Memorial Day Weekend—as many meanings and memories as there are readers. Memorial Day, or as many of us grew up calling it Decoration Day, was created immediately after the Civil War to honor the Union soldiers who gave their lives to preserve the Union. After World War I the federal government declared the day was for all who had sacrificed their lives in service to their country.
Memorial Day has become the “official” start of summer with pools opening, car races, trips to the lake, cook outs and Memorial Day sales on everything! And even though I shop the sales and serve hamburgers, I do spend time remembering the lives and services that allowed me to enjoy my lifestyle.
My paternal grandfather suffered from the effects of mustard gas in the French trenches during World War I. My father landed on Omaha beach during D-Day and was injured in the hedge rows by German shelling. My son was on some of the very first flights over Afghanistan post 9-11. I will always remember their service. But I will also honor those who persevered here—a great-grandmother that strapped my grandmother to her chest so that she could continue the work of her dead husband on their prairie homestead. Or the grandparents that survived the 1930’s on a rocky Ozark farm but make sure their children were feed and educated. My grandmother who did not hear from my father or the army for six weeks after D-Day but had received a package of his personal effects in the mail. I will honor my mother who washed dishes at night in a cafe to pay for her college tuition and my father who read grown up books to me after a day in the fields.
My parents honored our families by decorating their graves with flowers from our yard. Peonies buds were cut during May and stored in the refrigerator, wrapped in newspaper for Decoration Day. Honeysuckle was gathered and put in chipped mason jars. We traveled only a few miles to the cemetery with the flowers and jugs of water and divided the flowers among the graves. I may not be able to honor them today by placing flowers on their graves but I am grateful and they will live forever in my memories.
The time between Memorial Day and the Fourth of July has become the “red, white and blue” season. The strong colors of our flag are used everywhere! We created a red, white and blue showcase in the halls of First United Methodist.
Obviously we like this color combo –these were pulled from our stash that we have preparing for the October Quilts Etc. Sale.
These placemats were made later.
The placemats are 12″ x 16″ and could be reversible. They are machine quilted and the binding features a faux flange. They are machine washable. $40 for 4
More quilts from our cupboards that could be in this theme of red, white and blue that are for sale. And of course, these would be a great addition to your home anytime in the year!
We just keep adding items to our cupboards–here are the latest additions.
Made from cozy flannel squares, the quilt is lap size, 45″ x 54″. It is machine quilted with a machine applied binding. The backing is also flannel—perfect for snuggling. $100
This soft flannel set for the new mother to be is gender neutral. The set included a bib, drool cloth and drool big. $20
Project bags–the orange and pink and green one have clear plastic on one side, the green print one has green mesh. Use them to keep a pair of scissors, embroidery floss, marking pin etc . $10 each
Ready for Halloween –Heather made two versions of a spooky table runner. One is 13″ x 23″ for $30 and the larger one is 14″ x 30″ for $40. Those little witches don’t look to scary!
Elaine contributed these two utilitarian bags from pre-quilted fabric.
Use these for shopping bags, pool bags, —they are sturdy, washable and $15 each.
Enjoy a hamburger–make that a cheeseburger, for me this week end. And remember that each of us are enjoying this life because of the many people who gave it their all —
Quilts, Etc. 