I told you all that on the Saturday before Thanksgiving my plan was to take my Anniversaries of the Heart piece to The Stitchery Nook and see if they could frame it. I almost didn’t go. I had things to do here. I had my bottomless email to go through. I had quilts that needed attention. I so much that needed to be done…plus I had just been to the shop in the last month so I really didn’t need anything.
It was the forever pull of work or play that I find myself wrapped in.
Then Gloria, a blog reader that lives 40 minutes from me, messaged me and said as long as I was going to go to The Stitchery Nook why don’t I just stop by and see her new quilting lodge. Oh my. Now, this was really tempting and pulling at me to really put work aside and have some fun.
I made all of the arrangements to go. I got directions, we set up a time. I was raring to go. Then I realized Kalissa still didn’t have her new car. She had my vehicle and maybe I wouldn’t be able to go.
I called Kalissa, got it worked out, and off I went on Saturday, a little later than I planned, but out the door nonetheless.
Gloria and her husband Gaylen have been spending the summer busy working on building her a new sewing room. If it off house in its own separate building. While they were building they build a lodge complete with a living room, dining room, kitchen, and bedroom together with the sewing room. Gloria told me how big it was and I don’t remember all the details. I was so in awe of the goodies and wonderful layout that I didn’t even catch it all.
Gloria has an AMAZING sense of design and I just loved every single inch of it all. Gloria loves antiques and has been collecting since she was a teen. The decorating was just amazing. No joke, a magazine company could come in and take pictures…it’s that perfect.
She has wonderful antique pieces that serve as both decoration and function. All of the pieces have stories that go with them. I was there for several hours taking it all in and honestly, I could easily see it all again and again and still be amazed.
I didn’t take pictures. If I ever go again, I’ll ask Gloria if I can. Seriously the building is amazing. In fact, I came home and told my kids that if I didn’t live here in this house, I’d love to build exactly what they built and live in it. WOW, WOW, WOW.
I’d love to go in the summer and see all her beautiful landscapes. They have so many cute areas that I know would be so pretty in the summer when they are in full bloom.
Beyond that, Gloria and Gaylen were so sweet and very hospitable. I had so much fun. They even ended up taking me out for lunch. I was spoiled bad. I was smiling all the way to my next stop. Again and again, I told myself how happy I was that it worked out and I was able to go.
It’s amazing how when you meet some people you immediately feel like friends. Gloria and Gaylen were totally that way.
As I was driving to The Stitchery Nook, my son called and asked what I was doing. I told him I was meeting a blog reader. He started questioning me. My kids get paranoid when I tell them I met a blog reader. It’s the whole “you’re meeting people you met online” worry. I told him I was completely okay. I love that they watch out for me…but still, I have to laugh a little.
I pulled into Osage and parked right out front.
I went into the store and someone was checking out. Liz, who was working, said hi and introduced me to the gal that was checking out. It turns out she was a blog reader. How fun is that? We chatted for a bit…I pulled out… my Anniversaries of the Heart piece and showed them. As the gal was leaving she told me that my writing the blog meant a lot to her and she really appreciated me. I gave her a hug and we parted ways. It was a very touching moment for me. It was one of those times, I wish I had planned for and we could have had lunch or something. In fact, if you’re reading this, PLEASE contact me and let’s meet in Osage and have lunch sometime. I’d love it.
I ended up meeting another shopper who recently moved to the area. She was buying the Newcastle Bouquet chart by Teresa Kogut that I stitched.
I went back to the counter and started looking at frames. They don’t have a huge selection but plenty to tempt me and make coming to a decision not so easy. I brought my Heaven and Nature piece with too so I could order a frame for it. My hope is that I’ll have it stitched by the time Anniversaries of the Heart is finished and I come back to pick it up.
I brought with a project that I thought I would get floss for. I don’t have plans to start it immediately but I really do want to stitch it. Connie sent the chart to me as she was done stitching it and passed it on. The piece is a series with the alphabet and I’ve had my eye on it for some time.
I saw that Kim Goldman from The Contented Stitcher Flosstube stitched the series only she put it together as one piece.
I have the threads and one of the patterns. Connie told me she’d send the others as she finished them and I’m in no hurry…but I figured if I got the thread, then I wouldn’t be tempted to buy something else.
When I got to the register Liz asked me if I knew the gal that was at the check out when I came in. I said no. Then she told me that she left something for me. Liz handed me a gift certificate with a note. I read the note and started to cry (in a good way). It was so sweet.
We put the gift certificate with my file and saved it for the framing. How sweet. I am so touched by the kindness and generosity. I am tearing up again as I write this.
I had the most amazing experience.
Then as I was driving out of Osage, Karl called me. He told me he was in Decorah and it was the last day for out favorite Mexican food truck, Lesley’s Taco Truck to be out. Karl offered to buy me a burrito and have supper with me.
I stopped at the grocery store and as I shopped I found some goodies for my upcoming diet. The chicken stock will be awesome. I’ll make some chicken noodle soup using it and the egg free noodles. Yahoo. I also found some Coconut milk that didn’t have salt. I’m so encouraged about the foods I’ve found this time around. 
From there it was home and supper with Karl and then after writing a couple of blog posts, cross stitching.
I can’t think of a more perfect day. I laugh now when I think that I almost talked myself out of going and staying home and working instead. Oh my word, what a day I would have missed out on. I am so thankful I went. It was just the day I needed.
A huge shout out and thanks to everyone who blessed me with the perfect day!!
Jo, I am so happy about your good day! And I am glad you got to meet your blog readers. I can attest to the fact that they are some of the nicest people ever.
After your follower, Sarah W. gave me some fabric almost a year ago she reached out again, with a quilt top — and took me to lunch! Now she attends my bee with me.
Another reader, Jeanne M. has become a good friend, too, even though we live in different states.
Thank you so much for facilitating these amazing relationships.
Jo, what lovely people you met! A perfect day with special friends. There is goodness in the world :-)
He works in mysterious ways, Jo
One of my best quilting friends I met at a coffee shop when she was selling a kit on craigslist. We have lunch at least every month.
Another wonderful woman I met thru an internet request for someone to talk to while she was in my city for a church conference. I took her to several quilt shops and had lunch. We had a fabulous time.
In the 1980s , I answered an ad from a quilter and while on a trip met her in England. We clicked immediately and she has visited me here and I have seen her in England. She helped me to the Festival of Quilting there and I helped her go to Paducah here. Still good friends.
Jo, if by chance you ever find yourself in southern middle Tennessee please let me know and we can meet up for lunch and shopping.
What an awesome day! I’m jealous of your visit to Gloria’s – I bet it was fabulous to see her new quilting lodge – it sounds perfect. I always love seeing other quilters’ sewing spaces. I’d love to have a space like that to have a friend or two over to stay and sew. And the gift at the shop is so amazing. Well done to whomever did that!
I love that shop in Osage!! I need to make another trip there soon. It is only about 1.25 hours from where I live.
Too funny on your kids being cautious on you meeting up with your blog readers. I belong to an online quilting group from all over the United States. We call ourselves the Lizzies because one member’s husband thought we might be axe murderers – aka Lizzie Borden.
What a magical day you had! Truly happy for you.
What a cheerful post to start the day with. I’m glad you had such a lovely time, you deserve every bit!
I’m SEW glad that you had such a fabulous day, Jo!! I was near tears reading your sweet story from the X-Stitch shop. What an incredible series of experiences you would have missed out on had you stayed home.
I’m so glad you didn’t stay home and plug away at your tasks! Sometimes a refreshing day away like that makes the tasks quicker and easier to finish. So glad you met several blog readers. As one of that group I can understand their pleasure t meeting you. I’d love to live close enough to meet you for lunch and a visit.
How wonderful! Sometimes we are just supposed to go for fun instead of working and we know our work will still be there for us. Some opportunities might not be so you certainly made the right decision. It will be exciting to see the anniversary cross stitch framed – looking forward to that.
Your blog is the first thing I read every morning. I so enjoy it! I love your journeys!
Hi Jo. Two things, Mary & I are going to Gloria’s
In December. After reading how wonderful it is
I can hardly wait…. and I need to follow Kim as I love her finish! Too late for me, but not for you.
I loved reading about your “blessed” day.
Connie
Hello Connie, would this be the same Gloria, Mary has had pictured on the Country Threads Blog a few times?? Quilters are very friendly people & interact so well!!
Peggy S in MN.
I am so happy to hear that you had such a wonderful day. You really do deserve it! God bless you Jo!
I enjoyed this post so much I just read it again. Days spent doing just what you want to do are the absolute best! I love helping my family but some days I just want to get in the car and take off by myself. I haven’t been posting lately but you are in my prayers. Your blog readers are storming heaven with healing prayers for you.
As you gear up for isolation, you definitely need more days like this to fill your tank and get you through! I’m so glad you ended up with the surprise meeting at the shop – blessings for both of you!! Gloria’s set up sounds like a dream and I hope she’ll let you share pictures. Now to figure out how to work in Iowa to a trip to see my kids in OK, TX and GA – that will be quilt the detour from WA!!
Yes it will be but it would be worth it.
Just to let you know , I feel like a friend of your family. Meeting blog followers might be scary to your kids, after all they are looking out for you. But let them know I always feel a part of your family as I read your blog. I bet I’m not alone in that. Thanks for what you share.
Wonderful!!! so happy you had such a magical, happy, fun day—- some days are really a huge surprise and it makes everything that much more special. Would love to meet sometime–I’m about 15 minutes from Osage!! First thing I look for in my e-mails -are your blogs, when I get to turn on the computer!! Prayers for your coming treatment.
Anne
I’d love to meet Anne!! Once I get through my cancer stuff, let’s make plans.
This post has really warmed my heart and shown how beautiful the world and life can be sometimes!
What a wonderful perfect day indeed! Loved reading this blog post. I’m so glad you made yourself go and not stay home and do chores! Glorias place sounds charming and welcoming and I do hope you go back and share some pictures. They sound like a lovely couple who are living the dream. What a kind gesture from a blog reader while you were shopping in Osage, the world really needs more acts of kindness. I look forward to seeing your piece framed and hung in your home. Dinner with Karl, just makes it a perfect finish. Hugs, Jo
What a happy, blessed day. The Good Lord knows what we need and when we need it. It was a fun blog for me. Gloria is living g up to her name.