the remaining dogs the next day. The cat is also from an individual giving them away. All of our pets are spayed or neutered and part of our family. Some consider our pets lucky to have us, but my daughter and I consider ourselves the lucky ones.

Oh, How I loved this article. I too have rescue dogs. My dear Annie girl was in a horrible puppy mill and left to fin for herself as she was a mistake, they said. Ugg ! She came to live with us 3 years ago and had many issues. But she loves me completely and was there when my husband passed away in July . I have 3 other dogs all rescues, but Annie has really grown and changed. My furbabies miss their Daddy as do I. We mourn and are learning to go on without him. I’m so grateful for my babies and so blessed in reading your article!

Thanks so much… hugs from one of your MJF sisters… Kristy aka eggfarmgirl

What a lovely story. Thank you for this; I also believe rescue dogs are best!

Nice story. Next week is the eleventh anniversary of when I adopted my male cat Pumpkin. I adopted Cara Marie 6 months later. They are the best company possible. They act like my children when they were little so it’s impossible not to humanize them. She hates it when he puts his paw on her head, you can tell he does it on purpose to make her upset. She asks for food for him when he’s hungry or to have his hair combed since I make him wait (he likes to eat every four hours). I fell in love with him when I first saw him but she actually sneaked out of the room where they had her in and had my daughter follow her to the adoption room. I wasn’t planning on another cat but I couldn’t resist. Happy anniversary.

Happy Anniversary Nicole! She is a beautiful dog inside and out.
We celebrated our " little boys " second birthday in September.
He came to us because our daughter had a passion for dogs…I grew up with all things furry, too and it seems like my father was always bringing home stray dogs, but my hubby’s side of the family wasn’t so critter inclined when he was a boy despite that he always wanted a puppy of his own. It took a bit of doing ( begging, talking, more begging, promises of constant care and love from our daughter, more begging ) until I finally caved in and began researching breeds. We fell in love with Corgi’s, found a wonderful breeder and Max came home to be with us two years ago on December 7th. She trained us well and indeed we have a loving, well trained dog now. She also   warned us about humanizing him but we call him our " little boy", and we refer to ourselves as mama and papa when we talk to him…He even has papa time in my husbands lap! He’s the perfect fit for our family and we are all crazy about him, but guess who is especially fond of him?
We all say he’s the best Christmas present ever.

Thanks for sharing your heartwarming story….

Deb

Nicole,
Great story and what a great dog. It’s amazing how we love these animals unconditionally and they do the same as well. Rescue animals are the best like you said. They know they are truly loved and you truly want them.

Keep the great stories coming…. Happy Holidays!

…beautiful story. I totally understand!

For me, the best part about hosting Thanksgiving is that once its done… its done. Then Christmas comes and I can focus on my family and what is important to us about that holiday. Of course, I say all this, and I am a bit of a cheat because half of my family doesn’t eat meat… but I rest assured the turkey space is filled with additional sides. Can’t wait for you to share more about your life with us all, especially us "city sisters".

Thanksgiving is our special time where my family, my husband’s family, my nephew’s in-laws, my niece’s in-laws, our ex-wife’s family, along with, sometimes, our son-in-law’s family all get together. What a time for Giving Thanks.

After 15 years of being the main cook for a typical turkey Thanksgiving, I am attempting to figure out a balanced, healthy vegan alternative… not the easiest thing ever!
Nice to ‘meet’ you and looking forward to more great blogging!

Welcome Nicole! My husband and I always spend Thanksgiving with my daughters in-laws. We have a wonderful time visiting, having a wonderful crowd, and lots of goooood food. I love trying out all the new dishes we come up with. A couple of my fav’s are my cranberry salad and sweet potatoe casserole. Yum, making me hungry.  Happy Thanksgiving!!

Great job Nicole! I enjoyed your thoughts on Thanksgiving. This holiday always reminds me of so many stories about family and friends! It is hard to believe that we all went to Thanksgiving dinner 16 years ago, the year we met. Keep up the good work!

p.s. When reheating lunch leftovers (excellent!), I included chopped cherry tomatoes. Next time, think I’ll include them in the mushrooms-onion-celery saute. Yum!

That looks fantastic! I will definitely be trying this. Great story, too. Love your sense of humor! 😀

Dessert, wow…no telling what the possibilities are!

Fantastic! I have always sawed the squash in half..you need some muscle. Plus it is hard to scrape out the seeds.

I love shortcuts :)…and will try your suggestion. Grazie!

I have always wanted to try this but have always been alittle afraid! Your recipe and pictures have made it seem so much less intimidating…so tomorrows grocery shopping will include a great big yellow spagetti squash! I’ll let you know how it turns out.

Love your daughter’s response. So cute! I do spaghettie squash with a sweet topping of butter and brownsugar. I haven’t been brave enough to try tomato sauce, but maybe I will. 🙂

Say there Paula, isn’t life great! we can try all kinds of new inventive things – even eat some of them! this is a dish I’ve liked a long time … now to try the desert option. Kids are so interesting:)
"keep on goin’" fm Lou

Have made this for awhile, but use the squash as a bowl. I serve the sauce with either chunks of grilled chichen or meatballs in it right in 1/2 of the squash. Just cut a little slice off the bottom of each half so your bowl doesn’t wobble. All you have to do it pull off a bit of the squash to make the noodles as you eat the sauce. With a salad and garlic bread, what more does one need? Could probably cut it in fourths to double the amount of servings.

On my work desk is a small sbowl of sea glass and shells joyously found on the Outer Banks of NC. Just a glance at the soft colors and shapes takes me right back to the beaches and memories that I love.

BTW: Your happy orange flowers are Chinese Lanterns (physalis alkekengi), a perennial. They are beautiful!

That second to last picture of the ‘pumpkin lanterns’ looks like the plant Chinese Lanterns. My neighbor here in NY grows these along an arbor. Quite unusual looking. Supposedly easy to grow from seed.

http://www.burpee.com/perennials/chinese-lanterns/chinese-lantern-physalis-alkekengi-prod000013.html

Who needs Google when you have Farmgirl? Thanks for the comments (and whisper comments) identifying Chinese lanterns! Looks like there are many different varieties? Anyone grow them? Hard?

I love bringing the outdoors in! And yes it does calm me and help me think. I have a stick collection on my wall in my small hallway….and rocks everywhere!!(Our family inherited a love for rocks from our Dad) I also have the Chinese Lanterns. They self seed so NO they aren’t hard to grow. I collect new ones every year. Keep them out of direct sunlight and they will keep their color for years!! When we go to Mexico to visit family, my husband’s family laugh at me because I collect rocks down there to bring home!! 🙂

I live in Michigan. Did not grow up here, that I did in Indiana. But I have lived here for over 30 years and hubs and I just got back a couple of weeks ago from a long weekend in Grand Marais. We spent many hours walking on the beach and yes we always bring back a lot of pretty rocks. I usually pick out my favorite and put in a jar for that particular trip. But my grand children like to play with them and I only have one jar that has not been opened and mixed up with all the other years and beaches. I also have many pictures of the rocks covered with water that look quite like yours. I loved this post.

I can so relate to your post this week. Getting back to nature, even in a small way, always calms me, makes me feel centered. Even if it is just taking a walk with the dog and my son and watching the bay, or riding our bikes to the beach and feeling the sand under our tires…so relaxing. In this current issure of maryjanesfarm there is a section on bringing outside in. i have been working on such a project! I am using bark to create a "treetruck" vase for dried local flowers. cannot wait until it is done. can also relate to your screensaver; mine is a bamboo forest. look forward to your next post.

Farmgirl Dawn sent me this message via whisper because she wasn’t sure if it was okay to quote so much from the link she gave, but she did give me the okay to pass along some of the info, which I’m doing now (cut slightly) because it’s pretty interesting!

Good morning Paula !

From another Michigander (transplanted to various states much like yourself), I couldn’t help but do some additional reasearch for you and found the following:

Physalis alkekengi (franchetii)
Chinese Lanterns
A member of the Nightshade family, this wonderfully cheerful magick herb is associated with Venus on account of its bright orange-red lanterns, which sometimes give the plant the name "Love in a Cage." The lanterns are great for love magick and make wonderful cut or dried flowers because they keep their color for a long time, being especially good to see on gloomy fall days. The plant’s small white flowers are pollinated by bees. … Inside is a red berry. The dead ripe fruit (not the lantern) is edible but doesn’t taste very good–it is sour on account of having more vitamin C than lemons. The rest of the plant, especially the leaves and unripe berries, is poisonous and can even be fatal if eaten, containing solanine, the same stuff that makes green potatoes and tomato leaves poisonous…. Western allopathic medicine is investigating the anti-tumor capabilities of this plant.
…This plant is also known as Japanese Lantern, Winter Cherry, Strawberry Tomato…and Love In a Cage.

What a great write up, huh? Do hope you find it as fascinating as I.

As for bringing the outside in, let’s see, I’ve some sand, tropical plants, a glass palm tree, a crystal figurine of a beaver, ceramic jovial rabbits, seashells, and my favorite pottery which is ever grounding in its’ shades of purples, blues, and browns. And let’s not forget how MaryJane’s Farmgirls do their share and then some in keeping us all connected between the life’s everyday happenings and those times of being outside that we love and cherish so much.

With each writing, the inspiration to ponder more frequently is ever present. Keep up the wonderful work of your heartfelt writings, you are truly so appreciated !

Reading the Farmgirl updates helps me feel supported and nourished from like minded gals, thank you !

May a bounty of blessings be yours.
Happy Autumn,
Dawn

I love this … I understand completely! I have a coffee table piled high with beach glass, and collection of stones on my desk. Unfortunately I’m not able to deal with plants.

I too have a sand and a shell collection. My sand comes from Maine, Virginia, Florida, San Francisco, Sand Diago, Hawaii, Cuba, Japan and Texas and Iraq…not to mention Lake Erie and Lake Michigan. Many people do not understand my collection, but it cost nothing and is a reminder to me of where I have been and with whom as well as where my children have traveled to in the Military. I count it as special as my photos. It also reminds me that my children have done well and honor me and their country with their service. Lee

I am a Michigan woman also…used to have little jars of rocks and sand sitting around on bookshelves. I also had 3 Creches made of driftwood found on the beaches of Lake Michigan. I went through a divorce after 32 years. I gave the Creches to my children who were raised making frequent trips to the beautiful lakes in Michigan. The rocks and sand went by the wayside when I moved to Texas. I’ve been here a couple years now…the pull to save rocks is coming back 🙂 I have a couple sparkly pieces of rock from the Brazos River area on my kitchen windowsill. I miss Michigan.

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I never knew any quilters growing up. Only read about them in "Little House" books. Then, at about 20 years old, I got hooked. Saw a package of precut squares. No, I had never sewn. No, I did not have a machine. But that did not stop me and umteen years later I still love to quilt. When I heard from mom that when I was little, we had some quilts from "somewhere" and they were thrown out when they got used up and tattered looking, I was horrified. But, as mine get older, and old quilts come my way, I see that there are many ways for this fiber art to fulfill its lifes mission. Whether on a bed, under a baby or as a "kiki". Sometimes life just wears them down and the only way to save a bit of it it to recreate it, remake it into a new memory. Wish I had the talent and guts to do it myself.Thanks for the article,

Oh you have no cause for guilt. I’ll tell you about quilt-guilt, which I carry with me to this day. There were no quilters in my family, and I didn’t realize how precious quilts were until many years after the second incident… My mom says that one day, when I was a toddler, she realized I was too quiet. When she found me, I was carefully cutting out all the little colored fans on the quilt on her bed. She was too impressed with my accuracy to scold me. (Let me tell you: that would NOT have been MY reaction as a mother!) That quilt disappeared; I have only vague memories of it. Later, when I was in college, I took one of the matching twin quilts on our guest beds to my apartment, and in a fit of cleaning, I washed it. It came out of the washer in shreds, and all I could think was, "What a cheap thing!" It took me at least 20 minutes to get all the pieces into the trash. Two destroyed quilts – Now THAT’s quilt guilt, and I wish I didn’t have to bear it!!! I’m trying to make up for those losses, by making more quilts and educating others so they don’t make similar mistakes.

Hey all, Claudia should know! Her email address and blog (quilts-quiltwalker.blogspot.com) both have "quilt" in the title! So I’m taking heart in her comment!

Annie–I love those stories, especially the toddler one!!

Oh I love love crazy quilts — the kind with velvets and other fancy scraps and stitching.

I have been quilting for 18 years and collecting for the past 15. I use them, re-cycle them and preserve them. I rotate my antiques and even some of my newer ones so I can enjoy them now and for years to come. The quilts I make for others I get a great deal of satisfaction from them being used and loved. Just like there are no quilt police there should be no guilt quilts!

I have to say…even though I have known Kiki is real and worth it…hearing validation from someone else unexpectedly bought a tear to my eye just now! thanks–

I love, love, love quits. I believe they are made to be enjoyed…taken care of…but enjoyed. I don’t like anyone to sit on my quilts for fear of breaking the stitching. But I do want them to enjoy them. The quilts I make myself are to be used and enjoyed. I dearly love your collection. I never met a quilt I didn’t love.

Quilts, fabric, textiles- I love them. One of my prized possessions is a quilt that lay on my Grandma Dorothy’s bed (she is now 103- and absolutely amazing) when she was a child. It was made for her by her grandmother. It is a white and red quilt with tiny red hand stitching. It is one of the first things you see coming into my house. It hangs from a wall rack near the cabinet that holds the china that also belonged to Grandma Dorothy.

I would love the opportunity to ‘rescue’ any unwanted quilts you may have. As a member of "Sisters on the Fly", our group is always on the lookout for quilts to repair and share with breast cancer patients who are recovering from surgery and/or treatment. You can always reach me via email if interested. Thanks. =) Sherri

YvonneMarie–exactly, that is where the guilt part creeps in for me a little…

I also say use them. I have a quilt that my Grandmother made for me and gave to me as a High School graduation gift. I use it off and on as it is priceless to me. But I love quilts and when I knew I had some surgery coming up, I asked my Mom if I could borrow a smaller one so I would have one to snuggle into during my recovery. I have moved that one from bed to couch daily, keeping it near. It is comforting to know that it is near to hand. My daughter had a pieced comforter that she used until it got too tattered to repair or clean.It also had been made by my grandmother and I used it on my bed growing up. She took it to college with her. I still have it in a bag in my garage not certain what I will do with it but not wanting to get rid of it either. My Mom has a collection of quilts and quilt tops, some family heirloom and some she has picked up at auctions. I say use them but learn how to take care of them also.

Paula,

I love this piece! I, too, love quilts and started making them recently. I am in the process of rehabbing an old family quilt that has gone through its first life and needed a little love to go the next 75. As far as not being able to make something new out of an old quilt (I love the stuffed animal reincarnation) – how bad can it be – it’s already ‘ruined’ – TRY! You might love what you create… if you don’t it was going in the trash anyway. And never, never, never have a pang of quilt guilt. They are utilitarian items first and foremost, whether their purpose is to make us smile or keep us warm, hang on a wall or around our shoulders. Enjoy them! 🙂

Hi Paula,I see nothing wrong with re useing them and useing them.My dog chewed a corner of one of my good ones and that just made me ill.but,it,s ok,thats life,and they were made to me used,i have several all hand quilted by my mom.I love them,she made me a large teddy bear out of an old vintage beat up one.have a great day,carol

Oh Faith I just love that idea about the birthday quilt!

I’m with you all the way Paula. Use them in any way you see fit. Pass on the love of their unique sentimental meaning. I have one old blue and white masterpiece that is going to be used in some way on the our new porch. It wouldn’t stand up to practical use, but it is still a work of art that I cherish. Love your patchy teddies.

I have two quilts that i would LOVE to pay someone to make into bears for my daughters and my mother’s 70th birthday(the quilts were her grandmothers) Can someone give me a contact name of someone who could do that?
Thanks. Elizabeth

We had to put my husband’s best friend (who happened to be a big white thoroughbred horse) down two years ago, after Doc contracted melanoma which spread internally. We watched Doc closely, and when we could see the pain in his big brown eyes, we knew that it was time to let him go – for him, not for us. My husband had raised the horse from a colt and had him for twelve years, Doc was literally his best friend for over a decade. We took the kids out and took a bunch of pictures with Doc that last day, cut a piece of his mane off (which I later braided and put into a photo keepsake box for my husband) and gave him lots of lovin’ and carrots. My husband went back the next day to meet the vet and tell Doc "Goodnight, buddy."

I’ve got an aging cat who has been MY best friend for many many years, and is now having health problems which we simply, sadly cannot afford to treat. As long as she is glossy and happy and occasionally chasing cat toys, I’ll love her and enjoy every day. When the day comes that she can’t, I’ll have her put to sleep and laid to rest in a special spot I have saved in my garden (her favorite place to lay, other than beside me in bed).

There are alot of references to animals in the Bible – lions laying down with lambs, Jesus coming back riding a white horse – I’m hoping this means that we’ll see our good-hearted creatures again in heaven! None of us REALLY know, but that hope is good enough for me.

As someone who has recently experienced the dreaded ‘e’ word, I can tell you that you will know when it’s time. Because you are so close to your animal, you will just simply, KNOW… I would like to think that I am getting better at this, but it is always a painful struggle.
In my case it was one of my mother’s (she passed away in December)cats, Pete. His sister, Pansy broke her leg and while I was caring for her, dear Pete developed renal failure. The pain of losing our sweet Pete was horrible, as it became clear that it also brought up the loss of mom. I like to visualize Pete and mom trundling about the garden together, forever…

hi paula,When I was a kid,daddy ended up running over my dogs at least once as year with the combine or tractor,so I was never that close to dogs,we never had dogs in the house,coz dogs were considered livestock,the only livestock that got into the house was a baby animal that was near death in the middle of a snow storm.{Calves}As an adult,I never had a dog in the house untill this past year,I got a yorkie mix,and now I sleep with her,daddy still throws a fit about it being in the house.I am crazy about her,but,don,t feel things are as clean now,but,I don,t intend to change things,she is sweet,and I admit,I have gotton attached.Have a great day!carol Branum

One day you wake up and you "just know". My dogs have looked at me with the "look" telling me they know it’s time, or their tail doesn’t wag anymore, or their body is tight with the pain. But, when that day comes, there is no doubt in my mind "this is the day". My dogs have become family members the moment they arrive, and they are in my care until "that day" comes. I grieve deeply, sometimes for a very long time. I write in my Pet Journal about what that dog taught me and what his quirks and unique personality traits were. Then, when enough time passes, I look back and remind myself of the wonderful pet God gave me for a time.

I had to say goodbye to my beloved Sheltie, Zoe, last winter, when she was just a few months shy of her 14th birthday. She developed a kidney infection, spent a week in the hospital, finally started eating again, and I brought her home. A day later, she started to have trouble breathing and as I sat on the floor with her in my lap (just as I had when she was puppy, I could see fear and panic in her eyes. She didn’t know what was happening to her, and there was no way I could explain. After a half hour or so of this, I took her to the emergency animal hospital, where a sweet young thing of a vet explained that the treatment for the kidney infection (pushing fluids)had exacerbated an enlarged heart. There was nothing we could to make her better. Ever. And so I said good-bye to my beloved Zoe. But that’s not really what I want to comment on. Zoe was a cancer survivor: A few years earlier she developed a limp that turned out to be a symptom of chondrosarcoma, a cancer of the connective tissue that was so rare in her breed that the referral vet who eventually amputated her leg was so loathe to do it he had her biopsy redone three times. After Zoe lost her leg, tho, she had nearly three wonderful, active, playful, unselfconscious years. The biopsies and the surgery were hugely expensive, but my dog and I (and her extended "family"–my four children)gave and took an incredible amount of love and joy afterwards.

Four years ago we had to put our beloved beagle "Sam" down.
He was bleeding internally, and we did not want him to suffer. He was the most faithful and loving companion dog. It hurt like hell and even talking about it now brings tears to my eyes. It wasn’t easy to watch the final minutes, but he was with us through tough times, so we had to be there for him. Some how you will know when the time is right,you just come to terms with the situation and you have to do what is right and humane for our little buddies.

Quality of life is the key issue. If your companion is unable to function in a way that assures you that s/he is still enjoying a good quality of life, then it’s time to seriously consider releasing them from their body. Severe incontinence caused by kidney failure, inability to eat, impaired mobility, lack of interest in surroundings, restless movement during sleep often caused by pain, disorientation and confusion, severe vomiting, uncontrollable diarrhea, failed vision and hearing loss are all symptoms which indicate that your companion’s body is failing. If there is no treatment available to radically alter the symptoms you are seeing, then it’s time to release your friend. Within this context, be very careful about having painful treatments or heroic surgery performed on an old dog that is suffering. S/he doesn’t deserve to endure more pain just because you don’t want them to die. We don’t ever want our animal friends to die, but that wanting is unreasonably self indulgent, and allowing them to waste away and suffer isn’t fulfilling your promise to care for them in all phases of their lives.

Don’t procrastinate just because the decision you face is a difficult one. Have the strength to do the right thing because you love and respect your animal companion. Indulging in "Maybe he’ll be better tomorrow" thoughts only prolongs the inevitable, and will surely invite you to revisit those thoughts with strong feelings of guilt at a later date because you waited too long. Trust your intuition and rely on your connection with your animal companion. Put aside your own unwillingness to let your friend go because you will miss them. This time in your animal companion’s life is not about you. It’s about showing them that you love them enough to let them go.

Talk to your dog about your concerns. You’ve established a pattern of communication with your dog that works for both of you. Let your friend know that you think it may be time to let him go. Trust that he will hear you and understand that you’re ready to release him. Dogs are very loyal and intuitive companions, and if your friend understands that you’re ready, he will rest easier knowing that peace will soon come to him. Don’t even doubt for one minute that your friend will hear you. Dogs know what we’re thinking and feeling — often far better than we do — and your thoughts and feelings will be heard.

If you are able to draw on your reserve of strength to make the decision necessary to release your friend from his body, reach inside of yourself one more time and stay with your dog after you bring him to the veterinarian to have the injection administered that will send your companion on their way. (Some veterinarians will come to your home if you’d prefer to have your companion leave in a familiar setting, and if you are able to arrange this, that’s the best possible way of saying good-bye.) Regardless of location, your presence is very important at this most difficult time. Being able to hold your dog and feel all of the pain and discomfort slip away is a necessary conclusion to your physical friendship. Ask the veterinarian to sedate your companion so there is absolutely no discomfort involved for either of you.

Understand that death is just change. Certainly you will grieve for the loss of your animal friend’s physical presence, but know that you will always carry the love you shared with you. That permanence of spirit never changes.

I first had to decide this about my cat Missy she was attacted by something and her back was broken, I tried to save her but she was in pain. What a hard thing to do for a 17yr old, my parents made me take her to the vet by myself. I didn’t cry till I got home. I had another cat Tara, got pneumua (sorry on spelling), he waited till I got home and he meowed when I got out of the car and I picked him up and he died in my arms. My cat Jezabell was 18 yrs old and she just went in the woods and didn’t come home. My mom had a poodle Frenchie, and he was a wonderful dog my mom died in 2002 and we thought he wouldn’t live long without her and he almost didn’t but he bounced back, so I took him in and he was 15 yrs old than, he ended up being blind and deaf, when he was 18 he had cancer and I thought that was to much for him to go through and I had him put to sleep. I held him till he died…makes me tear up thinking about him. Was I keeping him alive for me, for he was my mom’s dog, was it like keeping her alive? He was a great little guy but he had cancer and couldn’t see or hear, I thought it was the right thing to do.

My cat Luckie right now is sleeping on my wooden chest, he is 20 yrs old and still can see and still can hear, he beats up the neighbor dog a pit bull! He eats good and drinks good for I watch for this, and he was my mom’s cat also. I keep wondering and worry if he sleeps to long is he breathing?
Its hard to decide when is the time?

I too am sorry to hear that your beloved dog is having problems.
Two years ago my dog of 13 years contracted cancer. I had her for only two weeks once it was discovered. She was a real trooper. I guess that is why she did not show signs of any health problems until the very end.
I agree with the many comments that once the quality of life of the dog is gone, it is humane to put them to sleep.
I made a comment to my sister when I put down my dog that even though it just about killed me, I think we humans should have the same courtesy we give our beloved animals.

As others have said, you’ll know when it’s time to help your furry friend cross the Rainbow Bridge. Putting my 16-year-old terrier to sleep last December was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. (I had so hoped he would depart this earth on on his own, not leave it to me!) That dog and I had been through so much together. He was mostly blind, hard of hearing and incontinent. I simply worked around his ailments because the crochety old man had a lot zip left in him. I knew it was time when a seizure/stroke left him unable to move on his own. I held him while the vet administered the injection. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of guilt and relief when it was all over. And a sense of loneliness. The house was so quiet without the click-click of his toenails on the kitchen floor. Give yourself time and permission to grieve. And when the time is right…go adopt another dog if you are so inclined.

It looks to me like none of you read this story correctly. It is a FRIEND of the author whose dog is ill. The author has not experienced this kind of love, apparently, or she never would have given up her miniature dachsund (which is the animal pictured in this story) because of a marital dispute. That, in my opinion, is the most heartless thing you can do. Did you give your daughter away as well?

Please accept my apology. My comment was quite rude and based on assumtpion. Of course we all know what happens when we assume something. (which happens to me more than I’d like) Anyway, I foster dogs – primarily pugs – for the Music City Pug Rescue group here in Nashville. I assumed that this was another of those "divorce" excuses. But now I understand. Yes – I agree that my adjective is quite apt–and thank God you are no longer married to someone who fills that description.

As for the subject of euthanasia, I think that in some cases it is the only choice — your baby will let you know when it’s ready to cross over the Rainbow Bridge. For those circumstances when someone can’t afford medication or a life-saving surgery for their pet, so the only choice is euthanasia, then I would like to direct them to http://www.browndogfoundation.org.

The Brown Dog Foundation is a wonderful non profit started by a friend of mine who was in that predicament once. Her huge brown dog (hence the name), Chocolate Chip, had cancer and she could not afford the treatments because of a recent job loss. Her goal in life now is to make sure that doesn’t happen to anyone else.

The foundation will pay up to 75% of the vet bill for life-saving treatment. So anyone in that same situation should check out http://www.browndogfoundation.org/ and see if they qualify for help! No one should ever have to face that horrifying decision of euthanizing a dog just because of money.

Oh my, what timing! We have been going through this process for at least a year. Our American Eskimo, who is almost 17, is also mistaken for a puppy because she’s white. Please forgive my gross details but I think they are appropriate to the situation. For over a year she has peed, pooped, and vomited all over the house. Except only on the main floor at this time as she can no longer go up steps. She is deaf, her hips are almost gone and one of her back legs is no longer useful. The vet told us several years ago that her stomach was full of tumors and we see them as they work their way out her butt. We’ve had her in a diaper for a year~12 for $20~and still, when we are at home, we will let her out then she comes in and THEN does it. And we have a cat. So, if you don’t know about cats and dogs in the same house, you may want to skip this part~graffic. The cat eats the dog’s food which gives her diarreah, then if we don’t get to it in time, the dog eats it then throws it up, then eats it and throws it up again and again all over the place. Thank goodness for wood floors but there are several places where will have to have them re~done, when…My husband has never really liked Chloe, he’s not a dog person, a cat person, BUT, he doesn’t believe in euthanasia under pretty much any circumstances. He spent $2500 the last day on his last cat when she was long gone. But my 13 year old and I are literally, completely grossed out by her. The vet won’t groom her any longer because she can’t hold her leg up to shave underneath her. They have also told me to consider OUR quality of life, which, believe me, we do. But we are worried that my husband will always hold it in the back of his mind against us. We have prayed that she would go to the light or at least cry out in pain so we would know for sure that it was for her and not just us. Thank you for letting me vent. This has weighed on our minds for a very long time. P.S. I’m also a born and raised and lifelong Texas girl living on the East Coast. Love your writing!!!