Happy ’22 to all of you!
Here are some of the things I learned about life and myself in 2021.
-Health is highly underrated.
With my flare-up with my thyroid cancer, I was again reminded of how fortunate people are who aren’t dealing with health issues. When life is going good on the health side of things it’s easy to take it for granted and think things will always be good…As hard as it is to deal with cancer, I am thankful that I can see what a blessing each new day is.
-I like chaotic pictures more than I like posed pictures. I’d love to re-enact this picture in five years!! I don’t think the couch will hold us.
-Dairy-free products aren’t bad. While on my low-iodine diet I’ve had to not eat dairy. I’ve tried many things that are non-dairy. I’m finding I like them and surprisingly, I think I feel less bloated.
-I’m a sucker for a phone with a good camera.
-Caregivers are so highly unrated. I watched my cousin, friends, and community members become caregivers for significant others. I’ve watched them do what we did for Kramer in 2019 and all the memories of how challenging that was came back. I was reminded of the struggle it is to advocate for loved ones. I remember the heartbreak. There is a special place in heaven for all of you who are caring for a loved one in poor health. It is a challenge…I’m thankful that through my position as a caregiver, I feel comfortable reaching out to someone else doing the same thing.
-Sometimes it’s good to just spend the money…
I’m so glad I spent the money and bought a snowblower. Every time I shoveled, I always had back issues for a couple of days after.
-As much as I love long projects that take months, I also like small simple projects. I need to do more of them.
-As much as I like things to be perfect… I like finished more than perfect.
-Tomatoes fresh from the garden are my favorite food…EVER. I almost didn’t plant a garden and my love of tomatoes stopped that foolish idea. I’m so glad it did. I enjoyed the garden more than ever this year.
I will however put a little space between the plants next year.
-There is always room for more…we were so blessed with Eli and Emmett’s birth.
-Putting time into a long-term project really pays off. It just takes a long time to see the payout.
-I don’t cook the same or eat the same anymore and that’s okay. When my husband was alive, it was meat and potatoes all of the time. Nowadays, not so much. I thought that meant I wasn’t eating as well. In reality, I think I think I’m eating better than ever.
-Stepping out of my box is okay… I made the Red Sampler quilt this year and sampler quilts are not my norm at all.
I also made these baby quilts for Eli and Emmett which were a little out of my box. I typically don’t make blocks like these tractor blocks.
I’m so glad I did. I think it helped me grow as a quilter.
-The picture above also reminded me that I can get deer to come right up to my house. Just days after this picture was taken deer came and ate my beautiful flowers.
-I already knew this but was reminded how blessed I am to have a family that pitches in and helps each other. I’m thankful for the days that I can be the helper because that means it’s a day that I don’t need the help.
-Being Grandma is great…I knew this already but it’s something I’m reminded of almost daily. Just the other day I rode along with Kalissa to a doctor’s appointment. Gannon was in the car and he was making us laugh and laugh.
On that note, Buck sent this video of Lilly. In this one, it’s Buck that gave me the chuckled so I guess I should say being a mom is the best too.
Lilly will be two in March. Buck has a snow removal business and they are expecting lots of snow today. (Push the arrow for the video to play)
-Friendships can be renewed. I had the chance to mend a broken relationship this year and I’m very thankful that happened.
-I love podcasts…
I hadn’t really listened to Podcasts until this last year. I have found I like them…often more than I like books. I’m currently listening to Find Jodi. It’s a podcast about missing anchorwoman, Jodi Huisentruit. She was the morning anchor for a local television station that went missing in 1995. I watched her most mornings and was upset when she went missing. She still hasn’t been found.
I’m glad I figured out how to listen to them.
-I also love Airpods. Kalissa gifted them to me for Christmas and I’m loving them. For those of you who don’t know, they are earphones with no cords. She tried to buy them for me last year and I said no. This year she just bought them as she knew I’d love them.
-Picture Magnets make me smile. My dad’s refrigerator was always covered with pictures. There were pictures of grandkids from school pictures to Christmas cards. Nowadays Kalissa gets magnets of pictures printed for me through Shutterfly and now I’m the Grandma and it’s my refrigerator covered in magnets.
From time to time as I clean the house I’ve thought, those magnets make the house look cluttery or junkie. Then I stop and think no. Those pictures are the heart of our family and I’m lucky enough to have all these people in my life, I’m displaying them all on my refrigerator just like my dad did.
-I am blessed beyond measure by all of you. Your cards, notes, gifts, words of compassion, words of thanks, prayers, and support over the year have been balm to my soul. I thank you for that.
I learned more in 2021…I’m sure there will be more to learn in 2022…
But one last thing: I learned if I don’t step away from the computer I don’t get anything done. HA!! With that, I’m off. I think I’m going to go and put a quilt on the quilting frame.
I hope 2022 is good to you.
I don’t have a blog post planned for evening at this point…see you back here tomorrow.
I really enjoyed reading this, Jo. Thank you for all your blogging! I hope 2022 brings you good news x
Happy New Year my friend! Your thoughts were wonderful and remind us of the many blessings we already have. Yes, being a Grandma is one of the best things in the world!
Love and prayers
Great column! My favorite was the one about refrigerator magnets. The refrigerator that came with the house we have now is “non-magnetic” so we can’t stick anything to it. But years ago, when my kids were young , the refrigerator was a place to spotlight important moments in our lives and bring attention to someone…perhaps a child’s artwork…or something…like a craft fair coming up. (I never put up invitations as it just caused hurt feelings, i.e., a visiting child saw a birthday party he had not been invited to. My kids and friends used to peruse the refrigerator door when visiting and the items I put up led to some wonderful conversations. This musing reminds me of the Waechtersbach Red Plate tradition we have used for decades in our families. I would bring ours out and put the red plate at someone place at dinnertime to celebrate accomplishments, like a child maybe making a team or even me, losing some pounds at Weight Watchers.
I look forward to reading your blog everyday! I feel like I know your whole wonderful family. I love going to the thrift store with you ! And your quilts are awesome !
Happy New Year!! I sure like how you find so many blessings and dwell on those things. We know you have your struggles but in spite of, you create beautiful quilts, beautiful cross stitch, have a wonderful garden, and very much enjoy your beautiful family. The video was so cute! – Got to start them young – haha! Thanks Jo!!
Prayers and good vibes sent your way. What color of embroidery thread did you use on the sampler? Love it.
I’m guessing you are referring to the Kind Words piece. That was done in black coffee.
Happy New Year Jo and The rest of the Kramers. Thanks for the laughs and tears. Loved the pictures on the fridge idea.
Good morning Jo and Happy New Year! Fun read today – I enjoy following you and appreciate all the inspiration you give me (us). HUGS… and stitches
Happy New Year! Love the “Kind Words” roll. What pattern is that? I would love to make one. Seeing that every day would be a gentle reminder of how important a few kind words could be to someone. I am nnew to your blog and enjoy seeing your beautiful quilts and cross stitch projects. Thank you.
It’s a Notforgetten Farm pattern. I think she has PDF downloads so you can start stitching today. Here’s the link. I stitched mine on a scrap 40 count linen.
Happy New Year Jo! And to your family! Its important to smell the roses, daily! Thanks for you! We are all pulling for you!
This may have been asked already but is there a pattern for the red Sampler Quilt? Thank You
It was a quilt along through Lori Holt’s Bee in my Bonnet blog. Over the course of the quilt along we made three blocks a week from some of her books. I know she still has all of the info on her blog.
Thanks for sharing – hope 2022 is VERY good to you!
I’ve only been reading your blog for a few months, but I’ve really enjoyed it! You create such beautiful things. I found you through Judy L as she and I are friends. I love your attitude and I am praying for you. Happy New Year to the Cramer family!
Thank YOU for all the blessings you bestow on us! The lovely recipes, the ‘how to’ do various things — never thought I’d do cross stitching, but from watching your blog I think I’ve now caught the ‘bug’! I now want a dough bowl of my own and to fill it with small projects I’ve made myself. Reading your blog is like catching up with a sister (which I don’t have), and I thoroughly enjoy seeing the antics of the grandbabies and what your kids are up to…thank you SO much for all you do for all of us! I’m praying that all goes fantastically well with your health issue and that 2022 is the year that you can put all that behind you and look forward with joy!
Jo, you have been such an encouragement to me. Thank you for all the tutorials and stories of your Grands and children. Pi c tures on the fridge just holler fun and family. Have a Blessed Happy New Year.
So much to be thankful for and more to come in the New Year for us all, I hope. I love the idea of magnets that are pictures from the family time, how clever. I miss having my refrigerator covered with the kids pictures or birthday invites. I think I shall look into doing some magnets as the year goes forward. We track everything on our phones…..
Happy New Year Kramer family!
Happy New Year Jo and wishes for even more blessings in your life!
Happy New Year and thanks for reminding me of the many things to be grateful for. Blessings to you and your family
Happy New Year! to you Jo! God bless and heal you, in Jesus precious name. I hope that this new year brings you miles and miles of smiles. I love following you and your family and quilting and stitching life! Shine on like the crazy diamond that you are. We are all so lucky to have you in our lives. Thank you so very much!
Wishing you a 2022 filled with more Blessings than your heart can handle. Hugs to you Jo.
Thank you for always sharing such personal thoughts with us. I’ve come to recognize my many blessings since ‘becoming friends’ with you this year. I love hearing about your family, seeing your precious grandchildren, seeing the projects you do, and thank you for letting me walk through your cancer journey with you. If it happens to me, I don’t think I will be afraid. I wish you happiness and recovered health in 2022. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Thank you for such a positive post. You are a special woman. Take care, be safe.
Jo, happy new year! May 2022 bring you closer to your dreams and bring answers to your prayers. You’ve brought us into your life and make us feel like friends we’ve known for years.
Julie, great tradition with that red plate!
A very happy 2022 to you, and all of us, too!
Happy New Year! Thank you for the positive blog post it was great to read it as a start to the new year.
Happy New Year! I haven’t opened the computer until late this afternoon. What a pleasure it is to read your blog.
Happy New Year to you and yours, Jo!!
Beautiful reflections and photos in this post, Jo. Thank you for sharing Lilly helping her daddy, that was too cute! Looking forward to your next blog post, I enjoy reading it every day you post.
I’m so happy to be reading your blog posts again. I kept up prior to 2014 or 2015, when you were remodeling your new home in town. My life just got too busy to keep up with everything electronic. During my time away you’ve had challenges and blessings. I’m glad you’ve continued with your blog and sharing your quilting adventures and are still so generous. The cross stitch sampler you shared is beautiful. Where did you get this pattern? I’m excited to see what you share next, along with Kelli and Kayla.
The big sampler with the birds is Newcastle Bouquet by Teresa Kogut. She has an Etsy shop. https://www.etsy.com/listing/790543945/sampler-cross-stitch-needlework-teresa?click_key=4fb5cc68e82feaf9fe0ca3f7526d297ed06292da%3A790543945&click_sum=c846eff2&ref=shop_home_recs_3&crt=1
You embody the sayings “Be the good you want to see in the world” and “never stop learning”. Happy New Year! I hope it is filled with so many good things for you.
You are a part of my day EVERY day. I so enjoy you and your family. I’m sending prayers and many blessings for you and yours for this new year!
I found out 19 months ago that I have diverticulitis and milk products became a no-no because of their inflammatory properties. I love cheese, so this has been difficult, but if there are substitutes, they make life so much better!! I know you use lots of milk products as well. I’ve switched to oat milk – I don’t use milk that often and a single bottle will last me for months, regular milk would be long past its use-by date! Maybe doing the same for yourself will help keep the bloating at bay. You have had a year of so many highs and a few lows, all handled with grace and humor!