…that in 2005 I will make my great grandson, Connor, his birth present, his special Grandma Kelley quilt. Connor is now three, which means I have been putting this off for almost four years. But the inspiration has been shaping in my head. In 2005, I will get it done.

Dear Friends, this diary and chat with you has been an experiment. For four months, I have had the opportunity to "visit" with you often through this web journal. I’ve been thrilled to hear from many of you, in return. As with any quilt, however, there comes a time to stand back and look at the result. Is it right? Does it need a tweak or two? Please tell me what you think.

Dear Friends, It takes many stitches to make a quilt.  But it starts with just one.  It takes many steps to make a peaceful, joyful world.  Let it start with yours.  Our family wishes you the blessings of this holiday season.

Our family always gathers here on Christmas Eve.  We celebrate with Norwegian rice pudding sweetened with brown sugar and raspberries.  Some years ago, I was given a lovely quilt top, a red and green Prince’s Feather. I spread it on the table for a table cloth and cover it with a sheet of clear plastic.  It’s a perfect setting for the candles and greens and rice pudding.

It’s time that I turned on the Christmas tree. Actually, it stands behind the door 365 days of the year. It took me 55 years to figure out that Bill hates to put up the tree, and so now, we never take it down. I made a fringey, quilted skirt for it and when I plug it in, it springs to life, all glittery and bright, ready for the season.  Just a bit of dusting is required.