Once a week Queena meets with this respected teacher to work on her Malay for a couple hours.   What a delight to tag along and sit in on this learning lesson.    When Queena’s teacher retired from public teaching six years ago, the president of Malaysia presented her with a metal of honor.

We sat out on her open porch.   Part of Queena’s lesson was getting a list of new words about plants and growing things.

I snapped some pictures of our surroundings as they worked away.

This morning Queena and I went to a market that had a lot of tailor shops.   I had to smile as I saw the many women sewing away in their little shops.  Most of the ladies are making clothes or doing alterations.

This lady won my heart.  She said she has been treadling on this very machine for over 56 years.  That is older then I am.
In one of the stalls I spotted this hand stitched “Grandmother’s Flower Garden Quilt”. 

It was the first quilt I’ve seen seen being over here.   I sure felt a kindred spirit with this lady and would of loved to sit and chat…       ….but I don’t know Malay and she didn’t know English.

We stopped at the little food vendor for a bite to eat.   Queena said she is a regular customer.   The owner was so friendly and sat and visited with us while we ate.    He told me he loves when Queena comes.  He said she is always smiling!    They are a Christian couple.

~ Parting Shot ~

We were thirsty and bought a bottle of water.
What a name!

Here’s Dorie the Sunday School teacher!

Yesterday we went on an hours drive to the border of Malaysia/Indonesia where each weekend Indonesians bring their wares to sell all along the streets.  It was so fascinating.

We were joined by her Malay language helper as well as a friend.

These looked good, but Queena said words like squid, jelly fish, etc.  I changed my mind about it looking good.

The days are so humid and hot so we plan our little outings in the evening once the sun is sinking.
Ethan had been wanting to take the children to this special park made for joggers and bikers.

Sung and Karlynda have become good friends with Ethan and Queena and have been invaluable in helping them with the language.

Dorie has found a dear friend in Via.  It’s times like these, hearing the two gals chatter away, that I know Dorie will learn Malay.

We took an hours drive to a Longhouse at Annah Rais.
It consisted of houses built above the rain forest on poles and all connected together.

Everything is connected with bamboo walkways.

A whole village connected, house after house.  We saw chickens underneath roaming around.   Around one corner I saw this amazing looking rooster.

Found out later he was a “Fighting Rooster” used in fights.  The kids had went real close to it and it did show a nasty temper.

This swinging bridge connected another long house.

The cultural practice just two generations ago was to hang the heads of their enemies up in the rafters of the headhouse.  Oh my!

After the tour of the longhouse we went to a hot springs.

I much preferred putting my feet in the cool river then this murky, hot water.

The river reminded me so much of the river I grew up along.   Dorie and Via had so much swimming and playing together.

On the path down to the springs we saw fresh pineapples growing.

I’m wondering how fast the kiddos will pick it up.   This morning I had to smile as I watched Ethan studying the language on computer.  After a while little James jumped on his lap and they said the words together.  I have no doubt that it won’t be long before James will be bilingual.

Yesterday morning Mark flew out to Bangkok to met another team.  Holly will join them on Monday.  They will also spend some time in India before flying back here to Kuching.  I’m loving staying put right here!

Supper preparations last evening:

The cooking is done in the outside kitchen.  It’s basically a covered porch next to the inside kitchen.   I’ll try and get better pictures of that later. 
James helped by hammering the lemon grass, releasing the wonderful flavors.

Dorie helping grandma grate the carrots and chop vegtables for the stir-fry.

 
 
~ Parting Shot ~

This past weekend Mark and I along with Holly,  Tim and Diana, Chris and Alicia made the trip up to New York to attend our nephew Dustin’s wedding to Gina.   The leaves were changing and the drive was so beautiful. 
It’s always a treat when we get to be with family.
Here is Dustin’s parents Julia (my sister) and Paul Graber.

Dustin’s sister Amy with Ashton.

Mother visiting with some of her grandchildren.

Dustin’s brother Quinten and family.

Emily helping to entertain little Georgianna using her tablet.

Holly and cousins!

Our plans included a stop at Mark’s brother Nelson and Rose’s home for Sunday lunch and a visit.   Rose had a wonderful meal prepared and waiting for us.

Their son Myron, Abby and children were also there.  What a special time of visiting around the table.   Rose has made their home so warm and cozy filled with plants, quilts and Nel’s wildlife.  They even have a bear mount. 
I love this pictures of brothers visiting before the noon meal.

Rose also loves to sew and quilt.  I sure enjoyed seeing some of her beautiful work.   This quilt her mother pieced many years ago and Rose quilted it.

She has such a nice sunny quilt and sewing room.

Thank you Nelson and Rose for your kind hospitality.

This bunch sure did enjoy our time with you.

Back on the road again.   Our next stop was in Baltimore to visit a very special six year old!

Happy Birthday Maxwell!

We’re home again but packing our bags for yet another trip!

Kuching, Malaysia!

As the days get cooler what better way to warm ourselves then by circling a quilt with sweet fellowship and busy hands.

We kept the machines humming making patchwork squares.
I like seeing Erica working alongside her great-grandma.

Hows this for a multitasking mom?

~ Sew-n-Tell ~

Grandma Lois made enough squares for two of these quilts.

I love seeing the young ones with their hand-work.

I showed the European pillow that Misty and I put together.

A lovely shawl by Darlene.

Thanks Glenda for showing your log cabin quilt.  I love the way you set the squares.

We have room for many more at our monthly sewing circle.   Please come and join us the first Wed. of each month.

On Monday me and my girls (missed you Jessica and Queena) went over to Baltimore to give Cheryl a hand for the day.   They are hoping and planning on moving into their new/old home this Saturday and a lot of work and cleaning is ahead.
When we drove in these guys had already put in a half day of work and were taking their lunch break!

Alicia did a lot of mopping and wiping down the ceilings and walls.

Diana scrubbed and scrubbed the woodwork and walls.
Yes I’m just faking it for the pic.  I didn’t wash a single wall.  I spent my day washing the windows, curtains and screens.

Holly gets the GOLD MEDAL for the day!
Here is the ~before~ picture.

And here is the ~After~ picture!

We took a much needed lunch break around 1:30 at a little food joint down the road.

Back to cleaning…..

This is not a fake picture!  Yes I did mop one of the beautiful hardwood floors!

I was going to post my sewing circle pictures I took today but they will just have to wait for another day.