Your Deer Stand Or Mine?

Take a good look......yep! it was up on the Blue Ridge Trail....yep...it is a barrel with a seat in it....I am NOT kidding!!!... Have a good week!!

Baby Black Bear

We got out today to do some hiking. We have 20 some trails near Lexington, along with the Blue Ridge Hwy Trails and overlooks and the Appalachian Trail is also nearby. We are blessed. I do need good hiking shoes though I found out today. Our golden Shiloh blazed the trail for us. Gary would hear the planes going over and would say, next year we will fly over the Blue Ridge! He can not wait!! For today though, we started with Whetstone Ridge Trail...the old pioneers actually used the stone there to sharpen their knives and axes, is the story. It is a 8 mile hike up and back; we knew we would only hike an hour up and an hour back today. Just to get started,maybe a total of 6-8 miles today. We met a family on the way. She raved over Shiloh, saying that she had a Golden just her color and size growing up...going by the name of Bridget. So, her kids wanted to pet Shiloh and then we offered to take their family picture with the Vista in the back...they almost had Shi join them in the picture. We talked a bit and her friend had just moved back to Carmel, Indiana and she was wanting to take her kids to see them there. We laughed and said, we had just moved from 2 hours north of that area. Small World. We did enjoy our hike to the Utmost! Seeing Gods' creation and enjoying the views along the way. Driving back to Waynesboro to check out our old neighborhood, we stopped and had a huge meal of Haddock and trimmings at Cracker Barrel (hey!! we worked up an appetite on those mountain trails!)....a baby Black Bear!!lumped across the road in front of our VW; all by himself!! A first for us. Of course, I did not have my camera out to grab the moment! But it was pretty cool!! That was our Sunday. Orienting again tomorrow, so I better get our scrubs ready and head for bed soon; 5:30am comes early. Great sunrises though. So, we did have a great day.... exploring. Quilted Blessings!!! Kari

Catching Up!

Just a few pictures from our Cabin in Indiana. We had wonderful sunsets and sunrises as we got the cabin finished. Just the little touches here and there. The family that God provided to rent the cabin were a God-sent. They are now making plans to purchsase the property in the future, depending on the banks; as is everyone's delemia these days. We have moved to Virginia and really love the area. We were busy unpacking and such when we first got here along with our new jobs at the local hospital. So, today we actually got to go hiking. It was amazing. Enjoy the pictures. They speak for themselves. Quitled Blessings! Kari

Where oh where did the summer months go...oh where oh where could they be?.....

Where did the summer go? I bet there are alot of families wondering that right now....running to get school supplies after spending time finding clothes on sale for their kids first days at school. There is always a bit of anticipation in their pitter-pattering hearts before that fist eventful day of school. But, alas, it does not last long and soon the haggard looks of over-crammed minds for tests and essays to complete take over their little souls...the older ones focusing on their favorite sports or past times with friends along with school.
Even for us, we ask...Where did all the time go?...this summer....sweet Gary and I ask each other...ours went again into working on our cabin, finding work as nurses in Virginia, a rental in Virginia, and then having God give us renters for the Indiana cabin....then MOVING to Virginia in a tremendously HOT heat wave...but since it is called a heatwave I guess we can conclude it would be Hot....ok, it is late. I just thought I would catch our journey up a bit.
We did start our work at the local small hospital. It will be great to work in a community where people care about each other, and caring for those that are hurting right now with medical needs at the free clinic or nourishment at the food pantry. I will share pictures later, the upload is not working .......

God bless and Quilted Blessings, Kari

This Is The Cabin That Gary Built

This is truly the cabin that Gary built. Being Fathers' Day I wanted to honor his work that he accomplished here. We are soon to be moving on in our journey to the state of Virginia. God has opened doors for both of us to work together in a small hospital in the town of Lexington. We had no knowledge of what the town was all about. Gary was drawn to it as we entered and passed by VMI; what an impressing place to see, a few weeks ago. He then went in search of the hospital,walked in and spoke to a few people to get a "feel" of the place. He then later called someone within the staff and was asked to put his resume' in....a week later he got a phone call, an interview and I also did. She assured us that there is little turn over, just a couple young nurses that wanted to go work in Roanoke for a change. The supervisor turns out to be a Buckeye from Newark and her hub is from Mt Vernon, Ohio; it is always great to meet fellow Buckeye Family members. That brings you up to date in our present curve in the road. Our journey is not for everyone...we are hoping to retire here, to serve God here and to have family come and enjoy the rich history and culture and gorgeous Blue Ridge with us..



The cabin?...well, it is amazing work and we love it. I am so proud of what Gary did here. A legacy. Was it easy, no. Building a cabin is NOT for the faint at heart. We did hit a few walls in the building of it; you can imagine as we started in 2003 and had it "mostly" done a couple years ago. Again, let us be honest, every home always has something that needs to be done or improved or addressed.
I remember the family coming to help at different parts of the "building"; helping with the log "sorting" and fitting and the puzzle of putting the logs together of the main floor; Kevin knows all about that process! Pulling up the gable ends into place, cross timbers...close to December and new snows coming...ask Steve and Kevin....miter saw proficiency in one day, Lori?...staining, painting, staining, staining....um...Mindy, Steves' growing kids....Leah helping me decide on colors and what would "fit" well...Hooks for my wall... I just want to thank you all for all your support and loving us through this big process.

Gary; his inventive spirit, patience and tenacity of getting this cabin built, what a testimony of him. He would work 12 hours in the ER, come home, sleep and then devote 4 hours to the cabin before going back into this weekend shift work. Amazing! Then we would work work work on our days off too...we sigh now.:)

We also saw our Moms' pass while we were building...a sister...we had the humbling honor of being with our Moms' passing and hearing their last heart beat as they entered Heaven.
Changes. If we live, we are guaranteed that life will change. We were blessed with three grandgals being born during this "building years"..giving us a total of 8 grandgals and One grandson.

God does not change and we serve an Awesome God, even when circumstances aren't.

The cabin?..Oh, it will stand for decades and already has during extreme storms that pass our way there in northwest Indiana. It is like a lodge or a big barn inside. He built it with a B&B in mind, so we have huge bathrooms and each area of the cabin has a different interest or personality. The huge porches that welcome frequent visits on the swing. The Mote that holds gold fish and in the past held gorgeous and large Koi. I could go on and on about this cabin that Gary built. He is an awesome husband, father and grandfather. A true man of God that I am so blessed to have shared this journey of life with and the unexpected and new adventures.
If you are in the area in the next month or so, stop by before we head south. We list it in a week and are praying a family comes to continue the journey here....we have filled the walls already with family laughter and memories. To be totally honest, we had NO idea what we were saying when we said...So, do you want to build a cabin?...
Happy Fathers' Day.. my Gary...my love... Quilted Cabin Love, Kari

Snowballs in May

It is a Wonderful Life! Shiloh is sure enjoying her ride in our journey! Quilted Love, Kari

Found It!

Today is my good and "lucky" day. I really want to pursue making reenactment clothing in the future. It would also be cool to actually get involved in them as a vendor....clothes, quilts, and Papas' talents with wood. Anyways, I found this great blog to read and keep up with. Thought I would pass it on! Quilted Love today, Kari

One Moment Please

Another digital greeting card by Smilebox

Busy year for Kev and Mindy so far!! Hey, we just got a text that Andrews' Soccer team got 1st place in the Soccer Tournament in Atlanta!!!!! WAY TO GO!!! What a week for the Flicks'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love you all!! Quilted Love, Kari

The Blooms!

We traveled to Bloomington on Friday. A huge day in the life of our son Kevin and his family. He was graduating on Saturday at IU in Bloomington. We were able to help out with the little gals, and sit with them on Friday eve so Mom and Dad could go to a supper and class picture event. It was a fun and exciting time for them and us. We all got dressed up for the occasion and took plenty of photos, of course! Our family loves the picture album process and memory making! Cora and I realized, while getting ready, that we had shoes that almost matched. ha. We dropped the younger sweetheart off to play with friends and Cora wanted to please her Daddy and go to his BIG event. She was not disappointed! The Fieldhouse was packed out. Families laughing and waving at their favorite IU grad and watching them come in was amazing. They were proud to announce that 8500 Grads were local and 18,500 were connected throughout other areas. Pretty impressive. Informatics is a growing field, to say the least and Kev is honored to be accepted into the Masters' Program starting in August. Another 2 busy years and devoted family to stand by and support!! We will return to the campus for that Graduation also. Hard work and diligence harvests much reward. We share their joy and accomplishments! A treat! We love them and are so extremely pumped up with pride for them! They are a loving, helping family of four! God Bless them today and everyday!! Quilted Love, Kari

Journeys

There are so many twist and turns in the River of Life. My Gary is deep into study right now studying skin and wounds that occur. To most people, this subject is not something that is found captivating, but the farther he goes into this study, the more fascinated he and I are with the organ called skin. It covers us, it grows without complaining, it is the first line of defense. The best way not to spread disease is to what?....WASH YOUR HANDS!...that is what is drilled into your heads in nursing school form day number one...and the first thing you grab and get going in a patients' room if you see the person in distress...OXYGEN!....ok enough of the basics of nursing triage...lol!...but really, the organ called skin...so much can be done in prevention and education of its' care and nurturing. That is our journey now...skin....it is an amazing journey. He is hoping to work with kids....awesome!

The Quilt picture?....well, our sons are doing preparation and ancestor research into their "roots"...and are enjoying reading letters written by a Great Great Great Uncle that are on file at Michigan State University. Awesome?...yes. The name of this quilt is Civil War Letters To Home.
And, of course, being a nurses, we can't even imagine the needs of wounds suffered in that war! I think my mind is in a patchwork quilt design today...a little here, a little there! Be safe today...look at your skin..your covering!..awesome!!!
Quilted Blessings! Kari

America Liberates

It feels good doesn't it when we see the fight for freedom and liberty WIN!!....So much has happened in the last ten years. We pause to praise President Bush in his never ending purpose and desire to bring Ben Laden down. Those families that lost Dads' Moms' Sons' Sisters' Brothers' Uncles' Aunts' Children Grandparents' and Friends' ... we pause and remember that day.... So many have given their lives in hunting down this particular player in that day of tragedy....so many....military and our Intelligence Community who must remain silent and in the background but those "small drops of water" taken from all the rivers of water that ran through those closed doors, but not closed minds..and evaluated and put under the microscope....as God opened information and closed others...as He directed... we Praise Him and Thank Him for these men and women. Thankyou!
With the contrasts of life on this earth in the last month..the huge earthquake and tsunami in Japan and their painful losses and nuclear distaster...the Storms that have ravaged the South....the Royal Wedding in the middle of all that and now the death of Ben Laden.Those are contrasts. Ten years.
The pearl is made inside the shell through constant sifting and irritation. I pray for the pearl of peace for this world; the Middle East and Jerusalem.

The small things ARE the large things in this life. Quilted Love, Kari

Romance

I am a romantic! An historical one too! Double bad? Seeing a wedding always takes me back to ours....playing of Romeo and Juliet music at our non-traditional wedding 41 years ago. Loving every minute of it! So happy! 12 inches of snow on the ground...bright blue skys...so much to look forward to together! This Royal Couple seems to have a bit of real life in them. I wish them well and to be a couple that younger ones can look up to. God Bless Your Day in all the small things in Life, for they are very Large! The blessings! they just keep coming! Quilted ones too, Kari

Red And White Quilt Show

If we were in NYC recently, I am sure we would have gone to this quilt show!! Sit back and enjoy the pictures by way of Thequiltshow.com Quilted Love, Kari

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Post It

I just had to post this joke on both my blogs....just bear with me!! but that is me lately....trying to get a bunch of quilts on my Etsy Shop....Thimblestitiches...May your snowy days be full of life....even if your brain is full of Quilted Threads....such as mine!! Love!! Quilted Bear Here....Kari

New Years!

Happy New Year!! Our family was blessed with a get together in Bluffton between Christmas and New Years. We have birthdays galore in the winter months so we enjoyed singing and celebration of all our days of births. God has seen to truly bless our family with joy and tangible love that touches each one of our hearts in unique and special ways.


Times together is never a waste!! It may have had snow on the ground outside but our hearts were truly warmed as the kids played and the adults caught up on each other. We are a family too that can enjoy giving each other books...some of them copies of books that have blessed us in the last year and we want to share them.
Grandables sure have a way of growing up too!! I was able to snap a quick picture of 3 generations and all the Flick men too!! Andrew is going to "rise above" the other men soon! He is growing like a weed!! From my Quilted Heart to Yours!! Kari