Lewis and Clark and a Quilt Retreat

Before we left Boise a trip to Walmart was made to pick up various items needed for the retreat. We did want to bring a few items along for sentimental reasons. Who remembers Brachs candies in Grandmother Harrison's candy jar?

Day two began with a beautiful trip from Boise to Kamiah, Idaho.
The winding mountain roads combined with our audible book by Ken Burns about Lewis and Clark made history come alive.

Around four this afternoon we began the trek up the mountain to the Quilt House for our week long retreat. We found a Friends Church just a few miles from the retreat and the owner of the retreat attends this Meeting House.

We had received two mystery quilts in January and now were able to see a finished quilt. Shirley's includes 17 appliqued snowmen while Kay's has four snowmen and parts of a log cabin quilt. Can you find the picture of each quilt we are going to make? Our hostess Elaine has examples of a variety of quilts around the beautiful log cabin to inspire us as we learn different quilting techniques. Tonight we are listening to rolling thunder through the mountains and a gentle rain on the rooftops as we drop off to sleep.
God is Good

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

Whenever Kay and I get together one of us usually has to fly to meet the other before the adventures begin. This time it was my turn to fly from Wichita to Las Vegas and then from there to Sacramento where I road the train to get to the airport. I spent one quick night at Kay's and then got into the car to drive to Idaho. I was able to capture some pictures of my journey: the rocky mountains from the airplane, Overland Trail, Welcome to Nevada, Welcome to Oregon, and Welcome to Idaho. 

Sisters on Water

After celebrating the wedding of Caroline and Ryan, my husband Paul began planning a cruise over Spring Break and thought it would be a grand idea to include sister Kay. Well, I am not sure he knew how much fun he was in for but we both agreed.


Our plans included choosing colors for our clothes and a possible purse to carry on the journey. Now the purse was an adventure as we shopped together via phone and iPads. We thought he had found the perfect option in a purse designed by Mia Farrow. It seemed to meet our criteria for size and color and so we each purchased it and waited for it to arrive. A little over four weeks later the purse arrived in California first and Kay called asking if mine had arrived yet. I should have sensed the hesitation in her voice but I didn't quite get it! So she sent me a picture and I responded that it looked nice. Over the next few weeks we each tried to accommodate that purse into our wardrobe without luck. Finally the last few days before leaving we checked with each other about bringing the purse. Each of us was trying to spare the others feelings. So...we packed the purse and arrived in Houston still questioning the possibilities. We finally burst out laughing when we realized neither of us liked the purse! We never carried it the entire cruise and word has it that one of the purses is still around the Carnival Magic!

On the way to our first excursion in Key West!

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Day One Boise, Idaho

We drove almost 600 miles today through California, Nevada, Oregon, and Idaho listening to a book by Ken Burns on Lewis and Clark. It was fabulous to listen about some of the places we were seeing along the drive. Shirley added Boise, Idaho to her list of state capital visits!

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!!!

Hi there!

Sister Shirley and I are leaving for an adventure this morning!  Sisters on Wheels 2015!

This year we are stretching our capabilities, skills, and adventuresome spirits by participating in a quilting retreat in the mountains of Idaho.  Join us as we spend a week meeting new people, honing our quilting skills, resting and relaxing in a beautiful setting near Kamiah, Idaho.  We'll add their website after we arrive.

Part two of the adventure will take place in Washington State and Oregon as we visit friends, family, and learn more about the Oregon Trail and the Lewis and Clark Expedition.  We'll stay in touch with Mom!

Mom and Kay on their daily Skype sessions

Part three will take place in Kansas where we visit with our great brothers, their families and our sweet mom and dad.

Our great brothers and sweet parents

Oh, in case you think we haven't been busy?  Sisters on Wheels 2015 actually started in March with a cruise!

It's Shirley's turn to jump in here and tell about that!

And, it wouldn't be a Sisters on Wheels adventure without taking pictures at State Capitols for Shirley's second graders.  First stop?  Boise!

Hugs,
Kay

New Partnerships!

November 8, 2014 - New Partnerships!

So, Shirley and I returned home and Fall activities got underway.  Shirley was teaching and enjoying her fabulous granddaughter, Madison Drew, while I was getting ready for the wedding of Caroline and Ryan!  Caroline and Ryan have been friends for many years and that friendship blossomed into a grand love and desire to journey life together.  I am so happy to have Ryan for a son-in-law!

August and September were full of last minute renovations in Taber House including ceiling fans, new chandeliers, knobs on the cabinets in the house, final touches on the new island in the kitchen, and cleaning, cleaning, cleaning.  Don't ask me WHY Taber House needed new ceiling fans and new chandeliers BEFORE the wedding.  It just did!!!



October brought the hosting of the Bridal Tea here at Taber House and Joanna and Ryan's sister, Jenni, did an unbelievable job hosting almost 40 women at a sit-down tea in the back yard.  Shirley created a wonderful cookbook for celebrate their wedding by combining recipes from friends and family all over the United States.  A CD copy of the cookbook was given to all the contributors and participants!  A good time was had by all!

A great "cake" created by her Auntie Joyce for the tea!

One of the tea tables!

A great apron fabricated with her grandmothers' recipes and created by her sister, Joanna.

November brought the wedding and even more fabulous events!    The ceremony was held at First United Methodist Church and officiated by our good family friend, Rev. Faith Whitmore.  Caroline designed the tulle canopy in the 1925 sanctuary (the building is almost 100 years old but the congregation dates to 1849!). 

My favorite picture!  Her gown was by Zac Posen....her veil was stunning!  Sanctuary, First United Methodist Church.

Her "Auntie Joyce" and I created Dorothy's red shoes for her out of her best single girl heels!  Goodbye, single life!

Love this picture!  Starting out their life in their favorite pew in the church!

The fabulous Taber Women!

 Joanna sang "Because" which has been sung over the years at many Harrison weddings.

A fun dinner dance was held at The DoubleTree Hotel.

Dennis' prayer that he wrote in Berkeley at Pacific School of Religion. Caroline and Ryan used it as the blessing at their reception before dinner.

And...their official wedding portrait!

AND, this picture just happened this week!  The top photo shows Burgis and Rosa Mae on their honeymoon in the Spring of 1942 and the bottom photo is Caroline and Ryan --- Yosemite National Park.  See Glacier Point and the waterfall in each picture?  Amazing....73 years apart.




NOW -- we can tell you about the Cruise!  We had really intended to post while on the ship, Carnival Magic, but the very first day that we attempted my 2012 iPad broke!  It seemed like a sign to enjoy the cruise and post when we got home.  We'll do better on our next adventure which is in the mountains of Idaho at the end of May!  It's going to be a doozy!

Catching Up....Remembering a Great Man

Maundy Thursday, April 2, 2015

This might be the longest we have gone without a post but there are good reasons: life, life, life, life as our little brother likes to say!

Our trip last July, 2014 took an unexpected turn as I was called to my father-in-law's bedside in Lowell, Kansas to be with him on his journey home.  The experience was amazing and my sweet sister came to be with me the last few days.

Burgis was such an amazing man --- father, husband, special friend, grandfather, father-in-law, great-grandfather, mentor, spiritual guide and community leader!

He served in WWII in Northern Italy and the Caribbean, had a long career with B. F. Goodrich in Miami, OK and listened to God's call to service in the Kansas Yearly Meeting of Friends (Quakers) and in his local meeting, Lowell Friends Church.  He retired with just as much panache by volunteering for many years with Meals on Wheels, the Thrift Store, the Rural Water District, and as community board member spearheading the building of a wonderful skilled nursing center where he later was a proud resident.

His life was not without difficulty.  His beloved wife, Rosa Mae, passed away after a short illness in August, 2004, his daughter, Pattie, died after a valiant battle with breast cancer in 2008, and his son died after a 17 month illness with prostate cancer in April, 2010.  He was a hero to many for his courage during these losses and his bright and shining testimony to God's perfect timing and love.

Burgis left this life on Sunday, July 27, at the age of 94 1/2 wordlessly speaking to those in Heaven whose faces were shining before him and welcoming him home.

It was was my joy and honor to care for his well-being in the last few years of his life.  His legacy encompasses his son-in-law Duane, his daughter-in-law Kay, six grandchildren, their spouses and many great-grandchildren as well as a host of relatives and friends influenced by this gentle man's life.