Other events...

Richard has decided NOT to sell the Camry. Sort of. We're trying to talk Jenny into trading cars with us. She can have the Camry and we'll take her Corolla. We shall see what transpires. She's always loved the car, so we shall see.

Chantry went back to his former home. Seems that Bruno did several things including taking customer boxes, ripping them apart, and then playing with the contents. Sometimes he damaged the contents. Since the dogs are alone in the yard every night this was not good. Some things were small enough to put in the shed, but the big stuff had to be left out for the next driver to pick up. Bruno was taken to a new home. Tiger was so lonely that we decided he needed Chantry back. So Chantry's back in the yard being as playful as ever. Tiger was thrilled to see him and they played and wrassled for a while. And they changed his name back to Champ LOL.

This is my first day without Richard. I kept waking up last night to roll over and snuggle...and no one was there. It was also strange to wake up to no scents of coffee or breakfast. The dogs are a little confused, too. Richard wakes before me and takes them out every morning before I get up. Today, they had to rely on me.

Coming home is strange, too. Knowing he'll not be there at the regular time is a little odd. It means I can eat when I want and what I want. This may not be good.

I had banana pudding ice cream for dinner last night.

I shall have to be more disciplined. LOL

Maybe tomorrow.

Life Changes...

Four weeks ago, I was fairly happy with my humdrum life, the one where Richard and I were working towards our ultimate goal to build our own home on 3.8 acres in the Missouri wilderness. We went to work every day to jobs we were comfortable with, if not wildly excited about...we knew we could retire in about 5 years and maybe then, start building that dream home we've always talked about and do some traveling through Europe in between.

Four weeks ago Richard applied for another job. And got it.

This afternoon I put him on a plane to Saudi Arabia.

Last week we sold the house.

Saturday I pick my parents up from the train station.

Next week we pack out.

On March 22, I sign the closing papers and will move to Missouri to help Pa start building our storage shed and garage/apartment.

And in 15 months, Richard will come home and we will officially retire and begin building that dream house. By taking the job, we knocked 3 1/2 years off our future retirement date.

We are planning to meet in Europe at least 3-4 times in the coming year and visit Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Spain and wherever else we fancy.

Sometimes, that goal is a LOT closer than we imagined.

I like that. Life changes and there are bumps and detours, but the end goal is always in sight.

Weird life lately...

Lots of stuff going on.

Work has been demanding. I'm working longer hours, which I really don't want to do, but things that are out of control must be dealt with and so that's the way it is.

Chantry is growing like a weed and still bedeviling the older dogs but he's learning the ropes of the new family, so that's good.

In other news, we've finally realised it truly is ridiculous to have only two people in this house...and 3 vehicles. With sighs of forlornness, Richard has made the decision to sell the Camry. Its been a good little car and we used it well. We also took care of it well, so we're hoping for top dollar. We shall see.

Extended family life has been heartbreaking, explosive, and fun and loving. My Uncle Harry and Aunt Peggy passed away within a year of each other and my cousin Kristen has been lost and unhappy for a while, and rightfully so. We've all been sharing laughs, love and tears with her and I think its drawn the family closer. Those ties of love are so fragile at times. We adore her and she is slowly learning that the heart will always have a sense of loss, but the memories will keep us going day-by-day. Love ya, Kristen!

I cannot talk about our other family heartache at this time. We are stunned, shocked and downright angry and scared right now. Suffice to say that we hope an end will come to an unresolved dilemma soon. When its safe to talk about it - I WILL. Boy, will I!!!! My anger and rage are contained right now, but when the time comes, WATCH OUT.

Richard and I are gearing up for a lifestyle change, we think. We are trying to work out details and see if things will fall the way we want before we take any steps.

In the meantime, we're working on house and garage plans. I've found a kiva fireplace I want in my home...he's found a lovely 2 story he wants for his! Two stories and southwestern styles don't usually mix, so we're perusing all kinds of plans and pictures, trying to mesh ideas and styles.

The house is still on the market and still being viewed quite often. Its been cold and windy and the pool doesn't look its best due to leaves and palm fronds in it most days. I fish them out, the wind puts them back! I think once spring and hot days are here, when people are roasting from looking at one house after another, they're gonna stop by ours and take one look at that pool and buy, buy, buy! I hope. LOL

I've been quilting and quilting - trying to get stuff done. When we sell, I may not have the space to set up my sewing room so the more I get done now, the better off we'll be.

Anyway, off to do some quilting!

Pondering...

Sometimes, a quilt idea comes full-blown in my mind and I rootle through my stash and simply start sewing. I have no real plan, not sure if I have all the right fabrics, and usually am rather fluid on exactly what the pattern will be. I piece it together as I go; watching the colors unfold, the patches fall into place, the vision in my mind becoming a reality. I sew because I want to see how the final quilt will look.

I write the same way. I start with an idea and then I start piecing it together, watching the characters unfold, the situation fall into place until the story in my mind becomes a reality. I write because I want to see how the story ends.

Just pondering my choices of creativity and noting the similarities. I've been quilting all evening and just finished the quilt top. It was an idea I got from my niece, Katie. She used bold colors...I used pastels. The quilt top looks exactly the way I wanted it to look - sweet, innocent and girly. I hope the recipient likes it.

And now, I'm off to bed.

Bemused....

I've been quilting for about 15 years now. I inherited a ton of fabric from my adopted grandmother's stash, my husband's grandmother's stash, his aunt's stash and my mother-in-law's stash. I also had a scrap stash of my own from living in the Phillipines and having my own seamstress sew all our clothing. And then there were friends. Some I knew, some I barely knew. They'd find out that I sewed and they'd bring over boxes of fabric from their grandmothers, mothers or sisters. Whenever I helped someone sew stuff, like costumes or whatever, they'd give me any leftover fabric. (I came back from Guam with 15 dishpacks - the tall boxes - filled with fabric).

With all this fabric I've made over 150 quilts. They've mostly been given away. Some went to charitable causes, some went to family, friends and friends of friends. People would ask me to make a quilt for some reason or another and I'd do it. It was easy to simply give them away because usually I was able to use the fabric that was given to me. I never much thought about the time I put into the quilts I gave away. I figured people would pay me, or they wouldn't. And none ever did. Yep, all those quilts and no one ever paid me.

So it is with great surprise that I'm now being paid to quilt! It started with a little set of coasters I made as a giveaway for my books. Buy my book, enter to win a set of quilted coasters. I also made a little fabric envelope and then used a photo my husband took to make some little folded cards that fit in the envelope. That was a door prize, you didn't have to buy a book to win it.

My friend, Nelson, at the Calvert Hotel, loved my little coasters and stationary sets and asked for a few to sell. He sold out within weeks. He asked for more. So I made a few more, plus some little tablerunners.

Yesterday, someone was viewing my house and saw a quilt I'd made. She offered to buy it. I sold it to her for a fair price today. She then informed me that the real estate agent would be calling about ANOTHER quilt!

All these years. All those quilts. All the networking, parties and socializing I did and never sold a single quilt.

And now, by a sheer fluke one of the few times I've left home and one of the few times I've had folk IN my home since we moved here...and I'm selling my quilts and quilties right and left.

Life is strange. LOL

Busy life...

Life has been extraordinarily busy, and yet none of the things I had planned to do are done! Work was hectic for bit, but now its slowed down SOME. We shall see what I get done in the coming months.

I DID finally finish the last of the Christmas quilts for one sibling's family, which means I can now mail this brother's package. Once they get it, I'll post pictures of the quilts. They read my blog occasionally and I want it to be a semi-surprise! LOL One down...a couple more to go!

I still have a couple more quilts to make, but they are small. I have this idea to try out and I even know who to try it out on...quilters think like that - we see a sewing technique we want to try and then we think of a person we can make a quilt for so we can "practice" the technique.

In dog news, everyone is getting along, which is quite good. Mudball...I mean Chantry, enjoys digging in the yard. It rained Saturday. We were waiting to show the house to potential buyers. Mudball made it past Richard and when we tried to catch him, he thought it was a game. Jack Russell terriers are FAST. Richard and I looked like Laurel and Hardy falling over ourselves, feinting left and right, trying to catch one little dog who was having the time of his life. It didn't help that Echo and Flint decided to join in. Amidst screams of "There he is! Catch him!" we had three dogs running back and forth not knowing the rules of the game, but wanting to play anyway! Amidst the bleating cries and cringing as Mudball continued upon his destructive, yet gleeful path with joy de vivre, were two other dogs, running, blocking and generally getting in the way.

By the time we caught him we not only had to bathe him, we had to mop ALL the tile floors (kitchens, bathrooms, hallways), vacuum the living room, the dining room and my office, clean a few streaks off some walls and wash the throw rugs. Its a really good thing he's so cute. Otherwise, I'd have to kill him.

Off to work on the next quilt!

Addendum hours later: I did a very bad thing. Someone came to view the house today - in fact, two someones. After dinner, I moseyed into my office and puttered on the computer, then finally got up to peruse my quilting stuff to decide if I really wanted to work on the next project or not. There on my work table was a note. "If you are selling, I'd like to buy." With a name and phone number. At first I thought, "house?" and then I realised...she was wanting to buy the quilt! But which one? I have 3 hanging on the walls, one draped over the ironing board and the one I had just finished. The note was a sticky back - it could have fluttered off any of them! Finally, I worked up the courage and called her, knowing that no one in their right mind would pay me what the quilt was actually worth. People usually nearly faint at my feet when I mention price. Being unsure, I asked her to tell me what SHE thought it was worth. She did. She not only knew what it was worth - she actually OFFERED that much or MORE, she wanted it that bad. Greed warred in me for about 3 seconds, but I shoved it aside.

And I sold her the quilt for the price it was worth...and no more.

I now have to make a certain someone ANOTHER quilt...it was a Christmas present! ACK! Why do I do these things?

And More Quilties...

These are the notecards...the cards are made on my computer from photos that my husband took. The shamrock on the green card is from the free graphics offered at Pat's Web Graphics.






These are the quilted coasters. I make them in sets of 8 and tie with a matching ribbon.

What have I been doing, you ask?

I've been quilting. Seems a friend of mine who owns an antique shop has taken a shine to the little quilty goodies I give out to my readers as prizes! He asked me to make up a few things to sell at the annual Pulpwood Queen's Author "Girlfriend Weekend 2006." The event will be 1/20-1/22/06. So, in addition to sending along a few autographed copies of my books, I sent some quilty goodies!

WHEW! That was fun!

Les and Jenny came home for Christmas. We all had a good time. I know that sounds trite, but we did. We did our annual Critique Of Neighborhood Christmas decorations (lots of brownie points for the guy who tastefully strung green lights in his palm fronds and white lights on the trunks, then had a large Nativity inside over his front door lit from within and framed by the arched clerestory window). We baked cookies and pies and did dishes and watched movies. Les and I chatted till 3 am the first night. Jenny and I baked cookies the next day. Richard and the girls discussed politics, religion, death and taxes. And Harry Potter, books and dogs.

Chant adored Jenny. Leslie told him he was ugly and he stank! He went outside and decided to dig to China to see little Chinese dogs, I suppose. Echo gleefully joined him and they both got filthy. Flint stood by and only dipped his toes in the mud. Did I mention the mud?

Seems the pool guy left the pump on discharge after he left. The pool simply kept discharging water and the back yard was flooded. Chant had an easy time in his digging. Richard (who was the only one home) claims that Chant didn't have a white hair anywhere on his body. Since the dog is predominantly white, I figure he'd been digging for a while before Richard caught him.

He cleaned up nice, though. And the whole dog pack followed Jenny around for a few hours because she kept plopping down and letting them crawl all over her.

Les brought stuff back from her European trip - jewelry, scarves, and bits fo foreign money for the little boy who's father works with me. Daniel collects coins and he loves foreign money, so Les picked up a few coins for him.

Christmas morning was leisurely. I baked and talked and sampled stuff and listened to news. We opened presents at midnight Christmas Eve so we could enjoy the day. That's one of the few times I've done that, maybe we'll do it again.

Monday we all laid around, snacked, watched more movies and chatted with friends and family online and on the phone.

A good time was had by all.

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS new review!

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS received a 5 Ribbon Review from Sherree at Romance Junkies! Here's part of the review...

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS is a story that will show not only the love that a mother has for her child, but the deep love that God has for his children that have strayed. Merry K. Stahel has shown the reader that through perseverance the dreams that we have will come true. We only have to hold on to the hand of God and not let go. For the Lord hears our prayers and only wants what is best for us. I would highly recommend this author to others. I am proud to give this great author a 5 ribbon rating.

It's Amazing...

My sewing room was a disaster earlier this evening. I had quilt pieces all over. I've been procrastinating finishing one of the quilts I'm making for Christmas because...because...oh, who knows? I also had Christmas paper scattered about, in addition to presents for folk, unwrapped, needing alterations, and other little embellishments.

And then HE called. A realtor. He wants to show the house tomorrow at 1 pm.

I shanghaied Richard into wrapping presents. I sent him off to the living room with wrapping paper, tape, scissors and boxes. I stayed in my sewing room doing what needed doing and passing stuff to him every time he finished up another wrap job.

I talked to my brother Mark, my daughter Jenny, my friend Gerrie and started putting some of the unused sewing stuff away where it belonged. I altered Mom's (MIL Alma) pants and labeled all the clothing I got her for Christmas. She lives in an assisted living facility and they insist all clothing be labeled. Mom insists here clothing fit (naturally).

I then started on the dreaded quilt. See, I hate pinning it. I have to lay the quilt "sandwich" on the floor to do that. I have to crawl on my hands and knees and pin it all around to hold the whole thing together while I quilt it. It generally takes me about 2 hours to pin a quilt. This being a small one (twin size) and the fact I'm "birthing" it instead of binding it - it took me about an hour. Birthing is a process where you sew it right sides together all around the edges, then turn it right side out and quilt it AFTER that. You have to be careful doing this because you could end up with tucks and pleats where there shouldn't be any. I did pretty good, only one block got a tiny tuck.

Anyway, when we were done - Richard had wrapped half a dozen presents, I finished Mom's alterations and the quilt is quilted.

Now, tomorrow I can clean my sewing room easily as nothing is strung all over anymore. A quick vacuum and dust and this room will look presentable!

I will mail the packages and deposit my checks and take off Christmas shopping some more!

The new puppy, Chant will be most disappointed that I'm not quilting. Like Echo and Flint, he loves when I play with fabric on the floor - he thinks it's a soft bed for HIM. I had to chase him and Flint off into the other rooms so I could get stuff done. Then Echo and Flint wanted to go to bed with Dad, and Chant wanted to keep playing. I finally collared him and brought him into the sewing room with me so they could get some sleep.

I do need to work on other quilts if I am to get them out in time for Christmas, though. I have 3 more to go. Sigh.

Off to bed!

Chantry Rides Again...

Okay, I stole the line from a Louis L'Amour novel.

Champ, the little dog my co-workers rescued from the street in September is now mine. A new puppy showed up on Monday. I captured him and was getting ready to run him across the street to the Humane Society (people drop their unwanted animals in our enclosed fence often thinking we are part of the Humane Society). Anyway, the guys took one look at this beautiful tough, dingo looking dog with big brown eyes and fell in love. HE looks like a watchdog. Champ looks like what he is - a funny, adorable little Jack Russell terrier/Schnauzer mix who would allow a stranger into the yard with a "Hey, who are you? Look, you have a sparkly thing! I'm your friend, you can pet me, honest!"

Anyway, the guys didn't want 3 dogs. But they did want Bruno (the dingo-dog's new name). So...I took Champ. Did I mention the Thursday before that we put Champ and Tiger in the kitchen in their cages for the night because it was cold? And Champ kicked the back of his cage out, escaped and promptly found a box of rat poison and ate it? Since the guys all had hotshots, I took him to the vet. He's on medication to counter-effect the poison. Either he is immune to the poison or the meds are serious miracle workers. This dog has NO SYMPTOMS and is bouncing around like the puppy he is.

Oh yeah. Our entire family names all our dogs after Louis L'Amour novels or characters in said novels. Borden Chantry is a character in two books - BORDEN CHANTRY and CHANTRY RIDES AGAIN.

So, Champ is now Chantry, Chant for short. He has not noticed the difference. He comes when called. He comes even when I call Echo or Flint. LOL

He's scheduled for the chop shop...er...to be neutered and get his shots on December 27. Merry Christmas, little buddy!

My first review for HOME FOR CHRISTMAS!!!

http://romancereaderatheart.com/pubsandpromos/2005/dec05/HC_MS.html

"Merry Stahel is a wonderful writer who has taken a difficult storyline and written it to shine with God's love. I really enjoyed Dea's and Jesse's romance. They both felt abandoned by God and learned to love and trust Him again, and then to love and trust each other. The landscape of the story is so comforting. I imagined living at the old church and befriending Heidi and Joe—and Nate the donkey and Mary the chicken—just as Dea lived it. Santa hats off to Merry for a Merry Christmas tale!" ~ Cynthia Whitten

My Book

HOME FOR CHIRSTMAS

by Merry Stahel

If Dea Lacey can find sanctuary she might live in peace. But will the family homestead be the place, or will it bring more turmoil to her and the boy she’s taken as her own son.

Jesse McTavish struggles with the fact that life continues even when love is lost. When Dea presents him with his son, his first reaction is to shut himself off from more grief. Can he let this boy into his heart?

You can buy it as an e-book or as a print book at:



By Grace Publishing - www.bygracepublishing.com

or



www.fictionwise.com

I hope you enjoy it!

The Awesome Hot Crab/Artichoke Dip

This is the recipe for the awesome crab/artichoke dip.

I got it off AllRecipes.com but I altered it for my tastes (I don't like capers and 2 tablespoons of garlic is WAY too much!).


http://recipes.allrecipes.com/Utilities/PrintRecipe.aspx?RecipeID=20368&servings=18&Format=4x6


INGREDIENTS:
2 cups crabmeat ( I used 3 cans of fancy crabmeat)
1 cup sour cream
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup white Cheddar cheese
2 (8 ounce) jars artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 teaspoon powdered garlic
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon dried dill, or to taste
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning TM, or to
taste
1 (8 ounce) round loaf sourdough bread


1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease an 8x8 inch square baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine crabmeat, sour cream, cream cheese, buttermilk, mayonnaise, Monterey Jack cheese, Cheddar cheese, artichoke hearts, garlic, black pepper and dill. Stir until well mixed. Spoon dip into prepared baking pan. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and Old Bay Seasoning TM.
3. Bake in preheated oven until top is crusty, about 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Cut the top off the loaf of bread. Hollow out the loaf and cube the top and the removed pieces so that they may be used for dipping. Spoon hot dip into hollow bread loaf. Serve immediately with bread pieces for dipping.

I was looking for Christmas music on the Net...

And found this...

http://www.macjams.com/song/13372

Go listen.

More Christmas things...

These are the Christmas coasters I finished today. I also made a flannel pillowcase for one of the nephews. I made a flannel quilt already that matches the pillowcase.

Richard and I went to a party last night. I made an awesome hot crab/artichoke dip, even if I say so myself. LOL. It disappeared quickly. Only a bit of leftover and I brought that home. Richard and I have already snacked on it.

People came and viewed the house yesterday AND today. It amazes me how much housework can be done by two people in thirty minutes. LOL. We zipped around making the bed, vacuuming, doing a quick swipe in the bathrooms, stuffing the dirty laundry in the washer and giving each room a quick air freshener spray, too! Richard lit the fire and I zapped some liquid potpourri in the microwave. We took the dogs for a ride, which they loved, of course.

I'm working on the next set of gifts. A couple quick quilts and soem little thigns, not sure what, yet.

Anyway, back to it!

Christmas is sneaking up on me...

Like a little ghost waiting in the wings to jump out and say "Boo!" Christmas is there...hiding...waiting...

I'm making quilted Chrismtas coasters right now. I've cut out 3 sets so far. Need two more and then that's done. They're being sold in the Calvert Hotel's antique shop. I also have to do the fabric envelopes with stationary inside.

I finished Mom's present. Both Mom and Pa's presents are done. Next up...my sister's family. I have stuff lined up and even parts half-done. The trick here is to FINISH.

Finding the TIME to finish is a whole 'nother story! But I shall continue onward.

I do love Christmas and every precious minute is worth it. LOL

Hmmm...

I work for a courier service. We talk cars, trucks, gas mileage and distance all the time. Some of our drivers drive tiny vehicles because they deliver small things. Some drive larger vehicles because they deliver larger things. (Our company's drivers drive their own vehicles). The SUV debate has been touched on in our office. Its impact is negligible, because drivers know that some things requiring delivery also require trucks or larger vehicles to deliver it. Here are some questions:

1. Do I tell you where you can and can't live?
2. Do I tell you what schools to send your kids to?
3. Do I tell you what religion to practice?
4. Do I tell you what jobs you can have (and not have)?
5. Do I tell you that you can only be paid so much and never allow you the opportunity to make more?
6. Do I tell you what you can and can't wear?
7. Do I tell you whether you get to eat...or not?
8. Do you pay my bills?

If the answer to all these questions is NO...then where do you get the idea that YOU get to tell ME what I can or can't drive?

Just because your opinion disagrees with mine doesn't give you more rights than me. Driving an SUV isn't against the law. Destroying other people's property is. If your opinions are against the law, rather than breaking that law do something to change it if you feel that strongly about it.

Group think is for cults and communists.

Try not to descend to it. You might need an large truck or an SUV to deliver something vital, like an oxygen tank, to you someday.

My Bookcover and By Grace Publishing's Online Birthday Bash...

This is my December 2005 Bookcover!

And my publisher is having an online one year anniversary party. Here's the announcement.

We're One Year Old! By Grace Publishing is celebrating a milestone birthday!

By Grace Publishing is hosting an all day party in our By Grace Publishing forum at http://www.eCataromance.com on NOVEMBER 14, 2005. The party is from 9am-5pm NY CST.

Its our birthday, but YOU get the gifts! We'll have interviews with our authors, snippets of our best selling books, games and contests. Win ebooks, and a gift certificate for Fictionwise that you can use on the ebook of your choice. Our big winner of the day will be getting an ebook basket valued at almost $18.

Come join our celebration and help us to kick off our second sucessful year.We look forward to seeing you here!