Welcome 2017

It's been a long while since I posted. Busy holiday season, and now, I'm devoted to finishing UFOs. They nag, sneeze, giggle, and whatever to get your attention. Looking at just a small pile, I sure discovered why they have suffered such neglect. One is a table runner pattern that is actually larger than any table I own. No wonder I didn't finished it. There is enough fabric to make a lap quilt. Much more "user friendly" in my life. Another wee project simply has wrong instructions starting with cutting info and trimming information. Needed to do some math and manipulations in order to make this one complete. Still wrestling with that one.
Meanwhile, babies have come into our lives, so two "interrupter" quilts are being made. Working on #2 today.
I am grateful for these marvelous distractions. It doesn't matter who you voted for in November, my question to all of you is: what are you afraid of? Why did phrases like "make America great" have an effect on you? What is missing? What is firing you right now? Where do your passions lie? Our greatest task right now is to preserve our country and come together as one people. So common ground must be found. If we examine each other's fears and find we are one, we can get to work and reunite.
I have relatives who don't believe in abortion. Neither do I. I have my own reasons. I have watched women fight for this right. I do not want to see what I grew up with happen again. Back alley butcher shops where abortions were carried out. Women dying because of this. Or, going to a foreign country, having to explained a long disappearance, etc. Abortion will not decrease because of lack of funding. Or, some law, or publicly humiliated. Abortions will be done, period. Women fought to make them safe. I want to preserve health and safety. And, if you're like me, if you support pro-life, how far is your support? Many children will be born into poverty, go hungry, put pressure on our fragile health system (right now we don't know how long we have a health insurance plan in effect). Are you willing to step up to the plate and support these children? To me, that's pro-life, taking care of kids.
When did America quit being great? Does anyone know? I'd love your thoughts.
We are a land of immigrants, unless you're native American. My ancestors come from Ireland, 1841 one traveled to the US, some are from Portugal, England, and I am a little bit of native American-Hawaiian. I'm not unlike most of you. They were welcomed with open arms, some struggled but persevered and built their American dream. Nothing has changed. Our American welcomes immigrants. We allow all religions in our country.
No one from Syria has a home to go back to. They need our help. We've always helped before. Nothing has changed. If you think something has changed, please search your heart. We Americans have big hearts, we've always shared. Let's keep going. By keeping your heart open, you are the great in America. You are.
So speaking of sharing....how about a pot of Cowboy Beans. I live in the West and this come right from a campfire. You'll need a can of beans, some ground beef.....and read below for the rest. Forgot to mention, cornbread is so fine with this---I mean, so fine.

1/2 lb. bacon
1 to 1-1/2 lbs. ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1/2 green pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
Optional: 8-oz. pkg. sliced mushrooms
28-oz. can baked beans
1/2 c. salsa
1/4 c. Worcestershire sauce
1 T. red steak sauce
1/4 c. catsup
2 T. brown sugar, packed
In a large skillet over medium heat, fry bacon until crisply cooked.
Crumble and discard drippings; set bacon aside. In the same skillet,
brown ground beef, onion, green pepper, garlic and mushrooms, if
using; drain. Add remaining ingredients and reserved bacon; simmer for
one to 2 hours. Makes 4 to 6 servings. (Depends on how hungry the Mister is-you adjust according to your folks)
I stole this recipe from a Gooseberry Patch book called Harvest Kitchen