Five Minute Friday.......on friends

Today I'm linking up to Lisa-Jo aka the gypsy mama, who chooses a topic every Friday and writes for five minutes.

Only five minutes

And the rule is that whatever you write about in that five minutes is what you posts. No editing your thoughts. Today, her topic choice is "on friends....."

Ready. Set. Go......

Friends....they come from all walks of life. They enter our lives sometimes from the unexpected or most times from our own choosing. They are the people who look into our soul and attach themselves to our heart and it is there that they reside.

Friendships....not friends can be tricky. The world we live in today is so fast paced, we hardly take time for ourselves much less our friends. I often wonder that in the race I am running called life, how often I miss something that I should have picked up on. I over look what is right in front of my face and fail to be what we all need in each other....a true friend. Of course when things get tough, or there is a crisis....like a good friend should, I am there, paying attention and trying to make a difference. But what about the times when there is nothing obvious going on and maybe just maybe it is in these times that a friend needs you more than ever. I have learned that during these times the friendship part is strained, sometimes feelings are hurt, and maybe even disappointment sets in. Does that mean you feel less for your friend? I don't think so, it just means the "ship" part that binds two friends together needs more work. It needs more intention and attention. It is something I am working on. I cherish my friends and want their ships to stay in the harbor of my heart.

Some of us are extremely blessed with heart friends. I have had and have lost one of those very treasures this past week. A heart friend, is by my own definition just that. Someone who by the grace of God, crossed our path one day and the connection was there and they became a piece of our heart....forever. The fact that we never met face to face never came into play. It was not what was important. The important part was what each other had in their heart and offered a true friendship based on that. Nothing else. A friendship based on no expectations, just knowing and accepting. No problems with that "ship" between our hearts.

I was looking at some old emails from my very friend the other night and she had wrote to me this past summer and she said, "Friend...I don't deserve you"....I had read that before, but never did it pierce my heart as it did the other night. Oh, she deserved me and all I could have been for her, she deserved so much more and then some. It is me who knows I did not really deserve her...but TREASURE her I do and always will. Friends.....they are the heart of our soul. They bring so much joy and companionship and ease the hard burdens with their encouragement. And when they are gone....they take the piece of our hearts that belonged only to them and carry it with them and we are never the same. STOP.

Vintage Thingie Thursday: Texas State Flower Vintage Pin

Welcome everyone to Vintage Thingies Thursday. If you have a love for vintage things, well....you have come to the right place. We have a "dog-gone" good time each and every week!!! If you are new to this party, please take the time to read and follow the instructions for participating in Vintage Thingies Thursday, click HERE. I try and keep things fairly simple, so  please make sure you follow the instructions. 
Please only ONE link per week.    

A few weeks ago, I was at an estate sale and stopped at a table that had some vintage jewelry in a glass case. Now, I am really not one to collect vintage jewelry, but I do like to look at it and enjoy it for its beauty.

I spotted this little gem in the case and decided I had to have it. This is a vintage pin with the Texas state flower, the Bluebonnet. I thought it was really pretty. Funny thing is, I thought it had a marking on it when I purchased it, but today, for the life of me, I could not find it. Oh well....I still like it.

Now don't think I am going to start collection vintage pins.....I only have a few.....and that does not make a collection......right????........hello.........right?? Have a great weekend everyone and Happy Vintage Thingie Thursday!

One Fine Blessing ~ Senior Birthdays - October List- UPDATED

 I'd like to thank each and every one who has emailed about this little (big) thing we do each month at The Coloradolady. It has been a real inspiration and blessing to so many. It is an honor to be able to do this each month.

Here is the list for October. Thank you to all who submitted a name for this month. Remember if you have someone you'd like to add to the list, please shoot me an email.

Please add this special senior to the list!!

The first special senior is: TONY

Tony has been battling cancer since last summer. In late July he met with some major challenges in his fight.   At this time he is holding his own and says he's feeling a bit better. I'm sure he's feeling better than he did when he was admitted to the hospital in late July. Tony will be 65 on his Birthday


BIRTHDAY: October 1

Tony Young
4343 S TR 159
Tiffin, OH 44867


 I would like to shower Tony with birthday cards. I think this would help make his day.
Tony would also appreciate it if you would keep him and I in your thoughts and prayers over these next challenging weeks and hopefully months.

The second special senior is Iris Fransz.

Iris is recently living alone.  she loves to garden.  she is on limited income with little for extras.

BIRTHDAY: OCTOBER 16

IRIS FRANSZ
7641 LINDEN CT
NEWARK CA 94560-2237

The third special senior is Jim Smith.

Jim will be 87 and has recently moved to an assisted-living facility. It is a struggle for him as he has always been so independent and neat but he is just not able to keep up anymore. His cat disappeared in the turmoil and even though he was tagged & chipped, the cat has not been found. So Dad is extra lonely right now.

BIRTHDAY:  October  25

Jim Smith
1010 Emerald Isle #122
Dallas, TX 75218


The fourth special senior is Bill Kline.
Bill  will be 82 on his birthday. He has some medical problems, so he is home bound. He was a hard worker all of his life, so for him to be in the house most of the time is really hard for him. So I thought maybe some cards would cheer him up.

BIRTHDAY: October 29
 Bill Kline
113 Hemlock Dr.
Hanover, PA 17331


The fifth special senior is Hank Walker.

Hank will be 82 on his birthday. He and his wife are on limited incomes but still like to get out and see and do things even with his limited mobility. He has a great outlook on life and always has a smile on his face. In this family, there is always a little rivalry on who gets the most birthday cards, and well, he has always lost this race so many times. I think flooding his mailbox with cards would really be a fun thing...maybe he will win this years friendly competition and get the most cards.

BIRTHDAY: October 31

Hank Walker
11010 First Beach Cove
Hernando, Mississippi 38632

Thank you in advance for supporting this senior endeavor here on my blog. It really is a blessing you could not even imagine when these seniors get a card and a dollar. Be SURE to come back to my First, Fifth Forever post on October 5th. You don't want to miss the feedback I got on our September birthday girl. It will break your heart and fill it up with joy all at the same time. Good stuff.

And if you can send a dollar in your card, that is great. If you can not do it...a card goes a long way in letting someone know they were remembered on their birthday!! Thanks again for all you do!!

Crumb Quilt Along ~ Heart and Star Blocks

Tuesday is the new step in the crumb along at Jo's Country Junction blog. If you have thought about trying this type of piecing...it is not too late to take a turn with this fun, no matching, no thinking...(well, almost no thinking) type of quilting. I have to tell you it has been nice not worrying about a seam allowance, or everything matching up and having to rip out and try again.....well, maybe there was a little ripping out but not much! Be sure to take a look at the next step tomorrow.....I am looking forward to it.

This past week's instructions were to make heart and star blocks. I had a mental block on the star blocks because they always give me the most trouble. Mine are not exactly like Jo's or the other participants but they will have to do. (Click to enlarge Photo)

By the time I started the heart blocks, my heart was indeed needing some cheering as I watched, waited and prayed for a blogging friend who was on her journey home to heaven.

Little did I know when I started this crumb along that it would be just what I needed at the exact time I needed it.  I ran away making the hearts. I think these will be the border instead of using the star blocks, or maybe a mix of both.

I guess I need to get over my phobia of stars. Some are not too bad, but others are well.....lets just say they needed a bit of work.

This really is a good way to use up lots of small scraps you have possession of and don't want to throw away.....Thanks again Jo, for a great quilt along! It is really been so much more to me than just a quilt along, it has been a great project to work on during a very sad time....just what is quilt is supposed to be....comforting.

Remembering Sara ~ A Real Live Angel

My sweet friend Sara, finished her final journey last night and is no doubt singing in Big Church this morning with the heavenly choir. It is so incredibly hard to feel so sad and so happy for her at the same time. Happy that she no longer is confined to her home, never to smell the fresh rain or feel the sunshine. Happy that there is no more pain which rocked her body just by breathing and moving. Happy that she is free from the confines that held her in this world, happy she is finally living the way God intended.

If you have not visited her blog, what a blessing you are missing out on. Stop by, and read her story, her life dealing with chronic disease and how when all the limits that could possibly be put on you in this lifetime She never let them stop her, she chose to keep moving forward with an attitude and outlook that was a real testimony of her faith, love and hope. I have never had the pleasure of knowing anyone like her and fear I never will again. There was only ONE GITZ.  How blessed we are, those who had the privilege of sharing a small part of her life.

The loss I feel is terrific. I lost a friend who not only inspired me, but caused me to look at life differently. She is and always be my hero, my special Gitz. Oh, sweet girl how I will miss you. We never got to meet this side of heaven, but  you were such a big part of my life, we connected and you taught me so much. One day, we will meet and it will be a glorious reunion.

Below is a recording of Sara singing my favorite song. She recorded this a few years back when she still was able to use her beautiful voice.......

07 Breath of Heaven by gitzengirl

be inspired today.......choose joy in all things......That is the Sara way! Please keep Sara's family in your hearts and prayers

Five Minute Friday: Growing.............

Today I'm linking up to Lisa-Jo aka the gypsy mama, who chooses a topic every Friday and writes for five minutes.

Only five minutes

And the rule is that whatever you write about in that five minutes is what you posts. No editing your thoughts. Today, her topic choice is "growing....."

Ready. Set. Go......

I have always thought that the sunshine brings growth. After all, that is when we are the most happy when things are going our way and we are not feeling heavy by burdens and worries. Even in the gardens this year as I watched early in the summer, the sunshine seemed to be aiding in all my flowers and vegetable to grow and reach skyward. Sunshine - happy times. However, after a summer full of sunshine, beating all that happiness and warmth down on my gardens, they did not thrive. I lost so many of my beautiful flowers that had an over abundance of sunshine and there was no growth at all. Funny, the plants reached a certain point, and they completely stopped growing..

And then after over 110 days...it rained. And you know what happened? For the first time in about three months, there was new growth in my garden. The flowers that had all but given up on growing  seemed to have new life brought to them and new growth and flowers sprung forth. Hope and beauty.

I thought of something I have never thought of before as I saw the prompt this morning from Lisa. We seem to be the most joyful when the sun is shining bright in our lives, when there is no grief or sadness. Of course, that is true, we are and I for one am always thankful for the sunshine times in my life. But I have learned in the deep part of our sorrow and pain during the rainy times that move into our lives, is when true growth will happen. During the downpour of rain, when you grieve for those you are losing, when you feel your darkest days, even if you are not aware of it, you are growing within yourself. Real growth does not come from the sunshine, but the rain.

I suppose the lesson in this for me is to be joyful during the rain, even if it is not easy to do because I am growing into a place that I can enjoy the sunshine all that much more. stop.

Vintage Thingie Thursday: Vintage Platters

Welcome everyone to Vintage Thingies Thursday. If you have a love for vintage things, well....you have come to the right place. We have a "dog-gone" good time each and every week!!! If you are new to this party, please take the time to read and follow the instructions for participating in Vintage Thingies Thursday, click HERE. I try and keep things fairly simple, so  please make sure you follow the instructions. 
Please only ONE link per week.    

First off, thank you all who left comments and emails last week as I cancelled VTT due to very sad circumstances. As of today, Sara is still with us, keep her and her family in your prayers please.

This week, I have a couple of platters that I picked up while I was out and about some time ago. Most of you know I collect platters and always look for pretty and unusual ones when I am out.

This cream and gold floral platter is a real pretty addition for me. I love the design and the shape. This one is made by Crown Potteries & Co. The mark says made in the USA.

This pretty pink and blue floral platter is very similar in shape from the one above. Cream with lovely design and flowers. This is stamped Nautilus made in USA. I love the colors on this one.

I wonder how many platters one might own before it is one too many......I think I might be reaching that point very soon!

Have a great weekend everyone....Happy VTT!!

Please Pray...............

If you are looking for Vintage Thingie Thursday....there will not be a post this week. I have never missed a single week since I started hosting this meme, however, I am just not up to it after such sad news today.

I'd like you to pray for my dear sweet friend Sara - Gitzen Girl. She has been so very ill this summer, and it looks like she is making the trip to go home to her Heavenly Father. Sara has been an inspiration to me and to so many, and I selfishly don't want to let her go. I know she will feel our prayers. Thank you for understanding.....I am just crushed with this news. Vintage Thingie Thursday will be back next week. Please pray for an easy journey for our sweet Sara.

Crumb Along - Part One of Sewing

I told you yesterday about a crumb along Jo is hosting over at Jo's Country Junction. Every Tuesday is when new instructions on the block construction is posted and today was the first sewing part. I made three blocks.

Wouldn't you know it, the first thing right off the bat is flying geese blocks? The only flying geese blocks I have ever made were in my very first quilt and I have not attempted another since. Thing is....this time, they are not supposed to be straight! You'd think that would be no problem...but for the first 15 minutes...I kept thinking...this can not be right.

But....I remembered Jo saying there is no right or wrong so I just kept on sewing......but boy, do these geese look like they could use some help!

I trucked on and finally finished three. But would you get a look at those geese....ahem! There is a second part of this weeks instructions which is to make some more single geese blocks that I believe will be part of a star block next week....and would you believe the other block that is rather intimidating to me are STAR blocks!!! Nothing like starting off worried that I won't even finish parts one and two....but I plugged away.....hope they are right.....

Here is all three......I am using all scraps and crumbs, strings and pieces of left over blocks for this quilt....yes and I am sure it will be every bit as bright and bold as my last finish.......I think I am gonna like it!!!

Don't forget, it is not to late to join the fun......perfectionist personalities should be warned....it is a strain....but honestly, I may never go back to sewing a straight block or seam again!!

Jo has a link up HERE to take a peek at what other quilters have done with their first blocks.....be sure to take a look, should be fun!

I Save Crumbs And It Is A Good Thing!

As if I have nothing else in the world to do, this morning I found a great new quilt along that of course I have decided I need to join. What a fantastic way to use up crumb scraps that "I" seem to not be able to throw away.


Jo is hosting this wonderful quilt along and IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN in on the fun! Every Tuesday for 10 weeks will be a new post up on this adventure. Click here to see last weeks post, or click the button on my sidebar and you can get there.....Tomorrow the fun begins!! After finishing my "Begging Quilt" project, scroll down if you missed it over the weekend, I have decided I love, love, LOVE scrappy quilts and this new quilt along is perfect!!

So I am really hoping I can turn something like THIS.......and this is just a portion of what I have saved....into.......

Jo's quilt top she made for her daughter....it is exquisite!

............Something as fantastic as this!!!

So if you have been wanting to try this quilting technique....go by and visit Jo and grab her button!! This should be a lot of fun...I mean after all.....if you are like me, you have no other projects on the back burner.....right????

Finished At Last......Square By Square.....Begging Quilt Project

Last year, on October 15th, I had a blog post talking about a quilt I wanted to make and actually "begging" for scraps to be donated to this cause. The response was overwhelming and I was the lucky recipient of scraps from all over the world. Beautiful scraps. (Click photos to enlarge and get a closer look)

Well, after 11 months,which took way longer than I ever imagined, I am happy to say my quilt top is finished. And. I. Love. It. In defense of the time it took to finish this top, I must say I was not able to work on it as often as I wanted. There were other quilts pieced and finished during this 11 month time frame, so I was actually finishing other projects and working on this one at the same time.

This finished up at 104X106 and will go on my king size bed. There are 82 blocks each made up of 64, 2 inch squares. That is a total of 5248 UNIQUE fabric squares......all different. If you missed my post with each block posted to a flicker account, you can see all the individual blocks HERE. Photos just don't do the individuality of each square justice. Each one is unique and beautiful.

From the very first day a envelope arrived with fabric scraps to the last pin removed and the last seam sewn, this has been a real joy to work on. Trust me when I say pin removed....I have pinned more seams to sew together in this one quilt than I could ever imagine.....and I really detest the pinning part of quilting.....so it was a challenge. This is one special quilt to me and I will treasure it for always.

Today, I will be finishing up the back and getting it ready to go to the quilter. I was inspired by a quilt back a friend of mine posted on facebook, I am using more scraps that were sent for this quilt on the back, I am just as excited about the back as it is very different from my normal backings for quilts......but absolutely perfect for this one!

This wonderful top is filled with all types of fabrics from novelty, civil war, holiday, vintage and modern....all unique and all very special.....much like the bloggers who took the time to send the scraps my way. My original inspiration came from Mary, as you may remember she calls these quilts "Big Hugs" and that is exactly how I have come to view it as well....A Very Big Hug!!!

There is however one little one who is most glad to see the finished project almost ready to be out the door and to the long arm quilters....Baily is tired of playing second fiddle to some fabric scraps and hopes that there is more time for a game or two of fetch......she says "enough is enough". Poor little girl, she does not realize I have fallen in love with this scrappy goodness and I doubt this will be my last. I already have in my mind a variation of this quilt using 2 inch wonders....and I know there will be another come from the left over scraps.

I can not wait to show this off one last time....after it is back from the quilter and the binding on it!! I can not thank you enough for your continued support and encouragement during this process...but most of all for your contributions to a very dear to my heart quilt!! I simply love it!! I'd like to once again thank each and every one who had a hand in this quilt coming together. Without your thoughtfulness and contributions, this would have never been anything more than a dream.

Five Minute Friday: In Real Life........

Today I'm linking up to Lisa-Jo aka the gypsy mama, who chooses a topic every Friday and writes for five minutes.

Only five minutes

And the rule is that whatever you write about in that five minutes is what you posts. No editing your thoughts. Today, her topic choice is "In Real Life....."

Ready. Set. Go......

Movies, television and media play a big role in our everyday life. Many of the shows we love to watch depict characters lives very different from our own. We view on screen relationships that work no matter what is thrown at them, they work through the issues, seem to forget the problems existed and most of the time seems they live in a perfect world. Oh, sure there are bumps in the road for characters in sitcoms but they always have a rainbow ending just around the corner. Sure, it is good entertainment, but it is not made for real life.

In real life problems arise and they don't get solved in 30 minutes, in fact it can take months or years to work out the kinks of real life. In television and movies, for the most, part no matter the problem, there are happy endings and happy endings that happen rather quickly.

It is hard not to think about that as we listen to debates on television on the state of our country. Many without jobs and have lost everything and locally, many who have lost their homes in a blink of an eye due to wildfires. These days, it is hard to not know someone who is going through a bitter divorce or fighting a heartbreaking custody battle over their precious children. These are real made for television problems, but in reality, these are real life struggles that won't find a quick and easy fix or resolve. For some, it may be actually feel like a bump in the road and they will move forward, for others it may take years.

Real life involves dealing with all kinds of people in our every day lives that in all honestly if we had to chose, we'd not chose them in the first place. But the reality is, they are intertwined in your real life and sometimes, you just have to deal with them the best way you can. Is it perfect? No...but it is reality and we have to make the best of it.

In real life, we live our lives in record speed. We are always in a hurry to get to something or be at something and can not wait to get there. In living our lives at warped speeds, we don't have time for family, friends or even simple pleasures to add "life" to our days. Some of us live with family so close, we see strangers on the street more than we see our own family members. Some live with the notion that we have hundreds of friends, after all, we have our friends list on facebook to reiterate that fact. Yet we don't pick up the phone to call a single one or arrange a meeting for lunch or have any of them be an active part in our lives. It is as if we are all living in glass houses peeking into each others lives from the outside looking in. That is what real life has come to.

Television families such as The Waltons, The Inglles or even The Bradys all lived in perfect worlds, with problems that had perfect answers which were always solved in the end. Everything always turned out the way we thought it should and left us with a feel good feeling. Likewise, there was always time for your family, friends and neighbor. If one of these folks needed you for any thing, nothing was put in front of them, they had your full attention and help. I know that is not reality today, but it sure would be nice if a little of that practice was used today.

But in real life...it takes much more than that ideal to make our lives work and many of the important things to a full life are being omitted just to survive. The simple things.....a walk in the park, a hug from a loved one, a phone call, a visit from a friend....these are things that there seems to be less and less time for. In real life, we are too busy being self absorbed in our problems and struggles. We are too busy trying to be everything to everyone that we are missing out living. Life waits for no one.....not for when you have more time, when the kids are grown, or somedays....it just keeps on going and you never get that time back. Life is not easy, especially in the times we are living. It is how we approach it and what we decide is important enough to make time for that will make all the difference in our every day lives. Will it be easy? No...but the things that are important generally never are. Real life.......make it a good one starting today........Stop.

Vintage Thingie Thursday: Vintage Tea Set

Welcome everyone to Vintage Thingies Thursday. If you have a love for vintage things, well....you have come to the right place. We have a "dog-gone" good time each and every week!!! If you are new to this party, please take the time to read and follow the instructions for participating in Vintage Thingies Thursday, click HERE. I try and keep things fairly simple, so  please make sure you follow the instructions. 
Please only ONE link per week.    

This week, I decided to show you my vintage toy china tea set.


I found this one day when I was in a local thrift store. The box was taped up, so I could not even see if all the pieces were there. Luckily, when I got home and opened the box, everything was there and in its place. Looks like it was never used.
I thought this child's tea set was cute, I would have liked it better if it had dogs or even better dachshunds on the china, as I am a dog person. But the kitty cats are really adorable. What caught my eye in the first place was the graphics on the box itself. That alone, gives the hint that it is old. There are no dates on the box at all. The box does say made in china - imagine that. I love to find vintage things with animals on them, I am always drawn to vintage dog things myself, but every once in a while, I'll bring home something besides a dog!


I keep this little tea set in my spare bedroom closet. It safely sits on a shelf, waiting. Waiting for what you ask? Waiting and hoping that I one day have a granddaughter. A granddaughter who will want to have tea parties with her teddy bears and will put this to good use. It is being saved for a special little person.

Hope you enjoyed a glimpse of this vintage cutie!

First, Fifth Forever: A Letter Writing Journey - August & Senior Birthday Report

August is over, and we are already into September. Goodness, where is the time going this year? Thank you for stopping by First, Fifth, Forever here on The Coloradolady. The fifth of each month, I post about our Senior Birthdays from the Month before and any mailings I personally did as well. I always have a link available in case you'd like to link in and share too.

First, off there were more birthdays in the month of August than normal, and I'd like to personally thank each and every one who took the time to send cards. They really do mean a lot to our seniors.

James, my father in law was on the list for August, and since his birthday was later in the month, I had not thought much about it. One day, he got two cards in the mail and he was put on alert. I'm positive his mind was working all the angles as to what type of scam was taking place. Seriously, that is how his mind works.....everyone is out to get him! Everything is a conspiracy theory and he tries to figure out every angle. Sharp as a tack my father in law....his mind is always one step ahead, that is why I said it is so hard to pull one over on him. Well, that evening, after the cards first started to arrive, he told my husband look at this scam....my husband did not remember about the birthday cards at first and asked his dad why he thought he was being scammed by someone sending him a card and a dollar? How was that a scam.

Then, my husband remembered about the cards for seniors, and honestly, my husband was just about to pop a seam with laughing....he just had to walk out of the room. After, we explained to my suspicious father in law what the cards were about and that they were not being sent by someone wanting to steal from him through the mail....well it was on!! He could not wait to get to the mailbox after that and see what was in there. He really had a good time with the cards and was chuckling when someone sent him quarters and dimes instead of a dollar! Funny thing about this is once a certain family member learned of what was going on, they even sent a dollar, guess they did not want to be left out of all the excitement. To say that was a shocker is an understatement and we'll just leave it at that. So....all in all, it was good fun around here for a couple of weeks.

Another recipient of Birthday greetings was my friend's mom Betty. She was so shocked and touched at all the lovely cards and messages sent to her along with gifts of money, that it brought her to tears. No words can express how wonderful she thought this was and it did very much make her Birthday special. She kept thinking of all the people that sent her warm wishes and money, and how they did not have to do that. I am so glad she enjoyed a little birthday cheer.

LaVoice was on the list for August too. Boy was she surprised when cards started coming in for her. She was not expecting to be a on the list herself, and it was fun to be able to pull one over on her as well....they will soon realize you have to get up pretty early to keep me from trying to pull a fast one! She had a ball with her cards as she loves to get pretty cards in the mail. Thank you all once again for making the birthday's this month a real bright spot for some deserving seniors.

I also this past month sent a couple of cards to some friends and started on a letter that I have not mailed as of today. Soon, I keep telling myself.....soon.

I'd like to say, take a moment and pen a letter or note to those who have meant a lot to you over the years and let them know how special they truly are. It is sad to think sometimes, people live their lives and never know how they touched others or what they meant to someone else along the way. It only takes a moment to let someone know how much they are/were loved and thought of and that they made a difference to others. And that....is always a good thing.

Have a great rest of September.....I can not wait to share about the lady who was on the card list for September.....it will have you in tears.....be sure to come visit October 5th for that one.....you won't want to miss it, I promise.