Mirabile Dictu

Mirabile Dictu . . . Wonderful to relate . . . one of those phrases picked up in high school Latin classes. It's not something that usually comes up in ordinary conversation, but in this case it is totally appropriate. On Friday, I met with my oncologist and this morning with my surgeon, and mirabile dictu, I will not need any further treatment of any sort. I am cancer FREE!!!  No more mammograms, no more dreaded breast MRIs, no more anxious days waiting for biopsy results EVER . . . I'm done!!!!!! Life is good!

I am healing well and working on gaining back my full range of motion. Since I have been faithfully doing the prescribed series of exercises, it is doubtful that I will even need any physical therapy. I am determined that it wouldn't be necessary, so three times a day I climb the wall, each day getting higher and higher. (That means standing against a wall and trying to slide the effected arm up as far as one is able.)

I know how truly blessed I have been with all of the support and prayers and positive energy received from family and friends; I am a lucky, lucky woman.

Work continues on the grandmother's flower garden hexagon quilt which I saw on the blog,  A Quilting Life. The pattern for this quilt is available from the blogger's online pattern shop. She also has wonderful tutorials and videos. I had never made a hexie before, but now I am hooked. It's a great hand project while watching TV.

In the video tutorial, she offers advice. First, she doesn't use glue preferring to baste the fabric. (It only takes a minute or two to baste each one.) She also suggests that for ease of removal, you should punch a whole in the center of each paper form.

To this advice, I will add that using a bodkin, the tool seen above, makes it super simple to remove the papers. Just put the round knob end in the hold and out pops the paper, lickety split. (Another swell phrase not heard often in conversations these days. :-)

I started with charm squares, but then ordered a plastic template which called for a slightly bigger starting piece which I find works much better. I love the grey, white, and black backgrounds to which I am hand appliqueing the flowers. Hand stitching is something that I find very relaxing.

These background fabrics from my stash were destined for a different project, but they are perfect for this one.

By the way, I saw a photo of a Christmas table runner where each hexie was a fussy cut little image. Maybe next year . . . and come to think of it, with all of the fun seasonal fabrics that there are, one could make a fun table runner for Easter, Halloween . . . There is no end to the possibilities :-)

Again, thanks to all for your good wishes, prayers, and support; I am truly blessed.