Hexagon Improv

 I picked up a little pack of 2 1/2" squares by Moda and decided to make a load of hexagons. I laid out a piece of white piece of fabric on the dining room table and began creating the top.

Because the fabric lines are made by the same company, they all go well together. It took awhile to get the hexagons lined up just perfectly. I even used Paul's laser light level. I had taken the papers out from behind the shapes and used Roxanne's Glue Baste-It to tack them down.

Then I took the whole piece to the longarm machine to quilt it all together.

It looks perfect over my bed.

Trip on the Town

 Marnie and I decided to drive downtown to visit the Seattle Art Museum and Seattle Aquarium. They were exhibiting the collection of the impressionists from 1870-1900. If you've read David & Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell, you know they had a very difficult time getting exhibited. I absolutely loved the special exhibit and the long-term pieces, but didn't take many pictures, except for this Renoir and Cézanne.

Marnie and I loved this modern piece, but I didn't get a shot of the artist.

From there we walked across the street and enjoyed seeing fish at the aquarium. We had a casual lunch at a nearby cafe to finish off our outing. 

Framing a Quilt

 When I was growing up there was a beautiful pineapple log cabin quilt hanging on the staircase wall. I passed it everyday in the morning and evening. The seams were coming apart, but it was still beautiful.

After a few decades, my mom gave it to me and it lived in my closet for years. Then I decided to cut it up and frame a block or two. Hobby Lobby was the perfect place to find a shadow box frame.

Happy Thanksgiving

 Jim is wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving! We hope you are enjoying an opportunity to spend time with your family. I hope you have a great day and can appreciate a delicious slice of pie.

Typical Week

All three of us are going to the trunk-or-treat tomorrow night. Paul brings full-sized candy bars and the entire event lasts about 30 minutes. Katie and James are coming, too. Marnie is finally done with marching band! She just ran upstairs, screaming that she got 103% on her math test today. She really loves Mr. Redfern. Dad is taking her to get a passport tomorrow.

Dad is heading back to Rexburg this weekend to help with oil changes and stuff. The weather looks fine for the drive, just wet and rainy. 

A wonderful balayage for Marnie by Norene.

Nothing like feeling beautiful!

Jim is taking it easy with Grandma and Grandpa (and Rufus & Chuckles).

Connections

 One of the best parts of knowing so many people is making connections. Because Jackson is serving in Trujillo South, we were hoping he could make contact with Kathy and Kurt Marler, who are mission leaders in the North (recent division). 

I mentioned this to Linda Condie at the temple and she announced that she and Kathy were college roommates. In fact, they used to double-date the Marlers. The McKays and Marlers grew up in the same ward in Escondido. Don Marler even married us in the Los Angeles Temple. 

Linda and her husband served as mission leaders in the Alpine German-speaking Mission. Headquartered in Munich, it serves Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. Afterwards, they returned to Seattle, where Robert serves as a sealer. 

We enjoyed a meeting in his downtown office where he showed pictures from their mission and encouraged us to serve missions. Their example has been very important to us.

The good news is that Kathy found Jackson at the MTC and even caught a picture!

Frazier and Danika's Wedding

Danika and Frazier were married October 7 in the Seattle Temple. I hope I can tell the story of their meeting with the poignancy it deserves.

Frazier was serving a mission in Manaus, Brazil when he became too ill to continue. He was sent home and released, with the expectation that surgery would be needed. After a few consultations, he was able to have surgery to remove his gall bladder. While he was recovering, he came with me to the temple. I work 2pm-10pm so while I was in the office, he would attend sessions.

Danika received her mission call to Sidney, Australia at that time. She attended the temple for the first time with her bishop and family. When she saw Frazier sitting in the celestial room, she thought she recognized him. She asked her bishop if he recognized him, after all they were in the same stake. But he responded that he didn't know him.

A few weeks later, Danika attended the temple again, and wouldn't you know it, Frazier was there. She was curious, but she left for the MTC shortly thereafter. Frazier too was ready to leave. He was reassigned to Orlando, Florida-Portuguese speaking. 

Eighteen months later they returned. It was time to report to the high council and stake presidency. We were all sitting together in the high council room and she sees him. There he is again! After the meeting, Danika went on facebook to find Frazier. She looked through everyone in President Flake's account because that man knows everyone. 

It wasn't long before they saw each other at Institute and began dating. If I remember right it was 3 months until they were engaged. And now we are celebrating.