Friday Forum Takes a Road Trip



Taking a picture for the blog.

Our Christmas trip to Wisconsin provided a super opportunity for this coffee lover.  On a previous Friday Forum it was suggested we try Berres Brothers Coffee Roasters in Watertown, Wisconsin.  A quick visit to the website and it would be easy to order their popular Highlander Grogg online but with a northern Christmas planned, and Watertown just down the road, a visit was put on the schedule.

As I was posing in front of the sign, D preparing to take my photo, a couple crossing the parking lot asked, "Are you from out of town?" 

I explain I've come all the way from Texas to visit this particular roaster.  They offer to take our picture but D declines, explaining the picture is for my coffee blog and he doesn't need to be in it.  She answers, "Then you might want this man in your picture because he is the owner."  My surprise and delight are evident as I immediately pull Pete Barres into the picture.

Pete Berres Owner

Berres roasting team.

Pete, and his lovely wife Julie, were so gracious to a gushing coffee fan.  They invited me onto the roasting floor.

I was introduced to the Berres roasters who explained the roasting process, showed the diffference of the beans pre and post roasting, demonstrated the roaster, which operates in the same fashion as a hot air popcorn machine, and we witnessed their flavoring method.

The selections were endless, I was in a coffee lovers candy land.  We left with two packages of Highlander Grogg, an explosion of butterscotch, caramel and hazelnut, fresh from the roaster.  Packer Perc, buttery hazelnut with a kick of Irish creme, was the additional choice for a regional flare. 

Everyone at Berres Brothers was helpful and friendly.  It was wonderful to stand and sniff the wonderful aroma that filled the shop.  The sandwich bar was worth the visit as well.  Thank you to Pete and Julie Barres and the whole Barres Coffee team for the informational visit, it was so much more than I expected and great fun! 

The particular insights of the Forum will follow soon.  In the meantime, readers, any other coffee suggestions?

Thankless Jobs Recognized

The holiday season brings out the Salvation Army bell ringers.  Varied souls take on this job for various reasons. 

A fellow co-worker and I were stopping at Hobby Lobby this week and he shared with me that one of the most overlooked workers is the bell ringer.  It was reported how people ignore them, look past them, avoid them and so he was making a point to recognize these workers by greeting each one he passed.

Being a bell ringer and asking for money from the general public is a thankless job.  I will admit to not making eye contact in order to ease the guilt for not putting money in their bucket.  C's comments made me rethink my actions.  Since that afternoon I've greeted every bell ringer receiving some surprised, but enthusiastic, responses.

This brings to mind another thankless job.  Just west of Dickens  and east of Crosbyton is a treasure appreciated by many a traveler; a spectacularly clean rest area/restroom. 

We make a point of stopping at this well tended rest area because it is SO clean.  It is maintained by a company out of TN but I know it is a local individual who is doing an outstanding job.

Cleaning restrooms and picking up after the general public is a thankless job.  I want to recognize those in charge of this rest stop.

What thankless jobs would you like to recognize?

Picture from: 

zimbio.com

Mid-Week Merriment with the Friday Forum

The holidays are a time for gathering together, enjoying conversation and making merry.  The Friday Forum embraces this attitude all year.  When the holidays roll around we double the fun.  Wednesday we gathered at my house for a holiday lunch and to share the treasures we stuffed into each other's stockings. 

Friday found us back in the office chatting over steaming mugs of fresh ground Sumatran beans, moist chocolate cookies and a tasty snack mix. 
 
Herein are musings from the Forum:

N., on the north end of the hall, not only provided the wonderful chocolate cookies and snack mix we all enjoyed but contributed these thoughts about the Wednesday party:
Favorite moment: Talking about our favorite Christmas movies/shows, even though S. and V. didn’t have one.
Favorite food: dessert – who knew you could put three different kinds of cookie in one ice cream? (Blue Bell Christmas Cookie . . . yum!)
Favorite thing about parties: laughing with friends.

M., on the south end, said:
The Christmas tree, decorated with so many memories of L’s childhood, was an inspiration. Our family tradition has been one new ornament each year, but I now want to incorporate this idea, with that new ornament representing a special memory. I was browsing Pinterest last night and found another inspiration! This year’s ornament is going to be homemade…a clear glass ball filled with sand and sea shells to remind us all of our wonderful family vacation in Virginia Beach! It will be a reminder of how blessed that time together was and keep us smiling until the next time we can all be together again. And, for our precious grandson there just may be a few clear glass balls filled with snowflakes and photos of his far away grandparents loving on him.
E. shared:
I am so blessed to work with such wonderful people. They are always there for me. I look forward to Friday Coffee Break every week. It is so fun to try new recipes and chat and relax for a spell!

M., in the front office, comments on both occasions:
I love the holiday conversations. I learn about so many different traditions that all of us have. I love S.’s Christmas tree which is a walk through her families past. It’s like a huge scrapbook. C.’s family opens one present every hour. How much fun keeping the excitement throughout the whole day! What we did when the kids where home is, between the 7 of them, draw names out of a hat and go to Wal-mart-give each child $20.00 dollars and they shopped for their secret brother or sister's gift. They enjoyed this so much. Plus, this helped me out since I really hate shopping!

Another topic today was personal space issues that come up when we go out to a store or are waiting in line somewhere. C.’s idea of envisioning a hula hoop around you, to mark as your own area to stay in, was fantastic.

Of course the chocolate cookies were fantastic, thank you N. and also getting a new recipe for a party mix from N.’s mom. They were both delicious!

Those of us in the Friday Forum appreciate you stopping by and sharing our fun.  Please take a moment and comment on a Christmas favorite for you, your family or your workplace.

Wishing you and your family/office a very Merry Christmas and successful New Year!

Pictures from:
vectorstock.com
askville.amazon.com
graphicssoft.about.com
christmasfor2012.blogspot.com

2011 Resolution: A Review . . . of sorts

January of 2011 I declared my words for the new year, "Be Not Afraid". With several major family events scheduled I was already feeling anxious.  As a child of God I know I should "be not afraid" so I made it my New Year's resolution to seek the peace in those words.   How did I do? 

Our only child, L., graduates from High School in the spring and leaves for college in the fall.  Spring term is grueling as he works to finish up Senior projects and pass tests earning his International Baccalaureate, as well as his high school, diploma.  Graduation day was exciting with family traveling in to celebrate.

Summer begins, the economy tanks, unemployment jumps and education funds disappear as the state scrambles to fund a system in distress.  Scholarship and loan money we thought would be available are frozen and announced as unlikely to reappear.  Completing my M.Ed. in 2005 was part of our plan toward paying for L.'s college.  I begin to search for full-time positions in earnest.  We sharpen our pencil, tighten our belts and apply for multiple scholarships.  L. puts in as many hours as his job will allow.

Money begins flowing to the university with down payments, fees and reservations.  Unexpected scholarships come in and we meet all the required obligations.  September we pack up and move L. into his dorm.  Tuition is paid, books are bought, housing is charged.  The first year is covered.

Fall, another school year and empty nest feelings settle in.  Lots of job applications, two interviews, no job offer.  My part time job is stable, my office mates are supportive and encouraging.  My husband and I see a marked reduction in the grocery bill, gas consumption and utilities.


How did I do, not being afraid, in 2011?  At each shift that would turn my insides with anxiety I would kneel at my bedside, offer it up to the LORD, ask forgiveness for my weakness and declare, with His help, I would not be afraid.   

2012 brings many of the same issues but I have known peace through 2011.   We have been steadfast; working, adjusting and tightening our finances and keeping God at the center of our lives.  We have met all our obligations and I am not afraid, that we will meet all that are yet to come.

John 14:27 (NIV) "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
Pictures courtsey of: 
theeconomiccollapseblog.com
bookfoolery.blogspot.com
history.hazubu.com
vectorstock.com

Empty Nesting Quilt #3

#2 Christmas for D.

As of August, when our only son went off to college, I have been channeling my empty nest emotions through a creative outlet, quilting, (more piecing than actual quilting).  The first two were t-shirt quilts made from his High School tees and tees from K-8.

This fabric is the outside frame

This third quilt is a Christmas gift for my husband D. and is more traditional.  The squares have an applique made from remnants of Christmas fabric originally purchased to make pajamas for L. when he was small. 

#1 Christmas, 2001 for L.

Math has always been a bit of a challenge therefore there are plenty of the same scraps allowing for two quilts made from the same Christmas fabric.  

For convenience and ease of sewing I generally buy a flat sheet, (queen size for this), as backing but single sheets, outside of a set, are becoming increasingly difficult to find.  This is even more challenging when seeking a particular color.  Back to the trusty fabric store, a bit more sewing, an extra touch at the top and the backing is in place.


This quilt took much longer than the T-Shirt quilts and it seemed I was running out of steam.  Perhaps it was time to store the machines, (thank you #1 sister, J. for the serger) until my #2 sister, J., tickled my ears with the idea of the Quilt-As-You-Go method.  I like the idea of quilting but realize I don't have the patience for it.  This method, aptly demonstrated here, is very intresting and, I've decided, worth a try.  Stay tuned for #4.

Thanksgiving Kitchen Triathalon

My husband, D., is a cook.  In his early life he initially wanted to own his own restaurant.  He was actively working toward that goal when I was hired to work at the restaurant he was managing.  Our relationship works very well as I don't mind cleaning up.  I share this to say D. cooks frequently therefore I am well versed in kitchen clean up.

Being a contender in the clean up division I find the Thanksgiving meal to be the triathlon of clean ups.  Ours was a quiet celebration with only four in attendance so we had a small menu and made plans to enjoy it at the mid-meal.  Turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry relish, rolls and a cherry pie for dessert.  Of the seven items listed only two were not pre-prepared.  Why, I wondered, were we in the kitchen all day?

The Thanksgiving meal, large or small, appears to require more hours and more kitchen tools to prepare, serve and clean up than any other meal.  We put the turkey in the oven at 9:00am and I was not out of the kitchen for more than a 30 minute stretch until the final wipe down was performed (with a Norwex rag) at 3:30pm. 

My Thanksgiving table.

I will give that I don't use paper goods.  We've eaten on the china since my son came home from elementary school and asked if we had any china.  When I said, yes, and wanted to know why he replied, "Cause my teacher said they only use their china when someone dies."

The good thing about Thanksgiving clean up is there are, generally, more hands to make the job go quickly.  I had the best time storing left overs, drying and putting away dishes in the midst of setting the kitchen to rights while my son, home from college, stood at the sink, elbow deep in dishwater and continued to wash all I put in the water until we were done.  We chatted and laughed and enjoyed each other's company, and the chore was no more.

Example of D.'s artful carving.

It was a wonderful day to enjoy food, family and a day spent together in thankfulness for all our blessings.  I pray your Thanksgiving day was as special.

Were you part of the cooking team or the cleaning team at your Thanksgiving feast?

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Aging Gracefully: Crossing the Threshold

Hitting 50 is the bell ringing, flag waving, socially accepted, certified doorway to old age.  AARP welcomes you under the confetti of mutliple mailings in anticipation of this momentous occasion.  On your 50th birthday you cross the threshold into old.

Since I've turned 50 there has been more than one store clerk ask if I wanted to join their senior's club.  On my receipt, just yesterday, the clerk graciously gave me the 15% senior discount, assuming there was no need to ask.  Don't get me wrong, I'll take a discount at any age.

I've also noticed that remarks concerning the aging body have my ears perking.  I find myself paying closer attention to the indigestion, bloating, acid reflux and Bengay commercials.  During some mild discomfort I went to investigate on the Internet and hit a BINGO for menopause symptoms.  Hello Old Age!

While at the library recently I held the door for an elderly lady walking with a cane.  She said to me, "Oh dear, never get old."  "It's too late!" I wanted to cry, "I've turned 50, I'm at the top of the hill sitting in a wagon!"  Instead I replied, with a smile, "I don't think I have a choice so I'm trying to do it gracefully."

Therefore, here at the threshold, in addition to the Dating and Mating series, Friday Forum posts, Treasures of the Heart, empty nest chronicles, writing commentaries and thoughts in general it seemed timely to pen my progress on Aging Gracefully.

When I crossed over in August, I started taking Vitamin D along with a Women's daily vitamin and have sought information on what helps ease the symptoms of menopause.  I'm a card carrying member of the AARP.

Positive changes already in progress have been to lose weight, truly attempt to exercise more, updating my make-up regime and turning my wardrobe towards a more classic look rather then trendy. 

I don't fear age, I fear the problems that come with age.  It isn't my goal to be mentioned by Willard Scott as a Smucker's 100 but with more and more mentions of 102+, if I make it I'd like to be ambulatory and continent.  With those goals in mind there is no better time to prepare than here at the threshold.

I say "Cheers!" to aging gracefully.   

What do you say?                                                  

photos courtsey of:

tp4ww.com

menopauserx.com

dailypainters.com

The Holiday Season Begins with Coffee and the Friday Forum

Each week, in our small office, the Friday Forum meets to enjoy a speciality coffee and tasty treats. Often we give our opinions on new food products.  You can find our previous blogs here.

With so many holiday flavored creamers available it is hard to decide which ones to taste.  Coffee Mate is a front runner with multiple varieties.  We have tried: Warm Sugar Cookie, Gingerbread, Eggnog, Peppermint Mocha, Pumpkin Spice.

Flavored coffees were put aside but we did not forsake good coffee blends.  Starbucks Kenyan blend, Pete's Arriba coffee beans and an office favorite, Magnolia blend from Trianon Coffee in Austin, have been brewed.

Two Snyder pretzels varieties, our test products, were evaluated: York Peppermint Chocolate Pretzel Sandwich, and Milk Chocolate Pretzel Dips.  On this November Friday E. also provided a lovely spread of Philadelphia cream cheese and crackers, pumpkin muffins, and fruit.

M. out front, who provided our pretzel samples, said, "The cream cheese spread had a great blend of veggies that complement any cracker. We also enjoyed the Snyder’s pretzels dipped in Hershey’s chocolate and the York Peppermint pretzel was the hit of the day. I think everyone enjoyed it the most."

N. gives these reviews:
"coffee – delicious!
Sugar Cookie Creamer – delicious!
Gingerbread Creamer – pretty good, not as good as sugar cookie.
Snyder’s peppermint chocolate pretzels – so good! It’s like a Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookie
Snyder’s Hershey’s chocolate pretzels – very yummy and potentially addictive
Thanks to E. for the lovely and tasty spread of cookies, muffins, fruit, crackers, and cream cheese spread! She gets an A+ for both presentation and taste."

This Friday C. provided great kolaches and donuts from Daylight Donuts along with a wonderful Amish coffee cake made by E., our own in-house pastry chef.

M., out front, had these thoughts, "I absolutely loved the magnolia blend coffee. I also put in the warm sugar cookie creamer and it tasted even better. The warm kolaches were fantastic as well as our conversations of family and face book irritations!"

M. agreed, "Coffee was delish as usual and we never seem to lack a tasty treat, but I am sure it is the conversation and gathering that makes everything even better."

Here's hoping your office is a warm and friendly place to celebrate and enjoy the holidays.  From our office to you: Season's Greetings! 

Pictures courtsey of:

wallpaperbordersrus.com

himfr.com

digiwebstudio.com

Dating & Mating #8: Mirror, Mirror On the Wall

No matter how much it is said, "Don't judge a book by its cover" it will be.  We judge most things, initially, by how they appear.  Knowing this it makes sense to encourage everyone to look their best but a quick glance around and it is apparent that that advice falls on deaf ears. 

All kinds of good advice here: DM#7, DM#6, DM#1-5

Today I want to talk about hair; a point of contention for many and a page one issue when dealing with our 'look'.  It is safe to say most people like what they don't have, i.e. thick hair wants sleek (not considering sleek is usually thin and/or oily), thin hair wants thick (dry, heavy, unmanageable) straight wants curly (kinky, unruly, frizzy) and so on.

I, like so many, am on a continual quest to find that perfect hairstyle.  That one that fits the shape of my face (heart, oval, square) along with the right products (de-frizz, conditioner, mousse, gel, Clairol) to make my thick and wavy, dishwater blond, mop to look good.

Without the right products on a windy,
humid day my hair is unruly:

    

Tightening up the waves was
an idea, but even in the 70's
it wasn't the look for me.

Technology allows us to obtain the opposite of what we have.
With the help of a straightening iron I reached sleek and straight.
When your family is used to one way . . . not!

Today, 50 years in with the same hair, I return to the salon hoping the beautician (now there's an old word), may have the skill to produce exactly what I think I want, to look my best.

What I need to do is accept that my hair is a reflection of my personality and/or my feelings at any given point in my life, or moment in the day.  Because it is so easily changed let us join together in solidarity and not try to find that perfect style but rather embrace our hair type and what it has to say about us.

If we are to be judged, let us be judged truly.

Arriving at the Middle

Driving home from the library I noticed a family walking.  The man was holding the hand of a small girl about 6 years old, followed by his pregnant wife.  I smiled because it was a nice picture.  My first thought was, "I'm glad I'm past that."  My second thought, "I have arrived at middle."

Lately, when out, D. and I seem to notice small children.  They make us smile and generally illicit a memory of when L. was that age.  It is no surprise that these thoughts are prevalent here at the beginning of our empty nest.  We have launched our child but have yet to enjoy the pleasures of grandchildren.  We are at the middle.  We have JUST arrived so we still have the steady dating, engagement, wedding and grandchildren stations to go through yet.  (Hopefully in that order.)

Grandchildren are joyfully anticipated but I honestly don't want to rush the process.  In the meantime D. and I have a lot to offer in our jobs, friendships and ministries as we adjust to the extra time we have to give. 
 
There is a feeling of freedom being on the older, wiser end of the line.  Friendships with younger women are exciting as they share their energy and their familiar situations.  It is satisfying being able to offer comfort and advice because we've been there.  It's freeing to look back down the road and see what hurdles were jumped, what pitfalls were missed and helping along those who are making the same journey.

We've arrived at the middle.  I greatly enjoyed the stations getting here and I'm looking forward to what's ahead.  What are your thoughts about the station in life where you currently find yourself?

Pictures from:
joyofpropaganda.wordpress.com
ifeelretro.com
zazzle.com

Quilting Through the Elementary Years

I'm moving right along on my quilting spree. This is the third tee shirt quilt and likely the last (I have no other tee shirts to use!)

The first was for practice.  It was the Family Reunion Quilt which followed a traditional pattern.  For the high school tee shirts I used my serger with school colors.  That was my favorite method of the three.  On this current quilt I used L's elementary through 8th grade tee shirts. 

This pattern is called a "Rag Quilt" where the complete square is assembled and then attached leaving the edges to fray.  It is always difficult to find the one fabric that will tie so many different colors together but the plaid flannel did the trick.  The front are tees from first through fifth grade and the back are from junior high.


With L. away at college the back bedroom has been transformed from an office into a sewing room.  I've bought quilting and embroidery needles and pulled out all the fabric tucked into tubs, bags and back closet corners.

The internet is a fabulous resource, I've read enough about applique, and have plenty of Christmas fabric scraps, to begin the next project.  It will be interesting to see when all this energy begins to wan but at the moment it's full steam ahead.

Lovin' the Library

I LOVE the public library system.  Whoever was instrumental in creating public libraries should be sainted, knighted, crowned, celebrated! The free, sharing of information and the written word is surely ONE of the elements that make for a civilized, peaceful society.

Although the concept of the public library is fantastic, there are levels of "wonderfulness" at each facility.  I have lived in many different cities and experienced a variable sliding scale of public library competencies. 

One of the smaller city libraries, in south eastern Arizona with a population of approximately 30,000, had a top-notch facility.  They had only one building that was clean and welcoming, the book selection was current, up-to-date and available.

My parents live outside a tiny town that boasts the thriving Mill Pond Library.  With the help of their Friends they moved from 900 square feet into a donated grocery store space, outfitted it with computers and DVDs and expanded their new titles in order to better service a rural area of eager readers.  The fund raising efforts of this librarian and community are incredibly impressive and inspiring.

It is understandable, in our time, that government funds to libraries run shallow and that many are great because of the dedicated librarians and community benefactors that make up their Friends of the Library.


Knowing a public library can run well, even in tight times, brings discouragement when a large city public library appears to be lacking in resources. 

The answer to this stringency is another spectacular idea and boon to those smaller facilities that do not benefit from an active Friends group.  The inter-library loan system.  My sister in Michigan has used her inter-library loan system with great regularity so I find it odd that it took me so long to sign up and get on-board.  I became so disgusted with our public library and their lack of titles and hodge podge handling of series that my reading had fallen off to a great degree.  It wasn't until, while reading some of the review blogs, I once again searched for a particular title, was backing out of the library catalogue search engine and noticed the inter-library loan icon.

Inter-library loan sign up, search and request procedures were all exceptionally easy.  The books arrived within a week.  There are some stiff requirements about returning materials which are completely understandable and easy to comply with.  I'm back on the library loan-trail and finding all the titles I search for.

When you have the opportunity I encourage you to be a Friend to your library.  Buy what they are selling to raise funds; a brick, a calendar, cookies, holiday ornaments, a cook-book.  Let your local library be a beneficiary of your designated, charitable funds.

If you love your library, give it a shout-out in the comments.

pictures courtsey of:
sunpack.com
heritage.wisconsinlibraries.org
melissacwalker.com

A September Friday With the Forum

The office has been meeting on Friday's, enjoying speciality coffees for over a year.  In June we developed the Forum, choosing the mission of taste testing new products.  Our Friday Forum posts have been among the most visited.  In the past week there have been a slew of visitors, from Europe, across all the Friday posts.  We welcome anyone who enjoys a fun group, drinking beverages or eating to join us in our mission.  Leave a comment for us to share on Friday.



Coffee: It's a Group Thing

It's Friday: Sip, Nibble, Enjoy

Our 18 Cents from the Friday Forum

Taste of Texas Brewing: It Must be Friday

Friday Forum Catch Up   


 Here's what we've been tasting and thinking.

We worked through the H.E.B. Cafe Ole coffees I purchased on my last trip to Austin.  We finished with Texas Pecan, which M., in the middle, declared was her favorite of the bunch.  There are a couple more varieties left to try and I will be in Austin soon to make those purchases.

With the Texas Pecan V. provided three new varieties of Snyder and Rolled Gold pretzels.  Several of us agreed with V. who weighed in with this comment, "SNYDER’s Pumpernickel and Onion Pretzels should be provided by the state as a nutritional staple!"  We all wrinkled our nose at the sound of this flavor but it proved to be down right tasty.

Today's coffee has been a standard but N added, "If I were Consumer Reports, I would rank today’s Eight O’ Clock Vanilla Bean coffee as a ‘best buy’. Really smooth and delicious – no flavored creamer needed to have a great vanilla taste!"

M., out front, thought, "The coffee today was Vanilla Bean and was fantastic! Went down smooth. We nibbled on candy corn, granola and kolache’.  I had never heard of kolache until we moved to Texas so I naturally thought it was a Texan thing, however I was incorrect. I googled it and found out that it originated from the Czech region. Either way, I ate one too many and they were delicious."

E was in agreement, "The kolache's were tasty! I loved the bread, warm and chewy!"

If you have a favorite treat, snack or coffee let us know, we'd like to give it a try. 
Here's hoping your Friday was a tasty one.

Kolache

Pictures from: 

officemuseum.com
1europe.eu
alwayshungryny.com

Treasures of the Heart #3

We are five weeks into the empty nest.  The Empty Nest Syndrome (ENS) has taken shape, for me, in quilting.  I've finished one, will finish another this weekend and have bought new tools to work on another.  

My Treasures of the Heart originated through Luke 2:51;  #1 and #2 explains.

Entry: 4/21/2005
Cleaning up papers brought home from 3rd quarter projects of 6th grade.  There was a blue construction paper star with TRUTH on one side and LIES on the other.  It says this:

Lies, the dark moldy infestation of Earth

They look like peacefulness of a hidden trap

They smell like the sour-sweetness of something rotting

It feels like the wet, slick feel of a leech

It tastes like old peanuts

It sounds like a scream

Truth, the bright, warm thing that cures the infestation

It looks like a bright star in the middle of the night

It smells like spring

It feels like a warm blanket

It tastes like moist chocolate brownies

It sounds like people cheering



L. is doing very well at school. D and I are keeping each other entertained but we'll have a nice set of quilts before the ENS subsides.

Pictures found at:

southshorewoman.com

clipartof.com

jayguin.wordpress.com



High School T-Shirt Quilt Complete!

Alright.  I'm raising my right hand, bending at the elbow and patting myself on the back.  L. is about to start his fourth week of college and I have completed the quilt made out of his high school t-shirts.   

Last November I made a quilt out of family reunion t-shirts to test out a serger my sister gave me.  My saying holds; "Have Serger will travel."


The pattern was modified as L. had so many t-shirts that I was able to piece both sides.  A summer weight blanket was used as the batting, cutting it into squares and assembling a completed panel.  A gold thread was used on the top stitch (high school colors were black and gold) to show on the serger side. 15 panels on each side made for the perfect dorm bed size.

 N. (a member of the Friday Forum) suggested that I use old jeans for the edging because what says teenager more accurately than jeans and t-shirts?  It took three pair of jeans to complete this edge.

There remains a stack of t-shirts from elementary through junior high waiting to become the next project.  The serger worked very well but with the batting and four sheets of fabric I was trying to put a bit more under the serger foot than it was designed for.  I'm going for a brighter and larger quilt on this next one and have found a Rag Quilt design that should fit the bill.

The final touch is in the lower left hand corner on the serger side.  Placing a kiss, including a prayer and adding a tag that says it all: