Sunday, December 25, 2011

Partridge in a Pear Tree

There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?
Today, I found out. From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality, which the children could remember.
  • The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
  • Two turtledoves were the Old and New Testaments .
  • Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
  • The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
  • The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
  • The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
  • Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit-Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
  • The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
  • Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit-Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
  • The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.
  • The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
  • The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in The Apostles' Creed.

So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol...so pass it on if you wish. I got this information from Temecula Quilting.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Just wanted to stop by and wish everyone a very happy and fun day.
Merry Christmas to all. Looking forward to new and exciting things for all of us in the new year.

Sally

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Random Thoughts


Ok, until Christmas and New Years is over I shall be talking
about random things not always about Quilty Things.
Case in point. I needed to get two Christmas cards out
yesterday. I wanted to make them with my new toy the
Vagabond by Sizzix. I have few dies, but what the heck,
I can do this.
So I am looking at my limited supply of paper and what knots
and happen to spy a new box of tags I just
bought at Costco. Oh, boy how cute they
are. I am thinking they would look really
cute glued to my blank cards. Five minutes later
I have my Christmas cards done
and did not even start up my new toy.
I did use Mr. Bond to cut out a very darling Bee.
One of the few dies I do own. I love the way the
machine just sucks the stuff in and spits out my cut designs
without me having to crank the handle. I see many days ahead
spending time with Mr. Bond.
I have been told you can use AccuQuilt dies with Sizzix
machines. Does anyone else have a problem cutting paper
with the same dies that you cut fabric with? Is this just
a carryover from the time we were told
“I will kill you if you use my sewing scissors to cut that paper!"
Sort of like the “You will die if you touch my eyebrow tweezers.”
Well, I guess we shall see. Until next time I have a random thought. Have a super day.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Words of Wisdom from Erma


“IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER"
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and
the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the "good" living room and worried
much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather rambling about his
youth.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day
because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted
in storage.
I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass
stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television, and more
while watching life.
I would have gone to bed when I was sick, instead of pretending the earth would
go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show
soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every
moment, realizing that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in
life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now
go get washed up for dinner."
There would have been more "I love you's" and more "I'm sorry's"
. . . but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute . . .
look at it and really see it . . . and never give it back.”
Erma
Bombeck



I would have gone to see my Friend, Lee. Not caring that I
was fat.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Kiera has the Giveaway thing down "Right".

Kiera Osmun Vanella After doing some blog hopping this morning, I have to agree with Sally King on the "jumping thru hoops" to enter giveaways. I understand that we want followers, I get that, and I'm so thankful for all of mine...but wouldn't that take just 1 comment? Now I know in the past I have been guilty of wanting more than one comment, but people...I have seen the light!! In that light, though, remember that... a lot of giveaway'a are sponsored...so please be kind and visit the Sponsors that the blog host mentions...it's the right thing to do. Our sponsors are VERY important to us and in return for our Sponsor's generosity, we want to direct traffic and new people to their businesses. So please, please visit our Sponsors and be generous with your business to them. Most of them are women....sewers and quilters just like us!
Sally agrees: Don't forget to visit the SPONSORS! I will make sure I do this from now on. I know I have been guilty of not going to all the sponsors. Thanks Kiera--you are--It's Sew Kiki.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Thoughts on Give Aways

Does it not make your head hurt to follow all the "hoops" you have to jump through to enter some of the "give aways"? Then of course you write a nice little comment,"like" everything, post or preview--and everything disapears. Then you start over.....then the next day someone who writes "cute" wins. The only upside for me is that I have found some really great blogs. So I shall keep checking out sites--not so sure about the "hoops". Life is too short. lol

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Baby Steps Journey

Thank you so much for joining me on this journey. I was not ready to start blogging yet, however, I did want to save the Name and my daughter was available to get it set up. So slowly  I shall get this thing going. As anyone can tell you...I have a lot to say. After 65 years there is alot of stuff in this head of mine. Some worth sharing.

I loved Erma Bombeck, love Maxine (even if it is written by a MAN). He gets it right more times than not. So if that view of the world appeals to you, you are in the right place.

Marcia, thanks for your kind words. I shall follow your lead.
Quiltbenaco, thank you for joining me. I will have to turn on translation. Lots of Italian Friends now. Aurifil Rules!!!

Until next time...Hope you have a Beautiful Day--and quilt to your heart's desire.