Ghastlies Day 3 and Nurse Mathilda Ghastlie

GHASTLIES DAY 3 

and

NURSE Mathilda Ghastlie

I've come to *HELP* Gmama Jane today!

Her Peeps and Grandpeeps are feeling a bit under the weather.

An extra HAND was much needed

so...I Volunteered my services...Hee Hee Hee

I brought along 

 Prudence

My Precious Little Daughter

with her

Cute Little *HAMMER*...

just in case those Grandpeeps get out of line..Hee...Hee...Hee

Gmama has gone to play Nurse Ratchet for her own

Precious Oldest Daughter

who has some nasty little bug... (wonder where it came from?????) hee, hee, hee

She left today's GHASTLIES BLOG HOP SCHEDULE

with me...so please go see what all those Ghastlie Sistahs have created for you today

Gmama will be back tomorrow........I think???...OH wait...

Tomorrow is Surgery Day for Mr. Ghastlie!

She may have to leave me in charge again......Oh Goodie!!!

Wed. Oct. 26th

Mrs. Barb Ghastlie

Miss. Karen Ghastlie

Ms. Loralynn Ghastlie

Ms. Jen Ghastlie

Ms. Penny Ghastlie

Mrs. Rhonda Ghastlie

Go to Sew WE Quilt to see the name of Mon. & Tues. WINNERS

Make sure you leave a comment and it would be most polite to become a follower

or so Gmama Jane says.

Mathilda Ghastlie

standing in for 

Ghastlie Blog Hop Day 2/Surgery Update

Ghastlie Blog Hop Day 2

and 

#1 Husband's Surgery Update...Oh NO!!!!

Hmmm???... Do I see a strange resemblance to #1 husband aka...  Mr. Ghastlie??

This Thursday, #1 Mr. Ghastlie is having his "wing" repaired

and

Mrs. Gmama Ghastlie is bemoaning the future agony and suffering

of the next 4 weeks.  I'll be polishing up my broomstick in order to fly Mr. Ghastlie to and fro between Physical Therapy at the Bat Cave and Check-ups at the Doctor's Office.

To keep my sanity in between playing nursemaid and toddler sitting, Sidekick Scott and I will retreat to the Great Outdoors or The Sewing Cave 

AND

Ghastlie Blog Hopping

Did you enjoy DAY 1?

WOW!

How about ALL those GHASTLIE CREATIONS ??

You GHASTLIE SISTAHS Outdid yourselves!

I will Announce the DAY 1 Grand Prize Winner ASAMadame Samm picks the winning name.

Here is today's Schedule:

Tuesday, Oct. 24th

Mrs. Annie Ghastley

Mrs. Doris Ghastlie

Mrs. Brandie Ghastlie

Mrs. Alidiza Ghastlie

Mrs. Judy C Ghastlie

Leave a comment and each Ghastlie Sistah will pick one mane from her comments to send to Madame Samm who will in turn choose a Daily Grand Prize Winner...
Easy Peasy 

 

Ghastlie Blog Hop Begins!

INVASION

OF THE

GHASTLIES

GHASTLIE BLOG HOP

BEGINS

MONDAY, OCT. 24TH

Matilda Ghastlie

WARNS those who Don't Play Along!!!

Surely, she's NOT pointing her finger at YOU??!!

You know that "Ghastlie" Madame Samm has more irons in the fire and

has come up with this FUN Blog Hop for all of us to enjoy for the next TWO WEEKS.



Here are a Few Rules:

Each Sistah Ghastlie (all 54 of us)will pick a winner from her blog and send the name to Madame Samm

at Sew I Quilt

She will choose a grand Prize winner for that day and post a Picture of Prize on HER blog and I will post the Winner on MY BLOG
Of course, you will become a follower of Sew I Quilt and Grandmama's Stories...it's Good Manners when someone gives you nice things!

I will pick a winner of MY Give-Away on Nov. 4th and post winner on Sat. Nov. 5th

 Welcome GHASTLIE FANS

                              Behind the scenes we ( 54 ) Ghastlie obsessed

Stitchers have been rather busy, you could say.

I will be as surprised as all of YOU.

I cannot wait to see what my Sistahs

have created.

If you have this thing for Ghastlies

and they have tied you in a knot

and you wish you could get them out of your mind

than this may be a thought.

                                            We heard her plea for a cure

Mdm Samm was pos/it/ively sure

that we could stitch the nights away

in hopes that we MAY----???

( all 54 of us)

BUT....

The side effects are Ghastlie

there is no mistaking too.

if you don't run this very minute

YOU too will catch the FLU...

Get your favorite "ghastlie drink" and "hop" along with us

                                                  We suspected all along

this was her master plan

she did not want to be alone,

with all YOU Ghastlie FANS...

                             (I suspect there will be a CURE somewhere

in one of these blogs...)

HERE is OUR Schedule.....

ON Monday, October 24th

Mrs Kirie Ghastlie

Ms Carol Ghastlie

Ms. Wendy Ghastlie

Ms. Carrie Ghastlie

Mrs Holly Ghastlie

                                             ON Tuesday October 25th

Mrs. Annie Ghastlie

Mrs Doris Ghastlie

Mrs Brandie Ghastlie

Ms. Alidiza Ghastlie

Mrs. JudyC Ghastlie

ON Wednesday October 26th

Mrs. Barb Ghastlie

Miss Karen Ghastlie

Ms. Loralynn Ghastlie

Ms. Jen Ghastlie.

Ms Penny Ghastlie

Mrs Rhonda Ghastlie

                                           ON Thursday October 27th

Mrs. Katherine Ghastlie

Ms Sharon Ghastlie

Mrs. Gooden Ghastlie

Ms. Selina Ghastlie

Mrs. Melinda Ghastlie

ON Friday October 28th

Miss Trudi Ghastlie

Ms. Deonn Ghastlie

Mrs. Marlene Ghastlie

Mrs Kim Ghastlie

Mrs Tammy Ghastlie

                                            ON Monday October 31st

Mrs. Toyna Ghastlie

Mrs Tiramisue Ghastlie

Mrs. Angela Ghastlie

Mrs Pauline Ghastlie

Mrs. Karin Ghastlie

Mrs Barb Ghastlie

                                            ON Tuesday November 1st

Miss Daisy Ghastlie

Mrs. Dana Ghastlie

Mrs. Elaine Ghastlie

Mrs. Gramma Sheri Ghastlie

Ms. Suz Ghastlie

ON Wednesday November 2nd

                                                     Mrs. Jane Ghastlie

Mrs. Laura Ghastlie

Mrs. Mary Ghastlie

Mrs. Michelle Ghastlie

Mrs. Dawn Ghastlie

Mrs Mary Ghastlie

ON Thursday November 3rd

Mrs. Sharon Ghastlie

Mrs Corrie Ghastlie

Mrs Cheryl Ghastlie

Mrs. Linda Ghastlie

Mrs. Pickles Ghastlie

ON Friday November 4th

Mrs Nan Ghastlie

*Mrs. Gmama Jane Ghastlie*

Mrs Joan Ghastlie

Mrs. Nancy Ghastlie

Ms Susan Ghastlie

Madame Ghastlie

(the instigator of all this mischief and mayhem)

                                     Each day we will have a giveaway...

Some of my Ghastlie Sisters have made some special

projects to giveaway and we will have daily BIG PRIZES

from these sponsors....to sweeten the CAULDRON....

Some of our Sponsors

                  Alexander Henry Fabrics- lot's and lot's of Ghastlie Fabric

Colonial Needle -sewing basket

Janes Fabrics -Kona fabrics in PINK -fat quarter bundle

Reliable Iron - orange Velocity 50

IHAN ( kelly )- aurifil threads

Coeurdalenegifts- 2 sets of Halloween lights

Forth Worth Fabric Studio - gorgeous gift set of Ghasltie fabric

Creative Grid -3 Rulers their top 3

Blue FIG- wheeled bag in PINK

and of course some sweet surprises from our

Guest Ghasltie Sissssssssssssters..!

 

Soldier Boy Star Blocks Needed

STAR BLOCKS for a Fallen Soldier

CHRIS

UPDATE JAN. 2015,  If you like this post, please know that this request is no longer open as of Jan. 2015, HOWEVER, Please contact your local Quilts of Valor or other patriotic organization for a place to send quilt blocks and/or quilts for our military men and women, veterans (current and retired), etc...

 Two Star Blocks I made for a Blogging Friend, 

John'aLee 

at 

The Scrappy Appleyard

John'aLee's daughter, Tory was to be married a few weeks ago to her Soldier Boy, Chris.

One week before Chris was to leave Afghanistan and return home, Chris was killed.  Another Hero's Life sacrificed for FREEDOM.

We Give Honor to you Chris.  

Our hearts are heavy for Tory, Tory's family, your mother, your entire family, and all your many friends.

Soft Reds & Blues are colors requested

John'aLee has humbly asked her friends to send Star Blocks so that she can make quilts as a way of dealing with their grief.  Here is the link with all the info you need if you decide to give of your time to donate a Star Block to this family.

http://thescrappyappleyard.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-09-20T09%3A57%3A00-06%3A00&max-results=4

 Lemoyne Star

One of our Friends is in Need and and has asked for our help.  I for one made the two blocks above but since she's extended the deadline to Nov. 31st  I'll be making more.  I enjoyed making these blocks while I prayed over each stitch in hopes it would bring comfort to this grieving family.  Can you even imagine the tragedy of losing a son, fiance', and future son-in-law in the matter of days??

Blocks received so far!!  Amazing!!

Here is a great Link for making a Ohio Star Block

Easy Peasy Block to make

http://www.mccallsquilting.com/qb/mccallsquilting/pattern_1101_2/index.html

Send 8" or 12" blocks to:

The Scrappy Appleyard

3218 Knobview Drive

Nashville, TN  37214

Please pass this request on to your Blogs and Facebook pages if you feel moved to do so.  Also, go to John'aLees's blog and leave her a note if you plan to make a Star and tell her I sent you!  She will be so grateful as will I.  I have some of the most caring and considerate  followers so I know many of you will answer this call.  

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Apple Butter Marathon

APPLE BUTTER
MARATHON

I'VE BEEN MAKING APPLE BUTTER FOR THE PAST 24 HRS +!  

Yes, I said 24 hrs+. 

 I've been reading blogs with all these warm and fuzzy posts about Apple Butter recipes, apple butter making, how wonderful it makes their home smell, how EASY it is to make, blah, blah, blah...

SO...
I wanted to write about MY own warm and fuzzy Apple Butter making experience...

 Most recipes say to cook for 7-8 hrs. in Crock Pot.  Well, my Crock Pot must be on "Granny putting on her support stockings" cooking degrees because after I peeled 10 lbs. of apples (which took me TWO HOURS), mixed up the sugar and spices, put it all in the crock pot around 1:30 p.m. Wed. afternoon, it STILL looked like brownish Applesauce by 10:00 P.M.  

So...

I turned it down to "Granny walks 10 miles to town on her walker" and when I got up this morning it still wasn't THICK like in all the pictures OR in my jar of Cracker Barrel Apple Butter.

So...

I turned up the heat to "Granny got Her Groove Thing On" and waited till 6:00 tonight, Thursday.

FINALLY...

APPLE BUTTER!!    

MY WAY!!

 Google Apple Butter and you'll get TONS of recipes.  That's what I did!

A couple of suggestions:

1.  Adjust spices to suit your Family's Taste...translated, I'm going to nix the Allspice and go with just cinnamon next go round.

2.  The owner of our local Apple Orchard told me today she makes her applesauce first, Then places it in a roasting pan and places it in the oven on low.  I don't know what Low meant but I would suggest 170 which is as low as my oven will go.    She says it doesn't splatter or cook too fast.  She adds cinnamon during the last hour of cooking.

The Moral of This Story

If I can't buy my Apple Butter made in a large Copper Kettle from the Methodist Women in the WalMart Parking lot back home in West Virginia????

I'm sticking to buying Cracker Barrel Apple Butter

Dream vs. Reality

MY DREAM SEWING ROOM

courtesy of 

Better Homes and Gardens

Drool....Tongue hanging out...eyes popping...chill bumps

Oh my word

Can you even imagine sewing in a room like this???

Look at the storage, the soft color scheme, that gorgeous pink chair, the cutting table, sitting area,

FIREPLACE!, books, TV, soft quilts/Pillows for curling up and stitching...Oh and I'm sure there are hidden jewels we can't see such a surround sound, perfect lighting, ergonomically correct chair for sewing, cushioned rug for long periods of standing, etc....

and 

NOW....

REALITY

Bestill My Heart....I know you're asking yourself who is my Designer.  Sorry but I can't divulge such secrets. The Organizational Expert who came in to put all this together has gone big time after showcasing my sewing room as his last project!

Yep, you guys and gals, are going to be keeping my comment button HOT for my advice and creative swagger.  I don't want to seem pretentious by showcasing My CAVE but the truth needed to be told.  This is where the Creativity Begins and Ends...

Gmama's Sewing CAVE

Excuse Me Friends...HGTV is calling!!  

"Why, Hello, yes, is this Candice Olsen??  Oh thank you so much....why yes, I would love to collaborate with you on your next project!.  

MY sewing room?  Did I do it myself???  Well, I was the mastermind behind the magic even though I did have some help.  #1 husband with his 'eye for design" did give me a few pointers but I like to think the room

speaks for itself, don't you, Candice?

I am so thrilled you called and look forward to the two of us designing together.

Toddle..Loo

 

Alabama Snow, Grandsons, Fall Bucket List, and MRI Results at LAST

ALABAMA SNOW

You are looking at a Fall cotton field ready for harvest!  Before I moved to Alabama 34 yrs. ago the only way I had seen cotton was on the end of a Q-Tip, stuffed in a medicine bottle, or that little white ball Dr. Pace's nurse rubbed on me when she gave me a shot.  

My move to Alabama changed all that and I became quite the connoisseur of the Cotton plant.  In fact, some of mine and #1 Husband's best friends are Major Cotton farmers.  I'm talking 1,000 acres of cotton, 10 Cotton Picking Machines, own their own Cotton Gin kind of farmers,. Watching the huge Cotton pickers crawl through the long rows of cotton is a sight that I never get tired of seeing.  Along the side of most every rural road are little piles of cotton that have blown off a Cotton wagon hauling a HUGE Cotton Bale the size of a Tractor trailer.  Southern signs of Fall...cotton debris around my mailbox.

In fact, I took Sidekick for a Fall Walk last week and we walked into a cotton field.  I showed him  the cotton plants and tried to explain as much about cotton as a 3 yr. old mind can comprehend.  As most kids will do, Sidekick , wanted to know 

#1  How do the farmers get the seeds?

#2 Where do the seeds come from?

#3 How do they grow?

and then...

WHY?

From that point on regardless of what I said, all he said was

WHY?

So much for the fall walk....let's go get lunch!

Here are current pictures of two Handsome Little boys who are the apple of their Grandmommie's

eye!

Sweet Baby James

Born 0ct. 7, 2007

Born premature...diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy

The most courageous, determined, and funny little 4 yr. old I know!

#1 Daughter is his mother and she is pretty amazing in the way she has dedicated her life to making sure SBJ has a normal and successful life.  My heart melts when SBJ says "I Wub You, Grandmommie"

Sidekick Scott

June, 20, 2009

I retired early and began keeping him at age 7 months.

I call him my sidekick because we keep the roads hot, the playgrounds busy, and I'm always engaged in stimulating conversation about various topics from "Bubble Guppies" to "Come look at my Poop, Grandmama!"  Aah, Sidekick is a proud little man of his "poop".  I hope you're not offended by that word because it is a most important word in my daily conversations.  Once Sidekick got the hang of the whole process, he has taken great pride in his "creations"...size, shape, smell, etc... I hear it all...everyday....and so goes my day!

I found this next chart on Pinterest and had to share.  BTW, if you haven't gotten hooked/addicted to Pinterest, just let me WARN you...it is soooooooo cool but it can suck you in if you don't put a time limit on yourself.  I've never seen as much cool stuff of every genre, topic, etc... I Love Lists and here is a New Favorite for Fall.

Disclaimer:  #1: Cook a gumbo...I leave this one to my #1 Son-in-law, the Chef.  His Seafood Gumbo is a thing of beauty!

 

Do you like Apple Butter? 

I'll be making Crock Pot Apple Butter this week so stop back by for the recipe and some more great apple recipes. 

I bought some new thread for my Scripture Quilt ( I know, I broke down and went over my budget)

Your advice was spot on and sooo appreciated!

AND.....

DRUMROLL PLEASE.............

#1 Husband is scheduled for Shoulder/Rotator Cuff Repair SURGERY, OCT. 27th

Yep, MRI results indicate major tear, 4 weeks, no driving, 3-4 months Rehab!!  

Yikes, 3-4 MONTHS???

I just bet I may have a few stories to share with you...What do you think???

Jeremiah 29:11 Quilt

The Sewing Fairy 

sprinkled 

Her Fairy Dust

Sewing is good for the soul, don't you agree??  With everything that's been going on in my family I needed a visit from the Sewing Fairy!  I feel SEW much better!!  I appreciate all your words of encouragement during the past two weeks.

Let the Quilting/Embroidery Begin!

                                                                 

My Jeremiah 29:11 Quilt

Tonight I traced the Scripture verse on the 7 white lines.

Here is my Dilemma...I haven't embroidered since 8th Grade!

I need some advice!  How many strands of thread/floss should I use? Six??

Should I use Black or match to the colors in the 'coins" say like a dark rust colored thread?

I only have DMC floss so gotta use what I have right now.   I want some Prescencia thread but...I'm over my sewing budget for this month.  I treated myself to some Ghastlies Fabric from Quilt Taffy 
for the Ghastlies Blog Hop.

For I know the Plans
I have for you
declares the Lord
Plans to Prosper you
and Not to Harm you
Plans to give you a Hope
and a future.   Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

IN MEMORY and HONOR

 Today I Lost My Uncle Lacy.

He was the sweetest, godliest, and most humble man I've ever known.

Uncle Lacy filled in as a father figure when my sister and I most needed one.

The life of my sister and I was made safer and less chaotic because of my Uncle.

He had the voice of an angel and sang of the love of Christ.

Even in his final days and hours, he sought to share the love of Christ with his caregivers.

However.... Uncle Lacy was ready to go home... home to see his beloved Shirley.

He was most ready to see the Heaven he had read about and the Lord he had sung about.

He was my rock, my comfort, and my guide when the waters of life tried to engulf me.

He pointed me to Christ, the Great Shepard, the Giver of Life, the Answer to my every Need.

I Honor you Lacy W. Shrewsbury.

I have loved you with an everlasting love.

I will miss you!

Until we Meet Again

Your Loving Niece

Jane Ellen

MRI UPDATE

My Mantra

Oh my word, dear friends, what a last few days this has been.  Your thoughts and prayers from my last post were an encouragement to read while sitting at the hospital. 

Mother-in-law is in Rehab..Progressing slowly but better.  MIL is the one who taught me about all things Quilty.  Her Embroidery is a thing of beauty even with poor eyesight.  She and I have plans to stitch together through the winter...good medicine for anyone don't you think?? Plus it gives her purpose and a goal.

My Uncle was removed from ventilator and still critical but asking all his nurses if they know the Lord.  He has been more of a Father to me than my real Dad (they were brothers).  Prognosis at this point is not good but not hopeless. 

MRI UPDATE on #1 Husband...Take 3

Friends, this man I'm married to has multiple personalities to say the least!  When I last left you, #1 Husband was scheduled for MRI ROUND 2 because the FIRST appt. was not only on the WRONG day but not an OPEN MRI.  #1 Husband said, and I quote, "I'm Not gitten' in one of those tubes! You know how claustrophobic I am!"

So we reschedule for a new day , new facility...everything is A-OK...Right??? HA!  You should know by now it can't be THAT easy..............

MRI Appt. #3. 

 When scheduling for the OPEN MRI, the nurse calls the new facility and she barely gets #1's name out of her mouth when the nurse on the other end says, "Oh yes, we know him, he has trouble.  Better prescribe 2mg. of Ativan instead of 1 mg."

#1 Husband 7 PaPaw

helping Grandson James 

in Therapeutic Horseback Riding

#1 Husband and I arrive for appointment, fill out necessary paperwork, go back to MRI room and there sits the Largest MRI TUBE you have ever seen!  #1's eyes are about to bug out of his head and I can hear his heart racing from where I stand..not really but you know how us wives/mothers have ESP and supersonic hearing.  I immediately speak up and say, "This isn't an Open MRI!"  ...Duh... all the while the MRI technician is scurrying around like a banty rooster pushing buttons, lifting levers, moving cushions in place and talking a mile a minute, saying things like, "Oh this is much bigger than a regular MRI" or "We can get much better pictures with this machine" or "We can be done in half the time as the OTHER machine".

Yeah, right, THAT OTHER OPEN MRI that we came here for!? OH yeah, THAT ONE

The entire reason we came HERE because we wanted the OPEN MRI!!!

All the while #1 is standing in the middle of a cold sterile room in this pitiful faded robe, 3 sizes too big and looking every bit the scared little 10 yr. old boy having his first shot.    Ok, here is where I need to remind you that #1 has taken 2 mg. of Ativan and it's kicked in rather well by this point so I basically have a 6'4" 240 lb. DRUNK man on my hands.  That tech could have placed #1 in a meat grinder and he wouldn't have complained...so it was up to me to speak up!  HA, What was I thinking??!! NOPE...Not even GMAMA JANE could not stop the "MRI Nazi" as I called him (not meant to offend) from putting #1 Husband in the MRI TUBE!

Before I know what's happening #1 Husband is rolling back in a TUBE the size of my Chapstick and all I can do is PRAY.  Bless his Heart, is all I can say at this point.  I do believe ATIVAN is anointed by God in these situations because NO WAY Jose' would I be watching the big guy lying in a sausage tube without pharmaceuticals...modern medicine is a blessing!

30 min. later #1 rolls out of "The Tube" , I get him dressed all the while mumbling about how we were 'tricked", roll him to the car  and hope we can make it home without incident.  

Oh no, 

On the way home we drive by THE Lawnmower shop and #1 insists he is fine and able to "just look".  I knew better but I stopped anyway.  We're inside for about 10-15 min and I'm looking in the bird/garden section when I see #1 at the counter with a huge case of machine oil and other strange items.  Not only has he purchased a CASE of those little bottles of lawnmower oil, #1 is in the process of PURCHASING a O-Turn LawnMower to the tune of several THOUSAND Dollars!! Fortunately, I pull the salesman over to the side, explain the situation, tell him how #1 Husband has just had a little "procedure' and is high on Ativan and definitely NOT competent to make a major purchase of this size. 

BY now, I have lost my Ho-Ho-Ho and ready to get this man home, in the bed, and OVER WITH!!  In my best Take Charge voice, I get #1 husband out of the Lawnmower store with his case of oil ( I thought the salesman deserved something for his time) in the car, and Homeward Bound!

Stay Tuned for The Results

Don't forget the Wantobe Quilter Campaign

over at 

Sew We Quilt

Please comment so we can BOTH win some goodies!!

I'll be back in my sewing room by this week-end and have a few things to share with you, my friends!