Lest Us Not Forget

In Celebration of Martin Luther King

Today many Americans will have a day off from their jobs. Sadly, many will not even know exactly why. As I have mentioned before I have an attachment to the Civil War era, and a special attachment to the history of the underground railroad and the quilts that assisted in guiding the slaves to freedom in the north. Today, we celebrate the bravery and voice of one man, Martin Luther King. He wanted one thing, freedom to be equal to other Americans. The Civil War was fought for this very reason, FREEDOM. So, I guess it's no surprise that I have a special attachment to the memory of the brave Reverend King.

As I worked on the computer this morning a movie came on that I had seen years ago. In celebration of today they were airing it again. "The Long Walk Home" is the movie staring Sissy Spacek and Woopie Goldberg. If you ever have the chance please watch it, it's a true eye opener to where we were, where we are, and yes where we still need to go as Americans. With tears streaming down my face I am reminded again of how mean spirited people can be when they feel threatened by change or by someone "different."

This past summer another wonderful movie hit the big screen, "The Help", very similar to the Long Walk Home with more humor. It's another wonderful and insightful movie, it should be required viewing in our high schools.

Today, join me in the celebration of change, let's honor a man's faith and his ability to promote change when most of America fought against it.

Let Me Call You Sweetheart!!

Isn't this just a sweet little basket set? Longaberger has created this adorable basket in celebration of Valentines Day 2012. I think it is just precious. The lid sports a very cute wrought iron heart knob as well as an engraved led say "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" To accompany this cute set is a wrought iron footed stand. To view the complete set go to Longaberger.com/anitataylor!

Here are a few more shots. I had hoped to get a better pic of the heart knob, however it came out a wee bit dark.

Here is a shot of several items on sale this month only! The long market basket in warm brown stain, the travel cup in Golden Fields,  the 8" Crimson Hill basket and the Crimson Hill pillow tucked in the back. January is a great time to pick up those items you've been eye balling all season long!

I love this cross stitch towel, I get it out and use it every Valentines season. My dear friend Amy did this for me one year and I truly treasure it. The Utensil Basket on the far right is also one of our sale baskets this month, very functional and very utilitarian ... hehe get that play on words.

No, this is not on sale but isn't it a perfect center piece idea for a Wedding Shower or Valentine celebration? I've taken our small/medium hurricane filled it with candy hearts and a white pillar candle and finishing it with a satin bow. The hurricane is short so it makes chatting with guests at your table comfortable! It is also sitting on a piece of our Oasis pure white pottery.

BNSF employee killed in Amarillo train accident

Some days you wake up and it's just another day. Not much is really going on so you go about the routine of life. Well today was just that kind of a day. Dropped quilts off to be quilted, stopped at the

Dollar Store and came home. Checked my emails, then on the Facebook and wham, a hit in the heart that literally knocked the wind out of my sails. The attached article is about my cousin who resided in Texas where he worked for the railroad for the past 36 years. He was tragically killed yesterday morning while working on a train. Tom was a great guy, always laughing, loved his wife and family. He will be greatly missed.

What I want to convey to all of my readers is this. Remember, life is so short, every moment may be your last. Live life with love in your heart, live it with integrity, forgive those your angry with ... nothing is really worth all the angry feelings we waste on things. You can say I love you, I'm sorry, I forgive you today, will you be able to tomorrow??

BNSF employee killed in Amarillo train accident: Officials are continuing their investigation into a railroad accident that killed a Burlington Northern Santa Fe worker in North Amarillo Monday morning.

What have I been doing??

A long time friend of mine called a few days ago and asked that age old question ... "what have you been doing"? My typical response, "oh not much." Then today I decided to pull out my quilting projects and get them ready to go to the long arm quilter and low and behold it came to me what I've been doing?

I've been QUILTING! I didn't realize I had completed so many and one didn't make it in the picture. So tomorrow I will make a stop and pick up my favorite batting and off to the quilters I will go. Hope to get at least two of them back in time for Valentines Day ... they will look so cute for sweetheart season!!

Oh! I forgot, I also made a little insert for an oval frame I got for Christmas ....



Isn't it cute? I love it, and even though it doesn't look like it in the picture it is actually square. Have a happy 2nd week in the New Year Y'all.

Uncle Sam Collection #3!!

I'm  a Yankee Doodle Dandy ... yep I am!! And being born on the 4th of July was cause to buy me many Uncle Sam's as well as other Americana Collectibles! However, Uncle Sam is still my favorite. Perhaps because it all started with him!

Yes, this is the guy! He was created at Knott's Berry Farm here in California, and purchased in the late 70's. He stood all alone on the fire place mantle for about a year and then .... it all exploded! The following pictures a just a few of the Sam's etc., in my collection.

This big fella heralds from a shop called Fairfield Folk Art which is no longer in business. They hand carved all of their items ... I really miss those folks!

This little cluster have come from friends, my mom and even myself! I actually purchased the rabbit Sam on the left one year at Easter. Check out his snappy shoes!

LOVE this Uncle Sam. He is an antique from somewhere in the midwest. I purchased him from Martha, the owner of Fairfields just before she sold the shop. She used him as a prototype for the many pieces she created. He now lives in my Americana downstairs restroom.

Now before you look at the next picture don't feel the need to adjust your glasses. You do NOT have double vision ... there really is this much Americana in one spot! Oh the stories they could tell if they could speak!!

I told you there was a lot in here! Precious Moments, Beanie Babies, Hummels, WolfCreek, Fairfield, Longaberger, Antiques,

ETC., it's all here. Hope you enjoyed my little journey through my collectibles.

Do you feel better sissy?

Hey, it's me, Betsy Ross blogger, I haven't posted in quite a while the holidays and all have kept me really busy. Baking, shopping, wrapping and parties I'm exhausted! Now I'm nursing my sissy back to health. She's been staying at my house cuz she's got a bad tooth infection. I think if I keep licking her a lot she will get better. I'll keep you updated on my progress. Have a great weekend and walk your dogs!!

Baskets, Baskets, Everywhere Baskets!!

I started my collection of Longaberger Baskets in 1989. My very first purchase was the pie basket shown in this picture, top left. To this day it is still one on my most used and favorite baskets. These hang in between my kitchen and family room. They are easy to reach and the ones I use the most. One of the beauties of a Longaberger Basket is their strength and versatility. They are great work horses, beautiful to decorate with and the perfect piece to help keep my home warm, cozy and organized! If you would like any further information on how to acquire one of these amazing handmade (in the USA) baskets please contact me at Baskets4anita@aol.com!!

The bottom basket shown above was called a "Gourmet Picnic" I call it vintage and it is truly one of my classic treasures. Perched on top are my two Homestead baskets as well as one of my numerous Uncle Sam's.



Seated on my buggy bench are two more vintage, classic favorites. The bottom is from the Americana Collection, a Small Picnic with an attached woven lid. Seated on top is the Heirloom Hostess Basket, wearing one of my doll quilts!! Of note are the two rockers to the right. One belonged to me as a child, that would be the rocking horse. The other is a very old toy rocking chair I picked up in an antique store. The maker was a very old and blind man. It's rough and crude but I treasure it.

Hanging in my bathroom is a Longaberger Collector's Club cabinet filled with some Longaberger as well as my entire collection of small baskets hand woven in Dresden Ohio especially for the Longaberger annual Bee.

To complete today's post is my most emotional collection. Here is 2/3 's of my Horizon of Hope baskets. Over the past 17 years the Longaberger Company has designed and sold enough baskets to allow them to donate over 14 Million dollars to the American Cancer Society to be used in the research and treatment of Breast Cancer. This cause in near and dear to my heart as I have lost my aunt and a mother in law to deaths caused by breast cancer. The Horizon of Hope Campaign runs from July through October, if breast cancer has touched your life I ask you to please purchase one of these amazing little baskets to allow Longaberger to continue to make the amazing monetary donations they have done to date.