Adorable and Innocent

Have I said how great it is to have grandchildren? I'm becoming very good at spoiling! Our latest arrived last Monday, March 16th. She is a keeper - beautiful, strong, alert, with lots of dark hair. It's such a relief to look upon a new little baby and see that they are physically fine - 10 little fingers, 10 little toes, small cupped ears, and tiny nose. I can't help but wonder what will her life be like - Where will her feet carry her? What service will her hands perform? Will she have lots of smiles? What will be her dreams and aspirations? All these questions will be answered over time, but for now we will just enjoy her beauty and innocence... and give her all our love!

The Quilt's in the Mail

I get so excited when a large box arrives in the mail and I know it's the quilts I've been waiting for! After I piece together the quilt top, I send it to a dear lady in North Dakota who does the quilting together of top, batting and backing. It's exciting because each quilt is done differently, depending on the pattern used for the top. Of course, once the box arrives, I still have more work to do... but it's the final step of putting the binding on the edge. It's the "light at the end of the tunnel" feeling, and it motivates me to complete the project. Finally, after many hours of choosing fabric, measuring, cutting, sewing and ironing, I can step back and admire all the work. Aaahhh, very satisfying!

Kiss Me, I'm Irish

Everyone claims to be Irish for St. Patrick's Day, but I really am Irish all year long!!
My great great grandpa James Cooper came to Amerika in 1834 from Belfast, Ireland. He first went to Pennsylvania and then came to Bethel, Minnesota. He settled Coopers Corner because the hunting was good. History stories say he chose the name of Bethel from the bible because it means "House of God". I have a copy of his diary for the years 1869-1871. He ended most entries with "thank God for all blessings". This was his ending even on days that weren't so good; days when people were sick, hurt or dieing. I think he had a strong belief in his Heavenly Father. Family stories say his Irish accent was so thick, it was difficult to understand him. He re-married after each of his first two wives died. His third wife was my great great grandmother - Rebecca Milligan. She was 25 years younger than James, and 38 years old when they married. James was 65 years old when my great grandmother Laura was born; she was the last born of his 14 children. James lived to see her grow to adulthood. He died in 1893 at the age of 87. He was laid to rest next to our house in the Old Bethel Cemetery. I'm thankful for his life and the legacy he has left.
So in his remembrance, please join me in wearing green on March 17th!