Friday, December 28, 2012

Goodbye 2012



As we say our farewell to 2012 and welcome in the new year I cannot help but be thankful. Christmas was a quiet affair this year for us but enjoyed none the less. I took great pride in watching as my grown daughter made great efforts to establish new traditions for her young growing family and delighted that we were able to be a part of those. I delighted that she made many of her gifts herself and she and my grandchildren made all their Christmas candy homemade. It gave me great pride to see the young homemaker and mother she has become and was probably one of the highlights of the season for me.  

As we pack away the lights and take down the decorations I reflect on what a terrible time was predicted by many for this December of 2012 as end of the world predictions flew all over the media for the last year or so. Guess the Mayans got that one wrong. Although things have not been easy this year the world as we know it, good or bad, still exists. We have survived hurricanes, droughts, school shootings and horrible disasters to once again bring in a new beginning to another year. We are thankful for our blessings and mourn deeply for our losses but move on. None know what the future will bring, but for me ,  I will welcome in this new calendar year with hope and faith in my heart.   



The last year has not always been easy for our family. We mourned the loss of our beloved dog Sadie but gained the lives of her two precious puppies Marlowe and Moxie. 




We welcomed a new daughter in law into our lives last month and are expecting a new grandchild from our oldest daughter in April. We also mourned the passing of several old friends. As my husband and I age, many years now are marked by the loss of friends and loved ones. Each passing serving to remind us just how fragile and dear that life really is. Last month we also mourned the loss of a grandchild as another of my sons and his wife lost a baby. Even at my age sometimes these things are just so hard to understand. This wonderful life gone before it ever really had a chance to live. A child wanted so desperately and loved so much. We can only pray for the parents and hope that another blessing will be bestowed on this loving couple. 



But with 2013 also comes good news with the announcement that Baby O has once again won both the local and district Voice of Democracy essay contest. In February she will again journey to Missouri's capitol to compete in the state competition. The prize a $5,000  scholarship. She competed 2 years ago and won 6th place in the state.  We wish her luck again this coming year!






And as for O Wise One and I we will be right here cheering Baby O on in February. We'll  be waiting with open arms to welcome a new grandchild into the world in April. Loving God and each other and waiting....... 



Waiting for those first green crisp asparagus shoots to pop through the cool spring ground......




Waiting for those sweet juicy strawberries warm in the early summer sun.......



Waiting to again hear the hum of bees working those first apple blossoms.......



Waiting for the smell of fresh cut hay ...........


We hope you'll travel along  and we will look for you on that first glorious spring sunrise. We invite you to share our path. A path less taken these days but glorious none the less.  A path of hard work but also of great joy. And at the end of the day weary from hard labor a knowledge and satisfaction of a job well done. A path where nourishment comes not from a shelf but from the land and the animals that land nourishes and supports. Where we provide for ourselves first, live frugally and simply and then share where we can.  


A path like life, of sunrises and sunsets, of seeds and sowing, of pain and joy, of harvests and losses.  

A path of faith...

Faith in God, ourselves, family, humanity and the earth itself. 

We hope you will continue to visit in 2013 and may your new year be safe and blessed. 


  Blessings from The Holler

The Canned Quilter


20 comments:

  1. CQ, I have enjoyed getting to know you through your blog this past year! I wish you all the best in this new year. You are such an amazing lady! With much love and admiration, Lacy

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  2. Oh I could not say it any better than Lacy. Always so much to learn from your blog. May you and your family have many more blessings, in the new year.

    blessings, jill

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  3. And I am Blessed to have traveled along the 2012 blogisphere with you. So much learned.
    All the best to you and yours. ~Joan

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  4. CQ,

    Beautiful pictures during the year of 2012, I'm looking forward to reading and seeing 2013 blog posts and pictures. Happy New Year From My Family To Yours!

    Good luck to Baby O in the state competition.

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  5. I will be there...every step of the way.

    Happy New year.

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  6. Happy New Year to you and yours, CQ. Being from Louisiana also, I've enjoyed your references to recipes that brought back memories and we are gearing up here in NW Arkansas to garden for fresh eating, canning and freezing, too. There will be a quilt or three or four made, too. We moved from Louisiana to Jackson Co., MO, so when you talk about the weather conditions - good or bad, we've been there, done that, too. I'd like to sit on your porch and drink tea with you!!!

    Good luck to Baby O!!

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    1. I'll save you a chair and a tall glass of cold ice tea and one summer afternoon you never know : )

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  7. Happy New Year to you and your family. I have enjoyed your blog and marveled at your seemingly boundless energy! I even started my own blog...take a look at tennesseecountryliving.blogspot.com.
    All the Best!
    Ray

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    1. Thanks for the visit Ray and keep on Blogging...you are off to a great start!

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  8. You bet your boots I will be here in 2013 wouldn't miss this blog for the world ! Well written here and congrats on the new babs . Happy New Year to you all !

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  9. Thank you so much for sharing your life with me! I read your blog everyday and feel as though we are friends! Happy New Year! May we all be safe and happy!

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  10. Great post, CQ! I love that you highlighted that, even with all the negative events swirling around us, we have much to be thankful for. Myself, I have committed to making 2013 a better year for those around me. Happy New Year!

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  11. Well said! And Mrs. Quilter, would you by any chance have any recommendations for the fruits and veggies a beginner should start with when using seeds? I believe I will try onion, pumpkin, radishes, tomatoes, lettuce, rhubarb, strawberries, blueberries, sweet snap peas, and potatoes. But there are so many versions I get so confused. I have the Bakers and... Shoot, cant remember the other catalog and I am CONFUSED. Any tips would be much appreciated! Many wishes for a bountiful new year!

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    1. Kellie I have been getting quite a few questions like this from confused new gardeners. I believe after the first I am going to do a segment on Gardening covering these things..Hope you'll stop by : )

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  12. Happy New Year to you and yours!

    (to start off the year right, we canned 8 jars of baked beans today...yum!)

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  13. What a beautiful post....thank you for sharing. From my family to yours, we wish you a very Blessed 2013 New Year!

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Feel free to challenge me, disagree with me, or tell me I’m completely nuts in the comments section of each blog entry, but I reserve the right to delete any comment for any reason whatsoever (abusive, profane, rude, or anonymous comments) – so keep it polite, please. Also I am not a free advertisement board if you want to push a product on my comments I will delete you fast !!!

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