A Sweet Memory

Houston Quilt Market in October  always brings me a sweet memory of Friday night – not because I was AT quilt market that particular night but because I wasn’t in Houston and that was the night my sweet Susannah was born outside, unexpectedly, in 17 degree weather.  Here is Susannah’s picture that hangs in my kitchen.


And here is Susannah’s picture taken 15 years ago today when we weighed her at slightly under 2 pounds when we took our hands away.  Her mother wouldn’t claim her but you know I would and I raised her like a bottle fed puppy.  



Many of you know Susannah’s story and I could write pages.  I kept her in the house like a dog for a year and a half until Rick made me put her in the barn.    In his defense, she was chewing everything in sight by then but just let me say, it was a hard move for both of us.

Susannah died in February 2015 and I miss her.  There is no other night in the year that I think of her more than Friday night of Quilt Market in Houston which was last night.  Fifteen years ago today I was having the time of my life with a tiny baby goat that I did not expect to live……but she did.  What a sweet memory.

48 thoughts on “A Sweet Memory

  1. Donna

    Boy she really was a cutie. I know you hold many fond memories of her. It that board something you painted? The large red board with the goat?

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Donna – it’s a photo I took of her and had enlarged to poster size.

  2. Chris Harrington

    Gone but never forgotten. She was quite a character so it’s easy to see why you miss her so.

  3. PJ

    So hard to lose our fur babies, n she was a gem…cute as they come, memories keep them in our hearts!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ All the joy she gave you is priceless!!!!!

  4. Louise

    What a cutie she was. Those little holes in our heart never seem to mend.
    Thanks for sharing.

  5. sandra

    How blessed we are to have these wonderful creatures to love,and they faithfully love us back.Dudley,a very large cat,is watching the cub game with me.Go Cubs.

  6. Kay Crandall

    What a wonderful story and such a precious little baby! She was very fortunate to have you . . . And you to have her.

  7. Diane

    I had forgotten how tiny she was. Memories like yours are bittersweet, but oh what a joy and a character she was!!! Love the picture. Thanks for sharing this warm story🐐🐐

  8. Carol

    That is sweet memory that brought tears to my eyes. If I were to tell my husband why I feel weepy right now, I don’t know if he would understand. It’s a mom thing! What a special baby God brought into your life.

  9. Pat Mosley

    And I remember visiting the Country Threads booth at HIQF. My friend and I were heading out after a long day of classes and shopping. There was a game going on,(LRC) interesting! I said “I’m going to win!” and I did. A lot of 5″sqs, I knew I would win, never played before. I shared with her and used many, and I think you could find some left. Funny how you know you are going to win. Never had that feeling with the lottery…LOL

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Pat – yes, we did play that game in our booth – so glad you were a winner!

  10. Gloria

    Love love love that little one and the everlasting relationship you have with her. What a blessing to have her in your heart.

  11. Jeanie

    Thank you for posting Susannah’s baby pictures. I had heard about her but had not seen these early pics–so sweet. You are a wonderful mom to your fur babies, Mary.

  12. Rose Mikulski

    Sweet Susannah, that’s how our friendship started, I just had to meet you at Rosemont so I could talk about her. I am a proud owner of some special photos of her which you gave me. Still think A Goat in the House would make a wonderful novel–still love the story about the UPS driver finding her in the truck.

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Rose – I could write dozens of children’s books about her adventures but guess I don’t want to work that hard selling them. You were her Number One Fan, Rose!

  13. Cathy

    A wonderful story & a great memory. Isn’t it nice that even though we have lost our furry friends their memories can live forever in our hearts.

  14. Ellie

    Thank you for sharing that lovely memory. I remember sweet Suzanna and the day she died. I wish I’d met her but knowing her through your blog and photos has been a memorable treat. Tthank you!

  15. bernadette

    I love goats and their antics. Such clever critters and great jumpers. Any idea why the mom rejected her? Born outside in 17 degree weather. How did you happen upon her?

  16. bernadette

    PS: good thing you weren’t in Houston that night or you may have not found Suzanna in time.

  17. Kris Gavin

    She was lucky to have you as her human….and you were lucky to have her in your life….a match made in heaven. (Is this heaven? no, it’s Iowa). Lol….

  18. Martha Engstler

    Such a sweet tiny baby and what a blessing you were home. I wonder also how you found her. I also wonder how old goats usually live.

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Martha – My mom and aunt were here for supper and during the evening our dog, Carly, ran to the barn barking. I paid no attention but a couple hours later when I was getting ready for bed I suddenly thought about it. I took my flashlight and went to the west side of the barn and when I shined the light on Jill, there was a sturdy black and white baby goat standing beside her! I could not believe my eyes – we did not know she was pregnant – that’s another story! Then I heard a weak cry and saw a tiny wet baby on the ground struggling to crawl through the dirt. The short story is that Jill would have nothing to do with her so she became mine.

    2. CountryThreads Post author

      Martha – forgot to say – one of my goats lived to be almost 17 but I think that is unusually long.

  19. Cindy Y

    She was a beautiful little goat. You have an absolute love for animals and it shows. What a blessing you are to all the animals that have come through your life. Thank you for so many wonderful posts. It is a joy to look for your posting everyday because it brings a smile to my face. Thankyou!

    Cindy in northern Illinois

  20. Vickie

    God gives us little blessings and memories to carry us on. She was one of yours which you shared with all of us! I love to see your pictures and read your stories of life on the farm!

  21. Wendy

    Obviously, it was meant to be. The love you had for each other comes through in the pictures. What a heart warming story. Thank you for sharing it Mary. Needless to say, you must be forever grateful that you did not attend market that year.

  22. Susie

    I always love hearing stories of Susannah she is so precious and those baby pictures of
    her are so adorable! Thanks for sharing her with us.

  23. Paula

    I remember reading about Suzannah in the Goat Gazette. I loved to hear about her. Glad you mentioned it today. Paula in KY

  24. Jane Passarella

    Hi,

    I would love to be able to purchase a copy of your “Wild Turkeys” quilt pattern #530. Any chance you would have one to sell to me?

    Please let me know.
    Thanks,

    Jane

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Jane – we have no patterns left but I will make you a copy from the master and mail it for $10. Send to Mary Etherington, 2345 Palm Ave. Garner, IA 50438

Comments are closed.