FATHERS DAY

Monday Morning:  I checked my blog this morning and much of what I had added last night has disappeared!  So I did a quick update so you can see what I missed if you read it earlier!

I have a lot of catching up to do on this blog so I'll start with today. It was our turn to serve coffee and goodies after service today. Since it is Fathers Day I decided to make pie.  Flapper pie is Alan's favourite so I made two of those and two rhubarb cream.  The flapper must have been the favourite as there was just one piece left of that one.  Here's a picture of Alan enjoying that last piece as he watches his favourite Blue Jay team.

I didn't have to go far to take in a wonderful quilt show and tea on Saturday - just uptown to the Torquay Community Centre where the Torquay Quilt Guild gave us such an entertaining afternoon.  Over 120 ladies (and a couple brave men) spent the afternoon in a quilters world.  A new feature this year was the bed turning at 1:00.  A bed on stage was laden with layers of quilts.  As each quilt was removed and held up for display, the maker of the quilt shared the story behind it - stories of joy and some of sorrow led to the making of those quilts.  One was lovingly made from a father's workshirts, another worked a mother's embroidered pieces from scarves, pillowcases etc. into a memorable keepsake. One was made for a guild member who had lost her husband and son in a tragic accident.  The blocks were cherished pictures of her family.  There were "first quilts", one very worn with loving use, then a new one to show how much has been learned about quilting over the years.  

The bed turning

 After the display we were served tea as if we were at a high society afternoon event!  Tables had matching cloths with special quilting decor on each table.  The teapots had cozies especially made to use that day.  Dainties, also made by the thirteen members of the quilt guild, were delicious as well as beautiful and served on special tiered trays.  We each had a china cup, saucer, and matching plate with a dainty spoon beside it. Oh, and the metal chairs were transformed with white satin covers.  No detail was spared. (and many of those frills were recycled from decor used at local weddings. Great idea!)  There were even door prizes!

After the tea we were free to browse the many beautiful quilts that were displayed around the room.  Each quilt had a tag on it with the name of the one who sewed it as well as the name of the one who had quilted it.  Some quilts were made for a grandchild or as a wedding gift and those stories made the quilt even more special.  I didn't try to take pictures as I know that Christa and Tracey will have many on their blogs. (Check out "Second Storey Quilting" and "Block Party Quilt Guild" under my list of blogs that I follow.

I  want to thank the guild members for giving us this fantastic afternoon.  I can't imagine the hours that went into preparing for it.  (Cleaning the community centre was just a part of it.  Eight ladies spent four hours at that job!)  The value of the items on display would be difficult to calculate - hundreds of dollars per quilt for fabric let alone the hours of labour.  They are truly works of art.

Now on to my other activities of the past couple weeks.  I had a Dr. appointment last Tuesday and got the results from my 24 hour blood pressure monitoring.  I was glad to learn that the doctor won't be increasing my blood pressure medication as the results didn't warrant it. She thought increasing it might cause the bottom number to go too low and make me dizzy. With a trip to Norway in the plans any change in medication could affect insurance coverage too!

A week ago Saturday I drove up to Methochos Ministries and very much enjoyed the retreat put on by the ladies of Trinity, Estevan.  It was wonderful to connect with ladies from surrounding communities as we used to meet annually for workshops and conventions when we were all part of ELW.  It still bothers me that such a wonderful organization came to such an abrupt end.  But even Metochos Ministries is facing an uncertain future over financial issues.  The Lutheran high school, LCBI at Outlook, SK is facing a similar situation.  

Susan Moser and I playing for a singsong

Kirk, Shauna, Carter, Lindsay and Jamie enjoyed a recent trip to Saskatoon to take in the Garth Brooks concert.  Here's a picture of the happy family ready to enjoy one of the six concerts in that city over four days!  They also visited friends and family in Saskatoon over that weekend.

Also in June, Lindsay won another red ribbon in Estevan in the 2002 metre race.  Estevan is hosting the 20016 Saskatchewan Summer Games and a special event was held to officially open the new track.  Here she is with her ribbon.

Here's Jamie riding on a float in Lampman's annual sports day.  The girls also took part in ball games.

Ashley had a very special week.  She went to her first Rider Game.

Then last Thursday she and Laurel went to Saskatoon to take in the Justin Bieber show.  Ashley didn't want to miss Milestone School's fun and fitness day but it rained so there was no conflict!

Waving her glow stick at the show

Pretty face painting!

Beautiful peonies hide her new Bieber shirt.

Abbey had a very special week too.  She came home with several trophies after Awards Night at St. Michael's Junior High in Weyburn.  This fall she will be moving on to the Weyburn Comprehensive School in grade ten.  Alan and I are wondering about the grad schedules in three years when we will have four grandchildren graduating from high school - Holly in Calgary, Dawson in Milestone, Abbey in Weyburn, and Carter in Lampman.

Awards were for Female Athlete of the Year, Grade Nine Leadership and Best Brass Instrument.  Proud parents are Clare and Jodi!  Flowers came from Aunty Terry in Edmonton.

The Torquay Grannies (that includes all ladies at Trinity, Torquay!) are going to Hillview Manor at 2:00 and the Regional Nursing Home at 3:30 this afternoon.  We will do some singing, some playing (if the accordion and pianos are in tune!) and some visiting.  So I better get things organized and get off the computer!  

Today is summer solstice so enjoy this longest day of the year!  See you next week.