Monday, November 12, 2007

Thanksgiving

Having an international marriage and sometimes being in the States and sometimes in Europe means that we often “move” Thanksgiving.  In fact this year, we’ll celebrate twice.
Last night we were joined by a dear friend, Ulrich and our Neighbours for a lovely evening.  We won’t talk about the turkey . . .  they’re different here . . .  But everything else was gorgeous and pronounced deliciously edible by guests who have never experienced Sweet Potatoes, Cornbread Stuffing and Cranberry Sauce (I add oranges and walnuts to mine).   But I have to say that the Broccoli Salad was the biggest hit.  For the most part (except the Turkey) I was very pleased with the results as well.  However, clean-up . . . well in our house, the holiday has been aptly dubbed "Day of 100 Pots.”  Axel’s family will visit the first weekend of December for another Turkey fest as it co-incides with his aunt/godmother’s birthday. 
As for projects and work this week . 

. .  I continue to work on the stars galore pattern.  I am sewing through it one more time and having it tested before releasing it.  But a kit / block of the month will be available for the colorway in this sample.



More Imperial arrived from Robert Kaufman this week too.  I can hardly wait to start sewing on this.  There’s a beautiful large peony floral in three colorways and the coordinates are outstanding.  All touched with a bit of metallic gold.  There is so much potential . . .
Convergence9 Patch PizzazBQ.


 Lately, I’ve also been having fun with these balls.  In an attempt to spend quiet evenings with my husband, I’ve been working on these.  I can’t sit still with nothing in my hands so while we watch his evening round of news, weather and programs  . . . I’ve been playing.  They’re made from ribbons and silk and we’ll have kits available at our open house in February.
 
And we had so much fun with the Toybox panel drawing (won by Peggy who “never wins anything”) that we’re going to do it again.
Tell us your favorite Thanksgiving tradition and your name will go in a Pilgrim’s hat for a free 1/2-yard cut of any piece of the
Imperial or Florentine collection.
. . . mmm, cranberries!  Jovita





7 Comments 
$manage-tooltip$
TERI LEIGH
Hi Jovita!
Thanksgiving was not my favorite holiday growing up.  I was an only child.  My family was the marrying kind - meaning people in my family never said the word "divorce" but rather they were between marriages.  Since many of these people did not want to be in the same room with each other, I ended up being pulled here there and the other place so this relative and that could see me.  On top of that, Thanksgiving food is not my thing.  I have never liked turkey and I have never eaten sugar, so I ended up starving while others gorged on Thanksgiving.  My last Thanksgiving as a single woman was disapointing too.  My father and his wife were in the same town where I was at the time with plans to visit one of her daughters.  I was not on their agenda.  My then fiancee (now my wonderful husband) went to his grandparents for a traditional Thanksgiving and since we were not married yet, I was not invited.  I ended up making a box of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese in my apartment.
Now that I am a real live adult, I understand the real meaning of Thanksgiving.  It is not about the food.  It is not about traveling.  It is not about the super-giant-mega sale that starts at 4 AM on Friday morning.  It is about loving and appreciating the place you are in now.
Michael & I have had some wonderful Thanksgivings.  Some years, like this one, it is simply the two of us.  We are enjoying a quiet day at home.  Michael will make some egg and soy sausage sandwiches later on and we will watch a movie on DVD.  Then we will go work out at our 24 hour fitness center.  It is a good day.
For a number of years we went to an "Orphan Thanksgiving".  A married couple of friends would invite people who did not have local family and we would have a big potluck.  It was a wonderful time of just us grownups hanging out.
I was amazed at the different ways people celebrate the holiday when we were invited to spend it with Denise & Todd Kinsfather and their three boys.  I had never spent a holiday with children.  Remember, I am an only child and Michael & I do not have children.  It was a wonderful experience!  The boys telling what they were thankful for - so cute!  Then after dinner the four of us adults playing a board game.  It was a very special time.
However you choose to spend today, please remember to be thankful for all of the goodness that surounds us.
Thursday, November 22, 2007 - 11:22 AM
EVALYNN B.
Hi Jovita,
We just got back from our journey to Sacramento for Thanksgiving.  Had a great time visiting family.  It was funny that you asked for us to share a Thanksgiving tradition, as I was just thinking about my favorite during the long drive home......   IMy family had almost every Thanksgiving at our home.  My mom was/is an amazing cook so we were always thankful for that!  I always helped in the kitchen as well as my sister.  Mom always made sure we knew how to make the best gravy - it seemed to be a test of womanhood to her.  You had to know how to make good gravy if you wanted to catch a good man!  But my favorite Thanksgiving tradition was of my father carving the turkey and how he always made sure that the wishbone was saved and set up on the window sill to dry to be used for wishing for my little brother and I.   My goodness, how that silly wishbone brought so much excitement!  I hope that your days filled with happiness and warmth and that your wishes come true.  Happy Thanksgiving~
Sunday, November 25, 2007 - 10:40 PM
BARB ARNDT
Jovita, Long time,
I guess my favorite Thanksgiving tradition ( other than eating until I'm sick, and visiting with as many family members as we can cram into the house) is going to a movie after dinner. We argue over which flick to see and since so many other people seem to have this same "tradition" the theatre is full and noisy and just fun, even if the movie is not great, like the year I picked Bad Santa!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007 - 07:34 PM
LESLIE
I love hearing about holiday traditions as I'm ever seeking to make traditions meaningful.  (Sometimes the same old thing done every year turns into a meaningless routine along the way.)  At any rate I think it is important on Thanksgiving to be thankful and think about and maybe talk about what it is you're thankful for.  It helps put things into perspective sometimes.  I love playing games after the food it cleared and the kitchen cleaned up: board games, card games, and, my favorite game, Scrabble.  But I do think my most favorite tradition is either sending people home with or being able to take home leftovers so that I can remember the day and the people and be able to enjoy that good food longer (I don't like to stuff myself at one meal.)  Sadly, I didn't get to take home leftovers this year but I do plan to make an apple pie soon.  I have a turkey in the freezer so maybe in Feb. or March I'll thaw it out and make a mini Thanksgiving dinner, be thankful again and coerce my daughter to play scrabble with me.
Friday, November 30, 2007 - 03:32 PM
LIZ SEVY
We have always spent Thanksgiving with family, and it usually turns out to be a casual, fun, and laid back type of day. We've tried many times to add new items to our dinner menu, but each one seems to be someone's favorite part of the meal! So it's usually turkey, cranberries, mashed and sweet potatoes, salad, stuffing and gravy - my favorite is a curried fruit bake that is just spicy enough to add some zing to the whole dinner. Then we gather around and put together a jigsaw puzzle, catch up and watch football. My favorite part is having a house full of people!
Friday, November 30, 2007 - 03:34 PM
Our Thanksgiving has always been the traditional, all the family, turkey/ham salad, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, stuffing....this year was different as most of my adult jids and grandkids have been on the east coast this year (they are moving back here this next week, hold them in your prayers as they are driving from Virginia).
So, this year, Andy and I spent the day together.  My middle son, Brandonand his wife Stephanie sat down to an eerily quiet Thanksgiving.
I know this has made me appreciate family more...and Andy says he will try to not grumble when the grandkids get loud...which is frequent if they are all here (we have 7, with another due in June)
And, the 2nd best Thanksgiving tradition is the Turkey tettrazini on Sunday!.
Marie
Friday, November 30, 2007 - 06:57 PM
ANONYMOUS
Jovita:
Our family has the tradition of saying what we are thankful for, which cannot include family, food or friends  (the 3 F's).  This year we didn't know how thankful we could be, when my 29 year old neice waited until this time of the meal (her favorite by the way), to tell us that a melanoma removed on the 19th had "good news", and was not malignant.
Tamara
Saturday, December 1, 2007 - 08:16 AM
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Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Our winner is ...


What a lot of fun . . . we’ll have to do this more often.

The name of everyone who posted a comment was written on a leaf.
 Then tossed
into the wind and raked into a pile  . . . before . . . my neighbour pulled the name of 
our lucky winner!
Congratulations to Peggy who won a free Toybox panel by posting a comment to my last blog entry.  
It was such a delight to read so many comments and helped to fill a void . . . I’ve really missed the daily contact with customers since we closed the brick and mortar shop and it was so nice to know that it’s a two-way road.  I do hope to keep in touch, through events, emails and blog entries and always invite and encourage you to add a comment.  They are all read and while I can’t answer every single one directly, I do pick out some each week to answer personally.

Be sure to stop by on Friday to see what I’ve been up to in the last week.  
And in the meantime . . .
. . . stop and enjoy the falling leaves,  Jovita




1 Comment
PEGGY
WOW!  Thanks so much.  I guess I can't say "I never win anything" not anymore.
Thursday, November 8, 2007 - 12:10 PM
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Thursday, November 1, 2007



I hope you will accept all my sincere apologies for the very, very long period of silence from me.  I truly wish I knew where the time went and that I could say NO to anything that took me off my time plan. In the back of my mind I’ve been nagging myself - you haven’t updated your studio notes since May, do it today, do it today, schedule it for Friday.  Just do it!  
After a sleepless night being bothered by all that is on that to do list, I crawled out of bed at 4am (a week ago).  I must say, Axel had the same problem so he came into the office only a half hour after me with a cuppa tea (for him) and a lovely cup of coffee for me.  It’s now 10am.  Unbelievable!  What was I just saying about the time going.
It’s since been a week of work - regrouping, emails, web designing, learning, get off-track and now settling into the next phase and journaling where the days have gone since March!  Yep, I’ve now realized I hadn’t updated since March.  That’s terrible.
So the first thing I did was to add what’s called a RSS feed to my blog.  What will this do for you?  Well, if you click on it, then add it as one of your bookmarks in your internet browser it will automatically tell you every time I’ve updated my notes.  Cool, huh?  Yep, I know - should have done it sooner.  
So, where did our year go??
Spring flew by after the Quilters Anonymous
  1. Quilters Anonymous Show

  2. Rubber Ducky Hunt
Show in March - see previous blog entry Back in the Swing.  We had a blast in Elizabeth Erickson’s secret garden behind Gallery Homes in Mukilteo for our annual Rubber Ducky Hunt and I do have pictures, but unfortunately they’re on another computer not available to me right now.
     

  1. Visitors from Germany
  2. Block Party Quilt Show
We welcomed my dear quilting girlfriends back from Germany for a two week visit in April. Their final excursion was to visit the Block Party Quilt Show in 
Issaquah, where we enjoyed seeing so many of our Eastside customers.


May was a busy, busy month!  Full of nothing but cleaning, baking, prepping and partying.  I was in Belgium and invited all of my quilting friends and students to enjoy a Patchwork

Day in my Garden.  We had a lovely time sharing ideas, projects, recipes and laughter.  The weather was incredibly cooperative and I got my first
hint of pink for the season, both my face and this lovely Rhodie - a gift from the girls in Mülheim.
The following weekend we quietly celebrated my darling husband’s 50th birthday.  Giggle, he didn’t know that the following two weekends we were expecting visitors to help us celebrate his rather adventurous life.  He was 
wonderfully surprised
 by the arrival of friends all
the way from Ingolstadt, near Munich.  More friends from Seattle also happened to be passing through Belgium.  Many, many more friends made the drive from Germany as well as his cousins and their children.  My sister and family also
  1. Patchwork in the Garden Party
  2. Axel’s 50th Birthday
flew in from Florida on the last day, then stayed for a two week adventure through our corner of Europe.
By early June I was back across the pond and gearing up for Shop Hop.  As you all know, we’re not allowed to officially participate 
now that we don’t have a brick-and-mortar shop front.  But I wanted to thank you for all the support you’ve shown us over the years so we borrowed our favorite secret garden again.  And I have to say, we had the best shop hop experience ever.  We opened Tuesday and Wednesday and gave away a free block kit (yep, the whole thing) to each customer who spent $5 or more.  By the way - we haven’t sold out and they’re still available on-line (click here).  Then it was off to Moses Lake for a weekend show.
  1. Shop Hop
  2. Basin Guild Quilt Show
  3. Busy Bee Quilt Show
The month was rounded off by a fantastic show put on by Busy Bee Quilters, this year at Craven Farms in Snohomish.  
It was a delightful weekend.
After busy shows in June, we spent July hurriedly restocking, cutting

 and packaging for our booth at the Sunbonnet Sue Quilters Show in Sequim.  This show coincides with the Lavender Festival, so our Lavendula ribbon labels were very popular.  There was also some time spent preparing for the Mukilteo Garden & Quilt Tour, jointly sponsored by Mukilteo Lighthouse Quilters and Mukilteo Way Garden  Club.


  1. Sunbonnet Sue Quilt Show
Unfortunately, I crashed my car the night before so wasn’t able to set up our booth as planned. 
To marry is the ultimate act of trust – 
to take another’s hand and step forward 
into the unknown with hope and courage.

In August, I flew back to Belgium to be with Axel.  I spent quite a bit of time in our garden and looking at gardens with a friend.  On the 18th,  we celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary.    Beyond that, I tried to relax a bit.  I’m not sure I entirely succeeded but the down-time did prepare me a little for what was to come . . . 
Honestly, I’d rather forget September.  I had flown back home all in anticipation of getting ready for our annual quilt show but was blown off course by the realization that we needed to move house and before I was scheduled to fly back to Belgium on the 26th
  1. Moved house
  2. Annual Outdoor Quilt Show
  3. Wenatchee Quilt Show
  4. Laconner Quilt Show
(we had just bought my non-refundable ticket the day before.)  Yikes!  That’s a lot of moving for one gal!  
I’ll hang on to memories of the highlights of course.   
This year PEACOCK &
periwinkle was proud to sponsor three quilting-related events during the Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival.  The main show was set up again in the secret garden behind Gallery Homes.  What a lovely setting for these beautiful quilts.  The works of featured artists, Ann Gillihan and Sally LeBoeuf were displayed in the Rosehill Community Center.
Quilts pictured here by Featured Artists:    left Ann Gillihan, right Sally LeBoeuf
Plus, on Sunday we demonstrated hand-quilting on the Lighthouse lawn.  And once again we were given warm welcomes at both the Wenatchee and Laconner Quilt Shows - we’re already looking forward to returning next year!

With much anticipation I greeted my favorite month, October!  What a delight, I was back in Belgium again with my darling husband.  I was absolutely exhausted to the core of every bone and ready to sleep.  Fueled by the added complication of jetlag I did a lot of that for a few weeks.  Then Axel was scheduled to guide through Provence, so he actually ditched me and hit the road for a 12-day tour.  But for
  1. R&R  and a much needed break
once I was ok with that too.  Some solitude, my garden and me all to myself were the best birthday present of all.  Yep, I turned 29 again!  But, boy oh boy, do I feel older this year.  
Sew what now? I’m starting to gear, up and have been working hard on updating the website, creating our first html-newsletter and working on patterns!  Yes!!  Patterns! First things first, I’ve 
nearly finished the finishing patterns for Stars Galore.  So, watch this space!  This girl’s about to set loose on a year of  adventure - I’m starting early.  The heck with waiting for January . . .
I hope you’ll join me for the journey!     Jovita

p.s.  don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a Toybox panel . . .
30 Comments 
Hi!  Thanks for stopping by.  Be sure to leave a comment and you might win a free Toybox panel.  Please include enough of your name that I'll be able to recognize it.  If you'd like to include your email address so I can notify you directly, enter that into the URL space.  Please note, one entry per person . . . drawing will take place on Sunday, November 4th.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007 - 12:41 PM
I'm glad you're back, Jovita.  My van still wants to turn into your Mukilteo shop each day or so.  You are missed.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007 - 01:30 PM
Hi Jovita
Nice work on the Blog, keep it up so people like me can live vicariously through all your travels.
Take Care  :>)
Susan
Wednesday, October 31, 2007 - 02:47 PM
LIZ SEVY
Wie gehts? Wonderful to see your updates! I admire anyone who can do a blog at all, but it's a great way to communicate with a lot of people and write just one letter. Okay I'm off to look at the silks.... bye!   Liz
Wednesday, October 31, 2007 - 03:03 PM
LESLIE ENGELSON
Nice to hear from you and glad all is well.  I'm looking forward to seeing more of your patterns.  I'm also starting to panic because I don't have all the blocks done for the next BOM...
Wednesday, October 31, 2007 - 03:09 PM
Be sure to add 'the cat with the mouse on its tongue' to your pattern list. I enjoy reading about your adventures. But...Sleep is good!
Fondly, Linda
Wednesday, October 31, 2007 - 04:23 PM
DONI
Hi Jovita,  it is sooooo great to hear your cheerful voice.  Happy Hallowe'en from Wenatchee!!! Hope all is well with you in your newish life.
Hugs, Doni
Wednesday, October 31, 2007 - 04:27 PM
I know how it goes when time is flying by!  I can't believe it is November already.  I enjoy your blog and love the star quilt!  Have a great November.  I'm thankful for your creativity that sparks mine!  Cathy
Wednesday, October 31, 2007 - 07:37 PM
ANONYMOUS
Hi Jovita,  Remember the  pretty  fabric that I bought at your Sunday sale and I was sure my granddaughter would love it- greens blues and that cute little print.--NOT.  She changed her mind of colors--now wants browns, pinks and dull reds!!!!!!!!!! And a different pattern as well. Oh well-we went to the fabric store in Petersburg, Ak and she picked out her favorites.  So I have this nice stash to use another time.  Enjoy some down time--you deserve it. Bev Wohlhueter
Wednesday, October 31, 2007 - 09:35 PM
ANONYMOUS
Hallo, Jovita
Time flies, schade dass es im Oktober nicht geklappt hat, aber nach dem Lesen Deines Blogs ist mir alles klar...
Hoffentlich gibt es im Januar ein Wiedersehen. Ich freue mich schon.
LG Heike
DOTTIE MC
Jovita,
Your shop is sorely missed. Ria and I don't have a destination -- a reason to jump on the ferry for quilting any longer. Are you going to be at the show in Puyallup this year?
Sunday, November 4, 2007 - 06:37 AM
NANCY
Hi,
Great to hear from you.  I know about time flying.  Can't wait to hear what is new.
Sunday, November 4, 2007 - 06:43 AM
ANONYMOUS
Jovita,
Your world dounds as crazy as mine...between two trips to Virginia...fixing the house to sell and move there...seeing two of my kids and three of my grandkids leave here and move to Virginia...and now deciding to not sell the house (it really looks good) and stay...and trying to get the kids back home...But, the site looks wonderful.  I envy the jet lag to Belgium...and will watch for further updates.
Marie in marysville
Sunday, November 4, 2007 - 07:11 AM
ANONYMOUS
Rhonda105
You lead such an interesting life!  I certainly understand 'time just flies by', but I enjoy reading your blog no matter how long the space is in between.
Sunday, November 4, 2007 - 07:17 AM
ANONYMOUS
Thanks for this cool blog!  I'm new to your shop and am excieted to see more.  I'm interested in a class on crazy quilting or just a very simple 9 square that takes me from patch, to batting, to finished quilt.
Thanks again.
Peggy
Sunday, November 4, 2007 - 07:35 AM
Great Blog!.....whatever that word means!!
I was wondering how your move worked out. Sounds like you landed on your feet....eventually!
Who should I contact here about books? You mentioned a contact person and I've lost it.
Wish I was visiting. I so hope to visit castles in Germany again one day......Quilting in a castle?!!.......HUmm..Now there's a thought.
Sunday, November 4, 2007 - 08:20 AM
GEORGIA GONZALES
Wonderful site Jovita!  I'm so glad to hear all that you have been doing.  I hope to see you while you are states-side!  I finished my RED Quilt and my Dipped Chicks Charity Quilt.  I have 4 quilt tops ready to quilt and am in the midst of several more projects but I'm always up for another!
See you sewn!
Blessings.
Georgia
Sunday, November 4, 2007 - 08:28 AM
C KIND
Hi Jovita,
Time flies when you're having fun, unless your a frog. Then time's fun when you're having flies. The blog was a fun read and just what I needed to get inspired to sew on a wedding gift.
Sunday, November 4, 2007 - 09:12 AM
ANNIE K.
It was great to hear from you again.  When you come back to the states, you are invited for dinner so that I can have you give me instructions for my BOM and teach me the button necklace.
Sunday, November 4, 2007 - 10:17 AM
WANDA
Hi, Jovita! Miss you!  What happened to getting together the end of Sept.?  We'll have to do better next go around.  Melania adds her greetings, too.  Wanda
Sunday, November 4, 2007 - 01:38 PM
ANONYMOUS
Hi Jovita,
It was so nice to hear from you.  I was wondering and worrying (as were others) how the move went.  It sounds like you and Axel are doing just great. Enjoyed hearing about your musing in the garden.   As you see,  we are all missing you and looking forward to seeing you again.  God bless you both.  Diane
Sunday, November 4, 2007 - 04:17 PM
Hey Jovita....
good to hear from you ......Sounds like you have been so very busy!!!!   I am in the middle of life changes so my blog has been neglected as well, I know the feeling...and now I feel slightly more motivated to get to updating there too..
yours truly,
Scott
Sunday, November 4, 2007 - 04:23 PM
NANCY, B. C. QUILTER
It's really interesting to read all about what you have been up to and see all the new products you're bringing in. Thanks for keeping us all in the loop.
Sunday, November 4, 2007 - 05:27 PM
Jovita,
Glad your settling in.  We miss your shop and look forward to your show this summer. We had a great time at your Shop Hop. Take Care.
Sunday, November 4, 2007 - 05:36 PM
Reading everyone's comments, I realized how much I miss you already!  We met so briefly and bonded instantly.  You are a true and kind spirit.  I wish we were sitting on the couch feasting on baked apples and chatting together again.  Thanks for your friendship!   Don't forget to stop and smell the fabric~  :o)  Evalynn Barrett
Sunday, November 4, 2007 - 10:12 PM
SUESTONENP@COMCAST.NET
Don't feel bad about the long silence, it happens to the best of us. What is a toy box panel? I love house quilts and I am looking forward to your patterns. Where will they be available and when?
Monday, November 5, 2007 - 09:30 AM
Thanks for catching us up on all that you have been up to!  Love hearing all about your travels whenever you have time to update!  I'm sure the rest of this year will be just as busy for you, I look forward to you next update.
Monday, November 5, 2007 - 09:36 AM
CHERYL MCLEOD
Jovita:
Thanks so much for the update - yes I tried to leave a comment last week but figured it was just operator error (me!).  Wow!  You have been one busy lady, but you always have been every since we met at Busy Bee's.  I really enjoy reading about your travels and adventures.  Again thanks much for sharing.
Kindly,
Cheryl McLeod
Monday, November 5, 2007 - 11:30 AM
BARBARA ROSS
Wow, now that's a couch!  I need to replace mine too but I really hate shopping for that sort of thing.  Plus, I have to worry about whether the cats will decide to abuse it or not.  I have to do something soon.  Glad to hear that you are doing well but please know that you are truly missed.   I really enjoy your input on the Skills Builder class and the Christmas Block of the Month.
Monday, November 5, 2007 - 12:54 PM
ANONYMOUS
Here there slowing down is always good even if we are sick!  Things look good!  Let us know about your patterns!
Gpods Blessing to you,
Sue
Monday, November 5, 2007 - 04:22 PM
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