It was REALLY a LOVELY weekend! Our daughter, Bevin, was here. Mostly we cooked — and she also ‘decorated’ a t-shirt for a Super Bowl party. Cooked! All of Sat. afternoon was in the kitchen, beginning with cookies, and then moving on to Boeuf Bourguignon. Absolutely the BEST Stew I’ve EVER enjoyed. Worth the effort – every bit of it!

On Sunday afternoon we headed to Kalispell for a visit with Bevin’s grandparents. Here she is with my Mother . . . visiting.

And — we also got to see Miss Kitty. She’s SO sweet.

It was really a LOVELY weekend!

Jery & I spent a lovely day with our parents – in Kalispell – on Sunday, the 24th.  It was my Dad’s 91st birthday.

When we arrived, Daddy was really tired, though he soon perked up.  Then, I realized that becuse we were going to be there, he’d missed his late morning nap.

My Mother and Jer’s Mom were with us also, and as we were enjoying lunch, Daddy even cracked a joke — probably the first I’ve heard in nearly 3 years!  So, it was a FABULOUS day!  

Part of why I believe he’s doing so well is Miss Kitty.  Remember?  She moved there at Christmas, so now it’s a month later and she is ruling the roost!  NEVER before has a cat – in their home or mine – been permitted to lie on furniture.  Simply a house rule . . .  animals on the floor – or a lap.  But look where she is!  As I saw her leap to the chair, I responded by yelling, scoulding.  Mother laughed.  Said, it really was fine —  that she’s so sweet she can go wherever she pleases!  Talk about the Life of Riley!

Anyway — she’s good for them, and they are good for her, so it’s a total love affair there.

The day began with a light snow, which turned into bright sun before we headed home.

A lovely day!

It’s back to work, but now it’s with a sunburn for a terrific reminder. Jery & I & our friends walked the beach, enjoyed the pool, saw some ruins, enjoyed margueritas, did minimal shopping, ate fabulous Mexican food, and RELAXED.  We played in the Ocean, found sand in amazing places, failed at internet contact, excelled at playing, visited an iguana reserve, avoided the creepy things, snapped up close and personal photos of colorful parrots, saw whales, sand pipers, vultures, little white breasted birds, and pelicans skimming the waves.  Such a lovely mid-winter treat!

I gave Jery an iPod for Christmas. The main reason was so he could put his favorite records and cassettes on it (actually the separate tunes from each) and have old favorite music available. So, picture this: right now he’s out in his office, sitting in front of my laptop, deleting some of the music I had put in it before Christmas. You know — we don’t like EVERY song on each CD, tape, and he’s deleting the ones he doesn’t like. Really HAD to get a pic of this!! Then, shortly he’ll begin recording the selected cassettes INTO the laptop (software package makes it easy). He’s  – doing it! No rings on his finger NOR bells on his toes, but he shall have music wherever he goes!

Miss Kitty moved to Kalispell on Christmas Eve, where she’ll hopefully have a better life style, living with my parents. She’s so calm and loving – undoubtedly the sweetest cat I’ve EVER known, and my folks will enjoy her immensely!

We had a lovely Christmas in Kalispell . . . such a blessing to have all 3 parents close by and with us. I’m really enjoying the opportunity (time!) to cook again — and fixed Prime Rib with a special glaze for Christmas dinner in Mother’s cozy kitchen. Tasty trimmings.

Jery & I watched Julie & Julia last night – which I adored, and he snored. And that movie reminded me that I hadn’t posted here in way too long, and that trend needs to be corrected.

So ?? Why have I been so quiet? What’s been going on ?? Family. Work. Thanksgiving — I know – that was weeks ago! – work, soldier stuff . . . . . . in general, simply life.

We had Thanksgiving dinner here. My folks arrived on Wed afternoon. Jer’s Mom came Thursday morning, earlier than we’d expected her! She went back to Kalispell shortly after our mid-day dinner. While here, my parents fell in love with Miss Kitty. We had adopted her from the Animal Shelter last Spring. She came with a couple of ailments and a huge purr, incredibly sweet disposition, and a charming old lady pear shape. Someone had simply dropped her over the fence at the Shelter, so they don’t know from whence she came. We’ve speculated that she lived with someone elderly who either went into a care facility or died, and the ‘family’ disposed of Miss Kitty – over the fence. She appears to have never been mis-treated, is very calm and loving, and has a motor MUCH loader than her Meow (which we can barely hear). She’s quite simply a sweet old lady. So – back to Mother & Daddy. They haven’t had a cat since shortly after I left for college, and they are about to have Miss Kitty. She needs to live where she can ALWAYS stay in (never need to set her tootsies in the snow again – we don’t think she’s ever been in it before from the way she acts) and bring joy to her new family. We need a younger, active cat to contain the small wildlife. Miss Kitty is moving to Kalispell next Monday, the 14th. I really believe they will all THREE be delighted.  And, we’ll miss her immensely, though this is truly a ‘trial’ setup.  If it doesn’t work out for all three of them, we’ll bring her back to Eureka.

We had SO MUCH FUN stitching together this weekend! Obviously, this photo was taken at happy hour time . . . from left to right – Mel, Kay, Jackie, Deb, Marilyn, Kathern.  On Friday we went to Nancy Janikowsky’s Retreat Cabin a few miles southwest of Kalispell where Nancy and her friend Peggy treated us to wonderful meals, terrific lighting and a good stitching set up — and truly a terrific time!  Back home and to reality on Sunday afternoon.  Six seems the perfect number for this cabin, though we could squeeze in a 7th if another of our ‘buddies’ would join us next time.  LOTS of laughter, and incredible progress. Friends.  Life is SWEET!

Yesterday was Veteran’s Day — and it was the day that we had lots of visitors to this Blog because of the Blog Tour Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks magazine sponsored. So, first — our winner is Linda Dixon of Maryland. Thank you all for visiting.

I’m married to an Army Veteran, and the daughter of a Navy veteran from WWII – and thankful for their efforts, as well as all those who have served or are serving to protect our Freedoms.

Therefore, the timing was right! On Tuesday, three friends – Kathern, Kay & Deb – joined me for a delightful morning of stitching Christmas Stockings which will be filled with goodies, and sent to the troops from our area who are presently serving overseas. Aren’t these fun? ! ?

It’s VERY exciting to be a part of this special issue. Keep reading to see how YOU might win a free copy – - – and be sure to visit to catch links to other designers who have participated in this issue.

My block is called Butterfly Cabin and features fabrics from the Poinsettia group. Wouldn’t it be a divine Holiday quilt . . . you know, Log Cabin blocks have 4 directions they’ll face, allowing you to choose all sort of fabulous ways to set them together.

You’ll want to visit  www.quiltmaker.com/100blocks to see all the news!

THEN —  to become a part of the drawing for a free copy of 100 Blocks, send us an email on Wed., Nov 11 – before 5 pm Mountain Time.  Be SURE to place   ‘ 100 Blocks’ in the subject line – or it will land in the spam folder and not be seen.  Send that email to  JackieAndFriends@animasquilts.com     (We hope you noticed we’re now animasquilts.com instead of simply animas.com)

Barb, Marilyn & I went to Bull River in BC, Canada this weekend to quilt / enjoy with some of the quilters from Cranbrook, BC. It’s location is pristine — a beautiful valley along the Bull River. And the quilters . . . well, you just can’t find better people anywhere than quilters.
One of the other things about going to Bull River is C.J., the chef! MY oh MY!! She’s incredible, and the treats for our tummy are beyond easy words. Not only do they taste divine — the presentation is outstanding.

So, we stitch and stitch — enjoying the aromas from the kitchen — until we just can’t stand it any longer.
In the evening, when it become too much to bear, we simply run off to a cabin and visit over a glass of wine, returning in time to be dazzled!

You know —  life IS sweet!