April Showers Bring......

I slept so well last night, I did not even hear the downpour! I hope that you will be able to see the flooded creek behind our home~Even though spring took some time getting here, it has arrived with a bang! Commuting between homes here in Illinois and over in Iowa, has given me a perspective glance at how differently my cherished plants with behave when we move. Yes...I am taking a few starters from this yard and bringing them to my new home to plant. Some of the Iris' came from my dear sweet mother-in-law many years ago, and I will keep those with me, also friends, family and my sweet neighbors have shared their flowers and plants with us, and I am going to keep those as well....MMmmmm...I wonder if there will be much left when I am gone!! Hee hee! Not really...I will just take cutting and roots..It will still be beautiful for the new owners.

It is much drier at our new home which is a blessing and possibly a curse because everything that touches the ground here will grow, over there, it may take some doing. I love a challenge!!!

I have been so distant with my blog due to utter busyness, fatigue and travel but I will be staying put for about a week, so you will hear from me more often. I missed you all so much!!

We haven't had an offer on our home yet, but the other house is ours, and my hubby has a place to come home to at night now. (He lived in a motel for 6 weeks). That's a big step in the right direction. Last weekend we moved just a few necessities over to the house so it's a little more homey for him. I scheduled the packers and movers for the 18th of May, which is coming up quickly. Has anyone else noticed that time seems to be flying by?? These days are just zooming along for me!

Dear sweet friends, I want you to know that I have been reading your blogs, as I am passing through, and keeping up with your lives. It is such a delight to see your newest artwork, hear about your days, and as always I am so inspired by your kindness, your talent, and your encouragement of one another.

Today will be my first day in my sewing room in a month!! How I have missed it! A rainy day is a perfect day to re-acquaint myself with my sewing machine!! I have a baby quilt that has been sewn for a month...it just needs to be cut. My goal is to get that done, and begin another project. Have a blessed day friends, I am thinking of you!

~Saying Good-Bye to One Small Town....~

It's Sunday morning!! Today is our Open House from 1:00-3:00. I have been cleaning, sprucing, and really just whipping around this place like a tornado getting everything ready to greet our potential buyers! Baking muffins, blowing off the driveway, packing the car with everything from camera to water dishes (for Freeway, of course) I've decided to head over to Dixon, Ill. to my favorite spots in our sister town. It's a cold, blustery day with snow expected, and I'm afraid I will have a hard time getting the old gal out of bed!! Snuggled in with her pillow on my white bedcovers it seems I will have to use the "R" word to get her going today! "Wanna go on a RIDE?" Okay....we're ready to head out!!! First stop on our Farewell Tour...

Freeway & I began our good-byes with a visit to Ronald Reagan's boyhood home. Completely restored right down to the reproduction wallpaper! President Reagan and the First Lady visited the home right after the restoration. It was quite a celebration to have the President back here in Dixon! He visited his high school, church and Lowell Park where he worked as a lifeguard. It's a wonderful old home with tiny bedrooms, a straight up staircase, lovely sitting room, and a big kitchen!! I'm certain that with two growing boys Mrs. Reagan must have spent alot of time in the kitchen. This bronze statue sits in the yard beside the home. Lovely!

The front of the Quaint old Reagan home on the hilly street.

This is a replica of the old fort where Lincoln served in the Black Hawk War. This is where the rare statue of Lincoln stands. It is the only bronze statue depicting young Lincoln in military dress.

This is Lincoln Park where in 1832 as a young man of 23 years old, Abraham Lincoln was a volunteer soldier in the Black Hawk war. This spot was the army encampment area and sits on the bank of the Rock River. Every year in Dixon, before the Petunia Festival begins, there is a "Walk for Life" which raises money for Cancer. the walk goes through the town, over the magnificent bridges, and ends at this park. There are sodas and water, Hot Dogs and sandwiches for the participants. It is a Grand Day!

The Nachusa House, a hotel built in 1853 was quite an elegant place for the times! A rail and stagecoach stop, frequented by Abraham Lincoln as he made his rounds throughout the state as a travelling lawyer. This Beautiful limestone building held many a famous historical figures. Besides Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, William Howard Taft, Theodore Roosevelt and even the President of the Confederate States of America Jefferson Davis. Lincoln however was a regular, and usually guested in the same room each visit. That room now is an apartment dedicated to the President. The location was perfect for him as the Courthouse is just across the street. In fact, grassy knoll on the left of the picture is the courthouse lawn.

The Old Lee County Courthouse built in 1901, stands on the spot of the original county courthouse where Abraham Lincoln addressed a crowd in 1856 on the Courthouse lawn a sweltering hot summer day. Of course the whole town turned out to see him and hear his speech! I'm sure they brought their picnic baskets and lemonade to the courthouse for the festivities!

A Marvelous Stonework House sits Delightfully on a corner of town~Lovely Wrap Around Porch

Another Fabulous Old Home~So Stately & Proud

The "Raging" Rock River & Lock Dam where my husband & I had fun

Boating. I don't think I have ever seen it this high.

I will miss these wonderful places, the rich history, the quaint small town wholesomeness...but...Marshalltown has it's own rich history, and is, itself another small town. So I end one journey, and begin another adventure. God has been so good to my hubby & I. We are so blessed!

Next on my farewell tour will be Sterling, IL., my town.

Blessings Friends!

"Spring Comes in like a Lion....."

Magnificent Perfection~~~

A Side View of the Eight Blossoms!!!

Do you remember at Christmas I posted pictures of my orchid? Well, here is the sister orchid to the other one. This one has EIGHT Beautiful Blossoms on it! Lovely! What a wonder are they! I had so hoped to post some pictures of my budding garden today, but BRRRRRR! It's too cold. We are to expect up to 8 inches of snow today and tonight! Eight inches the last week in March!! So I'm very content to bring you my latest orchid photos. (smiles) Wishing you a lovely weekend filled with warmth, and lots of love!! Blessings~

~We Found the Perfect Home!~

Not Too Big~Not Too Small~

Wrap Around Porch in Rear!

On Top of a Hill Overlooking the Farmlands of Iowa. It's a Spectacular Panoramic View!

Wood Floors

Entry Way

View from Backyard


Very Country 2 Acres!

Hello Friends! I'm so happy to be back!! All of my needless worrying..gone. The Lord prepared the way for us to find the perfect home. I looked at so many homes, and this one welcomed me with a peaceful, serene feeling the minute I crossed the threshold into the home. It sits on top of a hill about 10 minutes outside of the town. I have two acres, and three neighbors. One of the neighbors (across the street) has a large horse ranch that takes up most of the acreage. There are two homes on either side (a nice distance away) and the view from the back porch is Stunning! The inside is so beautiful with windows everywhere that lights up the home with a lovely glow! A bright light home. The kitchen and breakfast room is an entire wall of windows facing the view. It's lovely! You are viewing the home now, in winter; but in the spring and summer the trees are green and the grass is lush. The sky is forever out here! It reminds me of Montana. We are so happy and pleased with our new home, I can hardly wait to move!! The floor plan is open and airy with vaulted ceilings~and I even have a perfect sewing room with shelves built in the closet for fabric. (the lady that owned the home was a quilter) Thank you Lord! The Lord is Great! How could I have doubted?

This leaves me with my home to sell, and I will not doubt that this will happen. I will pray for faith, and forgiveness for not believing that my life is in the hands of the Lord, that the Father has a plan for my life as a child of the Living God, and that even the smallest details are looked after and fulfilled by my Creator.

I would like to thank you so much for your prayers, and continued prayers for this wonderful adventure that we are on.

I must mention also that the people of Marshalltown are so welcoming, and friendly. I was overwhelmed at the kindness of strangers during my stay there. What a Lovely Town!!

~Off on a Big Adventure!~

Poor Doggy!!!

Well, I'll leave early in the morning, taking Freeway to the Chuck Wagon Hotel! Chuck and his Darling wife have a doggy boarding hotel out in the country on a farm. Freeway seems to like it out there...she is kind of a rough and tumble dog ready to chase and play. Chuck always says,"That's a good dog." Hee hee. But really dropping her off is kind of sad, poor thing she gets really nervous. Anyway, then I'm off to Marshalltown to see my wonderful hubby! It's been 2 weeks now, and I miss him so much. He'll be working from 5:30 in the morning to 7:00 at night, but I'll see him when I can. I've brought everything with me for this 4 1/2 hour trip....just like my grandma used to do. My knitting, new magazines, a rug I am working on. My husband is staying in a hotel until we get moved, and so I'll go to the laundry mat (wow...haven't done that in a while!) And look around town trying to familiarize myself with things. I have read some of the history of Marshalltown, so perhaps I will look up those historical buildings I've seen on the internet. And of course I will be looking at homes and hopefully I will find one perfectly suited for our new nest. I will write you when I return. Blessings Friends~

~I've Met An Angel...And She Paints!~

I received this beautiful handpainted card and journal page in the mail yesterday! A Gift from the most Divinely Inspired Artist KarenHarveyCox

Karen's Talent knows no bounderies, she is an Artist, an Author, a Photographer, a Wife and Mom, and she is an Angel to me! She is a kind and gentle woman filled with the Sweet Giving Spirit of Our Lord. She is Truly Blessed...as I am for knowing her! Karen has a unique ability to create a work of Art that is not only asthetically beautiful, but also carries within it an message of Peace, Serenity, and Grace beyond measure. Every piece tells a story of a Remarkable Woman and her walk with the Lord~by her side, each step of the way~guiding her hands to reveal the beauty of life.

So, thank you Karen Harvey Cox for these Wonderful gifts that I will treasure always. God Bless You Friend!

~Bubbles From Rachel~

I just got in this Adorable Rachel Ashwell Bubble Fabric! Isn't it just Way Too Cute? Perfect for Baby Boy Rag Quilts. Soft Pastel Blue Cotton with Whimsical Bubbles in a variety of colors. I have been so busy with my moving adventure that I have neglected my sewing. I missed it so much, as sewing is such a comfort to me, a challenge for sure, but it brings me such pleasure. I turn the music on, and sew away!! My current favorite is, Micheal Buble', "It's Time." What wonderful songs, a fabulous voice. These songs remind me of my childhood as my parents listened to all of these recordings. They are such tender, sweet memories.

This quilt is made with a layer of white flannel, and a layer of blue flannel (on the bottom) I love the puffy ragging, and the bubbles are so much fun!!

I will be going to Iowa to look for a new home this coming week. I know my Lord has a perfect place for us, and I am so excited to see it! Thank you friends for your encouragement with this move, I feel completely at ease, and looking forward to a new adventure. I love the Midwest, although I am from Southern California, and I feel so Blessed and So Grateful that we will be staying in the Midwest. The Lord is guiding us step by step, his hand on our shoulder, and one footprint ahead.

I will take my trusty camera, and when I find our new home I will post some pictures for you. Happy Blessed Sunday!

~Words of Encouragement~They Mean So Much~

Hello Everyone!! Yes, I'm still standing and working my fingers to the bone....moving!! The relocation company will actually move all of our things for us, but I have spent two weeks just un-cluttering the house!! Yikes..I guess that tells you something about me?? Okay, I prefer to think of myself as a COLLECTOR rather than a CLUTTER-BUG! (smiles) My mom's dearest friend Ruth wrote me the most encouraging and inspiring note the other day. Bless you Ruth! Truly you are the wind beneath my wings!! It is such a blessing to have dear friends. Thank you Rebecca, & of course Dear Karen. I really don't know what I'd do without you. My special friend Betty, thank you for your kinds words sweet dear lady. Everytime I get on overload, I quick go to my inbox, and it never fails...a word that I needed to hear. Thank you Sandy, you're so funny and such a delight! Well, I'm off to my sadly neglected sewing room for a little fun before bedtime. God Bless you one and all for supporting me through this incredibly difficult, but exciting adventure. Hugs~Sharon
Also, please say a prayer for Dear Joni of Blue Plum Shop She is the most Darling Lady! She will be going into surgery in the morning, and needs a blessing. Thank you ever so much.