Happy 25th Anniversary, Rod, And the Best Thing I Ever Made

On June 30th, we celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary, my retirement, and Aaron's healing from his car accident.  Above is the picture cake showing the wedding and the new improved couple!

We had our party at the Bureau County Metro Center and entertained about 150 friends and family. Thanks to all the ladies that helped in the kitchen to provide a beautiful buffet.  Also, thank you to Dad and Pat, Cathy and Robin, who endured helping me make the food.  MMmmm, good.

 Thanks to Aaron's friend for the DJ services and playing our favorite tunes to dance to.

Thank you to everyone who chose to help us celebrate; friends and family from near and far.

Thank you, God for healing our son.  He's the best thing I've every made!!

Amen,  Terry

Waiting for Gasoline

I don't know if any of you would remember waiting in line for gasoline back in the 70's but I did that today for a very short time.  I arrive to get in line about 12:55pm today for $2.98 a gal. gas but so did everyone else that wasn't at their job.  The police were already there directing traffic.  Now I thought once I got up to the pumps it would be easy.  Nope.  You had to go inside to pay to get the discount.  So that was taking everyone much longer.

Waiting in line for about 20 minutes.





Driving away with full tank, looking back at others still waiting.

Hope you were able to stay cool and hydrated today.  Tank-up tomorrow maybe worst.  Terry

So, Do You Sell Your Quilts? A Conversation with Marianne Fons - QNNtv.com

So, Do You Sell Your Quilts? A Conversation with Marianne Fons - QNNtv.com

Today I was contemplating what to write.  I haven't taken any pictures of my daily adventures but this morning I did happen upon this video.  Since I am in the quiltmaking business, I found this information very interesting.  I do this because I love it but the pay is a benefit.  As you all know, I will not get rich doing this.  The payoff is I get to get up everyday and do something I love.

As you listen to Marianne and Mary Fons, please notice several times in their conversation they mention low-ball pricing.  The cost of fabric is climbing everyday.  So yes, I consider their fabric costs low. For a queen to king size bed quilt the quilt top fabric, batting and backing will easily be over $300, plus labor and the cost of quilting. 

In my opinion, you need to appreciate that quilt given to you is a gift of love.  If you purchase a quilt, then treat it as fine art, and protect it from the elements that might damage it. 
Have a great day and stay cool!  Terry

Blueberry Hill

After posting this morning, Mary Wallis and I headed to Plow Creek Farms in Tiskilwa, IL.  We picked blueberries for about three hours.  If I remember right Mary picked 4.8 lbs and I picked 6.5 lbs.  The good thing is you can take as many home in your tummy as you want. Yum! The berries aren't quite as big as they have been in the past.  I'm sure the shortfall of rain has something to do with it.

Mary and I talked about what to do with the berries.  I contemplated making Rod a pie for our anniversary.  Made a trip to the grocery store and ended up buying the ingredients for blueberry bars.
When I take these bars to a church supper or trail ride, I don't come home with any. 

So here's the picture of the finished product.
Now back to working on my customer's quilt and time to get dinner in the oven.  Terry

So here's the picture of the finished product.

Our 25th Wedding Anniversary

Twenty-five years ago today, I married the love of my life and soul mate.  Sitting here this morning pondering overall the memories as I write.  I called Rod this morning to check on him and wish him a "Happy Anniversary".  Today is one of those extreme heat days that I really worry about him in his Coke truck, the trailer is like an oven.

We are working on putting together a party on June 30th to celebrate our anniversary and my retirement from the State of IL's Dept of Rehabilitation Services.  Monday night we had our pictures taken by Scott Wallis, husband of my fellow quilter and friend, Mary Wallis.  Mary came along on our photo shoot.  Then they went home and burned the pictures to a CD.  Mean while, Rod and I fired up the grill and cooked dinner for them.  We sat down and viewed the pictures after dinner and picked out the one above for the newspapers along with our annoucement.  Please join us in our celebration if you can.  Terry

You are cordially invited to the

Johnson Family Celebration

for our 25^th Anniversary and

Terry's Retirement

on Saturday, June 30^th, 2012

4:30-6:00 p.m. Open House and Picnic Supper

6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Dance with DJ Will

Join us at the Bureau County Metro Center

837 Park Avenue West

Princeton, IL 61356

Courtesy of a RSVP appreciated:

PH: 815-872-0534 or Email: quiltcrazie@msn.com

Walking thru Fulton, Part 2

Villager' home

Here's Sherri checking out the Villager's home.  We were moving pretty fast at this point.  The mosquitoes were out in swarms; swatting and waving our arms to keep them away.  I'm actually pretty excited that the pictures are clear.  It was getting pretty miserable at this point.  Wish we had seen the Off spray in the visitor's center.



Dr. Love's office
Below is the Mill and the bridge.
Crossing the bridge was definitely a walk of faith.

The Cable Bridge

I would definitely recommend a visit to Heritage Canyon.

Walking through the canyon after the rain was a little tricky

with the  mosquitoes pestering us.  We would have lingered

longer without them.

Have a great day.  Terry

Walking through Fulton

Saturday started out with RAIN.  Its been so long since we've seen rain, I just wanted to do a happy dance.  We had a very nice shower in Fulton but called home and no rain at home. Bummer...
Anyway we had granola, yogurt and fruit for breakfast.  That was a good start and felt like a walk next.  Susan suggested we walk down to Heritage Canyon to view the little village.  Cathy, Sherri and started off on our trek.  It was a little steamy after the shower, but we were determined to check out the village.  We arrive at the visitor's hut but no one was available and we found the trail on our own and were off on a self-guided tour. 

Walking to the gate to get started we saw this waterfall.

It was a little slippery from the rain and moss on the walkways.  We picked our way into the valley of the village.  The village is built in an old quarry.  There is a log cabin, covered bridge, church, mill, stable, blacksmith shop, doctor's office and villager's home to view.  I don't have pictures of everything but here's the highlights of our walk.

Cathy and Sherri in the Covered Bridge

Stable and Blacksmith Shop

Sanctuary

Adorable little Church

This church holds about 25 guests.
Its just adorable and even with
cloudy skies the inside was illuminated and the stained glass windows were beautiful. Can't you just imagine a storybook wedding here?

From the church we moved on to the mill, villager's home and doctor's office.  Notice the doctor's name, Dr. Love.  I will do another post to show the rest of the pictures as they seem to bump in and rearrange what I already have posted here.   So stay tuned....

Terry