Family- of one kind and another!

(author's note- I realized last weeks post was a bit of a rerun after I made it.  I hope you realize that it's not for lack of effort.  But in all honesty, I lead a pretty dull life!  Sorry-  I guess I should review older posts once in a while, eh?  :-)    This week's is all new ( I HOPE!)

                                                           
First I want to talk about my quilting family! 
An absolutely wonderful group of ladies I am grateful for every day!  We laugh and cry together, and share ideas with each other and inspire each other.  We take care of each other- as shown by the "Fabric hug" here! 
We all had a part in this gift for a member who is battling cancer.  Without planning ahead- only knowing her love of purple, batiks, and butterflies- we made this quilt.  It amazed all of us how well everything went together - and the balance in designs!
Everyone had a part- making a block or two, one assembled the quilt top, I basted, another quilted, another added the binding and label.  And we all put our love and good thoughts into this so she will know we are all with her every step of the way!











Here are my blocks.
It turns out I don't have a lot of batiks.  I guess I'll have to remedy that soon.  :-)

 

This is my home family.  Our elder son was visiting from Portland, so we did the self- timer thing with the camera, which is why we're all laughing.  It's always special when we can be together for a few days!  I miss the sweet little boys they once were, but am very proud of the men they have become.  

I'm turning the "green" tip to another topic this week.  I am also involved with the Genesee County Animal Shelter, as a volunteer and foster mom to kittens or sick cats.  Kitten season will soon be in full swing.  It is astounding the number of kittens we get- and the number we have to turn away for lack of foster homes.  As much fun as I have with the babies, I would love it if there was no need for it.  And it's so simple- have your pet spayed or neutered. Feral cats have become such a problem in some areas, they are proposing open hunts.  Many of these cats die from disease or starvation- or predation!- in the wild.  If you can't afford it, look for low cost options.  Genesee County has a "Spay our Strays" program, which can help with feral cats as well as pets for low-income folks.

Apologies if this is a rerun, but the need remains the same, year after year. 

I am grateful for:
Families of all kinds!
A nice long visit with Guy.
The most delicious corned beef I have ever cooked.
Serendipity
A day between vacation and work.