Nays Place's

Puppy Size....

Not my normal post but had this sent to me and thought I would share....

Puppy Size

This is one of the neatest stories you will ever hear. You will know precisely what this little girl is talking about at the end (you'll want to share this one with your loved ones and special friends)!

'Danielle keeps repeating it over and over again. We've been back to this animal shelter at least five times. It has been weeks now since we started all of this,' the mother told the volunteer.

'What is it she keeps asking for?' the volunteer asked.
'Puppy size!' replied the mother.

'Well, we have plenty of puppies, if that's what she's looking for.' 'I know..... we have seen most of them, ' the mom said in frustration...

Just then Danielle came walking into the office
'Well, did you find one?' asked her mom.
'No, not this time,' Danielle said with sadness in her voice. 'Can we come back on the weekend?'

The two women looked at each other, shook their heads and laughed
'You never know when we will get more dogs. Unfortunately, there's always a supply,' the volunteer said..
Danielle took her mother by the hand and headed to the door. 'Don't worry, I'll find one this weekend,' she said.

Over the next few days both Mom and Dad had long conversations with her. They both felt she was being too particular. 'It's this weekend or we're not looking any more,' Dad finally said in frustration.

'We don't want to hear anything more about puppy size, either,' Mom added.

Sure enough, they were the first ones in the shelter on Saturday morning . By now Danielle knew her way around, so she ran right for the section that housed the smaller dogs.
Tired of the routine, mom sat in the small waiting room at the end of the first row of cages. There was an observation window so you could see the animals during times when visitors weren't permitted.

Danielle walked slowly from cage to cage, kneeling periodically to take a closer look. One by one the dogs were brought out and she held each one.
One by one she said, 'Sorry, but you're not the one.'

It was the last cage on this last day in search of the perfect pup. The volunteer opened the cage door and the child carefully picked up the dog and held it closely. This time she took a little longer.
'Mom, that's it! I found the right puppy! He's the one! I know it!' She screamed with joy. 'It's the puppy size!'

'But it's the same size as all the other puppies you held over the last few weeks,' Mom said.

'No not size... The sighs. When I held him in my arms, he sighed,' she said.
'Don't you remember? When I asked you one day what love is, you told me love depends on the sighs of your heart. The more you love, the bigger the sigh!'

The two women looked at each other for a moment. Mom didn't know whether to laugh or cry. As she stooped down to hug the child, she did a little of both.

'Mom, every time you hold me, I sigh. When you and Daddy come home from work and hug each other, you both sigh. I knew I would find the right puppy if it sighed when I held it in my arms,' she said. Then, holding the puppy up close to her face, she said, 'Mom, he loves me. I heard the sighs of his heart!'

Close your eyes for a moment and think about the love that makes you sigh. I not only find it in the arms of my loved ones, but in the caress of a sunset, the kiss of the moonlight and the gentle brush of cool air on a hot day. They are the sighs of God. Take the time to stop and listen; you will be surprised at what you hear. 'Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.'

I hope your life is filled with Sighs!!!

Appreciate every single thing you have, especially your friends! Life is too short and friends are too few.

Life is too short to wake up with regrets.

A belated Christmas Wish to All.........

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS

The story was written by Shirley Joffs who lives in Logan, Utah.


Enjoy the season with all your heart.

Christmas Village, Ogden, Utah

The Magic of Christmas Lies in Your Heart

by Shirley Joffs Dec. 2011

( With apologies to those who may celebrate the winter holidays with other names, the intention of my story today is universal in spirit.)

As I pondered a Christmastime story, I found it difficult to focus on just one aspect of the holidays. M y feelings were a little like the season tends to get....stressed out, too busy, trying to 'get it all done', making all of the plans to make everything just perfect. In a moment of weakness, once, I tentatively suggested that we break with all tradition and just go to a warm climate for a week or two and do something entirely different The look on the faces of my children and grandchildren was of complete horror and disbelief.. ..so much for that idea. But now that the tree is up and the gingerbread cookies made, I realize that I really would miss the traditions too, and I begin to focus on the important aspects of the season that I really do appreciate, particularly as a quiIter since that is our common tie here... .and this is what I want to share.

I believe that it is unique to quilters to easily blend the past and the present. We are often drawn back to old quilt patterns, vintage fabrics, traditional uses of quilts, pioneer stories of how quilts were made and used and appreciated; on the other hand, we are excited by new patterns, new ideas and methods, beautiful new fabrics. We use both hand and machine quilting, but we quickly cut reproduction fabrics with our trusty rotary cutters or even cut out whole quilts in a matter of minutes with magical cutting machines. Christmas is a little like that for me I'm drawn back to days gone by, even as I shop for the I pad and put up the artificial tree; and while I hum traditional carols, I hear "Grandma got run over by a Reindeer" in the mall. We can't avoid some of the plastic world, but being a quilter, a maker of handmade treasures, an addict of the creative process of quilting, gives us a special opportunity to make holidays to remember for ourselves and future generations. So here is my wish for all quilters....


First, that as you "cut", remember to let C stand for Caring, and carefully creating and choosing gifts that uplift, encourage and cheer others. I saw a wonderful suggestion for gifts on an email message, In addition to your beautiful quilts and fabric items, give services like a manicure, a day of house cleaning, a car wash, a date night for a couple that can't afford a sitter, a sewing lesson for someone who has shown an interest in learning, or a breakfast date for a grandchild. Services keep people working and show how much we care. My husband would be disappointed if he didn't get his certificate for a massage or a pedicure. It's something he would never buy for himself.

My second wish is that as you Handsew, remember to let "H " stand for Heart and Hearing and not "Hurry". So often I listen with my motor running. I'm thinking of what I'm going to say next, or I'm thinking of something else entirely. Really Hearing is an art that is a lifelong lesson for me. Hand sewing, putting on a binding, always slows my world down and helps me listen better. Better yet, being with grandchildren teaches the patience and hearing that I think I missed with my own children let hand sewing remind us.
My third wish is that as you "re-sew"... .as we always have to do, let "R" stand for rest and relaxation. I usually have to "re-sew" when I have pushed a project, tried to sew too fast or let myself get tired. There is something so restful about just staring at the Christmas tree and its reflection in the window. One of our family traditions at Christmas is to go for a slow ride with our children and now grandchildren, and look at ail of the different lighted homes. Sometimes we try to guess who lives there and what they must be like. For me, setting aside a day for a gift exchange and lunch with friends gives me a time to look forward to relaxing, forgetting for awhile all of the "doing" and just "be".


And my fourth wish is that as you Iron, remember to let "I" stand for Icing on the cake. So often we settle when we could excel, we appreciate when we could 'relish with gusto', we hum when we could really sing. Icing on the cake is about the really 'special' things we do. I make gingerbread boys every Christmas; I've made them for 40+ years now. I found the recipe in an old Sunset magazine and, with a homemade cookie cutter I can make the little figures dance, pray, do yoga, swim.. .whatever my family is into for that year. Those special things and activities get represented on the gingerbread tree.
Two years ago we were icing the cookies and Emma, my now 8 year old was helping. The icing tube went berserk and put a huge glob of icing on the cookie and without a thought I said "Lord A Mercy". We laughed so hard and then Emma said, "Nana, we should call the cookies with lots of icing, "Lord A Mercy Cookies".... So now they pick through the batch looking for Lord A Mercy Cookies because they love the sweet icing.

Life and quilting are like that too. When we make mistakes they can become blessings.
May you have a "Lord A Mercy Life Experience Daily" Think of Icing when you iron...


My fifth wish is, that as you sew, also let S stand for "show and share". I feel sometimes that I do a lot of telling and not as much 'showing' by example. Just as we stand up in Guild meetings and show and share what we have done and therefore who we are, we do so by our lives every day. On our trips to Disney World with our grandchildren, we would often see frustrated, tired parents screaming at their crying, sad children, "I've spent a ton of money to get you here so you WILL have fun, by George, so stop crying and start having fun!!!" Our sewing and our Christmas celebrations can be like that if we aren't careful. Spending a lot of money does not a successful experience make; hence the fun of a scrap quilt where we use what we have is like a quiet night of telling Christmas stories together. Or teaching a child how to make cookies by really letting them get their hands in the dough... .1 Immmmmm. could it be that those we love want us to show and share ourselves and not our expensive gifts with them...
My sixth wish is that as you thread the bobbins and needles, let "T" stand for Trust. It is so easy to get grouchy, even judgmental of the flurry that seems so far removed from the real Spirit of Christmas, but just as those trusty sewing machines, sergers and quilting machines serve us if we oil and clean and service them, we can Trust that the Spirit that is at the heart of Christmas, whatever our faith or belief, will be there if we seek it out. It often seems that the thread breaks or the bobbin runs out at the most inopportune time, but if we focus on the thousands of times that it doesn't we can trust So, on the occasion when we think that our Faith has failed us, let's fill up the bobbin again, thread the needle once more and trust.


My seventh wish is that as you Measure your fabric, M might stand for Mastery. I've told you the story of how I didn't measure my first hand-pieced rail fence quilt. I just blithely sewed strips together in a color pattern. Not one block was the same size... .a good quilter convinced me that I should not throw them all out, and she helped me "square them up", which I had never heard of. I keep that quilt in a visible basket to remind me that we all start somewhere. I make similar mistakes every day in life, but as the saying goes, "God isn't through with me yet" so I can"t let that stop me. How many times have we failed to notice that the ruler is not straight on the cutting pad when we slice through a beautiful piece of fabric. Measure twice, cut once was my father's rule in carpentry. Probably the most important mastery we will learn in life is the art of trying again and again.

My eighth wish is that as you Applique, you will "ask" for what you need, what you want, and what you love. Whether it is by machine or by hand, applique is that special embellishment that says you are willing to take time to do it. Asking to have our own needs met is that special way of valuing ourselves, avoiding becoming a martyr and the anger and confusion that it creates. I thought early on in my marriage that Eric should 'divine' my needs, that is, know them before I even knew them and meet them..if he LOVED me. Asking is simply fair communication.
I used to be a potter. I carved out a little tiny spot next to the water heater to put my wheel, in a dark basement, near the furnace. My friend visited and said, "Oh, no, this will never do... .you are too fine a potter to treat yourself like this, ask for more.. .a space with light, elbow room..." Wow! That was one of life's best lessons for me.. .It may be something as small as a good seam ripper, an iron dedicated only to your sewing room, a new blade for your cutter, or a quilt kit that you've admired, or it could be a "date night with a partner or friends" or even a hug when you feel down. Don't ALWAY S put yourself second or you might get what my Mom called 'sour' on life.


My ninth wish is that when you sit down to sew, you make "S; stand for "Sing from you Soul" Sometimes I have to pinch myself when I realize how happy I am when I am sewing. I look forward to it, I relish it and I miss it when I can't do it..,,. .sounds like love to me. We quilters are fortunate that we have something that we love so much. If we take it as a lesson, we can remind ourselves that everything else we do can have that same kind of love if we live in the moment. Some sage person said, "Wherever you are, be there." So when we S, stand up from sitting and sewing, let's remember to take with us that same delight in life, that same attention to detail, that same willingness to make and mend mistakes, that same love of creating something beautiful in our world and with the people we love. In all we do, let us Sing from our Souls. Eleven-year-old Jackie Evancho, the singing sensation who has been featured on PBS this month was asked what she feels when she sings. Her wisdom was amazing. She said, "Something just takes over and feel soooo happy and relaxed."
And then, oh, my, you should hear her sing.

Lovingly stolen from the Abbey Lane Quilts blog with good intentions...take care all and have a great 2012.

AAARRRRGGGGHHHH 4 weeks to Christmas......

Someone forgot to tell me that we've only got 4 weeks to Christmas - I'm not ready but then again I dont think I am ever ready for Christmas.

We've had a fantastic weekend firstly Friday night was the local Christmas Pageant at Waikerie albeit a bit wet it was fantastic to see so many people out. The Lions club do a magnificent job of getting it all organised. 20 bags of lollipop's later the Little Athletic club was already - great to have some many kids come and join me for this night. I can honestly say that my arm and should are still sore from waving so much.

Saturday saw me collect an extra 2 friends from Hallet had a work show at the Barossa so I looked after an extra so after a quick trip to Gawler for some Christmas presents then to Nuriootpa to collect the extra we all went to Loxton for there annual Loxton Lights up night. What a great night chips, donuts, wood oven pizza, fireworks and then the voyage around for the Santas walk and Christmas Wonderland at Loxton North.

This morning saw all 5 decorate the Christmas tree - mmm not sure about it but they had fun - definitely not quite as organise as Loz's but its up and that's all that matters - isn't it? No 2 then had a birthday party at the local pool so when we collected him after the party I took all 5 down to the river for another swim before ice-cream and then we headed home before they headed back to Hallett.

Phew another weekend gone, no sewing but a weekend spent with the kids doing kids things tiring but fun and now we're curled up eating Spag Bog and watching 'Annie' on DVD an early christmas present received today by No 3.

4 weeks mmm 3 quilts and 4 noticeboards, 4 DS covers and 1 I-phone cover to make better get a move on then ..

Have fun and keep sewing and still having trouble uploading photos so no happy snaps today

Nay

Please remind yourself to take time to sit and watch the sunset......

What a couple of months it has been for my home town, Waikerie -

We've had some terrible unexpected deaths, the pub burnt down and now last week we got hit with a mini cyclone that has pretty much devastated the town.....but I cant believe the resilience of this town and its people...they just keep on carrying on.

Last wednesday at 4:15 we got hit - I was in Big River the local supermarket and watched the Institute roof fly off - fortunately no-one was injured when it landed on a couple of cars 20 mtrs away over the Post Office. The institute is where they hold Santa's Cave one of our largest tourist attractions for the year - well no roof no Santa's Cave - this wonderful group of volunteers had spent months putting all the displays together and they were not allowed to go back in the building to see if things were ok. So what do they do - approach another local business lady, the wonderful Sue Miller, and ask if they can use her empty shop and start again. Not on the same scale but still giving the town Santa's Cave in time for this friday nights Christmas Pageant so that they children aren't disappointed. I mean wow.......

The Golf Course lost over 150 trees so they call for volunteers to clear the greens - they did - and now its back up and open again.

BUT the most amazing thing about last weeks storm - NO-ONE was majoring injured NO-ONE!!!!!

With the amount of stuff flying around, the roofs flying off, TV antenna's, Air-conditioning units, Water tanks, trees and basically anything that was tied down - that in itself is a miracle.

So just because you never know what is around the corner - as I continue to cut up and move some of our beautiful Jacaranda that was destroyed I was greeted with the most beautiful sunset ( was trying to upload photo but its just not playing the game tonight) will keep trying........

 

Nay

I love this little poem I found....hope you like it to......

Gail Pan, Natalie Ross, Granny Loz and QuiltyGal to name a few

WOW WOW WOW WOW

What a great weekend I've just had spending time at Port Pirie with Robyn Welsh at Country Hart and a 2 day workshop with Gail Pan and Natalie Ross.

Anne and I left late friday night and arrived in Port Pirie around 10pm and we had so much fun talking that we forgot to check in with husbands and kids who were waiting for us to check in to ensure that we had arrived...oh well...let the adventures begin.

Saturday morning Anne got up and went for a walk and I hit the showers we hit Country Hart after a bit of retail therapy at Target.  On the table a little gift or two was waiting.  Great to catch up with Granny Loz, Claire, Anne, Sarah, Julie, Naomi B, Robyn, Abbie, Sonia and the lovely ladies from Crystal Brook (aka the Brooky Girls)

Robyn, Abbie, Steve, Naomi and Joan and Robyns wonderful team of helpers once again did a wonderful job - arent we so lucky and spoilt...

Claire being just a little bit silly....

Gail and Natalie had 2 projects for us to do saturday and again on sunday.  Lots of stitchery and sundays projects were Christmas orientated - can you believe it is only 7 weeks away.  Believe it or not I actually finished the stitching on Nat's IPad bag - thats a first.

Saturday night saw us share dinner at the International along with Gail, Nat, Robyn, Abbie, Loz, Claire, Anne, Sarah, Glenys who was celebrating a special birthday, Naomi, Joan, Alison x 2, Maxine, and the rest of the Brooky girls (sorry cant remember everyones names).

Back to rooms for some yummy Havenhand chocolate and cheese with Anne and the girls.  A few stories about Quilt Market, designing, impersonations of Barry from Nat and it was a fun night.  Got to bed around 1:45 am couldnt sleep after the Girls left so did some more sewing.

How lovely is Gail and Natalie - a weekend of fun, laughter, sewing and stitching.....

Gail Pan and one of her lovely quilts....

Nat and her wonderful smile - did you know that she likes chocolate!!!!!

And our wonderful table of 'Naughty Girls' in the back corner......

Robyn is hosting another weekend in April with Melissa Grant from 'One Day in May' and Helen Stubbings from  Hugs n Kisses - if anyone is interested......

Keep Stitching

Nay

Christmas Gifts for Quilters 2 (+giveaway)

Christmas Gifts for Quilters 2 (+giveaway).

Whats your name and why........

Morning All

Visiting Peg from Happy in Stitching she mentioned that Dawn from as Sweet as Cinnamon was having a query as to what you have named your blog and why.......

Well the story behind Nays Place is really quite simple - Nay is my nickname and what most friends and family call me -  came about as in my Grade 7 class at Murray Bridge there was 2 Naomi's and 1 Niomi all in the same class - and Naomi is such a mouthful when people are trying to get your attention ' eg on the netball court - 3 syllables compared to 1).

I have always wanted to start my own business - fabric shop, craft shop, cafe, combination of both for over 20 years and whilst I haven't achieved this as yet - my decision with calling my business 'Nays Place' is so that if anyone was ot come and visit instead of saying that they are going to the fabric shop, cafe, etc they could say that they were going to 'Nays Place' and it sounded like you were visiting a friend rather than going shopping.....mmm naughty I know but I've always found it funny.

Glad today is Thursday and the end of a short week due to the Long Weekend last weekend.  3 days of and I crammed as much in a possible - shifted and replanted Apricot trees, roses, gerbera, geraniums and wisteria.  Dug holes for framework for the wisteria - this is to grow over my outside area next to the unofficial 'Nays Place'.  Plus doing all the mundane things like washing, watching the AFL Grand Final.  Sunday was busy with a delightful lunch at Overland Corner with some fellow Landrover enthusiast and then to Loxton for my Uncle (and godfathers) 80th birthday.  Great time to catch up with some rellies - amazing how the older we get we don't really change but the kids grow up so fast and so quickly.

Another busy weekend planned with an unscheduled trip to Adelaide to catch up with some dear high school friends who we havent seen for a while.

Keep stitching and I will post some more photos soon - still unpacking fabric didn't realise that I had so much.

Nay

Can we make this post 49a - Jo from Lilly Pilly is having a giveaway

Hi all

 

Just been blogging and found Jo from Lilly Pilly www.scrapnstitch.blogspot.com is having a wonderful giveaway with products from Lynette Anderson, Marg Low and Theodora Cleave.  Go on you know you want it go and visit Jo winner picked on Monday.

See you for now

Nay

A Best Friend.......and advanced notice for a giveaway coming soon.....

A Best Friend
A best friend doesn't care when you're broke,
being a bitch, what you weigh, if you don't see them for months,
if your house is a mess, what you drive, about your past,
or if your family is filled with crazy people.
Your conversations pick up where they left off,
even if it's been months or years apart.
They love you for who you are.

Borrowed from Helen from Hugs with Helen - so true
Thanks Helen

 

Oct long weekend coming up soon that is when I hope to reveal Nays Place as I might actually have some me time to finish setting it up.  Coming up to my 50th blog post so I will celebrate that with a giveaway as well....trust me I'm sure I can put together a lovely parcel....

 

Keep stitching

Nay